Merry Christmas

Woot, Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you all got your wishes, and then more.

Tech Link (Gaming): Blizzard DOTA (!?#@)

This has got to be one of the coolest thing Blizzard will be making as one of their official maps. I have always been a fan of DOTA, and with Blizzard releasing their very own version, with heroes and such, I can't be any happier. I am pretty sure that Blizzard will ensure that heroes will be fairly balanced, easy to play and learn, and like their other games, hard to master. I am not surprised, when there's actually full games released based on DOTA, Blizzard should have done this as well a looooong time ago.

Tech Link (Industry): Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 7.0 Plus 4G

This is going to be interesting: T-Mobile + Samsung = 4G goodness. Samsung has always been pretty aggressive this past years to nibble at Apple's heels when it comes to tablets and smart phones. I have come to love Samsung, due mainly to my experience with my Samsung Galaxy Mini, the most affordable and smallest Android-based smart phone at the time of release. As tablets and consumers became more mature and aware of the different offerings, Samsung is positioned to take on Apple, at least, on hardware-level. The only thing stopping me from getting one is the price. If it hits $199, I'll be grabbing it. Don't get me wrong, at $299 (which becomes $249 after mail-in rebate) is pretty good price, but still, after I got my HP TouchPad at a such bargain price, I am hoping that manufacturers would follow suit. Sure, hardware cost is still high at this time, but heck, demand has picked up and surely, there should be many parts manufacturers which should drive price down.

Tech Link (Industry): Hands-on: Nokia's Lumia 800 is exactly what Microsoft, Windows Phone 7 need

Woot, nice to see Nokia getting its act together. My first ever mobile phone was a Nokia, and before I moved to my Android-based Samsung Galaxy Mini, I have used N9x (N95 and N98) and was pretty happy with N95. However, N98's "touch phone" isn't responsive so that pushed me to change brand and OS. I really miss Nokia's Maps though, and its FREE turn by turn navigation. Anyway, Nokia announced their newest line of product and these babies looks sleek. If they'll have smooth experience, and can perform basic functions of a phone (it's a smartphone), that is "send and receive call, and text messages, then I'm all set. And if these phones can interface to my XBox and PC with a much smoother experience than what my iOS and Android devices, then it's even more exciting. The only downside is that, US folks won't be getting their hands till next year. I can't blame them, this country is full of iPhone users.

Tech Link (Industry): Amazon "Fire" Sale

Don't mistake this for the "HP TouchPad FireSale" that happened a month or so ago. But just the same as HP's "fire sale", Amazon launched a new product called Kindle Fire which seems like an interesting device. Boasting full color, Android OS, it also has its very own browser names "Silk". Then there's also more features, it comes with a free Cloud storage, and fully support Amazon's wealth of services, from movies to music, to apps. Come to think of it, Amazon might very well be the Apple killer since they carry an eco-system similar to Apple (integrated store, and device). Head on to Amazon to check out their announcement...

Article: SiliconDust HDHomeRun Prime Review

I. Introduction
Just a couple of months ago, I am completely oblivious of the modern Digital Cable TV world. While I have subscribed, on and off, cable and satellite or dish TV, those experiences are years gone by and with comparably old and dated technology. I have mostly getting my fix of “TV” using a traditional “rooftop antenna” and for the most part, I am using streaming content over the web for just about anything video related. My “News” are either from radio, or from Facebook, or the intermittent pop up alert from CNN on my tablet. Boy, have I missed a lot. But now that I finally decided to upgrade my internet from AT&T DSL to Comcast Cable, it comes with a big bonus: digital cable TV.

Article: Fanboy's quest for Digital Cable TV enlightenment

As a “newbie” at Cable TV, I have been learning a lot stuff rather painfully. As a guy who mostly watch movies, TV shows and series at Netflix, Hulu, and the old traditional TV antenna, I haven't really been catching up with the latest trends in Cable TV and HDTV in general. So jumping in this haven't been easy, what with all the cost associated with the service and the “complexity” of having a decent digital Cable HDTV system.

As an upstart in this field, I decided to go with Comcast/XFinity and skipped AT&T mostly because I've just had enough of AT&T's internet service. Besides, other than AT&T, I can't really find any provider in my area so either AT&T or Comcast.

Quick Look: Wireless USB PC Remote Control Mouse for PC

Well, I bought a new gadget for home and I figure I might as well add my review here at my own Blog to bring it "up to date" a bit and also help a few people out there.

