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Weekend of November 25th, 2011

Dave and the team bring you interviews and questions from listeners you may not have heard before. We'll be back in full gear after Thanksgiving with more of your tech questions. Meantime, wanna win some great prizes? Call us toll-free 1-800-899-INTO (4686) with any consumer electronics question, opinion, help another listener or tell us what your favorite app is and why. You can also participate via our FREE "Into Tomorrow" App (iOS/Android/Intel AppUp). Thank you for your participation!

 

Our Latest ITTV Video Update (Watch in HD)

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday around the corner, it's time for some holiday shopping! Rob's got some of our favorite tech gift ideas for you. Also, Chris Graveline takes us back into yesterday on "This Week In Tech History".

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

 

Bruce in Wichita, Kansas asked: "I would like to have you all's opinion on this browser called RockMelt, I've got it on my computer and use it some, it's very good for Facebook, so appreiciate if you guys could tell me that."

 

They're calling RockMelt a "Social Browser." That's why it works so well with Facebook. It's supposed to. It's based on Chromium, so it inherits Google Chrome's speed, looks, and basic functionality on both Mac and Windows.

After you install the RockMelt, you log in to the browser before you use it. You authorize it to connect to your Facebook account, and it is instantly customized for your social circle, showing your friends and your favorite sites in slim sidebars. You can connect and chat with your Facebook friends while you surf the web.
It does appear to be a very slim and somewhat basic web browser, so don't expect too many bells and whistles apart from the Facebook integration. But that's the crowd they're going after - the social networker, not the "power user" or businessman.

Where Rockmelt really shines is for the user who wants to keep up with their Facebook and Twitter feeds, but doesn't want to have to remain on those web pages in order to do so. You can be working with email, calendar, or browsing any other web site, and still see updates or be available for chat.

Rockmelt isn't just "sort of" Google Chrome, it's so much the same as Chrome that you get access to all your Chrome extensions, automatically.

So if you're a social networking addict, or someone who needs to keep an eye on Facebook and Twitter for business or professional reasons -- and there is a lot more of that happening these days, as companies invest in social media and hire people to administrate it -- Rockmelt is an excellent choice.

 

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

 

Ryan in Pinetop, Arizona asked: "My daughter is gonna be a sophomore in high school. On about a $300 to $500 budget, we're considering either a mini laptop, a laptop, or an iPad (if we can even get one at that price) and I wanted to find out what would be most useful to her and why."

 

Well, the answer really depends on whether or not that device will be the only computer she'll have access to. If there are other computers in the house, she might be able to get away with just using a netbook or even an iPad, but if this is the going to be her main device you should look at a regular laptop.

For many years, I have personally used Sony VAIOs. You can have a look at the Sony VAIO VPCEL13FX/W Laptop (we'll link you from this week's show notes so you don't have to remember that long name), it's got a dual core processor, 15.5-inch screen with 4GBs of RAM and a 500GB hard drive. That laptop will only set you back $479 at TigerDirect.com, so it will be within your budget.

Another notebook computer that is within your price range is the Acer Aspire AS5750G-6804. It has similar specs to the Sony, but comes with a 1GB NVIDIA GT 520M video chip in it for better graphics handling. It's $499 at Newegg.com, so once again it fits in your budget. We'll have a link to that system in the show notes, also.

If you want to go the netbook route, it can be even cheaper than that, you can get a Toshiba netbook with a 10.1-inch screen for $269, and that's not even the cheapest one.

As for what would be more useful to her, it's hard to say without know what she needs it for but, generally speaking, a laptop will be able to do everything, a netbook will be able to do less, but with a longer battery life and in a smaller package, and an iPad will be the most limited.

A netbook can't run very intensive programs, they're designed with slower processors that use less power, and typically have less RAM memory as well, so if she's going to be editing videos, playing games, or using any really professional, powerful software a netbook may not be enough. If she's going to be online most of the time, it might be enough.

An iPad, in terms of software, is limited to what's in the Apple App Store, and will not play just any content, like flash videos. An iPad would work for her if she was just going to be consuming content, but it's not great for creating documents, websites or anything like that.

If you were to go the iPad route, you'd be over budget. Sure, the least expensive iPad 2 is $499, but you have to add sales tax and a cover for protection (will cost you about $30-$50). Since it will be used primarily for school, then we would recommend buying the keyboard dock. It's useful for typing long emails, notetaking or creating docs with the Pages app. That adds $69. In my experience and honest opinion, I don't recommend going the iPad way. The iPad can be useful with productive apps, but it's still limited and can be expensive. For instance, to print stuff from the iPad, you'd have to buy a compatible HP printer (AirPrint is only compatible with select HP printers). And, you'll need a computer to sync, backup and update the iPad. It's not realistic to use the iPad as a stand-alone device for school work. A laptop or netbook may be your best choices.

