tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36727079881541393582024-03-05T11:54:28.141-08:00Hanson Harmony TechGreg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-700797730221613862010-01-27T07:45:00.001-08:002010-01-27T07:50:39.857-08:00Apple Tablet Rumors<img src="http://tgdaily.com/images/stories/article_images/apple/mac_tablet/mac_tablet_mockup_001_perspective.jpg" alt="Not Actual Image"><br><br />If you're interested in some of the rumors surrounding the upcoming Table from Apple, head on over to <a href="http://cdevroe.com/links/tablet-roundup/">cdevroe.com</a> for a good list of rumor sites and updates.<br /><br />I on the other hand am more interested to hear any announcements concerning the iPhone 4.0 OS and possible 4G releases of the iPhone.Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-64940658828493701892009-11-20T14:40:00.001-08:002009-11-20T14:40:02.304-08:00SixthSense Technology Opens up New Possibilities between Digital & Real Worlds<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>If you're stoked on "Surface," get ready to be blown away. Watch the video and leave comments.<br/><br/><div class='youtube-video'><object width='446' height='326'><param value='http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf' name='movie'> </param><param value='true' name='allowFullScreen'> </param><param value='transparent' name='wmode'> </param><param value='#ffffff' name='bgColor'> </param> <param value='vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/PranavMistry_2009I-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/PranavMistry-2009I.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=685&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=pranav_mistry_the_thrilling_potential_of_sixthsense_tec;year=2009;theme=new_on_ted_com;theme=tales_of_invention;theme=ted_under_30;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=design_like_you_give_a_damn;theme=what_s_next_in_tech;theme=a_taste_of_tedindia;event=TEDIndia+2009;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;' name='flashvars'> </param><embed width='446' height='326' flashvars='vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/PranavMistry_2009I-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/PranavMistry-2009I.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=685&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=pranav_mistry_the_thrilling_potential_of_sixthsense_tec;year=2009;theme=new_on_ted_com;theme=tales_of_invention;theme=ted_under_30;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=design_like_you_give_a_damn;theme=what_s_next_in_tech;theme=a_taste_of_tedindia;event=TEDIndia+2009;' allowfullscreen='true' bgcolor='#ffffff' wmode='transparent' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspace='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' src='http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf'> </embed> </object></div><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=138ad86d-f1f8-8ef9-ad83-44d77d2d2e58' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-79208988713061455942009-03-05T10:08:00.000-08:002009-03-05T10:08:00.709-08:00Boiling a Google? How 'bout Just One Webbed Toe<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Scott Lemon (aka "<a href='http://www.twitter.com/humancell' target='_blank'>humancell</a>" on Twitter) <a href='http://the.inevitable.org/anism/2009/03/05/3859/' target='_blank'>posted an interesting view</a> on how Google is missing the boat with Twitter and failing to understand the threat Twitter poses. While I agree with the basic premise of Google being a frog in the boiling water surrounding real-time search, I would caution the reader to consider the bigger picture.<br/><br/>Search is just one component of what makes Google, well, Google. While real-time search is certainly not in their back pocket, for the moment, stating that the whole google frog is silently swimming in a boiling death pool is a bit much. Were Twitter to take aim at email, live documents, video, ads and a host of other initiatives Google excels at, then I'd say the analogy would be accurate.<br/><br/>At this point, I think we can call it what it really is. One webbed toe in the simmering pot. Let's not get to anxious to kill the whole Google frog before it's time.<br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=96b184da-47b0-487c-853c-763d30f76194' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-60173101449181306232009-02-09T20:30:00.000-08:002009-02-09T20:32:11.765-08:00Projector Mobile Phone?Oh yeah, this one's cool. Checkout the projector phone. Thanks <a href="http://proudburb.blogspot.com/2009/02/video-samsung-show-w7900-projector.html">J for posting</a>.<br /><br /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/3924348001?isVid=1&publisherID=1274168784" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=9144897001&playerID=3924348001&domain=embed&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-24961382629773541782009-01-24T08:32:00.000-08:002009-01-24T08:33:40.715-08:00Exponential Living: So What Does it All Mean?<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EOpA9kNb3fk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EOpA9kNb3fk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-19120180316772313952008-12-18T14:13:00.000-08:002008-12-18T14:13:01.047-08:00Too Much Time On Your Hands?