Canon PowerShot A590IS

I have had the Canon PowerShot A590IS since January 2008.  It is an 8 MP point and shoot, and the two things that attracted me to it were the manual controls, and that the power source is 2 AA batteries.  I have used NiMH's in it, but for the last year, the thing simply eats batteries.

After a full charge, the thing goes dead in a few hours- at best.  There are fixes out that that may have helped some folks, by adjusting the contacts, but no such luck for me.  It is annoying that this seems to be effecting the majority of users, yet Canon did not recall this camera.

I probably held on too long, as I did like the quality of the images for the size of the device.  I don't necessarily find point & shoots all that exciting, and was willing to put up with the issue, and supplement with the consistently mediocre smartphone pics.

At any rate, enough is enough, and to the trash it will go.  So long Canon A590IS, and guess what camera brand I won't be buying again...

Amazon Text Fail

So, I order a new TV on Amazon.  There is an option to have them text me updates as the set makes it way to my house.  This would be great, as I would like to know when it is coming so I can be home and ready to sign for it.

Yesterday, I go to the Amazon site and figure out that the set has shipped from the Amazon warehouse in Indianapolis.  Wow, the set is coming sooner than I thought.  However... no text.

Today, on Amazon, the set is indicated out for delivery, and still no text.  I am figuring that the text service is not quite working.

And after the set is in my house, I finally get my one and only text from Amazon that the TV has been successfully delivered.  Well, I could have texted myself that one!  All in all, this was a bit of a fail...

Jonas

Amazon Kindle Thoughts

Today was the big day that Amazon announced the latest crop of their Kindle line.  A recurring theme of Bezos is that Amazon is building premium products at non-premium prices.

This is a fine strategy, and unlike some others, I believe that they are following the economy where folks want cheap and value above all else.  They have been slowly cutting the prices of their readers for years, and much attention got focused on the Kindle Fire, a $199 iPad competitor that features a 7" color display and a new browser.

However, I think that equal attention should be paid to the other eInk offerings, that sans bells & whistles offer an even better deal.  Specifically, the new Amazon Touch, and Amazon Kindle.  The new Kindle will go for a mere $79, which makes this accessible to most consumers.  In addition, the Amazon Touch has a new touchscreen interface, and still comes in at $99.

At the end of the day, I am not sure if I will be parting with cash to purchase any of this, but I am glad to see that Amazon is driving the price down of eReaders.

[Engadget]

Amazon Basics Flash Cards

While I have a drawer full of flash cards, it seems like I can always use one more.  Especially as memory becomes less expensive, they do seem like a bargain.

I spotted today that Amazon has a line of their own branded flash cards, and like most things Amazon they are quite cheap.  They are SD cards, available in the 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB and 32 GB sizes.  Their are Class 4, which are standard speed, and Class 10, which are suited for more rigorous devices such as digital cameras.  They also have microSD cards in the same capacities as well.

The current "sweet spot"  would be the Class 4, 16 GB card that can be had for $18.99, with free shipping.  This type of item is also useful to fill the order up to the $25 threshold to get the free shipping on another item, and will likely get more use that the eraser I bought once to complete the box.

AmazonBasics 16 GB Class 10 SDHC Flash Memory Card

Ultrabook: Size Does Matter

For quite a while, I simply don't get why the standard screen size for a notebook is 15.6", as I find that it is simply too large, and it becomes more of a desktop that folds, rather than a mobile computing device.  For the record, I currently use an 11.6", a 12.1", a 14" and a 15.6" notebook.

Care to guess which one gets the most use?  For a while, the 14 incher has by far gotten the most use.  I find that it has most of the real estate of the larger 15.6", and at the same time is considerably more portable.  I have recommended the 14" size to several folks and they invariably love it, and wonder why there are not more models made at that size.

So now, Intel has been pushing the ultrabooks, which promise a thinner, more portable notebook computer, and which will hopefully compete better with tablet computers, especially the iPad.  The news item for today is that it looks like all the ultrabooks on the drawing board are either the 13.3" or the 14.1" size.

