Nest, dubbed “the learning thermostat”, is probably one of the coolest gadgets (or hottest?) gadgets I’ve heard in quite a while. Sure, there are plenty of mobile devices that excite me, but the fact is that the demand for these mobile devices is such that you will see cool features left and right. Thermostats though are devices that seem to be stuck in time. This is perhaps one of the reasons why a new thermostat that smacks of innovation excites the geek in me; but enough about why I like the idea of an learning thermostat, and on to what it is exactly that makes this thermostat super cool.

Nest is called the learning thermostat not just for marketing purposes, but because it learns about your habits and preferences and is able to put the data it gathers into good use allowing you to save much on electricity. “Teaching” Nest to learn your habits is, however, no big deal since all you need to do is install it, answer a few basic questions (i.e. Should Nest start heating or cooling your home?), and then leave it alone to do the “learning” all by itself. Within a week, Nest should have come up with a schedule that is personalized to your needs. Even better, it adjusts the schedule to make it even more personalized as it gets more information about your daily, weekly, even monthly habits as time passes. In short, this thermostat programs itself.

You can also access Nest from anywhere using your mobile phone via the Nest mobile app, or on a PC connected to the Internet and adjust the thermostat anytime you want to. You can use the app to manage all thermostats at home if you opt to get one for each room, or even for thermostats located in different houses. And as for updates, there’s no need to do anything since Nest also automatically downloads and installs updates as long as it is connected to your Wi-Fi.

The Nest is already available for pre-order in the US for $249 with pre-orders limited to 5 units per person.

Photos courtesy of Nest

Unlike in the early days, all that was required was a means of being able to communicate wherever they are. Then came the size of a unit after which the boom of text messaging made its mark. The capability of a phone to take pictures with built-in cameras followed suit and so on, until today where technology has totally taken its stand with regards to ideal phones by the masses.

Today, the enhancements, features and different capabilities of cellular phones have made their mark to distinguish each phone from another. Flip phones, video capturing and colored screens with specific resolutions have been the talk of the town anywhere in the world. But one thing that has been totally overlooked is for a phone to be able to help in communication by anyone in the world especially when the need to be far from the people they love.

So the next time you consider buying a cellular phone, think about it. Do you really need all these features or simply because people are falling for them for no apparent reason? The answer lies on how a person needs such devices, but if not, why go for such phones that are simply the same for mobile communication all the same.

Thank the heavens for the guys at Think Geek. First the created the WiFi detector shirt. Now they have another accessory that can do the trick for any WiFi seeking dude: the WiFi detector cap.

This cool gadget is the perfect juxtaposition of apparel and technology. It looks just like most any other cap that you can find at the stores. Of course, there is something different about it – there are bars on the front of the cap to indicate the strength of the WiFi signal in any given area. The stronger the WiFi signal in the area, the more glowing bars you will see on the cap.

I can just imagine wearing this cap the next time I go out…no waving the iPhone around. Of course, you might have a problem if you are out alone and you want to keep wearing your cap. Since the indicator is on the front of the cap, you can’t really see the signal when you’re wearing it, right? I guess I would just have to get the cap and give it as a gift and watch the detector from there.

Anyway, it’s just $14.99 at Think Geek.

The technology started out as a fad made available on expensive audio equipment like BOSE which came out with cordless noise cancelling headphones for it’s various audio video products. Nowadays, the technology can be found on Bluetooth cellular phone headsets like the one from Aliph code named “JawBone” which cancels out background noise when making and receiving a call allowing comfortable and natural conversation.

Devices using Bluetooth have similarities whatever form they may take for they all rely on radio frequencies to communicate with each other. They are paired-up or connected to each other allowing them to recognize each other which many people do not realize but there are tons of devices that use Bluetooth out on the market that they connect at all is the miracle of the technology. The radio frequency that “WiFi” uses is similar to what Bluetooth uses which makes pollution or noise very much abundant hence the need for the said noise cancellation technology. There are a lot of wireless Bluetooth headsets on the market for all kinds of devices such as mobile phones a comparison of which can be found on many reviews on the net with a certain search.

While such is a given, there are people who can give their two cents worth of opinions and stored knowledge as well. This all stems from these individuals who have put emphasis on certain areas of interest that include electronics, travel and history. Not all people are expected to invest such effort and time since every individual would want to cater to a lot of things with nothing particular to specialize in.

Ideally, such knowledge from people which are tagged geeks at some time would go as far as holding technical information such as content, components and workflow processes. Such areas are not given much attention in the normal phase of life. But such are investments to which one day; such stored and solicited knowledge shall be of big use towards other people and big entities who seek better knowledge as well.