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>How 'bout creating a water show?<br/><br/><div class='youtube-video'><object height='344' width='425'><param value='http://www.youtube.com/v/w1v3umUEAXY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1' name='movie'> </param><param value='true' name='allowFullScreen'> </param><embed height='344' width='425' allowfullscreen='true' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://www.youtube.com/v/w1v3umUEAXY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1'> </embed> </object></div></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-11535424313742061742008-11-06T12:51:00.001-08:002008-11-06T12:51:28.367-08:00iPhone as Modem for a Laptop? Sign Me Up<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src='http://mobilecrunch.com/wp-content/apple-iphone-keyboard-281x300.jpg' style='max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;'/>Supposedly, AT&T is going to be sanctioning the iPhone as a modem for the laptop, "soon," <a href='http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2008/11/06/att-sanctioned-3g-tethering-on-the-way-for-iphone/' target='_blank'>according to an interview</a> by Michael Arrington of AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph De La Vega. Of course, if AT&T has their fingers in the pie on this they'll monetize on it. The pricing information was undisclosed so it should be interesting to see what the plans offer. Wouldn't it just be peachy to tether the phone for free? Ya right!<br/></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-20315146929311098812008-11-06T10:04:00.001-08:002008-11-06T10:04:46.481-08:00CNN's 'Hologram' Rebuttal by CNET Makes Sense<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>OK, I may have categorized myself as idiotic and premature in sounding off about the hologram CNN showcased during election night. According to <a target='_blank' href='http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10083609-17.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5'>CNET's blogger</a>, I must be "drinking Wolf Blitzer's Kool-Aid" if I believe that the technology took news reporting to a new height. <br/><br/>The blogger made some good points though:<br/><ul><li>We receive value in seeing the environment of a reporter</li><li>Elimination of the environment may make the setting more intimate but it obscures the true report</li><li>The hologram was a bit poor as the rendering was somewhat jagged</li></ul>All that said, it was cool for a major network to try out the technology. Maybe this will spark additional technologies and give us more empowerment in the future.<br/></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-44895084262664216762008-11-05T19:19:00.001-08:002008-11-05T19:19:28.864-08:00Star Wars Style Hologram on CNN's Election Lineup<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>For those of you that missed it (myself included), <a target='_blank' href='http://www.theforce.net/latestnews/story/CNN_To_Use_Hologram_Tech_On_Election_Night_118857.asp'>CNN developed</a> and ran a hologram rendering, real-time, of a correspondent in a remote location and merged it with a newsroom rendering during the election night broadcast. <br /><br /><div class='youtube-video'><object height='344' width='425'><param value='http://www.youtube.com/v/thOxW19vsTg&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1' name='movie'> </param><param value='true' name='allowFullScreen'> </param><embed height='344' width='425' allowfullscreen='true' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://www.youtube.com/v/thOxW19vsTg&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1'> </embed></object></div><br /><br />What's cool about this is we've been watching this technology in the movies since, oh, 1977 with EP IV, A New Hope. But to actually implement it and during the election night broadcast of all times to unveil it is pretty cool. Next thing you know Apple will develop the iChat into iHolo and we'll have mobile holograms. Hmm, iHolo. Maybe I should register that trademark and domain ;)</div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-43520933142545038282008-10-31T12:53:00.001-07:002008-10-31T12:53:23.557-07:00I'm a PC Ads Getting All Up in Apple's Bizness<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src='http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/bto/20081031/microsoftstixittoapple081031_270x332.jpg' style='max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;'/>Is anyone else out there turned off by Microsoft's lame "I'm a PC" ad campaign? Not only are the video clips less than funny, they're grainy and certainly not of the same quality as the iChat video.<br/><br/>Now get this. According to <a href='http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10080132-37.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5'>cnet</a>, Microsoft has set up a kiosk out side of a Birmingham, England Apple store where PC pundits can video their lame ads in an attempt at landing a TV spot. Right outside the store? Can anyone say tacky!<br/><br/>Now, I'm not a Mac fanboy and admittedly only have a few gadgets and freely admit using a PC for the majority of my work and home computing, but I think this attempt and winning back lost customers is a sink hole. Not only does it confirm MS's lack of creativity, but it displays their lack of innovation and "play catch up" attitude that has prevailed in their history.