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Weekend of January 29th, 2010
Dave, Rob, Chris & Mark are back in-studio! After several weeks of our coverage from CES in Las Vegas, we're back to doing what we love most: answering your tech questions!
Listeners & Guests on the show this week:
For ALL the details ... be sure to listen to the show by downloading the MP3 or clicking the RED & WHITE "Play" button on the media player, both on the right-hand side of this page.
HOUR 1:
Tech News & Commentary
Tim in Erie, Pennsylvania listening on WPSE 1450 AM asked: "Looking into getting an HD radio and I want to find out what is the most affordable, where I can get one, and most importantly, portable. Something that is both AC and DC."
If you want something very affordable, you can try the Insignia NS-HD01. You can listen in HD or in standard FM where the HD is not available.
The Insignia NS-HD01 has 10 station presets and a 1.5" LCD color screen display for artist and song titles. It works with a rechargeable battery for up to about 10 hours of playing time and comes with USB cable for charging. The Insignia NS-HD01 is available at Best Buy for $50.
James in Cosby, Tennessee listening on XM Ch.139 asked: "Question about Satellite Internet service for my little town that doesn't believe in high speed Internet access. Are they good and which one should I use?"
When it comes to satellite Internet, the two best choices are either Wild Blue or HughesNet. But, satellite Internet is, generally, only good for general web surfing; forget trying to upload pictures or videos because it will simply take too long, and if you're a gamer, not a chance.
Satellite Internet is a great alternative when compared to dial up, but be careful before you sign anything. Both Wild Blue and HughesNet require two-year contracts and come with hefty start up costs. Also depending on what plan you select with them, they can even limit the amount of data you can view in one day.
James also had a follow-up: "You talk about all these new OS's like Windows 7, but what about Linux? Is Linux a good thing "coming into the future" and is it pretty easy to work with?"
Linux is a great system and is most commonly used as an embedded system within super computers, or as a part of servers. As far as an operating system, the Mac OS or some form of Windows are still the most common operating systems. Linux currently occupies somewhere between 1-2% of the desktop market and doesn’t seem to be focused on that area of development. Although, there has been a recent surge in the use of the Linux Operating System, as Net-books and E-books popularity has grown, and many of these utilize Linux.
Leroy in East Point, Michigan listening to our podcast asked: "I'd like to know how to connect my laptop to our big screen LCD TV, so that I can play some movies that are in some format that I can't seem to burn to disc."
1) You need a video cable. Most computers have at least an S-Video port that can be connected to the S-Video input of your TV with an S-Video cable. If you want better quality, you should connect the computer to the TV using the VGA ports, or even better, via DVI to HDMI cable is the best.
2) Open the display setting in Vista and activate the output to the TV screen. You can either mirror content of your computer to the TV or extend the display like a dual monitor. Switch your TV to "external" or "Video 2", depending how you make the connection, and make sure to have the cable connected to the TV before turn on the computer.
You may need to change the screen resolution of your TV if the pictures appear a bit distorted, but that should do the trick for the video. You'll still need to connect audio, hopefully through your speaker system, if you want to watch downloaded or streaming TV or movies.
Also, we would like to add that if you're going to connect a Macbook to your TV, don't buy cheap cables at places, like Best Buy. Their "Dynex" brand won't work well. Make sure you buy it from Apple.
Wade in Wheeling, WV listening on WVLY 1370 AM asked: "I'm in the market for a smartphone and would like to know what you recommend."
Your question really doesn't have just one answer, and a lot of it will depend on what network you are on, how much you are willing to spend, and what you want to do with it. All of us here at "Into Tomorrow" are very high on the new Nexus One Google phone. While the phone will soon be available on most networks, it can run close to $550. However, with a new 2 year contract from T-Mobile, the phone is only $179.00. It will also be available on Verizon's network at a discounted price starting this spring.
The other two smartphones that we like are the Droid, carried by Dave, and the iPhone, carried by just about every other member of the "Into Tomorrow" team. You can pick up the Droid on Verizon's network and with a new 2 year contract, the phone is only $199. The iPhone on AT&T's network is available for as little as $99; again this comes with the stipulation that you sign a new 2 year contract.
