May 29, 2009, 6:31 PM
I just discovered how to capture an image of the iPod screen last night completely by accident. Below are some sample images taken.
You don’t need to install any special app to do this, since the software is built directly into the iPod’s OS. Just press the power and menu button at the same time. Photo’s are automatically saved to the Photo app built into every iPod.
And, as you can probably see, the WordPress app allows for uploading of pictures from your iPod without hassle.
May 25, 2009, 9:17 PM
Google the title and you’ll see what I mean. They exist, but apparently there isn’t much information online for them. Since I ordered one over eBay recently, and spent quite a bit of time searching for infomation on them, I’ve decided to write up everything I know on them to help some other lost soul.
Here's a photo of two of the tablets, photo credit to seller "comp-plus" on eBay
Quick details of the one I’ve ordered:
- Xplore GeneSys II
- 500mhz PIII processor
- 10.4″ Ultrabright SVGA (800×600) screen
- Rugged design
According to Xplore Technologies website, the GeneSys II is now supported by a company know as Stratix Corp, so you’ll have to search there for more information. However, the Xplore website still has the drivers and firmware updates up, so you may not need to contact Stratix Corp.
Batteries and adapters seem scarce, however, I have heard universal laptop adapters work fine in either 12v or 15v mode. I take no responsibility for the accuracy of this claim though!
UPDATE: I’ve tried out a 12v 1A adapter (Centre pole positive) on the tablet with the right plug size and it works fine. I still take no liability for this information however.
Other than that the rest of the info I can manage to find is just for classified auction, or pages describing how the tablet is used in some rough application.
May 22, 2009, 8:41 PM
Mobile Broadband allows us to connect to the Internet anywhere we have cellular phone access, like at the nearest park or even on that long drive to the next state. But unfortunately most of us are unable to afford it due to its high price tag and low traffic caps.
Verizon's MiFi hotspot, designed to bridge a WWAN network to a standard wireless G hotspot. Costs 39.99$ for 250MB/mnth transfer, 59.99$/mnth for 5GB of transfer, or 300$ for the device + 15$/day
The cost is static across the big four networks (Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile) for 5GB of transfer, 59.99$. The coverage of these networks varies of course, so in some cases one plan may be better than another. Verizon does have one somewhat affordable service for the occasional user, a 15$ day-pass (presumably unlimited data) that requires you already own one of their WWAN cards, but these cards are about 100$ on their own, which may be out of range for most users.
But when it comes to getting a phone with unlimited data for a reasonable price, well that’s not hard at all. Most major providers will offer this for around 30$ per line. Unfortunately we (the users) are unable to tether this to our laptop’s and iPod’s without paying for that very limited and expensive data plan stated before.
So this brings us up to that big question again: Will mobile broadband ever be feasible in the U.S.? And if it is, will it be of good quality? These questions are ones that unfortunatly will not be answered until pressure is put on the major telecom’s to improve their infrastructure, and receive some competition in the area of pricing.
May 17, 2009, 9:21 PM
Turns out iPod’s function very well as a keyboard/mouse combo over WiFi using the VNC protocol. All you have to do is search for the right application and install it, enable the VNC server on your desktop, and connect. Beats the hell out of buying a 20$ USD presentation remote.
iPod running ControlPad, remotely controlling my Ubuntu 8.10 laptop
I personally recommend an app called “ControlPad,” as I havent had a problem with it yet. And although the picture above doesn’t show it, it is possible to flip the keyboard sideways, giving you a wider keyboard but sacraficing your large left and right mouse click buttons.
May 2, 2009, 10:20 PM
Leave it up to the open source community to release a free, open-source platform for social networks to indirectly compete with the currently in place ones like Facebook and Myspace.
It’s definitely an interesting concept though, especially if there ever becomes a way for users to “link” their networks together. Other interesting addon’s for it would be things like jabber integration, querying of common IRC servers to see online/offline status, and controlling many blogs remotely from your profile.
I’m sure very shortly large projects like Ubuntu and Debian will adopt this in order to link their users to each other.
