The Gadgets Page

November 9, 2011

iPad: Every Superlative

Filed under: Computers and Peripherals,eBook Readers and Peripherals — Laura Moncur @ 9:02 am

This supercut video plays every superlative used in the original iPad keynote.

It’s no wonder that by the time a keynote is over, I end up wanting whatever it is that they are showcasing. Not only do they create amazing, wonderful, beautiful, magical and awesome products, they aren’t afraid to say so.

Via: Supercut.org — Steve Jobs’ iPad keynote: Every superlative

October 20, 2011

Home Monitoring Becomes Simple

Filed under: Cameras,Computers and Peripherals — Laura Moncur @ 9:20 am

It used to be so difficult to set up cameras in your house. CCTV was difficult to install and difficult to monitor. Even more irritating, you had to make sure to change the VCR tapes regularly. Fast forward a few years and it suddenly is easy enough for anyone to set up a hidden camera.

When Dru Ackerman broke her hip several months ago, a neighbor offered to help her. Unfortunately, her “friend” was also helping herself to Dru’s pain medication. When the woman noticed that some of her pills were missing, she set up a hidden camera in her house to see what was happening. She caught her neighbor red-handed with enough video footage to get her arrested.

Stem IZON Remote Room Monitor at Amazon.com She used the Stem IZON Remote Room Monitor, but she could have used the webcam installed on the computer on her desk. There are software options that allow you to monitor your home with your webcam and they will even upload the video to a remote server so if your computer is stolen, you will be able to see who did it.

The next time you are feeling paranoid about leaving your house, whether it’s just for a grocery trip, like Dru, or on an extended vacation, look into home monitoring solutions. There are so many options available right now that you’re sure to find something to give you peace of mind.

Via: iZON webcam and iPhone catch a thief in the act | TUAW – The Unofficial Apple Weblog

August 16, 2011

Anthro Electric Lift Tables

Filed under: Computers and Peripherals — Laura Moncur @ 10:00 am

I was interested in these Electric Lift Tables from Anthro. The video for them makes them look like the perfect table for a person who wants to work while standing or sitting. For those of us who get stir crazy sitting all day, a desk that can change like this would be a godsend.

Unfortunately, when I looked at the prices in their catalog, the least expensive of the desks is $2395. That’s WAY more than I’d like to spend on a desk, even if it adjusts at the touch of a button. For that price, I can buy the best laptop money can buy and move it to two different desks with different heights.

I love the idea of an adjustable desk, but I’m not willing to shell out that kind of money for one.

September 15, 2010

iSight Is Working Again

Filed under: Computers and Peripherals — Laura Moncur @ 10:16 am

When I upgraded my iMac to Snow Leopard, my iSight camera mysteriously stopped working. It was kind of frustrating because I used that little camera a lot. Unwilling to lug my computer to the Apple Store to see a “Genius,” I just stopped using my iSight camera. I just figured it was a feature that got lost in the upgrade and I’ve lived without it ever since.

Today, I was cleaning out my dock by removing shortcuts to applications that I didn’t use anymore. I watched them poof with a puff of air as they went. I came to Photobooth and I hesitated. I LOVED that application when my camera worked. I decided to just load it up once more before deleting it off my dock.

iSight Is Working AgainTo my surprise, my iSight camera is working again!

With all the updates that I’ve downloaded, I have no idea which one fixed my camera, but I was so happy to see myself smiling. All the things that I used to love to do with the camera (video blogging, taking goofy pictures of myself and playing with the effects on Photobooth) were suddenly given back to me and it feels like I have a whole new computer again.

If your iSight camera mysteriously stopped working with the upgrade, try it again. Like mine, yours might be working again now that Apple has had a chance to fix what was broken in the new operating system.

January 15, 2010

CES 2010: Steve Ballmer Claims The Slate PC Name

Filed under: Computers and Peripherals,eBook Readers and Peripherals — Laura Moncur @ 10:00 am

Here is a quick clip from the CES 2010 keynote where Steve Ballmer of Microsoft shows off three “Slate PC” gadgets.

With all the rumors of an Apple device coming out soon, it looks like Microsoft is trying to get the jump on that market. One of the rumors suggested that this supposed Apple device might be called an iSlate, so it’s no coincidence that Steve rushed to claim the Slate PC name.

Wouldn’t it be funny if all of those rumors were just a misinformation feed from Apple to distract everyone from their upcoming secret? What if they were only trying to negotiate a publishing contract with magazines and book publishers and were merely announcing that this January instead of a slate/tablet/ebook reader/giant iPod Touch?