Guests in this hour:
Mike Stelmach, Executive Director – Zinstall
Are you having trouble upgrading to Windows 7? Zinstall can help you move to Windows 7 without the pain and hassle, either upgrading in-place, or moving from an old computer to a new one.
Special Interview from CES in Las Vegas
Bryan Field-Elliot, CTO – NextAlarm.com
NextAlarm.com provides Internet-enhanced Alarm Monitoring Services for homes and small businesses. They protect our studios and offices in Miami.
Justin in Charlotte, North Carolina listening to our podcast asked: "I have a PS3 and have a bunch of Blu-rays that I bought. I'd like to rip those DVDs to the hard drive on the PS3 to play back later. Looks like I'll probably have to load Linux on the PS3 to do that. Wondering of you can still load Linux on the "older style" PS3s?"
Yes indeed, it appears that you can load Linux onto any style of PS3, other than the PS3 Slim, that was released in August of 2009. Sony originally planned on pre-loading Linux onto all of its systems, but when they figured out how much that would cost, they decided to leave that work to the end user.
It is a relatively easy process to partition the hard drive and install Linux onto your system. Click here for instructions.
Also, when doing this, remember to back up your saved game data onto a flash drive prior to starting the install. It doesn't always happen, but sometimes when you partition your hard drive you can accidentally corrupt files.
HOUR 2:
Tech News & Commentary
Dan in Nashville, Tennessee listening on WTN 99.7 FM asked: "I hear a lot about VOIP, but I only hear about it from two companies, 5LINX and Vonage. Is it the wave of the future or is it just a fad? Will it put AT&T and all these phone companies out of business?"
VOIP is most certainly the wave of the future, especially as Internet connection speeds are constantly increasing. Standard landline phone service isn't going anywhere any time soon, but a lot of people, nowadays, are dropping their home phone service and either using a cell phone, or getting VOIP service at a fraction of the cost. The main drawback to VOIP, however, is that the quality is dependent on the quality of your Internet connection. Of course, it has to be a high-speed connection.
The phone companies have tried to ensure that VOIP providers, many by selling the VOIP Service themselves, won’t drive them out of business. Pretty much all the top landline providers also sell VOIP service, many bundling packages together with Internet access.
"This Week in Tech History" Weekly Feature with Chris Graveline
Brought to you by C.Crane. Call C. Crane at 800-522-8863 or visit them online here
George in Union Mills, Indiana asked: "I'm legally blind and enjoy radio. I want to pick out a WI-Fi radio that can connect to my stereo system with RCA jacks. Looking for something for the blind and can't use an LCD screen real well. Found a product called Myine Livio. Wondering if that's a good product or if there's others I should consider."
We found another possible alternative for you, and it happens to be from one of our long-time sponsors, C.Crane. It's their CC WiFi Radio. It has the same shape as the Myine Livio and it has a larger volume knob and it comes with a remote with the usual keys, and also numbers from 0 to 9.
We think that feature may help you pick a station without using the LCD. It also does Pandora, like the Myine, and it costs around the same.
Jim in Ann Arbor, Michigan listening online sent us the following email and asked: "Greetings, I'm a happy amateur digital photographer with much to learn. Years ago, I used to shoot 35mm film and often used different color filters to enhance colors or black and white contrast. I took up digital photography about 18 months ago, when I purchased a Digital SLR, and use Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 for processing. Is it necessary to use color lens filters anymore or can those adjustments be done entirely with software? I'm very poor with the software at the moment. I'm older, decent with a camera, but not a 14-year-old computer wiz that adapts to new software quickly. It would be great not to have to spend money unnecessarily to find the answer. I bought a book on filters, but it referred almost exclusively to film rather than digital.
PS: Please keep up the great infomercials! Couldn't resist! I listen to your shows weekly and am referring to a pretty wild call you had recently. It was entertaining."
