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For more Leo and friends all week long, listen to the
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Saturday May 22, 2010
Show Audio
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Edited Audio | |
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Posted one week after broadcast… | |
Tech News
Google’s I/O Developers conference shows differences with Apple
Leo says that this week’s Google I/O Developer Conferenence showcases the differences between Google and Apple and how Google considers Apple the enemy. And their front line weapon is the Android OS. Leo says that the new Droid Incredible is the best phone out there right now. And Android phones are now outselling the iPhone, which is good because it’ll force Apple to keep innovating to regain and keep their lead.
Google also announced GoogleTV, which is aimed to compete with AppleTV, the Roku Box, etc. Partnering with Logitech (maker of the Harmony Universal Remote), DishNetwork, and more to create a one stop shop and closing the gap between television and the Internet. They will also be running the Android OS, connecting to Pandora and Leo’s sure you’ll see Apps created for GTV. And how long before we see an Android based slate computer?
The main difference, is that Apple is a closed system while Google’s Android is wide open. Apple’s advantage is quality/security control - at a cost of 30% which covers bandwidth and Apple’s chunk of the pie, while Google’s advantage is innovation and openness. But part of the frustration of Google is that you can’t get the latest OS from phone to phone or carrier to carrier.
Guests
Dick DeBartolo, The Giz Wiz
Dick DeBartolo, host of the GizWiz podcast on TWiT joins us! Dick is also editor of Mad Magazine.
His gadget this week? It’s called Zomm Wireless Leash and it’s an alarm to let you know you’ve left your smartphone somewhere. Bluetooth enabled. When you get 30 feet away it starts blinking and vibrating. 50 feet away an alarm goes off. It can also be used as a bluetooth speaker phone, which is cool.
Hour 1
Q Ken, Los Angeles, CA - Protecting images online
Ken wants to know how to protect pictures on his webpage so others can’t download them. Leo says that there is a javascript which was written to attempt to protect them, but it was easily circumvented. The unfortunate thing is that there’s really nothing anyone can do to prevent images from being downloaded or copied once you put them online. Someone can always do a screen capture.
Leo uses SmugMug to post his pictures and they have a disable r/c photo feature, but it’s java and it can easily be circumvented. Watermarking, however, is a good idea. Leo also says that a forward thinking photographer publishes full quality online attached with the Creative Commons License which will outline use for non-commercial purposes only with attribution. You can also make sure that if people take your image and modifies it, they have to use the same CCL.
So, rather than fight it, embrace it! And use it to your advantage.
Q Jennifer, Tampa, FL - Concerns with the EVO
Jennifer has pre-ordered the HTC EVO 4G, but she’s worried about a negative review from Walt Mossberg that the coverage isn’t all that great. Leo says that while WiMAX/4G isn’t available everywhere, it’s very fast. There will be 27 cities available by the end of the year and the 4G phone will be downwards compatible to 3G, so you don’t lose much. And every carrier is going to bring 4G online in the next year, so that limited coverage will change pretty quickly. The speed also has to do with the number of people using the tower. If few are, you’re speeds will be much faster.
Leo also says the battery life isn’t all that great and you’d expect that since the screen is so large. But Leo’s found a few tricks how to make it better: turn off 4G when not using it. It always looks whether you’re there or not. Also, turn off GPS when you’re not using it. Make sure you turn on automatic screen brightness reduction and set your screen saver to turn off after a minute. Lastly, deep in the network settings on the WiFi settings to disable WiFi all the time (it’s called the WiFi Sleep policy). These steps will greatly improve your battery life no matter what Android phone you have.
Hour 2
Q Judy, San Diego, CA - Online backup for Mac/PC
Judy’s family uses both MAC and PC and wants to know what’s the best online backup option for her? Leo says that although Carbonite is a sponsor of the show, he was using it long before that. Carbonite Pro is probably your best bet since Judy’s family uses 7 different computers. And it’s automatic backup so you never have to worry about it. Another idea is to get Network Attached Storage Drive or even syncing all the computers to one master computer and then backing that up using Carbonite.
