Barack Obama had his portrait taken the other day and it was marked as the first digital presidential portrait! In the past 8 years we have seen huge changes in digital cameras. Here is a little snippit from the article:
"In early 2001, Nikon's D1 was typical of the digital SLR cameras professionals were using. The 2.6-megapixel camera debuted in 1999 and cost about US$5,000 for the body alone. In contrast, the EOS 5D used for Obama's portrait has a 12.8-megapixel resolution and costs about $2,000."
I remember when I bought my first digital camera my first year of college - it was a Nikon Coolpix 4.0 Megapixel camera and I thought it was a steal at $550. Now you can find digital cameras with double the megapixels at more than half the cost. Don't let that sort of thing beat you up though - if everyone waited years for price reductions and better technology, we'd never get anywhere!
Congrats to Obama for making history yet again!
1.15.2009
First Digital Presidential Portrait
1.08.2009
New ModBook Pro
For those of you that loved the idea of a Mac tablet, but wanted a little more umph! and a bigger screen than what the original ModBook offered, your prayers have been answered. The guys and gals over at Axiotron have just recently introduced the successor to the thrown: The ModBook Pro!
If my MBP dies in the next couple of months, I know what I'm ordering!
http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/08/tuaw-macworld-video-axiotron-modbook-pro/
I'd like to thank TUAW for providing the information for this post.
1.06.2009
USB Powered USB Hub and Coffee Cup Warmer
I have one combination USB Hub/Coffee Cup Warmer to give away to the first respondent. You can keep your coffee/tea warm while keeping up to four USB peripherals connected. This comes straight from the mean streets of Hong Kong.
Goodbye Keyboard, Hello Wheel! The MacBook Wheel...
Apple is doing away with keyboards in their latest laptop dubbed the MacBook Wheel. Senior Product Innovator Brian Gillman sums up this rocking new laptop well, "Everything you need is just a few hundred clicks away."
Please keep in mind - this is from Onion News Network...
Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard
1.01.2009
Microsoft sets a new record
That record, unfortunately, is creating what looks like the largest worldwide consumer electronic device failure in history.
Around 2:30 on December 31st, owners of 30 GB Zune players around the world found their devices useless. Microsoft took nearly a day just to identify the cause of the problem, and their solution was classic Microsoft: Wait.
12.30.2008
iPhone Users List - End of Year Edition
As we are on the verge of a new year, there will be lots of technological innovations to look forward to in 2009. This week's iPhone tips come courtesy of iPhone Buzz and Mashable.
One of the things that could use some improving on most mobile phones is the camera. While the iPhone takes pretty good pictures (for a phone) some additional features, like zoom and flash, would be nice. USB Fever is now selling a variety of magnetic zoom lenses for the iPhone. For $16.99 each, I'd say they are definitely worth checking out.
To have a more productive 2009, Mashable reviews their list of the top 30 productivity apps for 2009.
That's all for now. Happy New Year!
Another Reason Why I like Physical Media
A few weeks ago, I mentioned how I love physical media and didn't think I would buy into digital media. Part of my fear is that someday the service will shut down and I won't be able to play/watch/listen to whatever I bought. This sort of thing happens already.
EA's download service* (through a company called Digital River) charges you an extra $6.99 for the privilege to download your game for up to two years. Two years!? Firstly, I feel it should be for a lifetime considering the amount of money companies save by not printing a manual, box, or discs. It's true they need bandwidth and storage space, but both of those are getting cheaper (especially storage). Generally these companies have a pretty beefy connection that they pay monthly for, regardless of bandwidth used anyway. Secondly, it's depressing to see them charging an extra $7 for only two years! I could almost understand if it was $7 for a lifetime, but still...
I can't tell you how many times I've dug up an old game to play for a bit, especially after two years. Plus, many people will upgrade their computer in the next two years - do you want to have to buy a game or movie again in two years just because you have a new computer? Heck no!
*Not all of EA's games are on Digital River, some are through Steam which does allow you to download your games for an indefinite amount of time. I think this is a must for digital content!
