Back To Stock: Tired of a those gimics cluttering your Android phone? The Verge has you covered.

For most Android users, your phone's User Interface (UI) isn't as clean and simple as the nice folks at Google intended. What you have is what the maker of your particular phone thought the UI should look like to stand out from all the other Android phones out at the time. Now I happen to like the version of HTC Sense that came with my HTC Inspire a year and a half ago when I bought it (yeah, almost time for an upgrade) but an update about six months ago changed the lock screen, and I hate it.

Thankfully Android allows you to change the UI yourself, and lots of software makers have come up with solutions to your interface issues. The good people at The Verge have some cool tips to fix a few of the most common gripes with manufacturer altered UIs (including Lock Screens and Keyboards) and a lot of them are free!

Check it out at The Verge ... Full Story

CNET test drives the Razor Edge gaming tablet

No, it's not a Surface Pro with joysticks stuck to it... It's better!

The Razor Edge gaming tablet is a Windows 8 tablet alright, but it was built with serious fun in mind. The top end model features 1.9/3Ghz I7 processor, 8 gigs of RAM. a 2 Gb Nvidia graphics card, and 256 Gb solid state drive. It's also comes with that sweet controller dock which turns it into a giant handheld gaming console. It's also features a HDMI port and can output video at full 1080p resolution. The dock also features a slot at the back for a spare battery for all day gaming sessions. The only thing this sweet package doesn't have is an expansion card slot. That's right, there's not even an SD card slot, which so far is the only thing I don't like about it, but it does have a single USB 3.0 port and when you add the game dock you get three more, so an external card reader isn't out of the question.

So... How much will all this mobile gaming awesomeness set you back? $1449 USD. Not cheap, but if you're a hardcore gamer who's got places to be, it's might bet worth it. There's also a $999 model (about the same price as a Surface Pro) which has a 1.7/2.6Ghz I5 chip and less memory.

For more info, check out CNET's full review

Oh, BTW

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, other projects have been keeping me busy and or tired the last few days. I'll try to get back to posting regularly this week.

Lots of news...

The Galaxy SIV has been unveiled! There are rumors about new Nexus 7s, and delays for the retina iPad Mini. An Apple executive made a dig about Android at a press event (expect a rant about that). All that and more once I've had some sleep...

So stay tuned....

Please...

I'm soo lonely...

(Just joking. Not about the loneliness part, but you can pretty much do whatever ya want! LOL. Tired now!)

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 goes on sale for $179.99, is now a good time to buy?

Samsung's line up of tablets and smart phones is constantly expanding, with flagship and budget models all over the place. The Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 isn't exactly new, but it has always been a good choice for those wanting a 7 inch Android tablet. With prices dropping, and a newer model almost certainly in the works, is now a good time to buy?

Yes and No.

If you have to have the latest OS version, most recent updates, and fastest processor then No. Go for the Nexus 7, or wait for one of the gaming tablets due out in the next few months (rumors are starting to circle about a new Nexus 7, just BTW).

If your interested in a good, solid, well made tablet, or you just want to see what all the fuss about tablets is all about, and you don't want to spend an arm and a leg, you could do a lot worse then this smooth running little tablet. (Trust me, I have)

Read my full Quick Review Here

Rumor Mill: 3D Camera on the Galaxy S4?

With the offical launch event tomorrow, there are still rumors floating around the interwebs about the Samsung Galaxy S4. The newest batch of rumors seem to focus on a patent that Samsung is said to have applied for concerning "2D 3D Movie and Still" technology. I wouldn't hold my breath on this one though, honestly, because the 3D gimic has been tried before with smartphones and the publics responce was a resounding "Meh"!

Also, "leaked photos" of the new S4 have been trumped by alleged "leaked video" of someone testing the new phone. Most people aren't taking these videos too seriously since the phone being tested looks suspiciously like a Galaxy Note 2.

