Smurfberries Price

Smurfberries are the rare items in the popular Iphone and Ipad app Smurfs' Village. These items are optional to buy when you play this big hit social game which is very much like Facebook's Farmville.

Smurfs' Village is from Capcom. The Smurfs' Village, just like Farmville, begins with a small plot of land and one mushroom house. From these, you can quickly progress and build nice houses, larger lands, and elaborate gardens.

The game is free to download and play, but it is the in-app content of Smurfberries that will cost you. However you will need the Smurfberries to 'quickly' progress in this game. Below are the Smurfberries prices as you buy them from the app store.

1. 1BUCKET OF SMURFBERR$4.99
2. 2BUSHEL OF SMURFBERRIES$9.99
3. 3BUCKET OF SMURFBERRIES$4.99
4. 4BUSHEL OF SMURFBERRIES$11.99
5. 5BARREL OF SMURFBERRIES$24.99
6. 6WAGON OF SMURFBERRIES$99.99
7. 7BARREL OF SMURFBERRIES$29.99
8. 8WHEELBARROW OF SMURFBERRIES$59.99
9. 9WHEELBARROW OF SMURFBERRIES$49.99

Be careful before you or your child taps (again) to purchase a bushel of Smurfberries.  It could cost you a lot of real money for sure.

The Google Chrome OS and the Google Chrome Laptop

On December 7, 2010 Google unveiled their very first laptop named Cr-48 with its own Chrome OS.  These laptops were colored black, no branding, no logos, no stickers, and distributed to a limited number of qualified hardware and software testers.

Google Chrome Laptop Specs
(from http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/07/google-unveils-cr-48-the-first-chrome-os-laptop/)

• 12.1-inch screen
• Full size keyboard
• Oversized clickpad
• Qualcomm Gobi 3G chip for Verizon data in the US, your carrier of choice internationally
• 802.11n dual-band WiFi
• 8+ hours of active use
• 8+ days of standby
• Webcam
• Flash storage

Google Chrome OS Facts

• Essentially a web browser - built and optimized for the Web
• Linux-based, open source
• Not available for download 
• Pre-shipped with a Chrome laptop
• Apps are available from the Chrome Web Store

“By building an experienced based totally on the web, 

we’ve made all of the user experiences instant." - Sunjar Pichai

This OS is still under beta testing and only a few people will receive the Chrome OS and Chrome laptop Cr-48.  Expect though by mid 2011 that Acer and Samsung will lead the distribution of these netbooks for mass roll out.

High Speed Internet is a Basic Service – Canadian Feds

High speed Internet must be part of basic service and be a legal right - this is the clamor of Liberal critics of Canada; a call for the politicians to fund for a universal access to high speed Internet across the country by 2014 and 2020.

This move of Canada follows the ambition of European countries like France, Finland, and Spain. These countries see broadband Internet as a means to open opportunities for all the residents, and that this service is crucially essential for their success. With the cooperation of private companies and funding from the government, this clamor for high speed Internet as a basic service will materialize in the near future.


oOo 
Canadian ISPs that provide download speeds of 1.5 mbps, reliable and cheap Internet services are too few to cover most of the remote places. Few ISPs give the choice that balances savings and reliable high speed Internet fit to the customers and business needs.  This service as of yet has not reached the greater residential rural areas in Canada and this presents a lot of unmaximized opportunities.

Distributel.ca pioneers in providing Internet service to the whole of Canada.  The scope it provides in high speed Internet spans across urban and rural residential areas, proving its commitment in providing Internet as a basic service. Distributel.ca is a supporter of this post.

WHDI Competes With Intel WIDI

WHDI is the new wireless audio and video standard that allows high definition wireless streaming to any display throughout a home network.  WHDI stands for Wireless Home Digital Interface.  This technology is being driven by AMIMON, the semiconductor company producing the chipsets and modules for WHDI.

WHDI by Amimon is a competitor of Intel's Wireless Display technology (read here and here).  Both technologies provide almost the same technology of sharing or streaming videos from your computer, laptop, netbook to any other display devices in your home network; the former bumping up with fancier capabilities.

As of the latest, a WHDI capable device was demonstrated to stream HD (1080p) 3D uncompressed videos.  The set up was a laptop with a WHDI transmitter borad and on the receiving end, an LCD with a WHDI receiver board.  Aside from steaming 3D videos wirelessly, WHDI also transmits through walls and even a distance of up to 100 feet.  Intel WiDi can only reach up to 20 feet.

The future of wireless video looks bright. I look forward to mass roll-out of WHDI-capable devices.

Related Post:  WHDI Wireless Smart Display - Mobile Device to TV Wireless Connection

Acer 3935 Wifi Problem - The Solution Part 2

You are here maybe because Solutions to Case 1 and Case 2 did not solve your Acer 3935 Wifi problem. Don't worry, I still have Solutions below.

Case 3:

Deleting the Acer Backup Task in the Task Scheduler did not fix your problem. And the window still pops up constantly; the Bluetooth and Wifi still turns off and on.

Solution:

The solution for this is to give up Acer Backup Manager and completely uninstall it from your system. Go to Control Panel, Programs and Features, and select Acer Backup Manager. Click Uninstall/Change on the column header.

This part is quite tricky. It took me more than 3 minutes to complete the installation because the Backup Window keeps opening even during the uninstallation. So Open Task Manager, and End the Process of Acer Backup Manager. Repeat these steps until the uninstall is completed.

