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Saturday, December 21, 2013

Oculus Rift

I received an Oculus Rift Developers kit as a free company sample for review.  When I received the package it was very well packed and comes in a nice plastic carrying case.
   Adrenaline was high as I took out the cords and got ready to fire it up, sweating with anticipation I plugged it in and was immediately immersed in what I loaded- the rift coaster (yeah, no fear lol)
   I started it up and felt as if I was moving.  The experience was intense as I moved my head around and looked at the environment.  I wasn't expecting what came next, although I read about this happening.....  nausea..... yep, time to take off the goggles and take it easy.   I was surprised that the experience was so intense I had that with me for a couple days!  (I think I plunged in too much all at once).
   After a couple days and my stomach back where it was supposed to be, I turned it on again.  This time I didn't have any sick feeling and was able to keep going.
   I tried out developer apps, alone in the rift, rift coaster, and my all time fave, Team Fortress 2 on Steam.
     The image quality was good, but an HD version is much anticipated, the quality is as if you were looking at your monitor close up and could see the graininess.
   Head tracking was awesome, and comfortability was ok, the headphones along with the headset are a bit much and I would like to see them implement speakers into the headset.
     This definitely has a future ahead of it, and I was highly impressed with just this first version that they introduced!
   If you are a consumer, definitely wait for a next model to come out and don't get the developers kit, you would be disappointed unless you want to have some fun!
 
   Looking forward to what you have next Oculus!!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Clickfree Automatic Backup C6 2TB review

I have multiple computers and wanted an easy way to backup my systems.  I decided to try the Clickfree backup C6.
   With this I also upgraded my HDD's in the laptop.  My plan was to backup with the C6 and re-image to a new drive.
   Here's how it went:

   I unpacked the C6 and plugged it in- so far so good!  It auto started and made my first backup- total 6 hours for 650 GB drive.
   Nothing needed to done, it was all automatic.  Mind you I was skeptical about it backing up the OS while the OS is running since those files are in use.

   I installed my new HDD and rebooted using the USB Clickfree as a boot device...Voila! There it was and I was able to select advanced> re-image, and the wait ensued...

   Hours later came the moment of truth- unplug the USB for a reboot....  held my breath AND........
   There was windows!  There was my desktop, all programs, and even the tabs I last had open in Firefox.
   It completely cloned my drive and amazingly reimaged to the new drive, this couldn't be simpler!!!!
   I changed a few things and tested a re-backup, within 15 minutes it was done updating,

Conclusion:
   The Clickfree C6 is utterly amazing, I can't recommend it ENOUGH!  If you want an easy 1 step backup solution without headache.- this is it!!

  You may need to change BIOS to boot into USB, but this is simple- also I noticed that I have 3 USB ports, only one of them is the main where the clickfree was detected by BIOS.

If you want to order this-  here it is:

Friday, December 13, 2013

Cool free music cloud server

Do you use Spotify?  I have a cool free alternative.
   I wanted to have my music accessible anywhere on my phone and found an awesome application that stores up to 1,000 songs for free, and accessible anywhere!  They have a free app for Android through Google Play, as well as for Iphones through the Apple store.
  They are in Windows marketplace as well from Microsoft..

   I went ahead and upload my music and it worked seamlessly- no buffering or delays, just perfect streaming music.

What I found was- they say 1,000 songs but it seems to be based on file size-  I was able to get 325 mp3's in there which is 35 hours of music at 2.69GB before they said the cloud was full...  now mind you, some of my MP3's are merged albums with the whole CD in one MP3.
   Still 35 hours should be plenty for an average music buff, and you can always switch files around for variety.

If you have an android device and have more music you want to listen to, Google does allow up to 20,000 songs for free.
   I have this as well, and between the 2, if you have both you could theoretically upload the limit to Google and then upload any remaining songs to this other service.
 
https://play.google.com/music/

   I wanted to share with all my blog readers about this neat free software.  No frills, nothing extra, just the app and a simple player- you can make a playlist of the songs you want to play easily as well on your device.


