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Google Maps Navigation will Change the Way We Drive Forever

Author Thomas | 29.10.2009 | Category Freebies, Software

Talk about Totally Awesome! Google Maps Navigation just changed the whole game for GPS navigation. Garmin’s shares fell by 16.4%; TomTom’s by 20.8% when Google announce their new FREE GPS that is light years ahead of any existing GPS device.

Some of the coolest features are:

• Voice Search
• View your route by Satellite
• View your route by Street View
• Real time updates (maps are current)
• Find businesses, restaurants, with Google Powered search

If you’ve ever tried to use a regular GPS, it takes a long time to try to type in your destination, with The Google Navigator, you just say it.

I have to say that the Satellite and Street Views are awesome.  You’ll be able to see exactly where you are.

The Navigator works on Android 2.0 devices.  Let’s hope 2.0 rolls out to the rest of us in the very near future, because I need this app!

Windows 7 is Out

Author Thomas | 22.10.2009 | Category Software

I thought it was funny that an article stated pre-orders for Windows 7 have surpassed the record for pre-orders of the final Harry Potter book.  Lots of people are excited about this release.  I have to admit, being a Vista user, I’m excited too.  I just hope my programs are compatible on the upgrade.

Update: I purchased the Windows 7 upgrade the day it came out.  The upgrade went very well.  One tip though, you need to de-authorize your iTunes Account on your Computer (not the audible account, but the computer), or else Apple might think you’ve authorized a new computer when you upgrade.

Android 1.6 Donut Rollout and Features

Author Thomas | 01.10.2009 | Category Electronics, Software

Android, the operating system that powers the G1, MyTouch 3G, and other smart phones is now rolling out.  Although the update is in the beginning stages, the roll out seems to be better managed compared to the Cupcake update (delays, delays, and more delays).

This update dubbed 1.6 and inspiring owners of the Android phones to go out and purchase donuts in celebration has a lot going for it, and really helps mature the OS, and especially the Marketplace (App Store) interface.

Although tagged as a “minor” update, there are some pretty awesome features that have been added to the phone.

• Updates to the quick search box
• Camera updates
• The Android Marketplace gets a great face lift
• Virtual Private Network ability
• Indicator for battery usage
• Text-to-speech engine that will blow your mind

More highlights from the Android Dev Page.

T-mobile announcement page.

Google Wave to be Released

Author Thomas | 29.09.2009 | Category Software, Web

Google Wave is set for release tomorrow to 100,000 lucky testers.

Like 100,000 Golden Tickets awaiting to be sent to the lucky winners who will find in their email inboxes tomorrow an invitation to the revolutionary new service/product.

Google Wave will combine in-a-sense, email, instant messaging, blogging, sharing, etc.  Email will work much more like a conversation.

A ten minute demo of wave from the developer tool:

From the Developer Conference (the long video):

Hopefully, we’ll all get one of the Golden Ticket invites to start testing, exploring, and enjoying Google Wave.

Google Voice App for Android and Blackberry Phones

Author Thomas | 30.07.2009 | Category Software, Web

There’s been a Google Voice app for the Android phone for a while now, but recently, Google released an update that makes it even more useful.

Long press on your Android home screen and select Shortcuts and then select Toggle Google Voice (this is assuming that you have the Google Voice App Installed). You can now Toggle the following options on Google Voice when you press the shortcut:

1. Use Google Voice for all calls
2. Only use Google Voice for international calls
3. Do not use Google Voice for any calls
4. Ask to use Google Voice for each call

The Ask to use Google Voice for each call option brings up a little dialog when placing a call which lets you select to use your Google Voice telephone number or your regular telephone number for the call.  This is helpful if you’re calling mobile-to-mobile with somone on the same carrier allowing you to save on minutes.

This is the droid, the Android, you’re looking for: Android 1.5 Cupcake Released

Author Thomas | 23.05.2009 | Category Software

Does anyone remember a certain android watching a tea kettle steam/boil and commenting to his friend that he’s just myth-busted the idea that if you watch the kettle, it takes longer to whistle? His friend suggested that he turn off his internal clock, and at the whistle, he gave a quizzical look to the kettle.

Any takers? Well if not, search for the episode. Needless to say there have been many humans watching their Android and waiting for the update to 1.5.

Has watching and checking the phone every minute made the the weeks/months go by more slowly. Well, that’s all in the past for some, and soon to be for everyone (until donut comes out).

Android 1.5 aka “Cupcake” is finally out. The roll-out has started, and the T-mobile user forum has the manual link you can use if you choose to manually update your phone (does not require that you root your phone).

I got as far as putting the update.zip on my SD card, and then…I decided I would wait for the Over the Air (OTA) update to be pushed to my phone.  For the following reasons:

1. Visiting the link in Google Chrome provided a hefty security warning dealing with the certificate and URL destination
2. I didn’t want to go until the next update wondering if I just created a security problem on my phone (due to reason #1)
3. In conversation yesterday, referring to credit, I mentioned that things are more expensive to those who can’t wait (I didn’t want that statement to haunt me if I bricked or otherwise compromised the security of my phone just because I couldn’t wait ’til Monday…let’s hope I get it then).
4. Waiting provides an excellent lesson in patience for me.  If you’ve ever read Zen in the Martial Arts (a really good, short book bytheway), you’ll know it’s kind of “kung-fu-ie-and-all” (Kung Fu Panda) to master the anticipation and enjoy fully the excitement, when it is time.