 

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 Android:

 

• Mark recommends: Vlingo Virtual Assistant for Android, FREE or $1.99 to remove ads

 

"This app was one of my favorites on my old BlackBerry, giving me the ability to speak to the phone and have it do things like send text messages, read my email to me, dictate replies, open applications like the calendar, etc. When I switched to Android, I was sad to lose it. Android's built in voice recognition is nowhere near as good. Well, Vlingo for Android is out. And if you don't mind looking at ads, it's even free. I recall playing $17 for this app on my BlackBerry, so paying $1.99 to remove the ads on my Android phone didn't phase me in the least. Just as before, you just talk to it. You can tell it to do almost anything (within reason, of course, "bring me a beer" still won't work, but "find me a place to buy beer" would). It has the InCar mode with a single touch where it will read incoming texts and respond to the phrase "Hey Vlingo" to wake up, not requiring you to touch your phone at all. It's in the Android Market now, highly recommended." -- Mark



For iOS:

 

• Rob recommends: Snapseed, FREE




"Probably one of the best photo-enhancing apps on the App Store! Aside from doing the regular tweaking (cropping, straightening and auto-tuning) any you can add some really cool effects. And, like on Photoshop, you can select where you want to add the effect with the "Selective Adjust" tool. It doesn't have to be on the entire picture like other apps do. The app has instructions that show you how to adjust and play with the tools and settings. My favorite effects are the Vintage and Grunge filters."

 

-- Rob Example:



Original picture



After applying Snapseed's "Grunge" effect

 

• Chris recommends: FBI Child ID, FREE

"The free FBI Child ID app provides a convenient place to electronically store photos and vital information about your child so that it's literally right at hand if your child goes missing." Tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast for more details.

 

What are your favorite apps? Let us know!

 

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

 

 

 

Patty in Guam asked: "I believe my computer has frozen up on me. I need my information because I am a librarian and I'm cataloging information in a library program. I don't know how to get it unfrozen. I press control, something and delete, and nothing. I press escape and nothing happens. I turned it off and back on and nothing happens. I get a popup that comes in saying your monitor is working, but check your PC. I'm frustrated. Can you please tell me how to unfreeze my computer?"

 

You may not be able to, if restarting it is not making it come back. It's possible that your facing a hardware issue. Depending on what hardware issue it is, you may still be able to get your information back.

Basically, if your hard drive is still working, you should still be able to access everything that was in there. The problem is that we cannot tell you if that's the issue from here, we'd need to have access to your machine.

Unfortunately, the only way you're gonna be able to get this machine up and running again is by having someone look at it and figure out what's wrong in person. You can probably have someone visit you or visit a local computer repair shop or electronics store in your area.

 

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

 

Amanda in Miami Lakes listens online and asked: "I have a touchscreen in my car. What's the best way to clean it?"

 

There are a few good ways to safely clean touchscreens. One is to simply use a microfiber cloth with some distilled water. Wring out most of the water leaving the cloth slightly damp. The reason you want to use distilled vs. tap water for this is that distilled water doesn't contain the microscopic impurities and minerals that, over time, could damage the screen.

CHRIS: Another way is to buy a "screen cleaning kit" that includes anti-static wipes. These kits typically use the proper chemicals to safely clean without damaging your screen. One product we use here for everything from touchscreens to laptops is Zagg Wipes XL Gadget Cleaning Wipes. These are also antibacterial, so that helps kill any germs that are on your screen from people's fingers. You can find Zagg Wipes XL online at places like Amazon.com for about ten bucks.

MARK: One thing you don't want to do, though, on a touchscreen or even a TV, is use glass cleaner. Glass cleaner usually has ammonia or alcohol in it that can damage your screen over time.
(cg)

ROB: We've also used a product called "Screen Guard Foam Cleaning Spray" on our electronics with touchscreens. It's safe for LCD & Plasma, Navigation Screens, cell phones, keyboards, and Laptops. It comes with a micro fiber towel. Screen Guard is available online for under $17.

 

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

 

Michael in Tyler, Texas listening on KTBB 92.1 FM asked: "Is it true that you can save a cell phone by putting it in a bowl of uncooked rice when it gets wet?

 

"It's not 100% fool proof, but yes, sometimes it can work. Rice absorbs moisture easily and sometimes leaving a wet cell phone in a bowl of uncooked rice can be enough to dry it and make it work again.

