Most people think of Google as a search company, but their primary source of revenue is actually advertising.  It permeates everything they do – there are ads in the search results, they sell ads to advertisers through AdWords and publishers through AdSense, and much more.  Last year they made their first tentative steps into the entertainment business with Google TV, which met with a less than ideal response, although that is beginning to change.  Now it appears Google in beginning to test a new entertainment device.

There’s a real possibility that this is nothing more than the next generation of Google TV, but at this point it all seems a bit mysterious.  Google has filed a request with the Federal Communications Commission to test a  WiFi and Bluetooth enabled device in the homes of employees in four different cities.  From the FCC request:

“Google is developing an entertainment device that requires testing outside the laboratory environment. The device is in the prototyping phase and will be modified prior to final compliance testing. … Users will connect their device to home WiFi networks and use Bluetooth to connect to other home electronics equipment. This line of testing will reveal real world engineering issues and reliability of networks. The device utilizes a standard WiFi/Bluetooth module, and the planned testing is not directed at evaluating the radio frequency characteristics of the module (which are known), but rather at the throughput and stability of the home WiFi networks that will support the device, as well as the basic functionality of the device. From this testing we hope to modify the design in order to maximize product robustness and user experience. Utilizing the requested number of units will allow testing of real world network performance and its impact on applications running on the device, so that any problems can be discovered and addressed promptly.”

The test will be carried out in Mountain View, CA, New York City, NY, Cambridge, MA, and Los Angeles, CA.  The test period will run from January 17th until July 17th.  That means it will likely be quite some time before we get any real information on what this product is.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Sony announced today that they are releasing their first USB 3.0 flash drive.  The tiny new piece of shiny hardware is called the Micro Vault MACH.  With transmission speeds up to 5 Gbit/s, USB 3.0 is reportedly ten times faster than USB 2.0.  Computers have only recently begun to come out with support for the new standard so there isn’t yet a lot of hardware that takes advantage of it.

The new Sony Micro Vault MACH will put the company ahead of most other flash drive makes in this market.  Corsair and Kingston both have drives already on the market, but few of the lower-tier hardware makers are there yet.  This will replace the popular Sony Micro Vault model, which was USB 2.0.  The flash drive has downloadable (not pre-installed) free software like File Rescue and x- Pict Story.  File Rescue allows users to recover lost and accidentally deleted files, while x-Pict Story gives users the ability to create simple picture display slide shows.  In their press release Sony touted the following features:

• First USB 3.0 flash memory drive from Sony
• Available in 8GB/16GB/32GB/64GB capacities
• Ultra-fast transfers up to 120 MB/s read / 90 MB/s write*
• Sleek aluminium body with retractable USB connector and LED indicator

USB 3.0 devices and ports are all backwards compatible with USB 2.0, which at this early stage is a very handy feature.  USB 3.0 is compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP (SP3) as well as Mac OSX 10.1 and newer.  Exact release dates and pricing information was not provided in the announcement, and the flash drive isn’t yet available on the Sony website.

Source: Sony Press Centre

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Despite their last tablet being somewhat less than a success, Dell has announced plans for another tablet, coming in late 2012.  The Dell Streak failed to capture market share in 2011, although Dell has made a game effort to keep it alive with updates.  The new tablet will also be consumer-based, but all of the details are still unclear.  Reuters reported that Dell themselves aren’t yet sure about the exact specs for the new device, even the operating system is still unknown.

While Dell has acknowledged that both Google’s Android and Microsoft’s Windows 8 are viable operating systems, chief commercial officer Steve Felice seems to favor Windows 8, at least for now.  It may be due to the timing, since the new Microsoft operating system is due around the time the tablet is expected.  That would give Dell a front row start in this new tablet race.

While the focus from Dell is on consumer devices, The Verge reports that the new device will be “more compatible with the business world despite the consumer focus”.  According to Reuters, Felice also stated that, “When we introduce the products, they will be consumer products, but we are going to make sure that they are very compatible with the business marketplace, which we don’t think Apple has addressed”.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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The market for home theater PC’s has largely been driven by user-built devices, with a few very pricey OEM boxes from hardware makers like Vidabox and Moneual.  The home theater PC, generally referred to as an HTPC, usually runs Windows with Media Center enabled upon start-up and comes as a non-tower case which is designed to fit in a cabinet in your living room.  Lately though, there has been a small but growing number of small form-factor boxes being used in living rooms.