Case 4:

Hopefully by now we got rid of the Acer Backup Manager part. But still Bluetooth is a problem.

Solution:

Run Services, click Start and type "services". In this step, we will totally disable the Bluetooth of Acer 3935. I hope you can decide to disable it totally for the benefit of your Wifi. If Bluetooth is more important for you than your Wifi, skip this step.

Under Services, do these. Double click the Service Name (see below which ones), in Start Up Type dropdown list select Disable; and in Service Status click Stop button. Click Ok.

The following services should be disabled and stopped.

• Bluetooth Service
• Bluetooth Support Service

You can also choose to Disable Bluetooth Device under Control Panel -> Devices.

I hope this post have been helpful for you. Thank you for reading.

Acer 3935 Wifi Problem - The Solution Part 1

Have you encountered this problem on your Acer 3935? If yes, I can offer you a solution to your problem. There are two parts of this solution, Solutions to Case 1 and Case 2; and Solutions to Case 3 and Case 4.

Many owners of this laptop has encountered at some point this Wifi problem. In Acer 3935 Wifi drops, and turns off and on constantly. Not only the WiFi problem but also the Bluetooth turns off and on, and Acer Backup Manager turns off and on too.

This cause a big headache and so far the solutions in the web are not helping. Even Acer customer service cannot identify what is causing this.

The solution to Acer 3935 Wifi problem is here. I tried to sort things out and I think this is a very good solution. I hope you find this helpful. Don't forget to share this link if so.

Case 1:

I notice that this problem usually occurs when the laptop heats up, say for example you were running on battery and you decided to plug the charger. Immediately the problem starts - Wifi, Bluetooth, and Backup function keys blink like crazy.

Solution:

Place your laptop in an even position. Instead of carrying it on your lap, put it on the table for a while. Make sure it is well ventilated to cool it off. Avoid blocking the fans too.

Case 2:

Acer Backup Manager pops up as if it is infected with a virus or a very irritating internet advertisement.

Solution:

Open Task Scheduler, click Start and type "task". Under Task Scheduler Library, open Acer folder and remove the task run by Acer Backup Manager by selecting the task and clicking Delete under Action Menu. Just remember that you have to manually perform regular backup of your system since we deleted the Task Schedule.

Click here to continue reading Solutions to Cases 3 and 4.

JailbreakMe No More?

'Apple will brick your jailbroken iPhone' - in the near future?

More than a year ago, Apple applied for a patent to kill jailbroken devices. This is a security measure to protect the users from unauthorized uses of Apple devices such as hacking, jailbreaking, unlocking, or removal of SIM card.

If it is detected that there is an "unauthorize use", either they detected that your iPhone benefited from JailbreakMe or what not, "access to particular applications can be restricted, access to sensitive information can be restricted, sensitive information can be erased from the electronic device...," the application states, effectively wiping and bricking the device. To say that again, bricked iPhone!

Question, is it just to give them this right - to take back (by bricking) what you have already purchased and owned?

Voiding the warranty as consequence for jailbreaking, maybe or even a big yes, but surely not bricking the device. Seriously, Apple?

Setting Up WiDi (Wireless Display)

WiDi is the shortcut for Wireless Display unveiled by Intel this year in line with the release of their Intel Core processors.

You can back read here so you will have a idea of this new technology, and the laptops with WiDi capability.

This how-to guide is referenced from Netgear Push2TV (PTV1000) Adapter manual. Netgear Push2TV is one of the components that you will need to set up WiDi from your laptop to your HD TV. For a list of WiDi hardware requirements, read here.

Connecting the Devices

1. Open Intel Wireless Display on your laptop. Click Start, type Wireless Dislay, and click the program. Allow the program to run when the firewall alert pops up.
2. Wait the program as it scans for available adapters. If it does not begin scanning, click Scan for Available Adapters button. It will display the available adapters found, showing the Name, ID, and Signal Strength.
3. From the list of adapters, select the one that you will use and click Connect - in this case the Netgear Push2TV (PTV1000) Adapter. As the connection is established, both the screens of the TV and Laptop will display the word 'Connecting'.
4. From your TV, you should select the correct Input source. This varies from TV brands; generally it is HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or A/V.
5. Enter the Security Code that is displayed on the TV in the Security Code field in your laptop. As an option you can enter a descriptive name for your adapter. Click continue.
6. As the laptop connects to the Netgear Push2TV adapter, the TV will display the word 'Connected'.
7. Both the laptop screen and the TV screen will now display the same. Congratulations, you have successfully set up WiDi! The PC and TV is now in clone mode.
8. You can now enjoy Wireless Display by sharing photos, video, and even surf the web from your couch.
9. To stop Intel WiDi, click Disconnect on Inter Wireless Display, then click the close button.

Few things to remember:

• For best performance, keep the laptop and TV within the distance of 20feet or 3meters in the same room.
• Performance of the router during the Wireless Display may be reduced.

Is Your Password Secure?

Please take a moment to check whether your password is secure enough not to be hacked or stolen or guessed.

Hacking of online accounts from social networks, emails, banks, and others is so rampant. One cannot take too much care is securing passwords on them.

To mention, even Yahoo Messengers can hacked that illegitimate mails are being sent from your legitimate contacts. There were several instances that I receive e-mails from friends asking for money and other financial details when all along it was not them who sent it personally. There was also an workmate who lost a couple of thousand dollars because somebody else used his online bank account.