<br/><br/>Thoughts?<br/></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-44377849851713734872008-10-31T09:36:00.001-07:002008-10-31T09:36:44.382-07:00Google Gets Cheeky For Halloween: Wards Off Zombies in Geek Speak<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>If you understand the following, you'll know it comes from the robots.txt file and Google has entered the cheeky world of Halloween tech fun. Enjoy!<br/><br/><pre>User-agent: zombies<br />Disallow: /brains<br /><br />User-agent: *<br />Allow: /searchhistory/<br />Disallow: /news?output=xhtml&<br />Allow: /news?output=xhtml<br />Disallow: /search<br /></pre><br/></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-59551163607158517772008-10-27T10:18:00.001-07:002008-10-27T10:18:29.870-07:00Virtual Crime Punishable in Real World?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>With many people in the gaming world engaging in virtual relationships, it comes as no surprise that crimes do exist in the virtual world. Many platforms also enforce certain levels of decorum from their gamers. But can a crime in the virtual world be punishable in the real world?<br/><br/>In Japan, a woman recently found herself in jail from <a href='http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7688091.stm' target='_blank'>"virtually killing off"</a> her husband's online character. When she found her character divorced, she used her husband's ID/password to log into the game and she whacked off the character. Somehow police in the real world got wind of this and hauled her off to jail, 620 miles from her home. If convicted, she could face up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $5K.<br/><br/>Moral of the story, mind your P's and Q's, even in the virtual world.<br/></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-48665552722692050582008-10-15T10:32:00.001-07:002008-10-15T10:32:32.570-07:00Impulse Over Restraint Warrants Restrictive Mobile Access While Driving?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src='http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45107000/jpg/_45107516_driver-on-phone-226b.jpg' style='max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;'/>Do you find yourself in the category of impulsively, almost involuntarily, picking up your mobile when an incoming call shocks you out of your existing focus? Even when you're driving? If you're that obsessive, <a href='http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7669533.stm' target='_blank'>here's the application for you</a>; but it's gonna cost ya. <a href='http://techdirt.com/articles/20081015/0105202542.shtml' target='_blank'>According to TechDirt</a>, the application senses you're driving, through movement, and routes the call directly to voicemail. <br/><br/>What TechDirt also picks apart is the fact that the app could be flawed in that in the same proverbial moving car you could merely be a passenger, or you could be on a bus. More importantly, why not just "not pick up the phone?" Obviously they've never experience compulsive behaviors ;) But honestly, if you're that obsessive, would you be willing to pay for the solution? Why not just turn your phone off? <br/><br/>Worth it? Chime in.<br/></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-40076572403740004322008-10-09T12:19:00.001-07:002008-10-09T12:19:05.287-07:00Tech Mimics Art: Isn't that How it Goes?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>YouTube has implemented a feature that seemingly was first published by XKCD where comments on YouTube may be audibly repeated back to the end user prior to submitting to check for the idiocy of the content. Good feature but the ones that probably need it the most are too blind too see the button.<img src='http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/listen_to_yourself.png' style='max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;'/></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-2944745936484141922008-09-30T14:00:00.001-07:002008-09-30T14:00:52.026-07:00Google Shares Drop $200 (But not Reall)<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Youch, can you imagine your stock sinking $200 in the last few minutes of trading? Can you imaging losing $62 billion in market cap? Well, based on the beta version of some software, it was reported that Google did just that. But to everyone's relief, it's still trading at $404 and seems to be doing just fine. <a href='http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/09/30/google-stock-falls-200-as-market-closes-but-not-really/' target='_blank'>Click here</a> to read more.<br/></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-34052535742227441682008-07-23T09:34:00.001-07:002008-07-23T09:34:12.052-07:00Is Free Really Free?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>I just love free. Who doesn't? I mean, if a friend walks up to you and offers to shovel your walks during a freak snow storm, would you really turn down the offer?<br/><br/>That being said, is free always free or are there obligations associated with the "freeness?" In the above example, would the friend require anything for his service (i.e. hot chocolate, or return of the favor some day) or is it just that, service?