Zotac is one of those small boxes that has been making inroads with the Media Center user base.  Today at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Zotac announced three new models of their Zbox mini PC’s.  The Zbox ID80, ID81 and AD04 were all unveiled and all will likely prove to be popular with the HTPC enthusiasts.  All three feature an external Wi-Fi antenna, integrated Bluetooth 3.0, and a bundled media remote with a USB IR receiver for Windows Media Center.  These are all second-generation computers that are based, according to Zotac, on user-submitted feedback.

All three of the new Zotac boxes pack the same 2 GB of DDR3 RAM, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, S/PDIF audio out, Gigabit ethernet, and 6-in-1 card reader, and a 320 GB HDD, but vary in processor speed and graphics.  All three boxes also come in a bare-bones model that allows the user to add their own RAM and HDD, and (if the previous model holds true) an OS.

Prices and availability dates aren’t yet know. However, Zotac devices usually range in the $200-400 area but, as of this writing we don’t have dates for the new boxes.  You can visit them at ZotacUSA.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Hillcrest Labs, the makers of Scoop Mouse, and other motion control technology sent out a brief announcement today letting us all know that their technology is driving a lot of what we are seeing this week at CES.  Both LG and Asus are using their motion control technology to  power their devices.  That’s high praise coming from two of the biggest consumer electronics device makers in the business.

The Hillcrest Labs press release, sent earlier today, is posted in it’s entirely below.

PRESS RELEASE:

Hillcrest Labs Announces New Customers for Next-Generation Portfolio of Motion Control Software and Products

– Follows Hillcrest’s Selection as CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree in Two Different Categories -

LAS VEGAS, NV and ROCKVILLE, MD — January 10, 2012 — At CES 2012, Hillcrest Labs today announced several new customers and products that will utilize Hillcrest’s next-generation portfolio of motion control software and products. Companies bringing new products and reference designs to market in 2012 that leverage Hillcrest’s technology will include: LG Electronics, Warpia, ASUS(R), and Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) DLP(R).

“Earlier this year, we unveiled our second generation portfolio of natural motion control software and Freespace(R) products,” said Dan Simpkins, founder and CEO of Hillcrest Labs. “Today’s announcement demonstrates continued interest in Hillcrest’s solutions by major CE manufacturers to support their current and future product lines. We’re also honored that two of our products have been named as 2012 CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award Honorees, and that both will be brought to market by our customers this year.”

New Customer Deployments

* LG Electronics: LG, which currently uses Hillcrest’s technology in its line of Smart TVs, will also use Hillcrest’s Freespace MotionEngine(TM) software in its new Smart TV Upgrader products in 2012.

* Warpia: Warpia will bundle Hillcrest’s Scoop(TM) pointer and Kylo(R) Web browser in an upcoming product this year.

* ASUS: ASUS will include a custom OEM version of Hillcrest’s Kylo Web browser in its Xtion media center for PCs.

* Texas Instruments DLP: TI will include Hillcrest’s embeddable Freespace Sensor Modules in its latest interactive DLP projector reference designs.

These solutions will be showcased at the International CES show, January 10-13, 2012, in Las Vegas, NV, in the LG and Warpia booths on the show floor, ASUS’ suite at Trump Hotel, and Hillcrest’s suite at the Renaissance Hotel. In addition, TI will demonstrate Hillcrest’s Freespace MotionEngine software integrated with TI’s ZigBee(R) RF4CE solution in the ZigBee TechZone (Booth #21318E, South Hall 1).

At this year’s CES show, two of Hillcrest’s products, the Freespace MotionEngine and Scoop pointer, were named as International CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Awards Honorees. Hillcrest was previously named a CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards Honoree in 2011 and 2010 for other products.

Companies that have licensed Freespace for use in their products include: Eastman Kodak, LG Electronics, Logitech, Roku, SMK, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Universal Electronics (UEI), and others. Additional information about Hillcrest can be found at www.hillcrestlabs.com. Follow Hillcrest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kylobrowser or Twitter at www.twitter.com/kylotvbrowser.

