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Hello everyone!
Welcome back to the best tech blog.
This will more than likely be the last post of the best tech blog. However, do not fear, Techno Inferno is here!

This time we're going for broke, with a new name, new face, a podcast, and more.

So head over to technoinferno.com!

You know you're a geek when.....

.................You wear that

Apple Event:Results.

As we repored earlier, there was an apple event in London this week. So what happened?
iPhone released for Europe.

Thats it.

More Apple Stuff!

There were the new iMacs a few weeks ago, then there were the new iPods last week. So what is Apple up to now? And why is this event in London? An early release of Leopard perhaps?

Thanks Engadget

Apple Event:Results.

So in case you live in a cave, or under a rock, or something like that, and you haven't at least passively heard of Apples announcements today....well here you go.

Today was all about iPod. So lets start from the bottom up.

iPod Shuffle
The Shuffle remains unchanged, with the exception of the change of colors.

iPod Nano
All the rumors that we have heard about the Nano, are true. It being ugly, the new UI (user interface), everything.
Probably the biggest improvement to the player is the addition of Video support. You can now upload all of your videos from iTunes to your nano. The Nano also supports games.
As you can see it has been shrunk down considerably. Not only has it been shrunk horizontally but it is now much thinner.
The price has been cut also. It's now $149 for a 4 Gig, and $199 for a 8 gig. (The 2 gig has been done away with.)

iPod Classic
The iPod (iPod classic, as it is now being called) isn't that different. The only things that have been changed are the UI, the capacity and the price. $250 for a 80 gig and $350 for a 160 gig.

iPod Touch
Look familiar? No it's not the iPhone, but the iPod touch!!! Its basically a phone-less iPhone. It comes in 8 and 16 gig variations that cost $299 and $399 respectively.
The big feature on it is it's built-in wi-fi. So you can surf the web with Safari, and download songs from your iPod Touch (a feature iPhone users wanted. The will get their wish later this month with a firmware update).
Apple has also cut a deal with Starbucks, letting you use the store's wi-fi to download music. For example, if you heard a song in a Starbucks and liked it, you can go the the wireless music store on your iPod Touch or iPhone, go to the specialized starbucks now playing page, and download that song.

iPhone
And of course, no Apple event would be complete without at least one mention of the iPhone.
Apple has dumped the 4 gig version. If you hurry you can get it on the Apple store for only $299! And in order to compete with themsleves, apple has slashed the price of the 8 gig version of the iPhone to $399.

Apple Announcement Tomorrow

You know the rumors. You read the blogs. And you have an opinion. Make it known in the comments.

Your First Doctor

I remember mine.... The ninth doctor. He was cool.

Nothing to Do With Technology

Ok ok ok, just wanted to make you all jealous. I'm thinking about buying this car... What do you think??

(Just playin'... This is a friend's car. Ferrari)

Apple event Sep.5

Apple has sent out invites to the latest announcement. Unlike last time we don't know what it is. Probably the best guess is new iPods. Not only has it been a while since new iPods were released, but the holiday season is fast approaching.

Rumors abound that the new iPods will have only flash memory, however I cannot imagine apple regressing to less memory. The biggest iPod is 80 gigs, so would it be a smart move on Apple's part to go backwards?

But of course the big rumor is phone-less iPhones. So in case that went straight over your head, allow me to elaborate. Its been speculated that the newest edition the the iPod family will be a device that has the same form factor as the iPhone but has no phone, and is really an iPod. And it may look something like this............
See it looks just like an iPhone. But notice the top of the device....no earphone. But we'll find out for sure on September 5.

Hat tip to 9 to 5 mac

15 New Verizon Phones!

You may not know this but I'm unhappy with Verizon's current line-up of phones! I think its time to protest! Why should AT&T get all the cool stuff? We sho...Hold on I'm getting a call. 15 NEW PHONES?!?!?! WOW I'VE GOTTA BLOG THIS!

Yes 15 new phones are slated to arrive to the Verizon wireless network by the end of this year. 6 are smart phones, at least 5 are music phones, and the rest are more simple hand sets.

Among the slew of phones lies the RAZR 2, the long awaited follow-up to the ubiquitous, iconic, and fragile RAZR. The CDMA Versoion of Motorola's Z67 (RIZR or ROKR) will also hit Verizon (We're not sure if it will be RIZR or ROKR labeled though).

It's about time Verizon Released new phones. They have pretty good customer service and call and network quality but they're horrible at phone selection!

Hat tip to PhoneArena

Goggles for your Video iPod

[picture courtesy of ThinkGeek.com]

How would you like a 24" TV that you can take anywhere? Well for those with a video iPod, you can watch your podcasts, hit TV shows, etc. in a virtual 24" television set right before your eyes. You don't even need extra batteries, the goggles draw power directly from your iPod.

