Uncategorized – Page 150

Spy on the Mailman

Did you ever have a burning desire to know exactly how your mail got to where it was going? Ever wanted to know where it went on the way to where it was going? Then this might be the gadget for you.

The Micro GPS mail logger is only 1/4" thick, allowing it to fit in most standard envelopes. The battery can last up to 2 weeks on motion activate "tilt" mode, less if set for minute by minute updates. The device records speed, location, and altitude, so you will know the where, how fast and how high your mail went. The device must received and downloaded to get the information, but once that is done you can interface it to Google Earth for determining the route.

This is definitely something that could be interesting to the postally suspicious. I do have to wonder, though; if you added a recorded barking dog sound and had the unit play it when the speed showed to be very slow, would it get there faster?

Aloha from the Beach,
greg

source

Cassette tape IS the MP3 player

Greg Chaffins

Okay, this is cool. Your cassette player equipped vehicle is no longer out of the loop on all things digital. Thanks to this digital MP3 player that thinks it is an analog cassette tape (and supposedly good job of the imitation), you can use that or any other cassette player as a home for your MP3s.

The player also acts as a stand alone player, so you can pop it out of the player and carry it with you for portable music via ear pods. I do have to ask though; can we expect to see the 8 track version anytime soon? Just imagine the battery reserve that puppy could pack.

Aloha from the Beach,
greg

source: thinkgeek

Say Goodbye To Your Legally Purchased MSN Music Songs

Greg Chaffins

Okay, so I was one of no doubt thousands that bought music from MSN Music (the service they offered before they started offering the Zune). But that's okay, I legally bought my music, and it is safely tucked away on a drive and on my current computer.

Now, fast forward to today. I receeive an email from MSN Music, and they have some information for me. Let me quote from the email:

"I am writing to let you know that as of August 31, 2008, Microsoft will change the level of support to be offered for music purchased directly from MSN Music prior to November 14, 2006. As of August 31, 2008, we will no longer be able to support the retrieval of license keys for the songs you purchased from MSN Music or the authorization of additional computers. License keys already obtained as of August 31, 2008 will continue to allow you to listen to songs on all the computers that you previously authorized for service."

OKay, I understand that. If I don't have the license keys in place by August 31, 2008, then I won't be playing this music. But as I said I have the music, and it plays. So I am good to go for the duration, right? Wrong, read the next paragraph, straight from the email:

"Please take this opportunity to make sure you have the licenses you need to access your music. As a friendly reminder, please remember that the MSN Music service allows you to authorize up to 5 computers for songs purchased from MSN Music. You must have licenses for the songs on each authorized computer, in order to be able to play the songs successfully. If you have already played a given song on a computer, then you have successfully obtained the license key for that song. MSN Music keys do not expire. If you intend to transfer a previously downloaded song to a new computer (or an existing computer with a new operating system, such as an upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista) within the maximum allowed limit of 5 computers, please do so before August 31, 2008. You will need to obtain a license key for each of your songs downloaded from MSN Music on any new computer, and you must do so before August 31, 2008. If you attempt to transfer your songs to additional computers after August 31, 2008, those songs will not successfully play."

Read that last line again. "If you attempt to transfer your songs to additional computers after August 31, 2008, those songs will not successfully play." That means, if this computer plays out, crashes or gets hit by a bad virus, after August 31, 2008, my music is gone. Bye Bye. Adios. Solo no More.

Lessons learned? Simple, Avoid DRM Music like the plague, or rip a music CD of it as a backup as soon as you download it (if the DRM allows it, many do not). Amazon and others are now offering music without the DRM circus attached. Take advantage of it. That is, unless you like buying your music library everytime you buy a new computer. While that may make RIAA happy, I would suggest just buying it once. (But please buy it, piracy is theft).

Aloha from the DRM free Beach,
greg

Review: Flip Video Ultra Video Camera

Greg Chaffins

Digital video has evolved greatly over the past several years, and the price for reasonable quality video equipment has dropped to reflect this. I am especially drawn to the more economic memory based models, since they last longer with batteries and do not hurt so much if you lose or damage it while out, for example while hiking or riding.

Over time I have bought several such gadgets to record video, and I have always found them to have serious shortcomings. One of the biggest shortcomings was light sensitivity – a simple room with a single incandescent light would be enough to defeat any hint of picture quality. But that has changed now with the Flip Video Ultra Video Camera.

The Flip is named as such because it has a small USB equipped arm that flips up when you press the side button. That is all you need to connect to a computer and download, no cables required. This makes the device very convenient to dump and start recording again. Overall the device is 1.2 x 2.2 x 4.2 inches, easily tucked away in a pocket or other means of transport. The device has a decent microphone and a non-glare screen on the back to show you what you are recording. The 60 minute version has 2 GB of built-in memory. There is also a TV out for quick viewing with a larger display. The unit also features a built-in speaker, avoiding the need of ear buds if you want to view on the device itself. The video is 640 x 480 MPEG4 AVI, so finding a video package on your computer to do any editing should not be a problem.

The controls on this device are very simple to use. You have a big red button to record, a play button to play back the videos, and a trash button to, well, trash the videos you do not want to keep. There is also a button on the side that makes the usb arm flip out (it truly does flip out…). The controls work well, and anybody should be comfortable using the flip with a few minutes of practice. The record button is slightly inset to avoid accidental recording, but you should not have a problem with it.

Almost all units in this price range feature fixed lenses, and the flip is no exception. It does offer a digital zoom, but items tend to have an out of focus look when using it. This device should probably be considered a "point and shoot" video camera, so if you keep that in mind the lack of optical zoom is not a showstopper.

The camera comes in different memory sizes, but I would suggest not getting anything under the 60 minute version. The reason is simple – videos are so quick and easy to record you will find that you run out of room quickly. One major gripe I have with the flip video is that there is not a battery life meter. The battery life is good on this device, but you may forget exactly how long the batteries have been in and find yourself out with dead batteries. For that reason I would suggest carrying spares or loading fresh batteries before you go on a trip.

Earlier I mentioned the light sensitivity, and here is where the Flip Video Ultra shines. The specs rate as >2.0V/lux-sec with large (5.6 µm) pixels for greater light sensitivity. I have not found a reasonable place yet that the camera does not perform well under low light situations, sometimes looking brighter in the viewfinder than it does to my own eyes. I do not think the standard Flip video has this sensitivity, so by all means do get the ultra version.

I am impressed with the Flip Ultra video camera, as long as I remember it fits in the "point and shoot" category. For this use it excels, with a couple little complaints (no battery meter). I have taken the camera on several trips under varying light conditions and have always been impressed with the video. I have had this unit for about 8 months now, and it still works great. For more information on this camera as well as some interesting accessories you can check here: Flip Video Ultra Camera. One thing I would suggest is that if you have an older unit check online (www.flipvideo.com) for a rom update, since some early units had some problems, which apparently are now a thing of the past. And finally, if you are recording someone that is having a bad moment, put down the camera and give them a hand…