Comments for Gear Diary

Comment on PlayStation Vita Game System Review – Part I by PlayStation Vita Game System Review – Part I | Gear Diary – Games On Playstation

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:24:49 +0000

[...] PS minis, and PS Suite games. The console size is bigger … … See the article here: PlayStation Vita Game System Review – Part I | Gear Diary ch_client = "danielshifflett"; ch_width = 468; ch_height = 60; ch_type = "mpu"; ch_sid = "Chitika [...]

Comment on Microsoft Windows 8 RT: Really, Microsoft? Have You Learned Nothing? by cgavula

cgavula — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:29:00 +0000

LOL – I think there is plenty of precedent to make a good guess as to what is likely to happen here. If MS really wanted to make things clear they would start with the name – I stand by that statement. I also think we will find that only a subset of Metro apps will run due to the limited nature of the hardware (either that or ALL Metro apps will suffer limitations). No matter how you want to present it legacy apps won’t work and I think you are simply wrong about how much demand/expectation there will be to use those and for how long. I also think that all Metro apps will NOT be created equally and that will add to the confusion. I’m glad you are optimisttic, but, again, MS doesn’t really have a great track record to fall back on and I really believe that they could do a lot more – now – to avoid at least some of the headaches in the future and some vague statement about a “”plan”" isn’t really much comfort..

Comment on Microsoft Windows 8 RT: Really, Microsoft? Have You Learned Nothing? by dbmurray

dbmurray — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:18:00 +0000

I’d be happy if Microsoft would pick a naming scheme for their various operating systems they sell and stick with it, but it ain’t gonna happen as long as they have a marketing department trying to justify their purpose in remaining with the company.

That being said, most people (even self-described technophobes) realize the phone/tablet platform is a different animal from the desktop/laptop platform.

Comment on Dear AT&T, I’m Going To Purchase One of Your New Microcells, but Let’s Not Act As If You’re Doing Me Any Favors, Okay? by The Race for 4G Is On! | Gear Diary

The Race for 4G Is On! | Gear Diary — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:01:25 +0000

[...] continue to focus on beefing up their existing HSPA network. Secondly, Ma Bell will be selling Microcells to help you take advantage of WiFi bandwidth to help fill your need for speed (and ease up a little [...]

Comment on Sony: One Million PSP Mini Downloads! Apple: 5 Million Doodle Jump SALES In Same Time! by PlayStation Vita Game System Review – Part I | Gear Diary

PlayStation Vita Game System Review – Part I | Gear Diary — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:01:07 +0000

[...] games. Backwards compatible media includes PlayStation Store items, PSP downloadable titles, PS minis, and PS Suite [...]

Comment on Microsoft Windows 8 RT: Really, Microsoft? Have You Learned Nothing? by Perry

Perry — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:17:00 +0000

But to most people, it won’t be different. It WILL run the new Metro apps, just as Windows on x86/64 will. The only thing missing will be support for legacy Windows desktop apps, which I think will become less and less of an issue. And I’m not sure we can say what people will think or how confused they’ll be since we have yet to see any marketing from Microsoft at all on any version of Windows 8. I think it is a possibility that people may be confused, but Microsoft has readily admited this and claims to have a plan to address it. Let’s see what they come up with before making assumptions.

Comment on Is Kickstarter Limiting Hardware Projects Because of the Pebble’s Unprecedented Success? by Jack Campbell

Jack Campbell — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:31:00 +0000

As the project founder mentioned in the story, I’ll add that it would be WONDERFUL if Kickstarter would implement an additional layer of scrutiny for hardware projects. I would have happily cooperated with anything they wished to pursue in the way of investigation, if it resulted in my project going live there.

Traditional funding is basically non-existent for smallish hardware ventures, as VC firms aren;t interested in ventures this tiny, and angel investors (as well as VC’s) are nervous about if a product will actually sell, and if the founders can actually deliver it. So, Kickstarter fills a massively important role in the hardware startup sector.

I would have even been willing to have paid a reasonable due diligence fee, if it resulted in eventually seeing my project on Kickstarter.

Jack

Comment on Microsoft Windows 8 RT: Really, Microsoft? Have You Learned Nothing? by cgavula

cgavula — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:08:00 +0000

I didn’t miss the point at all, but I’m afraid that you might have missed my point. I expect them to be different. They should be different. I think it is good that they are different. My point is that the NAMING is likely to only lead to confusion and the marketing that is likely to follow will add to that confusion. They need to more clearly differentiate. The NAME Windows RT is going to be meaningless to most people and they will think it is just a “regular” Windows variant that will run their apps – but, of course, it won’t, and that will frustrate people because MS didn’t do enough to make it clear that this is NOT the same as other WIndows variants.