It's called Style Jukebox and you can get it free here:
http://www.get-jukebox.com

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Free Tools for computer wellness and browser health

Ok so I was on a quest to find tools to help my PC work better and my Firefox browser to be faster.
   Lo and behold I come across Glary Utilities- this is intriguing!
   After some research I decided to give it a try and it works very well for a free program.  It's a very comprehensive suite of tools to optimize your system.
Tools like disk defragment, registry cleaner, cookie cleaner, startup optimizer, and more.
   I ran it and my computer is more responsive.  I recommend you give it a try too.
You can take a look here:
glarysoft.com/glary-utilities  

They have a pro (paid) version for deep cleaning here: Glary Utilities PRO


For Firefox to speed it up, I found a free small utility that just expands your HTTP connections in the browser, it made my pages load faster (30mbps DSL is what I have) and now it acts like the way it should on that speed...
http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Mozilla-Optimizer-Download-9693.html


Give it a try!  Leave a comment on your experience!

Standby for exciting new posts!!!

Soon I will be posting and reviewing a couple of things.

  1.   First up will be a Laptop HDD  the Western Digital 750 GB WD Black SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache  Notebook Hard Drive - Model WD7500BPKX


  2.   And then a review for the 2 terabyte Clickfree Automatic Backup C6.

 

Stay tuned!!!

Which Antivirus?

 In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, let's not forget the most important tool in our PC.  The anti-virus!
    Through the years, I've been through the headaches of system slow downs and crashes from viruses.
   Worst of all was getting an anti-virus only to find that it's resident shield was slowing my computer down with it's heuristics.
     I didn't really want to dish out money every month or year, so resorted to AVG free.  This in my opinion is the best free alternative, and it doesn't really slow down the computer at all.
     I did see a recent report where test were done and Kaspersky was rated #1 in anti-virus.  For a paid antivirus, this would be my choice.
   Honestly, if you have the dough, go with Kapersky to protect your computer, after all, your computer is the one most valuable piece of equipment in your house!

Avg can be found here:
http://www.avg.com

To check out Kapersky you can do so here:

Saturday, December 7, 2013

New animated series

I have created a new animated series- the Adventures of Stickman. Here episode #6 where an apple grown on a tree and turns into a Mac, and well.. no spoilers- just watch it :D 

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Holiday gifts

So what do you have planned to give this Christmas?
A new tekkie computer, or maybe an MP3 player, or TV?

Take the poll and let's see what the most awesome item is this Christmas

What are you giving this Christmas
Computers
MP3 player
Ipod/Ipad
TV
Video Games
Kitchen Appliances
3D TV
Something home-made and simple
poll creator

Monday, December 2, 2013

Battery free mouse- no special mouse pad

So I did some searching today after my mouse battery had died- after all we are in the 21st century- there has to be a wireless battery free mouse right?  C'mon where's the technology?
    Alas I found ones with special mouse pads, but, who want to lug around a mouse pad with your laptop?  I'm accustomed to just using the mouse on a table or chair arm, or where I am with the laptop, I don't want a mouse pad along with me too!
   I did some more searching and found a mouse that charges with a gold capacitor-  3 minutes plugged in and it lasts up to 4 hours.
   This mouse sounds easy enough and I have read it can be used while charging for 3 minutes too.  I'd like to see a double capacitor model for 8 hours, but hey I'll take it, after all, I'm sick of dead batteries in my current mouse after 14 days!

You can see the mouse here-  I'm planning on getting one soon!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

New Coffee Maker! World’s first roast-grind-brew coffee machine

Have you seen this new coffee machine? 
It's a revolution!!  It's the first of it's kind to actually roast raw green coffee beans then grind and brew all automatically!
   There's never been a coffee pot that can roast raw coffee beans.  I can just imagine the smell mmmm  it makes my mouth water thinking about it- fresh roasted and brewed coffee!
    The best thing about this too is that it is supporting the local farmers who grow coffee directly!  And they are Organic, how cool is that!
    They have some cool videos on their page and more info.. looks like we have to wait towards the end of next year to bring the coffee roaster and the coffee shop into our kitchens :)

Oh how I would LOVE to get my hands on a unit to test but just don't have the cash right now to spare....  hope to hear some wonderful stories when they start shipping- enjoy those beans for me! :)

bonaverde.com

and their Kickstart page- they are already Funded woo hoo!!!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jimguldi/worlds-first-roast-grind-brew-coffee-machine

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

New computer virus spreads silently through speakers!

