chspera
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Homepage: http://itechgear.wordpress.com
AIM: chspera
MS Office for iPad – Psych!
Posted in News on February 21, 2012
The internets were all a-gush today with a number of different rumors started by online publication, The Daily, who reported that Microsoft was not only actively developing Microsoft Office for iPad, but that its release was immanent. This would have been huge, had it been true. I for one, would have been ALL over it.
The Daily, it seems had someone “close to the project” come into their office and demo the software for them…or at least that’s what they are claiming at this time. The Daily claims upside down, backwards and sideways that the report is credible and that the image that they posted (seen below – Credit: The Daily) isn’t doctored, but is a digital image they snapped of the software’s main program screen on the iPad that it was demoed on.
Credit: The Daily
Last year, Microsoft released OneNote for iPad, and that of course sparked all sorts of rumors and speculation that MS would release the entire Office 2010 suite for iPad. Well, before you start drooling all over the tablet you’ve come to know and love, grab a napkin and sit back. Microsoft adamantly denies the entire story.
According to the New York Times, Microsoft has issued the following statement:
“The Daily story is based on inaccurate rumors and speculation. We have no further comment.” She added that an image with The Daily’s article depicting an Office product for iPad was not from Microsoft. “The screenshot is not Microsoft’s software,” she said.
Its too bad. OneNote for iPad, currently version 1.3, has mixed user ratings; but it syncs desktop and device based notes, and (the version I have) supports both handwritten as well as typed notes. A full Office suite on the iPad could be huge for Microsoft, if they ever do decide to pursue it.
Review – T-Mobile Sonic 4G Mobile Hot Spot
Posted in Reviews, T-Mobile, Wireless Carriers on February 3, 2012
I’ve got a T-Mobile Mobile Broadband account. I got the account as an add-on to my already established T-Mobile wireless account. Initially, I established the account with a T-Mobile Jet 2.0 web stick. Initially, it worked well, but kinda required a USB extension cord in order to get a decent signal. I couldn’t help but feel as thought I were holding tin foil balls on forks as I stretched it down my cubicle wall, closer to the window.
About 8 months after I got the account, I got moved to a new location here at the office. While that’s the life of a contractor, it did sorta suck. I am no longer in a cubicle at the office. I’m currently stationed in a contractor’s bull-pen, and have a 36” lateral section of shelf to call home. I don’t have any room for my second laptop, and as such, I haven’t used my mobile broadband account, much.
The purchase of an unlocked iPhone 4S for Christmas has me living in the world of EDGE, and I don’t like it. EDGE works, but it is so slow. There are a number of applications and activities that you simply can’t complete or that time out due to the slow speeds on EDGE, and it totally kills the iPhone’s online experience. Knowing that I had the MB account, I tried putting that SIM in one of my 4G Android phones to activate it as a mobile hot spot, but that didn’t work. The SIM wasn’t provisioned for a smartphone, and the thing wouldn’t even get online with a data signal, let alone serve up a hot spot signal.
The solution was obvious to me – the T-Mobile Sonic 4G Hot Spot.
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| The T-Mobile Sonic 4G Hot Spot |
Review – OCZ Agility3 240GB SSD
Posted in Reviews on January 13, 2012
This is an initial impressions post, really, as opposed to a full review. Over the past year or so, I’ve been through a couple SSD’s in my Early 2011 15” MacBook Pro. I bought the PC in April, shortly after the Early 2011 models were introduced. I also purchased a couple of DIY upgrades in the RAM and storage departments. The computer is the high-end 15” model, sporting
- 2.3gHz Quad-Core i7 Processor
- Anti-Glare, HD Screen with 1680×1050 native resolution
- 12GB RAM
- 240GB OCZ Agility 3 SSD – Boot Disk
- 750GB Seagate Momentus XT (Data Drive)
As you can see, its missing the Double Layer SuperDrive. I took it out of the computer and replaced it with Other World Computing’s DataDoubler (a hard drive caddy) and originally, OWC’s 60GB 3G SSD. Nice drive. Peppy…Way too small.
Anyway, OWC makes a nice DIY kit with their 60GB 3G SSD that includes their DataDoubler for about $165 USD, as of this writing. When you’re all done with the DIY replacement of your MBP’s SuperDrive for an SSD, you’ll need to find an enclosure solution for the SuperDrive. Thankfully, OWC also recently added the OWC SuperSlim for Apple SuperDrive USB 2.0 Optical Drive External Enclosure to its DIY catalog. With it, you’ll be able to take the SuperDrive and hang it off of one of your USB ports and use the drive externally. However, you’ll need to make a couple of binary modifications so that DVD Player (as well as other apps) work with an external DVD drive. Its a nice little setup; and one that makes the PC very green and very fast.
However, I almost immediately ran into storage problems with the 60GB SSD, and I began looking for alternatives. The problem is that SSD’s are expensive, and I was hooked on the SSD performance, which, unfortunately is like crack. Once you wrap your lips around that pipe, you’re never going to go back. Thankfully, I’m patient, and I know how to search the internet for deals.
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| The Patriot PS-100 3Gbps 128GB SSD |
Review – Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 4/4S
Posted in Reviews on January 3, 2012
As Managing Editor for BYTE, I see a lot of products and accessories for a number of different smartphones. The Mophie Juice Pack Air does exactly what Mophie claims it will do. It provides protection for your device, and it will charge the battery while switched on. However, there are a couple things you need to know and understand about it.
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| The Mophie Juice Pack Air is a decent case, that doubles your iPhone’s battery life. |
Happy Thanksgiving to All
Posted in Holidays 2011 on November 24, 2011
I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope your time with friends and family are heartwarming; and that the Blessings He has given you continue to rain down upon you and your family.
