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Tech Rant 21 – Kindle for everyone

Solidad — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:41:09 +0000

Co-Host:JD, Solidad(al), JP

Download (98min/69MB)

We have a great show for you this week. On this episode, we talk about politics, and their dubious promises. Gordon will give kindles to students, Joey De Cenecia will give universal internet Access, and does Avelino Razon has any hope of winning the Manila mayoral seat?

Other topics include youth blogging, social networking and STDs, San Miguel on their WiMax, and Bayan EVDO promises accurate speeds.

The rest of the topics are here.

the audio mp3 is hosted on archive.org, and the intro song is the lab with leo.

IPad or a Netbook

Solidad — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:30:20 +0000

With Steve jobs releasing his fourth ground breaking product, the IPad. Many analysts have shared their thoughts about Apples, “next big thing”. Not being an Apple fan, nor has owned any form of Apple product, I have come to an understanding being an outside observer of Apple products. I came to a conclusion that, they are nothing but overpriced underperformed works of art. The notion of having a single device, with only one function for everything seems very limiting for a power user such as I. But the sheer tenacity of its users and the strong cult behind the Apple line is surprisingly strong and loyal, something that its rival, Microsoft lacks.

I’m going to say this, I’m a Microsoft guy. I use M$ products every day and has develop a sort of harmony of being with Microsoft product. I may sound like a fan boy. but I still keep an open mind on other products. On this article, I’m going to dissect my thoughts on that Apple IPad and how a PC guy like me, thinks about it in a PC perspective.

Let’s take a look on the Apples IPad, will this device worthy to become your next netbook computer? lets find out after the break.

IPad: the missing link between a Mobile Device and a Notebook

Steve noted on his keynote, that the IPad is Apples answer to the missing link between a mobile device, and a notebook. It’s a simple device that you can carry around with you, it does your email, watch video, and do some photos organizing. Something that a Notebook can do. but without having that extra head room, like a keyboard, and messy wires that you have to carry around with you, even moving from room to room. It’s also a mobile device. You can carry it around, not just your home, but also anywhere you want it to. This is also Apples take, on the eBook boom that amazon started with its kindle. But Apple takes its magic by using a traditional color display, instead of a traditional eInk that most eBook readers put in their device; this has given the magazine publishing a shed of hope in their dead tree industry. Giving them the competitive edge over blogs, by having a fast delivering mechanism, without that huge cost of a traditional printing press. Newspapers will also benefit from the platform. The intuitive navigation will give the readers the power to browse content faster and more fluid, just like skimming a newspaper. Surely, Apple has indeed made a product which is aimed for an industry that is in dire need of a change. Mobility and functionality is a nice addition. And certainly a great selling point for Apple.

What about the Netbook?

Netbooks are low cost device, that is first aimed for giving under privilege kids in depress regions of the world a glimpse of technology, by giving them the power to wield the information to their lives (i.e. Internet). But today, it becomes a hot pot for big manufacturers to cram in with the public demand for low cost devices, with users thinking they are saved a ton from their purchase of a netbook.

Usually, netbooks are sized for portability and simple tasking in mind. Such as power point presentations and cloud management. But today, it has obscured the market for portable computing. The PC manufacturers are blurring the line between a full size notebook and a netbook; which can confuse your average consumer. Don’t really blame dell, HP, Lenovo for doing these. They do this for a living and in order to survive this economic climate, you need to go where the users are. This has lead them to create this low end portable device, that bites users the moment they started exerting more than its capable of.

As a computer enthusiast, I would never recommend them to get a netbook. If i were asked which portable computer should I buy? And she thinking of buying a netbook. Netbooks are cheap, portable, they cost less, and exert more battery life than a traditional notebook. The value is there, but its overall life expectancy is quite short. So my answer is No.

To put things into perspective, netbooks are usually powered by an Intel atom processor. A somewhat low voltage and has a slightly step-up equivalent of an Intel Celeron processor. It is a 32bit system, built on a mother board with a limited capacity of 2GB DDR2 memory. They are pegged on a 1.6GHz clock speed, and has a FSB of 400-550MHz. Their screen real state is barely, to almost 720p with almost no power of handling flash oriented website (Current version of flash and most non ion equipped netbook). These thing range from 20K to 35K, depending on the brand and its portability standpoint (how slim, or light you want it to be). I would also mention that they are running an outdated operating system which is windows Xp, or a lesser degree of windows 7.

These netbooks only have an expendable lifespan of almost none. Within a year, your programs will slow down, website will get choppy, and you will find out that newer programs are slower to almost un bearable response. In the end of the day, you’ll be spending another 20-35K buying another netbook to do the work necessary for the coming months ahead; thus defeating the purpose of having to save a ton of cash for buying a low cost portable pc. These devices are nothing but disposable PC. It’s like those disposable film cameras you see; it’s a short term solution.

Is IPad better than a netbook?

From the demo gathered and the functionality given by Steve jobs. Yes, If you want a device that has a sole purpose of dealing with simple task such as email, surfing the web, and handle presentation. The IPad is a best choice.

Its starting price of 500$, which is slightly higher than common netbooks in the market. Despite the 16GB memory capacity, which is not really a big issue for people who have secondary storage (This Is not a substitute for a desktop/laptop computer) it’s only a matter of prioritizing what files you should be carrying with you. Heck, you can just use the cloud to store your data, and use the IPad to access it.

I find the single tasking feature of the IPad as a positive, especially for inexperience users, who simply want to do the task I mentioned above. This will also provide a seamless experience, which is Apple strong point all along. It does not exclude them for browsing porn in their IPad while on the bathroom. But having Apple decide what’s best for them seems to be a better choice than letting them do it themselves. It also leaves us family tech support more time for ourselves.

