From the category archives:
Product Reviews
by Techsplosive on March 7, 2009
In a previous post, it was brought to my attention that product portability may not be such a great feature after all. In the event of items getting lost or stolen, all of the data contained on the gadget is lost with the device. I made the suggestion to routinely back up information so that, assuming it is very important, it remains safe even if the hardware doesn’t.
There are two basic ways to backup data. Many people, in recent times, have chosen to use external hard drives to store information and backup their computers. External hard drives are a great solution, but do pose a few different problems as well. [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on February 19, 2009
Because Tecshplosive.com had already reviewed podcasts and personal digital recorders, I thought it would be appropriate to highlight a great piece of audio recording and editing software called Audacity. Audio recording and editing software spans a wide spectrum of prices and capabilites. Audacity is a free software containing basic and intermediate features, depending on the user’s capability and familiarity with the software.
For the basic podcaster or amateur musician, Audacity is the perfect recording option. Audacity offers an unlimited amount of track recording and layering. Audacity’s tracking capabilites are completely versatile as well. While the default view goes by the half second, Audacity allows users to zoom in on the track and take notice of all of the wave and frequency variance. This zooming capability allows the “producer” [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on February 13, 2009
The USB (universal serial bus) was created by a collaborative group of companies in the later part of 1996. Since then, the USB has become the universal standard for data transfer from gadget to computer. A few other companies have developed thier own transfer means, but none have been a match for the USB. SD cards have achieved a certain level of popularity in recent times, but most products using and SD card also utilize USB technology. In short, USB is here for the long haul. [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on February 13, 2009
The main thing that separates current handleheld personal digital recorders from the handheld recorders of yesteryear, is the absence of cassette tapes. Handheld recorders have also significantly progressed design-wise as well. The large, fat, and clunky old recorders have become smaller, sleeker, thinner. As a matter of fact, digital recorders have gone James Bond and now even come in pens and watches.
Personal digital recorders might be the single most self explanatory piece of technology. When the user wants to record audio, they simply press the record button and then press stop at the appropriate time. Digital recorders can usually play the audio back as long as the device contains a built in speaker. Newer recorders are capable of holding up to 80 hours of audio footage. The audio is stored on an SD card and can be transferred to a computer via the SD card or by using a USB cable. [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on February 11, 2009
Back in the late 1990’s the precursor to the Palm Pilot appeared on the scene. Little black devices that looked like ultra small laptops appeared in the bags and briefcases of the professional workforce. These little things were used to keep time, schedules, and memos. A few years later the Palm company emerged onto the scene with a touchscreen version which could be held in the palm of one hand, while the other hand used a stylus to input data. Behold the life of the PDA!
PDA’s were a valiant attempt at lifestyle organization. PDAs were also made to sync to PCs so that information, appointments, and memos would hopefully not be missed. However, the PDA fell short. Handheld computing can only last so long in a world where technology evolves faster than BestBuy can sell it. Not long after the release of the PDA, BlackBerry gave it a slam by integrating the features of the PDA into a mobile phone. Palm was forced to follow suit, and thus the SmartPhone was born. Almost anyone who has a BlackBerry,Palm Treo (be on the lookout for the new Palm Pre!), or iPhone wonders how they ever lived life without it – just ask President Obama. So the question is, just how “lifestyle-ish” are SmartPhones? [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on February 10, 2009
This is the first ever Techsplosive Showdown. Techsplosive will take a look at two competing services and decide on which one clearly comes out on top. So here it is – Gmail v. Yahoo! Mail.
The Radicati Group reported in the year 2007 that an estimated 1.2 billion people use email. This number is expected to grow to 1.6 billion by 2011. Of these 1.2 billion email users it is estimated that 254.6 million of them use Yahoo mail, or a Yahoo owned mail system to accomplish their email needs. Only 91.6 million users have adopted Gmail as their email service provider. The mere fact that Yahoo enjoys almost three times the membership that Gmail possesses does not make it the better service. Yahoo is able to have 3 times the membership because they began their email services a few years prior to the launch of Gmail.
