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Weekend of April 23rd, 2010

Rob Almanza and the "Into Tomorrow" team sit-in for Dave while he's away, taking your calls and emails on the listener hotline.

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

 

Android will soon gain full support for the multimedia platform. Adobe has officially begun beta testing its Flash Player for Android called Adobe AIR 2. You can sign up to beta test Adobe's Android Flash Player by registering at labs.adobe.com. Adobe will then notify you once the public beta becomes available.

 

Rick in Columbia, Maryland listening on Sirius Ch.108 asked: "Interested in the iPhone, but I need a phone that tethers. Wondering when a tethering application will be available for the iPhone?"

Rumors from just last March are that AT&T is working hard to prepare the network for iPhone tethering, and that it should be up and running sometime this year.

This is technically possible, given that the iPhone can share it's connection with computers in plenty of other countries already, but you decide whether you're ready to trust that promise or not.

For more information, tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.

 

 

The "Into Tomorrow" team discussed the latest apps that they have been playing with recently.

• For iPhone, Rob recommends:
  1) QRCode
  2) ScanLife
  
  
• For BlackBerry, Mark recommends: Dictionary.com
  
  

Tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast for more details

 

Barrett sent us the following email and asked: "I have one continuous video or 4 events that my daughter was filmed in at a competition. The file format is .m4v (47MB). I need to parse out the 4 events. I have only been able to view this file using Apple's movie viewing software (iTunes). What is the easiest and cheapest way to make 4 files out of one, so I can email each separate file to an agency? Preferably in a format that will let Windows Media Player view them."

An M4V file is a variation on the MPEG-4 video standard that is used by Apple for their DRM-protected iTunes video downloads. It may be kind of surprising that you have this format in an unprotected video. As a Mac user, Rob has used Apple's iMovie to edit videos and when you export the movie, it will export it as a .m4v, unless you export with Quicktime. Then, you get to choose other formats, like a .avi, which would play nice with Windows.

However, you didn't really tell us the origin of this video. Is it part of some commercial video that you had to pay to view? Because if it is protected by Apple's DRM, then you have two problems, not one. How to remove the DRM (that's digital rights management, meaning that Apple wants to control how and where you use the content you buy from them), and then as a second issue, converting the file to WMV format, so you can easily edit or watch on your PC.

For more information, tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.

 

Jay in Carlsbad, New Mexico listening on XM Ch.139 answered the following survey question:

"What do you not like about the show? How can we improve? Lack of streaming using Windows Media Player .pls"

We use a .pls file, but it's a Shoutcast format. We do have instructions on how to use Windows Media Player to listen to our stream.

You have to save the .pls file, open it with a text editor, copy the URL, and paste it into the "Open URL" option in Windows Media Player. This is not our doing, by the way, it's how StreamGuys supplies the playlist.

So, you are correct. You can't click on the link directly unless you are using Winamp (or some other player that likes the Shoutcast format playlist file). The latest free version of Winamp, by the way, is very good at playing our stream.

 

 

The "Into Tomorrow" team on-board	Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas
Trym Selvag, Captain, Oasis of the Seas – Royal Caribbean	Boardwalk on Oasis of the Seas	Richard Spacey, Cruise Director, Oasis of the Seas - Royal Caribbean
Touring the Bridge	On the bow - Rob's feeling like the "King of the world"	Touring the Bridge
Dave jogging ... into tomorrow!	Carousel on the Boardwalk	FlowRider
Royal Connect iPhone	WiFi Locator to keep track of your children with the Royal Connect	Dave reporting from the helipad
Interactive Wayfinding: Staterooms, Events, Restaurants and more	Rob looking for directions on the Interacitive Wayfinding screens	AquaTheater
Central Park on Deck 8	Dave with cruise director on-board the Rising Tide Bar	A look of the Rising Tide Bar from below - rises from Deck 5 to 8 & back
Rob reporting from the AquaTheater	One of two rock climbing walls	Into Tomorrow's Chris Graveline
Into Tomorrow's Nate Brunner	Another look at Central Park	Security Command Center on the Bridge

Dave reporting ... “Into Tomorrow” from the helipad

ITTV Special Report: Technology on-board Oasis of the Seas

 

Gloria sent us the following email and asked: "My son, due to job loss, cannot afford cable. He lives in a downtown high-rise condo that only has DirecTV. Is there a box he can buy for local TV?"

