HOUR 2:
Tech News & Commentary
Mike in Chesterfield, Michigan asked: “What’s the
best tablet type computer for reading off of. I hear about the iPad and
Kindle. Just want to hear what you’d recommend and why.”
First we need to differentiate between the two. While the iPad is a tablet computer, the Kindleis not. It’s an eBook reader. While tablets will also act as an ebook reader, the reverse is not true.
Looking at these strictly from an e-book perspective, the question of
which one is easier to read is constantly being debated. A lot of
people say that a backlit LCD screen, like that on the iPad is easier
to read. However, there’s no denying that especially in bright
sunlight, the “e-ink” screens that you find on most e-book readers is
definitely easier to read. They dont have glare from bright lights or
the eye strain that many people feel after staring at an LCD screen for
long periods of time.
On the other hand, the e-ink screens are monochromatic. You have two
colors … black and white. While some things are fine to look at in
black and white, pictures and magazines will certainly look better on
the LCD screen of a tablet.
Another perk of the dedicated e-book readers is battery life. Since
they consume such little power, the batteries tend to last quite a bit
longer than they do on tablets.
If you are talking about strictly reading books, then a Kindle would be
the most “book-like” environment for you, and it’s quite a bit less
expensive. However, if you want to read full color publications like
magazines, or if you want to do anything with the device other than
reading (like surf the web, play a game, or run one of the vast number
of apps), then an iPad 2 or an Android tablet would definitely be the
way to go.
Either way, you’ll be getting a terrific device. Just make certain you
decide how you want to use it before you decide which to buy, so you
avoid any buyer’s remorse later..
Tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast for more details.
“This Week in Tech History” Weekly Feature with Chris Graveline
Joe in State College, Pennsylvania asked: “I was
wondering if you could install Windows on a PS. My friend said it can
be done but I have no idea how to do it. And if so, is it a good idea
and does it work?”
You can, we don’t know if you should, but you can. In fact — for
that matter — you can also install Linux and Mac OS X on a PlayStation , if you want to.
A PS is just a very specific type of gaming computer, but it is a computer and it runs basically on the same kinds of parts that make up regular computers.
If you really want to do this, the steps are simple:
1) Download a piece of software
2) Burn it onto a DVD
3) Pop it in your PlayStation
4) Restart and follow the prompts.
Now, considering you’re downloading software off the internet that
install Windows onto a gaming machine without going through the process
of paying Microsoft for a license, we’re going to guess you’ll be
breaking a law or two.
Also, some of the software you can use to install the foreign OSs claim
they will not harm your warranty, but we suspect Sony might have some
legal text in the terms of that warranty making it void the second you
install 3rd party operating systems that will attempt to control the
various parts your PS is made up of in ways that Sony didn’t
necessarily review and clear as safe. We may be wrong about this, but
you may want to double check before doing anything.
If you still want to do this you can try PS3Magic, it seems to be the most popular software for porting Windows to the PS.
For more information, tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Ron from the Space Coast of Florida listening on
Stitcher asked: “When I try to watch some shows on Boxee, it says I
can’t see them in my region. I have set with my town here in Florida.
What could be the problem?”
It depends on what you’re trying to watch, but the problem may simply be that… well, they’re not available in your region.
Boxee accepts apps from both US and foreign sources, and though that
doesn’t usually cause trouble for users, as most people stick to their
local content, sometimes some people in America may want to play
content from, for example, BBC iPlayer, or 4oD, both available on
Boxee, but both british and lock to play their content within the UK
only, or, for example, Sky Australia, not surprisingly an Australian
content provider.
If it makes you feel any better, 99.99% of the time it’s foreigners
that complain about not being able to access content from Hulu, Netflix
and the US Networks online.
If the content you’re trying to access is domestic though, the
problem is almost certainly your IP Address, since it’s the main filter
content providers use to filter out foreigners.
Is there any reason why you would have a foreign IP address? For
example, Are you using a proxy? or a VPN (which you probably wouldn’t
be unless you were using a business connection)?
For more information, tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Brandon in Raleigh, North Carolina listening on
WPTF 680AM asked: “Heard you guys talk about the Sleek Audio
headphones. How would that process work if I, as a consumer, want to
purchase that. Do I have to go to a retailer for fitting? do they send
me a kit? I’m very interested.”
David Gil, Director of Marketing with Sleek Audio answered him
personally and told him how to go about finding a local audiologist
that can help him with the fitting and why they don’t distribute a kit
potential buyers can use at home.
For more information, tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Guests in this hour:
Adam Hanin, VP of Marketing, ViewSonic Americas – ViewSonic
ViewSonic is a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions.
Chris Carfagnini, Senior Director – Emerging Technology & Media at Alcatel-Lucent –ng Connect Program
The ng Connect Program is a multi-industry organization committed to
the development and rapid deployment of the next generation of
broadband services based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) and other ultra
high bandwidth technologies.
Jen in Jefferson City, Missouri asked: “Wondering
if the Nintendo 3DS is worth the money? I have an 11 year old grandson
that wants it, and I don’t know if its worth the monety.”
The new Nintendo 3DS, isn’t due to ship officially until the end of
March or beginning of April, and there’s no telling what will happen
with any Japanese tech firms in light of the terrible tragedy from the
earthquake and tsunami, but by all accounts this will be the gold
standard of handheld gaming devices, which is good, because it’s going
to sell for $250 to $300 depending on where you buy it, and that’s more
expensive than some game consoles.
So you have to think carefully about whether you’re ready to let an
11 year old carry $300 bucks worth of tech in his backpack, but if the
answer to that is “yes,” then the Nintendo 3DS will make him the envy
of all his friends.
For more information, tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
Improv
Electronics: Several Boogie Board Paperless LCD Writing
Tablets in a variety of colors and accessories including sleeves with
stylus holders & magnet kits.
Intuit:
TurboTax Deluxe Online – Several Pre-Paid Codes
SmartShopper
Electronics: Several SmartShoppers — Electronic Grocery List
Organizer