Saturday, April 19, 2008

Logitech VX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse

The Logitech VX Revolution Cordless Laser mouse for notebooks is a superior companion for full on laptop users, combining the best desktop mice features while it is small and glossy, even if it fits in a tiny wireless receiver. Going beyond its impressive design, you sense the design's ergonomic qualities like the soft-touch rubber grips. It is a bit disappointing it is only available in a right-hand version.

VX Revolution introduces exciting new features with an actual purpose, in a very shy in terms of innovations market, thus it isn’t the cheaper option in the market. If you are a believer of paying a bit more for investing on a best-of-class product, the VX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse will not disappoint. The whole concept follows a rather minimal but functional approach, making the “nearly frictionless” scroll wheels its star feature.

The Zoom button and a couple of other fancy functions didn’t affect VX Revolution in terms of size or weight. The 4.2 ounces (130 grams) mouse is marginally bigger than its laptop cousins but it is definitely prettier and still smaller than the desktop ones.


VX Revolution might come across as “racist” to left-hands users but it sticks with social trends like “going green” thus, its receiver switches off when not used to save power. Plus, it is so comfortable and technologically advanced that you get used to its features instantly and most probably it will be a challenge not to use it as your primary mouse; either using a desktop or a laptop.

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Mobile Phones - The new health threat

Today’s post might not be a pleasant one, yet it is as serious as cancer is. Throughout history humanity seems to have been striving to survive various threats. Romans were dying from their lead-made cutlery, then it was plague’s turn to take its toll upon humanity, the yellow fever, the atomic bomb, smoking and even a deadly flu spread by birds!! The most recent one is a beloved friend and companion, a device equally adored as it is despised.

Studies conducted by neurosurgeons reveal growing evidence showing that excessive, long-term mobile use appears to be connected with specific types of brain tumours. Publications in medical and scientific literature, based on increased evidence supporting the theory, suggest an almost certain link. More specifically, the evidence indicate that there is an increased risk of developing a brain tumour on the preferred side for mobile use. I may not know what acoustic neuroma and astrocytoma exactly are but they don’t sound very jolly, and note that those two types of brain tumours do develop on the side of brain coming more in contact with mobile devices.

I am sure that many of you are already familiar with the theory, as it emerged few years ago. Back then studies and research proved no correlation between mobile technology and brain tumours. Unfortunately few individuals' raising voices that tumours develop over a period of 10 years were quickly silenced by mobile manufacturers. Unfortunately though, 10 years or more is actually the probable time length a tumour needs to develop, and mobile technology was introduced to the wide public around 10 years ago. The meaning is simple; effects on public health started to emerge recently and will reach maturity around year 2012.

I just hope the same voices which rise today screaming for caution when it comes to children using mobile phones, will not be silenced easily.

Sunday, April 06, 2008

No keyboard or mouse, just brains

First came Nintendo Wii to amaze gamers with its pioneering technology, then it was Guitar Hero exploring new kinds of kinetic interface. In the meantime in our work environments we are stuck with technology like the QWERTY keyboard and the computer mouse dating back 134 years and 45 years respectively.

Few steps are taken in order to revolutionize office technology, and it is the usual suspect Microsoft who is already busy developing Surface, an alternative to keyboard and mouse. This move will probably signify the beginning of a new era in the consumer electronics world. Kristin Alexander, head of research and planning for Microsoft Surface, claims that interfaces will, in the longer term, move beyond table top screens to other spaces. "That's why we called it Surface and not table", she said while Microsoft still remaines committed to the mouse.

But if that’s Microsoft’s ambitious plan they may have a bit of catching up to do. Cynergy Systems is a company that already presented a showcase of a home made "Minority Report" style gesture-interface. The system utilizes Nintendo Wii controller, a gutted computer mouse, and a pair of baseball gloves dotted with infra-red LED's bringing the cost to around $150. According to early feedback, regardless of the device’s homebrew-feel, the results were impressive.



Currently Microsoft Surface costs thousand of dollars while Cynergy’s system could be much cheaper and quite similar but without the surface.

The latest development though called Emotiv actually remind of that old spy film on which Clint Eastwood was operating a Russian Aircraft’s weapons with his mind. Similarly Emotiv utilizes electrical activity in the brain to control computer systems and is regarded as the most promising next generation development.


Amazing sci-fi stuff, isn’t it?

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Access Internet and Mobile Everywhere

By next year, Londoners will be using their phones on the tube. London mayor Ken Livingstone has announced plans to install transmitters that will also allow access to wireless internet and digital radio.

Some London cabs are already fitted with special pockets which have chargers for every type of mobile plus iPods and laptops for use on your journey. How long will it be before these appear everywhere from shops to cafes?

But some people feel this is unnecessary, given the risk it will bring from terrorists who could use a mobile to detonate a bomb on the tube by calling the mobile-cum-detonator from overground.

If your book has turned boring and you fancy reading a new one then you won't need to wait for a bookshop. A couple of clicks on your big-screen mobile and entire novels can be delivered to your phone to read at your convenience.