We all want to avoid this. Please take a moment to check if is your password is secure.

Visit: www.howsecureismypassword.net

One tip though, do not put your actual password there. Rather, enter a similar password that you intend to use or are currently using, for example, the same length of your password.

Play Torrent Downloads in Samsung LED TV with Vuze DLNA

Another way of sharing files from your computer to your Samsung aside from my posts here and here is by using Vuze.

Vuze can be used to stream files to Samsung LED TVs instead of using Samsung PC Share Manager. With Vuze you can easily share torrent downloads to your TV using the same sharing technology of DLNA. The files you can share are not limited to the torrents you have downloaded. You can also share photos, music, and videos if it is saved from your hard drive,

flash drive or other storage devices.

This way of sharing files to your Samsung LED TV is easier compared to using Samsung PC Share Manager. Vuze automatically lists the Samsung TV's or devices that it finds in your home network.

Just by Drag and Drop you can copy the media you want to share from the device's library in Vuze. In the above image, you can drop the files in Samsung DTV DMR under the Devices category. As you drag the file and hover it over the Samsung TV, you will see a small plus (+) sign indicating that the file will be added to the device's library.

Finally, on your Samsung TV remote press Source. The source list should show the Vuze DLNA Server. Select it, and it will display the files you have on the shared folder, whether it is Photo, Music or Movie.

What is Wrong with Yahoo.com Today

Update 2:

According to another report, the website of Yahoo is infiltrated. As of now, the main page is still not loading, and when visiting www.yahoo.com you will be redirected to another internal Yahoo page.

Update 1:

What is wrong with yahoo.com today? Is Yahoo down today? The main page is not loading and it shows this error message:

In Chrome browser it says:

Invalid URL

The requested URL "/7/32/11247/000/404handler?src=topdomain&fr=404_topdomain&url=xa.yahoo.com/", is invalid.

Reference #9.dcc74dd4.1280933666.625526c3

In Internet Explorer is says:

HTTP 400 Bad Request

The webpage cannot be found.

The Yahoo.com top domain is not working. Other subdomains of Yahoo work fine. I did a tracert and looked up the resulting IP Addresses, all routes were registered to Yahoo.

You can do the same trace I did to check:

1) Open Command.exe; or type cmd and run it.

2) Type tracert www.yahoo.com

3) Wait until the trace is finished and it will display 'Trace complete'.

4) Go to http://www.whatismyip.com/tools/ip-address-lookup.asp and type there the displayed IP addresses in the trace.

5) Report if you see anything suspicious.

Is this a Denial of Service attack on www.yahoo.com.? Please somebody explain what is wrong with yahoo.com?

Toshiba Satellite Pro L450

I was asked by a primary school to select for them a suitable small-office and student use laptop. Their requirement is to word process, basic Excel use, light graphics design and desktop publishing, and internet surfing.

I recommended to them the Toshiba Satellite Pro L450.

The specs I chose are the following:

• Intel Celeron 900
• 2GB RAM
• 250GB HDD SATA
• 15.6in TruBrite HD
• DVD
• LAN/ W-LAN
• Web Camera
• Win 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

At first I was unsure of the Celeron 900 but using it for 2 days now, I am quite impressed with the speed of the processing. I was running both the machines side by side with our older (but higher spec) laptop and it fairs good with it. The 64-bit OS really does the job.

I like the real estate of the screen, this is given to 15.6in laptops. The keypad is also good - not that noisy, clacky or resistive. It does not have the number pad unlike some 15-inchers. The track pad is fine, however, the buttons are a little hard and noisy. I resort to just tapping on the pad every time.

Well, 15.6in laptops are now the sort-of desktop replacements, so don't expect it to be lightweight if you plan to lug it for long walks or trips. Plus, the battery can last to more than a hour or less than two even if it is a 6-cell battery. But hey, this is not meant to compete with the Acer Timelines.

So there, the school got they want and they are happy with it, with only a small price to pay. The store where we bought it from offered a really good deal.

More Intel WiDi Laptops

One night my father and I was talking about displaying on our LED TV the movies I have saved on our laptop. I told him I can do it using DLNA as this is supported by both our laptop and our Samsung LED TV.

It was fine but he said he wants to see on the TV the live stream of movies on a particular website, (eg. Megaupload). I replied, okay that is possible. I will just need to hook up the laptop to the TV by HDMI cable.

He looked at me puzzled. He asked, it is not just another way of doing it 'TV Out'. I said yes, that is basically the 'TV Out' way. He was expecting more, like doing it with out the cables, less hassle. Of course, you can do it wireless with WiDi, I told him - but it is not possible with our current laptop. So..

To continue my WiDi posts, here are more of WiDi compatible laptops that has been released and will be released this year.

1. Acer Aspire 5820T
2. Asus U43F
3. Dell Studio 15Z
4. HP Pavilion dv5
5. MSI FR600

The common specs of Intel WiDi laptops are:

• Intel Core i3, i5, i7 Processors
• Intel HD Graphics
• Wireless Centrino
• My Wifi Technology software
• Intel Wireless Display software
• Windows 7 64-bit

Must Have Ipad Apps

As posted by Gizmodo as must-have apps for the Ipad, please consider this post a summarized repost.

As stated by the site, this is not the ultimate list as hundred of new apps are pouring in everyday, but still here goes the must-have Ipad apps, so far..

