December 12, 2007
Stay at Home Servers’ book is one of the most brilliant pieces of advertising I came across lately. Do click an read the flash-based book!
I already hear the voices: “Now they are brainwashing kids to get their parents to buy them the server , right in your faces!”. This ad is targeting end-users without geek skills, not the kids themselves… But it true they can see it and get the wrong impression. But I believe kids are smart enough not to buy it.
A small note: Flash? Where’s that so incredible Silverlight? Not even in Microsoft websites? And I bet the guy who did the design stuff used a mac! Can you spot the iPhone?
Regarding the product itself, I am not a believer. Why would I buy one more big fat box, just to be connected? I have my desktop backing up the notebook’s file. I can access my files from school through FTP. Why would I need that HomeServer? I am doing fine with my Windows XP desktop.
What I believe is more of a Apple mini/tv server. A media center that has a nice storage capacity serving as a backup for everyone (would be used mostly for storing movies and series, I bet), a well designed media player (to be seen in televisions), a smart and cute browser, bluetooth to sync mobile devices on the fly, and even some games. Not that hardcore games like Halo (MS has Xbox for that), but some casual games wouldn’t hurt anyone. Even the iPod has them!
This would be the “home server” I’d buy my family this Xmas. Ok, ok that I would make my dad buy… It would be really useful and meaningful.
December 10, 2007
Dear Friends,
I am happy to let you know that everyone’s favourite USB sound reactive character – Tengu – is now released in the EU!
We have put together a website where you can see photos of Tengu, information about the development and also videos of Tengu in action. There’s also a link on the site to some of the youTube videos created by Tengu owners in Japan and the US; we hope that as many people as possible will make a little video showing Tengu in action (we’ll be delighted to add them to the site if you email us a link).
Tengu makes a wonderful Christmas gift for friends, colleagues or even yourself. He doesn’t require any software on the host computer (just a USB port), so there’s no problem with different operating systems.
Tengu can be purchased for £24.99 (+p&p) from http://www.TenguTenguTengu.com and we’ll ship anywhere in Europe (people in the US and Japan can see where to order in their country on the site).
Must resist this consumerism temptation that flows around every Xmas. But if anyone feels I’m some lonely geek, feel free to offer me some emotional LED-powered companion.
June 16, 2007
Today my
HTC TyTN arrived. It's in my opinion the best Pocket PC around, only lacks the GPS feature (what sucks since the chip is already in its motherboard, but an internal antenna is missing).
I took a few pictures of me opening my new gadget that will allow me to forget to study while developing cool apps for Windows Mobile.
I was happy when I found out that in the box, a screen protector, a leather pouch and a Ndrive CD with it's software were included (check flickr photos).
I found interesting that there are 4 ways of controling the device. 1st: from the touch screen. 2nd: from the arrows and buttons below the screen. 3rd: From the scroll and button in the side of the phone. 4th: throught the keyboard that's "inside" it.
The first thing I didn't quite like it, but I already knew, was the proprietary headset. I know that to work also as a microphone, it couldn't be just a mini-jack plug, but I would like to connect it directy to speaker... Too bad. Hope I don't loose the headset..
I’ll keep in touch :)
