It’s about time Canon took the lid off their newest additions to their digital camera offerings.  Set to be available at your local retailed by October, Canon is updating their Amateur, better than just the normal point and shoot, G10 and both point and shoot SD990 IS and SD890.  Both cameras offer Canon’s new DIGIC 4 image processor and shoot a high 14.7 megapixel. 

The G10 is more focused towards the guy who doesn’t want to lug around a Digital SLR but wants a little more features than the P&S cameras.  The 990 varies from the 890 with the inclusion of a view finder but thus sacrificing the given space for a smaller LCD, which we all know doesn’t matter.  The view finder is definitely more important than and extra half inch of screenage. 

I’m still tinkering with the idea of replacing my 4.0MP Sony P9 that I bought in 2002 for $600 or so dollars, which by the way still performs and captures what I need it to do, but I have to admit that after borrowing a few of my friends newer cameras, it just puts mine to shame.  My flash takes forever to recharge, the LCD is tiny the battery life is shot and the storage capacity of the older Sony Memory Sticks require me to dump my photos very often.  

Continue Reading »

It’s about time that I’m able to finally review the Contour Showcase for the iPhone 3G.  I’ve been flying around the Eastern Seaboard without a case on mi iPhone blanco for the last month and half ever since Contour replied to my inquiry that they were in fact releasing a better case.  So, without further adieu, I bring you some photos. 

Staying true to all other Contour products, the packaging remains the same except for name of the product on the lower left hand corner of the box.  It’s definitely a little confusing when actually trying to find the right case in the Apple store when all the Contour cases are hanging in a vertical configuration with all the same black boxes.

The case comes with a side clip for those tools like me that like to have their pockets free from clutter.  You can clip the device to the holster either face in or face out, your choice.  If I did carry the phone in my pocket, I would have a lot of scratches on the device, so it definitely adds to the longevity of the device.  You can configure the clip at any angle, whether you like it horizontal along your hip, perpendicular or prefer some type of cowboy angle.  The releasing from the hip clip is a little more tricky and sometimes it feels like you need to use two hands to release it but you get the hang of it after a while.  It’s just a little tight when you first start using it.

The case itself opens from the top with ease but shuts securely around the device.  The iPhone drops in from the top and fits snugly into the bottom fourth of the case leaving the bottom open to allow syncing with a cable.  Since I don’t have the newest dock, I’m not sure if it will allow for dock usage, but I’ll update this soon when I try it at the store.  The case itself allow access to all the side buttons and headset jack without any obstruction while the top sleep button is covered but easy to trigger.  You won’t even know that it is covered as the response is great compared to other cases.

The front of the Showcase protects the top quarter of the iPhone 3G leaving an opening for the speaker while the bottom quarter protects the area around the Home button.  The Showcase has a clear back shouting out to the public the version of device that you own.

Conclusion: The Contour Showcase is the must have case for the iPhone 3G due to the premium construction of the molding.  “Starting with a base chassis of light weight (dual injected) polycarbonate, each Showcase is then bordered in a supple rubber finish.”  This provides for a good shock absorber for those clumsy moments and trust me, you’ll want the extra insurance.  It was a long time waiting and after going through 4 different cases, I’m glad that I was finally able to get my hands on one while having an overnight in Stamford, Connecticut.

Pick one up online at Contour’s Website or at your local Apple Retail Store.  The stores haven’t been able to keep a steady stock on these cases, so I’d call in advance.  Enjoy! rating: Perfect 10

The last picture below just show how much of a tool I am with the hip clip situate horizontally along my waist.

Due to the tremendous demand for both Power Support’s “anti-glare / matte film” and Contour Design’s iSee 3G Clear Hardcase, it took two weeks until I was finally able to pick up a set.  So, I headed down to the Apple Store tonight at one of San Diego’s finest shopping malls, Fashion Valley: A Simon Mall and with luck, I quickly snatched up both products.

It was going to be a quick return of the Agent 18, and after much consideration and one letter to Contour asking when the next iteration of their Showcase for the iPhone 3G would come out, I knew that I needed to settle with something that could offer me protection right away.  The glossy screen protector that came packaged with other case solutions offered a clear plastic static cling piece but it’s major flaw was that it attracted too many fingerprints and my oily face didn’t help the problem.  I was plagued, since day one, with a screen that I had to perpetually wipe off every time I put the phone to my ear or played games further oil smudges with my fingerprints.

Both screen protectors offer the benefit of covering the entire face of the iPhone 3G with the exception of the Home button, that are made of a static cling plastic that adheres with ease, stays put and offers an easy, no sticky residue allowing you to remove, cleanr and reapplt at your leisure.  The biggest difference between the two can be easily compared to having a glossy LCD screen vs. a matte LCD screen. (e.g. shipped on the original Apple Powerbook LCD)

You can clearly see that the screen on the left with the protector that came prepackaged with a previous case wasn’t doing so much in the department of cleanliness.  This is not a direct comparison with Power Support’s Crystal film set but it still is indicative of what you will get in terms of overall result.  Over the to the right, you have the Power Support anti-glare film that was newly applied and fondled with finger streaks and face rubs.  Without a doubt, I truly believe that the anti-glare / matte screen protector is the way to go.  It helps the screen in every way possible deflecting scratches, fingerprints, and glare.  I was using the previous protector for 2 weeks now, and I’m more than happy with what I got with Power Support’s product.  It is ridiculous though that 2 pieces of film cost $14.95.  It seems as if everything for these Apple products are being priced way too high!  rating: 9/10

The iSee is self explanatory.  The installation is easy and the clear plastic is beautiful.  I applied the iSee case with no problem but the biggest gripe that I have are that the two soft keys (not pictured) that come packaged and are used to protect the hold key and volume buttons.  Simple put, they are just too hard to press and are frustrating!  I rather almost not have them on at all.  I still love the fit and like the fact that it protects the metal edge of the iPhone 3G well.  Coupled with the anti-glare screen from Power Support, you have one heck of a solution for protection.

