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Weekend of October 9th, 2009

Rob, Chris & Mark answer your questions from the AskDave Hotline. Meanwhile, Dave brings you highlights from CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment in San Diego, CA.

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

TXTBlocker: Allows parents, employers and others to safely end the dangerous habit of texting while driving. Cell phone owners simply log in to this site and customize settings to control when, where and how their cell phones can be used. $9.99 a month for the service.

Barry in Hollywood, Florida asked: "With all the free content available from sites like Hulu and with Netflix, do the cable and satellite companies have 'their butts to look out for'?"

Sure, but we're not quite at the point ... yet. Hulu and Netflix don't always have new content available right away after a show airs on its respective network/channel. The "I wanted now" crowd doesn't benefit from streaming shows online. For example, Netflix's Instant Queue doesn't have the latest movies available. You'll find more oldies and classics than 2009 blockbusters.

"Technology On-The-Go" Feature With Andy Frankel from Eviant

Jim in Santa Maria, California listening on Sirius Ch. 108 asked: "I'm buying a new laptop. I do a lot of music work and have been having some issues with the programs I'm running. I would like to have a computer that can handle the recording work and multitracking -- probably up to 64 tracks. I've been told I should think of going to a Mac.."

From our engineer Erasmo, who uses a Macbook Pro faithfully: Jim, if you're working on a busy project like 64 tracks, reverbs, delays, compressors, among other things, then you need a laptop with a powerful processor and lots RAM. Also, I would suggest to use it only for your audio productions. You might want to try the new Sonar 8.5 from Cakewalk running on Windows 7, very powerful for PCs. It can handle 148 tracks at the same time. I produce music, too, but I'm on a Mac platform and I think the Mac it's fast. I don't incur as many problems as PC, don't get viruses or malware, but it is more expensive. The answer to Mac vs. PC for you comes straight down to money. If you have a few grand go for the Mac.

Highlights from the ShowStoppers Event at CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment in San Diego, CA

Martin Feuerhahn, CEO & Founder - FriendCaller	The Windows Phone Exhibit @ CTIA	Dave Frazer, Director, Technology Services, North America - F-Secure
Into Tomorrow @ ShowStoppers	InTouch Health Remote Monitoring Robot	A close up of the screen on the Monitoring Robot

 

Steve in Tamarac, Florida listening via Cellecast asked: "Hooking my computer up to my HDTV using a VGA cable. After a while the screen goes away and TV says the signal is lost. What might be the problem with his hookup?"

Well Steve, you didn't provide enough information, but let's go through a few things to check.

1) See that your computer isn't going into sleep mode or hibernating.

2) Did you check to see if your cable was working with other electronics (i.e. another laptop)?

3) Be sure to see if your HDTV is scanning for signal mode.

When you plug the VGA cable into your laptop, if you have an XP laptop you need to right-click on the Desktop and then select Properties > Settings. On a Vista or Windows 7 machine, right-click on the Desktop > Personalize > Display Setting option, which is on the bottom of the list. This will bring up the display settings window. Monitor 1 is your primary monitor (and should be the one you are looking at). Monitor 2 will be grayed out. Click on Monitor 2 and then click on the check box that reads "Extend the desktop onto this monitor." Click OK. Your second monitor should flicker and should show a desktop background.

If your HDTV has a DVI input, we suggest using a VGA to DVI cable which can be found at Newegg.com for about $6. Or if you have a DVI input on your laptop, you can purchase a DVI to HDMI for ideal quality.

Disnet in Coral Gables, Florida asked the following via a Facebook Message to Rob: "I have been wanting a BlackBerry Bold on AT&T for a while, but you know how it is with the contract stuff (I have a 3G iPhone now). I didn’t know if in one of those countries that you are always visiting they just sell them with no strings attached and if the prices are better than they would be here? What’s your expert opinion?"

From what I've gathered overseas, the iPhone is a lot more expensive locked/unlocked than it is here in the US. For example, in Germany where I was recently, an iPhone without a network contract can sell for up to 700 Euro (that's over $1,000) Honestly, I don't suggest getting it from anywhere outside the US as you may run into problems. I think the Bold is a great phone. I love my iPhone, but if I didn't like it as much as I do, I would get a BlackBerry for sure! But now that the iPhone does video and MMS, I don't think I'll be changing phones for a long time.

Jim in Brookings, Oregon listening on XM Ch. 139 asked "I am looking for some software to backup my data to an external hard drive via USB. I would like to do it very simply without much hassle. The hard drive on my laptop has 4 partitions, so would have to take that into account."

Mark suggests you try one of the following solutions:

1) NTI Shadow - Enables automatic, continuous back up of photo, music, data, and video files to virtually any attached storage device.

2) My Passport Elite portable hard drive from Western Digital - Features automatic, continuous backup, an illuminated capacity gauge, and convenient USB dock for storage on the go.

Be sure to listen to the podcast for other instructions from Mark regarding this question.

HOUR 2:

Tech News & Commentary

Al in Montreal, Quebec, Canada listening on XM asked: "I would like to know about the new TV's that run on "Christmas lights". Supposed to be using less electricity."

