Monday, December 20, 2010
2010 Holiday Tech Buyers Guide
By Mark Tiongco - December 19, 2010 | |
 Happy Holidays everyone! It’s that time of the year again, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Tech Tuesday, Digital Wednesday and USB Thursday (Kidding!) In thistech tip, we’ll be covering a broad range of next-generation toys and categories, so keep an eye out for what products might be interesting to that favorite geek in your life!
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While notebook sales have continued to outsell their bulkier counterparts, desktop computers remain a vital staple in our technology-driven society. One trend that has sprung from notebook design is to consolidate parts all into a complete all-in-one package. An example of this is 
When it comes to cell phones, we can’t deny the iPhone 4 a top mention. Regardless of all the speculation issues about reception and its antenna, it’s still a solid phone that provides great interaction and great communication. In the Sprint corner, they have the evolutionary HTC® Evo 4G. It’s the first phone to support Sprint’s next-generation 
And let’s not forget good ‘ol Microsoft® who just rolled out their much-hyped Windows 7 mobile phone. Coming in several flavors (HTC® Surround, HTC HD7™, Samsung™ Focus, LG Quantum) for AT&T™, the HTC HD7™ features a powerful 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU, 576MB RAM, a 4.3” LCD screen and intuitive interfaces for organizing music, videos, pictures and even has Office Mobile and Outlook Mobile so you can keep your busy life in order.
Originally thought to be canceled during the iPAD’s debut, HP® has confirmed its finalized production of its long-rumored Slate tablet PC. Aimed at business professionals, it starts at $799 and features similar iPAD functions such as multi-touch support, dual cameras for picture-taking and video conferencing and weighs 1.5 pounds. It includes Windows 7 Professional (32-bit), an Intel Atom Z540 (supports HyperThreading for better multitasking) CPU, an 8.9” WSVGA (1024 x 600 resolution), 1 USB port, 1 secure digital card reader and 5+ hours of battery life.
Let’s start this section off with the most influential e-reader, Apple™’s much-talked about iPAD. Part media player, part e-reader, all tablet PC, this $499 media machine can keep you busy reading e-books, listening to music, watching videos, playing video games and even web browsing. However, let’s not forget the solid players like the 
As the battle rages on about media content delivery, many people are still divided between how they want to get their video entertainment. Some still enjoy shelling out $12 for a movie ticket ($14-15 for 3-D) while others prefer Netflix and some even fancy on-demand videos from their local television service provider.Panasonic™ has stepped up to the plate by releasing their new 103-inch plasma HDTV called the TH-P103MT2. In addition, their 58-inch 3D television, the TC-P58VT25 increases contrast ratio by stabilizing and lowering the electrical predischarge of cells that causes gray image saturation. Samsung™ also has their PNC-7000 series that offers 3D performance at a reasonable price.
Flip Camcorders
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
How to Reduce Phantom Power
By Dave Donovan, eHow Contributor
We all want to conserve energy, but because so much of our lives depend on electronic equipment, we can often feel as though conservation is like losing weight-really hard to do!
But, what if you could reduce your electric bill by 10 percent a year just by eliminating "phantom power?" What is phantom power you ask? Phantom power is the current that electrical items continue to draw even when they are not in use. Cell phone chargers, computers, TVs and other electric items all suck electricity even when we're not using them. If you're like most people, you have a schedule that you try to keep to, for instance, how much time you watch TV at night. Here are some easy ways to reduce phantom power from your TV and other items in your home.
Read more: How to Reduce Phantom Power | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4781905_reduce-phantom-power.html#ixzz17TJ2QWIm
How to Reduce Phantom Power From MP3 Players, Cell Phones and Other Small Electronics
1
Take an area of your home or office and make it the centralized charging station.
2
Plug in a multi-outlet surge protector power strip, the type with the on/off switch.
3
Plug all of your small electronics charging cords into this power strip.
4
When your equipment is charged or not in use, simply turn the switch on the power strip off. Not only will this help reduce your phantom power, but all of your devices will be located in one spot, so you won't have to hear "Where's my iPod?" quite as often.
How to Reduce Phantom Power From TVs, DVD Players and Home Entertainment Systems
1
Plug all of your devices into a multi-outlet surge protector power strip.
2
Plug the power strip into a timer that gets plugged into the wall outlet.