Entertainment and Video
1. Netflix
2. ABC Player
3. Marvel Comics
4. iBooks
5. NBA Game Time Courtside
6. MLB at Bat
7. ESPN Scorecenter
8. Yahoo Entertainment
9. Sound Hound
10. Shazam
11. Pandora


Games
1. Flight Control
2. Plants vs. Zombies
3. Fieldrunners
4. Scrabble for Ipad
5. Mirror's Edge
6. Civilization Revolution
7. Labyrinth 2
8. Uno
9. Geometry Wars
10. Smule Magic Piano

News/ Social
1. NYT Editor's Choice
2. USA Today
3. WSJ
4. AP
5. NPR for Ipad
6. Popular Science
7. BBC
8. Bloomberg
9. Stumbleupon
10. Instapaper
11. Newsrack
12. Feeddler
13. Fluent News
14. Accuweather Cirrus
15. Tweetdeck
16. AIM
17. IM+
18. Loopt Pulse
19. Dash Four
20. Craigsphone


Productivity/ Utilities
1. iWork
2. The Elements
3. Dragon Dictation
4. Wolfram Alpha
5. National Geographic World Atlas
6. Dictionary.com
7. Epicurious
8. Kayak
9. wikination
10. Brushes
11. Sketchbook Pro
12. Desktop Connect
13. Bento
14. iDisplay
15. Voice Memos

Guitar Hero on Ipad and Iphone

Further to my previous post, not only will it be Farmville on Ipad but Guitar Hero is also joining it to.

Guitar Hero on Ipad and Guitar Hero on Iphone will be available in the App Store by end of this June. The strumming, tapping, and sliding is headed to your Ipad screens and Iphone screens.

As earlier reported, songs will range from $0.99 to $2.99.

Farmville on Ipad and Iphone

Zynga currenlty offers games for Iphone such as Role Playing, Card and Puzzle Games. And it will only be soon enough that its most popular games will be on the Ipad as well and it is coming pretty soon.

Farmville will be heading on those 9-inch screens on your Ipad. Yup! Farmville on Ipad will be here; Farmville on Iphone too. True to its name, Zynga will be connecting the world further through Zynga games in Ipad and Iphones.

Farmville on Facebook is the one of the most loved (and hated?) games, and it will not remain there. You will be farming on Iphone and Ipad as earlier shown by Zynga in WWDC a few days ago.
This is a big deal to the millions of social gamers out there. You will be hearing more on this as the game is released on AppStore.

Thinkpad Edge vs. Dell Vostro - LCD Stress Test

I have been considering these two laptops in my next IT-gadget purchase. I am in the look-out for a business laptop and I am weighing on The Thinkpad Edge or the Dell Vostro V13.

So when I came across this video posted in Engadget, one laptop brand gained another point for me. Guess which one passed the test, the Thinkpad Edge or the Dell Vostro V13? Which LCD is more robust?

See this:





It was a quick test - pressing two pressure points on the corner and the center of the LCD lid of the laptops in less than 30 seconds.

Question is, were the pressure applied equal on both the laptops' LCDs?

Short iPad Hands On

Last Thursday, a co-worker of mine brought his iPad at work. He is one of the first many who pre-ordered iPad last March. While our workday was nearing an end, we bumped in the hallway. He asked if there is anything I need because he was leaving early. I said to him, 'Yeah, can I?', I was pointing at his fresh from the box Apple iPad.

He left the device with me for a few minutes, and I gladly test run it! Free Ipad hands-on experience, I must say!

So yes, the encounter with iPad was quick.

*A quick picture of an actual iPad on my desk, compared to an A4 paper;
Too glossy of a screen, yeah?

My first impression on the Apple iPad is that it feels solid. Encased in an aluminum body, and a thick glass screen, the iPad is simple yet classy, fragile but solid. It is a minimalist design, in it's face, only the depressed Home button.

Our office was quite cold, and the aluminum device I was holding really felt cold at that time!

iPad has a big screen too. Convenient for reading, surfing, and social networking. However, I think typing on it for a long time is quite awkward. Maybe because I was walking then, maybe typing on iPad is best when you are sitting down.

I browsed, the apps, and photos, videos. As what has been reviewed by many, I strongly agree that iPad is best for content-consumption, and not content-creation.

Well, it was only a good 30 minutes iPad hands-on but I can conclude that my mom will like it.

ThickButtons a Texting Convenience in Touchscreens

Touchscreen phones are really not for the speed texters. Admit it, frequently, your finger overlaps on the given area for a particular letter, that instead of typing A you also get Q on the sides. This annoying issue is given solution by ThickButtons. It adjusts the sizes of the keys on screen, as you type. It has predictive capability that knows what are the next possible letters you will type, and adjusts them to get a bigger screen area - as really what it's name ThickButtons. Now that is clever!

See below video:




You can get ThickButtons for free for Android phones.

JBLCF_scandal.exe and MSUPDTE.exe Malware

Recently, the computers of the staff I support were plagued by JBLCF_scandal.exe and msupdte.exe. These kind of malwares are in a form of bat files that runs as start-up processes in Windows. Anti-virus scanners and spybot destroyers were not able to detect them.

It was quite tricky especially with the JBLCF_scandal.exe because I have startup bat scripts on these computers. What happens is that the moment you run cmd.exe, JBLCF_scandal.exe along with pc_off.bat forces the computers to restart after log-on. It was a real headache because I cannot get past the log-on process.