You seem to be under the belief that I am not in favor of the OS itself or the Metro UI and you would be wrong. I am, however, disappointed that MS (and its partners) don’t seem to be making this as clear as they should and any resulting confusion could lead to an unecessary market failure. The Windows Phone branding makes the differentiation clearly, the Windows RT name/designation does not clearly indicate the purpose and that is problematic.

Comment on Is Kickstarter Limiting Hardware Projects Because of the Pebble’s Unprecedented Success? by Is Kickstarter Limiting Hardware Projects Because of the Pebble’s Unprecedented Success? | Gear Diary | Crowdfunding World | Scoop.it

Wed, 23 May 2012 18:39:10 +0000

[...] background-color:#222222; background-repeat : no-repeat; } http://www.geardiary.com – Today, 1:39 [...]

Comment on Microsoft Windows 8 RT: Really, Microsoft? Have You Learned Nothing? by Perry

Perry — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:19:00 +0000

All due respect,but I think you have utterly and completely missed the point of Windows RT (both the runtime library and the mobile OS by the same name),
The Windows RT OS (formerly known as “Windows on ARM” or “WOA”) WILL run all of the Windows 8 Metro apps, exactly the same as Windows on x86/64 will. Exactly the same. No recompiles, no need to buy them again. If you install it on Windows, it will also install on Windows RT and run as-is. Period.
Windows RT will also include the legacy Windows desktop, but other than the usual built-in Windows tools (calc, notepad, control panel, etc.) it will run only a select list of applications: Internet Explorer 10, and Microsoft Office. No other legacy Windows apps will run.
But Windows RT is meant primary for thin, light, long battery life tablets, so do you really want to be trying to use the deskop? Or would you prefer to use your touchable, mobile friendly Windows Metro apps? As you pointed out, Apple doesn’t support running OSX apps on iOS. Same deal here.
Now where it gets a bit confusing is that you will also be able to buy tablets running the full version of Windows 8, capable running the new Metro apps as well as all of the legacy Windows applications. Microsoft claims that their marketing will make the distinction between the two different flavors of tablets clear for consumers, but we’ll see.
But on the surface, to a consumer, Windows 8 and Windows RT will appear identical, other than the ability to run legacy apps. And despite the differences underneath, any Metro app written for Windows 8 will run exactly the same on Windows RT. And let’s be clear: Metro apps are the future. I see a future where the Windows desktop and the legacy apps go away completely. And it’s likely coming sooner rather than later. I would not all surprised to find that one day Windows RT *IS* Windows. Much like Windows NT became Windows after the DOS versions were retired with Windows XP. This is but the first step in that direction.

Comment on The Wi-Ex zBoost YX510 PCS-CEL Wireless Extender Review by The Wilson Electronics SignalBoost DB Pro Cell Phone Signal Amplifier Review | Gear Diary

Wed, 23 May 2012 18:05:53 +0000

[...] had been using a Wi-Ex zBoost, which I reviewed in May 2009, but late last year we started having issues with the signal post-boost. We were [...]

Comment on Review: T-Mobile G2 – Is it better than the Nexus One? by T-Mobile Expands 4G Network and Speeds and 4G Product Lineup | Gear Diary

T-Mobile Expands 4G Network and Speeds and 4G Product Lineup | Gear Diary — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:46:08 +0000

[...] their 4G HSPA+ network to theoretical download speeds of 42 Mbps! I can tell you that with my T-Mobile G2, I regularly get over 8 – 10 Mbps. And T-Mobile announced new devices today which will be [...]

Comment on Jabra SP700 – Review Redux by Jabra Announces Jabra FREEWAY In-Car Speakerphones | Gear Diary

Jabra Announces Jabra FREEWAY In-Car Speakerphones | Gear Diary — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:45:53 +0000

[...] loved using my Jabra SP700 speakerphone for a number of years and am really excited to see this new unit since it takes all of the [...]

Comment on Microsoft Windows 8 RT: Really, Microsoft? Have You Learned Nothing? by cgavula

cgavula — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:41:00 +0000

The things I read usually mention that there will be a flavor of MS Office bundled with the OS, but the news now is that MS will release flavors of MS Office for iOS and Android this fall as well. That could help still some criticisms, but my big concern remains, of course, that the Windows RT name is relatively meaningless and consumer confusion will ensue.

