Computing Unplugged Magazine

Macmillan books coming back to Amazon

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

After making a fuss about the low price of e-books on Amazon.com, MacMillan is again joining the list of publishers offering titles through Amazon.

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Fake Firefox Update Spreads Spyware

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

If you're looking for Firefox updates, doing an internet search is probably not the way to find it. Such searches are actually offering spyware instead of updates.

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HTC's Incredible Phone

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The HTC Incredible may be the phone that steals users from the Nexus One. This article includes a couple of pictures of a prototype phone, expected to run the Android 2.1 operating system.

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Novatel Wireless Announces First Successful 4G LTE Data Transmission

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

3G may soon be "old" technology as operators get ready to launch 4G overlays on their 3G networks. Novatel was able to use Long Term Evolution (LTE) 4G technology at rates of 100Mbps on uplinks and 50Mbps on downlinks.

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New article: The iPad: Apple's latest heartbreaker

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

By Jorge Sosa

Apple fans are a curious bunch. Our attachment to the brand goes far beyond what other electronics makers can muster. Ever heard of someone getting a Lenovo tattoo on their booty? Didn't think so.

Whenever the word gets out that the Cupertino mothership is about to drop a new product, no one gets more excited than us Apple freaks. Yes, the volume of hype surrounding an Apple product launch can be enough to get everyone talking in the days immediately before and after. But us Apple lovers spend a fair amount of time in the months and years between launches, obssessing over the latest product and speculating about what the next one will be.

"Those of us who love Apple will continue to debate the iPad debacle."

That's why those of us who love Apple will continue to debate the iPad debacle, long after news of its underwhelming unveiling has slipped from the mainstream's radar.

Is "debacle" too strong a word to describe the sense of disappointment at the sight of Steve Jobs proudly presenting to the world... a $500 Etch-a-Sketch? Maybe. If there were a word for "the sound of a muted trumpet comically playing a descending series of notes," or for those who prefer onomatopoeia, the "mwah-wah-wah-waaaah," I'd choose that one instead.

Jorge continues to insult the iPad. At least he didn't mention feminine hygiene. Tap here for the rest.

Qualcomm Aims to Bring Color, Video to E-Readers

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Qualcomm hopes to have Mirasol, an e-reader, on the market by the end of the year. Mirasol promises to combine color, speedy refresh rates and low power consumption in a single display.

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Google Asks NSA to Help Secure Its Network

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

After the recent hack to its systems, Google is asking the experts for help, making a number of people uncomfortable. Sources are trying to assure users that no personal, or proprietary, data will be shared with the agency.

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Third Major Publisher Dumps Amazon $9.99 E-books Model

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Amazon wanted to tempt you to buy more e-books by selling them for less than paper books, but publishers have objected. Apple has been more willing to work with publishers, selling e-books at higher prices, increasing the number of books in the App Store.

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Justice Dept. to Google Books: Close, But No Cigar

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Google's plans to create a digital library of all the world's literature has hit another snag. The U.S. Justice Department has said there are still "issues" with the plan.

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Too Many People Re-Use Logins

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Using the same screen name and password for your bank, e-mail, and social networks make it easier to remember. It also makes your accounts a lot easier to hack.

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Apple Will Sell Eight Million iPads by 2012

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

A report from Needham & Company predicts that Apple will sell two million iPads this year and another 6 million next year. Or. It could fall flat on its face, though that may be unlikely.

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Skype over iPhone 3G Network Coming Soon, Thanks to iPad

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Apple may have resisted VoIP apps for the iPhone, but is now enabling Skype over 3G for the iPad. Skype promises their app will deliver better sound quality than their competitors.

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Palm Palm Pre Plus vs. Palm Pixi Plus

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Palm has released two new devices, the Pre Plus and the Pixi Plus. This article starts with how to tell them apart then points out all the new features.

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Microsoft looking into Windows 7 battery life failures

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Users have reported extremely shortened battery life on their laptops and notebooks after upgrading to Windows 7. Downgrading to the old operating system doesn't fix the problem. Now Microsoft is looking into the problem.

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Interactive Textbooks Headed to iPad

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

In the future, if you have a question on how something works, maybe your textbook will show it in action. ScrollMotion has been selected by textbook publishers to create interactive material for iPad textbooks.

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GoodReader Now Allows iPhone Users to "Build Their Own" File Viewer

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

GoodReader is offering a new twist on upgrades. If you want an item in the upgrade, you buy that feature to get it unlocked for use. If you don't want a feature, you don't have to pay for it.

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SublimeVideo Hopes to Simplify HTML5 Web Video

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

HTML5 is gaining support despite codec issues. Now a Swiss firm, SublimeVideo, is working on a uniform, cross-browser, multiple-codec compatible, HTML5 video solution.

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Apple's Next Revolutionary Product: iTunes

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The iPad, and the web, may conspire to change iTunes. Apple is offering books and apps through iTunes already but, developers are building web apps to go around Apple's approval process and iTunes will need to keep up.

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Why Flash Isn't Going Anywhere, iPad Be Damned

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

So far, Apple has resisted the urge to include Adobe's Flash in either the iPhone or iPad. Instead Apple has been pushing HTML5. But there's a problem there too. Which video codec does your browser use?

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Thin Film Turns Any Surface Into a Touchscreen

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

A Portuguese firm, Displax, has developed a polymer film that can be stuck on a surface to turn it into a touchscreen. The films range in size, from 3 to 120 inches, and turn walls, windows, or countertops into computing devices.

