Toshiba's New Ultra Light Data Projector You Can Never be too Slim Dept: Those giant data projectors we used to see sweating, balding IT guys hauling through airports are almost a memory, but even the smallest data projectors are still hefty fare when you add in luggage, laptop and a good airport cavity search.
Luckily Toshiba just announced a smaller form factor, close enough to being called a projection hand-held. Long way to go folks, but still, a truly welcomed downsizing breakthrough. # Permalink
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How Are We Doing? And Help Spread the Word (Please) We Interrupt This Blog... When we launched AliceandBill.com, our goal was to be an independent tech site offering a unique daily blend of trends, gadgets, opinion, and advice from two trusted industry professionals. Since then, we have relied on our small growing band of readers to help spread the word about our website. We cannot thank enough all the people who have pointed to us, pitched in their own cash, and did their part to help our launch get off the ground. Please go to our thank you page and read about our wonderful reader friends.
We also want to open up our site and start pointing to you. If you know of a great tech website you like to visit or even run yourself, send us the link and we will launch it on our site shortly. And if you find things online that we can write about, please send us the link or the information so we can keep making this site the best place on the net for unbiased technical information. Thanks ---Alice and Bill # Permalink
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11:20 AM
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Massive 90 GB Flash Drive Mine's Bigger Dept: Not to be outdone by Hitachi's huge 400GB USB drive (see the story we did 6 news items below) M-Systems unvelied the largest flash-drive to date, weighing in at an impressive 90GBs.
True, that blows the door off my tiny 256MB keychain drive, but then again at around $40,000 vs $40, I guess it really isn't an issue. Not sure who would want one (I do - Bill) but since everything comes down in price eventually, look for the affordable version in about 5 years. # Permalink
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Do We Need Trumpet-Playing Robots? Not to be outdone by Honda even in the emerging robot arena, Toyota announced a new robot that can play the trumpet. The new robots are actually being targeted for helping care for the elderly, for manufacturing, and various versions can roll, walk, or be mounted on a fixed surface.
That's all fine and good, but everyone knows we're all waiting for the robot that can fix and serve a martini. # Permalink
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8:39 AM
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George Michael to Give Away Music on the Internet George Michael announced that he's going to give all his future music away for free on the Web, giving fans the option to donate money to charaties instead. Claiming he has made enough money and is sick of keeping to a record company's schedule, George Michael is the first major artist to break free and go all web, no label. Not sure if it spells progress, but the price is nice. # Permalink
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8:13 AM
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THE LATEST NEWS
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Oh No, Motorists Spot X-Rated Films In Passing Cars Headrest monitors are still a curiosity more than anything, but apparently some motorists are spying X-rated fare on the tiny screens on a freeway near you. Last we checked, in our youth you could drive by an X-rated drive-in in every state we can remember, clearly visible off the Interstate and see the whole monty at a full billboard-high screen resolution, so for the seven people who did not see Finding Nemo speeding by on a three inch indoor headrest display, we apologize. Consider your kids lucky. # Permalink
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The USB Swiss Army Knife This is a gadget you can't help but love at first sight. The Victorinox Swiss Army Knife with built in USB flash drive. In terms of concepts, we always thought the USB watch paired an ugly watch with a handy storage mechanism, but this solution pairs your storage with a handy tool. Best of all, you can keep wearing your favorite watch and still haul those files around. The pricing is about $100 for 64MBs with the 256MB version's pricing to be determined. Only catch we can see: how do you bring a pocket knife on an airplane? # Permalink
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2:55 PM
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Saga (Not Sega) Game Addict Dies While Playing We've all been there, but here's a case of one gamer who went too far. "A computer-game addict in western China collapsed and died at his screen after playing the popular online game, Saga, non-stop for 20 hours. The 31-year-old began playing the game regularly at an internet cafe in Chengdu, Sichuan province, three months before his death, according to the South China Morning Post. An employee at the cafe said he would play for more than 10 hours a day and was found dead at the weekend after a marathon 20-hour session." # Permalink
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10:40 AM
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Hitachi Unveils Uber Hard Drive Best name yet: the Hitachi Deskstar 7K400 boasts the largest capacity in the 3.5 inch form factor, a whopping 400GBs. Built with PVRs like TiVo in mind, "extermely High Capacity Hard Drives" are getting more essential as home video storage needs increase. # Permalink
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9:36 AM
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Virtual Laser Keyboard Nerd Alert: PDA users frustrated by the stylus and annoying folding keyboards can try their hand at virtual typing on a laser-projected keyboard. With no moving parts and its own internal battery, the laser projector beams a simulated mid-air keyboard for about three to four hours.