Comment on Microsoft Windows 8 RT: Really, Microsoft? Have You Learned Nothing? by gorkon

gorkon — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:57:00 +0000

Personally? They COULD port the Office, but what will end up happening is a whole different set of apps….some which will work in the Metro interface on x86 and a lot that won’t. Windows RT just sounds like a REALLY bad idea.

Comment on Microsoft Windows 8 RT: Really, Microsoft? Have You Learned Nothing? by Bryan Eley

Bryan Eley — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:34:00 +0000

I remember that group of lawsuits, especially the DOJ going after Microsoft for forcing PC manufacturers to include IE in Windows installations, and the Netscape issues, among other things. Back in those days a few MBs to download a 3rd party browser on a 56k modem were quite tedious for consumers (but dang, how many AOL cds did you get in the mail?). Had it not been for the agreed-upon settlement, MS might have been split into an OS only entity and a software app entity.

Comment on Microsoft Windows 8 RT: Really, Microsoft? Have You Learned Nothing? by cgavula

cgavula — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:02:00 +0000

I agree the browser thing is likely to be yet another “issue”. Some of us even remember when the U.S. government (and others) went after Microsoft because of their “monopoly” on the desktop and the deep hooks that Internet Explorer had into the OS and the unfair advantage that gave MS in that space. And the settlements that fell out of that issue were anything but pretty and were a huge black eye for MS. I can’t believe that they would want to encourage a possible return to that issue, but here we are and the behavior doesn’t appeared to have changed very much. Sigh.

Comment on A Four Year Birthday of a Different Kind by Windows XP’s “Bliss” Background: A Blissful Happenstance | Gear Diary

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:00:57 +0000

[...] few of you might remember my post about my X7501 thank you gift from Waggener Edstrom. Waggener Edstrom as Goldin and Senneby mentioned was also one of the groups involved. Also [...]

Comment on Is Kickstarter Limiting Hardware Projects Because of the Pebble’s Unprecedented Success? by Judie Stanford

Judie Stanford — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:30:00 +0000

The editors and I have been talking about Kickstarter’s concerns/actions since last night, and there may be another point to consider:

While it isn’t the same business model, Kickstarter has come out of the Groupon/Facebook/Zynga world and has certainly benefited heavily from social media. But in the wake of increased scrutiny over how “social” companies make money, they may be extra reluctant to take on the risk of (possibly) scammy hardware projects.

I don’t know what Kickstarter’s current or future funding looks like (other than that they make 5% off every funded project), but I am willing to guess they probably don’t want to scare off venture capital, and there’s always the long shot that they eventually choose to go public or even become an acquisition target for another company.

But now that Groupon, Zynga, Facebook, etc have all indicated there’s some sort of slow leak in the social media tech space, Kickstarter may be on high alert because any negativity there is going to spread to them as well.

It might also explain why they are being so tight lipped, as they may be trying to work on better security protection, or seeing if the dust settles and the spotlight moves off their circle of the Internet.

Comment on Microsoft Windows 8 RT: Really, Microsoft? Have You Learned Nothing? by Bryan Eley

Bryan Eley — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:18:00 +0000

Along a similar tangent it will be interesting to see how the Mozilla Firefox/Internet Explorer brouhaha plays out. Rumors of anti-competitiveness and anti-trust litigation are swirling and Mozilla has responded: http://tinyurl.com/c92n5kv The primary objection is the following: “…Windows (RT) on ARM prohibits any browser except for Internet Explorer from running in the privileged “Windows Classic” environment. In practice, this means that only Internet Explorer will be able to perform many of the advanced computing functions vital to modern browsers in terms of speed, stability, and security to which users have grown accustomed.” I’d rather not have a repeat of the ’90s browser wars start up again.

EDIT: With regard to the Windows RT nomenclature, perhaps “Windows Non-Phone Metro”?

Comment on Pebble, the E-Paper Watch for iPhone and Android: Kickstart This! by Pratik

Pratik — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:34:00 +0000

Hey where can i buy this cool watch ?