3
Set the timer to turn the power off around the time of night you usually go to bed. If you don't watch TV in the morning before you go to work, set the timer to turn the power back on right before you get home. This way, all night and all day your equipment won't be drawing unnecessary power.
4
Learn how much phantom power a piece of equipment uses before you decide to purchase it. In Resources below there is a link to the Federal Energy Management Program's (FEMP) standby power data search utility, which enables you to do this.
Read more: How to Reduce Phantom Power | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4781905_reduce-phantom-power.html#ixzz17TIxoroJ
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Working wirelessly: What you need to know
Many companies are making the leap to wireless networks in the office for both financial savings in overall equipment and sheer convenience for their employees. They also often provide mobile PCs with wireless capabilities to their employees so that they can be productive anytime anywhere, hence enhancing the company's bottom-line.In this article, I will explain what WiFi is and how it works. I will also discuss what you need to start working wirelessly as well as what you can expect to gain from doing so. Finally, I'll discuss the precautions you should take when working on the go.
What is WiFi? Learn the lingo
Wireless, or WiFi, technology is another way of connecting your computer to the network using radio frequency and no network cables.
Wireless works similarly to cordless phones; they transmit data from one point to another through radio signals. But wireless technology also requires that you be within the wireless network range area to be able to connect your computer. There are three different types of wireless networks:
- Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): WLAN are wireless networks that use radio waves. The backbone network usually uses cables, with one or more wireless access points connecting the wireless users to the wired network. The range of a WLAN can be anywhere from a single room to an entire campus.
- Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN): WPANs are short-range networks that use Bluetooth technology. They are commonly used to interconnect compatible devices near a central location, such as a desk. A WPAN has a typical range of about 30 feet.
- Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN): WWANs are created through the use of mobile phone signals typically provided and maintained by specific mobile phone (cellular) service providers. WWANs can provide a way to stay connected even when away from other forms of network access. Also, be aware that additional charges are often associated with the usage of WWANs in some locations.
How do I get started?
The only thing you really need to go wireless (in addition to a mobile PC) is a wireless PC Card. Depending on the age of your mobile PC, the card is either built-in or needs to be inserted in the PC Card slot and includes an antenna. In addition, you can also use wireless keyboards and mice, which can provide more freedom and flexibility when you're working in your office.
It's always good to research the available hotspots in the area you're planning on visiting (whether a neighborhood in your city you're not familiar with or a city on the other coast). You can use Bing to find hotspots when you travel.
As you head out in this brave new world of wirelessly connectivity, you can connect to a wireless network (whether at home, at work, or on the go).
Connect to a wireless network
Working wirelessly: What's in it for me
Working wirelessly can offer you the following benefits.
- Flexibility: The lack of cables that comes with wireless networking enables you to roam with your mobile PC. You can roam from your office to a nearby conference room for a meeting, or from the couch in the living room to a kitchen for a snack. For example, if you're working wirelessly in a meeting you can printout a report for a co-worker without having to leave the meeting.
- Time-saving: If you're waiting for an important response you can use your mobile PC to monitor your email even when you're in meetings or at lunch. As soon as you get the data needed, you can promptly forward it to your customer rather than wondering whether the information has come in while you were away and having to run back to your office between meetings and other commitments.
- Increased productivity: Working wirelessly enables you to turn down times between meetings or while in transit into productive time. For example, you may be attending a conference and just found out that one of the sessions you were planning on attending has been cancelled. Rather than waste the next hour, you can check email, start compiling your trip report, or order your son's birthday present.
- Easier collaboration: Using wireless mobile PCs, you can easily share files and information with others. For example, you can collaborate on a presentation with colleagues during a flight delay in an airport lounge, or you can share the syllabus of a course while attendees so that they can take more digitally during the class.
What should I worry about when working wirelessly?
When working wirelessly from hotspots and public places, you are responsible for ensuring the security of your files and your mobile PC.
To make network access easier for their users, public hotspots typically leave all security turned off. This means that any information you send from a hotspot is most likely unencrypted, and anyone within range of the wireless LAN, whether at a next table or in the parking lot, can access and use your Internet connection, and look at your unprotected information.
For more information, see tips for working securely from hotspots.
WiFi gives you the freedom to go anywhere and still be connected to your office, your family, and other important aspects of your life. Your virtual office can now be an ice cream parlor in a seaside resort. Embrace and enjoy the flexibility that WiFi affords you.