Will the IPad end the Netbook?

The answer to this question remains to be seen. But if we put the analysis behind, the answer will be a general NO. The ipad maybe a simplified netbook for users who want to just do their work; but the general consensus doesn’t abide with what’s best fit for them. Of course, we will have to account Apple haters, who simply have a deep hatred for a company that gave a PC market back in the 80s. There are also power users such as I, who simply wants to have full control of the device. Then there are the practical users, who just want to get a best bang for the buck deal; willing to suffer with their decision.

Besides, the tablet market is not restricted to the IPad. PC manufacturers are already going for their own version of the IPad, with windows, or the open source linux based operating system, there are plenty of options for the average juan. It’s just a matter of necessity, luxury, or money to bring a person to purchasing a product. I just laid out the points that may help decide the fate of your wallet.

Will I buy an IPad?

My initial reaction would be no. But then again, this device is quite enticing for specific uses. Uses that is either dirty or simply luxurious. I usually read manga before I sleep. I have my laptop standing vertically as I press left or right button. I also have my charger beside me, which is needed since, I can go for a four hour marathon of reading manga, and end up with an eye bag. So, the IPad is more of a want for me than a need. My 2 year old laptops can still do the required things I need. I’ll just prepare myself for getting a much better notebook, probably next year.

Tech Rant 17 – CES 2010

Solidad — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:44:56 +0000

We have a long, but technical show for you this week. I, JD and JP are manning the conference here. Since i booted Lester out of tech rant; because i want tech rant to become a tech show, not a game podcast. Which i decided to create a show for gaming, just for him.

Download (103Min/ 73MB)

Anyway, We mainly talk about CES stuff. Which is being held as i write. All of the topics i have discussed are in my delicious home page here.

Here is our Tech Questions:

From Zanvacktu16 writes -

im really desperate. HELP PLEASE! my laptop wont work anymore if i turn it on it only open up until the ‘welcome’ sign and it says ‘rvhost.exe error’, and it just goes black!! what should i do?
PLEASE HELP ME! i know this is not the site to post this, but please do hear me..

Another question form Fieldmarshal Reborn. He writes -

Is there any application that is needed when I plug my PS3 in my Computer(Using USB Wire of course)

Tech Tip: Backupify, ninite

Tech Rant 12 : HeroNation

Solidad — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 10:07:12 +0000

Download (103Min/71MB)

We have another great show for you this week. JD and I, as you have known by now, attended the Annual youth gathering called, HeroNation. At A-Avenue, Makati City. Join us in this 1 hour and 45 min talk, that is mainly compose our distaste for the event. We also had news: We talk about Globe vs Smart lawsuit, Chrome OS, Globe Surf all day plan, another mention of the Mininova succumbing to copyright holders, Apple DOA data, and many more.

Theme is of course, The Lab with Leo.

The Best Mainstream tech event so far (CEL 2009 Impressions)

Solidad — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:30:10 +0000

I recently attended this convention called, Consumer Electronics Live. This was held on the weekend of November 13-15 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. This was also host for the 2006 Hataw Hanep Hero, which is also my first event. I’m going to tell you what i saw last Sunday.

This is a unplanned event for me. I just got a note of this a few days before. So i haven’t really got much at first, but then the name convince me to check this one out. The show is simply a trade show that is patterned by the famous January-February expo. Usually in Las Vagas, Nevada called, Consumer Electronics Show, or simply CES. CES is simply a gathering of traders form the IT/Electronics field, to show case their latest gadgets and their future gadget road maps in the succeeding years. For anime otakus, this is equivalent to Hero Nation event or for the US ComiCon. basically its a convention that is worth attending for.

At the event. Just like what it was stated. It’s hosted by multiple traders from the Filipino scenes. From the big shots, like Dell, Power Mac, Octagon, Cannon and other electronics giant, to the lesser known (or maybe i just don’t have a clue) companies such as MyPhone (those Ads you keep bumping on LRT2 hand rails), Accent Micro (not much known, but a huge computer dealer for corporations), GPS software vendors (Which was a surprise for me),and some pinoy inventors. The event was also hosted a mini summit for bloggers (which was didn’t know at all) which yours truly, sat by to listen.

From the title post. You can deduct that i really enjoyed my attending to this event. Perhaps, I really like it more than any other Anime event i had attended to. It’s probably because my blood is in technology. I manage to test out gadgets, and as well as see technologies that i only saw in the US. Despite the lack of advancement in the current market. It is better than nothing. So, that is not a complaint.

I gathered a lot of pictures as well as videos on the event. I’ll also have some flyers that i’ll explain in the next page. I don’t want this impression to end up like the Y4IT, so i’ll give this in one go.

Next: Picture Gallery

Tech Rant 10:China Quality

Solidad — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:59 +0000

We got a good show for you today. JD and lester are here to discuss various issues (Actually it’s only me and JD. Since Lester went out to fetch water). Were sorry if it took so long for this show to come up. If you ever wonder where is episode 9; my reason would be is, i forgot the episode count. So, my apologies for that.

Download Here (100min/79MB)

So, Among the thing we discussed. We talked about Lester’s Upgrade to Windows 7 (His Laptop came with vista. But it was eligible for a free windows 7 upgrade). We also talked about CEL, or the Consumer Electronics Live 2009 at the world trade center last Sunday. HTC HD2, which is a phone that is more awesome than the IPhone.

Aside from that. here are some of the net stories we disscused:

Intro is of course, The lab with leo. Outro is Me/lody from Tokyo Magnitude 8.0.