Comments (4)

By Sarah, July 15, 2009 1:52 pm

So mean. I’m not even a Palm Pre user and I still think this sucks. Apple released iTunes version 8.2.1 today, and with it comes a nice little blockade preventing Pre users from syncing their music libraries. Now that’s a low blow.

The release notes include a blurb stating, “iTunes 8.2.1 provides a number of important bug fixes and addresses an issue with verification of Apple Devices.”

I suppose fair is fair… but still, this is pure evil. Dieter from precentral.net suggests Pre users check out doubleTwist for music syncing until this gets worked out, if ever.

I’ve only heard good things about the Pre, which we shall call “iPhone #2,” and although I wouldn’t give up my iPhone for anything, there are many times when I want to punch AT&T squarely in between the eyes for its lack of service.

via precentral

Comments (2)

By Sarah, July 2, 2009 2:55 pm

Originally posted on bub.blicio.us.

Only furthering the argument that the only thing PCs are good for is looking at porn, Microsoft just released a new commercial for Internet Explorer 8, emphasizing the feature that allows you to hide your browser history. It’s not for the weak-stomached.

A little breakfast-time browsing, I see. That’s sick. I have to give it to Microsoft though, this video is extremely share-worthy, only increasing it’s chances of going viral and boosting downloads (if that’s even possible anymore). It has already been Twittered about thousands of times!

Comments (22)

By Sarah, June 3, 2009 4:08 am

The identity theft stuff may be making feel a little like running and buying a Lipstick Stun Gun in every color, but the show must go on. Back to reality.

Happy early Christmas! Looks like PC users who have been drowning in Vista for the past few years will finally be getting that much anticipated upgrade, just in time for the holidays. Microsoft announced this week that they will be releasing Windows 7 on Oct 22 pre-installed on new PCs as well as available for purchase.

Kind of an odd release date, seeing as they’ll just be missing the back-to-school super sales season, but industry analyst Roger Kay of Endpoint Technologies predicts Microsoft will offer free upgrades to Windows 7 on newly purchase machines beginning as early as August.

“The industry must be careful not to kill sales leading up to the introduction, and back-to-school is the first possibility of some relief in this market,” Kay said.

Of course this doesn’t affect me in the slightest, since I’ve gone all-Mac, but I’ve got to imagine PC users will be more than relieved. One can only hope Microsoft learned from their massive mistakes with Vista.

Will you upgrade? What version of Windows do you use?

via AP

Images: SizzledCore

Comments (3)

By Sarah, March 19, 2009 11:01 pm

Originally posted on Bub.blicio.us

I haven’t used Internet Explorer in oh, about 5 years, and I probably won’t again (ever), but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy this potentially viral video Microsoft released celebrating the launch of Internet Explorer 8.

This LOL-worthy video campaign takes us on a trip down Internet memory lane and features cameos from B-list comedians, web-celebs, and clips from classic viral vids and websites (hello, Chawlee Bit Me & the Hamster Dance!) Microsoft seems to be relying heavily on the influential power of social media to help promote IE8, and have even setup a website to encourage sharing.

In my opinion, this definitely beats the Bill Gates + Jerry Seinfeld #fail campaign last year. That being said, it doesn’t excuse the fact that the browser has been… le suck compared to Firefox.

Here are the new features to reportedly increase speed and enhance security:

-Accelerators, right-click functionality to map directions, translate words, email your friends and more.
-InPrivate browsing designed to shield your browser history (they say shopping, I say embarrassing Google searches/porn).
-Web Slices, which appears to be a “create your own iGoogle” via your toolbar.
-Search suggestions, self-explanatory yet helpful.
-SmartScreen, filters to protect you from potentially harmful websites.

See more about IE8 here.

Do you think this campaign, or the features, will give IE8 the boost it needs?

Comments (0)

By Sarah, September 24, 2008 2:23 am

By now we are all well aware of Google and T-Mobile’s answer to the iPhone, the Android G1. If you are a Google lover, or anti-Apple, this is the phone for you.

My opinion? Of course I’m mostly concerned with looks. I like the white-ness of it, but I kind of hate the keypad. It looks like one of those cheap remote controls that comes with your portable DVD player! Or, the crappy remote that is inside the arm rest on the airplane.

So here is the low down on its guts: The G1 has GPS, WiFi, a touchscreen, an accelerometer (how fast does it fall when you throw it up in the air.. dorks), a camera, Gmail, Google Maps, a Webkit-based browser (just like Safari on the iPhone), and an App market, similar to the iPhone App Store. It is $20 cheaper than the iPhone, at $180 for existing customers, and comes with two data plans: $25 a month (with unlimited Web access and limited text messaging) and $35 a month (with unlimited everything).

You’ll have to wait until Oct 22 to actually get the thing, but exisiting T-Mobile customers can pre-order online.

Here is what Google has to say about it:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7qbPa1O8Ys&hl=en&fs=1]

TechCrunch leaked a sneak peek at a few of the applications available for the Android… this is the good stuff. Here are a few of my favorites:

BreadCrumbz— Create a route on a map using pictures of landmarks to enhance the directions.

Cocktail—Tell it what ingredients you have at hand, and it gives you a list of the cocktails you can make. Love it!

EcoRio‚Äî Helps you reduce your carbon footprint. I’m curious!

Krystle II— A touchy, feely Tomigochi. This app turns your phone into a pet that you need to take care of and stroke, using the touch screen, of course. Gross. (Agreed, TC.)

Photostream—A Flickr photo browser. Great idea.

Pocket Seismograph— Exactly what it sounds like РREALLY would have come in handy during the recent earthquake/twitterquake!

Quicklist‚Äî A to-do list. I pretty much can’t get anything done without making a list first, so this would be a must for me.

Ringroid—Create a ringtone from any song in your music library. So no more PhoneZoo!

ShopSavvy— Uses the camera as a bar-code scanner to let you compare prices while shopping in a store. HELLO? This is brilliant. (Not that I generally look at the price too much, which might explain the state of my finances.)

Text-to-Speech Library— Turns text into speech through the phone’s speaker. I could imagine saying dirty phrases into this frequently with my equally immature co-workers.

Translate— Uses Google Translate to turn foreign words into your own language. Basic function but helpful nonetheless!

I’d really have to play with it to judge, but overall, I like. I am sticking with the iPhone, though. Transitioning from Blackberry to iPhone was hard enough!

Comments (0)

By Sarah, August 14, 2008 2:51 pm

I’m literally going to the Apple store in about 5 minutes to get the new iPhone 3G. As if the Twitter, AIM, Facebook, and all the other helpful apps weren’t enough, you can manage your Netflix account from the iPhone too, too?!?! This is just too good to be true. You hear that? It’s the sound of me caving.

Dashbuster is a free app that allows you to manage your Netflix or Blockbuster queue from your iPhone. Right now, it doesn’t have the functionality to add new movies, but according to this update, it probably will in the future.

I’m stoked to be able to move my queue around at any given time!!

via geeksugar