I know with JBLCF_scandal.exe that there is a script running it but it took me a while to locate where it was located. It has conveniently modified the registry so that you cannot view the hidden files or edit the properties.

As with msupdte.exe, by the name itself, it sure is a deceitful malware because of its clever name. One would find it as a legitimate Windows process at first. With this malware, what you get is a warning message after logging in. A window appears with the following message:

"C:\WINDOWS\system32\msupdte.exe
The NTVDM CPU has encountered an illegal instruction."

To resolve these issues, I did the following:

On JBLCF_scandal.exe
1. Logged on to a User Profile which do not have startup bat files running.
2. Run Task Manager, look for JBLCF_scandal.exe and kill the process.
3. Run regedit, back up the registry first.
4. Ctrl+F and find JBLCF_scandal.exe.
5. Delete the registry key.
6. Ctrl+F again, this time find pc-off.bat.
7. Delete the registry key.
8. Run WinRaR or WinZip, browse to C:\Windows and look for the 2 files mentioned and delete them.

On msupdte.exe
1. Click Close on the window showing the error.
2. Run Task Manager, look for msupdte.exe. Make sure you get the correct name because as I have said, it is almost identical to the legitimate process.
4. Run regedit and find msupdte.exe. Make sure the name is correct!
5. Delete the registry key.
6. Run WinRaR or WinZip, browse to C:\Windows\system23 and look for msupdte.exe.
7. Delete it.

USB 3.0 Flash Drives and Devices

SuperSpeed flash drives and USB 3.0 devices have started to roll out. We are now seeing USB 3.0 devices sold on retail. Last November 2009 the world's first USB 3.0 flash drive was introduced with 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities.

USB 2.0 used to be good enough in the last couple of years. However, the increase in the capacity of our hard drives and the growing number of our photo, music, video, and other multimedia collections made us feel the need for greater speed. Watching the progress bar of file transfers can sometimes be unbearable that minutes and seconds countdown seem forever! So here goes the answer, USB 3.0 flash drives and devices.

As mentioned in everythingusb.com:

In a nutshell, USB 3.0 promises the following:

• Higher transfer rates (up to 4.8 Gbps)
• Increased maximum bus power and increased device current draw to better accommodate power-hungry devices
• New power management features
• Full-duplex data transfers and support for new transfer types
• New connectors and cables for higher speed data transfer...although they are backwards compatible with USB 2.0 devices and computers
  

Few of the early devices has starting rolling. They are:

Super Talent SuperCrypt USB 3.0 Flash Drive

PQi Cool Drive USB 3.0 Flash Drives

Astro Drive A101 (the smallest USB 3.0 flash drive, yet)

A Data Flash Drive

Sharkoon Drive Station

More devices will soon be available from HP, Asus, Fujitsu, Gigabyte, Western Digital, ASMedia, and many more.

Nikon CoolPix P100 - A Megazoom Camera

The Nikon CoolPix is the newest camera with from Nikon. It is a P Series camera equipped with 26x optical zoom. This high-power optical zoom is possible through the Nikkor lens. Nikon CoolPix P100 is categorized as compact camera.

As Nikon puts it:

The COOLPIX P100 is a high-performance model that offers an effective pixel count of 10.3-million pixels and a 26x optical zoom NIKKOR lens that covers a broad focal range of wide-angle 26mm through super-telephoto 678mm (35mm format equivalent).


The primary features of this superzoom Nikon digital cam are:

• Equipped with an incredible 26x optical zoom NIKKOR lens
• Enables capture of images exhibiting less noise even under low light conditions
• Allows for the capture of beautiful night landscapes that exhibit less blur and noise
• High-speed continuous shooting of images
• Full HD movie recording with 1080p and playback functions
• Offers an image-sensor shift vibration reduction function

With all the features this camera boasts, plus the superb Nikkor lens, this as a compact camera makes it less intimidating.

Suggested retail price for the CoolPix P100 is $399.95.

Facebook App for Zune HD

The app for Zune HD is now available. You can use your Zune HD to connect with friends in Facebook with the usual status updates, profile viewing, and more.

image from zune.net

According to zune.net:

Set up and use the Facebook app on your Zune HD

1. Download the Facebook app to your Zune HD. You can get it here.
2. On the Zune HD home screen, tap Apps, then tap Facebook.
3. In Facebook, you can do the following:

Tap Home icon to open your home page, update your status, and see the latest posts.
Tip: Tap the Zune icon to set your status to the song you are currently listening to.

Tap Profile icon to view your profile page, including your wall, info, photos, videos, and more.

Tap Friends icon to see your friends and find out what they are doing.

Tap Inbox icon to go to your inbox to read and send messages.

Features of Windows Phone 7 Series

Windows Phone 7 Series was introduced at Barcelona, Spain during the Mobile World Congress held last February 15-18. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer introduced the next generation of Windows Phones, Windows Phone 7 Series.

Windows Phone 7 Series is a fresh approach to mobileOS. The screen layout is very fundamental, a minimalist design that has deep Web and applications functionality. Its "Live Tiles" on the homescreen get dynamic updates where the users directly get their contents in real-time. It went away with static icons of the mobile phones that we use to know. Just by glancing at the start you will see on every "live tile" updates and latest contents.

Windows Phone 7 also developed "Hub" for their latest mobileOS. It integrates experiences related content from the Web, applications, and services into a single view which simplifies common tasks. Phone hubs are the following:

•People. This hub delivers an engaging social experience by bringing together relevant content based on the person, including his or her live feeds from social networks and photos. It also provides a central place from which to post updates to Facebook and Windows Live in one step.