Pretty soon you will be able to make and receive calls on your mobile when you are 35,000 feet high in a plane. (Bet you can't wait to be surrounded by fellow passengers shouting "I'm on the plane"). Australia has already issued a licence to operate in-flight mobile services, though the earliest that services could be available from UK registered airlines is 2008, subject to approval by the aviation authorities. Of course it's up to individual airlines to choose whether they permit use of the system but it's hard to imagine any of them missing such a commercial opportunity. So you can expect to either pay a premium to be seated in a 'mobile-ready' area or pay even more to be seated in a 'quiet zone'. You have to be careful what you wish for.

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Logitech Squeezebox Wireless Music Streaming

Two days ago, I made a promise to my beloved Rita through my post and I am not the kind of guy who would break a promise. So, cutting to the chase, by now it should be perfectly clear how easy it has become to stream music in your house with a wireless music system. We actually went through Sonos Multi-Room system, realizing why it has received enthusiastic reviews and how it became the best product in its class upon its release.

Sonos is being challenged by the new Squeezebox Duet from Logitech. I usually prefer to start from something more creative than price but the difference here is massive. Thus, the question inspiring this post is “how does the new $400 Squeezebox Duet stand up against the $999 Sonos Multi-Room Music System?

Their basic concept is the same, both coming with a remote control and a box which accesses wirelessly music in your computer and feeds it to a sound system. It is a standard for both systems, being wirelessly online, that you have access to online radio and music services, such as Pandora and Rhapsody.

Basically, the Squeezebox remote control is a redesign of the Sonos’ control and several features are if not the same then quite similar. For some strange reason though, when comparing the two Squeezebox’s control is more complicated and less user friendly. And it is definitely slow; there is literally a delay of one or two seconds between command and execution, while reports of consecutive crashes put Logitech on an uneasy situation. 1 point given to Sonos.

The Squeezebox comes with one receiver less than the Sonos, so its only one, giving you the option to connect to the Internet and your home network with a cable or through Wi-Fi. Using the remote, the setup works exactly like on your PC. Select network, enter password and you are connected in no time, though, Logitech announced performance drops when more devices access the network. No points earned here.

Additionally, a very handy feature appearing only on Sonos system is the built in amplifier allowing you to bypass stereo equipment and plug directly into your speakers.

Summing up, the Squeezebox might be more compact and sleeker with glossy and matte black finishes matching most high-definition TVs and stereos. Sonos is a white and gray case that would go with pretty much nothing, maybe with an antique Nintendo NES. And yes Sonos's receivers are significantly larger than the Squeezebox ones, but bear in mind that the two systems are almost 2 years afar from each other. BUT, Sonos is more intuitive in terms of technology and software, is supporting up to 32 rooms, while the Squeezebox can handle between 6 and 10 rooms and if you're playing the same track in different rooms you will not notice any synchronization problems as with the Squeezebox. Of course Sonos does carry a huge near-$600 premium over the new Squeezebox... But isn’t it worth it really?

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Sonos Wireless Music Streaming

There has been a lot of progress in the field of electricity since Benjamin Franklin’s experiments with the kite, the thunder and the key. Today humanity already counts more almost 3 centuries mastering the "thunder god" and we still use pretty much the same means of transferring electric power. Wires still resemble a lot their ancestors and let’s face it, they are everywhere. And just because Rita hates wires and extensions I decided to devote two posts to a new technology doing baby steps along with devices like Wii.

Obviously there are plenty of wireless music systems already competing in the home entertainment arena, but lets start with Sonos which is more than one year old by now. Sonos is a wireless DJ music system conceived from Logitech that managed to incorporate excellent technology and functionality on a sensible price. The device, comprised from a remote control and a box for transferring music from your computer, is very slick as the remote control features a clickable scroll wheel. Yet, the LCD, though functional, fails to complement the design.

Sonos is coming with StreamPoint, a software compatible with popular jukeboxes like iTunes, Windows Media Player and Musicmatch, using a 2.4GHz wireless technology for streaming digitally your tracks to the included Music Receiver. The Sonos controller is quite intuitive, and responsive with the menus and buttons simply laid out based on practicality and common sense. The system includes two receivers, called ZonePlayers but the setup requires at least to be pluged in to your computer's cable modem, DSL modem or router with an Ethernet cable. In that sense, ZonePlayer becomes a wireless base station connected to other ZonePlayers in the house.

With this setup, Sonos obviously creates a seperate network to the existing Wi-Fi, making the system more reliable with fast and flawless connection. It’s a given that you can tune in to Internet radio and online music services, the likes of Pandora (only in the US, damn it) and Rhapsody, needless of your computer, while Napster and Sirius Satellite Radio are supported as well.

Unfortunately, Sonos cannot play copy-protected songs purchased from Apple Inc.'s iTunes because only Apple's products can play such tracks. Now, coming at around $1000 does it really worth its money? Well, I have one more contestant for the next post where we will proclaim the winner. Ideas and feedback are welcome.