Living in a materialistic world

I bought myself a brand new 64 gigabyte (GB) iPod Touch for Christmas. The 64GB iPod holds approximately fifteen thousand songs.

That’s about forty to fifty days of music.

It can connect to the Internet and browse Facebook. There exist about one hundred thousand downloadable applications.

Now, I bought myself this paragon of technological magnificence to replace my ageing 32GB iPod Video.

I was attached to my Video, with it’s archaic click wheel technology and heavily scratched stainless steel backplate, which at this point more resembles brushed aluminum.

I’ve had it for almost four years now; it’s been returned under warranty twice, it’s been stolen out of my car and looted from my jacket.

I did all I could to return it to my music deprived grasp.

We’ve been through a lot together, and it hasn’t exactly aged well. It’s in two pieces, held together only by its internal components, and there is a lot of damage to the LCD screen – long story short it still works and is still the brain and DJ to my car’s sound system.

Now, this reads kind of like an obituary but in all reality its just as functional as the day I bought it.

I’ve moved on to bigger and better things I guess, the thinner, sleeker, touch-screen iPod won me over but I can’t help feeling a strange tinge of guilt.

Why should I feel guilty? After all, it’s just stuff. I contributed to the movement of merchandise through the economy in a recession, I deserve a pat on the back if anything, right?

Really, I think what we have here is a classic case of an inanimate object becoming something greater than the sum of its parts.

After all, think of all the stuff that the iPod can bring. No more tapes and disks, the iPod is the hive-mind of your musical delights.

Think about what you can tell about a person from looking at their music library and playlists – probably more than you could from palm reading.

When my iPod was gone, either by malfunction or thievery, I felt like listening to that song “Ain’t no Sunshine” by Bill Withers but couldn’t. I had no iPod.

I think it’s the same feeling people get with their first car. The most valuable things we own act like extensions of our personality.

Things make us feel good and are what we miss when we are without them.

However, because it’s just stuff, chances are we toss it aside when the next best thing comes along.

We might even trade it in for chump change so we can get it sooner, or cheaper. We throw it away for the 2010 model with chrome accents and heated leather seats or the touch-screen high capacity iPod.

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Apple goods that blossom as gifts

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With the advent of large amounts of false snow and polystyrene reindeers in central Bangkok, we are aware that the Christmas and New Year season is in full swing. That means present-buying for others and ourselves. Corporate buyers may also be looking for gifts, or for their organisations: budgets open at the stroke of midnight on January 1.

Since I wrote the first part of this new year review, Rescuecom has published findings that show Apple was equal top with Lenova in computer reliability ratings for the third quarter of 2009.

While consumer desktop computers have their adherents, many prefer notebooks. Apple has the MacBook Pro in three sizes, and the MacBook Air for those who need lightness (http://www.apple.com/asia/mac/whichmacbook/compare.html)

There is also a white polycarbonate 13" MacBook at 36,900 baht which still finds considerable favour with students.

With a 2.26Ghz processor, 2GB RAM and a 250GB hard disk, WiFi, two USB ports and Ethernet, plus the glass trackpad which supports gestures, this has better specifications than my current Mac.

The aluminium MacBook Pro goes even better. With 13", 15" and 17" versions, there are options for processors and hard disk configurations. All have the MagSafe power port, Gigabit Ethernet port and a FireWire 800 port. The 17" has three USB 2.0 ports (the others have two). The 13" has 2.36Ghz or 2.53Ghz processors and 2GB or 4GB RAM respectively (46,900 or 57,900 baht). There are hard disk options up to 500GB, or solid state drives up to 256GB.

The 15" comes with 2.53Ghz, 2.66Ghz or 2.8Ghz processors. All have 4GB RAM as standard, while the 17" (94,900 baht) has a 2.8Ghz processor with a 3.06Ghz option (also an option for the 15" 2.8Ghz MacBook Pro). All may be ordered online or at the iStudio outlets (store.apple.com/th).

The MacBook Air is intended for those who travel often or who make presentations. I think of this as a second computer for the professional. Its two versions have 1.83Ghz or 2.13 GHz processors (57,900, 69,900 baht) and 2GB RAM. The first has a 120GB hard drive, while the faster version has a 128GB solid state drive.