One thing that has been all but confirmed is that new Galaxy S4 will probably have a plastic casing. When asked, a company official said that this is most likey to speed up production since demand for the phone is expected to be pretty high, and to make the phone more shock resistant (plastic absord impacted force better, while metal transmits it to other componants).

Don't Panic: Today's Google Doodle honors the 61st Birthday of Writer Douglas Adams

Douglas Noel Adams. Creator of
the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
(March 11, 1952-May 11, 2001)

If you don't know why this post is titled "Don't Panic", then please head to a library or the Kindle Store and check out one of Douglas Adams books, ASAP!  (Don't Panic is, of coarse a referance to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, perhaps Adam's most famous peice of work. It was writen as a radio show for BBC Radio, but later became a TV show, a stage play, a novel, and finally a feature film. The novel and radio show spawned so many sequels that the term Trilogy can no longer be used for legal reasons.)

Douglas Adams is, without a doubt, my favorite author. His wit and humor, though devilishly subtle and subversive at times, managed to do something humor so rarely can, but Adams was ever so good at, making you think. His take on Alien politics, trans-dimensional philosophy, and the nature of exsistance in the Hitchhiker series was in many ways, as thought provoking as it was hilarious. For those who read between the lines, you couldn't help but notice the parallels between Douglas' fictional universe and the obsurdity of real life. And for those who only took his writing at face value, they were still treated to a wacky, humor filled trip through time, space, life, death, and alternative reality.

In the 1990's, Adams became increasingly facinated with technology and the environment. He penned Last Chance to See with Mark Carwardine, which talked about the extinction of species all over the world and , using his trade-mark wit, chided foolish humans for our short-sitedness.

So, why you ask, is a blog about technology rambling on and on about a humorist and sci-fi writer? Because he was funny, brilliant, and frequently right!

If you haven't already, check out The Salmon of Doubt: Hitchhiking the Universe One Last Time . It's collection of notes, ideas and articles by Adams published after his death in 2001.  In several places throughout the book he talks about his love of technology and his observations of why it doesn't really work. From attempting to type out an article on an old palm-top computer while in the bath, to attempting to predict the future, to why we all have so many damn charger "dongles" laying around the house, Adams' is hilarious, insiteful and right on the money. If you're a lover of technology, Sci-Fi, or you like a good "it's funny 'cause it's true" laugh, check out Salmon of Doubt and the rest of Douglas Adams' work. Your brain will love you for the rest of your life!

"It's a tough universe! There's lots of people out there trying to rob you, con you, do you, kill you... Everything! If you want to survive, you've really got to know where you towel is!"
- Ford Prefect, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Gaming Review: EA's Real Racing 3

I noticed, a days ago, that EA Games (makers of Need for Speed: Most Wanted) have a new driving game for Android. (Okay, I'm waylate on this, but A.) Nobody tells me this stuff ahead of time and B.) It's a 1.7 Gb download and I have DSL so it takes forever.)

Anyway, I got around to downloading it, because I love racing games, and I was curious about the claim that it was a realistic racing game with no Nitrous, no Slow-mo, no gimics. Well, after the lengthly download, the game loads up and the opening animatic plays. Already the graphics look great (Haven't messed with the settings to see just how high is up, yet). Maybe not top of the line new console great, but really great for a mobile game. Once gameplay starts, it lives up to it's claim. You can upgrade the cars and buy new cars with in-game cash, but unlike other past EA titles, you also have to maintain the cars you have by changing the oil, replacing the tires and repairing in-game damage.

Also, this game uses Time Shifted Multiplayer. This feature lets you race against the times of other racers though the game does adjust their performace so that you can interact with the other cars.

Overall, after just an hour or so of gameplay, I have to say it's a good game, good graphics, fun gameplay.

That said, there is at least one thing I found annoying. When you do required maintenance, there's a time delay. what I mean is when you select change oil from the maintenance menu you have to wait 5 minutes while the oil is being changed, or sacrifice in-game rewards points to have it done now. That would get old fast if you have alot of maintenance to do.