Though we have a feeling some serious photographers might disagree, for hobbyists like you and many of us, programs, like Photoshop and the much more affordable Dfx Digital Filter software from Tiffen, can - after the fact - do almost everything filters can.
There are a few filters you might want to keep around even if you are going to use Photoshop to edit your pictures:
1) A UV filter - it's basically your lens' bodyguard, if it gets scratched you throw it away and get a new one, if your lens gets scratched on the other hand it may cost a lot of money to replace.
2) A Neutral Density filter - this one will dim the light before it gets to your lens enabling you to take long exposure pictures in brightly lit rooms.
Without this filter, the picture you'll get will be pretty much all white and even though Photoshop can try to help you make it look right, it will most likely come out overexposed.
If you're not interested in taking pictures at slow shutter speeds, in brightly lit areas though, you can probably skip this one, otherwise you'll need it.
For more, tune in to Hour 2 of our Podcast.
Timothy in Dunedin, Florida listening on WWNN 1470 AM asked: "I have a XV6800 smartphone and I'd like to know if there are any free third party apps out there that will allow me to watch movies on my cell phone?"
Since your phone runs Windows Mobile, the easiest (and cheapest) way to watch videos is with Windows Media Player, which is part of the Windows Mobile OS, and it's free. Now, there are other apps for the Windows Mobile OS, including some that will play video and music. However, there's not nearly the amount of applications for Windows Mobile as there are for the iPhone, or Android or BlackBerry. Click here to go to the Windows Phone Marketplace.
Guest in this hour:
Dan Pitkow, Founder – Flipper Button Remote
Do your older parents or grandparents have trouble controlling their TVs? Flipper Remote is a senior-friendly TV remote control. It works the TV and set top boxes only, and has a favorite channel list that eliminates all the useless channels and buttons.
Matt in Las Vegas, Nevada listening on KNUU 970 AM asked: "I purchased an external hard drive, but I need to find a cheap or free backup service that will automatically backup my computer. The trial software it came with expired, so I'm looking for something that's reliable and easy to use to replace it."
You can try programs like Comodo Online Backup or, one of our favorites, Carbonite. All your files will be stored on secure servers, and you can access your data anytime over the Internet from anywhere in the world. All the files will be encrypted before they leave your PC, and then transferred to the server over an encrypted connection. You can use Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7. These programs are not free, but for about $50 a year, you can have 10 GB, or about $1 a month for 1 GB.
Raul in Porterville, California listening on KTIP 1450 AM sent us the following email and asked: "Hi Dave, I was wondering if there is a device I can use to watch TV on my TV using my Wi-Fi. For example, the Netflix ROKU device. Something I can just plug in and play without having to pay a subscription."
There may be a few alternatives for you, but we would recommend the ROKU Netflix Player. Other than Netflix, it also plays movies and shows available on the Amazon store. Also, you can now stream music from Pandora. The only subscription fees involved are for Netflix, and you will pay for some movies and shows from Amazon. It's available for about $80.
Another option would be to plug your laptop to your TV and watch content on sites like Hulu.com or Boxee. And coming soon from Boxee is the Boxee Box by D-link.
“Into Tomorrow” Product Spotlight with Rob Almanza: YouRock Digital Guitar-- Click Here or on Rob's face for details
HOUR 3:
Tech News & Commentary
Travis in Kingsport, Tennessee listening on WJCW 910 AM asked: "Touch screen computers: Worth the money or just stick with a regular desktop?"
It really depends on what you are trying to use the computer for. Generally, unless you want that wow factor, a regular desktop or laptop would function just fine. Touch screen computers seem to be becoming more and more popular, especially as the technology gets better and the prices continue to get cheaper, but can you easily get used to not using a keyboard & mouse? Many people that pay the extra money for touch screen computers quickly revert back to using a keyboard and mouse, because it is simply not comfortable to use the touch screen monitor as it usually means you have to keep your hands elevated. Until there is a solution to this problem, we suggest you save your money and stick with a regular desktop.
Rob has tried the HP TouchSmart PC before and wasn't impressed. It doesn't seem to keep up with commands or touch, and it's a little slow. However, we learned at CES a few weeks ago, that tablets, or slates, will become very popular this year.