However, let us hope that they also do make an ultrabook in an 11.6" size.  I have a CULV in that exact size, and it is ideally portable to the point that I traveled with it cross country, and would do it again without a second thought.  The smaller sizes are also usually less expensive, and the major stumbling block so far to the ultrabook has been that they will probably command too much of a premium.

See the models to be introduced here

Windows 8 Developer Preview

There have some miscellaneous glimpses at the next version of Windows, so far dubbed Windows 8.  It is currently in Developer Preview, and can be downloaded, although this is not for the faint as it will not be stable at this point.

There are several new features to it, but overall it looks to me like it was designed from the groundup for tablet computing.  It nicely integrates into the cloud as well.They have also relegated a more traditional style of the Windows Desktop to just another app.

I have to wonder if there will be much point to upgrading a Win 7 desktop to 8, as most of this depends on a touchscreen interface.  There is also no official release date so no rush either.

Keynote at This Is My Next
Download here

Asus Eee PC X101 MeeGo Netbook

Announced at CES last year, Asus' cheap inexpensive netbook is coming to market.  It is available at select retailers for the sub-$200 price point, although Amazon is currently at $226.

The high points are a "slim is in' thickness of a svelte 0.69".  Another high point is that the drive is a solid state one.

However, there are definitely compromises at this price, such as the single core Atom N435 chip that is unlikely to win any benchmark races, even with processors from years, no make that eons ago.  The OS, to drive the price down is the quite obscure MeeGo Linux, which is unfamiliar to all but the geekiest Linux fans.  And that solid state drive is a mere 8 GB's, not to mention the 3 cell battery.  They even cut corners on the USB ports, with a mere 2 when most netbooks have 3 in this space.

Rounding out the package is the standard netbook fare, including 1 GB of RAM, a 10.1" display (1024 x 600), and the usual wired and wireless connections.

Before we write this model off, I will say at this price point it does become an almost disposable piece of electronics, and a 2 pound Linux machine.  We'll see what the market decides on this one.

Liliputing

Windows 8 Boot Time

I always turn my computers off when I am done with them, so a faster boot time would be something I would appreciate.  I have been pleased how Windows 7 boots much faster than Vista, and would like to see that trend continue.

Wondering what that phrase at the end of the video means that she can't wait for us all to get this soon...

MaximumPC

Samsung Cannot Be Fixed

So, I brought my HDTV in for service, and on the 800 number from Samsung, they did tell me that this sounded quite like a capacitor issue.  I was also promised that it would be done at no cost to me.  Well, not so much...

I brought the set in, and I was then told that there was a $25 bench fee for diagnosis, and of course, this was not covered.  Well, I did want this fixed, so I went along with it.  The folks kept my TV for days, and kept telling me they had not gotten to it.  You can probably guess where this is going...

After almost a week, I am told that this is definitely not a capacitor issue, and probably the powerboards.  I ask them nicely to humor me and replace the capacitors, but they tell me no, and that the problem is intermittent and they are having issues replicating it.  I remind them that the startup issue only happens when the set is cold, and that I will be by to pick it up.

I had them demonstrate that the set worked at the shop, and they commented how good the picture was... duh.  Maybe they were trying to convince me to put some green into this.  At any rate, when I got home and tried the set later, you will not be surprised to know that I was able to get the prolonged startup on the first try.

I am still frustrated by the idea that not much can be fixed these days.  I also join the chorus of those that will never buy another Samsung product again.  Those companies that do not want to stand behind their junk, will simply not get my cash.

ViewPad For Peorder On Amazon

Well, it looks like 7" is the new 10" as I am expecting to see more 7" tablet devices in the coming months.  I have to say that it makes sense to me as when I used a 10" iPad, the thing always felt too close in size to a small notebook, yet without as much functionality.  I think the 7" size should be a better niche for the tablet space, with an extended battery life as well.

At any rate, the ViewPad is up for preorder at Amazon.  With the recent demand for the HP webOS device at $99, the preorder price of $199 should attract some consumer interest, even at the higher price point.  The OS is Android 2.3, better known as "Gingerbread."  Even at this price point, the specs are decent, including 4 GB of RAM, and a microSD expansion slot.

