Zedagain

Tag: tech

  • iPhone Accessories, Stat!

    I have an iPhone. I do stuff on it. Games are my preference. I also use it to organize my life across the calendar. Word processing came next. Then movies and old television programming. My iPhone kicked my laptop’s ass. My iPhone ruined my desktop time. My iPhone sees more airtime on the family television than cable!

    So far I only have four iPhone accessories. I have an Invisible Shield membrane over the screen, a Roots rubberized shell, an audio/video cable to plug it into external display and the Apple Bluetooth keyboard. I want/need/obsess over more.

    Apple opened up the code needed to use the iPhone port to third party vendors with the release of iOS4. Be ready for lots of accessories to hit the market. Pico projectors, keyboards, external speakers and microphones are already out there. What comes next?

    My shopping cart is currently topped by a pico projector. The specific model keeps changing but the concept is awesome! I already use my iPhone as a portable media source but up until now have actually needed a TV or computer monitor to play my data. With the projector I will be able to view my data anywhere. I watched 3 seasons of Chuck while camping, it would have looked WAY better “bigger than life” pasted across rock face or my tent. Who needs movie theaters?

    I also want a Bluetooth joystick, a solar recharging system, the Personal Area Network sweatshirt from thinkgeek.com, a corkscrew attachment….. and more.. Santa are you listening? This list keeps growing I had better CC Baby Jesus….

  • From Here to There for Hardware

    I love tech toys. I dream of a future: plugged in, tuned up and better than now. The things I buy reflect that.

    I am picky with the innovations I choose but have an input device weakness. I’ve dragged my wife to an industrial district in Los Angeles to buy a programmable macro system, hit every Fry’s Electronics between Vancouver, San Diego and Las Vegas looking for a joystick with one extra button, my iPhone has an external bluetooth keyboard and I have four different mice I use depending on my needs.

    One of the biggest problems with input devices is the materials they are created with. I am tired of clutching impact plastic and slowly etching my fingerprints into a dull matte surface with the salts in my nerd rage sweat! I am digging this new aluminum trend. The aluminum doesn’t scratch easily, radiates hand heat and has a very solid feel.

    The perfect input device needs to address certain needs. Is it solid? Input devices should not shift, or click inside when moved. Are the buttons reliable? Buttons will see hard use for the entire life span of the device. How connectible is it? Wifi and Bluetooth input devices are great and extra wires just ruin my computing zone.

    So far I have been impressed with Saitek, Microsoft, Apple and Logitech input devices. Keep them coming.