Keep in mind that you will have to leave it in the rice for a long time, you can't just put it down for half an hour and then just expect it to work, and that it's not a fix for every cell phone that gets wet, if you take your cell phone out for a swim every morning, all the rice in India won't save it.

Having said that, if you happened to drop your phone in water, take out the battery right away, and put it in a bowl of rice for a few days, it may have a chance!

Back in December of 2008, Rob tested this and other theories to save a drowned cell phone, and here's the video of that experiment for your enjoyment.

 

 

 

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

 

 

Listener Art asked: "Why would Netgear come out with a DSL modem/wireless router, when DSL is slow and old technology?"

 

DSL isn't necessarily slow and old, in some places (places with decent phone lines) you can get very respectable DSL speeds.

Generally speaking cable is faster and fiber optic lines even faster, but phone lines are more common than cable TV, so DSL can be very convenient for a lot of people who may not have cable, or access to cable internet.

And then there's the obvious economic reason, it doesn't matter if DSL is the top of the line, best way to get internet or not, what matters is that it's popular and as long as it's popular Netgear and it's competitors will try make and try to sell DSL modems.

 

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

 

HOUR 2:

 

Tech News & Commentary

 

Tim from Decatur, Illinois listening on 100.9 FM asked: "Hi Dave, I'm looking for a Bluetooth stereo device that I can hook up to my stock radio in my car. Thanks."

 

There are a few products out there that you can look at. What you really need is a Bluetooth reciever that has an FM transmitter built-into it. Our team has uncovered one that will do just what you are looking for.

The Motorokr T505 Bluetooth, makes calls hands free and allows you to listen to your tunes with features like echo/noise reductions and loudness control. The Bluetooth technology will stream your music or favorite talk show, such as into tomorrow right from your phone or MP3 player to the Motorokr T505. The digital FM transmitter let's you make and take calls and your music will pause while you'll take your calls.

The Station finder technology searches the FM dial for you to find the best station to transmit to. Press a button and Station finder will find and announce the best FM station for you to tune to. This portable solution clips to the visor, so that it can be taken from car to car.

The Motorola Motorok T505 is available online for about $56.

 

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

 

 

 

Samantha in Miami Lakes, Florida listening online and asked: "I have a friend who lives in Dublin, Ireland. She's coming over for the summer. If she has the iPhone 4 on whatever the carrier is there, what does she need to make the phone work here?"

 

Assuming she doesn't want to put up with roaming charges, the first thing she should look into is whether her iPhone 4 is carrier locked or not. The iPhone has been for sale unlocked for a long time in Europe, and many phone companies sell it, so it is possible that she either got it unlocked from the start, or can get it unlocked by her cell phone company for a cheap fee (O2, the first company to sell the iPhone in the UK and Ireland will unlock it for some of it's users for about €10 ~ About $14 U.S.).

She also has the option of unlocking the phone herself, it will be free, but it will also require re-syncing all of her information and the phone will likely become carrier-locked again the next time it gets a software update. Once the phone is unlocked she needs a local a micro-SIM card, she's only likely to be able to get a micro-SIM in the US from AT&T since no other phone companies are using them yet. The good news is that only difference between one of those and a standard SIM card is the size of the plastic around the chip, T-Mobile has been known to have their own sales people cut normal SIMs into micro-SIMs for iPhone 4 users, and they work just fine, she could even do it herself if she doesn't mind taking the risk.

Once the phone is unlocked it's just a matter of finding a decent plan for the phone, T-Mobile offers several plans that don't require a long term contract, they even offer a pre-paid plan that would give her unlimited minutes, texts and internet for $70 a month, she doesn't even need to cancel it before she leaves. Since it's prepaid if she doesn't pay she doesn't get the minutes, texts and data, but she doesn't owe any money.

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

 

Joel from Harkers, Island, North Carolina called in via the Android App and listens to the podcasts and asked: "I've been a smartphone user for the last three years but before that I used Palm OS for over a decade. I've been able to find a suitable replacement for most of my Palm apps, everything except the Desktop and my memos and notes. I can do without the desktop but I really miss my over 5000 notes that I had acquired over the years. So far I can't find a way to transfer those notes to the iOS or to the Android, can you help?"

 

The newest version of Note Everything for Android can import both Palm and Windows Phone notes straight from Palm Desktop or Outlook. The process is pretty simple, you need to use Palm Desktop to save the notes to a .CSV (or comma separated values) file, put that file on your phone's SD card and import the notes from inside Note Everything. We should mention Note Everything is free.