Skype...Back from the grave

If you didnt notice, Skype, the program that allows you to make internet-based calls, went out for about a day and a half. To show how close to home it was, myself and Mr. Lopez could do the chat feature on it. The LA Times reports, that users from the US, Europe, South Africa, and Brazil reported problems with Skype.

Thanks AJ

I just got an old Xbox and PS2 from a friend.. He just came over with the two consoles and said, "You don't have these right?" I laughed and said, "no". "Now you do," he replied. So now I have an Xbox and PS2 just like that. Cool huh?

Thanks AJ

Wii Came Wii Conquered

Today, one of the highlights of my life took place. Today I bought a Wii. I've had it for about 6 hours now, and so far, I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Look for a full wiiview (review) coming up this week.

New iMac

Last week we got word of an apple announcement. Rumors abounded that apple was going to release new iMacs. Those rumors proved to be true as the above picture shows.
Apple's new computers are made of aluminum and glass and come in a 20" and 24" models with performance increasing as the size does.

And of course no sooner was the new computer released than it was disassembled.....

It's All About Mr. Woo-bot

No, it's not the newest Eureka! episode on the SciFi channel. Rather, Mr. Woo, a farmer from China, with no formal training has been making robots that remarkably mimic human movements. And they are all made from scrap and junk. His efforts haven't been without sacrifice though. One time, he burned his entire house down resulting in his wife almost leaving him. Even with all that, his robot creations are nothing short of remarkable. You don't need training to accomplish great things.

So if you're ever in the Beijing area, see if you can visit Mr. Woo. And maybe, just maybe he'll let you drive his latest creation. Mr. Woo#25

Elton John Wants the Internet to Shut Down

Yes, the infamous Rocket Man wants the internet to just go away for a few years for the sake of the music. (Because the best music came out in the 70's before the internet) He says that todays music stinks because of the advent of the internet and other technology.
Here are a few quotes from him.

• "We're talking about things that are going to change the world and change the way people listen to music and that's not going to happen with people blogging on the internet."
• "I mean, get out there -- communicate."
• "Hopefully the next movement in music will tear down the internet."
• "Let's get out in the streets and march and protest instead of sitting at home and blogging."
• "I do think it would be an incredible experiment to shut down the whole internet for five years and see what sort of art is produced over that span."
• "There's too much technology available
  

Hmm. I wonder what would happen if he and Sennator Ted Stevens got together for five years.

Convert Your Wiimote to a Hyrulean Sword!

That's right ladies and gentlemen. For the true Zelda fans, you can now play your Zelda games on your Wii with a Hyrulean Mastersword and shield attachment. The design of the sword and shield shells for your wiimote doesn't impede the wiimote functionality at all. The blade is really cool and made out of foam, but I have heard some Zelda fanatics replacing it with a real blade (something I REALLY don't recommend). We can probably look forward to seeing these attachments in time for the holiday season. How much are these attachments? Just $20. Cool huh?

Source: Camy Pro site

Breaking News

We are so sorry that the internet is broken. We'll get right on it.

X-Games 13

The X-Games were completely awesome. My dad and I went on Sunday and saw skate board Vert and rally car racing. Here a few pics.

IPHONES FOR 99 CENTS!!!!!!!

You heard right! No lie. The 99 cents stores will be celebrating their 25th Anniversary. As a promotion, the first 9 people in line will be able to buy an Iphone for just 99 cents. The next 99 people can purchase a scooter for just 99 cents. Where you ask?

At the first 99 cents store located in Westchester, Califoria.
Address: 6854 La Tijera Boulevard - one block west of La Cienega Boulevard

Remember you first heard about it at The Best Tech Blog!

iPhone update

A iPhone update was released today. At first glance, nothing looks out of place but the only thing that appears to have been changed is Safari. New security updates have been put on the phone.

Mac Event Next Tuesday

Apple has announced a MAC EVENT (so it looks like all those iPhone nano rumors arent true. Or so they want us to believe).
It will be at Apple HQ and is billed as a Mac only event.

Look Out Vonage! Here Comes Ooma

Vonage has more to worry about than just lawsuits! A new competor has just stepped up to the plate, Ooma (try and say that 3 times fast.)
Pay $400, and you have this rather weird looking phone and a lifetieme subscription to the VOiP service.

The Hub plugs into your network or internet connection and, if you've got it, landline; it can route calls over the net where possible, but still reserves the ability to use your home number, and direct 911 calls over your hard, analog phone line.

The creative marketing manager is, believe it or not, Ashton Kutcher. So this can be a great phone service, or the most elaborate episode of Punkd'

iPhone Not That Big of a Hit

AT&T said today that it activated 146,000 iPhones after the first two days of sales, which fell on the final days of the second quarter. Apple shares fell the most in six months after analysts said demand may be slowing for the iPhone, which Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs expects to become the company's third major business. This is way below analysts' estimates, which had ranged from 500,000 to 1 million.