The iPod has changed the way we use music and video. There are three basic iPods, plus the wide-screen iPod touch and the iPhone.

The smallest iPod is the shuffle, in five colours with capacities of 2GB and 4GB (2,800 and 3,600 baht). A special aluminium version is sold online. There is no screen for this small player of just over 10 grammes which clips on to your lapel or jeans. This is available in a special gift box for the season.

The iPod nano was recently updated and can now record video. There is also a built-in FM radio. This comes in seven colours in the shops. The Product Red version and a yellow nano are also available online. The 8GB nano (6,200 baht) holds 2,000 songs or 8 hours of video. The 16GB nano costs 7,400 baht. The weight is around 36 grams.

The original iPod is now the iPod Classic, with 160GB capacity. This should be good for 200 hours of video (40,000 songs) and costs 10,200 baht. My early 15GB version was around 15,000 baht in June 2004: such is progress.

The iPod touch is one of my favourite devices. I have been running my 16GB version since January 2007. Being able to use most iPhone apps has transformed the device from a music and video player with some PDA functions into a useful iPod that acts as organiser, game player and communications device with WiFi capabilities. There are three versions: 8GB, 32GB and 64GB (7,400, 10,900 and 14,800 baht, respectively).

The touch arrived in Apple's lineup after the iPhone and uses some of its design work and technology. The iPhone is available in Thailand from True or from the iStudio outlets, who will activate the phone. There are three options: the 3G (8GB) and the 3Gs (16GB and 32GB). From iStudio these are priced in line with True's tariffs and can be supplied with a True Sim card. The iStudio staff make the same recommendation as me: if another carrier is used, the buyer should go for an unlimited data plan. Many of the apps will access networks and, when there is no WiFi, this could be costly.

I must admit, I got in early for Christmas and acquired an iPhone 3Gs for a friend using True's 2-year plan. The 3Gs has a better (self-focus) camera, which also has a video feature. The faster processor speeds and increased memory also make this one of the best new year presents you could buy yourself.

(By Graham K. Rogers)
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Today’s High-tech Gear Benefits a Generation on the Go

Societal trends point to a generation of professionals who are increasingly doing business away from traditional offices, and the tools they use — not just for work, but leisure time, too — reflect the need to stay connected with colleagues, clients, and friends when on the road. From lightweight notebook computers to cameras that upload quickly to the Internet; from GPS navigators to smartphones and MP3 players, there’s something for everyone — and, in many cases, at more affordable prices than ever.

Technology moves fast. Which is good, because today’s business professional is on the move, too.

So it’s not surprising that a look at this year’s top-rated high-tech offerings is also a crash course in how to work — and play — while on the go. From laptop computers to GPS systems; flash drives to iPods and e-readers, Americans are increasingly bringing their work and leisure activities with them wherever they go — and those devices are constantly improving in terms of power, storage capabilities, and (importantly) price.

Take, for example, the Toshiba Mini NB205, one of PC magazine’s most highly touted ‘netbook’ computers for 2009. At just $400, it weighs a little under three pounds — average by laptop standards, but still pretty lightweight — and boasts a roster of features including three USB ports, a webcam, fast 1.67GHz processor, 1GB of memory upgradable to 2GB, and battery life that ranks among the longest available.

Yes, its 10-inch screen is smaller than the 12-inch screen of some pricier notebooks, but it compensates with a full-size keyboard, large mouse buttons, and spacious touchpad. The NB205 also meets established standards of energy conservation and recyclability, another plus in todaqy’s ‘green’ business world.

For those with a slightly higher budget, but still in the affordable range, PC magazine gives high marks to the Acer Aspire 3935 ($900), which boasts a sleek, metallic cover, 1-inch-thick chassis, and 4.3-pound weight, all while supporting a 13.3-inch screen and good-sized, comfortable keyboard buttons. The system could be even thinner if not for one of its most desirable features, its built-in, dual-layer DVD burner. Its other features — the webcam, a 5-in-1 card reader, and a 250GB hard drive — are standard on ultraportables. With a 2GHz processor speed and decent batter life, the 3935 also meets standards of energy efficiency and recyclability.

On the go means more than carrying around notebooks, however; it also means actually driving between destinations, and professionals are increasingly relying on global positioning systems (GPS) to get them where they want to go.