That's an overview, but if you come by our website and we'll link you to detailed step by step instructions from this week's show notes.

As for iOS, you can try Memos, it costs $7.99 (there is a free version, but it's limited to 5 notes -- not even 1/1000th of what you need), but it can import Palm memos, you're also going to need Palm Desktop, but you should be able to transfer all your memos into your iOS devices as well.

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

 

 

 

Tim in Erie, Pennsylvania listens online and asked: "What do you guys think of this thing called "Dropbox"? I'm thinking about getting one. What do you think about it? Yes? No? Maybe?"

 

Dropbox is another form of "Cloud Storage", which is really gaining in popularity nowadays. Storing things in the cloud or across multiple devices is a great way to backup your data, while making your files accessable from anywhere you have Internet access.

The way Dropbox works is very simple. You install the software on your computer and it creates a "Dropbox" folder. Anything you put in that folder will be accessable from a mobile device, another computer, or their website. You can also copy files into a "Public" folder it creates. this will assign a link to the file that you can give to anyone, so they can get a file without logging into your account and seeing everything you have.

I started using Dropbox recently and I love it. It has made it so easy to share files between my computer and iPhone. I signed up for the 2GB free account and have found that it is plenty of storage for what I've needed. I use it as temporary storage for files that I either need to access on the road or share with others. I've found it to be very easy to use and would definitely recommend it. Especially since you can sign up for 2GB for free. You can see if you like it before spending any money. Then, if you decide you need more space, you can pay for more storage.

Dropbox is more of a drag-and-drop cloud service vs. other companies that are more set-it-and-forget-it. You have to drag new files into your Dropbox folder to upload them. Earlier in the show, we had a guest from SugarSync. I signed up with them and enjoy their service. Don't get me wrong though, I also like Dropbox. But, I'm liking SugarSync more because the folders and files that I choose are automatically updated in the cloud and are accessible from anywhere in the world.

Dropbox also has an Android client that allows you to copy files into your Dropbox from a computer and access them later from a smartphone. Things like office documents, PDF files, pictures, videos, etc. Dropbox has clients available, in fact, for just about every computer or mobile platform.

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

 

Sue in South Lion, Michigan listening on CKLW AM 800 out of Windsor, Ontario Canada asked: "I'm in my 50s. I'd like to know if an Apple iPad or "Verizon same kind of thing" is too hard for me to work."

 

No, you should be fine.

The whole point of the iPad and it's competitors is that they are intuitive, you want to read your emails, just touch the email icon and they're there ... you want to look at your photos, just touch the photos icon ... is the photo too small?; use your fingers to stretch it out to a bigger size. Tablets are a lot easier to use than regular computers. They're more limited in what they can do, but they're far easier to use.

The iPad will most likely be easier that the rest of the Verizon alternatives, that's not because the other ones are hard to use, but because Apple requires that all apps display the same behavior. With Android-based tablets some apps follow the standard and some don't, 90% of the time it's fine and it's easy enough, but sometimes it can get confusing and frustrating when a developer decides that a button that means "up" on every single other application will mean "down" in his.

Even taking that into account, all tablets are fairly intuitive and you should be more than able to use any of them without a problem, people far older than "in their 50s" are using them daily without too many problems. If you want to be sure that you'll get along with a tablet, go down to a Verizon store, they'll have both iPads and competitors and should be able to have a look, try them out and see how comfortable you feel using them, but we have no doubt you'll be able to use whatever tablet you choose and enjoy it without any problems.

There are a couple of us here on the Into Tomorrow staff who are rumored to be in our fifth decade, and we have no trouble at all working computers, tablets, and smartphones. The devices themselves aren't as much of an issue as the apps you choose to run on them. We very much encourage you to try one out, whether a smartphone or tablet, and we can almost guarantee that you'll wonder how you ever managed without it.

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

 

Steve, calling via our Android App, listens to the podcast and asked "I have to use a VPN from my work computer and the problem is I have a Wireless printer at the house and I can't seem to print when I'm logged on to VPN, when I'm not logged in I can get it to print. It's one of the HPs I can't remember the number exactly, it's one of the ones where you can print through email which works really slick, it's really cool, but I want it to just print wirelessly when I'm doing work at home and it won't. I was wondering if you can tell me how I can make that happen when my VPN is on to print at home. Thank you and have a good day."

 

The router shouldn't be at all connected with your printer's driver problems, unless you're talking about a network printer. If that's the case, it's possible that either the printer itself or the router needs to be setup to play nice with each other.

We can't tell you exactly what the set up will be without knowing what printer model you're having trouble with, but your manual should be able to help you.

