WiFi Access

Nowadays, it is common to find people lugging their laptops even to restaurants or malls. These people are not necessarily yuppies or professionals. Some of them are even younger, maybe students who continue their internet surfing even when not at home. Thanks to wireless internet connection, this is now possible.

In our place, there are malls which have free wifi access, same with some restaurants. A coffee shop here also has wifi but they charge a fee for it. This is convenient for their customers because they can still browse the internet or quickly check their inbox while waiting for snack to be served. This is a good way to pass time too.

On the other hand, some security issues were raised due to the network being wireless so it’s possible that it might be hacked. They’re saying that it’s a like free highway and information might be intercepted. I will probably read more on this so that I can be well-informed. What I can suggest is to choose password combinations that are not easy to decode for protection. Also, do not disclose personal information from not a verified source. In the end, it all boils down to discretion and good judgment in divulging personal information.

Wireless Connection

At home, we have two desktop computers and a laptop. Of course, it is more convenient to have a wireless internet connection at home so that I can use my laptop downstairs when I have work to do. It’s somewhat a hassle to be restricted by a cable attached to it like it used to when we were using a different router.

We planned to save up for it but good thing; my mother-in-law sent us a wireless router, NetGear, which they haven’t used in a while since they have a new one. My husband quickly connected it and voila! We went wireless and never looked back ever since.

It’s very convenient to do this instead because I can now work anywhere in the house with my laptop. With my job, sometimes I am tasked to handle webchat and answer email from customers, so this is really the way to go for me. But for some days that I take phone calls, I use my desktop computer.

For almost half a year now of using a wireless connection it has greatly improved my flexibility. I can do my work while waiting for dinner to cook, or to watch over my son while he’s playing. It’s great for multitasking. Even malls and restaurants here have wireless connection offered to their customers. More and more people are enjoying its benefits as they are still connected to the www wherever they go. Thanks heavens for wireless!

The New Nabaztag/tag

The new Nabaztag/tag is the updated version of the cute electronic white rabbit that sits on your counter, desk or other accessible area. By linking your Nabaztag to your Wi-Fi network, your new electronic friend will be able to tell you the weather, read your email, and relay an instant message coming your way. If this isn’t enough, the handy white rabbit can be used as an alarm clock, report the daily news, voice RSS feeds and stream MP3s. Nabaztag can read blogs, websites, radio stations in 16 languages and can independently speak 5 languages (English, French, Italian, Spanish and German). It even has the ability to free you from your computer with email alerts connecting you with your favorite social networking website.

Similar to the iDog, the Nabaztag sings, puts on a light show and dances when music is played. Though far more technologically advanced than the iDog, the Nabaztag is marketed as a “personal companion”. It obeys orders and updates you when new information comes its way. With its own personality (think Furbee) your new assistant can send messages and song play lists to other Nabaztag users. You can also have your rabbit “married” or linked to another rabbits. For example, if your significant others’ Nabatag is married to your Nabatag you can send subtle messages to him/her throughout the day. By bending the ear of your rabbit, your loved one’s rabbit’s ear will bend as well, no matter how far away you are. So throughout the work day you can send your significant other small gestures of love without saying a word. Now, that is cute.

Another feature of the Nabaztag is the use of RFID tags. Place a tag on your key chain and when you enter your Wi-Fi network range (your home, office or other area) an email can be sent to someone telling them your whereabouts. This feature is great for working parents, kids coming home from school, or people in long distance relationships.

Eye-Fi Wireless Memory Card

The Eye-Fi is a 2 GB wireless memory card. This invention has the ability to upload pictures from your digital camera to your computer via the card’s built-in Wi-Fi. In today’s fast-paced world, this is an ideal must-have. After setting the Eye-Fi up to your home wireless network, pictures will automatically upload when you enter into your network’s range.

Eye-Fi also allows you to wirelessly upload files from your camera to popular photo sharing and printing websites at no additional charge. The files are transferred to your computer and photo sharing websites in their original JPEG format with full resolution. The card can fit into any camera that uses a standard SD memory card. No extra driver needs to be installed. A simple software application (included) is all it takes to begin.

This is a list of SD memory based cameras which are compatible with the Eye-Fi wireless memory card: Cannon, Casio, FujiFilm, HP, Kodak, Nikon, Panasonic, Pentax, Polaroid, Samsung, Sanyo and Sealife. Two manufacturers who are not compatible with the Eye-Fi are Sony and Olympus since they do not support the SD memory format. Other requirements include: internet connection; Wi-Fi network; Windows XP, Windows Vista or MAC OS X; Internet Explorer 6 /7, Firefox 2.0, or Safari 3.

Next Gen Yuno PC - definitely not decaf

There are many Next Gen PCs coming out that are going to make lives easier and change the way we rock our personal computers. One of these is the Yuno PC. While at first glance it might look like any other travel coffee mug, this one is very different.

From screensavers to checking your email to surfing the web, Yuno can do that and at the same time keeps your coffee (or tea) piping hot. It comes with selective email filtering so you only get your most important emails while on the go, but the touchscreen keeps you busy and working during your commute.

My fear, of course, is that this will be more distracting to morning commuters than the cell phone has been. Will it become illegal in some cities to drive with a Yuno PC in the car? Since it has a touchscreen, it’s not like a cell phone where you can plug in an earbud and be hands free. But, people have been drinking coffee on the morning commute for as long as there has been a morning commute, so what to do?

Outlaw the commuter travel mug? I don’t think that would go over very well. The Yuno does have a projector display so you can see directions and even information on your car window…but will this be even more distracting than checking email? Or will it be able to replace those little TomTom satellite directional devices.

Only time will tell if the Yuno Next Gen PC will be a commuters wildest dream or worst nightmare.

Evesham MBox & MBridge

Have hundreds of mp3s taking up space on your hard drive? Give the Evesham MBox a try.

Just download all your multimedia files onto an Mbox. Then, stream it using your existing Wi-Fi network to up to five MBridges (like the one above), placed anywhere in your home. You can even plug the MBridge adapter into a hi-fi or powered speaker system.

Each MBox has two hard disks which are mirrored for real-time data duplication — meaning that your data is automatically backed up and is immediately recoverable in case of mishap.

The system goes on sale February 15th. An Mbox with one MBridge costs about $1050, and each additional MBridge costs about $260.

Sources: Gizmodo and BIOS Mag.

Philips’ VoIP Videophone

It seems that this move wasn’t made as loudly as it could have been, but no matter what, here’s Philips’ VP-5500 Corldess Videophone. This Wi-Fi engineered videophone runs Linux, had an integrated VGA video camera capable of rotating through 240-degrees, and allows you to watch your video calls on your TV set. It’s only for the Netherlands at the moment, but perhaps it’ll soon be available in other countries as well.

(Via The Red Ferret Journal.)

Next Page »