HOUR 2:
Tech News & Commentary
Jack in Wyndham, New York listens online and asked: “What’s available on 3D videos that are video streamed? I have a Vizio 42-inch 3D TV coming in soon. I want to know what 3D content is available through streaminG — whether it’s Netflix, Hulu or whatever you recommend.”
As far as we know Hulu isn’t streaming any 3D content yet, Netflix isn’t either but will be “soon” — what soon means to them hasn’t been made clear though.
If you want streaming 3D content today, the only option that we know of is Vudu. They’re only starting out, and their 3D catalog isn’t huge yet, but they’re up and running today.
Some TV manufacturers are also running their own 3D content streaming services. Sony, Samsung and others have them up and running now, but we haven’t heard of Vizio doing that yet.
For more information, tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
“This Week in Tech History” Weekly Feature with Chris Graveline.
Chris in Miami Beach, Florida listens online, called in via the app and offered his experience regarding rescuing wet electronics, and using a USB adapter to connect multiple displays to a computer.
For more information, tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Robert in Fairbanks, Alaska listening on KFBX 970 AM called and asked: “I’d like to know where is a credible place to get free software for home or business use. Maybe like Adobe Photoshop, word express, something along the lines of that.”
You’re not really going to find any “credible” websites that will let you download software like Photoshop and Word for free. Photoshop costs hundreds of dollars, Word not as much, but it’s still not free.
Your options for getting something like that for free are to either a) get an alternative software. For example, Gimp is similar to Photoshop and free. And, OpenOffice’s Writer is similar to Word and free. Or, b) get an illegal copy.
If you look around you will find plenty of websites that will let you download software illegally. Frankly, you probably won’t have to do much more than to type the name of the software followed by the word “torrent” to find those sites, but they won’t be credible websites or always safe for that matter.
To go even further, we would say that it’s a virtual guarantee that if you install some program with a keylogger or other malware that steals information off your machine, it’ll be a pretty good chance that it came off a bit torrent or some other “warez” site. Totally apart from the fact that it’s illegal and it just doesn’t make sense to steal someone else’s work, it’s very dangerous.
For more information, tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Marcus in Montgomery Alabama listening on 1440 AM and calling in via the “Into Tomorrow” Android App asked: “Is there any way to get a smartphone that uses the phone for the phone service, but that you don’t have to pay for the internet connection?”
Usually the only way you’re going to be able to do that is if you buy a phone that hasn’t been subsidized by a company, especially if it’s a GSM phone. With GSM phones, just sliding the SIM card in will be enough to get them running on whatever plan the SIM card is programed for. With CDMA phones there’s an activation process involved and it includes giving the phone company the phone’s serial number, which they can use to check the model. If they do that and see it’s a smartphone, they usually won’t activate it without a data plan.
That basically means that you’re stuck with AT&T or T-Mobile as your carriers and with the smartphones you can buy unsubsidized.
You could try asking the other phone companies if they would activate a smartphone that “a friend gave you” without requiring a data plan. They don’t do it when they sell you the phone, but you may be able to buy a used one and have it put on the network if you don’t buy from them.
For more information, tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Group Discussion: Last week we highlighted the Amazon Kindle Fire on the show. We’ve been hearing a lot have been returning them because they’re dissatisfied.
Mark and some of our Facebook and Twitter friends shared their experiences owning (and sometimes returning) the Kindle Fire.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT with Rob: “Perfect365” (Photo Enhancement App + Computer Software) Is your face always camera-ready for pictures – especially during the holidays? That question may sound a little harsh, but have no fear. Technology can enhance your pictures and erase most of your concerns after getting your picture taken. |
 
Features: – Perfect365 is a “one-click makeover” photo enhancing program or app. It really does take 1-click … or, one tap in the case of the iOS version. – Many makeover effects to choose from. They go from subtle to most dramatic. You have more options on the computer version. – If you’re not happy with the 1-click makeovers, you can also do a custom makeover with “MyStyle”. Some of the things you can do include — removing blemishes and circles . . . trim face or lift cheeks . . . add eyeliner or contacts . . . enlarge eyes, or add deepen the smile. . . You can really get carried away with these custom features. – ArcSoft offers a version for PCs, Macs and iPhone. You can download the computer version for free. But, to take advantage of all the features, it’ll cost $40. – The iPhone version is currently available for $1.99. – The iPad version costs $4.99 on the App Store. |
Larry in Ocala, Florida listens on WOCA 1370 AM asked: “I have a computer that came with a monitor. The shorter, not the one that’s more common now. If I get a bigger monitor and I hook it up, will it start working right away, or will I have to do something to adjust it?”
In theory, yes. The only area you may run into a problem is if your computer is very old. In some cases, older computers have video cards that don’t support the higher resolution or the aspect ratio of the newer widescreen monitors. But this is rare.
You will get the best quality picture in whatever the native resolution of the monitor is. If you go into your display settings, you will be able to see what resolutions are available for your particular video card. If one of those settings will allow for a widescreen image, it will work. If one of the available resolutions matches the native resolution of your monitor, even better. You will get the best quality picture.
For more information, tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
AT&T: A Jambox Black Diamond by Jawbone — Wireless Speaker & Speakerphone
Fanny Wang: Custom Colored Headphones by Fanny Wang — We have a promo code for you to customize your own pair.
Honestech: Film Scan&Save — Digitize your old photo negatives and slides. Supports both color and black & white photo negatives and slides. Convert them into high-resolution images.
McAfee: Download keys for “McAfee All Access” — Secure your PC, laptop, and netbook against hackers and identity theft; Protect your smart phones and tablets.
Moola Street: $25 Gift Cards. Of course, Moola is slang for money and this is a unique way to give Gift Cards that cost you only 10% until the recipient redeems it!