According to cargpsreviews.net, the Garmin Nuvi 780 GPS navigator ($599) goes above and beyond what’s usually expected from a GPS, offering an easy-to-use interface, a Qwerty keyboard, and a wide array of features including spoken directions in real street names, integrated traffic receivers, an MP3 player and photo viewer, and an FM transmitter that will play voice prompts, MP3s, and audio books directly through the vehicle’s stereo system. In addition, its bright, 4.3-inch, widescreen display is readable even in harsh daylight from any angle, thanks to the integrated white backlight.

For less money, PC World gives high marks to the TomTom XL 340 ($299), whose 4.3-inch screen is larger than that of its predecessor, the TomTom ONE 140, and also features the company’s new IQ Routes technology, which is based on real-life user data rather than the traditional maximum speed method. It considers all possible routes and then selects the one that takes the least time, with the technology often trying to avoid main roads. The unit also boasts advanced lane guidance, by which an icon in the corner of the map screen highlights which lane the vehicle should be in, depending on the destination.

Point and Click

What better device to take on any journey — business or pleasure — than a camera? Digital cameras are being used increasingly for both work and play, as the rise of blogging, social media, and other Internet 2.0 applications has individuals and businesses uploading images online like never before. Fortunately, the top-rated models for 2009 come in a variety of price points, with a wide range of features, making it easy to find a camera to match one’s photographic needs.

PC World gives very high marks to the Nikon D3000 ($600), which is an evolution from its popular D40x, increasing its megapixel count from 6 to 10, and boasting a wider range of ISO settings, a larger LCD screen, an 11-point autofocus system, and a 3-frames-per-second burst mode. The redesigned menu makes it easy to maneuver through the menu options and to understand settings. The camera also features an array of scene modes and in-camera editing features, including scene recognition, Active D-Lighting, face detection, and a retouch menu.

For those on a budget, PC World recommends the Canon PowerShot SX200 IS point-and-shoot camera ($350), with a 12X optical-zoom lens. The camera represents a growing trend among point-and-shoot digital cameras: high-zoom models that are just a bit bigger than typical compact cameras but still stowable in a bag, purse, or large pocket. The body is still big enough to accommodate a 3-inch LCD screen on the back, and the display is sufficiently bright for composing shots in sunlight.

For many people, cameras are sheer leisure tools, and the same can be said for e-readers and MP3 players. In the former category, the Barnes & Noble Nook is making serious strides on the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader. The Nook ($259) competes with design and usability features such as e-book loaning, dual displays, and touchscreen navigation.

According to SlashGear, while the Nook is comparable in size and display to the Kindle, it employs a 3.5-inch color-capacitive touchscreen instead of the Kindle’s Qwerty keyboard, allowing for faster navigation. The reading experience is similar to other e-readers on the market; text is crisp and sharp-edged, with two to three font styles and different sizes supported, and since there’s no backlighting it’s an easier read than attempting to do the same with an LCD screen.

As far as MP3 players go, the iPod Touch, now on its third generation at 8GB ($199), 32GB ($299), or a whopping 64GB ($399), is still the product of choice, according to PC magazine. There’s no built-in video camera, as had been rumored, keeping the focus on music and portable gaming. With 480 x 320 resolution, the display is the best in the business, and Apple claims that the 32GB and 64GB versions are 50% faster than the previous generation.

Also, the higher-capacity Touch models support games and apps with better graphics. The existing Genius feature in iTunes lets users develop a playlist around a single song and suggest music they might like based on what they already listen to. Genius can also create custom playlists and organize music into ‘mixes’ based on genre. Apple rates the battery life for the iPod Touch at 30 hours for audio playback and 6 hours for video.

In Touch and Logged On

For staying in touch with work, friends, and family, smartphones continue to impress, adding new features each year. The Apple iPhone 3GS ($299) improves upon the original third-generation model by adding common cell-phone features like multimedia messaging, video recording, and voice dialing, according to a review on cnet.com. It also runs faster, its promised battery life is longer, and the multimedia quality continues to shine, although call quality and signal reception remain uneven.

Stuff magazine has some positive things to say about the BlackBerry Bold 9700 ($200), including praise for its compact design, user-friendly push E-mail service, tactile Qwerty keyboard, vivid display, and much-improved multimedia performance over previous models. The camera still has issues, the magazine notes — 3.2 megapixels is substandard by today’s smartphone standards — but it’s an improvement over the previous 2MP model and delivers average-quality photos for uploading to Facebook and Twitter directly from the camera interface.