Good News For Ampd Mobile

So, as you know ampd mobile is shutting down. So that mean that they have to switch carriers, right? And they have to buy new phones right? Wrong!
On the carriers Q&A section of their website, one of the questions is: When I decide on my new wireless service provider - can I take my phone? And the answer: Yes, if your service provider of choice uses CDMA.

So we can look forward to some unlocking going on soon.

Wanna Hack the iPhone?

You all heard the news that the iPhone can be hacked so that you don't have to be forced to go with AT&T's cellular service. But now, hackers have found a security problem with iPhone's Wifi and browser feature. Hackers have now been able to access personal information including, but not limited to - text messages, contact information, and e-mail addresses. The security hole is pretty hard to find, but once you find it, the iPhone is under your control.

Like in the beginning of this article, this isn't the first time the iPhone has been hacked. A hacker. under the alias "Nightwatch" had created and started an independent program on the phone. IPhone was designed as a closed system, which means no outside programs.
I.S.E (Independent Security Evaluators) were able to crack the iPhone's security in a week.

Now, would you like a step-by-step guide to hack the iPhone? HUUUHHH??? Well, sorry. We can't do anything illegal here in the bestTechBlog. But, here are the details regarding iPhone's vulnerability. http://www.exploitingiphone.com.

Surfing at 40 Gigs Per Minute

Who's this person having the fastest residential uplink in the world? Fortune 500 CEO? The Federal Government? The answer is no.

It's Sigbritt Lotthberg, a 75 year old woman in Sweden. Peter Lotthberg, a networking expert, wanted to demonstrate new fiber optics technology while giving a link to her mother. So how fast is this new internet user's connection? Let's put it this way, you can download a full-length movie in less than 2 seconds. Fast enough for you?

And how is she making the best of her internet connection? She only uses it to read web-based newspapers.

Ampd Mobile Shuts Down

Because of not paying their dues to verizon, amp'd mobile is going to shut down and sell off it's assets. Ampd used the verizon network and didn't pay up for use of the verizon air space ( Ampd is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, a company who buys access to another's network). A court order preventing Verizon from disconnecting ampd users, ends on the 23rd so it's expected that all service will end on the 24th.

Google Set to Bid Billions for Air

That's right! Google is going for the long shot! It's set to bid $4.6 billion on wireless airwaves being auctioned off by the federal government. If the plan pulls through, what would that mean for us?

The NY Times states: "Such a provision, Google argues, will give consumers — who traditionally get high-speed Internet access via cable or telephone lines — a third option for service." The NY Times continues to argue, it would provide serious competition in wireless broadband service such as Verizon and AT&T.

Bottom Line: If Google's plan pulls through, cheaper wireless plans due to the competition and consumer choice as to what software or handsets we can use. So I-Phone and AT&T- eat your heart out!

New Apple TV

Recently, Apple extremely quietly released a new version of it's Apple TV.
There's nothing special about it except that it has a larger, 160 gig hard drive.

Stupid Sign

So can I fish or cant I?

The PlayStation 3 Chronicles

So if you weren't already seething with anger when, after Sony denied rumors of a PS3 price drop, and then 2 days later dropped the price, boy will you be mad now!!!

Yes it's true that sony dropped the price of the 60 gig PS3, but as of now IT'S DISCONTINUED!! It's almost as if the price drop is just a clearance sale to make room for the new one!!

New PSP

It has been announced that a new psp will go into production. While it looks the same from a distance, it is smaller and thinner. They CLAIM that it's games load faster(but game take soooooooo long on the one I have so it better be much faster). It also has hi def output.

Disk Drop

Can you watch that and tell me it's not cool?

Funniest Stargate SG1 Prank

It's been only a few weeks and i already miss it.

More iPhone nano Rumors!!

New rumors say that iPhone nano WILL have 3G! Finally the iPhone is now capable of the cripplingly slow speeds that pass for fast here in the US.

It is also speculated that the nano will cost about $300. (Still much too expensive for a phone!)

LG Chocolate (VX8550)

Well, amazingly, there ARE other music phones out there aside from the iPhone! (Yeah it's news to me too. lol)
Anyway, LG and Verizon have once again come together to create an update to the Chocolate. It looks a little thinner, and sleeker than it's predecessor and has a trace motion light. Possible one of the biggest updates on it is the vibration feedback used in conjunction with the touch pad
(which was murder on the original Chocolate.)
it's in Verizon stores now.

PS3 Price Drops

Despite many denials on the part of Sony, it has been announced that there will be a price drop of the 60 gig version of the PS3. It will drop from $599 to $499. There will however, be a 80 gig version of the PS3, bundled with a copy of MotorStorm to cost $599.