If your printer connects directly to your computer, there's no reason for the router to interfere with the connection at all, but you should probably attempt to reinstall the drivers anyway because, for whatever reason (even if it's unrelated to the router), your computer and printer are not talking to each other and a fresh installation might replace whatever configuration file broke down along the way.

You say "the laptop" can't find the printer, does that mean you have additional computers on that network? Can they still print to the printer? If we had to guess, we would guess that the printer was configured to use a static IP address within the dynamic range of addresses provided to computers by the old router. The new router probably uses a different IP address range, which the computers simply adapt to, but the printer is still configured with an address in the old range.

Most printers must have static addresses because once the print driver finds the printer, it creates a TCP-IP port to use in communicating with it. It will do this only once, the first time it scans the printer, so the printer must not keep changing addresses. Assuming this turns out to be the case, once you've changed the printer's address, you will need to either change the IP address on the port being used for that printer in Windows or Mac OS, OR you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the printer, which should re-run the port scan.

Or better yet, if you have a geeky friend who likes troubleshooting this sort of stuff, offer him or her some pizza and beer, or sushi and saki if that's more to taste, and ask for some assistance.

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

 

 

Facebook Message from John asked: "My girlfriend got a new wireless router. Do printer drivers need to be re-installed when a new router is installed? The laptop is not finding the printer."

 

Without getting too technical, the reason you can't print at home when you're connected to the VPN is because the VPN is essentially lying to your computer. What you do when you connect to a VPN -- or Virtual private Network -- is use secure channels so that you can connect to your office's internal network from outside of it, the reason you don't do that through normal channels is because you don't want to give everyone in the world access to your office's private computers.

The VPN network instead adds layers of security to ensure that if you got access to the office's network it's because you belong there, and since you belong there you can use it freely... here's where the lie comes in... once you've passed the security hurdles, your computer's VPN adapter kinda tells the computer "you're not at home, you're at the office" and the computer thinks that it's directly connected to the office's network (even though it may actually be thousands of miles away from it).

Since your computer is now acting like it's at the office, when you tell it "connect to my home printer and print this page" it asks the office's network "can you connect me to this printer?" and the office network just says "no, no such printer here..." and the print request gets discarded.

There is a way to get around this, it's not hard, but it is kind of technical. You're going to need your printer's and your router's IP Addresses, so instead of telling you on the air, why don't you come by our website, we'll give you the command so you can copy and paste it and explain how to get the information you need to use it successfully.

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

 

 

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT with Rob: "Tablet Keyboards" Several tablet owners prefer buying hard keyboards and case combos for typing on the go. For instance, Dave always carry his trusty Zaggmate Keyboard Case with my iPad. This week Rob's got a few keyboard options for your tablets – both Android and the iPad.

Products: 1) Tablet Bluetooth Keyboard for Android and iPad • Low profile keyboard • Keys are nicely spaced (very similar to laptop keyboards) • Carrying case functions as a protective cover for the keyboard while on the go … and as a stand for your tablet. • Compatible with tablets running Android 3.0 or newer • Powered by 4 AAA batteries • Buy online between $60-$70   2) Tablet Mouse by Logitech • For devices running Android 3.1 or newer • Scroll up and down on web pages and documents • Scroll through your home pages and apps nicely • $50   3) iTablet Bluetooth Thumb Keyboard • Looks like a game console controller • Backlit keys & a built-in rear-facing touchpad • Rechargeable via a USB cable • $99-$130

 

John in Hartland, Michigan listens on 800 CKLW asked: "I was wondering if you guys have seen the new FBI Child ID mobile app and wondering what your opinion of it was."

 

Yes, we have. In fact, Chris highlighted it on last week's show in our "Favorite Apps of the Week" segment. Sorry you missed it.

We think it is a very usefull app. You can store indentifying information for your children and with one click, send that info to the authorities in the even your child goes missing. The app also includes tips on keeping children safe as well as specific guidance on what to do in those first few crucial hours after a child goes missing. There are also single click buttons that will connect you to either your local 911 operator or the Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

What we don't like about the app, is that it is not password protected. Granted, you're not storing things like social security numbers or addresses, but if you're gonna have pictures and physical descriptions of your children, you'd probably want that information secure. There's no telling if that could become a problem if your phone gets lost and ends up in the wrong hands.

Hopefully they'll think of that in future updates.