Al, we assume you are referring to the new LED TVs. We've talked a lot about these sets recently on the show. Yes, they do tend to be somewhat more energy efficient than "standard" LCD sets, and certainly much more energy efficient than Plasma sets. Please remember that LED TVs are still just LCD sets. The difference is that they remove the standard flourescent panel in LCDs and replace it with LED lights. LEDs typically use less energy than flourescent lights, and that's where the energy savings come in. Also, there are two types of LED TVs. You have back-lit, which has LEDs behind the screen, and you then there's the edge-lit which, as the name suggests, has LEDs placed around the edge of the screen. That's what allows some of these LED sets to be as thin as about an inch.

"This Week in Tech History" Feature with Chris Graveline - Brought to you by C.Crane. Call C. Crane at 800-522-8863 or visit them online here.

Grant in Brisbane, Australia listening via a Wi-Fi Radio asked: "Looking for information on the new range of low energy laptops. I believe Acer and ASUS are producing them."

Be sure to listen to the podcast for the answer as mark has some good input. One of the new ultra-thin laptops mentioned is the HP Envy 13, which we talked about during our broadcast from the Intel Developer Forum last week.

Highlights from the ShowStoppers Event at CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment in San Diego, CA

Josh Parker, Marketing Manager, Consumer Electronics - Intermap	Samsung Reclaim	Sampo Kaasila, VP, Research & Development - Bitstream
The Acutterra App for the iPhone from Intermap	Motorola Cliq	The BOLT browser by Bitstream

Peggy sent us the following email: "I went to your website, but could not find what day and time your radio show is online live? I can listen to your past shows, but I would like to listen to you live also."

The new show streams every Sunday from 2-5pm Eastern - 11am-2pm Pacific. Look for the "ON THE AIR - Listen Here 24/7" animation at the top right of the main page at Graveline.com or click on the "RADIO Heard Here" (bright orange graphic) at the bottom of our main page.

“Into Tomorrow” Product Spotlight with Rob Almanza: Fotobox from honestech - photo slideshow creator (Scroll down for more info)

HOUR 3:

Tech News & Commentary

Bobby in Nashville, Tennessee listening on WTN 99.7 FM asked: "I'm looking for a portable photo scanner. I'm working on an online family tree that allows members of the family from all over the country to participate. I have a lot of local family members that have access to a lot of old pictures from relatives that have passed away. They are willing to let me look at the pictures, but they are not willing to lend them to me and scanned them myself. I need a way to take the scanning to them, and I have a laptop but my scanner is not portable. Any suggestions?

There are several options for you. One scanner you might want to look at is the TravelScan Pro 600 Simplex Document & ID Scanner from AmbirScan. The cool thing about this one is that it gets it's power from the USB port on your laptop and you don't have to wait to "warm up" to scan the pictures. It's portable, just like you want, and doesn't weigh much. It scans directly to a PDF file. It also lets you scan ID cards, documents, receipts, and photos. We saw it online for just over $130..

Another one we found is the Plustek Mobile Color Scanner. It manages photos and business cards and will arrange them in order. It costs around $125 online. .

 

“Into Gaming Minute” with Mark Lautenschlager

Brad in San Ramon, California listening online asked: "I'm kind of fascinated with the Wi-Fi radios coming out. How reliable are these going to be over time? Do they depend completely on some sort of web based system to sort the stations out and get them to my Wi-Fi radio, that could change or go out of business some day? Is this just a passing fad?"

Bob Crane from C.Crane called-in with great info on Wi-Fi radios. Be sure to listen to the podcast.

Highlights from the ShowStoppers Event at CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment in San Diego, CA

Sara Miller, Founder & Co-Chair - Mobile Excellence Awards	Allison Dolar, Co-Chair - Mobile Excellence Awards	Patrick Mork, VP, Marketing - GetJar
Qualcomm Booth @ CTIA	Samsung Mobile Booth	View of San Diego

Ed in Mint Hill, North Carolina listening via Podcast called-in with a tip on extra GPS features.

Bill in Tucson, Arizona asked: "I've got a new pooch (a sweetheart from the Humane Society) and I'm wondering what pet tracking technologies are out there. She's jumped the wall a couple times, which could put her in danger from coyotes, diamondback rattlers and javelinas here in the foothills north of Tucson. I assume there are products that will show me her real time location on a map on my PC."

Check out Zoombak, a GPS dog locator that can help you get your pooch if they run away or is stolen. You can determine your dog's location in real time update using its tracking option. The device attaches to your dog's collar. You can create and activate your own customized safety zones and be notified by text or email when your dog leaves the zone. Also, with the Zoombak history you can see where your dog has traveled for the past hour, day or week. Zoombak is available at stores like Best Buy, Radio Shack or Target for $99. Service plans start at $9.99/month.

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

Into Tomorrow Product Spotlight with Rob Almanza

Want to make slideshows with your photo collection quick & easy? Honestech has a new product that makes it fun and easy.

This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners

Absolute Software: Computrace LoJack for Laptops Premium Edition -- A software-based theft recovery service.

Dexim: MHub Dock Station (Charge & Sync iPhone/iPod & BlackBerry) -- The dock also includes a 3-port USB Hub and an SD card reader.

Firefold: Several Ultra-High Performance HDMI Switchers & HDMI cables

Honestech: Copies of Audio Recorder 2.0 Deluxe -- Convert all of your music, including cassettes, LPs and 8-track tapes, into MP3s and other music formats.

ITTV Video

Want to make slideshows with your photo collection quick & easy? Rob has a new product from honestech called Fotobox on our Product Spotlight. Also featuring: This Week in Tech History with Chris Graveline.

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