•Pictures. This hub makes it easy to share pictures and video to a social network in one step. Windows Phone 7 Series also brings together a user’s photos by integrating with the Web and PC, making the phone the ideal place to view a person’s entire picture and video collection.

•Games. This hub delivers the first and only official Xbox LIVE experience on a phone, including Xbox LIVE games, Spotlight feed and the ability to see a gamer’s avatar, Achievements and gamer profile. With more than 23 million active members around the world, Xbox LIVE unlocks a world of friends, games and entertainment on Xbox 360, and now also on Windows Phone 7 Series.

•Music + Video. This hub creates an incredible media experience that brings the best of Zune, including content from a user’s PC, online music services and even a built-in FM radio into one simple place that is all about music and video. Users can turn their media experience into a social one with Zune Social on a PC and share their media recommendations with like-minded music lovers. The playback experience is rich and easy to navigate, and immerses the listener in the content.

•Marketplace. This hub allows the user to easily discover and load the phone with certified applications and games.

•Office. This hub brings the familiar experience of the world’s leading productivity software to the Windows Phone. With access to Office, OneNote and SharePoint Workspace all in one place, users can easily read, edit and share documents. With the additional power of Outlook Mobile, users stay productive and up to date while on the go.

Glitch, a Massive Multi-Player Game to Watch Out

Glitch on your browsers is underway!

images from glitch.com

By fall of 2010, Glitch, a massive multiplayer online game will hit the Web and social media. Glitch claims that is not something what we have seen before. 'Glitch is a neverending feast of imagination, a celebration of creativity, a labor of love, and a monument to play.'

Glitch online game is set in a far-distant and a not so perfect big world. The world starts to fall apart that there occurs what is called the "Glitch". Generally speaking, the game involves very little war, moats, spaceships, wizards, mafiosos, or tapestries. There is only a very little war involved and that thing that you can really kill while playing the game is your time! As the concept of massive multiplayer online games, Glitch is a world turned round by the actions of the players instead of a single player playing 'god'.
Glitch is built using Java and Javascript enabling it to run and be flexible across different platforms. Glitch is developed by the co-founder of Flickr.

Unboxing of Nexus One in Stop-Motion Video

Below is a creative stop-motion video created by Patrick Boivin. This 90-seconder upload is the unboxing of Google Phone Nexus One. For those who have not bought theirs yet, enjoy this good find from Youtube!

What is your Nexus One unboxing story?

Google Latitude in Nexus One

Latitude is a new feature in Google Maps. It allows you to see your family and friends on a map and share information like status messages, emails, and directions on how to get to their location, and make calls too. Latitude can be used in Google phone the Nexus One.

Privacy will not be an issue because your location is not automatically shared and made visible to all. Even after accepting an invite you can still control the information you want to share.

How to find friends in Google Latitude:

1. You have to join Latitude first. You can join Latitude while viewing a map.
2. Add friends on Latitude by browsing from your Contacts List or add them via Email address, you can add multiple by separating address by a comma.
   
3. Touch Add Friends at the bottom of the screen. You friends will receive an invitation after.

• When you open Maps your friends location are shown. You will see a picture of them with an arrow pointing their location on the Map. Touch on your friends photo and you will see more details about them.
• When you open Latitude, you will see a list of your friends with a summary of their locations, latest status update, and more.

How to Respond to Latitude Invitations:

1. Accept and share back - you and your friend can see each other's locations.
2. Accept, but hide my location - you can see your friend's location, but they can't see yours.
3. Don't accept - no location information is shared between you and your friend.
   

Google Latitude can also be used on iPhone, Blackberry, and Nokia and Android powered phones.

Lenovo IdeaCentre A600 - All-in-One Desktop PC

IdeaCenter A600 is the latest all in one desktop PC from Lenovo, following suit the all in one desktop computers such as HP TouchSmart 600, MSI WindTop AE 2220, Dell Studio One among others.

Lenovo IdeaCenter A600 is the desktop what you would want to flaunt. This all in one computer has a striking design that looks so much like a TV. IdeaCenter A600 AIO is the worlds slimmest computer in it's category, an inch thin at its slimmest point. With wireless remote, keyboard, and mouse and just a single power cable powers up the machines giving you a clutter free set-up, no more tangled cords and ugly wires.

Lenovo's latest all in one computer has a multi-core processing and high performance graphics and a Dolby Home Theater with 2.1 speaker systen with bass sub woofer plus its BluRay Diskdrive ideal to enjoy your video, music, and photos. You can configure your A600 to include the optional TV Tuner too. This makes your computer an HD television plus the ability to digitally record your favorite TV programs.

Although it is not like the HP TouchSmart PCs, it's Media Center remote acts as an air more which is an on-screen pointer. This doubles as a VOIP handset and to motion drive games.

Logitech Lapdesk N700

Lapdesk N700 is coming to a couch near you. This padded base for your laptop is made by Logitech, maker of wireless mouse, keyboard, and other computer accessories.

This notebook base has an integrated stereo that boosts the meager audio volume of your notebook. You will get a rich, full stereo sound on both sides of your computer while giving you ease of control of the volume.

It also has a fan to keep the cool of the laptops base when used for hours and hours. The fan of Lapdesk N700 provides the airflow so silent it wont obstruct your viewing moments.

