For the longest time, the only phone I wanted was the iPhone. At the end of last year, I swore that I would get my hands on the iPhone 3GS. No ifs or buts, I will find a way to get one before my birthday (I still have over two months).
Then they released the Google Nexus One. Last week, the blogosphere was buzzing about the new Google phone. It’s Android-based. It’s Google. It’s perfect?
Well, not quite, but it does seem to have so many things going for it, even when compared to the iPhone. Tech magazines online, bloggers, and practically everyone seem to be touting the Nexus One as the “real iPhone killer.” I don’t care, actually. I still want the iPhone (I am actually talking to someone who’s selling these babies) but the Google Nexus One just WON’T leave me alone.
For what it’s worth, I have been reading a lot of complaints about the new release. It seems that the Nexus One has problems with getting a 3G signal. A lot of posters in forums claim that their 3G service is spotty. Worse, they do not know where to get help. Some go to T-Mobile, which is the “official” carrier while others go to HTC (the manufacturer). Both groups do not offer help, though, and point to Google, which supposedly is no help as well.
How true is this? If the forum posters are to be believed, then it is very true. Then again, I was looking at the help/support forums – of course I shouldn’t expect many positive things there, right?
So, if I can only afford one, which should it be: Google Nexus One or iPhone? I want both!
No Comments Yet | Posted by noemi at 11:20 am under Cellphones, Gadgets
The busiest day of the year for a lot of people is almost over, and by this time tomorrow, I think that more people will be reeling from the expenses that they have incurred. I know I am already reeling! Of course, this means that I am thinking of all possible ways and means to make some extra dough. My only considerations are that they shouldn’t be:
-Illegal
-Unethical
-Embarrassing
That narrows it down, doesn’t it?
There is one thing that gadget hoarders like you and I can do, though: sell old toys! It’s not a novel idea but I am in serious cash trouble so I am willing to part with some stuff that I have gathered. If you’re thinking of the same thing, take a look at these web sites to get you started.
BuyMyTronics buys used gadgets such as mp3 players, iPods, Apple Desktops, gaming consoles, and mobile phones. It looks like a great site since you can immediately get a quote and they even buy broken stuff! Even if I will not get much for my old (and broken) PS3, it’s better than having a dead black box collecting dust.
Another site that looks like it has potential is Gazelle. From what I have seen so far, it has a wider range of acceptable electronics. Just like BuyMyTronics, you can get an immediate quote.
Here’s the deal though: I tried getting a quote for that PS3 of mine. BuyMyTronics gave me $65 while this is what I got from Gazelle: “Darn, this item has no cash value. We’ll be glad to recycle it responsibly.”
No Comments Yet | Posted by noemi at 7:31 pm under Cellphones, Gadgets, General, Laptops, Toys
Have you heard of the latest hullaballoo in geekdom? Or maybe I should say nerdom. I just read this post over at Forever Geek, talking about how a professor is proposing to ban the words “geek” and “nerd.” Why? He says that their use merely helps in propagating the negative connotations that have always been associated with them. He says this despite the fact that more and more people are starting to get into the idea of “cool geeks” or “cool nerds.”
David Anderegg, professor of psychology from Bennington College, says that these terms are derogatory and liken them to racial slurs. His opinion is that even if we try to make these terms cool, it only highlights the fact that they are of a negative nature.
Now I am no professor, but my take on this is that there is NO NEED to ban “geek” or “nerd.” Turn your television on and what do you see? Music geeks dancing and singing on Glee. We have geeks – and nerds as well – making us laugh till we bust our seams on The Big Bang Theory. Even shows which are not mainly focused on geeks and nerds have at least one character that fits the description. Think Criminal Minds. I love Spencer Reid, don’t you? Penelope Garcia?
If our society is slowly – or maybe not even that slowly – opening itself to the idea of cool and fun geeks and nerds, why should be even consider banning the words? Do they offend you? I certainly am not offended!
No Comments Yet | Posted by noemi at 7:31 pm under Features, General, News
Computer geeks around the world are now drooling over the recently launched supercomputer in Australia. Forget the supercomputers that you see in the movies or read about in the books. This one is the best of them all – at least according to the people behind the project.
The new supercomputer is known as the Vayu, and is the result of joint funding between the federal government, the CSIRO, and the Australian National University. The people who are in charge of operating and overseeing the Vayu, however, are from the National Computational Infrastructure.
So what is there to drool about? After all, just because a machine has been dubbed a supercomputer, it doesn’t mean that it’s THAT great, does it?
Let’s begin with this: the Vayu falls under the Sun Microsystems Constellation class. It has 11,936 processing cores – yes, THAT MANY. It’s not a SUPERcomputer for nothing. If you’re overwhelmed by the figure, just think of it as roundabouts 6,000 of your desktop PCs put together.
As for the memory, the Vayu has an impressive 36 terrabytes of RAM. That is about 18,000 times as much as the average PC at home has! The storage space, when formatted, is about 600 terrabytes. The unformatted state is 1 petabyte. Last, but definitely not the least, the Vayu can operate at 140 terraflops.
Impressed yet? Maybe the price of this big baby will take your breath away even more. From what I hear the Vayu costs AT LEAST $6 million. Whew.
No Comments Yet | Posted by noemi at 9:54 am under Features, General, News, Science
…to be on the 11th month of next year; that is, November 2010. Wondering what Project Natal is? Probably not, if you’re a gamer, but humor me. Project Natal is Microsoft’s answer to all other gaming experiences in existence. It promises to provide a fully interactive experience without the need for wires and controllers. If it works the way it is envisioned to, it will only have a 3D camera that will sense all the movements and voice of the gamer. The hardware itself is supposed to be a little box that you will have to put under your TV – or somewhere around there – and is also supposed to use facial recognition technology. Naturally, it is compatible with the Xbox 360. Project Natal was announced during this year’s E3 convention.
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
No Comments Yet | Posted by noemi at 5:17 pm under Toys, Wireless
Have you heard of the latest hullaballoo in geekdom? Or maybe I should say nerdom. I just read this post over at Forever Geek, talking about how a professor is proposing to ban the words “geek” and “nerd.” Why? He says that their use merely helps in propagating the negative connotations [...]
If you know what Visitenkarten means you get a cookie.
Geeks Blog © Splashpress Media. Powered by WordPress.