Downside: yet another charger and device you have to haul everywhere, and the inevitable public spectacle sure to follow invisible laser typing. # Permalink
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9:04 AM
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THE LATEST NEWS
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Sun is Junk....? Huh...? Sun stock has been downgraded to junk today? What the....? Over a year and a half ago, after spending much time on the phone interviewing one of Sun's high muckety-mucks in a big chair, I did a two-part piece for ZDNet's Tech Update (Wrath of Kahn, Parts 1 & 2, no longer online) outlining how Sun had no tangible plan because it was out of touch with its market. To quote myself out of context, the conclusion to part 2 read: "Yes, Sun did come out of the 90s looking good, looking great in fact. But the 90s were a century ago. Its leap-frog strategy is not working now and whether or not Sun can regain dominance at some point in the future will require more than its sudden appearance on the mountain, carrying the tablets of the law. In looking ahead, you can't afford to ignore what's happening right under your nose."
That was in June of 2002. What took them so long...? # Permalink
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12:12 PM
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Need Tape, Doc? Let's face it, all of you healthcare providers out there who haven't yet invested in competent SANS are still being forced to go to tape for your backup requirements --especially thanks to HIPAA which requires that you save even a patient's bathroom tissue forever. (All right, maybe that one's covered under Sarbanes-Oxley...) The chief complaint to date has been, "I need more tape capacity!!!"
Well, take the thermometer out of your ear and let your blood pressure settle down --you have it. STORServer just announced its K5000 SAIT (Sony Advanced Intelligent Tape) system tape array that will safely stash up to 28.5TB (that's terror bytes for those of you responsible for handling backup chores) when in maxed capacity. And it works on 120VAC!!
(Pssst: The K5000 is a backup appliance. STORServer is not like your average P.C. Richards.) # Permalink
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9:41 AM
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A Smarter Smart Watch Move Over Microsoft Dept: Why sport a deadly dull monochrome "Smart Watch" when you can flash a 256 color LCD number that displays pictures, custom melodies, as well as your calendar in a bright and appealling design. Not available in the US yet, the ICW001 Instant Beam is a colorful take on a category we expect to heat up very shortly. Or as we like to say, watch out! # Permalink
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9:00 AM
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Are Pop-Up Ads History? Interesting piece at PC World.com on the future of annoying pop up advertisements: "Pop-up ads, those reviled windows that intrude on your Web surfing, seem to be on the decline. But don't celebrate yet: New forms of advertising that may be just as annoying and even more intrusive are likely to replace them." # Permalink
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8:35 AM
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THE LATEST NEWS
Monday, March 08, 2004
Where Sex and Technology Collide: Toothing Bluetooth may be a standard designed to annoy more than assist, but it looks like there is a sex angle after all, which spells hope in our book. We strongly feel that all successful technologies had a clandestine porn element, and now comes "toothing" or the art of using your Bluetooth-enabled cellphone to sniff out sex from nearby bystanders.
According to the "Beginner's Guide to Toothing:" "Toothing is a form of anonymous sex with strangers - usually on some form of transport or enclosed area such as a conference or training seminar. 'Toothers meet by first connecting suitable equipment - such as a modern phone or palmtop computer. Users 'discover' other computers or phones in the vicinity and then send a speculative message. The usual greeting is: 'Toothing?'. If the other party is interested, messages are exchanged until a suitable location is agreed - usually a public toilet, although there are tales of more adventurous spots such as deserted carriages or staff areas. What happens next is up to you!" # Permalink
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9:57 PM
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S&P Downgrades Sun Microsystems to Junk Status Standard & Poors delivered a tough blow to Sun Microsystems after it changed its corporate credit rating to junk status. "The downgrade reflects weak and inconsistent profitability, and our expectation that Sun will be challenged to profitably expand its market presence," said Standard & Poor's credit analyst Martha Toll-Reed.
Pocket PCs Masquerade as IPods A British company called StarBrite has developed an iPod emulator for the PocketPC, with a price tag sure to make Apple execs fume with rage: $20. Billed as a "virtual iPod", the pBop software reproduces the familiar Apple interface on the touch screen of a PocketPC handheld.
Not sure how long this will be available before Apple delivers a legal smackdown, but it is an interesting twist in this category. You can download a free three day trial or snap up a copy on the company's website. # Permalink
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PC Makers Try Again with TV PCs They bombed in the past, but Intel is taking on the TV/PC concept with a slew of chips and a sub $1,000 price point. According to Reuters, "New Intel chips allow surround-sound audio and integrated wireless networking abilities. A version Intel expects to be sold next year, code-named Sandow, includes a high-definition TV tuner, a smaller form factor, and software to aggregate media from multiple PCs in the home." 'Bout time. # Permalink
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8:29 AM
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Dell Out, Profits Up? "Mr Dell will be replaced by Kevin Rollins, the firm's president and chief operating officer, from July. However, the company said Mr Dell would "remain deeply involved in the company's day-to-day business". Mr Dell founded the firm 20 years ago when he was a student. Last year the firm recorded sales of $41.4bn." So says a news report by the BBC late last week. The moaning and hand-wringing began almost immediately. But this could be a good thing, if, perhaps, Michael Dell isn't so deeply involved in the day-to-day ops.