Rumors Abound-iPhone Nano

Many have speculated that Apple will be releasing a smaller and cheaper version of the iPhone, but no one expected it so soon. Analysts predict that we may see one as soon as Q4.

Now the iPhone's memory is already cripplingly minimal, so if one is slated to come out that's smaller and cheaper, how cripplingly minimal can we expect the iPhone nano's memory to be?

iPod Vending Machine

C'mon! iPod Vending machines?!?!?!?!?!? I guess it's just too hard to go the the closest Target, Wal-Mart (theres two monopoly's right there iPod and Wal-Mart) Best Buy, or the like, to pick up one.

Thinking of Traveling?

A friend of mine has started a travel agent buisness. So if you're thinking of traveling, checkout
Relax-and-travel.com

STOP THE PRESS!!! I thouched an iPhone!!!!

So I went to and AT&T store today, and touched an iPhone!
This is a great device, it has a quick response time, it has the best iPod ever made, the camera responds instantaneously and the touch screen worked very well.

Now I don't want to sound like a fanboy so I'll tell you the bad.
The QWERTY keypad doesn't work for me. My fingers are kinda big. If the virtual keypad would flip to landscape mode it would be much easier.
Also the device is slightly thicker than I expected.

Since I was in the store I did not get a chance to test call quality.

Enough About the iPhone (for now)!!!!

So at the time of this post it's been almost 2 hours since the iPhone has been released to the public.
Now there are two possible reactions to what I just said. . .

1. Thank goodness, a break from the iPhone. Or. .
   
2. What are you talking about?!?!?! I just can't get enough!!!!

So instead of talking about the iPhone why don't we talk about iPhone alternatives.

HTC Touch
It has a touch screen like the iPhone but it runs on windows instead of OS X.



LG Prada Phone
It looks just like the iPhone. In fact LG is complaining about patent violation, although no lawsuits have been filed.


Helio Ocean
It's been praised as the iPhone killer, and the Sidekick killer. I don't think it can kill the iPhone just yet though.

What's Next For Apple??

With good computers, an outstandingly successful MP3 player, and their entry to TV with the Apple TV, and their possible over-hyped iPhone, what could possibly be next for Apple?

For a while it's been joked that they will enter the video game market but, i doubt it.
i think that they will make an iPod that looks like the iPhone but lacks the phone.

STOP THE PRESS!!! iPhone is out.

Unless you live under a rock or in Amish country, you should already know that the iPhone hits Apple and AT&T stores today.

Announced at Macworld in January, the iPhone is billed as being a REVOLUTIONARY phone, iPod, and internet device. Its most unique feature is it's touch screen user interface.

I won't get one because of the price, but I do look forward to reading reviews of it.

iPhone Sighting In Public

Could this be the long awaited iPhone? You be the judge and leave a comment.

WWDC

You may or may not have known that the World Wide Developers Confrence started today, so if you did great!, if you didn't, well that's what I'm here for.

At the time of this post, the keynote adress had not been posted, so the following is what I gather from the website.

1. The site in general has been re-designed.
2. Ther is new info about Leopard.
3. Apple has cut a deal with YouTube allowing you to view their content via Apple tv.
4. The formerly Apple only web browser Safari, has been re-relased for Mac and PC.                                                                                                                                                                  Although it is only in beta form, I know that it works for PC because I used it to publish this post. However it didn't work with my Yahoo mail 
   

The Fall of the T-Rex

How the mighty have fallen. New research proves that the fearsome T-Rex wasn't so fast.

Here's part of a yahoo news story discussing it.

To get a better estimate of the giant's movement, the new study modeled a typical complete T. rex skeleton, which probably weighed between about 13,000 and 17,000 pounds, and estimated its center of mass and the inertia, or resistance to movement, that it would have had when the animal turned or pivoted.

The center of mass is important to consider because two animals with similar weights may move in different ways depending on how their mass is distributed. For example, an elephant’s four tree trunk-like legs keep its center of mass over its feet, while T. rex would have had to balance its mass differently over its two small legs, bending them to keep from toppling over.

The model results, detailed in the June 21 issue of the Journal of Theoretical Biology, also showed that T.Rex would have had considerable inertia preventing it from turning quickly; a 45-degree turn would have taken one or two seconds—far longer than for a human.

These calculations lend further support to previous research indicating that the large tyrannosaurs could run no faster than 25 mph (and certainly not the 45 mph seen in some movies), because its leg muscles weren’t big enough for fast running.

Tabletop Computer

Ok, I know that I've been extremely late in posting this story, but I've been "busy" (Yeah, sure).
Anyway Microsoft unveiled a new tabletop computer. It combines the best of both the digital world and the physical world in that you can perform tasks such as paint with your hands or some other object, move pictures and enlarge them with your fingers.
It's been demonstrated as being used at a restaurant table, allowing you to browse through menus with the touch of a finger, and then ordering the same way.