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

Shawn in Indianapolis, Indiana calling via the Free Into Tomorrow App asked: "My question has to do with the Dell Streak 7 that I currently own. When I did the latest update to take me to Honeycomb, I lost the ability to download movies from the Google Marketplace. There is a video player app that's tied to Roxio now, that if I set up an account will let me download movies, but I hate the idea of having to have another website or program with my credit card floating around. Is there anything I can do to get back the full Android Marketplace short of rooting my Dell? or am I stuck with Dell's offerings?"

 

It is possible to install the newest version of the Android Market (the one with movie rentals) to your device without jailbreaking it. Typically, you should just wait to get the official update that will definitely be supported by your tablet, and that will definitely come from a trusted source.

If you really can't wait, you can download the app from an unofficial source into your computer, then use a USB cable to transfer it to your phone, unplug the phone from the computer, and from your phone using a file management app like ASTRO, open the file. That should overwrite the old market and replace it with the new one.

We have read that Google and Dell are porting the new market to the Dell Streak family, so it might be safer for you to just wait until the new version comes out, that way you'll get software that was tested for your device specifically and that comes from a trusted source and not some anonymous forum poster online.

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

 

HOUR 3:

Tech News & Commentary

 

Bruce in Haynesville, Kansas listens to the podcast and asked: "I have a Samsung Epic on Sprint. How do you erase unused Bluetooth devices from the profile? I'm running Android 2.2, I believe. Also, Sprint has an 'ID Screen'. How do I erase it?"

 

Erasing the unused bluetooth devices should be pretty simple. From the home screen hit the menu button, then settings and then go to Wireless, from there go to bluetooth settings and you should get that list of devices, some of which you don't use.

To get rid of one, just long-press it (meaning leave your finger over it for about 3 seconds), a menu should pop up giving you the option to "unpair" ... touch "unpair" and that should get that particular device off the list. Just repeat the same procedure as needed.

To stop the vendor's branding screen from appearing when you power the phone on, if that's what you mean by "ID screen," you would have to root your Android device. When you root the device, you replace the factory ROMs (Read Only Memory, or the chips that store your Android operating system inside the phone) with generic, and usually more recent, Android ROMs. Rooting your phone is entirely legal, it's not hard, and a lot of people do it.

However, it most certainly does void the warranty, and Sprint will offer you precisely zero support once they've discovered you rooted the phone. Also, some apps don't work properly on rooted phones. But if you're determined to press ahead, just google "rooting samsung epic" and that should put you on the trail of ROM images you can use. If something goes wrong, however, it'll be a long, slow walk to the Sprint store to ask them to reset your phone back to the factory settings.

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

 

Ed in Springfield, Tennessee listening on WDBL and asked: "I have a Sony camcorder that's a few years old. It records on MiniDVD. It gives me an error when trying to finalize the DVDs. When I put them into a computer drive, there are no files showing. I'd like to have the movies that I made. Is there any software to rebuild the data on these DVDs, or a trick to get the movies to display? I have both a Mac and a PC."

 

This one's gonna be down to luck. A couple of different things may happen depending on how lucky you get.

1) You could see the files on a computer. That would've been the best case, but you already know that's unfortunately not the case for you.

2) You may be able to recover the files with specialized software even if Windows or Mac OS X can't see them on their own.

3) You may either need to give up or send the disk to a professional recovery service.

Since you already know that case 1 won't work for you, let's focus on number 2. There are a few programs you can use to try to recover the files. We suggest you start with either Handbreak for the Mac (completely free), or with ISOBurn for Windows (free to try, but you have to pay a $30 license to recover files). If you see the files with either one of those programs, you should be able to rip them to your computer and either watch them from there or use a regular DVD burning software to copy them to a another DVD.

Another program that may help you is CDRoller for Windows. It's $34, but some people have reported success with it. We suggest you try the other ones first, since you can see whether or not they can read the files before paying for any license, but if all else fails it might be worth a try.

We have run into one case where ISOBurn could not recover the files and the company told the user they were disappointed their software couldn't help him and offered him to refund the license fee. And, if he wanted to send them the DVD, to try to recover the video themselves. We don't have any personal experience dealing with them, but we think that speaks well about them and they may be worth trying. If you want to try professional recovery services, keep in mind they will be pricey, we have run into flat fees of $100 per disk and above.

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

 

 

Ron in Eerie, Pennsylvania listening on WPSE 1450 and asked: "I'm interested in converting an old satellite receiver to an over-the-air TV antenna."

 

It will take some work. The satellite dish itself cannot be used to receive over-the-air TV signals. They're different technologies that work with different frequencies and are used for different purposes. Even many of the satellite receivers that have a connection for an antenna won't work for over-the-air, unless you also have a satellite dish connected to it. What you can do is use an antenna that clips on to your satellite dish and uses the cables that already run into your house to carry the signal.