Anyway, I transferred to my new home, well far far away from my previous one (one country to another), so I needed to sell a few things and acquire new things. Unfortunately, some of the things I brought with me are basic, but working just fine. While I will bring the "core components", I left the common ones. An example is my HTPC. While I brought the whole CPU (Core 2 Duo, 2GB DDR2 RAM, 500GB HD), I did leave my wireless mouse and keyboard behind to save up some baggage space and of course, shed off some weight (you know how airlines tend to penalize for overweight baggages).

Press Release: ViewSonic Brings Dual OS Intel Atom Processor-Based Tablet to Market

Wow, best of "two worlds" has come. This has gotta be nice, at least in paper. Running Android, for the rich app, simplicity of use, and just being one of the "them" will surely entice fans of the genre. Of course, with Win7 OS as well, flexibility and support for so many devices and software will surely make this a very appealing replacement for netbook/ultra portable and also make this a viable hardware for use in corporate environment...

Now, if only HP's WebOS can only  be installed in these babies, then it would be awesome. This will mean that there will be more market for consumers. However, I can only imagine the support might not be as smooth. With one OS, it would be acceptable, dual OS is going to be tough, and triple OS might be impossible...

Tech Link (Industry): Previewing ‘Windows 8’

This is a very interesting demo from Microsoft. I have always been a Windows user, and while I don't loath or hate other OS, I just got too used to this operating system. I don't even have to "hard learn" new stuff whenever MS came out with new OS, well, except during my transition from MS DOS to Windows 3.1/WFW (Windows for Workgroups). So anyway, the big news is super cool: touch interface for the upcoming Windows 8.

It's such a long time coming for the interface to show up. While "touch" has been implemented on desktop PC before this version of OS, it requires 3rd party hardware/software and it doesn't really operate differently than having a mouse (yeah, that was too long ago). Anyway, so now MS comes up with cool-looking interface and if this proved to be stable, it is a definite winner. I mean, it can run your usual Windows program, and then you can have both touch and "traditional" desktop interface, a marriage of both world = awesome. Check out the video and then read on more to see the official MS statement.

Tech Link (Industry): Intel's Maloney Talks Mobile Growth, Industry Opportunities at Computex

Nothing new, err, I mean, it's not unusual to see Intel to take a stab at Computex and show off their new line of products in the near future and at times, readily available.A new category for mobile devices has been announced, and this time, Intel smarten up and trademarked it (Ultrabook™). Unlike in the past, they let one of their "coined term" be used up by anyone (i.e. netbook and nettop).

Another interesting tidbit is that, despite what detractors are saying, Atom™ is very well alive and kicking and yes, Netbook isn't dead. Atom™ will power the next-gen fanless, yep fanless, netbook platform. Read to get the full run thru of the announcement...

Tech Link (Industry): Intel Releases Their First Ever 10-core Server

Super cool server just came out from Chipzilla. Gotta love the future that this server will bring to our world: from health, to astronomy, and of course even entertainment. And the great thing about this chip, it never consumes power any more power than last year's processor releases!!!!!!! Check out the YouTube:



Here's the full press release linky: Performance + Reliability + Security = Intel Xeon Processor Formula for Mission-Critical Computing

Article: Making “Apple iPad” FanBoy Approved Part 2

If you haven't seen the first part of this article, you can head over here and my rant is of course, still up. Anyway, on Part I of this article, I mentioned two usage models that I targetted for my iPad. While iPad 2 may have changed the ball and I don't personally own one to give a better opinion, seeing the reviews and looking at those changes made me feel lucky that I am not an Apple FanBoy jumping in every iteration of what SJ (Steve Jobs) has to offer. With a crappy camera, same iOS, the only thing major I see from reviews: dual core, better graphics. Which, while I may have digress a bit, still falls way below of what SJ mentioned why iPad is better than NetBook (yes, I am still picking on this topic).

Tech Link (Industry): The Apple iPad 2 Review

iPad 2 has been out for quite some time and many other early reviews have praised it without much negative impression: i.e. iPad 2 is a perfect device for everything. Well, I never bought their story and that wasn't just because I am not an Apple FanBoy but I went out and tried it with my own hard earned money and the verdict wasn't anywhere near good (check out my own review). It looks like it's not just me who ended up having an issue finding where and what kind of usage iPad falls into, even the boyz at AMDTech encountered the same. I quoted some of their personal usage, taken from their article, read on to go to the source...