So how is it supposed to work? Currently undergoing testing right now, the wireless laundry scheme connects washers and dryers to the Internet or cellphones. When a cycle is done, the user can be notified wherever he or she may be, whatever he or she may be doing. The system can also inform the user if the wash load is too much or if there is a clog in the machine.

The whole experiment is getting a lot of mixed reactions. Some think it’s a brilliant idea. Indeed, not having to run down to the basement every few minutes to check on the laundry is convenient. Yet some think that it’s like trying to fix something that isn’t broken. In other words, frivolous.
As for me, I think it could work, although it’s not really a need. Convenience is the name of the game here. If you can save up several minutes to do other things instead of wasting time checking on the laundry, then why not. Then of course, there is the issue of cost.

Call me a cheapskate but if this little “innovation” is going to cost me big bucks, then I’d rather stick with the old ways.

It does not take much to realize that Microsoft is promising a WHOLE LOT with this product, and if they do deliver, they might just blow away all the other competition in the gaming market! Gadget Review is helping spread the rumor that it will be ready to roll out within a year and – get this – it will only go for $80!

One, I highly doubt that they will be able to deliver on that date. Not that I doubt their capabilities, but simply because launch dates like these always end up being pushed back. Two, I am amazed at the price. Seriously, $80 for all the features?

I guess we’ll have to wait and see. What do you think? Will these rumors prove to be true?

Photo courtesy of Gadget Review

So what is WiMax? Tech Web gives this definition:

An organization founded in 2001 that promotes the IEEE 802.16 wireless broadband standard and provides certification for devices for compliant devices. WiMAX is designed to extend local Wi-Fi networks across greater distances such as a campus, as well as to provide last mile connectivity to an ISP or other carrier many miles away. In addition, Mobile WiMAX offers a voice and high-speed data alternative that competes with the cellular networks.

So it is basically an organization, not a technology. This organization is promoting the extension of something we already use on a daily basis, however, WiFi. And heck, anything that would extend local WiFi makes me feel GOOD!

Here’s more news – Sprint has outlined its plans on its offers involving WiMax services and equipment. Just imagine, you can be in the middle of BFE and still be connected because of WiMax services! Sprint is already offering ultra fast mobile Internet services and with WiMax, it is going to be even better. This is more than enough reason to switch providers, don’t ya think?

I am a self confessed Apple fan – if I had enough money, I would probably buy everything made by Apple that I could get my hands on. Fortunately for me, I do not have that much money to spare and I have to line up my priorities as to what to purchase. Next on my list is the Apple iPhone, which I think is on many people’s lists anyway. I was due to get the newest version in a month or so. Take note of the tense of my verb – WAS.

Now I am not so sure if I am going to get the iPhone. The reason behind my having second thoughts? I read about the newest baby coming from Palm. Dubbed the Pre, this PDA is believed to be the most significant release after the iPhone AND going one step further, it might even be a better thing than the iPhone. Is that possible though?

Take a look at some of its features that just might change my – and your – mind.

- Keep multiple applications open and move easily between them—email, maps, photos, websites, whatever. Pre thinks of your applications as “activity cards”, and lets you flip through them, move them around, or throw them off screen.

- Thanks to Synergy, all your conversations with the same person are grouped together in one chat-style view. (Even if it started in IM, for example, and you want to reply with text.) You can also see who’s online right from contacts, and start a new conversation with just one touch.

- Check email from Outlook® or personal accounts like Gmail, AOL, and Yahoo!. Take advantage of Wi-Fi hotspots. And look up directions or nearby points of interest using GPS. It’s everything you need, everywhere you go.

Oh and have you heard of its wireless charging feature using the Touchstone charging dock? This is one serious contender for THE most wanted handset. Visit Palm’s web site to get notifications about the Pre, which is yet to come.

Sprint also unveils their wifi device… a Samsung air card and a ZyXEL modem. Sprint said consumers can purchase XOHM Samsung Express air cards for $59.99 and ZyXEL modems for $79.99.

Now while the Wimax launch has been heavily delayed, and some would say that this is why their former CEO stepped down too, Wimax is a “breath of fresh tech” in Baltimore.  Sprint noted that the debut represents the official launch of its XOHM mobile broadband commercial service.

Sprint says that the download speeds for watching videos online is about 6Mbps.  Not bad!  Initial tests showed this speed as a Sprint van was roaming the Baltimore streets, laptops and all.

The Baltimore Wimax launch is the first Wimax by a large telco.