From the category archives:
Product Reviews
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 1, 2009
One of the most popular accessories to be sold along with new TVs and cable services in recent years has been digital video recorders. TiVo is the most popular digital recording service and digital recorder because it was one of the first to the market.
TiVo’s main function is to record television shows, or movies airing on TV so that the user can view them at a later and more convenient date. Most dvr’s are equipped with rather large hard drives sometimes in excess of 150GB. In addition to the purchase price of a TiVo setup, users must also pay a monthly fee for the service. TiVo and the DVR industry in general are undergoing significant changes right now, and it looks like the next wave of TiVo and DVR technology will be accomplished without the use of physical units. Instead of installing the TiVo players in the homes of the users, users will be able to access their account through their cable television service or their computer account to set up recording times for shows and movies that they might miss. [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on February 1, 2009
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have risen to new levels of popularity in recent years. GPS’s were presumably developed many years ago, primarily for military usage. In present times, it is almost difficult to buy a new car that does not have some sort of built in GPS.
The basic function of the GPS is to let the user know exactly where they are. Some people use personal GPSs as compasses for hunting and hiking, so that they do not get lost. The most common type of GPSs are automobile navigation systems. Rather than using the maps and atlases to navigate routes for vacations, the user just types the address or location into the GPS and the GPS determines the best route from the current location. GPSs can also give the user some other helpful statistics like trip distance, and estimated times of arrival to the destination. The GPS then talks to the user advising where and when to turn. [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on January 31, 2009
Pedometers have recently started to entertain a cult following. Health clubs and insurance companies are giving them away as an incentive to get people to make healthier choices. Needless to say, it is working.
Pedometers are small electronic devices that can track the number of steps the user takes. More complex pedometers will show the number of miles walked, the number of calories burned by walking, and different statistics about walking patterns. The Nike Plus has completely revolutionized the small world of pedometers. The Nike Plus essentially allows the users shoes to communicate with their iPod. [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on January 30, 2009
“GTD” is a common nomenclature for the phrase “get things done”. Mashable’s Cameron Chapman recently published a post containing 100+ Resources for Getting Things Done. GTD Applications often take the form of calender/scheduling software and online to-do lists. GTD applications are designed to allow the users to be more productive while keeping information neatly organized.
These GTD applications range from the standard and free iGTD courtesy of the Apple OS X to a service that will email its user daily reminders, prompts, and follow-up actions to the tasks performed on the previous day. The GTD applications don’t stop with the PC or notebook. GTD applications exist for the BlackBerry user, the iPhone user, and the average cell phone user as well. With Mashable highlighting 100+ in addition to the 50 other that they previously highlighted, it seems that many companies and applications developers have a sincere desire to help people get things done. [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on January 29, 2009
The Flip MinoHD video recorder along with its other Flip counterparts have changed the way that many people make home videos. With the video sharing website YouTube enjoying such great viewing success and popularity, a product like the Flip video recorder was inevitable.
Essentially, the Flip is a hand-held video camera no more than 4in. tall by 2in. wide. The newest release of the Flip is capable of holding 4GB of video footage or about 60 minutes of recording time. The Flip is the worlds smallest and easiest to use high definition camcorder. [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on January 28, 2009
The advent of the personal compute brought a practical computing solution to the masses. Over time computers became even more personal and portable with the release of notebooks or laptops as some say. Until recent times, PCs and notebooks have been sufficient for the consumers needs. Enter the “netbook”.
Netbooks are, in essence, almost completely stripped down notebook computers. Netbooks come without CD/DVD-ROM drives and isntead are outfitted with USB, FireWire, SD Card, and video cable ports. While some netbooks carry just as much, if not more RAM and hard drive space than notebooks others are only outfitted with 512MB RAM and 80GB hard drives. Still, this is a small concession to make considering that the price of netbooks is significantly lower than that of notebooks and post PCs. The netbook pictured here costs only $339. [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on January 28, 2009
Blogging and Content Management Systems (CMS) abound on the internet. Some are better than others, and then still some rise far above the rest. And while some blogging and CMS systems may rise to the top of the list with WordPress, WordPress still rises higher.
Why is WordPress so good? The feature set that they allow their users access to is remarkable given the price of the software – free! Due to the open source nature of WordPress many smart users and programmers have been able to make significant contributions to the development of the WordPress platform and the plethora of plugins available to the large WordPress community. WordPress recently released its newest version termed “Coltrain” or WordPress 2.7. The “Coltrain” update brought WordPress users a higher level of control and usability. The automatic plug-in installer has also saved many blogmasters a lot of time by skipping the download, unzip, and install via FTP process. [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on January 27, 2009
Wireless routers which utilize WiFi technology have revolutionized the way that the world accesses the internet. The advent of WiFi technology completely removed all need for computer users to have to plug in chords and run them to DSL, Cable or phone jacks. Instead, the computer user plugs the wireless router into the jack and the router broadcasts the internet signal over a wireless frequency.
Wireless routers and WiFi technology have made the internet more portable. Employees and who once had to wait until they reached the office to access the internet, can now access the internet on their way to work, provided they are in the range of a router. For home users, wireless routers and wifi have allowed users to enjoy the internet more recreationally, rather than have to remain connected to a wall plug. [click to continue...]
by Techsplosive on January 26, 2009
The Sony OLED Television is a relatively new product. While the technological and developmental knowledge have existed since the 1960’s, Sony was the first to debut the television for sale in Japan starting December 1st 2008.
Unlike traditional LCD televisions, the OLED T.V. does not require a backlight for the display. The colors are produced seperately by the different organic layers of the OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) panels. [click to continue...]