<br/><br/>In the business world, free is a term that is used liberally to mean upfront no catches but we'll get you eventually. Do you remember the days of NetZero and free dial-up? One could argue that the service was free, with the annoying ad banners. But in the long haul, especially when we got a taste for speedier services, we longed for bigger pipes and were willing to pay just a little more. So free amounted to long term connection addiction and eventually an adulterous affair (or at a minimum cohabitation) with the Internet.<br/><br/><img src='http://i.slickdeals.net/images/slickdeals/dealimage/1/3/2/13285.gif' style='max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;'/>Today's example of something that is marketed as free but really isn't was a deal I scored that originated on <a href='http://www.slickdeals.net/permadeal/13285/Free-Domain-Name-Registration-From-Godaddy-com' target='_blank'>slickdeals.net</a> (yes, R, you can sigh now). The offer was from GoDaddy.com and IndyCar. If you subscribe to the newsletter (not sure what all that entails just yet) you are awarded with a free domain purchase. Free!!!<br/><br/>The catch? Spam from IndyCar newsletter. And possibly they sell off your e-mail and your spam filter goes into overdrive.<br/><br/>But come on, a free domain? That's how I scored my first domain, grecca.com (which is currently offline and has been for 1.5 yrs do to a domain transfer to godaddy.com). I like free and if it means having to put gmail to work to filter out the newsletter and any other sluff that may creep into my precious 7 GB email account then so be it.<br/></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-77248392696631453392008-07-14T10:49:00.001-07:002008-07-14T10:49:00.734-07:00Remote for iPhone<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Wow, I just got a cool little <a href='http://www.macworld.com/article/134453/2008/07/remoteapp.html' target='_blank'>free app working on my iPhone</a>. This is the best thing I've seen since upgrading to iPhone 2.0. The premise is that any iTunes that is on the same LAN as the iPhone can be remotely controlled through the iPhone. And sure enough, the little bugger works like a charm.<br/><img src='http://images.macworld.com/images/reviews/graphics/134453-remotescreen.jpg' style='max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;'/>The interface is decent for the iPhone and the response is immediate. The only caveat is for device that are on the LAN but connected to a VPN. Those devices are offlimits. Should be fun later to remotely start a song while my kids are upstairs, then ask them why they're playing iTunes and get that "Who me?" look from them :)<br/></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-19849763321502516232008-07-11T12:26:00.001-07:002008-07-11T12:26:53.259-07:00iPhone Back, Mostly<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>So just after I posted my ugly review of the iBrick, the iPhone decided it was time to get out the queue and actually finish the restoration. Mostly. <br/><br/>The phone became active again but all of my bookmarks, wall papers, music, video, pictures, txt histories, contacts, everything was still missing. Trying now to restore those as well. Hopefully not all is lost.<br/></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-32573024977631971972008-07-11T12:00:00.001-07:002008-07-11T12:00:19.504-07:00iPhone 2.0 Firmware Update Bricked Me<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Uggggh! While I've sung the praises of the device that beats all other smart phones for firmware upgrades at no cost, I have to publicly admit I'm highly disappointed with Apple's preparedness today and my now useless iBrick. Yep, upon upgrading my iPhone 1st Gen to 2.0 status, the complete process failed and my iPhone is currently useless.<br/><br/>But to my relief, <a href='http://www.crn.com/software/208808577' target='_blank'>I'm not alone</a>. Others have flooded the Internet, especially <a href='http://twitter.com/austinsd' target='_blank'>Twitter</a>, with posts of their grief and dismay. All seem to have the same issue: all seems to go well (backup, upgrade, restore) then when accessing the iTunes Store for activation and the last step in the restoration process you get an error and a device that only allows for "emergency calls" with no signal to actually make the call.<br/><br/><img height='231' width='328' src='http://ebrind.com/iPhone/files/page0_2.png' style='max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;'/>Some have stated that the devices are in queue. I highly doubt this as the events to activate are user driven, not asynchronous queued events. The reality is 1st gen owners are competing with bandwidth and server issues with 2nd gen owners and Apple just simplied messed up. Will they be forgiven. Off course, as long as there are Apple Fanboys out there. Will the blogosphere forget this punishing day? Hopefully not.<br/><br/>As for me, I will not forget this day and will likely be a bit more hestitant to upgrade my firmware without waiting a few weeks. After hearing positive reviews from yesterday's successes, I thought, "sure, I'll chance it." Never again. Thanks Apple for a very stressful day. May it end well for both of us.<br/></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-52043122802800656322008-07-02T14:02:00.001-07:002008-07-02T14:02:51.852-07:00Like Tech Freebie Online Software?