Speaking of staying in touch, internet access is crucial on the road, and the Verizon Wireless USB760 allows anyone to stay connected, whether on a weekend getaway or on a business trip. The device provides high-speed Internet access on a laptop computer; just plug in and get online. The modem ($99.99) comes with a built-in, high-performance internal antenna to ensure the ability to log on whenever and wherever needed.

With business professionals zipping back and forth between homes, offices, and vehicles, flash drives have become an essential tool, carrying data and multi-media files in a small — sometimes very small — package. Take, for example, the Tuff-‘N’-Tiny family of portable USB drives ($30 to $40), toting 4GB or 8GB of data while measuring 1 inch long, a half-inch wide, and the thickness of a penny.

Eventually, however, most people find themselves working at a desk in an actual office — and perhaps eating quickly while working. Are you one of countless people who have spilled coffee or soda on a computer keyboard, or been frustrated at the difficulty of cleaning food crumbs from the cracks? Check out the Unotron Washable Keyboard and Mouse ($45.99), which are completely submergible and washable, which not only allows users to eat and drink safely at their desks, but also contribute to a reduction in germs and bacteria, a real plus with flu still a threat in homes and offices. If a spill occurs — or the equipment just gets a little dirty — just run it under the faucet, and it’s clean without incurring any water damage.

And considering how much time you’re spending there, get that car washed, too. You know how New England winters are.

(By Joseph Bednar)
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All They Want

Kids gift guide
Some kids make holiday shopping easy, with detailed, indexed lists of gift ideas.

Others make it harder, leaving parents struggling to explain why, exactly, Santa Claus will not be leaving a pony under the Christmas tree this year.

We've pulled together a few suggestions for shoppers looking for ideas this holiday season — no stables required.

• iPod Touch
  

Cost: $199-$399

Available: Connecting Point on Franklin Avenue in Bend and Apple.com

Teens want iPhones (OK, not just teens. A lot of us want iPhones), but a rep for AT&T said their required service will be available in Central Oregon in the first half of 2010, too late for Christmas.

But there's plenty to like about the iPod Touch 3G. You might still have to carry a separate cell phone, but you'll have a lot of fun. These multimedia devices are loaded with features, including gaming, music, video and podcast functions (though no camera) plus what Cnet.com calls a “first-class mobile Web browser.”

Available in 8 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB models; several online reviews warn that the 8 GB model lacks the processing punch of the 32 GB and 64 GB models.

• Neon accessories

Cost: $3.50 to $5.50, some styles and colors are marked at 50 percent off

Available : Claire's in the Old Mill District and at the Bend Factory Stores

It's true: Nearly everything '80s is back in.

If your young teen or 'tween girl insists that all she wants is gift cards so she can shop for herself, listen to her. There's no point in trying to find her the right pair of skinny jeans. What you can do instead of just handing out an envelope is tuck the card in with some low-cost accessories like this neon jewelry.

Other accessory options: jelly bracelets, leg warmers, colorful fingerless gloves, metallic leggings and purses and punk-inspired belts.

• Hexbugs Micro Robotic Creatures

Cost: $9.99-$14.99

Available: Kids World in Bend, located next to Shopko at 100 N.E. Bend River Mall Ave.

After a two-week campaign including near-daily phone calls and a frantic sprint to Bend's Target, we were unable to get our hands on this year's “it” robotic pet, a toy hamster called a Zhu Zhu pet (we weren't desperate enough to pay jacked-up prices online).

What we did find were Hexbugs, and we think they may actually be cooler. Kids World carries both hand-size Crab Hexbugs and thumb-size Nanos. They include batteries and are programmed with buggy behavior like hiding out in dark areas until loud noises or lights chase them out. The Nano (which looks something akin to a Transformer crossbred with a cockroach) will even flip itself over like a bug. The see-through design of the Crab allows kids to see the circuitry of the robots, and an online component of Hexbug Nanos includes games and, according to the Hexbug Web site, education about “real science.”

• Bento System 2.0 by Laptop Lunches

Cost: $39.99

Available: Stone Soup in Bend

What could possibly make a home-packed lunch fun?

