June 25th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
… and not in a good way. Although for OS X Apple has stuck to “big cat names”, and 10.4 is “Tiger”, perhaps 10.4.10 should get it’s own name … like “Weasel” as in “Pop goes the …”. Or Apple should license the Rice Krispies’ “Snap, Crackle, Pop” slogan, because that’s what’s driving people crazy. The 10.4.10 update has produced a “popping” noise for many.
Dubbed “Snap Crackle Pop” on Apple’s support forum by the first to note the problem, the noise was irritating enough for one to call it “maddening,” while another claimed it “would slowly drive me insane.”
On the original thread, users narrowed the issue to Intel-based Macintoshes connected to external speakers and theorized that the pop stemmed from the audio system powering on or off, a feature designed to reduce battery drain. Non-notebook owners, however — including several with Mac minis and at least one with an iMac — reported the problem, as did MacBook and MacBook Pro users running their computers on AC power. Source: ComputerWorld
We Say: Before anyone gets on my case, I will freely acknowledge that Microsoft has had its share of Windows Update fiascos itself. Heck, look at my problems updating to Vista, right?
June 25th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
I’ll admit it … with the iPhone launching this week it’s hard to find any stories that don’t have the word ‘iPhone’ in the subject. On the other hand, I have to make sure my wife doesn’t read this story. She loves the sound of popping bubble wrap. Thus, the PuchiPuchi from Bandai is something she’d love to have … and it would drive me nuts.
Puchipuchi in Japanese is the sound of a little pop as well as the name for bubble wrap, so the toy basically named itself! Designed to mimic both the sound and feeling of popping little plastic bubbles, PuchiPuchi can be carried around as a key chain for popping. Their slogan “Anytime, anywhere, forever…you can puchipuchi” basically says it all. Source: Killian-Nakamura.com
We Say: It comes in white, purple, blue, yellow and grey. Additionally, every 100 pops it makes a different noise, including “door chime”, “barking dog”, “fart”, and “sexy voice”. There’s also a 1 in 1000 chance of getting a special PuchiPuchi that has a heart-shaped bubble. Jealous much?
BTW, despite what I said above, I tried to find it online unsuccessfully. I know my wife would love it. 
June 25th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
The demands of getting the iPhone most likely mean waiting in a loooooong line … and who knows when the first person will line up (if it hasn’t already happened). Now, those of you have been reading my posts know I’m not interested in the iPhone … for one I need a real keyboard and I also am not enamored of the fact that the battery can’t be swapped out. It’s also just EDGE , not 3G. And that’s just the start of things … though I must admit, the fact that it will be the ubergizmo for some, somewhat of a status symbol … well, that much is tempting.
At any rate, I, like most of us, cannot take time to wait in line for what’s likely to be more than one night. However, there are some who can … and will even do so … for a price. The bitmap above shows the results of a search on craigslist in San Francisco. One set of “professional” waiters saying they’ll do it for $250, and another asking for a waiter … he’ll pay $200.
We Say: I looked in New York also, figuring to find a lot more ads, but not really - I found one. What’s worrisome is that in the case of the “professionals” above, and the New York ad, they both said “x number of clowns, unemployed and hungry” … a cross-country scam? Hard to say. I didn’t search in any other cities, but it’s a little suspicious but it’s very coincidental that they use the exact same wording. On the other hand, the two ad posters in my bitmap should get together. They’re only $50 off; I’m sure they could come to some compromise!
June 24th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Crazy, crazy. It’s the same way I look at my car. It’s just a piece (or several) of metal. Same with my cell phone. Hey, give me $2 million; I can live without it.
Fully one-third of the survey respondents said they’d rather cling to their devices than receive 1 million pounds. Mobile phones were deemed “critical” to maintaining social lives and friendships in the survey by 85% of respondents. Another 76% agreed that mobile phones were a social requirement. Source: Information Week
We Say: Surprisingly, the writer of this article agreed with those who said they would not give up their cell phones. One of the reasons he gave was “They are also a requirement for business. Can we really be productive from the road without them?” Er, excuse me, if I had $2 million handed to me in a lump sum, I’d be retired in a second.
On the other hand, this means no cell phone for the rest of my life. Well, I suppose I can always borrow my wife’s right?
June 23rd, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
France has opted to ban Blackberry use by government officials, fearing a potential for spying from the United States, Britain and Canada, where RIM servers are located. Additionally, today the Software-Initiative Deutschland (SID) recommended, in a letter to German Secretary of State Wolfgang Schaeuble, that Germany follow suit.
BlackBerry handhelds have been called addictive, invasive, wonderful and now, a threat to French state secrets. That, at least, is the fear of French government defense experts, who have advised against their use by officials in France’s corridors of power, reportedly to avoid snooping by U.S. intelligence agencies.
“It’s not a question of trust,” French lawmaker Pierre Lasbordes told The Associated Press. “We are friends with the Americans, the Anglo-Saxons, but it’s economic war.” Source: ABC News
We Say: All right … just how long did it take them to figure out the locations of the servers?
June 23rd, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Yes, yes, it’s less than a week away. The iPhone launch away. But Apple keeps priming the pump. Today they posted a 20 minute video guide.
Apple on Friday provided the most in-depth look at the iPhone, one week before the device debuts at AT&T and Apple stores across the United States. A 20-minute guided tour posted to the company’s Web site showcases the various features of the iPhone and explains how to use the touch screen. Source: BetaNews
We Say: Nothing new posted in the guide, but it does show the features and usability of the phone. The tour also said that the email client will support Microsoft Word and Excel docs.
June 22nd, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Better bring your radio or CDs to work next Tuesday if you’re used to listening to radio on the Internet. This is all in protest of the royalty fee increases scheduled to go into effect on July 15th.
On June 26, thousands of webcasters will go silent and cut off the music in protest to the royalty rate increase by the Copyright Royalty Rate Board.
Some of the participants of this protest includes Yahoo, Rhapsody, MTV Online and Live 365. Source: 901AM.com
We Say: There are some big names in there, but a lot is at stake. There have been two bills have been introduced to lower the royalty fees, and it’s hoped the day of silence will draw attention from both listeners and Congress.
June 22nd, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
You may recall in my earlier post that Dell was going to give XPS buyers tech support based in the U.S. and Canada. Well, now they’ll give buyers of Dimension desktops, Inspiron notebooks, and XPS PCs the ability to opt out of all that annoying bloatware, crapware, you name it.
On Monday, Dell agreed to give buyers of certain models the option to avoid what the company calls “preinstalled software.” Buyers of Dimension desktops, Inspiron notebooks, and XPS PCs can now click a field in Dell’s online order form that will block the installation of software for productivity, ISPs, and photo and music. Source: InfoWorld
We Say: Dell, you’re taking away half the fun of ordering your PCs. You mean I can’t even take the time to uninstall all that garbage or completely reinstall the OS? Wow!