Comment on Is Kickstarter Limiting Hardware Projects Because of the Pebble’s Unprecedented Success? by dancohen

dancohen — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:50:00 +0000

All good points. Here’s mine… Kickstarter adds a level of transparency to the initial funding of a project. If… And it is just an if at this point… They are shifting policy it old be nice for THEM to be transparent.
They CAN make any policy change they want. It is their company. But be clear about it.
Sent from my iPad

Comment on Is Kickstarter Limiting Hardware Projects Because of the Pebble’s Unprecedented Success? by JDTagish

JDTagish — Wed, 23 May 2012 07:52:00 +0000

I’m trying to put the shoe on the other foot, and see things from Kickstarter’s POV. They’re kind of new, as is the idea of crowd-funding as a way of getting new businesses off the ground. I guess I can see why they would be skittish in this circumstance. There have been some flops, and people get mad, even when their money is refunded. It could look really bad for them if something that generated as much buzz and traffic as the Pebble tanked. It also seems like the entire tech world is scope-locked on the Pebble project. And if I were Kickstarter, I could see being quite nervous knowing there are that many eyes out there watching them, for good things or for bad things.

But, knowing how many eyes are on them, I can actually understand a bit, with them wanting to hold off a bit on new hardware projects. Think about it for a second. How many shady people out there can produce a slick video, and put up a new project with no actual intention of putting out a product? If I were them, I wouldn’t exactly be calling a moratorium on new hardware projects. But, what I would be doing is examining every project that came in. Background checking the people submitting them, checking the market for similar projects and a whole host of other things before I let them go live for funding, especially with so many eyes on them right now. No one could have predicted the exponential success of the Pebble, but I would bet every penny of my next paycheck that someone out there right now is thinking of a way to steal money via a fake project because of the Pebble’s astounding success.

If I were them, I would have understandable concern that projects that raised over a million dollars, or even over 10 million in Pebble’s case, go as well as can be expected. But, they have gotten SO much press over the Pebble, that people who aren’t even into tech have heard about it. And, unfortunately, we know there are some very unscrupulous people out there, who would love nothing more than to put together a cool video and get a million dollars in 30 days, and then be able to claim some sort of failure and take off to Costa Rica with the money. So, I’m guessing that it isn’t so much that they want to see if highly funded projects go well (although I’m sure that is a portion of it) as much as making sure that any new projects are thoroughly checked out to be sure they are legit before they get put up on the site. That would certainly explain why new hardware projects are slower to come.

Or, it could be something else entirely…time will tell I suppose.

Comment on Nuance’s Dragon Drive to Take on Distracted Driving by Lucy Lu

Lucy Lu — Wed, 23 May 2012 04:09:00 +0000

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Comment on USBFever Releases Card-Type Emergency Charger for iPhone/iPod by サイフに入れておける？クレジットカード並みに薄いバッテリー - でじつべ

サイフに入れておける？クレジットカード並みに薄いバッテリー - でじつべ — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:59:56 +0000

[...] USBFever Releases Card-Type Emergency Charger for iPhone/iPod | Gear Diary [...]

Comment on SPIGEN SGP HTC One X Crumena Leather Pouch Series Review by patrickkharma

patrickkharma — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:15:00 +0000

Soo nice, good pictures as well. Does the phone fall out if the case is turned upside-down?
I´d really like to win a black one!

Comment on All-New “Pocket” App Available for iOS and Android by Reading List gains offline reading in recent Mountain Lion builds | 9to5Mac | Apple Intelligence

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:49:30 +0000

[...] All-New “Pocket” App Available for iOS and Android (geardiary.com) [...]

Comment on Joy Factory Klick Desk Stand for iPad 2 Review by dancohen

dancohen — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:15:00 +0000

It is actually quite sturdy but you might want to look at this from ProClip. This one is super-sturdy. http://www.proclipusa.com/brodit-device-holder/apple-ipad-2-(2nd-gen.)/multistand-for-apple-ipad–(black)-215483-18597.aspx
Sent from my iPad

Comment on Joy Factory Klick Desk Stand for iPad 2 Review by Dan Rosner

Dan Rosner — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:10:00 +0000

Question- how sturdy is the iPad when clicked into the base? My son has cerebral palsy and- the best way to describe it- is that he’s going to whack it a bit and be very ‘clumsy’ using it. Is this base fairly sturdy?

Comment on USBFever Releases Card-Type Emergency Charger for iPhone/iPod by PEGATE.tv | Donde Todo Se Ve... | Batería fina filipina cual tarjeta de crédito para tu iPhone

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:02:15 +0000

[...] ¿Cuánto te costará toda esta utilidad en un envase tan fino? Pues mucho menos de lo que crees, tan sólo 12 dólares, que la hace aún más atractiva para sustituir el espacio que ocupa la tarjeta del videoclub que ya hace tantos años que no usas. [Gear Diary] [...]