"Into Gaming Update” Weekly Feature with Mark Lautenschlager
Jim in Ann Arbor, Michigan listening online sent us an email from the "Into Tomorrow" App.
If you don't yet have our new "Into Tomorrow" App, get it for free on iTunes or on our homepage.
Tune into Hour 3 of our podcast to hear the email.
Dale in Fairbanks, Alaska listening on KFBX 970 AM asked: "I purchased a digital picture frame. It plays music as well, but I need to convert MP4 files from iTunes to MP3 so that they will play on the frame. How do I do that?"
You can actually use iTunes to covert the MP4 non-protected files to MP3s.
1) Open the iTunes menu bar then select "Preferences", and then at the "Preferences" window choose "General".
2) Click on the button "Import Settings", and then for the " Import Using" menu, select "MP3 Encode."
3) Under Settings, choose "Custom Settings".
Select the song you want to covert in MP3 and choose "Advance" from the menu bar, then select "Create MP3 Version". iTunes will create the MP3 under your original version.
Andrew in Jerusalem, Israel sent us the following email and said: "Greetings Dave and all, love the show! I download and listen to it in the Holy City of Jerusalem, or while cruising the Holy Land on my trusty steed.
Speaking of visits, when are you coming? More high tech goodies are developed here that anywhere else outside the USA. Just ask Intel, Motorola, Microsoft, etc., etc. Google "Israel High Tech Innovation" and you'll see what I mean. If you are interested, I am happy to introduce you to some folks who could arrange a tour of Israel's incredible technology industries. Blessings from Jerusalem!"
^Click here or on the picture to enlarge.
Guests in this hour:
Abbas Mehdi, Product Manager – iolo technologies
Does your computer need a tune-up? iolo’s Sytem Mechanic repairs, optimizes, and protects Windows computers.
Special Interview from CES in Las Vegas
Ken Higgins, VP, Worldwide Branded Sales – Hitachi
Ken reminds us about the importance of backing up data and talks about new portable drives from Hitachi.
Fay in Southwest Ranches, Florida listening online asked: "I am probably like many others and have ended up with three different media players on my computer. Windows Media Player, Yahoo Music Box and RealPlayer, and I have music saved in all these players. How do I consolidate these into one single music player and get rid of the other two on my computer? I'm really stuck cause some of them won't even let me record a CD."
You most likely have the actual music files in your music folder on your computer, which should make it easy to consolidate all of your music into the one media player of your choice. We'd suggest the Winamp media player because it's easy, free, and it doesn't copy your music files. If you use Winamp, just go to "File" and then "Add Files", then select your "My music" folder, and there you go. It's all uploaded and organized.
If you use a media player that just streams off the Internet, then unfortunately, you can't move those files. But if you do, then use that specific media player, so you can have both streamed and local music files.
Here's what you do:
1) You want to open the music player of your choice.
2) Go to "Add media/music" and navigate to your library, then click on start, then to "My Music", or "Music", for Vista or Windows 7. Click "Edit", and then select all on the drop down menu. Click and drag the folders and files from your music folder and drop it in the library of the music player. All the music will be listed and organized.
If you have any questions about any of this week's show info, please email us here.
Into Tomorrow Product Spotlight with Rob Almanza
The YouRock Digital Guitar made Dave's Top Ten List at CES 2010. More...
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
Diskeeper: Copies of Diskeeper 2010 - Prevent fragmentation before it happens
Honestech: Copies of Easy Video Editor 3.0 - Video editing software designed for beginners
SmartSwipe: Several SmartSwipe personal credit card readers for online shopping
Zinstall: Zinstall XP7 product licenses - Hassle-free move from XP (or Vista) to Windows 7, on same computer or from an old one to a new one
ITTV Video
Want to feel like a real rockstar playing Guitar Hero and Rockband? Check out the YouRock Digital Guitar at CES in Las Vegas in our Product Spotlight with Rob Almanza. Also featuring: Chris Graveline with This Week in Tech History.
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