Basically, the setup works like this: You clip the antenna onto your dish, connect the cable from the dish to the new antenna, and then at the other end of the wire (inside your home) use a "diplexer" to split the satellite and TV signals. A diplexer is just a cable splitter that has one input and two outputs, one for VHF/UHF signals for regular over-the-air TV, and one for satellite signals.

The catch here is that this may or may not work, because you may actually have more than one cable running from the satellite dish to your TVs. For example, you may have one cable that runs to your living room and from there splits off into your kitchen, and a second individual cable that runs into your bedroom. If you connect the antenna to your bedroom's cable, then you won't see an improvement on the living room's TV. Unless you know how the house is wired, get ready to face a little disappointment if you decide to attempt this.

The costs you're looking at (if you decide to go for it) are around $60 to as much as $100 for a clip on antenna. You could make one for a lot less, but if you buy an already made one, it'll cost you around that. A signal splitter (the "diplexer") per room isn't very expensive. You can find them for as little as a few dollars -- for less than $10. A lot of clip-on antennas are sold as a kit that already includes several splitters.

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

 

Tom in Southwest Virginia listens to the Podcast and asked: "I was listening to the podcast and heard the caller ask about tablets. I am writing this on my Archos 101. Even though it is only Android 2.2, I have been very pleased with it. Archos now has announced their new Gen 9. This runs Android Honeycomb. Please be sure to check it out at IFA. The specs look awesome! 1.5 dual core processor, 3G capability, and still a very thin body with a 10.1-inch screen. One more thing is the available 250 GB hard drive. Of course it is 3mm thicker than the standard. I think it is supposed to be under $400. I look forward to hearing what you think."

 

The Archos 101 G9 looks really interesting! Not only does it have the powerful 1.5GHz processor you mentioned, along with Honeycomb and the option to add the huge 250GB hard drive, but it can also connect to a TV via an HDMI cable, mirror the display on the TV and can be controlled by an Android phone. It can also receive content from a networked computer via WiFi.

An interesting feature of the Archos G9 tablets is that their 3G capabilities come from a USB drive that is compatible with computer and doesn't plug-in as much as "dock" inside the tablet.

 

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

 

 

 

 

Josiah in Wichita, Kansas listens via the iPhone App and asked: "I've been looking at the iOS 5 details that Apple put out and I was wondering what you think of it? Also, what's your opinion on the newest Android OS?"

 

For starters, for the patent-infringement-sue-crazy Apple, there are a lot of similarities between the new iOS 5 features and stuff I've been doing on Android for a long time! For instance, the Notification Bar. Just like Android, you can see all of your notifications aggregated in a drop down menu at the top of the screen. And, if you're playing a game or browsing the web, instead of having a blue window pop-up in the middle of the screen, you'll see a message pop-up at the top of the screen. Now, why do they have to copy Android? Running out of ideas? A lot of the stuff they are releasing with iOS 5 is already done with Android and other mobile platforms.

Rob is excited about the notification bar. He really hates when he unlocks his iPad and a bunch of reminders and other notifications take a long time to clear. With this notification bar, all calendar reminders, messages, email and app notifications will be hidden together. He is also excited about other features like:

1) iMessage: You'll be able to text, send pictures or videos, locations and contacts to any iOS 5 user over WiFi or 3G. Basically, you'll be texting for free!

2) To-Do List Reminders: I love making lists on the notepad on my iPhone. I use it whenever I go shopping for groceries or household items. With reminders, you'll be able to check-off completed tasks on your list and setup reminders before or when you arrive at a store. You can do this with third party apps, but now it will be integrated in your phone.

3) Twitter Integration: You'll be able to tweet photos directly from your library without using a third party app.

4) Camera/Photos: You'll be able to access the camera from the lock screen with a camera icon to the right of the "lock" bar. You'll also have simple photo-editing features like cropping, enhance and red-eye reduction.

5) Rob's most favorite is the Split Keyboard ... especially on the iPad. He loves thumb-typing on his iDevices. But, the iPad's big screen makes it a little difficult. The split keyboard is going to make thumb-typing convenient.

A cool feature a lot of iPhone users have been waiting for is wireless sync. With iOS 5, you'll be able to sync your iOS device to your Mac or PC over a shared Wi-Fi connection. Every time you connect your iOS device to a power source (say, overnight for charging), it automatically syncs and backs up any new content to iTunes.