There are several channels that broadcast over the air and would be free for your son to get. All you need, in order to get these channels, is an antenna. A lot of these channels are now even available in HD.

Given the fact that your son lives in a high-rise, most of those buildings will now allow the mounting of antennas on the outside or roof of the building. But, we found several antennas that you can simply put on top of your TV like an old pair of rabbit ears.

Crutchfield has a webpage that will help you select the antenna that is right for you, based on where you live, and what type of structure you live in.

HOUR 2:

Tech News & Commentary

 

Damon in Nashville, Tennessee listening on WTN 99.7 FM asked: "Was wondering if Apple had plans to merge with Sprint to offer a version of the iPhone in 4G on the Sprint Network."

There currently are no plans for Apple to divorce itself from AT&T, and with the upcoming release of the iPad with 3G data services from AT&T (Apple again pairing itself with them), it seems Apple is content with AT&T.

The other big problem is that the current iPhone is not compatible with a CDMA network. There have been rumors for the last year or so that Apple is developing a phone that will function on a CDMA network. Thus, making it available to networks such as Sprint and Verizon.

Another hurdle here is that Apple would have to overcome the cost to make a CDMA phone, which is higher then making a phone for AT&T's network, and Apple's business strategy has always been to secure a higher profit margin over a larger quantity.

Now, with Sprint's new HTC EVO, which will operate on Sprint's 4G WiMax network, the iPhone will be able to connect to Sprint's 4G network via its mobile hotspot. However, it seems as if that will be the closer to either Sprint or Verizon getting to the having the iPhone on their network for the foreseeable future.

 

Jack in Richmond Hill, Georgia has advice for another listener recommending Roku Netflix Player.

For more information, tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.

 

 

Edgar in Florida sent the following Facebook message during the guest interview: "What do you know about that rumors Apple may be switching to AMD?"

Tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast for more details.

 

 

Buddy in Waverly, Tennessee listening on WTN 99.7 asked: "How can I download songs on my computer from YouTube? I like watching old Dean Martin videos and stuff. How can I put them on my computer to keep?"

You can try listentoyoutube.com if you just want the audio from the videos. But if you want the videos, you can go to getaudiofromvideo.com, which will let you extract the audio, download the video as an MP4 format, as well as 3GP for mobile devices.

Another choice that Mark personally uses is called the Orbit Downloader. This handy free extension to your web browser will allow you to download videos and music that would otherwise be streaming only. It saves them to a file on your computer, so you can access them, even when offline.

HOUR 3:

Tech News & Commentary

 

A lady in Suffolk, England has been photographed 43 times by Google's Street View.

 

Norman in Queens, New York listening on XM Ch.139 asked: "My old computer is starting to go on the fritz. I'd like to transfer some programs. The old one's XP and the new one's Vista. I was wondering how to transfer it over or if I'd be better to put Windows 7 on the new computer."

If you don't mind spending the money to upgrade to Windows 7, it is something to consider. Windows 7 has turned out to be much more stable then its predecessors (as not too many people have complained), and its new taskbar takes a page right out of Apple's playbook.

If you want to transfer data from XP and Vista, Windows 7 comes with a migration tool built-in, called Windows Easy Transfer. It will move your registry, data, files, settings, even old Outlook mail files, but it won't move any programs.

 

For more information, tune in to Hour 3 of our podcast.

 

The "Into Tomorrow" team discussed the problems with Opera Mini

Tune in to Hour 3 of our podcast for more details.

 

 

Mitch in Greenwich, Connecticut listening on WGCH 1490 AM asked: "I've got an AM/FM radio in both cars. Is there any way of tweaking the FM or AM side of the car radios? In one car, I cannot pickup an AM radio station, but in the other car, it comes in fine."

Reception issues plague many people, especially for people with an older car. There are many things that come into play when dealing with radio reception in cars. Most of the issues are with AM stations, since they transmit on a much lower frequency than FM stations. Many of the issues have to do with electrical interference. This is evident when you're driving down the street and as you pass underneath power lines, the radio gets very "staticky."