Ok now this is getting creepy!  A person by the name of +Dragos Ruiu  on Google plus was posting about how he was installing MAC OS and how his BIOS was getting changed.
    This person is a highly respected computer security expert, and his claims are getting noticed!
    What he found was a sonic sounding backdoor for viruses.
  Mr. Ruiu heard a high pitch whine in his home sound system and investigated what it was coming from.  It wasn't the electrical system like he had hoped...here's what he found:

when disabling the receiving computers microphone the sound ceased-  the sound was being sent from another computer.  This is a new type of air-gap virus.  It lies dormant until an audio signal wakes it up.  It's an ultrasonic signal.

Spooky, creepy, un nerving -  all these things....

    You can read about it here: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn24582-can-a-computer-virus-communicate-via-your-speakers.html

2014 tech- foc.us

Have you heard about this new technology?  It's looks interesting-   it's called foc.us.
   What it promises to do is make your brain faster- make you focus.
   Wait, what?  Make your brain faster?  THe already fastest thing on the planet computational wise, faster?!
  Yep!  --  but how?  Through transcranial stimulation or tDCS
You can control it through an Iphone, Ipad, or Ipod and turn up the intensity if you want to.
  the electrical stimulation will make neurons fire faster and make your pre frontal cortex excited so you can even game faster.
   Been safety tested- but not for use in people with epilepsy.

    This looks interesting but......... what if you have epileptic tendencies and don't know it yet?  Could this excite the brain to a point of a seizure?
   I don't know, but time will tell- we'll have to see when it ships in August 2014 as to the review that come out on people who have actually used foc.us.

Until next time! Tech out

Monday, November 18, 2013

Have you heard the news?

Shingled Magnetic Technology-   this is a new Hard drive tech that Seagate says they are already using in undisclosed models.
    This technology is a breakthrough in HDD's, why?  Because it breaks the 5TB barrier for 2014.
   Get ready for larger hard drives!  In this world of emerging technology , storage is much needed and HDD's fill up quickly, this technology will help!
    What is does is take away some protective space in between block and makes them overlap like house shingles.  
   Interesting technology, we'll have to see where this goes.

I'm still waiting for the 5D memory crystal storage that offers unlimited lifetime storage (yes it exists!!)  it can hold 75,000 DVD's in an itty bitty crystal layer nano sized PLUS it lasts 1 MILLION years!!!
   Now that's a Hard drive!!
Read more:
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2013/jul/17/5d-superman-memory-crystal-heralds-unlimited-lifetime-data-storage

Native Union Switch Bluetooth speaker review!

Here I am again reviewing another great product that I own!  The Native Union Bluetooth speaker.  I received this as a product test and went through a couple of them because the mini USB jack kept falling inside the unit.  The manufacturer was aware of the issue and was standing behind their product 100%.  The third unit they sent me was redesigned and the issue was resolved!!
   I've had this for over a year, jack still intact.  This speaker holds a great charge, syncs up great with my phone and computer running Windows 8.1.
   The sound from this speaker is WOW, nice bass, perfect volume and you can crank it up and blow the roof off your house (ok not really but you get the idea)
It's amazing for a speaker.  I actually end up hearing sounds I can't hear from my laptop speakers.

It's works amazing as a speakerphone device with my phone as well, I can not only take calls and they hear me clearly, even when in the car, but I can also play my MP3's from my phone through this and enjoy nice stereo loud volume.
   I HIGHLY recommend this speaker!!!


If you want to buy one- Amazon has it!
 

Withings WiFi Body Scale review

I was given this scale to keep from a product testing site- and thought I would share here- it's AMAZING ... let's see where to begin  ...

You can make an account and download an app to your phone and set users in the scale to store the information and see trends.  It connects via WIFI or bluetooth...  

When you step on this scale and you have other users set up it'll ask you to lean right or left slightly to choose the user-  the online cursor moves with your leaning to match the user name.

   Once it measures your weight it tell your BMI, your heart rate and then gives a CO2 measurement of the air.

   It's made of a tempered glass and has sensors underneath so you need to clean it with water only.