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JooJoo Tablet PC Promised by End of February

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The CrunchPad became the JooJoo but still seems to be vaporware. The new release date is promised as the end of this month. The anticipated price is $499.

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Google Yanks IE6 Support

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Beginning March 1, if you still use Internet Explorer 6, Safari 2.0, or Firefox 2.0, Google will no longer support your old browser. If you connect to Google Docs or Google Sites after March 1, you may find things don't work as they used to.

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Acer, Spooked by iTunes, Says No iPad Rival

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Acer has decided to pull out of the tablet market, saying Apple's App Store and iTunes would make it too hard to compete. Which, if you follow that logic, means no one should bother competing against the iPhone.

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Wondering Why You Can't Pre-Order an iPad? It Isn't Legal Yet

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Apple didn't want to let specs on the iPad to be leaked before it was ready, so they waited to apply for a license with the Federal Communications Commission. Right now, you can read all about the iPad, but you can't actually order one until the FCC approves the device.

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Cell Phone Bans Don't Work? Try Duct Tape

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Okay, maybe it isn't serious, but... A recent study suggested laws banning cell phone use and texting don't reduce accidents, so maybe the application of duct tape would provide benefit.

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Apple Change Quietly Makes iPhone, iPad Into Web Phones

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

While everyone was excited about the release of the iPad, Apple quietly updated the Software Development Kit (SDK) for the iPhone and iPad to enable voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP).

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Apple iPad's Display Is More Like a TV Than a Laptop

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The iPad uses display technology more often found in your HDTV than your notebook. The screen is LED-backlit with In-Plane Switching (IPS) to deliver a sharp picture even when views at an angle.

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iPad line up - coming soon from Proporta

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

If you're buying an iPad, you'll want to protect it from nicks and scratches. To that end, Proporta is offering screen protectors, protective cases, and more.

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ASSISTING IT PROFESSIONALS SINCE 1999
You are invited to visit the largest directory of IT newsletters on the 'Net -- where IT newsletters, whitepapers and RSS feeds from elite publishers are listed.

MobSpree Launches Touchplay Engine for iPhone and iPad

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The first TouchPlay Apps, Ordinary Mary and Peter Rabbit, are now available from iTunes App Store. The Touch Play experience incorporates narration, images, animation and interactive play encouraging children and adults to immerse themselves in the stories.

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iPad's Versatility Challenges E-Readers and Netbooks

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The iPad is more than an e-reader but maybe less than a netbook. It has a color screen and internet connectivity. It doesn't have a camera but, if it's as popular as the iPhone, it could further stress the AT&T network.

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Apple Details First iPad Accessories

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The iPad has the same drawbacks as other tablets - how do you work with it? Apple has already released information on some of the "must have" accessories for the new tablet.

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Gallery: The Best and Worst Fake Apple Tablets

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Now that the real device has been announced, it's fun to look back at the fakes. This article shows eight of the "better fakes". My personal favorite is the iClipboard.

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A Closer Look at Apple's New Tablet, the iPad

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Announced yesterday and already available for purchase, the devices will start shipping in late March. This article details the highlights, and the down-sides.

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New article: Recruiting the Army of Two on PSP

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

By James Booth

The last few months have been a busy time for video game sequels. On the larger consoles, like the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 was probably the biggest sequel to be released. Assassin's Creed and Uncharted are other franchises to see new additions.

"The AI of your partner ranks below that of a yeast culture."

Despite a rather lackluster response the first time around, Army of Two has joined the alumni of titles to see a sequel. Teaming up for further mayhem and destruction, Rios and Salem return in Army of Two: The 40th Day, shown in Figure A.

FIGURE A

The sequel, Army of Two: The 40th Day. Click picture for a larger image.

Apple Announces IPad

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

It's official. Apple has announced the iPad tablet. The device includes an e-reader, web browser, the ability to watch TV shows, movies, and listen to music. And it only weighs about 1.5 pounds. Expected prices are $599 - $799.

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A Closer Look at Haiti Quake Survivor's Use of Tech

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Dan Woolley used his iPhone and digital camera to survive the earthquake in Haiti. This article offers more information on how he used these tools.

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Google Voice Web App Circumvents Apple's Blockade

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Apple didn't want Google to provide its Voice app through the Apple App Store, so Google turned it into a web app using HTML5. Google Voice works fine for internet telephony through the iPhone's browser.

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BLOGGING AND PODCASTING WITH ONE EASY-TO-USE TOOL
Now you can publish your thoughts, opinions, and comments in your own blog or podcast.

Supports multiple authors and multiple blogs or podcasts.
Generate and publish RSS feeds for iTunes and other directories.
Post photos, images or animations.
Get feedback and have conversations with visitors to your site.

Personalize your blog or podcast with your own unique domain name -- or integrate it with your existing site by setting it up as a subdomain.

Tap here and get blogging or podcasting within minutes.

eBookPie Launches eBook Store with Over 235,000 titles

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

eBookPie is launching an iTunes-style eBookstore with over 235,000 eBooks and eChapters, including the entire O'Reilly Media list of titles. The eChapter program includes chapters from Wiley's Wrox Press, Frommer's, the Dummies series, and other publishers.

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Sky Catcher Introduces a Virtual Personal Computer on a Stick

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Sky Catcher Solutions introduced a portable, personal computer, smaller than a pack of cigarettes at the DOD Cyber Crime Conference. The device operates inside a secure USB device.

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Apple Tablet: Just Something Else to Carry

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

With all the rumors about how the expected Applet tablet will be a game changer, it's possible it will be like previous tablets, too much money for too little "usefulness".

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