Other options include Microsoft SkyDrive, DropBox and JungleDisc, and also PogoPlug, which Leo is a huge fan off. It’s a hardware solution. A little hot pink box which has four connectors to add hard drives, USB keys, just about any kind of storagae. It looks like a local drive to your OS and it’ll automatically backup all your data. And because it’s connected to the network and the Internet, you can share it with every computer on your network.
Q Nick, Coventry, RI - accessibility for the blind.
Nick blind and is concerned with accessibility once the Windows Phone 7 comes out. He uses the Code Factory software for Windows mobile and he worried that when Windows Phone 7 comes out he won’t be able to use it. Leo says that he’ll get Paul Thurrott on that, since he’s writing a book on the new Windows 7 phone. So stay tuned to Windows Weekly.
Nick also has an iPad and wants to know if the voice feature in the iPad will start right up on boot. Leo says that once it’s turned on, it’s on. And since you don’t really shut it off, it’s instantly available. And Barcalounger in the chatroom says it’s always on.
Q Chaleen, Los Angeles, CA - Facebook
Chaleen has been having trouble with Facebook. She hit 5,000 friends thanks to her fitness videos. But she can’t add anymore. Leo says that 5K is the limit on personal pages and you have to create a fan page. How can she migrate her fan page to her URL? Leo says you can. But you have to ask Facebook to help you.
You can also put a link on your personal page to link to your fan page. Chalene’s fanpage is here.
Leo also says that Chaleen should create a real website so that people who choose not to join Facebook can still interact you. This also prevents Facebook from leaching off YOUR traffic!
Hour 3
Q Ramona, Pasadena, CA - buying a new computer
She’s getting the Gateway DX4831. Good computer? Leo says that Gateway makes decent hardware, but isn’t his first choice. It is a good high end computer with a clever tower design. One negative is that it will come with Home Basic, which is a bizarre choice. But it does have the i3 processor, which Leo says is a good move. But for the price, it should have Home Premium.
How about moving her data over? Best Buy wants $160. Leo says that’s outrageous. The only thing you want to transfer is your data. Copy it to an external hard drive or USB key, copy your documents and put it on the new box. And you don’t need to be laying out $160 for that. You can also use Windows Easy Transfer to do it.
Q Kevin, High Desert, CA - Running XP virutally
Kevin has to use Windows XP at work. But he doesn’t have XP. What can he do? Leo says that Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate has XP emulation built in. Another option is to use Virtual Box and run it virtually. Other options include Microsoft’s Virtual PC, VMWare Player. All free.
Kevin is also thinking of getting the HTC Incredible. Leo says it’s a great phone, but suggest waiting for the EVO if you’re a Sprint customer. It’s a great phone and that screen!
Q Anthony, Fontana, CA - the LG Ally
Anthony is interested in the LG Ally. Thoughts? Leo says it’s a lot like the Envy, but his personal feeling is that slide up keyboards are on their way out. Chiefly, they add to the weight and thickness to a phone. And virtual keyboards are getting easier to use. It is fine for texting, though. You can try it. If you don’t like it, most will let you return it within a few days. There are choices out there including the Droid Incredible. Beautiful screen, easy to use.
Q Glenn, St. Paul, MN - Wireless networking and the MiFi
Glenn is worried about using the MiFi card and being attacked online. Leo says that you’re not as vulnerable because the MiFi card acts as a wireless router. But you should still be encrypted if you’re using wireless networking. What about MAC addressing? Leo says that a hacker can read the Mac address. Use WPA2 encryption and you’ll keep people off your network.
Q Roger, Ithica, NY - eCommerce options
Roger has a small business and needs a website. He wants to do it right. Leo says don’t do it yourself. What are good ones for small business? Leo says that if you’re doing eCommerce, Yahoo works. You can also use Wordpress or Squarespace, but you’ll need to use a third party eCommerce option. Another one is TypePad. They do hosting and software and have eCommerce options.
See you tomorrow!