About Hillcrest Labs
Hillcrest Laboratories (a.k.a. Hillcrest Labs) sells natural motion technology and software applications to consumer electronics manufacturers, service providers, and consumers that enable unique, interactive digital media experiences for TVs and other digital media devices. Hillcrest Labs sells and licenses its in-air pointing and motion control technology, called Freespace(R), for use in a wide range of consumer devices including remote controls and game controllers for Smart TVs, streaming media players, Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, PCs, and tablets. Companies that have licensed Hillcrest Labs’ technology for use in their products include: Eastman Kodak, LG Electronics, Logitech, Roku, SMK, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Universal Electronics (UEI), Universal Remote Control, and others. For consumers, Hillcrest Labs also offers the Kylo(R) browser, a free Web browser for TV. Hillcrest Labs has received numerous awards and recognitions including the prestigious CES Innovations Honoree Award multiple times, PC World’s 100 Best Products and Greatest Tech Designs, Popular Mechanics’ Editors Choice, ECN’s Reader’s Choice Tech, and many others. For additional information, visit www.hillcrestlabs.com.

Hillcrest Labs, Freespace, the Scoop pointer, MotionEngine, and Kylo are trademarks of Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc. All other trademarks remain property of their respective owners.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Lenovo, the makers of the popular Thinkpad series of notebook computers, are showing a new hybrid ultrabook / tablet running Windows 8 at CES.  Windows 8 has been the hot subject at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show, with Microsoft themselves showing it off last night during CEO Steve Ballmer’s keynote address and hardware makers falling all over themselves to show devices that are tagged “Windows 8 ready”, and even showing their hardware running the Developer Preview version of the OS.  We just saw Kupa showing their X11 tablet doing exactly that.

Now Lenovo is showing a Windows 8 device that is both an ultrabook, which is the hot new term these days, and a tablet.  It’s not quite the same as the Asus Transformer, but the same basic idea.  The new device will be called the Yoga, which is an apt name given the way it works.  The new Lenovo Yoga will have a 13.3 inch screen, 1600 x 900 resolution, it’s 0.67 inches thick, and weighs just 3.1 pounds.

The Lenovo Yoga will be released in the second half of 2012 with a price tag of $1,199 to start out.  The release will likely come along with that of Windows 8, which still appears to be on track for the Fall of 2012.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Earlier today Microsoft TechNet blogger Steve Clayton posted a picture to his blog that shows 6 pieces of hardware that apparently Microsoft will be showing this week at CES 2012.  The hardware pictured consists of an Xbox, a Kinect, keyboard, touch mouse, game controller, and what appears to be a webcam-like video camera.  Some of this we have heard nothing about and some we have seen speculation about around the internet today.

We have seen rumors that Microsoft may release the next version of the Xbox before the end of of 2012.  We have also heard that Microsoft may debut the Kinect for Windows soon.  The keyboard and touch mouse, while they look beautiful, aren’t headline grabbing pieces of hardware.  The game controller is clearly a new piece of hardware for the Xbox.  The camera, which doesn’t really appear to be shaped like a webcam, is a mystery.

Many of these questions will likely be answered tonight during Steve Ballmer’s CES keynote address.  According to Clayton, all will be known by the end of the Consumer Electronics Show.

“What’s this all about then? Swing on by the What’s Next booth within the Microsoft booth at CES to find out more…or come back here on Thursday for a video that will explain all.”

You can view the picture Clayton posted below.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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We are in the final week before Christmas and many of us aren’t quite done our holiday shopping.  Electronics have become one of the most popular gifts for the holidays in recent years, but when it comes to shopping for the tech fan in your family it’s often the lower end of the electronic gift spectrum that is the hardest part to cover.  Since I happen to be one of those “tech geeks” you hate shopping for I thought I would give you five ideas for cheap tech gifts that will fit in a stocking.

We are looking for things that range from $10 to $100, but cheaper is better.  Since Christmas is a week away, we also want common gifts that you can run down to the local big-box store and grab instead of waiting and hoping that shipping will come through on time.  So, here are five tech gifts at a reasonable price and a small size.

SD Cards

SD cards, in all of their forms, are everywhere today.  They are in our digital cameras, mobile phones, tablets, and more.  You can get them is sizes beginning at 2 GB (you may find smaller, but forget it – anything smaller than that won’t be of use to a true tech geek) up to 64 GB.  Be careful of the form you need – the most common are SD and microSD.  You may also notice there are different classes.  Unless it’s for an older gadget though, you won’t need to worry too much about that, but know that the higher the class, the better the performance.