For another $10, a holster and clip are made available for the iSee, but if you wait for Contour Design’s Showcase, it comes all prepackaged including a shock absorbing rubber that borders the inside of the clear protective case.  Looks like I’ll be doing a more extensive review of that case at a later date, but for now, I recommend the iSee.  rating: 8/10

update - of course, when I finally settle for a solution, Contour Design’s website shows that the Showcase for the iPhone 3G is set to ship out on the 15th of August.  You can send one over to my address any time and I’ll do a review.  Thanks guys!

Further enhancing their Internet communication presence, Skype released a beta version of their mobile “thin” client targeted toward Java-enabled devices.  Skype Mobile is available for download on varying handsets from Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson with more to follow in the coming months.  There are two ways to install the client: over the air directly to your phone or download to your computer subsequently transferring it to your device.  Further instructions are available at www.skype.com/go/mobiledownload. 

If your phone is part of the other manufactures column, then check out iSkoot.  Their FREE mobile software delivers all that Skype has to offer on your mobile handset.  I’ve been using it for sometime now and I have to admit that it does have some quirks, but if you need to have Skype now, then this is the right software for you. 

Continue Reading »

I had the beauty and privilege to witness the definition of “ego” during the last few months whether it was through me and my own thoughts and actions or through others.  These observations all stemming from examples of negativity and positivity both creating a better understanding of how it is to create a life of simplicity and minimalism. 

There are just too many examples to choose from but in general there are three things that I would recommend in order to achieve a lighter heart.  1) Everyday, make sure when you get angry at someone, ask yourself if it is even logical, unselfish, and why.  It definitely adds a tremendous amount of perspective to one’s argument and being upset.  I’ve always suggested that stepping back and looking at the scenario from some else’s viewpoint is the best thing to do.  If you look stupid, then change it up…become a better person.  2) Make sure the words that you speak, actions you show and try to accomplish not necessarily just benefit you but the others around you too.  There are many reasons why we do things but at the same time, we can kill two birds in one stone.  I’m all about making others happy and still believe that making other happy first create the realm in which your personal happiness and joy can be achieved.  And lastly, 3) Stay positive.  Just on physical aspects alone, it’s harder to frown and stresses more muscles to be angry than to just smile.  When you do, as my dad always told me, “Son, don’t just smile with your teeth, but use your eyes too.”  It’s works and even spreads like wild fire.  =)  Even chemically, your body enjoys the happy side of things.  You lower your blood pressure, ease the overall stress you induce on yourself and create a happier aura.  Surround yourself with it!

Continue Reading »

Surfing around the web today, I came across a couple of interesting sites. 

Health: Avoid These 9 Worst Food in America by Lifehacker

It’s always just interesting to read about the various foods that are out on the market.  One of my friends recommended that I check out the Men’s Health’s website that is dedicated to what to eat and what not to eat conveniently called, “Eat This, Not That!“  It has quite a few interesting comparisons.  One that I was a little shocked by was the listing of 15 Secret Restaurant Swaps where they compared the McDonald’s Big Mac to the Burger King Whopped with Cheese.  Guess what?  You’re better off eating at McDonald’s.  (I’m not sure if that’s with or without the secret sauce but if you are trying to lose some weight, I’m sure that you are better off without it.)  Oh yeah, Chick-fil-A was the only A+ on their list of fast food chains being that they don’t have any one sandwich cross the 500 calorie mark.  That’s of course if you don’t add on the awesome tasting special honey BBQ sauce on top of your Chargrilled Chicken Club with bacon included…my personal favorite!

Another neat thing that I found after getting annoyed by not being able to read the Wall Street Articles in their entirety was a Firefox add-on that enables you to spoof a website such as digg.com.  Directions and more details can be found at the link provided below.  Now, I’m able to peruse the WSJ without having to pay!!!   I just cut and pasted the directions here.  You could just also skip it and go directly the the link below for the full article. 

Remember that the Journal is set up to disarm its pay gate if it thinks you’re coming from Google News or Digg. In order to get free access, then, you’ve got to convince the Journal that you’ve clicked on a link on one of those sites. How to do that?

The technical name for this is “referer spoofing” (with the misspelling). Spoofing is an easy thing to pull off in Firefox — all you’ve got to do is download this add-on, refspoof.

Now follow these steps:

• Go to WSJ.com.
• In the refspoof toolbar’s “spoof:” field, type “digg.com.”
• Also in the refspoof toolbar, click the R icon, and select “static referrer.”
• That’s it. Click around the site; the WSJ thinks each click is coming from Digg. The WSJ is now yours for free!

Here’s the link that I promised if you want to read the whole article. 

The Wall Street Journal’s Web site is already (secretly) free by Machinist at Salon.com

Leave a comment below on what are some of your interesting sites for the day!

I’ve been using Windows Live Writer for quite a while now and have been completely satisfied.  I’m able to write when I’m traveling back and forth from San Diego but I wasn’t really into bringing along my Powerbook until now.  Of course, that posed one problem.

Being only available for Windows, I had to find a Free Offline Blog Editor for Mac and stumbled onto Qumana.  It’s quite basic, and offers all the necessities for WYSIWYG editing.  It’s GUI is simple and its just as easy as using Windows Live Writer.  The only draw back that I’ve found annoying is how slow the spell check runs, but so far, with writing 2 simply posts, I haven’t had an issue.  Check it out!!! 

It also has an "Insert Ad" button which I’m going to play around with.  Seems fun.  There it is down below.  It’s cool, but I don’t think that I’m going to really use it that much. 

Powered by Qumana