Well, we’ve all felt it’s about time, but a little Zen practice will only help.  So yes, update.zip is sitting on my desktop now, but it is not on my phone, and I will wait for the OTA to upgrade.

For those who have received the update, here’s from the official Android.com page about some of the new features:

Update: 5/29/2009

I received cupcake this morning through the Over The Air (OTA) delivery at 1AM!

The link to the T-mobile Android Forums below provides a great list of the new features in Android 1.5:

http://forums.t-mobile.com/tmbl/board/message?board.id=Android_MR&thread.id=3

Legally Download the Newest Version of Microsoft Windows – For Free

Author Thomas | 06.05.2009 | Category Software

Microsoft has released it’s newest version of its operating system Windows, and you can download it for free.

What’s the catch? None really, Microsoft is offering RC version for testing. I downloaded it today and will begin testing soon. The download will be good for one year. After one year, the computer will start to automatically shutdown every two hours as a friendly reminder that it’s time to purchase the real version.

If you’re interested, use the link below to Microsoft’s website to start the download process. You can log in using a free hotmail.com email account to access the download.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

Be aware that the download is very big and comes in the form of an .iso or image file that you’ll need to burn to a DVD.

Also take note that you might not want to install this on your main computer unless you have really good backups as this is the release-before-the-release of the software.

So far, it’s worked great.  I have to admit, I’ve used Vista for quite a while now, and I like it (UAC turned off).  I’ve downloaded the beta for Windows Movie maker and other Windows Live tools, and we’ll see how those go.

New Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Docs for Android and iPhone

Author Thomas | 07.04.2009 | Category Software

Of course there are applications that you can use on your mobile phone to check your Gmail, but why enter all those settings, when you can point your mobile web browser to gmail.com and get the whole kit-n-kaboodle.

The new version of Gmail for mobile devices is much improved. It works on Android, iPhone, and probably other mobile devices. The difference in this version is that Google Gears is employed to help make checking email much faster and offer the ability to perform tasks even when off line.

The new web app offers quick links at the top for Gmail, Calendar, Docs, and “more.”

Gmail in this new version lets you see conversations more easily and allows for bulk edits. The follow bar is interesting when you open a conversation to read.

Google Docs looks great in the new version. The display icons add a lot to the design.

An improvement that could be made (on Android) is to make the links that you click behave more like buttons rather than hyperlinks that receive the standard link box around them when activated or highlighted.

Below is a demo of the new features.

Google Chrome Web Browser in 3D Really Works

Author Thomas | 01.04.2009 | Category Software

Google unveiled a new version of its stellar web browser Google Chrome 3D. The new 3D version lets you view web pages in 3D. Released on April 1st, the browser is obviously part of Google’s April Fools Jokes; however, the browser really does have a 3D setting that lets you view pages in 3D (just don’t print your own glasses. Go get some real ones.

Click on the screenshot below to see Dooba Reviews in 3D.  Don’t stare too long without 3D glasses!

The tweak to the browser is a pretty good idea as it will get more people to download and install the browser.

You can download the Google Chrome 3D here.

Cardio Games for the Wii and Wii Balance Board

Author Thomas | 26.03.2009 | Category Software

We were very excited to get a Wii and Wii Balance board last year, but have been waiting for more cardio exercise games to come out for the Wii.  We’ve logged quite a few hours on the Wii Fit but are looking forward to some variety in the Balance Board Compatible Games.

Fortunately, there are now some pretty exciting games coming out soon that we’ve highlighted below.

Gold’s Gym Cardio Workout is a good game on the economical side of things.  If you’ve been using the Wii Fit, this game looks to be an enhancement of the same concept.  The game is compatible with the Wii Blanace board which is a big plus.  We’ve been waiting for some good exercise games to compliment the Wii Fit game.

EA Sports Active looks to be a very promising game.  Not yet released as of this writing, but you can catch a glimpse with the video demo.

What looks neat about this game is that you have more than just the Wii Remote and Nunchuck to toss into your television.  Seriously though, the game comes with an elastic stretch band and a leg wrap.  The Nunchuck is placed in the leg wrap and it lets the game know how well you’re running, squatting, etc.  Pretty neat idea.  The game is listed higher than the Gold’s Gym game, but with all the options and accessories, it looks to be quite good.

Below is the video demo of the EA Sports Active for the Nintendo Wii.  The Tennis exercises look pretty cool.

Obviously, if you want games to play with the Wii balance board, you need the board.  The board comes with the Wii Fit game which has Aerobics, Yoga, Balance Games, and Strength Training.  The game tracks how often you come back to use it and will give you praise if you come back often, and will also give that little nudge of guilt if you haven’t exercised in a while.  The Yoga exercises are pretty good.  We’re looking forward to more Yoga titles coming to the Wii and Wii Balance Board.

And of course, if you don’t own the Wii, you’ll need to get one.  We had a “fun” time trying to find a Wii to purchase last year.  We tried lots of different stores, tried meeting people in parking lots, etc. The best way, and the way we got the Wii, was by putting our cell phone number into the Wii listing page on Amazon.  Amazon.com then sent us a text message when the Wii was in stock.  Bingo!  We got the Wii!