 

iOS 5's Notification Bar

 

iOS 5's Lists

 

iOS 5 adds a camera button even while the phone is locked

 

iOS 5's split keyboard on the iPad

 

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

 

Leroy in East Point, Michigan listening via our FREE “Into Tomorrow” Android App and asked: "I'm wondering about this "cloud" that everyone is talking about. Is it for the average consumer? Is it safe, secure? Is it free? Do you have to pay for it? Who offers it? I know upload speeds are much slower than download speeds. I've heard that some companies after a certain amount do something you called "throttling". I'd like to know more about it. Is it accessible from any other computer, since you have it? Is it like any of those online storage solutions, like some that I've heard advertised?"

Well, you may be slightly disappointed when we answer your question...

You see, when you're designing a network and you need to make a diagram you draw a little desktop computer to signify a workstation, a little desktop-style tower to represent a server and when you want to draw something that happens outside your network you draw a little cloud and a line connecting it to your network.

The little cloud represents some fuzzy outside entity that interacts with your private network and, for example, delivers data or connects distant offices, but is handled outside your domain, so you don't have to worry about messing with it's design... 99% of the time that outside entity they call "the cloud" is... THE INTERNET!

When you hear about anyone talking about "cloud services" that means "internet services", programs that run in someone else's server, but that you can access from your computer, you can connect to them and use them. But, they're not physically stored in your computer, you access them via the internet.

Now, is it for the general consumer? It often is, webmail is a cloud service, so are Google Docs, so are online backup services, so is IRS e-filing, all of them are for consumers. Just like with software that you install directly on your system, a lot of cloud services are not for the general consumer, for example, if you're a police officer nowadays, you probably have a laptop in your car that lets you access law enforcement databases, that's a cloud service that will not be accessible to the general consumer.

Some services you pay for, like most online backup services or Netflix instant videos, some are free, like online maps and most webmail access.

Are they secure? they tend to be, if a company is careless they can make unsafe services, but reputable cloud services are typically very secure.

Since cloud services are not stored on your hard drive they are generally accessible anywhere and from any computer.

Now some of what you asked is not directly related to cloud services: upload and download speeds are typically different not because of cloud services, but because of ISPs. People tend to download much more than they upload so the connection's upload speeds tend to be slower unless the user requests a symmetrical connection from their ISP, and usually pays considerably more for it.

The same goes for throttling, it's not related to cloud services, that's something some ISPs do. Those ISPs will give you a certain amount of data you can download and from that point on they consider you a heavy user and throttle you, meaning they slow your connection down so you can't download as much data in the same amount of time.

So there you go, the cloud is nothing more than the internet, and cloud services are nothing more than programs that run off an internet server and are accessed via the internet instead of needing to be installed on your computer directly.

 

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

 

Listener Willie asked: "What do you guys think about AT&T not supplying their customers with 4G on their iPhone 4 phones? Still, they say they are the best and the fastest for internet while talking at the same time!"

 

This one's not really on AT&T, Apple doesn't make an iPhone that can achieve 4G speeds... then again AT&T's can now technically call their speed 4G, but it's really what they used to call "enhanced 3G"...

Regardless of AT&Ts half truths though, Apple just doesn't make an iPhone that can use 4G networks yet, so for now, neither AT&T nor anyone else will be able to offer iPhone 4 users 4G speeds simply because the hardware isn't there.

 

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

 

Tim from Decatur, Illinois listening on 100.9 FM asked: "I'm looking for a Bluetooth stereo device that I can hook up to my stock radio in my car. Thanks."

 

There are a few products out there that you can look at. What you really need is a Bluetooth reciever that has an FM transmitter built-into it. Our team has uncovered one that will do just what you are looking for.

The Motorokr T505 Bluetooth, makes calls hands free and allows you to listen to your tunes with features like echo/noise reductions and loudness control. The Bluetooth technology will stream your music or favorite talk show, such as into tomorrow right from your phone or MP3 player to the Motorokr T505. The digital FM transmitter let's you make and receive calls and your music will pause while you'll take your calls.

The Station finder technology searches the FM dial for you to find the best station to transmit to. Press a button and Station finder will find and announce the best FM station for you to tune to. This portable solution clips to the visor, so that it can be taken from car to car.

The Motorokr T505 is available online starting around $30.

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

 

 

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

 

 

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This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners

Boingo: Two months of FREE Boingo WiFi Service available at hundreds of thousands of hotspots worldwide

G-Technology: Several G-Drive Slim 1/2 a Terabyte (500GB) Silver Hard Drives

Solar Components: Several JOOS Orange Portable Solar Chargers – Designed to charge all personal electronic devices (cell phones, smart phones, MP3 players, GPS devices, portable game devices and more)

 

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