All I know is that those Slate PCs that Ballmer was so proud of look an awful lot like the Photoshopped mock ups that have been floating around with Apple logos on them.

Photoshopped mockups of the iTablet

Microsoft might think they have a jump on Apple, but I suspect Steve Jobs has far more in the hopper than they realize.

January 11, 2010

CES 2010: Logitech’s Colorful Mice

Filed under: Computers and Peripherals — Laura Moncur @ 10:00 am

At CES Unveiled, I walked past the Logitech table and thought to myself, “Same Old, Same Old.” It’s not really fair to Logitech, actually. They have made perfectly cromulent computer mice for years. Without them, many of us would be lost.

CES 2010: Logitech's Colorful Mice

When I inched closer to their table, they had an array of colorful wireless mice on the table.

CES 2010: Logitech's Colorful Mice

I’ve seen these mice at the stores in Salt Lake City and I never once considered buying one, not even the blue one with the squiggles design. It’s my style and it matches the skin I have on my laptop.

I realized that I gave up on wireless mice over three years ago. I had a wireless mouse from Logitech that I loved. It used AA batteries and they lasted FOREVER. When that poor mouse finally died, I tried to replace it, but by then, Logitech had moved on to rechargeable mice and I had a world of hurt with them. I also switched to the Mac, and some of the features of that rechargeable mouse didn’t carry over to the new platform.

In the end, it was easier to use the Mighty Mouse that came with my Mac and I’ve never had to replace it. The short cord plugs into my keyboard and hasn’t ever gotten in my way.

Sorry, Logitech. I love that blue mouse. It’s adorable and would match my laptop perfectly, but I just can’t bring myself to buy it.

January 7, 2010

CES 2010: MSI Wind U135

Filed under: Computers and Peripherals — Laura Moncur @ 10:00 am

MSI Wind at CES 2010The MSI Wind has long been a favorite for the netbook Hackintosh crowd. So much so, that it was rumored that MSI furtively released drivers to aid in the process. Installing Mac OSX on a netbook technically breaks your user agreement, so do so at your own risk. Here is a how-to for making a MSI Wind a Hackintosh.

Last month, they unveiled the MSI U135 and were showcasing it at CES this year. Here is a snapshot of it.

MSI Wind U135 at CES 2010

Here is a photo of the details for the MSI Wind U135:

MSI Wind U135 at CES 2010

Hopefully, the U135 will still be a great option for those people who prefer their portable computers to be a bit more portable.

Here is a video showing how to Hackintosh a MSI Wind U100:

January 5, 2010

The Hackintosh: You Can Do It!!

Filed under: Computers and Peripherals — Laura Moncur @ 10:00 am

Kudos to Travis Jensen for getting his Hackintosh up and running!

Travis Jensen's Hackintosh

A Hackintosh is PC Computer that has been made to work with the Apple operating system. Since Apple doesn’t guarantee its operating system works with any computers but their own, there can be problems when you are trying to make this work. Additionally, it’s technically not legal to do this. Here are some resources to help:

Each computer is different, but I really like is this How-To Tutorial, but it only gets you halfway there.

This one shows you everything, but they take a more difficult route to make sure everything is closer to legal.

It’s possible to really screw up your computer if you try this, so do so at your own risk. If you have wanted an Apple computer in a small size (like a netbook) or if you can’t afford the cost of an Apple laptop, this might be an option for you. Check it out!

Update 01-05-10 3:26pm: Refer to this forum when Hackintoshing your Acer Aspire One.

January 1, 2010

Mac Mini in an iMac Mod

Filed under: Computers and Peripherals — Laura Moncur @ 10:00 am

Note to self:

Next time a bunch of broken iMacs are donated to the ElectroRegeneration Society, buy them for myself.

Check out this Mac Mini in an iMac Mod:

Mac Mini in an iMac

Now, he did away with the screen and added a coffeemaker and subwoofer. I could add a LCD screen instead with a little tinkering.

Suddenly, thrift store trolling is sounding like an interesting adventure!

Via: Combination Mac mini, coffeemaker and subwoofer stuck in an iMac

November 30, 2009

Apple I Computer Ad

Filed under: Computers and Peripherals — Laura Moncur @ 10:00 am

I was shocked at this two-page advertisement for the original Apple Computer.

Click to see full size

Click to see full size

There is no mention of where this advertisement was found (i.e. what magazine). I can date it to 1976 based on this ad from MacMothership.

Click to see full size

In a little over thirty years, computers have changed SO much. I have seen so many companies disappear, so it’s comforting to see that Apple have thrived so much.

Two page ad via: vintageads: Apple I Computer Ad page 1 and vintageads: Apple I Computer Ad page 2

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