Logitech Lapdesk N700 can also be adjusted with its ten-degree angled riser to make your neck and legs more comfortable when you are using it while seated.



You can pre-order Logitech Lapdesk N700 for $79.99.

Facebook Turns 6, reaches 400M Members

Four years ago in a dorm room at Harvard U, Mark Zuckerberg started a little project. Six years later, the little project has become a world wide phenomena. A technology empire that may now be comparable to Google and Microsoft.

The rise of Facebook is best show in the graph below.

Facebook, six years after its inception, has become too big - members has double in less than a year from 200M skyrocketing to 400M today. Facebook also has become too invasive at some point that it constantly deals with security and privacy issues where personal data of a quarter of the web user population is held.

Where is Facebook heading? Has it reached the threshold yet, a crash and burn soon? Or further rise where no other tech companies has been before?

As it turns 6, Facebook did a redesign of it's homepage. Below is something new for it's birthday.

How To Share Files from PC to Samsung LED TV (Part II)

This post is a continuation of my previous post about Sharing files from PC to a Samsung LED TV. Part I, How to Share Files from PC to Samsung LED TV using DLNA, is a guide on DLNA or Digital Living Network Alliance. Part II is a guide on content streaming from PCs which do not have the DLNA feature.

You will need:

• A laptop or desktop PC connected to a home network
• A shared folder in that computer that contains the files that you want to stream, and
• A Samsung Blu-Ray player that is also connected to a home network (I am using Samsung BD 1255)

Steps:

• Press the Menu button, then the Red (A) button on the Anynet+ Remote.
  
• A window will be displayed where you will select Auto or Manual Search Type. In this tutorial, I selected Manual Search Type. Press Enter button.
  

Enter the IP address if the laptop or desktop that contains the shared folder. Press Enter button.

• Type in the name of the shared folder. The trick here is to use shorter folder names. Press Blue (D) button to save.
  
• Type in the username of the account in computer you are using. Press Blue (D) button to save.
  
• Type in the password of the account of computer you are using. Press Blue (D) button to save. It will take several seconds to connect to the computer. You will know it is successful if a window like the following is displayed on the Samsung LED TV screen.
  
• In that window, select Video, Music or Photo using the arrow keys on the Anynet+ Remote. This will list the contents store on the Shared folder.
  

This PC streaming function allows access to up to 4 PC's connected on the same home network. There is no need to copy to USB drives media files from several PCs. Do note however that not all file types can be read by Samsung LED TVs.

Send Discreet Message with BccThis

BccThis allows you to send discreet messages to select recipients in Outlook. This plug-in in Outlook creates a new window where you can type your additional message along with the original email message. Another window displays the list of the recipients where you can select who will receive the additional message. Only those selected will receive it. Messages sent with BccThis can be viewed without installing the plug-in.

Basically, you will now have two part of your e-mail. One is the public content which can be view by all the recipients, and the private content which can be viewed only by those selected in the BccThis window. This plug-in provides an entirely safe and secure way of sending messages.

BccThis is also available in Twitter, and soon in Blackberry devices.

Create Functional E-mail Signatures with WiseStamp

WiseStamp is a Chrome, Firefox, Flock, and Thunderbird add-on. WiseStamp lets you create and manage e-mail signatures. It is a clever way of setting your business or personal e-mail signature by allowing you to add your profiles across the web. You can include links of your profiles in social sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and many more. You can also add IM id’s be it Yahoo! Messenger, Skype, or AIM. Aside from that, you can also add personal RSS on it. This is the best feature for me.

The RSS feed in your signature will be automatically updated. This is a clever way to promote your blog since the title of your latest blog post will be displayed on the signature. If you are seeking to increase your blog traffic, this is one good way to do it. Recipients of your mail will be able to see your latest story, click on the link. It is a legitimate way to drive traffic to your site. Aside from sharing your latest blog post, WiseStamp can also include RSS from your story submissions at Digg, StumbleUpon, Propeller, news sites, quotes, latest tweet, photos, videos, etc. WiseStamp gives you a lot of options of links to insert in your signature.

Solution to Cannot Start Microsoft Office Outlook

Have you encountered 'Cannot Start Microsoft Office Outlook. Cannot Open the Outlook Window'. Don't delete your existing Outlook profiles just yet!

This has happened to three of my users in the last couple of months. This is caused by a Windows Update that modifies the navigation pane of Outlook 2007. So to revert back to your original settings before the issue happened follow below steps:

1. Click Start -> Run.
   
2. Type 'outlook.exe /resetnavpane'
   
3. Open Outlook 2007 again.
   

Viola, 'Cannot Start Microsoft Office Outlook. Cannot Open the Outlook Window' solved!

My other attempts, might be worth your try, are the following:

• Run Outlook in safemode of 'outlook.exe /safe'
  
• Delete Windows Updates relating to Outlook
  
• Delete Registry Key of Outlook Profiles
  

Test first the easiest solution attempt before deleting your Outlook profiles. It is will save you hours of downloading again your mails from your server.

Apple iPad, it is! Photos of the Real Thing

So finally, the volcanic rumour is confirmed. A few minutes ago at the Apple's Latest Creation, Steve Jobs unveiled the latest from Apple, the Apple iPad - a giant version of another Apple product.

This is it folks!

Image courtesy of Engadget and Gizmodo (swift!) Liveblogging

Sony Ericsson Vivaz

This is Sony Ericsson Vivaz. As announced by Sony Ericsson, Vivaz is expected to be launched on the first quarter of 2010.