Other then that, good game, I can see it being alot of fun on a slow tuesday night. BTW, did I mention that it's FREE! For that price, lets call it awesome!

The White House Agrees with You: Cell Phone Unlocking should be Legal

A while back I did an article on the recent ruling by the Library of Congress, that unlocking your cell phone so that it can be used on a different carriers network is now illegal. I knew this was gonna be a hot button issue, I even signed an online petition to reconsider the decision ( and as a rule, I usually don't sign petitions ) and so did 114,321 others who were no doubt as pissed as I was.

Well folks, It appears that the Obama administration agrees with those of us outraged because we can't use a device that we have already paid for on the carrier of our choosing. The White House even sent out an email to signers of the petition, pledging it's support to find a legislative fix to the problem.

So, what does this mean? Well don't go unlocking your old phone just yet, because even though the White House is on the case, a legal solution may be months away ( it's not like the folks in Washington don't have bigger problems right now, like... um, part of the federal government shutting down for budget reasons ). The up side is that at least the government has finally acknowledged that the cell phone company's and manufacturers have been, on some level, violating your basic rights as a property owner for years by telling you what service you can and can not use after you are no longer financially or contractually obligated to them anymore. The FCC is currently reviewing the issue to determine the best course of action and has urged the Library of Congress to reconsider and seek a better solution.

Roku 3 hits stores today

Roku released their newest streaming player today. For those not familiar with the Roku, it's a set top streaming media player, similar to Apple TV or Google TV. You plug it into your TV set and stream internet video services like Netflix or Amazon Instant Video straight to your TV. I've had the Roku 2 XS for over a year now and while I expected it to be a novelty, I have to say I love it. Roku really let's you get your moneys worth out of Netflix or Amazon Instant Video while leaving your computer or tablet free for other things.

 

The new Roku 3 looks to make things even better with an enhanced User Interface and a faster processor. It also adds new features like a head phone jack in the wireless remote control so you can listen to Pandora Internet Radio without disturbing others in the house or watch a movie or TV show without others disturbing you! How cool is that? Also, with a faster processor, the Roku 3 may finally be able to add the one thing that's truly been missing from the device, an official YouTube app. ( the company has said that in the older models, watching YouTube videos was a "disappointing experience" so an official app was never released)

 

With 750 channels of streaming content and counting ( including Netflix, Amazon Instant, HBO GO, Crackle, Hulu Plus, Pandora, AOL On, Disney, Smithsonian, CNET, SyFy and lots more) Roku has been a favorite of many, even over bigger name models from Apple, Google, and Sony (plus Apple TV doesn't get HBO Go and many other channels). The new model also comes preloaded with Angry Birds: Space (The older XS model came with the original Angry Birds and Angry Birds Seasons is available for free download in the Channel Store). If you don't own a streaming player, but are interested in getting one, I highly recommend getting the new Roku 3, it may be the best streaming player yet.

 

And if you already have a Roku 2, there is good news for you too, the company says that the new user interface will be available for download in April.

 

www.roku.com

AT&T, T Mobile, and Sprint list new HTC ONE as coming soon.

No Release date is given on the product page, but HTC's new flagship device is coming to AT&T Wireless. Features mentioned on the page include HTC's new BlinkFeed which looks to be a tiled live home screen similar to the interface on Window 8 phones, HTC Boomsound enhanced audio with BEATS technology to compliment the dual stereo front speakers, and HTC ZOE live photo album.

To help keep loyal customer (Since HTC's sales have slumped in recent months) HTC is offering an interesting trade-in program for the HTC ONE. If you send in a HTC phone for the trade-in, HTC will give you market value for the phone or $100 towards a new HTC ONE, which ever value is greater! You have to purchase you new HTC ONE by March 31,2013 and mail the old device back by April 30 to get the trade-in but that's a not a bad deal if you've got an aging HTC phone laying around. HTC's Official Page