The Sony DSC-WX5 just arrived today. The plan is to compare this Cybershot WX5 to the new TX9. Video review coming soon. Check back.

For now, check out my review of the Sony TX9, the first consumer 3D camera.

The cell phone has come a long way from being a large and awkward device that only makes calls to a small and sleek gadget that can check your stocks, the nearest movie times, display the weather, take photos, capture video, email and help navigate you worldwide. Understanding today’s newest crop of cell phones is a tumultuous task for anyone. Knowing the differences between “smartphones”, “feature phones”, and “dumb phones” and everything in between sounds like a job in itself. Although there is a lot of information, knowing the differences of today’s smartphones and choosing the right one for you can simplify your life and daily tasks immensely by allowing you to do more on-the-go.

The three different levels of cell phones are straightforward. A “dumb phone” (or budget phone) typically performs the one basic purpose that a cell phone was meant for, phone calls. They may also include a few other features such as text messaging, basic web browsing and simple games. One step up on the cell phone totem leads us to a “feature phone” which, in addition to the capabilities of a budget phone, also integrates more applications. Feature phone’s can run a limited number of proprietary applications built into or specifically for that type of operating system opposed to a smartphone that would allow greater freedom in this area. Smartphones are able to do more because they run on a complete operating system such as Apple’s iOS, Google’s Android, Palm’s WebOS, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile. Think of a smartphone as a handheld computer with phone functionality.

Two of the three leading operating systems, iOS and Android, are mostly equal in terms of available applications and performance. iOS can only be found on Apple’s iPhone on AT&T whereas Android is an open source operating system that is available on various phone manufacturers (e.g. HTC, Motorola, LG, Samsung to name a few) and networks (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, etc). BlackBerry, the marginal leader of today’s smartphones, has often been associated with a more business-like focus due to their superior handling of messaging and email in secure environments and integration with company software. Add that to also running today’s most popular applications and you’ve got quite a device.

Apple was the first platform to introduce a dedicated App Store for their operating system. The App Store now houses more than 200,000 apps. One thing to note is that applications for the iPhone must be downloaded through the App Store and cannot be downloaded from other sources. If you’re an Apple user with MobileMe your contacts, data and phone location will seamlessly intermix with an iPhone. iOS 4, Apple’s newest release on the iPhone 4, allows users to capture, edit and upload video directly from their phone without the need for a computer.

Due to its Google backing, the Android platform effortlessly integrates Google applications into it’s operating system. If you utilize a lot of Google products on your computer such as Gmail and Google Voice, an Android device will integrate well into your workflow. Another key feature of Android is Google Navigation. Every Android device now comes with a built-in navigation that utilizes Google Maps technology and will eliminate the need for a separate GPS device. Also, as an open-source platform, Android allows you to install applications from various sources like the Internet, not just their Android Market.

If you’re in the market for a new phone, it helps to ask your peers what they use and their opinions in addition to trying out the different devices in store. Differences between the three smartphone leaders comes down to user interface, hardware and carrier. Android phones are available in various sizes and their own hardware characteristics. For instance, Sprint has the HTC Evo 4G that has a front facing camera in addition to its back camera for video calls and recordings and is on a high-speed 4G network (4G is not available nationwide, see Sprint’s official website for more details). AT&T is currently the sole carrier of the Apple iPhone 4. Verizon has the Droid X with an 8MP camera, HD video recording and an HDMI out port. Once you’ve narrowed down your choice of operating system, it’s a matter of looking at the additional features that each individual phone has and what you’d prefer. Don’t fret if you’re not happy with your decisions either. Major carriers such as Verizon and AT&T allow you to return the phone within 30 days of purchase if you’re not happy with your choice.

In 2007, I wrote an article about the coming of digital media convergence.  Digital Media Convergence is the term used to describe the eventual union of television and the computer: more specifically, the mainstream media and the Internet.

My thought was that the Internet could provide more personalized content to you, the consumer. The content would be streamed on-demand so you could watch what you wanted, when you wanted. The TV’s advantage over the computer was always the fact that it was larger than your average monitor, so that many people could watch at the same time, and it was normally placed in a comfortable setting like a living room, which made content consumption easy. The computer was designed initially for content creation.

Now online video content is everywhere. You only need to look at Youtube, Hulu and Netflix to recognize its growing popularity. In 2008, the Olympics were viewable online for the first time in history, allowing people to watch the sporting events they were most interested in, not only what the television networks aired.

It’s not only video: consumers want on-demand music as well. Pandora, an online streaming radio service, is a great example of how the Internet can step in and help dying industries like the music industry, among others.

We’ve come a long way, but all these services are still half-baked ideas unless they can be moved into the living room, and onto your home entertainment system.

That is exactly what is happening now.

Go to any electronics store and look at the new TVs and Blu-ray players. What do they have in common? Most of them are web-enabled and have built-in applications for services such as Netflix, Amazon Video On-Demand, Pandora, Last.fm, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Flickr. The applications do vary depending on the make and model, but the trend towards a web-enabled entertainment center is clear and undeniable.