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>If you're like me, you like a good deal, especially when it's free. There are several sources available online that offer just that, monetizing on ads or upselling users for more premium services.<br/><br/><div align='left'><a href='http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/software/2008-07-01-free-software_N.htm' target='_blank'>Click this link</a> to explore a few common services available. Also, don't forget <a href='http://fotoflexer.com' target='_blank'>FotoFlexer</a> in the list of cool apps for photo editing. The image below was modified using FotoFlexer. You can also Crank it by clicking on the icon on the image and add your own text or image on top. Give it a try and have fun!<br/><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqxpirX9rulzXp1YyjqZ_9W9Cm3BLopEyZNqoKFRsWIR50Rg6iQGnbW9taJc2lWPb4MuiIuhEOyYaasBb6pVXRBjuTRw9G6DIaX3-bApwlmWkTR7NVbuXH9ALmmL62BXLzZ1T_jC9awc/s400/gotmyeyeonyou.jpg' style='max-width: 800px; float: none;'/><br/></div><br/><br/></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-61459633917167234602008-07-01T05:57:00.000-07:002008-07-01T06:31:41.954-07:00FlexPlay: disposable DVD in era of enviro-sensitivity?There is a new service in town (well, the tried 5 years ago and failed), that is offering dispoable DVD. Yep, you read that right. Kind of mission impossible isn't it? They use an oxygen reacting glue on the surface of the disc that makes the DVD laser misread the contents of the disc and renders it useless. Ok, not quite as cool as melting down but still has an element of coolness to it. Once the disc is unsealed from its package, the DVD is only good for 48 hrs. Unsealed its good for up to a year. Sounds like a great deal, right?<br /><br />In a period of environmental lobbying at its peak and prices for services on the rise, I don't see how this company can sustain a lasting business model. While the technology behind the business is certainly intriguing, one must question its sustainability. The following are my doubts on this product that time will give us a proper view of how successful or otherwise the product will be. <br /><br />IS THE PRODUCT ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE? I guess that depends upon how you define safe. Impactful? Certainly. Detrimental? Depends on volume and success. As the discs are render useless, one questions how the product will de disposed. FlexPlay does have a recycling program but the details are a bit sketchy. The only reuse I read of was in display stands which if there is a significant volume, maybe this will help spurn the new eco-techno-art I've been thinking of pushing. <br /><br />IS THE PRICE WORTH THE CONVENIENCE OF NON-RETURN OPTION? This question for me holds the most weight and I'll be key to the success of the product. Currently priced at 4.99 per purchase, it would seem a bit exorbanent for merely trashing a discs for those in anger management, maybe breaking apart a DVD after use is cost effective, but for the majority this is certainly questionable. By comparison, other services exist where a rental downloaded to a computer, good for 24 hrs, is $3.99 and seems appropo for the target business traveler, especially those with iPhones. Netflix and Blockbuster also offer zero shipping fee services for their millions of titles and a very low service fee with no pressure on returns. Even RedBox (who by the way gave my family a free rental last night) is priced at $1.00 per rental and has kiosks placed generously in supermarkets where for many are frequented daily. So the price point on this just doesn't make sense to me. <br /><br />WHAT RELATIONSHIP DOES THE SERVICE RETAIN WITH THE CONSUMER? This is an easy one to answer. NONE! This, to me, is one of the most damaging points of this offering. The relationship is between the distribution companies, the physical space owners (i.e. walmart, 7-11, bookstores) but not the end consumer. FlexPlay has no direct way of marketing to the consumer. There are no demographical statistics on consumer choices and therefore no good metrics for altering the business model based on sound business intelligence. Seems like an obvious dead end to me. <br /><br />All this being said, new services have a way of shaping the landscape and bewildering logic. Netflix did it when Blockbuster and Hollywood video were in their hayday and its approach shifted how we consume digital video (and this is morphing once again from physical to merely digital). Will FlexPlay have the ability to yet again change the landscape?<br /><br />What do you think?Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-70911386804768310852008-06-30T11:22:00.000-07:002008-06-30T11:24:05.499-07:00Splunk: Cool Post-Log ToolCheck out my <a href="http://mobile-hansonharmony.blogspot.com/2008/06/splunk-more-than-just-log-mining.html">mobile review</a> of a "Splunk" demo I was treated to during a brown bag lunch.Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-50303684328765784292008-06-27T14:04:00.001-07:002008-06-27T14:04:12.248-07:00Wii Balance Board Controls Robot: How About Space Station?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>OK, so maybe the title is a bit sensational and obviously, who would really allow the thrusts of the ISS to be controlled by a Wii Balance Board? But in the following video a man shows how he made a robot move according to his hack. What cool things will come of this innovation?