This new touchscreen phone from Sony has a 3.2" screen size with 360x640 resolution. What this mobile phone boasts is its 8.1MP camera and HD Video, with this you can just let the camera capture spontaneous moments or direct the scene you will record. It has an autofocus that lets you capture the action with clarity.

Sharing is easy since Sony Ericsson Vivaz is fully YouTube compatible. It has Facebook integrated in it too. Connect it to a TV-out and view your photos and videos on bigger screens.

Sony Ericsson Vivaz is available in four colors: Cosmic Black, Moon Silver, Galaxy Blue, and Venus Ruby.

Apple iPhone 4G - A Visual Rumor (Part II)

It is just that Apple is making waves with it's upcoming 'major' launch in a couple of days. With all the things Apple has been teasing us, this is one more.

From the grapevine - an iPhone 4G. This latest generation of iPhone will be available in May or June of this year. Several sources have claimed that it will have OLED display, removable battery, better camera, overhauled casing and a support for visual chat.

Again folks, this is just from the grapevine, from people who share common ideas of the good things that will be in the future. Let us enjoy ourselves with below image.

This is not flooding, folks! You are not overwhelmed yet.

Image courtesy of Nowhere Else

Apple Tablet - A Visual Rumor

Buzz buzz buzz on the blogosphere as January 27 draws near, when Apple Tablet is confirmed to be launched!

To generate more excitement below is a very interesting visual rumor of the upcoming Apple iTablet/ iSlate/ iPad. As one site mentioned, What's probable and what's pure fiction?

1, 2, 3, Quick! Look for the 'Likely' around $1,000.

Image courtesy of tgrblog.com

Toshiba Qosmio X500 - Extreme Fun

Say you are a serious computer user and you are presented with the following computer specs laptop specs, among others:

• Intel Core i7 - Quad Core Processor 2.8Ghz
• 6 GB RAM
• 1 TB Hard Disk
• 18.4" HD Display
• 1 GB Dedicated VRAM

That is a sweet pot, of course, and it is called Toshiba Qosmio X500.


Toshiba markets this behemoth Qosmio X500 as -

"..elite performance and extreme fun.. cutting-edge multicore processing power"

Qosmio X500 delivers to intense 3D gaming, resource challenging video, audio, graphics editing, and demanding home entertainment requirements. It has an 18.4" inch TruBrite HD widescreen LCD, Harman/Kardon speakers and BluRay Disk Player.

If my brother asks this from me, I might remind him that the price of a Qosmio X500 with the above-mentioned specs is a little over $2,000.

Samsung SyncMaster 2033

I don't have to squint anymore!

Working long hours in front of the computer is not really healthy. Add more that the screen size of the laptop I use is only 13.3" - it is glossy, the glare on bright and well-lit room is terrible. I used to dislike it because of the small screen!

And so I decided to buy a bigger, not so glossy monitor. My choice, the 20" Samsung SyncMaster 2033.


The piano black finish, transparent accent bar with blue power light is a good addition to a library, study or desk. It is so elegant looking, a true Samsung trademark.

It is 16:9 Widescreen perfect for movies and gaming. Lately, I have only watched Gossip Girl on it and the image quality crisp. This monitor has very good blacks and vivid colors. The wallpapers in Win 7 really are eye-candies!

I find no difficulty setting-up the base, unlike in our older Samsung 19" LCD. With SyncMaster 2033 is just a few turn of two plastic screws.

It's connector is only VGA, no DVI, no HDMI, no USB. No worries for me though because VGA works fine.

Which of the following will be the Apple Tablet?

Just for fun, I have compiled images scattered in the web as the rumored Apple Tablet or iSlate. Apple's Latest Creation, Apple Tablet among one of those, will be launched in the next four days.

Some of below images "Apple Tablet" are obviously photoshopped, but why not. Maybe, just maybe, one of these will match next weeks' Apple's Latest Creation. Take your pic.

Apple's Latest Creation out on January 27

Image courtesy of Engadget

Apple will show off this coming January 27 their latest creation. This will be a major event to confirm loud rumors spreading the last couple of months.

Given the clues below, take a guess on what will be released next week:
The location of the event will be at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
The tag line for it is 'Come see our latest creation.'
The teaser graphic is an Apple logo surrounded by vibrant paint spatters.

Is the rumored Apple Tablet one of your picks? Will this be the multi-touch, 10-inch 'iSlate'. Well, some 'reputable' sources say this will be an official unveiling of something major. If this will be, I hope it wont be too costly now, yeah?

Recent Google Attack - Thumbs-Down for Internet Explorer

With the recent attack on Google, German government issues warning over the use Internet Explorer in browsing the Internet. As Microsoft admitted, IE is the weak link in the recent invasion of Google systems.

It was not clear yet as to what kind of malware was used by the Chinese to attack Google. Microsoft released that such kind of attack was not directed to the general consumer but rather only towards the target intended specifically by the attackers, thus the warning of the German government against the use of IE is frowned upon by Microsoft.
Microsoft further said that the risk to the consumers is low and that Internet Explorer's increased security settings will prevent these kind of exploits. Truth be told though, Microsoft has not released a patch yet to fix the issue. A patch might come soon yet it is tricky to install since it should apply to versions 6, 7 and 8 of Internet Explorer.

While switching to another browser might protect you from the current vulnerability, it can also expose you to another.