HOUR 1:
Tech News & Commentary
Tech News Story discussed: What your cell phone says about you.
Marcos in Lindsay, California listening on KTIP 1450 AM asked: “I noticed that there are HDTVs coming out that are Wi-Fi enabled. What special purposes do those have? Can you browse on those? Is it for Netflix type services?”
Several manufacturers like Sony, Toshiba, Vizio, and others are coming out with Wi-Fi enabled TVs. They can stream content straight to their display without a network cable. For example, The Toshiba UX600 LED TV not only lets you watch movies from your cable or Satellite or DVD or Blu-ray, but it also lets you enjoy video from Into Tomorrow, YouTube, slideshows from Flickr, and other online content.
In addition to streaming video content from the Net, this set also has a customizable “Ticker” that lets you stay current with News, Weather, Twitter accounts and other stuff. These Toshiba models from 40 to 55″ start at about $1400.
Another good example is the VF552XVT TruLED LCD HDTV from Vizio. It uses the latest wireless technology, like the others, so you can connect to the Internet, stream movies, and TV Shows using the Netflix and Amazon widgets, listen your favorite music with Rhapsody, and even get the latest news & sports through Yahoo. You can also use the Universal Bluetooth Remote with slide out Qwerty keypad to send a tweet or change your status on Facebook. That 55″ unit is available for $2199.
For more information, tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
“Wireless Update” Weekly Feature with Chuck Hamby from Verizon Wireless
With Father’s Day this weekend, Chuck Hamby is here to tell us that a SMART gift for a SMART dad, might be a SMARTphone.
The “Into Tomorrow” team discussed the latest apps that they have been playing with recently.
- For Android, Dave recommends: Peanut Gallery (Sound Drops)
- For iPhone/iPad: Rob recommends: Words with friends (Available for FREE with Ads – gets a little annoying tho) Rob thinks it’s worth spending the $2.99. He also recommends downloading “Words with friends HD” for the iPad – $2.99 as well.
- For BlackBerry, Mark recommends: Twitter (Official Twitter App)
Tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast for more details
Guest in this hour:
Lance Parker, CEO – iTag
iTag is a mobile software company that helps you locate and protect the important things in your life — your phone and its information, your friends and even your car.
John in Indianapolis, Indiana listening on WSBT 960 AM asked: “I use a service called MyFax, which allows people to FAX documents to a phone number, then a digital copy gets forwarded to my email inbox. Wondering if there is another version of that that is free.”
You can take a look at faxZERO. You can send up to 2 faxes per day, 3 pages per fax, for free. The down side is that it puts an ad on the cover sheet. As usual, with free software, there are some limitations. Otherwise it’s $1.99 per fax for 1 document for up to 15 pages. They remove the ad when you pay. FaxZERO offers a 30-day trial, but if you like it, maybe you can afford the service eventually?
There is another service called Maxemail. Their fax service allows your fax messages to be delivered to your email address like “MyFax”. Their prices vary depending on the service you want. There are three different packages to choose from, depending on how many faxes you send & receive. Plans start at just under $10, but they do have a free trial for 30 days as well.
For more information, tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
Consumer Reports: “E-book Readers” with Paul Reynolds
From the Kindle to the iPad, what are the best e-book readers? Electronics Editor, Paul Reynolds gives us the scoop on latest ratings from Consumer Reports.
Nathan in Murfreesboro, Tennessee listening on 99.7 WTN FM and the iPhone asked: “Transferring VHS to DVD using a Mac. I once used Pinnacle for a PC and was wondering if they had the same kind of hardware for a Mac.”
If you want to convert VHS to DVD through your Mac, you can use the Pinnacle Video Capture for Mac.
Just attach the Pinnacle Video Capture to your computer, plug your VCR into the S-Video or composite video, audio ports and that’s it. The hardware MPEG 4 encoder frees up your Mac’s processor from other tasks.
An alternative and less expensive option is Roxio Easy VHS to DVD software for Mac.
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
Amazon: HydroRight Smarter Flush Technology Converts any size toilet to Dual-Flush & Anti-Siphon Fill Valve!
Honestech: VHS to DVD 4.0 Plus – Easy to use video conversion software
iMPROV Electronics: Several Boogie Board Paperless LCD Writing Tablets
Joby: GorillaTorch Original – Hands-free flashlights with flexible, bendable legs and magnetic feet
RadioShack: Weather Clock Radios with SkyWarn