Why is that, you ask? Take a look at Dell's line-up. Do you see an AMD system in the bunch? Oh, let me save you the trouble - the answer is a resounding, "No!" Michael has a long-standing feud with AMD such that while he's been able to match consumer pricing available from rival Gateway, Dell is not able to take advantage of the typically lower processor costs associated with AMD CPUs and that cuts into the profit margin. AMD is also very popular among a good percentage of the marketplace. Tied to systems with Dell's reputation for reliability and service, Rollins could add a significant number of new customers to Dell's base by incorporating AMD product.
Could it happen? Historically, people have cut off their noses to spite their faces with reckless abandon. Once you do that it becomes difficult to sniff out the direction from which the wind is blowing. # Permalink
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The RealTechNews Official Collection of Interesting
Technical Websites (In Alphabetical Order)
You Can Never be too Slim Dept: Those giant data projectors we used to see sweating, balding IT guys hauling through airports are almost a memory, but even the smallest data projectors are still hefty fare when you add in luggage, laptop and a good airport cavity search. 
We Interrupt This Blog... When we launched AliceandBill.com, our goal was to be an independent tech site offering a unique daily blend of trends, gadgets, opinion, and advice from two trusted 
Mine's Bigger Dept: Not to be outdone by Hitachi's huge 400GB USB drive (see the story we did 6 news items below) M-Systems unvelied the largest flash-drive to date, weighing in at an impressive 90GBs. 
Not to be outdone by Honda even in the emerging robot arena, Toyota announced a new robot that can play the trumpet. The new robots are actually being targeted for helping care for the elderly, for manufacturing, and various versions can roll, walk, or be mounted on a fixed surface. 
George Michael announced that he's going to give all his future music away for free on the Web, giving fans the option to donate money to charaties instead. Claiming he has made enough money and is sick of keeping to a record company's schedule, George Michael is the first major artist to break free and go all web, no label. Not sure if it spells progress, but the price is nice.
This is a gadget you can't help but love at first sight. The Victorinox Swiss Army Knife with built in USB flash drive. In terms of concepts, we always thought the USB watch paired an ugly watch with a handy storage mechanism, but this solution pairs your storage with a handy tool. Best of all, you can keep wearing your favorite watch and still haul those files around. The pricing is about $100 for 64MBs with the 256MB version's pricing to be determined. Only catch we can see: how do you bring a pocket knife on an airplane? 
We've all been there, but here's a case of one gamer who went too far. "A computer-game addict in western China collapsed and died at his screen after playing the popular online game, Saga, non-stop for 20 hours. The 31-year-old began playing the game regularly at an internet cafe in Chengdu, Sichuan province, three months before his death, according to the South China Morning Post. An employee at the cafe said he would play for more than 10 hours a day and was found dead at the weekend after a marathon 20-hour session."
Nerd Alert: PDA users frustrated by the stylus and annoying folding keyboards can try their hand at virtual typing on a laser-projected keyboard. With no moving parts and its own internal battery, the laser projector beams a simulated mid-air keyboard for about three to four hours. 
Let's face it, all of you healthcare providers out there who haven't yet invested in competent SANS are still being forced to go to tape for your backup requirements --especially thanks to HIPAA which requires that you save even a patient's bathroom tissue forever. (All right, maybe that one's covered under Sarbanes-Oxley...) The chief complaint to date has been, "I need more tape capacity!!!"
Move Over Microsoft Dept: Why sport a deadly dull monochrome "Smart Watch" when you can flash a 256 color LCD number that displays pictures, custom melodies, as well as your calendar in a bright and appealling design. Not available in the US yet, the ICW001 Instant Beam is a colorful take on a category we expect to heat up very shortly. Or as we like to say, watch out!
Standard & Poors delivered a tough blow to Sun Microsystems after it changed its corporate credit rating to junk status. "The downgrade reflects weak and inconsistent profitability, and our expectation that Sun will be challenged to profitably expand its market presence," said Standard & Poor's credit analyst Martha Toll-Reed. 
A British company called 
"Mr Dell will be replaced by Kevin Rollins, the firm's president and chief operating officer, from July. However, the company said Mr Dell would "remain deeply involved in the company's day-to-day business". Mr Dell founded the firm 20 years ago when he was a student. Last year the firm recorded sales of $41.4bn." So says a