The Tiger Roars!

I can’t wait to get my little paws on a Tiger. Apple’s OSX Tiger (10.4), its newest operating system that offers 200 new features and innovations comes out this weekend. Hey, couldn’t you use 200 more cool things on your computer’s operating system? I can’t name all of them in my little column, but here are few highlights of Tiger:

Spotlight allows you to find anything on your computer as quickly as you type. You can search your entire system from one place and files, e-mails, contacts, images, calendars and applications appear instantly. When you do a search with Spotlight, you’re actually accessing a comprehensive and constantly updated index that sees all the metadata inside your files – that’s the ‘what, when and who’ of every piece of information saved on your Mac. Most documents, images and e-mails already contain rich metadata and because of this, Spotlight searches the insides of your files too, not just the filename.

You can check the time, watch the weather, track flights, view stock prices and find a restaurant all at the same time with Dashboard. It gives you fast access to nifty widgets, mini applications that let you perform common tasks. These widgets bring you a world of information by giving you a quick view of just about anything you add to your widget list: iTunes, stock ticker, dictionary, translator, unit converter, calendar, address list, phone book or even a tile game if you get bored. With one click of a button Dashboard appears or disappears from your desktop.

QuickTime 7 Pro features an ultra-efficient new video codec called H.264. This codec delivers unbelievable video quality at low data rates so you can watch crisp, clear video in small files. QuickTime 7 makes it easy to create a movie and share it with family and friends via e-mail or your .Mac account. The controls are easy to use and it automatically determines your connection speed to ensure you get the highest quality content stream.

Tiger allows you to ‘secure the cookie jar.’ Children are curious and love to explore. The parental controls allows you to lock down just about everything you don’t want them touching. Block applications you don’t want them launching or make a safe list for e-mails they can and cannot send and receive. That goes for the buddy list on iChat too, you can specify who your child adds to his/her buddy list since you don’t want them talking to strangers in person or on the computer.

For all you UNIX buffs out there, remember that OSX is UNIX-based and is solid as a rock. The UNIX foundation keeps your system stable and free of system crashes and compromised performance. Remember that you can run all your commands with the Terminal application.

To get your own Tiger for $129.00, go to www.apple.com. It’s also available after 6:00 p.m. on April 29 at the Apple Store at Ala Moana Center or at your nearest CompUSA. You can view demonstrations of just about all the new features in QuickTime on Apple’s website.

Runner's High

Running is a huge part of my life. I must run 20+ miles a week and unless I’m on a treadmill, I have no definite way of knowing how far I actually ran. Sure there’s the good ‘ol pedometer, but none that I’ve ever owned were accurate. Well, I finally found something that’s accurate, and it’s called the Nike Philips MP3Run.

I would never consider the Nike Philips MP3Run to be an excellent music player for the mp3 connoisseur, but it’s awesome for a serious runner (or walker) like myself that wants to enjoy the its unique capabilities. A small pod clips to your shoelaces and communicates pace and distance information to the player wirelessly with Bluetooth.

Once you have your stride calibrated, it will track your time, distance and pace. You then set the player to announce your progress based on your choice of distance or time, or when you ask for it with the push of a button. The voice of your “virtual coach” comes on over the headphones announcing how many minutes you’ve been running, how many miles you’ve gone and your pace in minutes per mile. This information is also available with a gander at the screen.

The feature that intrigues me the most is that you can download all your statistics to your computer with the included Digital Media Manager software to track your progress. That is very useful for someone who is in training for a big event such as a marathon or triathlon. As a mediocre mp3 player, it does offer FM radio, a 256MB capacity and a 710-minute battery life with its rechargeable battery.

Sure, I’ll be willing to rotate my iPod(s) with this thing just to get the additional information. The Nike Philips MP3Run is available for about $233.00 on www.amazon.com.

Lights!, Camera!, Action!

Annie Takano from Mililani writes: “I’m thinking of getting a webcam but I have no idea what is the best to get. I tried to do a Yahoo! search, but a lot of things came up and it’s too complicated for me to ‘understand’ all those things. I want a camera that I can be able to use for sending video e-mails and instant messaging. I’ve seen some of my friends’ cameras, but I don’t like the ones that seem like you’re watching a slow motion movie. But please, don’t recommend something that’s way too expensive.”

Well, Annie, as you did your Yahoo! search, you know there are tons and tons of web cameras out there, but I think I’ve got just the one for you. The Creative WebCam Live! Ultra was just released earlier this month and it’s the newest edition to Creative’s line of webcams. The WebCam Live! Ultra is very user-friendly and offers decent quality resolution. The resolution on the video is 640x480 pixels and the still pictures are 1.3 megapixels. The video quality is smooth and clear, however the color may come out slightly flat and dark if you’re in a low light situation. Not only will this camera work beautifully for your purposes of instant messaging and video e-mails, it also does smart face tracking. The camera follows and zooms in on your face as you move.