So what will Digital Media Convergence do for you? It will let you get to the content you want more easily, instead of just settling for whatever is on TV. As a result, I believe many of the media giants will have to change their method of delivering content as well as their business models. I also think that this will inevitably lead to a more self-educated and specialized society. Of course we will have to wait and see.

Leave a comment and let us know what you think about digital media convergence, and how it will affect our future.

July 12, 2010

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

I am enthusiastically recommending JOEY MARIANO, Director, e-Geniuses, to anybody interested in excellent, consistent, reliable, and trustworthy computer servicing.

Based on my numerous dealings with him to this date, here are my reasons:

1. He is KNOWLEDGEABLE.   Joey really seems to know what he is doing.
2. He is EFFICIENT.  Joey gets to work ASAP and keeps at it until the job is done.
3. He is HONEST.  Joey doesn’t doubletalk, cheat, or pad his work.  He does what is needed and no more.  And his prices are, in my opinion, reasonable and fair.
4. He is CLEAR.  Joey doesn’t speak in “computereze” (except sometimes to fellow technicians).  He does not talk “down” to his customers, but talks with them in language ordinary human beings can understand.
5. He is POLITE and KIND.  Joey treats his customers with respect and consideration.
6. He is PATIENT and THOROUGH.  Joey always seems to try to answer questions as many times as may be needed, and he keeps working on a problem until it is solved.
7. He is ACCOMMODATING.  Joey tries to make himself as available to his customers as personally, directly and quickly as he possibly can and to complete every job in as little time as necessary to do it right.
8. He is FRIENDLY.  Joey has an easygoing personality and believes in treating his customers as he would his own family and friends.
9. He is REALISTIC.  Joey does not have an arrogant attitude.  When rarely he does not know exactly what a solution might be, he admits it and then searches for the answer.
10. He has a SENSE OF HUMOR.  Joey does not take himself too seriously and is a pleasure to do business with.
11. He is SMART, CREATIVE, and “CUTTING-EDGE.”  Joey is always investigating and learning, always open to new ideas, always trying to stay on top of every new development in computer technology and the constantly changing cyberworld.
12. He is RESPONSIBLE and AMBITIOUS.  Joey takes his work and his customer relationships very seriously and does everything he can to satisfy his own high standards and his customers’ expectations, both in the short term and the long run.

If these aren’t enough reasons, I have others.  I wish you the success with Joey I have had with him.   I am confident he will see his satisfaction only in yours and will do everything he can to achieve that.
Sincerely,

RICHARD HEBERT

Online Computer Services

Let us change your mind about how easy computer service can be.

Ask anyone who’s paid for traditional computer services with one of E-Geniuses’ competitors, and without fail, they’ll tell you about the nuisance—making a trip out to the shop to deliver a computer, or waiting at home for a technician who turned out to be late, incompetent, or rude.

E-Geniuses’ Monthly Maintenance Plan and Help Desk Support Plans eliminate these worries: no more driving or waiting. Our highly-skilled technicians can fix most any computer problem remotely that other technicians can only do in person—saving you the time and the headache.

It is our humble opinion that not enough of the public is aware that Online Computer Services are an option, and with its superior convenience and growing availability, we feel they should. Your computer is an essential part of your everyday life, and having them repaired shouldn’t feel like a chore.

Online Computer Services

You already know how our Online Computer Services save you time, energy, and hassle—but here’s something you may not know: it saves you money. Most computer service companies charge extra for appearing on-site. But why would you spend more for an on-site technician, when your problem could just as easily be addressed remotely?

E-Geniuses Technicians working remotely can fix multiple computers at once (e.g. removing malware on one computer while running a scan on another), while on-site technicians can only service one computer at a time, costing you more and taking up more of your day.

Though Online Computer Service is not a brand new technology, it is constantly improving. The faster the internet connection, the better our services to you: and at E-Geniuses, that’s of the utmost importance.

If you or someone you know is having problems with a laptop or computer, give us a call at 1-877-MY-GENIUS today and see if Online Computer Services are right for you!

Does DoubleMySpeed.com Work?

DoubleMySpeed.com is a website dedicated to promoting software created by CyberDefender. They target similar demographics to similar websites FinallyFast.com and MyCleanPC.com.

Here are their target demographics according to Quantcast.com:

As you will see from the following graphs, all of these sites are targeting similar people. Most likely, people who have been infected with viruses or spyware. Let’s face it, when your computer is infected, you panic. You want the easy fix and that’s what these companies promise. Problem is that they don’t deliver the solution that you are hoping for. Don’t fall for it.

DoubleMySpeed.com

FinallyFast.com

MyCleanPC.com

DoubleMySpeed.com Reviews

Here are some video reviews from YouTube describing what happens when you actually install the software. You may be surprised by how ineffective they actually are. Save your money, and watch others who have been duped into paying for these programs.

DoubleMySpeed.com (Explicit Language)

FinallyFast.com

MyCleanPC.com

Here’s another good article about DoubleMySpeed.com

http://unsheeple.com/2010/05/doublemyspeedcom-sucks/

What You Should Do Instead!

Find a qualified computer service Technician that you trust. Some computer repair companies can repair your computer remotely via the Internet. It’s called Remote Desktop or Remote Support.

We offer these services. Give us a call at (877) 694-3648.