You can set weight goals and see where you are headed towards your goals, it's just incredible!

Once again another neat tech product :)

Think Christmas gift!!!!!




Laptop hard drives- what to do, which one to pick? How to backup your drive...

So if you're like me, your on edge with your data in your computer, you hear that clicking from your drive and pray it doesn't start to thrash.  Sooner or later it starts acting slow with that clicking.  All signs it's time for a new drive.  Face it, sooner or later the drive is going to fail, it's mechanical and prone to failure.
   I've looked at what laptop drives are good but also reliable.  SSD drives are fast, granted, but they just don't feel secure for the long term-  memory wears out over time and if you need to recover something it's much harder in an SSD then an HDD because an HDD has a platter that can be forensically inspected and recovered.
   With this in mind, what HDD is a good one that won't kerplunk in days or even months?  Scouring through the selections I found one.... it's SATA III and backwards compatible 7200 RPM which is much better then the slower drives, and has rave reviews.  It's the Western Digital 750GB HDD 2.5"   - this is my next Hard Drive




 

Now for backing up-  how?

   Well there are many options out there to back up your drive- from online (don't like that idea), to copying your drive image to a new one- kind of hard...... to this new invention I saw that I LOVE-
   this is something I will get along with my Hard drive to ensure my peace of mind.
    It's called Click-free automatic backup- you plug it in and let it work- THAT'S IT!
  It's backs up what you want or your entire hard drive- OS INCLUDED!
   I LOVE this idea!




What if you have a backup already?


If you already have a hard drive- they even have a cable to make your existing backup to be like the click free-  it makes it automatic----  don't you just love technology?













OK time for another review - I've had this for over a year as well, and after yesterday, it's worthy of a review.....    For starters I expected the wire to short out months ago, but this headset is going strong, after all the twists and kinks I have put into the cable there's nothing wrong at all, I am very pleased with this headset.
Compatibility-   no worries, I am running it on Windows 8.1!  and in 7.1 surround sound!  
Sound:
This headset packs a PUNCH- it's true 7.1 and I am amazed at the bass and loudness this has-  the microphone is AWESOME and noise cancelling-  I actually use it for voiceovers that I sell (if your interested in needing a voice over- http://fiverr.com/techsaavy  there's samples there too so you can hear that microphone in action )  

Now for the kicker-  yesterday-  there was a trip on the wire (yep another trip on these poor electronic wires)  ( I guess I give things the stress test LOL)  Anyway---- and it got yanked out of my laptop-  needless to say the USB plug was BENT at 90 degrees!  I FREAKED!  Oh no!  I broke it!  It won't work!  Guess what?  I was able to slowly bend it straight and IT WORKS!  I am amazed at the resiliency of this headset!!

 

Sturdy HDMI for cheap- supports internet, 3d and audio

I purchased this HDMI cable and boy am I happy!  I was in the market for an HDMI cable after the one I had (very thin cable) separated from the plug, it was built cheap.  After looking around hesitantly for a good cable I can across this one on Amazon.  After researching I decided to give it a try.
   Here's what I found-  the plug is sturdy and cable is thick, but not too thick.  I've been using this for over a year and almost daily plugging and unplugging from my laptop.
  The jack is not wearing out at all, I'm surprised at this price the complete sturdiness of this cable!
   Not to mention the accidental oops I tripped and pulled out the plug from my laptop incidents-  try that with a cheap cable and kablooey -game over, but this Amazon cable has stood the test of time and accidents.
  I recommend it!!!



The new Sandisk Wireless flash drive!

So I was looking at what new products are out there for Black Friday and holiday shopping.  Low and behold I see a new Wi-Fi wireless flash drive.  Now this looks interesting! Here it is: 
   

What does it do? It promises to connect wirelessly between devices, so I could have this sitting on my night stand and use it from my computer to my Ipad, to my mp3 player. This is really cool since I wouldn't have to plug in and unplug flash drives constantly - and even if I lost it, it's wireless so I could still use it if it's somewhere in the couch :D lol albeit for only 4 hours then it would need charged, which in that case I would hope to find it deep in the couch :p In my opinion this is a great stocking stuffer and a Christmas must have this year for the geek in your family!