It also comes with a microphone headset that allows for better privacy and clearer voice over the Internet compared to a built-in microphone. The wide-angle lens of the WebCam Live! Ultra captures a 50 percent wider field of view than a typical webcam, perfect for including family and friends in the video with you. You can also use it for remote monitoring. The camera is set off by its own motion detector and then uploads still images to an FTP site that you can view. The Live Ultra is available for $99.99 at CompUSA or www.compusa.com — you can prepay for it online and pick it up at your nearest store. Note that it is compatible for both Windows and Mac. For a portable option, there’s the Creative WebCam Live! Ultra for Notebooks that have the same features available for the same price.

If you use a Mac, the iSight works great with iChat AV. It’s also very easy to use and has a 640x480 pixel resolution with an integrated dual-element microphone that suppresses ambient noise (so your voice comes through loud and clear). The iSight is available for $149.99 at the Apple Store in Ala Moana Center or at www.apple.com.

You've got "V-mail"

So now that you have a webcam to play with, you’re all set to do interactive instant messaging and send video e-mails. What is video e-mail? It’s an e-mail with a video file inserted into the body of the message. This avoids the problems of sending messages with actual video attachments. Video files are usually too large for most people to send or receive, and in general, some people just don’t want to open e-mail attachments. Companies also use this technology to do e-mail marketing, such as movie trailers. All you need to do this is a webcam and video e-mail software.

For those of you who subscribe to Ocean Time Warner Cable’s Road Runner service, video e-mail is already available to you at no charge. When on the homepage (www.hawaii.rr.com) click on the member services link and when you scroll down a little bit, yousee the Road Runner Video Mail information. Click on the link and download the software for free. Unfortunately this Road Runner service is not compatible with Macs. Note that you do not need any special video e-mail software to receive the messages.

Another freebie is through Microsoft Outlook 2003. If you don’t have the video e-mail add-in, download it for free at www.microsoft.com. There’s also MyVideoTalk (www.myvideotalk.net). The plans range from $11.95 to $189.95 per month for consumers and businesses. These are only available for Windows. “V-mail” is the newest fun way to communicate face-to-face with family and friends.

Kung Fu Hustle

I’m always looking for a good game to add to my collection, and this one may be one of the best for 2005. Jade Empire, recently released by Bioware for the Xbox, is a part of a different game genre.

It is a “true action” role-playing game based on a combination of classic Wuxia Pien (storytelling) and kung fu films and Chinese mythology, moving away from the classic “turn-based” game type. Kung Fu fans will appreciate the deadly groups of assassins, rival schools, hidden identities and the comical side characters, which somewhat mirrors Jackie Chan’s early works and the Wu Tang series. There is even a brawl in a teahouse where tables and meat carts can be smashed and used as weapons.

The game begins with a selection screen that lets you choose from six main characters (three men and three women with different strengths in magic, physical ability and speed). You master fighting styles and mystical powers as you go along and train under your master’s watchful eye. When you eventually become more powerful, you recruit followers and agents, and send them on missions across the Jade Empire. You cannot become a leader without followers to lead. The decisions you make determine the rewards you receive and who shares in the glory. Along the way you also have to battle with fierce monsters to gain your strength and power.

To view a variety of screenshots and video clips of the game, go to www.jade-empire.com. Retail price is $49.95.

Pimp Yo' Pod - iPod That Is

If you think your iPod is just a straight mp3 music player, think again. That little pod of yours can do so much more than just pump music through headphones. I’ve listened to it in my car using an FM frequency, recorded story interviews and blasted tunes on Bose speakers.

Also, here’s an incentive for me to buy a new car — you can directly hook your iPod up to a BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Mini Cooper, Nissan, Alfa Romeo or Ferrari. With about 22 million adult Americans owning an iPod (according to a Pew Internet & American Life survey), these car manufacturers have added this very cool and convenient feature to their vehicles.

The Griffin iTrip FM Transmitter (for iPods with a Dock Connector) is a very simple way to listen to your music on the go with a radio. You just plug it into your iPod and tune the radio station to your programmed iTrip station. The sound is fairly clean as long as you pick a frequency that’s not close to a radio station. No batteries are required as it draws power from the iPod. The same goes for the iTrip mini for iPod mini. Unfortunately, nothing is available yet for the iPod shuffle. Prices are $34.95 for the iTrip and $39.95 for the iTrip mini.

Use the Griffin iTalk voice recorder, and it turns your iPod into a high capacity digital voice recorder with thousands of hours of recording time. This is perfect for students who want to record classroom lectures or people who need to make lots of verbal notes to themselves. I use it to record my story interviews and it’s great. The iTalk can play the recordings either through an integrated speaker or headphones. You can also use iTalk’s speaker to listen to your music. The recording range is up to 100 feet away. This sells for $39.95 for iPod models with the dock connector (not available for iPod mini or shuffle).

Do you like to swim? Take your iPod to the pool or beach next time using the LiliPod or LiliMini. No kidding! All you need is a set of waterproof headphones, and lock it into the LiliPod, and you’re set to go. The LiliPod is shock resistant and watertight with its specially engineered hard shell casing. This is also perfect for outdoor activities in the rain or if you happen to be snowboarding or skiing, to protect your pod from that fresh powder flying into it. The LiliPod is $39.99 and the LiliMini is $34.99 (not available for iPod shuffle) on www.lilipods.com.