Mostly Microsoft #001
Posted in Mostly Microsoft, Podcasts on November 4, 2011
Starting something new is always a challenge.Pulling together a new website, like BYTE, has had its ups and downs; but as you can see, things have been going pretty well.
This week, I started a new podcast with two members of TeamBYTE – Todd Ogasawara and Larry Press. The Mostly Windows Podcast is going to cover, well, mostly Windows and Microsoft related news, events, happenings, etc. However, when something cool and interesting comes along, you can bet we’ll jump on it.
Show notes, an embedded player and a download link for the show can be found below. You can also find it in iTunes by searching for the MobileViews.com Podcast series.
Mostly Microsoft Podcast #001
- HP Slate with Windows 7. $699
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/gadgetreviews/hp-slate-2-is-a-win-7-tablet-for-road-warriors-699-video/28200
Q: Is this priced too high for mass consumer market? Is it purely a vertical product? Don’t road warriors need a physical keyboard? - Nokia Lumia 800 review
http://www.theverge.com/2011/11/3/2534861/nokia-lumia-800-review
Q: Will it save both Microsoft and Nokia? - Bing app for Android & iPhone updated
http://socialtimes.com/bing-apps-for-android-iphone_b83116
Q: But, will we ever see Microsoft Office mobile for Android & iOS?
Oracle buys RightNow Technologies for $1.5B
Posted in News on October 25, 2011
Oracle recently announced the acquisition of RightNow Technologies, a cloud based customer service company meant to help them compete with the likes of salesforce.com. It also beefs up their total cloud offering which includes human resources, talent management, social networking, databases and Java, said Thomas Kurian, executive vice president of Oracle Development.
The idea here is to bolster Oracle’s cloud offerings, making it a more competitive cloud player. It currently ranks number 80 in the Washington Technology 2011 Top 100 list of the largest federal government contractors.
I’ve been asking one question regarding cloud computing for the last few years and I’ve yet to get a decent answer for it: What happens when the cloud evaporates?
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Apple Store Down in Advance of Press Event
Posted in Apple on March 2, 2011
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| Apple Store is down as of 10am Central… |
In a not so surprising move, Apple’s online store is down in advance of today’s press release. Aside from a revamped (and perhaps free..?) MobileMe, everyone is anticipating a refreshed iPad 2 announcement, availability..? Today? Tomorrow? June..? Who knows. We’ll have to wait and see what Santa Jobs brings us.
Keep your eyes open, as I’m certain JAMM and iTechGear as well as other sites, will have news, analysis, as well as other articles pour over everything shortly after the Event concludes.
My iPad 2 Wish List
Posted in Apple on March 1, 2011
On the eve of iPad 2 Day, this is a list of what I want from Santa Jobs. I’ve been a good boy; and I own the following Apple products:
- 13″ Aluminum, Unibody MacBook (Late 2008)
- 60GB 5G iPod
- 8GB 2G iPod Touch
- 8GB 3G iPod Nano
- 32GB iPad (Wi-Fi Only)
I love my Apple hardware, but on iPad 2 Day, I am hoping my personal wish list gets some attention. Let’s take a quick look, and see if we’re on the same page with our iPad wants.
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| What will Santa Jobs bring us..? |
Apple’s MacBook Pro Refresh and Upcoming Press Event
Posted in Apple on February 24, 2011
I saw a couple of articles yesterday announcing the Apple Press Event scheduled for 02-Mar-11 where it is assumed that Apple will announce not only the latest incarnations of their MacBook Pro line but iPad 2 as well. The one on ComputerWorld was the most succinct.
The simple fact that Apple scheduled an event and sent out invitations yesterday has the entire tech sector speculating on iPad 2, iPhone 5 as well as the MacBook Pro refreshes that are likely a lock. If there’s one thing that I know about Apple, trying to guess what they are going to do isn’t always easy… Trying to crack that nut can be an exercise in futility.
Apple’s going to do what Apple’s going to do; and while its fun to play “what-if,” they’ve thrown too many curve balls for even the Wall Street Analysts to get it consistently right. Steve/Tim (cuz, they really ARE the same person now, right..?) play their cards close to their chests and they don’t let anything out until THEY are ready for it to be out/known.
Case in point – Many, myself included thought that Apple would hold off on the details of the new MacBook Pro line until next week. I noted that above, and a number of different Wall Street analysts said much the same thing. While writing this up, I got a press release announcing the availability and shipping those new MacBook Pros. So much for waiting 6 days.
New features of the new MacBook Pro line include:
- Dual-core and quad-core processors—The latest Intel Core i5 and i7 dual-core and quad-core processors provide up to twice the performance compared to previous generations.
- High-performance graphics—Integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 are part of every MacBook Pro model. 15- and 17-inch models also include AMD Radeon HD graphics and up to 1GB of video memory, delivering up to three times the performance over previous MacBook Pro models.
- Thunderbolt port—This groundbreaking I/O technology allows you to connect up to six high-speed peripherals, including a high-resolution display.
- FaceTime HD camera—Make widescreen video calls with three times the resolution of the previous MacBook Pro camera. The FaceTime for Mac App comes on all new MacBook Pro models and is also available for Intel-based Macs from the Mac App Store.
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| New MacBook Pros are now available and are shipping! |
I took a look at the offerings and they look, as usual, really sweet. So sweet, in fact, that I had to wipe a layer of drool off of my Late 2008 13″ Aluminum, Unibody MacBook. At 2 years old it is holding up really well, and the 8GB RAM upgrade and 750GB hard drive aren’t shabby, either…but the Core i5 and i7 processors as well as the Thunderbolt ports are really talking to me.
You can ask Santa Jobs for stuff for Christmas all you want. You won’t know if you’ve been good or bad until you open your gifts on Christmas Day, which apparently, is today as well as next week..