USB Drive

USB drives are probably the most common piece of technology we see.  Everyone has one, or more.  Drop it in your pocket, attach it to your keychain, or carry it however you want.  They are handy for transferring files between computers, keeping essential security programs at hand in case of system failure, and just keeping mobile programs with you when you travel.

Laptop Mouse

Most people don’t have a problem using the standard issue  laptop mouse pad, but anyone who is a serious power user will want a real mouse.  There are many out there, both wired and wireless.  The typical laptop mouse is smaller than a standard desktop version, and most are wireless, with a tiny USB connector that plugs into the side port of your notebook PC.  I recently reviewed the iHome, which has a retractable cord, and I am using it as I write this.  However, whether you go wired or wireless, this is a great little gift.

Travel Keyboard

The holidays mean travel, and these days lots of us travel with tablets.  Tablets are great for travel, but lousy  for production.  An on-screen keyboard is cumbersome when typing a long email, and downright impossible when writing a word document.  That’s where a portable keyboard comes in.  You can get wireless or USB, either works fine, and it’s up to personal taste here.

USB Outlet

Power strips are a great item for travel, but how about one that has a USB ports as well?  Many outlet extensions today have support for all of our electronics chargers. Many of our phones and MP3 players charge from USB and this gives you a place to plug them in.

Have other ideas?  Let us know in the comments below.  I hope this brief list has given you a few ideas about what kind of electronic gifts to get the geek in your life, or at least inspired you to look a bit further into what is available.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Tablets are the big gift this holiday season, surpassing netbooks by a healthy margin in terms of both media attention and sales.  Tablets, however, have their limitations when it comes to business travel and school work and sometimes everyday life.  The limitation is that you can’t use them very well for doing a lot of typing, such as long emails, word documents, and such.  That’s why I have always preferred to plug in a USB keyboard when I need to do some serious writing.

Now Microsoft have released a new Bluetooth keyboard that will make that old USB cable obsolete.  Sure, wireless keyboards have been around for a while, from the old IR versions to the more modern Bluetooth and RF ones of today.  When it comes to use with a tablet, though, Bluetooth is likely to be a user’s best bet, and tablets are clearly what was on Microsoft’s mind when they released the Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 5000.  According the to the announcement from the Microsoft hardware team.

“With tablet purchases expected to increase 81 percent from now until 2015, laptops and tablets have become essential technology tools both at work and home, and often our fingers and wrists suffer especially when confined to an on-screen keyboard.”  That explains why Microsoft designed the keyboard with an “ergonomist-approved Comfort Curve design”.  At 13.9″ by 6.5″ the small size of the keyboard makes it great for travel, whether it’s just down the street to the local cafe or across globe.

The keyboard is now on sale direct from Microsoft  for $49.99 and it’s not just made for a Windows tablet, you can use it with iOS and Android tablets as well.  You can even use it with your Windows or Mac laptop if you want.  Microsoft has long made great keyboards and mice, and this latest one is no exception.

Source: Microsoft Hardware Blog

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Microsoft has announced 3 new limited-edition versions of their popular Arc Touch and 3500 Touch mice to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year – the Year of the Dragon.  Microsoft has long made popular, and well-built keyboards and mice.  The Arc Touch is one of the newest and most popular lines that Microsoft Hardware has put on the market.

The Arc Touch is a mouse that Microsoft describes in the following way – “this mouse has that unique flexible design where to use it; you bend it up (this turns it on essentially). When not in use, you fold it flat. When it’s flat, it’s off and won’t use up the battery”.  It also features a touch-strip, customizable buttons, and haptic feedback.  What Microsoft calls “BlueTrack technology” allows the mouse to be used on almost any surface, such as wood, or even carpet.  The special limited edition is called the “Arc Touch Mouse Year of the Dragon” and features dragon art created by Lin Xu Pan.

Microsoft also announced two limited-edition versions of their Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 which also features dragon art.  These also boast BlueTrack technology, plus Microsoft claims a battery life of up to 8 months.  They come in two colors – red and gold.

The Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 Year of the Dragon is available now for $34.95 (U.S.), and the Arc Touch Mouse Year of the Dragon will be available soon for $69.95 (U.S.).  Microsoft stresses that all of these mice are in extremely short supply, so if you want one then you better hurry.  Links to all three of these mice are posted below.

Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 Year of the Dragon

Arc Touch Mouse Year of the Dragon

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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