This article was written by Armelle O'Neal.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Removing IT Policy on Blackberry
Unlocking the Blackberry.
First of all, this is not a guide on how to remove carrier information from a Blackberry. If you're unable to use a different SIM card than the one that was originally supplied with your device, look elsewhere. However if, like many others you have a Blackberry that is locked by a BES, meaning you're unable to change certain settings, or install Third Party Applications then read on. Essentially, the problem is that your Blackberry has at some point been connected to a BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server), and this BES has placed a restrictive Security Policy (or IT Policy) on your device. A quick check to see if this is the case can be done by going to Options/Security on your Device. If you see any references to IT Policy whatsoever, then you have a potentially restrictive IT Policy that can be removed.
- The Disclaimer/Intended Use.
- This guide is intended for use by people that own their own Blackberry, and for whatever reason, have inherited a company's IT Policy on their Device. Really, there are two scenarios where this guide is useful.
You, like me, bought a Blackberry on EBay and are unable to make changes to the settings or install Third Party Applications. You have a Blackberry that was previously connected to a company's BES and, for whatever reason; you no longer intend to make connections to that BES. If you're still connected to a Company BES, and simply want to install the latest and greatest Third Party Application I wouldn't recommend this approach. Go talk to your administrators and ask them to grant you the appropriate rights. There are two problems in using this guide to bypass your Company's Security Policy. Firstly, whenever you reconnect to the Company Server, your security settings will revert back to how they were. Secondly, and (perhaps) more importantly, you run the risk of getting fired.
Procedure
Method One
Method 1: IT Policy Removal (Preferred)
If you have any 8xxx or 9xxx device the best method for removing IT policy is to update it to OS 4.3 or higher (if possible) and you can use JL_Cmder's "resettofactory" command to remove ALL IT policy, Firewall restrictions and Application Permission settings. After you've upgraded to OS 4.3 or higher, simply backup the device using Desktop Manager, close Desktop Manager, then run JL_Cmder and execute the "resettofactory" command. The device will do a security wipe of the device; (meaning wipe your data but leave the OS, DO NOT use the "Wipe" command in JL_Cmder) then reboot leaving the OS, 3rd party apps but no data AND, best of all, NO IT policy whatsoever. When you're done, simply restore your backup and you're good to go with no policy or locked firewall. You can downgrade back to the old OS if you desire, too.
Download JL_Cmder from this link: http://www.blackberryforums.com/general-blackberry-discussion/18789-jl_cmder.html
If your 7xxx or 8xxx device is running OS 4.2 or lower (look in Options >About) and you can't upgrade it to OS 4.3 or higher you will NOT be able to use method 1 above and you will need to use method #2 below:
Method Two
Step 1
Ensure the Blackberry Desktop Manager is installed using Blackberry Internet Service, and not Blackberry Enterprise Server. If you are unsure, it would probably be a good idea to uninstall the Desktop Manager and start again.
If you don't have the CD that came with your Blackberry, the Software can be downloaded here. BlackBerry Software Site
Step 2
Download the file policy.bin Download Here. and save it in your Blackberry installation directory (C:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry).
Step 3
Wipe your Blackberry, creating a backup if necessary. Select Options/Security/Wipe (Newer 4.2 OS Devices Goto Options/Security Options/General Settings/Wipe) on the Device.
If this option is unavailable, you may have to install the latest software on your Blackberry. You need to Download and install the latest Desktop Manger Software, then the latest Handheld Software. Connect your device, open the Desktop Manager, select Application Loader, and follow the prompts.
Step 4
Close the Desktop Manager if it is open.
Step 5
From the Windows Start Menu select Run..., and at the prompt type regedit. In the tree on the left hand side, navigate to:
HKEY_Current_Users\Software\Research In Motion\BlackBerry\PolicyManager
Right-Click the Policy Manager Folder and select New/String Value. Name the value Path. Now, Double-Click the Path Subkey and set Value Data to:
C:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry\policy.bin
Step 6
Open the Desktop Manager.
Step 7
Connect the Device.
Verification
Once complete, the Options/Security screen on your Blackberry should not contain references to an IT Policy, you should now be able to change all settings (including password prompts), and install Third Party Applications.
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