How about an insulated carrier with a kicky print plus compartments for cute portions of fruits, veggies, wee salads and even dip. Staff at Stone Soup said kids love the Bento Systems; it's just a bonus if they help parents get their kids to eat vegetables.

The kit also includes silverware, a drink bottle and a users guide with information on “making wholesome, earth-friendly lunches your kids will love.”

• ‘The Mysterious Benedict Society' series by Trenton Lee Stewart

Cost: $16.99 hardback, $6.99 paperback

Available: Camalli Book Co. in Bend

“Highly recommended” for boys or girls by Tina Davis, mother of two and owner of Camalli Book Co. “The Mysterious Benedict Society” books follow four children who use their special skills to solve mysteries. The books are for readers ages 9 through 12 or younger for family read-aloud books.

The latest book in the series, “The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Prisoner's Dilemma,” is available only in hardback, but the first two are now out in paperback.

(By Eleanor Pierce)
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Apple launches new iPods and we take a look back at it's successful iPod history

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Last night Apple once again did what they do best and launched a new range of iPod players.

First on the list was the new iPod Nano with a built in video camera that lets users capture footage when they're on the move, and upload the clip to video-sharing sites such as YouTube. It also has an FM radio and voice recorder .The video Nano 8GB can store up to 2,000 songs and will cost £115, while the 16GB version is priced at £135.

"Video is exploding in popularity, we want a piece of that," Steve Jobs said.

Next on the Apple play list was a larger capacity version of the iPod touch, which at 64GB can store up to 14,000 songs. This will cost £299.

The company also updated its iTunes software, and showed off a a new service, iTunes LP, which allows users to download cover art, sleeve notes, and other content, such as artist videos and interviews, when they download an album from the iTunes store. "Some of us are old enough to have bought LPs," said Mr Jobs, who promised that the new service would recreate some of the joys of listening to old records. However, if you don't fancy any of these new gadgets then you're in luck. The company also lowered the prices of existing iPods.

We think Apple has done amazingly well over the years, bringing out newer products, and in my view, revolutionizing the way we listen to music.

With this new announcement, we decide to look back at the history of this music device, which has gone from brick to slick over the years.

Read on over the jump for more information.

Apple introduced the first-generation iPod classic on October 23, 2001. The first iPod had a 5 GB hard drive capable of storing 1,000 songs encoded using MP3. It also had a 1.8" hard drive, compared to other manufacturers that used a 2.5" hard drives at the time. The iPod had a rated battery life of 12 hours.

The second generation iPod classic was introduced on July 17, 2002 and had the same body style as the first generation. The hold switch was redesigned, a cover was added to the FireWire port, and the mechanical wheel was replaced with a touch-sensitive wheel.

On April 18, 2003, Apple revamped its iPod classic, giving it the very original name of the third-generation iPod classic. Thinner than the previous models, the third generation models replaced the FireWire port with a new Dock Connector.

Released on February 20, 2004, The iPod mini kept the same scroll wheel as the 3rd generation ipod but because of its size the four touch buttons that were beneath the screen were moved beneath the wheel itself. It was the height and width of a business card and was built around a 1 inch 4 GB hard drive.

A second Generation ipod mini was introduced in February 2005 with a new chipset, 6 GB version, and much longer battery life of 18 hours. This year also saw the launch of the ipod photo.

The ipod shuffle was created in 2005 to keep the price of the iPod down. To do this Apple scrapped the scroll wheel and the LCD display and upgraded the device's shuffle mode. This was the year the first iPod Nano was launched and was intended to replace the iPod mini which was discontinued the same day the nano was released.

The old Nano was replaced in September 2006. The new one was still tiny but tougher and dressed in aluminium. It had a brighter screen and an improved battery life and came in three capacities and six different colors; 4 GB blue, green,pink, and silver; 2 GB silver, and 8 GB black. This year the first iPod Touch was also launched.

The iphone. In my opinion one of Apple's best product, this device was launched in January 2007. It didn't have a scroll wheel but used the same touch screen technology as the iPod Touch and let people make calls.

In 2008, we saw the iPod Touch Second generation and iPod Nano 4th and 2009 bought us the iPhone 3GS and our most recent announcements.

We expect to see a lot more from Apple in the future.

(By Andrea)
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