Dell Streak 7 WiFi Tablet Up for Pre-Order

When I first heard about it, I mentioned the Dell Streak back in September. At the time, I was earmarking the gadget because I knew that I'd someday need to replace my Dell Axim. Since then, I've had the good fortune to get an iPhone and despite loyalty, I'm not sure I'd go back.

That being said, there are new reviews posted regarding the latest version of the Dell Streak, which now has WiFi. Check out the DeviceMAG.com review.

• Android v2.2
• 7-inch display, multi-touch
• 1GHz NVIDIA processor
• Front-facing and rear-facing cameras; 1.3 MP and 5 MP respectively
• 16 GB internal hard drive

Besides the WiFi, the device also includes Bluetooth and GPS. This version isn't yet available directly, but you can pre-order one at Amazon.com.

Fun With My iPhone </SARCASM>

If the following two pages on Apple's site are in front of me right now, you can bet that it's going to be a fun-filled morning.

• iTunes: Backing up, updating, and restoring your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch software
• Update and restore alert messages on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

It is likely that everything that WAS on my phone is recoverable from my hard drive. The second link above makes it clear where the backup is stored. I'm in the middle of running the recovery and update tool. So we will see.

Update

Well, that is now over. And if I could find one image that would express how I feel about the experience...

Seriously, I was making a big baby deal about nothing. I did lose a few apps that I have to reinstall. But this may have had more to do with the network drive at work, and less to do with iTunes or iPhone.

BendDesk

I've previously mentioned reinventing the desktop interface and the kind of changes that might be coming regarding how we use computers. I wanted to share another cool idea in this area that is simply being called a bend desk.

This looks promising.

bend desk is a prototype interactive display that takes the digital workspace from the screen to the desktop by the media computing group at RWTH aachen university. while a typical work setup combines a flat desktop with a vertical computer screen, bend desk combines the two into one single unit. bend desk is a vision for a future workspace that allows continuous interaction between both areas. using multi-touch technology, the display curves from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane. this workspace can be used to display digital content and interact with it directly using multi-touch gestures and manipulation.

The entire setup seamlessly combines a large multi-touch surface on the desk that curves into a multi-touch screen for display. Whereas it probably takes up more physical space than the 10/GUI concept video I linked to above, it resolves all of the same problems conceptually and has the added bonus of looking really cool. Additionally, you can see in some of the pictures on designboom.com that the BendDesk could be used by more than one person at a time. I'm not sure I could choose between the two if presented the option. Based on the video...

I'd say that BendDesk is closer to being a reality. The future is now!

Reinventing the Desktop Interface

Who would have thought that step one would be to completely ditch the mouse? But if you think about it, the due date has perhaps arrived.

10/GUI from C. Miller on Vimeo. Here are more details:

Here it is: my crazy summer project to reinvent desktop human-computer interaction.

This video examines the benefits and limitations inherent in current mouse-based and window-oriented interfaces, the problems facing other potential solutions, and visualizes my proposal for a completely new way of interacting with desktop computers.

There's more information at 10gui.com.

The real point here is that we need a leap-frog move to jump from what we have as an interface now to the next step. I'd like to see this kind of technology as soon as possible.

Did Your Television Stop Working?

Did you pick up a new T.V. by now? As of today, all non-digital broadcast television signals have stopped. You've probably gotten sick of hearing about it by now. But if you woke up this morning and were surprised to learn that your screen is blank, then it's time to pick up either a new box or a converter. You can learn more at DTV Answers.com.

Don't have one yet? Get a digital television as soon as possible.

RAVE: Dell Technical Support

I had a power supply go out in my home computer that I got last Christmas and through some general troubleshooting steps with Dell Technical Support over their chat option, we were able to determine the problem and they are sending me a new power supply. All I needed to do was to enter the Service Tag number from the side of my case and they were able to determine the length of my warranty and help me from there. It took a few emails back and forth to confirm some tests and my new parts were already shipped.

Actually, there's a funny little story about the length of my warranty. At first one of the tech reps emailed me back and typed something to the effect of...

Your warranty has already expired as of December 18^th, 2008.

Considering that this date is still 3 ½ months away, I wrote back politely that of course the problem would be covered. The tech promptly and humbly apologized for the confusion. I really think that he meant to type "will expire" as opposed to "already". Simple mistake.

Optimus Maximus Keyboard

Add this one to your wish list. How about a PC keyboard that costs almost $1600? This is the luxury model of keyboards. This is really extreme. Check out the Optimus Maximus Keyboard.

Update: You can get this thing from Amazon.com as well: Optimus Maximus Keyboard.

How to make a Sawed-off USB Key

Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories has a fun project where you can turn a USB cable into a USB thumb drive. This one is funny but useless, which is my kind of project.

Found via iGoogle.

Google News - Sci/Tech

I recommend Google News - Sci/Tech as a home page for those looking for the most recent and most linked-to news stories.

You can also add a feed of the most recent relevant news stories to your iGoogle home page or Google Reader.

Techbargains.com

Keep your eye on Techbargains for the best technology bargains and coupons.

You can also add a feed of the most recent deals to your Google home page.

Devices Enforce Silence of Cellphones, Illegally - New York Times

The New York Times has an interesting article about cellphone jammers that are used illegally and clandestinely in certain businesses.

As cellphone use has skyrocketed, making it hard to avoid hearing half a conversation in many public places, a small but growing band of rebels is turning to a blunt countermeasure: the cellphone jammer, a gadget that renders nearby mobile devices impotent.

The technology is not new, but overseas exporters of jammers say demand is rising and they are sending hundreds of them a month into the United States — prompting scrutiny from federal regulators and new concern last week from the cellphone industry. The buyers include owners of cafes and hair salons, hoteliers, public speakers, theater operators, bus drivers and, increasingly, commuters on public transportation.

This is interesting. If nothing else, this article is probably going to raise awareness that these devices exist. It makes me want to buy or borrow one just to play around with it. See the full article.

Cylo 3style 3D Mouse

All I can really say here? NEAT!

A demo video showing the main applications of the Cylo 3style mouse. The mouse provides rotational input for scrolling, 3D, media and gaming. The 3style mouse is free moving in 3 axes and replaces all mouse functionality. See www.cylo.com.au for more info.

See the video again at YouTube - Cylo 3style 3D Mouse.