Tom's Guide

Amazon

Samsung HDTV Issue

I bought my first HDTV back in 2007, a 26" LCD from Samsung. After researching it ad nauseum, I figured out that Samsung had the best picture. I was pleased with the purchase, but have to admit that over $700 for the thing was kind of steep, but chalked it up to being on the cutting edge, and figured it was the price of hi def admission. Besides, this was an investment in enjoying TV, and was going to last for years.

Or so I thought. At around the three year mark, the Samsung had a serious issue. It would take 20 to 30 minutes from the time the power was turned on until I had a picture. All was connected, and there was audio, but the screen was a dark gray, with blurs and lines. I looked into it, and it appeared to be a capacitor issue. The more I delved, it effected not just the 26", but in fact every size across the spectrum, and only Samsung models. To make matters worse, Samsung was ignoring the issue, and wanted to know nothing about it. Well, my theory is that big business can only ignore the little guy so far, and I replaced the set with a new LED from Vizio.

The Samsung went into the basement, and was ignored and forgotten. More than once I was tempted to put it out for the trash, but something kept me from doing it; perhaps it was nostalgia. And so it sat for almost a year.

This week, I stumbled upon that Samsung has not acknowledged the issue. I called tech support at 1-800-SAMSUNG and explained, no make that pleaded my case. They went into suck silly troubleshoots such as "Is the TV set plugged in?" to which I replied "Duh, get me someone else." I reached the next level of tech support, and when I mentioned the phrase "Capacitor issue," I got put on a quick hold, and they returned with a plan.

Samsung will authorize the repair of the problem, so off to the repair shop I go. So glad I did not toss the set...

To be continued

More info 1
More info 2
More info 3

Acer Bets Wrong & Loses Big

I can fully admit that I am just slightly opinionated on technology. I have gone through more computers than I can count easily, and often get asked what to purchase.

My list of what not to buy goes long. It starts with Casio which sold me a watch, and it literally self destructed within a few months, and the company never answered my letter. It moves on to HP which IMHO ruined Compaq when they bought it, and refused to admit there was an issue with an external CDRW. I then also condemn Dell and Sony. While I have never owned either of their products, they are so unhelpful with customer service on their forums, I am glad to have avoided that pain.

So what the heck is left to buy you may wonder. Well, actually the only brand of notebook that I have purchased more than once is Acer. I have an Aspire notebook, and a Timeline CULV. While neither is perfect, they both are fine, and quite for the price.

However, Acer bet heavily on netbooks, and they are currently paying the price. They supposedly lost $234 million in the 2nd quarter, and are expected to have a similar 3rd quarter. Netbooks sales are simply down, and they won't be able to turn their product line on a dime.

I hope that Acer can get out of this. In the end their products are solid, and they should be able to shift. Their Android tablet the Aconia is intriguing and the upcoming 7" version should be worth parting with some cash soon for.

Engadget

Download Some Crapware

CNET's Download.com was consistently a safe source of software on the internet. The downloads were always fast, and certified to be spyware free, and not to mention quite plentiful. While I would sometimes hesitate to grab software from some site I was not familiar with, I never thought twice about downloading stuff from there.

Now CNET is apparently making a turn for the worse by wrapping the software in some required downloader. This apparently then tries to backdoor the user into changing their homepage, as well as one of those dreaded toolbars that I hate. Apparently you can opt out, but for the unsuspecting, they will be giving up pixels of browser space, and probably being tracked to these folks. Not exactly the type of open source I would like to support.

While times are tough, and obviously CNET has to show a profit. let's hope they can come up with some other way to do it. There is no point in using them for a download to avoid crapware, to get it directly from them anyway.

HP TouchPad

The HP TouchPad seems to have gained a second life over the weekend. While it was significantly dismissed and neglected at the $399 price point, it is simply amazing how it has flown off of shelves at the fire sale price of $99.

Did I rush out to buy one? Well, I was of the opinion that it was not all that great, and I simply did not want one at any price. Sure if you make something cheap enough, you can definitely overlook some shortcomings. I am not sure what that price would be for me, but at a C-note, it clearly was not there. Let us not forget that there will be no support, and no new apps or updates and this deal definitely starts to sour in my mind.

I have to admit that it is intriguing how the TouchPad is getting more attention after they canceled it. Maybe the lesson here is that they should have priced it better to begin with.