Tech Link (Industry): iPad 2 Unveiled

Well, it's no secret and if you're wanting to check out the latest and greatest from apple regarding iPad 2, you can check out their site for the official information. Check it out at Apple...

Tech Link (Industry): Weekly Address: Winning the Future at Intel

Future At Intel - three strong words, summarized into one word = Awesome! Intel hosting one of the world's most powerful man on Earth is just uber pimp. President Obama visited Intel to emphasize how technology and innovation can make for better future. President Obama met with CEO Paul Otelinni who announced that Intel will build a new Fab at Arizona. This means more employment, not to mention more Fab means better output for Intel and better output means more mass-produced processors and that could lead to even more cheaper and more innovative products! Check out the video at the White House Blog below...

Article: Making “Apple iPad” FanBoy Approved

I ranted about iPad last time, and how I am not happy with its “advertised” advantage(s) over NetBook or Ultraportables. If you would like a refresher of why iPad is awesome, Steve Jobs himself advertises it here. Namely, iPad, according to him, is best for:

• Browsing
  
• Email
  
• Photos
  
• Video
  
• Music
  
• Games
  
• eBooks
  

Article: Sandy Bridge HD Graphics Info

I had a chat with friends and they have been asking me about some info for Sandy Bridge. While the info is fairly easily found at Intel's site, my friends aren't really tech savvy to compile what they want and I just did what I could to give them the info they need. Then I figure I'll share this to my Blog as well, just in case someone needs it.

Anyway, as the blog title says, it's not a review of the Sandy Bridge processor but a simple matrix for the graphica capability. Check it out...

Tech Link (Industry): Awesome New Rockin' Director At Intel

"In a few weeks, at the Grammys, people are gonna hold their Grammy awards and I’m going to be rocking it with my Intel badge. I’m going to say, ‘Puffy, your cologne’s nice, Kanye, you got nice shoes, but do you work at Intel?’"

- says the new celebrity Intel Employee. Intel Ads used to say, “Our rock stars aren’t like your rock stars” but dang, this time around, Intel's rockstar is indeed everyones rockstar!

Tech Link (Industry): 3D Without Glasses

Man, this is funny as heck. I believe it is fake, but if it's true, it's one funny technology. I know, I'll probably won't be jumping in to use this if it's true and if it ever came out. Though my opthalmologist advise me to blink 20x per minute, this guy is just awesome. Check it out...

Tech Link (Industry):2011 XtremeSystems CES Party

With such a beauty benching and overclocking in the event, I don't think I can concentrate. However, the XS team seems hellbent with tweaking and stuff so they are able to do what they do best: overclock!

Tech Link (Industry): Apple Invests $3.9 Billion into Mysterious Technology.

I wonder what could it be. Apple has always been doing interesting stuff for their cult followers. Well, I am not a cult follower, I never had an iPhone nor an iPod nor its incarnation nor any kind of Mac and its flavors. I did get an iPad and along with it, tons of hatred to Steve Jobs for saying how it's best for web, movies, and email. The iPad is good, if you're an Apple Fanboy who will just gobble anything and everything Apples spews out. And really, if iPad has been the best gadget they have released after all those years, I'd say I'd be even more pissed if I have ever owner their earlier iterations. Apple's product, as always, are just overpriced gadgets...

Article: Intel Fanboy's Kinect Experience

By this time, many has heard about this product and this technology. Not too long ago, it was called Project Natal, and the first time I saw it on YouTube, I was so excited and I even thought this as something like a hoax. Of course, after more than a year, an actual product has been released, and various other “hack” could be found on the web.

Article: Intel Fanboy's Journey to the beyond, err, Apple® iPad

Well, it should be apparent that I'm no Apple® lover; if not, well I'm saying I am not an Apple® lover. What with Mac being based off a different architecture back then. However, not that I hate Apple, specially when Apple® made one of their greatest decision: go x86 on their "computer" platform (there, I never called Apple's devices "PC"). It's just that, like many others in the computer era, I belong to the "masses" of Windows user. And being this as my first ever "Apple device", I am now a newbie, novice, or back in the the days of CB radio, I am what they call a "green apple" (pun intended of course). Before moving forward with the article, whenever I mention "Apple", it refers to the "x86" platform (i.e. hardware and/or software) or the "company" unless otherwise stated. Also note that the images here aren't mine, I just took em off the interwebz, so if you own the image and offended by me using it without permission, lemme know and I will remove it