Another source of electrical interference comes from the car itself. Your car radio typically uses a combination of the antenna and your car's body to act like a much larger antenna. Because of this, when you have electrical problems in your car, sometimes, it can affect your radio reception. Our friends at C.Crane say that If you hear a high-pitched whining noise that changes when you step on the gas, the noise is most likely coming from the alternator, distributor or sparkplug wires.

For more information, tune in to Hour 3 of our podcast.

 

Chris sent us the following email and asked: "I am looking at upgrading my razor cell phone. I am looking for some advice as to which phone will get me more bang for my buck. I am looking at the AT&T iPhone, Verizion Droid, or a Blackberry. Any advice you could send my way would be very helpful. I have been listening to your show on Sunday afternoons for about 1 year now and love it."

We are assuming that your contract is up, and that you are free to go to whatever carrier you want. As you mentioned, several phones are available on different carriers. When it comes to a smart phone, it is really just a personal preference. Many of the "Into Tomorrow" team members have the iPhone and love it (everyone but Mark and Dave).

Dave loves the Android operating system and switches between the Motorola Droid and the Google Nexus One, and Mark carries a BlackBerry. When it comes to what phone you want, the best suggestions we can give you is to go into a store and play with all of the different types of phones and pick the one that works the best for what you need it to do.

For more information, tune in to Hour 3 of our podcast.

 

 

Sail445 sent us the following email and asked: "I'm having a problem with your program on my iPhone 3G. I have my phone set up to auto-lock after 1 minute to save battery power, but when it locks, your program's sound stops. Any ideas?"

Rob tried it and the stream kept playing for him. As to why your iPhone doesn't keep the stream going, it could've been a fluke. Sometimes, your iPhone needs reboot.

If you have any questions about any of this week's show info, please email us here.

Into Tomorrow Product Spotlight with Rob Almanza

Viper SmartStart - Remote Car Starter System

Your smartphone can now turn your car on, unlock the doors, open the trunk and hit the panic button ... with the Viper SmartStart app on your iPhone, iPod Touch or BlackBerry.

I have a remote start system installed in my car. But, sometimes I’m out of range and can’t start it. The Viper SmartStart, which Dave has installed on his SUV with the Viper Alarm system, works from anywhere! Dave had me install the app on my iPhone while I was in South Carolina. His car was parked outside our studios back in Miami. And it worked! I was able to turn his car on from 700 miles away! To mess with him a little bit, I also hit the panic alarm!

SmartStart is convenient because you can start your car from anywhere and have it warm up or cool down, before you get in to it. Another cool feature is the 2-way confirmation of commands. It notifies you when your command was received by your vehicle or when it doesn’t.

There is also a very high-tech “Responder” Remote with Dave’s system that features Viper's advanced color remote, operating up to a one-mile range, 2-Way security and a mini-USB charging port and patented menu wheel – with a ton of additional features.We have to point out that you may still have to carry your car keys. I wouldn’t leave home with just my phone as the main key to control my car. What if you lost it?

So how much does this cost? If you already have a compatible Viper remote start system, you can add the SmartStart Module for about $300. If you don't have a compatible Viper remote start system, the complete SmartStart System will cost you about $500. Learn more at Viper.Com.

SmartStart is available at authorized Viper dealers. Dave had his installed by our friends at Audio Logic in Hollywood, Florida. Mike and his Team always do a great job! Be SURE to seek-out a qualified installer in your area! It might sound costly, but this system is pretty awesome!

-- By Rob Almanza, “Into Tomorrow” Correspondent

 

 

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This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners

Firefold: Several gaming accessories & HDMI 1.4 cables

Honestech: Copies of FOTOBOX Plus -- Easy to use Photo Slideshow Creator

SpectorSoft: Copies of Spectro Pro for Mac -- Internet Monitoring Software.

ITTV Video

Can your smartphone remote start your car? Meet the Viper SmartStart System in our Into Tomorrow Product Spotlight with Rob Almanza. Also featuring: This Week in Tech History with Chris Graveline and KidsTech with Caitlyn Gatrell.

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