Digital Bits is a published computer and technology column with a focus on information and education. It's written by Andy Kaiser. en-US http://www.andybrain.com Copyright 2009 Andy Kaiser 480 http://www.andybrain.com/images/brain.jpg http://www.andybrain.com For the readers out there, for those who like a good mystery, for those interested in science, check out my latest project: The League of Scientists http://www.leagueofscientists.com/ http://www.leagueofscientists.com/ Fri, 6 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST The Droid is an excellent phone. Google, Motorola and Verizon really knocked this one out of the park. (I don't even like baseball, and I'm using a baseball euphemism. That's how impressed I am.) http://www.andybrain.com/extras/verizon-droid-review.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/verizon-droid-review.htm Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST There are three significant features making the Imagio a quality phone: Microsoft (Microsoft?! ...Yes, it's true, but keep reading), the HTC hardware and Verizon. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/htc-imagio-review.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/htc-imagio-review.htm Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST I decided to run a Verizon Song ID test process and see if Song ID can do what it claims. Does Verizon's Song ID work? Here's what I did to find out. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/verizon-song-id-review-and-accuracy-testing.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/verizon-song-id-review-and-accuracy-testing.htm Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST Detective Specialist Lee felt pretty good about his first real case. Good, that is, until he stepped into the room and saw the carnage. http://www.devmanny.com/cases/2009/chapter-4-the-case-of-the-constructed-destruction/ http://www.devmanny.com/cases/2009/chapter-4-the-case-of-the-constructed-destruction/ Wed, 5 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST The BlackBerry Tour is a "world phone" from Verizon Wireless, giving users the ability to make voice calls in over 220 countries and get email and Internet in 175 countries. That's a lot of places to visit. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/blackberry-tour-review.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/blackberry-tour-review.htm Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST The HP Mini 1151NR is a new generation of laptop computers called a "netbook". You're going to be seeing a lot more of these! For those unfamiliar with what a netbook is, think of it as a small computer. Much bigger than a cellphone, but much smaller than your average laptop. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/hp-mini-review.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/hp-mini-review.htm Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST The MiFi 2200 gives you the ability to have your computer (or any WiFi-capable device) connect to the Internet using Verizon's cellular data network. Get online from anywhere there's a Verizon network. Yes, that includes the beach. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/mifi-2200-verizons-multi-user-portable-hotspot.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/mifi-2200-verizons-multi-user-portable-hotspot.htm Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST I sat in my office, staring at my laptop. If the office had been dark, the blue images from the laptop screen would've played over my face as I flashed through websites. If I smoked, there would've been a lazy trail of white spiraling above my head. And while I was imagining, I suppose if I was rich, I wouldn't have been so hungry. But it wasn't, I didn't, and I never would be. http://www.devmanny.com/cases/2009/chapter-3-the-case-of-the-suspended-feet/ http://www.devmanny.com/cases/2009/chapter-3-the-case-of-the-suspended-feet/ Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST The Alias 2 is a solid cellphone with one significant feature. That feature elevates the phone enough that I believe it's currently the best of its class. That feature is "E-Ink". Specifically, that's what the Alias 2 uses for its keyboard. Technically, the keyboard is "virtual" - the phone's buttons can change depending on what you're trying to do with the phone: if you're making a phone call, you get the usual numeric phone keypad. If you're writing a message, you get a full QWERTY keyboard. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/samsung-alias-2-review.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/samsung-alias-2-review.htm Sat, 30 May 2009 12:00:00 EST I'm an information technology private investigator. Since I solve their problems, my clients generally like me. Some even refer me. Only one client has ever kidnapped me. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/devmanny2.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/devmanny2.htm Sun, 12 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST The LG Versa is a slick phone with common features implemented in a fairly unique way, and some unique features implemented very well. In some phones, this comes across as forced, or making the user tolerate certain features in order to use the device. With the Versa, I experienced no such problems. I didn't have to tolerate anything. The more advanced features are well-designed and are integrated so well that this phone is now among my current favorites. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/lg-versa-review.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/lg-versa-review.htm Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST If you're a Netflix subscriber, you may have used the "Instant Queue": instead of waiting for a movie to be shipped to your house, you can instead watch it streaming on your PC. No waiting. You can get videos, television and movies on demand. Now enter the Roku, which puts Netflix's streaming media library on your TV. I don't have cable TV, and with the Roku I really don't have any desire for it. With some limitations that will lessen over time, I can still watch what I want, when I want. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/roku-review.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/roku-review.htm Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST Orgone also has super-powers in regards to technology. Specifically, it can help save on energy costs. "Orgone chips" are a supposed miracle of modern New Age engineering. Luckily for those of us who want to experiment, there are very specific claims made about "orgone chips". We can test those claims. http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/02/14/orgone-chips-review-new-age-versus-the-scientific-method/ http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/02/14/orgone-chips-review-new-age-versus-the-scientific-method/ Thu, 5 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST My office was quiet. Quiet, that is, in terms of new cases. Either everything was running perfectly, or my clients had all decided at the same time never to call me again. Both possibilities worried me. But that's the life of an information technology private investigator. It's "feast or famine", though this latest diet had run far too long. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/devmanny1.