Computing – Page 19

Apple’s Magic Trackpad leaked before WWDC?

June 7, 2010 Doug Groves Apple, Magic Trackpad, Wacom, WWDC3 Comments

A series of images has popped up on Engadget showing an as of yet unannounced Apple trackpad accessory aimed at desktop computers. It may also include handwriting recognition. Though there’s nothing official, it’s seems very likely to be real, as there have been trademark registrations for the name Magic Trackpad. On that note, what is it with Apple’s need to brand everything as magical? It strikes me as an abuse of Clarke’s Third Law, which states “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” With WWDC just a few hours…

Steve Jobs: The Boy Who Cried HTML5

June 6, 2010June 6, 2010 Doug Groves Apple, Chrome, Firefox, HTML 5, IE8, Safari, ua string, user agent, user agent string3 Comments

Ever since the Apple vs. Adobe tiff escalated to open letters and snark, the press has been eagerly gobbling this up as fodder to support the horse they’re backing. I’d say that few have actually stepped back to say that both sides are at least partially to blame. Apple wouldn’t have any ammo to fire at Adobe, if Adobe itself had actually delivered better mobile Flash technology much sooner. In the past it dabbled in Flash Lite, which gave some minor functionality, but it’s not until the past couple of…

Computex 2010 – tablet fever

June 6, 2010 Doug Groves 2010, Android, Computex, Computex Taipei, google, Intel, netbooks, Pixel Qi, tablet, Windows 71 Comment

The Computex Taipei trade show is the largest computer and electronics trade show in Asia, and one of the largest in the world, with over 1000 exhibitors this year. Like CES held in the US every January, it’s a place where you really get a good pulse on where manufacturers are focusing their energies, and what to expect to hit shelves over the next 6-12 months. At the 2010 Computex, which just wrapped, one thing is clear. Expect a lot of tablets coming down the pike. There are a number…

Telus finally confirms their iPad plans, NOT offering unlimited data as originally thought

May 31, 2010May 31, 2010 drsquid Apple, Bell, canada, data, data plan, iPad, mobile data, plans, Rogers, Telus21 Comments

The image above, created earlier today, was based on some assumptions taken from Telus’ weekend announcement of their iPad plan. After some speculation on Friday, a press release was sent out on Saturday detailing their offering – a single plan of 500MB for $20, which at the low-end is a much better deal that what Bell and Rogers are offering, and unlike their plans, Telus’ is available post paid (sadly with a $35 activation fee). What was more intriguing though was that overage is charged at 5¢ per MB, ‘up…

New Canadian Copyright bill coming Thursday?

May 31, 2010May 31, 2010 Doug Groves Canadian DMCA, copyright, DRM, Tony Clement2 Comments

According to an article today by Michael Geist, one of Canada’s leading copyfighters, it looks like the replacement for the defunct bill C61 is going to be tabled by the Conservative government as early as Thursday. In Geist’s round up, he points out out that DMCA style anti-circumvention legislation, the most contentious part of C61, will remain intact, though there may be flexibility on time and format shifting. It also looks like the government is aiming to fast track the bill through Parliament. Geist also includes a quote from Industry…

Part 3 of Zacuto’s HD-DSLR Shootout now Online!

May 31, 2010 kingpinlei 1 Comment

**UPDATE: Zacuto has finally released Part 3 of their incredible HD-DSLR vs 35mm Film Shootout! This EP focuses on resolution tests with all these cameras plus the new Canon T2i and green-screen compositing tests. The green-screen tests are VERY interesting indeed. Hit up the link below to watch all the camera goodness. http://www.zacuto.com/shootout

The fastest browser on Earth

May 28, 2010May 28, 2010 drsquid browser, Chrome, Firefox, google, opera, parody, share, video0 comment

Opera, the 5th placed browser, released this funny video yesterday that parodies the Google Chrome speed test videos. Opera’s usage share of web browsers has held steady at approximately 2% since it came out. However, since its release in 2008, Chromes’ share has rapidly grown, at Firefox’s expense. I am sure Opera is hoping that this video will persuade other dissatisfied Firefox users to make the switch to them instead.

Apple iPad Canadian launch, Rogers on-device data plans available, Bell plans available, and Telus is MIA

May 28, 2010May 29, 2010 Doug Groves 3G, Apple, Bell, data plan, iPad, Redboard, Rogers, Telus, WiFi5 Comments

Though you’re all probably aware, we wouldn’t be doing our jobs here if we didn’t mention something about the roll out of the iPad beyond US borders, including here in Canada. From the breathless coverage in the mainstream press, it appears that there were close to 200 people ready to get their hands on the iPad on opening day at the Apple store in the Eaton Centre. If there’s a certain lack of excitement to this article, it’s not born so much from cynicism of the whole circus, though there…

Server changeover

May 25, 2010May 25, 2010 Doug Groves 3 Comments

Still working out the kinks, but it’s made the transition

SITE NEWS: Maintenance

May 20, 2010May 20, 2010 Doug Groves 3 Comments

We’re in the process of backing up, and moving the site to more robust server solution to accomodate the increased traffic flow. There may be sporadic outages, and occasional weirdness. Hang on, things should be back to full speed, and then some, over the next 24 hours.

Like Those Shiny iDevices? You May Not Like How They’re Made…

May 20, 2010 Doug Groves Apple, Foxconn, Gizmodo, iPad, iPhone, IT Nerd4 Comments

Apple’s least favorite bloggers Gizmodo.com have re-posted a story from the Southern Weekly newspaper who sent undercover reporter Liu Zhi Yi into Foxconn Inc who makes Apple iPods, iPhones, and the like for Apple. The factory has had a rash of suicides in the last little while and the company has hired everything from counselors to Buddhist monks to try and deal this this. Here’s what the reporter found: During his 28 days of investigation, Liu Zhi Yi was shocked to discover how the factory workers live in a sort…

MOTOBLUR phones come to Canada on Telus, Bell, and Rogers

May 19, 2010May 19, 2010 drsquid Android, Backflip, Bell, canada, CLIQ, Cliq XT, Dext, google, Motoblur, Motorola, OS 1.5, Quench, RIM, Rogers, Social View, Telus4 Comments

The last in the trio of Motorola Android phones running their custom UI, MOTOBLUR, launched in Canada on Tuesday, with the release of the Motorola QUENCH on Rogers. The two other phones in the Motoblur line-up are the DEXT on Bell, and the BACKFLIP on Telus. The QUENCH is available now for $49.99 ($424.99 outright) on a three-year voice and data plan. It is a touch-screen only device, and has a 3.1” 320×480 screen, 5.0 MP camera, and uses Android OS 1.5, with the MOTOBLUR UI. To make up for…