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For more Leo and friends all week long, listen to the
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Saturday July 3, 2010
Show Audio
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Edited Audio | |
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Posted one week after broadcast… | |
Tech News
What’s up with the iPhone 4 and why Apple is full of it
The iPhone 4 has a problem, and it’s based on it’s innovative antenna built into the stainless steel exoskeleton. If you hold the phone cupped in your hand, you can actually kill cell reception. Apple’s reply? “Don’t hold it that way.” They also said they will change the way they show the bars so it will reflect a more “accurate” signal strength. HUH? You mean it wasn’t before?! Does that mean they were lying?
Leo brought it in to the AT&T store and all they can ask is - have you had more dropped calls? Leo did try to make the call drop, and it didn’t. He also ended up getting a case to prevent the reception issue. Apple says it’s a better antenna and even the smallest of signals will keep the call up. Maybe we shouldn’t pay ANY attention to the reception bars since obviously they have nothing to do with making a call! Still, the drop in signal is a serious design flaw. So, it’s two steps forward, one step back.
According to an RF engineer at Antennasys.com, cell reception attenuation is a normal thing with any phone with antennas built into the case.
In addition, it’s “Gorilla glass” touch screen - dubbed unbreakable - can break after a few drops. The proximity censor also has an intermittent issue as well.
Starbucks WiFi goes completely free
Starbucks has started to provide completely free WiFi to customers. GigaOM has some good tips on how not to be a pest if you’re running your business from the couch while slugging a latte. Leo says that getting a VPN service like Hospot VPN, GoToMyPC, having encrypted email, will keep you safe online. Check out HotSpot Shield. Here’s a great article on LifeHacker on how to stay safe in a public WiFi network.
Guests
Dick DeBartolo, The Giz Wiz
MAD Magazine’s madest writer joins us to talk about the Droid X. It runs Android using Swype, which Dick loves! You slide the finger along the keyboard, instead of actually typing it.
Like the EVO, it has a 4.3″ screen. Great looking videos. Leo says it’s very “buzzword compliant.” The Droid 2, however, will have the slide up keyboard. Weighs a tad more than the iPhone. Can use as a mobile hotspot (an extra $20 a month). Thoughts on the Motorola Blur? Leo loves the widgets, notifications, and you can dictate anywhere with it. Much better than on the iPhone.
Hour 1
Q Clint, Chicago, IL - Home Theater PC options
Clint has never had dropped calls in his area and so he doesn’t really have an issue with the iPhone 3GS and AT&T. Leo says it may be an area thing. Leo also says that he rarely uses his phone for calls, choosing email and text.
Clint has fired his cable service and wants to use his Internet access and broadcast antenna as his sole entertainment portals. Which OS is best for it? Leo says that Windows still has the upper hand thanks to Windows Media Center. You’ll need to get a Home Theater PC that has a capture card and receiver built in. The new Mac Mini will have HDMI out, and will require some configuration using Plex or XBMC. Couple it with the ElGato capture device and it’ll work great. You’ll also be able to enjoy the new Hulu Plus. Boxee for Windows will also be a really good choice. But make no mistake, this will become a hobby as you tweak your setup.
Q Eric, Bethesda, MD - Streaming live video
Eric is a member of TheForce.Net and wants to do live streaming at Celebration in Orlando. But there’s no free wi-fi. Leo says that Virgin Mobile offers a 3G card option. $100 for the card, then $60 for 5GB. It may be the ideal affordable option. Streaming at 600KB per minute pretty much adds up to around 7GB for 4 days. So you may have to spend a bit more, but it’ll work.
Leo uses the LiveU, which is essentially a TV studio in a back pack. It has six 3g cards which bond together to get the best stream. The downside is, it’s REALLY expensive.
Hour 2
Q Jackie, Los Angeles, CA - eCommerce options
Jackie has to e-commerce sites using Yahoo and wants a better solution. Leo says that Etsy is a good solution. Leo also says that Amazon is another good option. You can not only list your own stuff, but also select amazon products and make money on them. The ChatRoom also says Shopify is a good option with good looking sites - simple, clean designs - and a 30 day trial. BigCommerce.com as well.
Q GJ, Ventura, CA - Robocalls: Mystery solved
An update on the robocall scam that was spoofing GJs caller ID. Turns out his own PBX box was breached by hackers who were using it. WOW. Leo says it’s a relief to find out the issue. But Leo says that the latest trend is SPAM calls from overseas!
Q Bob, Warroad, MN - Google Voice
Bob wants to give Leo a “raise” with Twit.tv’s tip jar. Leo started getting his salary via the tip jar last December to give the audience more input on how TWiT runs. Leo says if you want to raise the contribution, you need to delete the old one and then input a new recurring amount.
Bob also has a few companies and wants to use the same number for all of them, but identify them separately. Leo says that Google Voice is your best bet. You can toggle the number they are calling. But Google Voice will only attach to one real number at a time. Another option that Leo uses for TWiT is a virtual PBX provider called Grasshopper. It is one number that has virtual mail boxes. The Chatroom also recommends PhoneBooth, RingCentral, Vitelity.
Bob has a site called http://mypartshelf.com/MyPartShelf.com, so if you’re looking for a missing part, check it out. Register at tryme@mypartshelf.com.
Dan wants to add some RAM to a used desktop he just picked up. How compatible are multiple brands? Leo says often RAM is the same with just different brand. Leo says it’s more important to have the same specs. Go to a site like Crucial.com and they will have a RAM picker which you can select the model number and they will give you the right part to choose.
Hour 3
Q Julian, Los Angeles, CA - the iPhone
In spite of the issues with the antenna, etc., Julian still wants a new iPhone because of it’s accessibility for the visually impaired. It’s taken getting used to, but he’s learned how to use it and is planning on getting one. The problem is, he can’t use it because he uses T-Mobile. Leo says that’s a drawback as Apple is exclusive to AT&T. Although it may be on Verizon come January - course, that’s the rumor that won’t die.
In other countries, however, you can get an unlocked phone. Now, you can jailbreak your phone and use it on T-Mobile, but you’ll lose some features like auto updating, etc. Why isn’t this an unfair business practice? Why is it that if you pay full price for a phone, that it can’t come unlocked?
Q David, Valencia, CA - Phone reception
David is getting a strange “warbling” sound on the iPhone and wonders if the phone has the issue with Microcells. Leo says what’s interesting about the bars issue is it doesn’t happen with Microcells. RF is a black art and it could be just about anything that causes it. Frankly, Apple doesn’t know, they’re just throwing up a solution on the wall and seeing if it sticks. From the chatroom - more cellphone use in the area can cause dropped bars as well.
Can you have more than one phone on one number? Leo says that’s what the issue was with cloned phones, so it’s technically possible, but it may be illegal. Leo recommends using Google Voice for that.
Q John, Pasadena, CA - iPhone and 4G
Is the iPhone 4G compatible? Leo says that’s not true. 4G access is only offered by Sprint. The confusion may come from it being referred to by Gizmodo and others as iPhone 4G as a 4th generation phone.
See you tomorrow!