Google’s email service launched with much anticipation in the summer of 2004. Prior to the launch of Gmail, the most common email services were AOL, MSN (and its properties such as HotMail), and Yahoo. Users of these electronic mailing platforms were growing increasingly bored with the features and complexity of the user interfaces. In response to the consumers need, Google launched Gmail. Gmail has proven itself superior to all email programs including Yahoo mail during the past four short years of its existence. [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on February 8, 2009
Gone are the days of the traditional atlas. For the consumer that either can’t, or just won’t buy a GPS online mapping services like Google Maps and MapQuest are ready to spit out some directions. Simply type in the starting point and the ending point, and a convenient map appears with step by step driving directions.
Why did Techsplosive.com choose to highlight Google Maps over MapQuest? One word – features. MapQuest is fine if the traveler is content to simply print their directions and go, but if they are in need of a little extra clarification or need to customize the route, the Google Maps is what the doctor ordered. Google Maps allows users a choice between the route with the shortest travel time, or the route with the least mileage. [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on February 7, 2009
With the launch of the Amazon Kindle 2 coming on February 24th, it seemed appropriate to evaluate the first version of the Kindle, and look ahead to the lifestyle compatibility of the Kindle 2. For years, books and newspapers only existed in hard copy format. They were physical, tangible items. Audio books changed that somewhat, and PDA’s put books into a portable and digital format. However, Amazon.com’s innovators took digital books and written media to a level far beyond the PDA.
The Amazon Kindle is a handheld electronic device that allows users to read downloaded books and newspapers from a screen. WiFi capabilities allow the Kindle to recieve the newspaper and magazine updates daily, as well as download books on demand. The Kindle user is also able to read blogs via RSS feeds transported via WiFi. The Kindle 2 will be smaller than the original Kindle, and will look much like an oversized iPod (showing off a metal back). From early press pictures, the Kindle 2 will be about the width of a pencil. The Kindle 2 will still sport a full keypad, and retain the same scrolling and option buttons as the original Kindle. It is a possibility that the Kindle 2 will also be showing off a set of small speakers. The new Kindle 2 will be released for sale to the public on February 24th, for a reported price of $359. [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on February 6, 2009
There used to be a sort of gap between personal computers. Someone forgetting a file or bit of information contained on a computer at work, had to wait until the next working day to retrieve the information. A few internet platforms hopped onto the scene and offered “portfolio” space for users to save files online so that they can be accessed from anywhere. That may solve the aforementioned dilemma, but what about software programs at work that might need to be accessed remotely while on a business trip?
GoToMyPC enters on a shimmering white horse. GoToMyPC is not the only remote PC access program, but it is probably the most well known and promoted. Remote PC access gives the user full access to all files and programs on the computer they want to access. Basically, the computer being accessed is put onto the computer that is being used to do the accessing. All features become the same, and all programs can be used just as they could on the original computer. [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on February 5, 2009
It used to be that cell phones were used as a more portable way to make and receive phone calls. The modern cell phone has evolved into an all-in-one phone, camera, camcorder, GPS, PC, and text chat platform. Despite continued technological and application development for cell phones, text messages are still the most used phone feature. It is estimated that 2.3 trillion text messages were sent in 2008. Because of the text message phenomenon, new phone designs now incorporate full QWERTY keyboards for the frequent texter.
Text messages are short (140 characters or less) messages that are sent from one mobile device to another. “Text” messages can also include pictures and short video clips (multimedia messages). Text messages have become the most convenient way to communicate aside from applications that require the usage of a personal computer. At first glance, it seems that texting should be an integral part of the average person’s lifestyle. Texting is simple and convenient, and has the potential to save the user a lot of time – if utilized correctly and efficiently. However, after a second glance texting seems to take on a whole new look. [click to continue...]