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/devmanny1.htm Thu, 5 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST The big problem is that DRM doesn't work. Every mass-distributed DRM scheme has been compromised - every single one. If you want to copy one of your "uncopyable" DVDs or other media, yes, there are plenty of tools to do so. DRM hurts the consumer: it penalizes people who have legitimately purchased their media. And since DRM is compromised so easily and quickly, those who want to break the law can still easily do so. If this is a deterrent, it's a remarkably ineffectual one. http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/01/18/drm-is-failure-in-action/ http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/01/18/drm-is-failure-in-action/ Sun, 18 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST The BlackBerry Storm from Verizon Wireless (also called the BlackBerry 9530) is an excellent smartphone. Comparisons and contrasts to the iPhone are of course inevitable, but the Storm can hold its own. It's not an iPhone killer, but it does have some advantages over the iPhone. Depending on usage type and available networks, both the Storm and the iPhone are great in their own rights. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/storm-review.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/storm-review.htm Sun, 07 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST Mobile TV is a recent and impressive offering by Verizon Wireless. The name itself is the perfect description: Mobile TV is TV streamed to a mobile device. Yes, it's TV, including primetime as well as popular cable channels. Yes, the video and audio quality is very good. Yes, I like it. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/mobile-tv-review.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/mobile-tv-review.htm Tue, 2 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST The Motorola Rapture from Verizon Wireless is a slick-looking basic cellphone with one very handy (and not so basic) feature. When the clamshell phone is in closed position, the front display of the phone is touch sensitive! This allows you access to certain features that don't need an open phone for operation. It gives the user an easier and more convenient interface. While this change to the basic user experience works well and is easy to use, I hope that this is only the start of such improvements. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/motorola-rapture-review.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/motorola-rapture-review.htm Mon, 3 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST The Dare is an impressive phone. When you hear about the device, some of its features may catch your ear. You may hear about the touchscreen-only interface including virtual keyboard, the auto-rotate feature based on the phone's orientation, the "scroll with your finger" navigation, and you'll think of the iPhone. I'll answer the Dare / iPhone comparison question later. Realize that this phone is not meant as "the iPhone killer", or even an "iPhone closest competitor". Or, at least, regardless of what the marketing people intended, that wasn't my impression. The designers have given the Dare many features similar to the iPhone, but the LG Dare is a phone in and of itself - there are reasons you'd get this instead of the iPhone. There are reasons you'd get the iPhone over the LG Dare. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/lg-dare-review.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/lg-dare-review.htm Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EST A review of the BlackBerry Curve. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/blackberry-curve-review-8830.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/blackberry-curve-review-8830.htm Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST A review of the LG Voyager. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/lg-voyager-review.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/lg-voyager-review.htm Sun, 18 May 2008 12:00:00 EST A review of the Samsung Juke. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/samsung-juke-review.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/samsung-juke-review.htm Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST To use this energy cost calculator, input your total electric bill amount, cost per KWH (kilowatt hour), and wattage of your device, and click the "Calculate" button. The results will calculate the energy costs for your device per minute, hour, day and year. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/energy-cost-calculator.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/energy-cost-calculator.htm Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST Use these free music creation software tools to alternately soothe, speak, reduce and generate. From techno to classical, there's something for everyone. http://www.andybrain.com/archive/music-creation-tools.htm http://www.andybrain.com/archive/music-creation-tools.htm Wed, 9 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST The Digital Bits Technology Column has created a new sub-site, the Digital Bits Science Lab. Described as science experiments and education for kids and parents, it allows children and their parents to have a good time while learning scientific concepts. These science experiments are meant for young children, older children and young adults. http://www.andybrain.com/sciencelab http://www.andybrain.com/sciencelab Fri, 23 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST Morphing is used so often in movies, it's become a science-fiction special-effect cliche. The hero, monster or robot stops during the middle of a chase, fight or conversation, and faces the camera. Features start to blur, stretch and warp. In just a few seconds, the face has changed from one form into another. The movie continues. For aspiring special effects directors who want to get into the morphing biz, there's plenty of good morphing software for your PC. http://www.andybrain.com/archive/morph-photos-and-pictures-to-video.htm http://www.andybrain.com/archive/morph-photos-and-pictures-to-video.htm Sun, 4 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST The Digital Bits Technology Column receives many user-submitted questions for its hundreds of online articles. Instead of constantly appending questions to the end of each article (making for tough administration and tough reading), the Digital Bits has a new sub-site. This Question and Answer site is an easily searchable, easily maintainable repository of brief questions and answers from Digital Bits readers. Readers can even register to leave their own comments for others to read. http://www.andybrain.com/qna http://www.andybrain.com/qna Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:00:00 EST The iPod does not have an ebook-specific reader, or just a text format good for reading ebooks. It's unfortunate, because the style and capabilities of iPods make them perfect for such functions. Sure, you can use the iPod as a portable hard drive to read ebooks on any PC. But if you want to use the iPod itself as an ebook reader, it's certainly possible. Reading ebooks on an iPod consists of just copying the contents of an ebook into iPod Notes, and scrolling through multiple notes in order to read the ebook. But there are limitations. http://www.andybrain.com/archive/ebooks-on-ipod.htm http://www.andybrain.com/archive/ebooks-on-ipod.htm Fri, 28 Sep 2007 12:00:00 EST The cellphone antenna booster sticker test has generated a lot of user reponses. So many, in fact, they get their own page. http://www.andybrain.com/extras/cellphone-antenna-booster-sticker-review-and-test-responses.htm http://www.andybrain.com/extras/cellphone-antenna-booster-sticker-review-and-test-responses.htm Fri, 11 May 2007 12:00:00 EST Read on for a listing of good tech presents for adults http://www.andybrain.com/archive/tech-presents-for-adults.htm http://www.andybrain.com/archive/tech-presents-for-adults.htm Fri, 4 May 2007 12:00:00 EST