<br/><br/><div class='youtube-video'><object height='344' width='425'><param value='http://www.youtube.com/v/5_W9StajjJI&hl=en' name='movie'> </param><param value='transparent' name='wmode'> </param><embed height='344' width='425' wmode='transparent' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://www.youtube.com/v/5_W9StajjJI&hl=en'> </embed> </object></div></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-35629597138438479982008-06-25T13:45:00.001-07:002008-06-25T13:45:28.966-07:00Is it Legal for the Gov to Spy on You Through Your Mobile?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src='http://blog.wired.com/defense/images/2008/06/25/2003020612_d020603515h.jpg' style='max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;'/><br/><br/>Well, if you're talking about WMD, then according to new legislation, yes. According to the bill, companies and the government can legally spy on your conversations if you drop words like Weapons of Mass Destruction and talk of "incendiary explosives," "poison," or "toxins" that may ave the intent to incur "significant number" of injuries or death. The definition of a WMD has been updated under <a href='http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h6304:'>Title VII section 110 of the Thomas government database</a>.<br/><br/>The <a href='http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/06/fisa-and-wmds.html'>article from wired</a> that outlines these definitions makes the point that "significant number" of injuries or deaths is still a fairly ambiguous term and is not defined within the legislation but remains to be defined. The UN in 1948 defined a WMD to be on the "scale of an atomic bomb." But according to the legislation a few grams of "ricin or a cylinder of chlorine" can be considered WMD "if someone threatens to use it against the public."<br/><br/>Is this legislation just a smoke screen to increase the government's ability to spy? Does it get companies like <a href='http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/06/dems-agree-to-e.html#previouspost' target='_blank'>AT&T out of the doghouse</a> for snooping on conversations (can somebody say corporate lobbying?)?<br/><br/>What do you think?<br/><br/>If you like the photo above, give 'er a Crank :)<br/></div>Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3672707988154139358.post-68629136670654226832008-06-24T12:57:00.000-07:002008-06-24T13:15:50.668-07:00Web 2.0 Neat, But Can Be FrustratingEver have that, "oh, if i could only do that," moment and you set about <a href="http://google.com">googling</a> for the right approach, at times ready to give up? That was me for the last two days. I stumbled upon <a href="http://www.photocrank.com/AuthorCranks.aspx?id=141152">PhotoCrank</a>, a nifty little mashup that allows content to be blast, or "Crank'd", on a layer above an original image on a website, and I knew this would be a great addition to my <a href="http://hansonharmony.blogspot.com">main site</a> and <a href="http://mobile-hansonharmony.blogspot.com">mobile site</a>. Since most of what I blog on my mobile site is on the run and mostly images captured from my iPhone, having others Crank the images would draw people to the site and keep them there as well as promote the blog as they may want to share their cranks.<br /><br />I started out by installing the requisite javascript code on both sites and voila, the main <a href="http://hansonharmony.blogspot.com">HansonHarmony</a> site worked just great on a couple of existing images. But the <a href="http://mobile-hansonharmony.blogspot.com">mobile site's</a> post images were not "crankable." I uninstalled and reinstalled the javascript to no avail.<br /><br />About this time, <a href="http://www.photocrank.com/AuthorCranks.aspx?id=123734">Hup</a>, the self proclaimed "Crank'r Evangelist Numero Uno", sent me an e-mail welcoming me to the CrankTown posse and to send him some feedback. I did just that and he offered some suggestions which I tried. To no avail.<br /><br />The main problem was the image size of the mobile image posts were too small to be crankable. But blogger's Mail-To-Blogger feature doesn't allow for the customization of the image size being posted. It always formats the thumbnail according to it's liking and not according to the will of the blogger. Bad bad bad Web 2.0 design. Don't they know the user is in control?<br /><br />The solution? <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/30153066@N00/">Flickr</a> <br /><br />Something that Hup mentioned in an e-mail made me think I could yet again make the blog do something else than what was it's original intention. With a little investigative research on Flickr, I found out they have an e-mail option as well but their integration with blogger is good enough to post directly to a designated blog with customizations. Bingo! Not only could I e-mail, but I could customize the post, add body text and tags for the post. Mother load!<br /><br />So in order to achieve the desired Web 2.0 effect with PhotoCrank, I had to integrate Flickr with Blogger. Ah, the joys of Web 2.0 :)Greg Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03774505937870180105noreply@blogger.com1