Beyond Messaging

Dell Streak Rumored iPad Competitor

Google Android-powered Dell Streak tablet will include access to over 300,000 e-books in the Kindle store, everything in the Amazon MP3 download store (over 11 million “songs and extras”), and over 50,000 movies and television shows available for one-day rental or permanent purchase.

via www.wired.com

Depending on how this is executed, the Dell "Streak" slate could be on my gadget want list. I like the idea that it would be a more open operating system than Apple's iPhone OS, rumored to have 2 cameras, and flash support. Plus, look at the shiny colors.

Compatibility with content I have already purchased from Amazon is also a plus

Sunday offering: Surgery for the needy - CNN.com

Surgery on Sunday provides free outpatient surgical care to Kentucky's uninsured. Plastic surgeon Dr. Andy Moore started the program in 2005He and his team of volunteers have treated more than 3,100 patients.

Great story of doctors, hospital, and surgical staff who give up one day a month to perform free surgeries for uninsured people who need help. More of us should be giving one day out of the month to service to others.

The (Evil) Magic of the iPad | Wired.com

Approved software only: Who would have thought that in 2010 everyone would be so excited about a computer that only runs software approved by its manufacturer?

via www.wired.com

This article sums up some of the reasons I feel a little leary of the iPad. Apple does have a way of designing products that fill a niche no one else seemed to know was there, but they also have a consistent focus on proprietary and locked-down systems that help steer customers to their own stores and products and away from open usage.

I understand why this is good business for them, but its only good for the consumer that is satisfied with their offerings. Or in fact the consumer that is satisfied to have someone else winnow down the choices for them.

Is Bigger The Next Big Thing?

The DSi XL features even larger screens (93 percent bigger compared with the DS Lite) and has a much wider viewing angle. Set to go for $190, we'll see the DSi XL in stores on March 28 in two colors

via news.cnet.com

I was just reading about the new Nintendo DXi XL which will be released next month with two screens that are 93% bigger than the DS Lite.

The DS systems are handheld game systems primarily marketed towards kids, but I am seeing a larger is better mentality in other products on the market as well. The Kindle has its big cousin the Kindle DX. The iPhone and iPod touch have the new iPad as their bigger sibling.

Is bigger the next big thing? Or are people willing to carry around various different sized devices to suit their needs at the time?

Considering the DSiXL has WiFi internet, 2 cameras, downloadable software, etc. it seems like it may even be venturing into the iPad's territory.

Explorer Run As Administrator

Problem:

You have an super user login and a regular user login and you want to be able to explore the network as your Admin ID while logged into the PC as your User Id.  Or you need to explore a users' system as the local Administrator without having to log the user off the system. You used to be able to Run Internet Explorer with a Run As switch to do this, but after upgrading to Internet Explorer 7 that no longer works.

Solution:

Use the program C:\windows\ie7\iexplore.exe.  Browse your hard drive to the folder C:\windows\ie7\ and find the program iexplore.exe.  (This is a hidden folder, so if you can't see it make sure you can see hidden folders under Folder Options) Now right-click on that program and pick "Run As."  Click "the following user" radio button and then use your Domain\User ID or else the Computername\Administrator, depending on who you need to log in as, and the password associated.

This will spawn a new instance of Internet Explorer with the credentials you specified.  Nifty!

Kindle for BlackBerry now Available

I just downloaded the newly available Kindle software for the BlackBerry.  It's pretty cool - you can download any of the Kindle books you've purchased (or even got for free) from Amazon and it even syncs your place with your Kindle device. 

You can download the software from your BlackBerry by browsing to amazon.com/kindlebb
or go to this page -Kindle for BlackBerry - and enter your BlackBerry email address to be sent a link. The software is free and no Kindle device is required. This will be especially handy for owners of the Storm and Storm 2 with their wonderful large screens, but it even looked good on my smaller screened Curve.

Disclaimer - I work for RIM and own a bit of stock in Amazon to boot. :::smile:::

Too Good To Pass Up

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

How To Use Google Buzz. The Unofficial (and Frequently Updated) Guide.

via thenextweb.com

In case you weren't wasting enough time on Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Email, the Telephone, and shouting down the street at your neighbors, now there's Google Buzz.

Now, "Get Off My Lawn!"

Thinking Outside the Box

Sometimes I like being in the box.  The box gives me structure, a way to look at the situation, to codify my experience.

I am the kind of thinker who likes to compartmentalize things, compare them, and see patterns in their relationships.  I prefer to make decisions that make sense in relationship to best practices and standard operating procedure.  I like to make business choices that fit with an overall model.  When possible, I prefer accuracy, and simplicity.  Boxes can help provide that.

Of course the real world doesn't tend to fit into pre-defined boxes.  Sometimes we need to break out of the box.  Build a new box. Even go boxless.

But don't spurn the box out of hand.  Define and analyze your boxes and see if they are useful.  If not, break it open.  If it is, build upon it.

iPad vs. a Rock « The Jason Calacanis Weblog

iPad vs. a Rock

via calacanis.com

I thought this was pretty funny. :-)