If you’re hanging out at home, you can use the Bose SoundDock Digital Music System to fill your home with a rich sound. This will work with all iPods except the shuffle and will also charge your iPod while it’s docked. Another cheaper speaker alternative is the JBL On Stage iPod Speakers, but it doesn’t sound as good. As with the Bose SoundDock, it charges your iPod while it plays and is compatible with all iPods except the shuffle. The Bose SoundDock is $299 and the JBL On Stage is $159.

There are so many more to mention, but these are the ones that stick out in my mind. All items (with the exception of the LiliPod) are available at www.apple.com. Go there if you also wish to see what other iPod additions are available.

Tax Time Made Easier Online

It’s that time of year again. The dreaded tax deadline is almost here, and if you are a procrastinator and haven’t done your taxes yet, there’s an affordable online savior for you – web-based tax software.

I’m personally am a big fan of these online tax services because there’s no hassle with trying to figure out what all the different forms mean and what you’re supposed to do with them. With all the electronic options out there these days, who wants to sit there and manually fill out those forms? There are several options out there for you last-minute do-it-yourselfers.

I’ve been using Intuit’s TurboTax for years and I still think it’s the best. Back in the 1990s, I started off with the TurboTax software you can buy in the store, and now I just use it online. When you first begin, it can be a little confusing because it has you choose what level to go with: 1040EZ, Basic or Premier. Once you get past that, it takes you through an easy step-by-step process and asks you questions that pertain to your return. It’s also smart enough to bypass major sections of the questions that are not relevant to you, enabling you to go through the procedure with speed and accuracy.

If you’re a first-timer, the whole thing takes about an hour, as long as you have all your W-2s and other necessary paperwork in order. If you’re a returning TurboTax user, it will remember your information from the previous year(s), which makes it even more efficient. Being a returning user, it took me only about half an hour to do both my federal and state taxes this year. TurboTax for the Web (www.turbotax.com) is $9.95 for federal and state each for the 1040EZ option, Basic is $19.95 (federal) and $24.95 (state), and Premier is $39.95 (federal) and $24.95 (state). You can also try www.statetaxfreedom.com (powered by TurboTax) to see if you qualify for a free return.

Other options out there include TaxAct (www.taxact.com), TaxNet (www.taxnet.com) and H&R Block’s online service (www.hrblock.com). If you have a simple return, TaxAct and TaxNet are the free best free deals for both federal and state with a printed version (or pay a small $8 or $10 fee to e-file). H&R Block’s program gets the job done, but it’s a bit lengthy, often asking duplicate questions. Prices are $34.95 (federal) and $24.95 (state) for the Standard option and Premium is $49.95 (federal) and $34.95 (state).

BlackBerry - The Ultimate All-in-One Phone Organizer

I have a friend that’s constantly on the road, and I suggested to her that she should really get Blackberry to help her get organized and check e-mail while traveling. Not being a tech-savvy girl, she really didn’t know what I was talking about, and I had to explain to her that I wasn’t referring to the fruit.

BlackBerry is all the buzz, but a lot of folks still don’t know what it is. It’s basically a wireless connectivity solution that gives you access to a wide range of applications on a variety of wireless devices around the world. It combines devices, software and services to keep you connected to the people, data and resources that drive your day. With an integrated phone that includes a browser, organizer, SMS (Short Message Service) and applications, you can organize all information and communications with one single integrated Blackberry device.

People often get Blackberry confused with WiFi and Bluetooth. In a nutshell, think of it this way: WiFi is wireless ethernet. It has identical application and uses, but without the wires. Bluetooth is similar to Infrared (IR), but without the necessity of line of sight, and it has better distance reach. Blackberry is like a two-way pager that has a directory connector to an Exchange server, thus enabling you to constantly check your e-mail.

This Blackberry technology brings you the freedom to stay in touch with work and home, using existing company or personal e-mail accounts. The devices available to you are dependent upon what service you have, or want to have. T-Mobile offers the Blackberry 7100t, Nextel, the Blackberry 7520, and Cingular Wireless, the Blackberry 7290.

T-Mobile’s Blackberry 7100t is a full-featured mobile phone with integrated Bluetooth connectivity, speakerphone, and downloadable ringtones. Plus you can surf the Internet with an ultra-large, high-resolution color screen. This phone allows you to stay connected anytime with up to 10 e-mail accounts, delivered to the palm of your hand. You can also use its easy-to-use keyboard to instant message your buddies via Yahoo, AIM or ICQ. This one appeals to me the most with its relatively compact size. The retail price is $299.99 on www.tmobile.com.

The Nextel BlackBerry 7520 is the only BlackBerry handheld that combines Bluetooth, Direct connect and speakerphone. It features a personal organizer and web browser, supports Nextel Online® Wireless Web and Direct Connect. Other features include Java software applications and enhanced attachment viewing. The retail price is $249.99 on www.nextel.com.

The Blackberry 7290 from Cingular Wireless includes a quad-band phone, e-mail, SMS, browser and organizer applications and Bluetooth. Retails for $399.99 on www.cingular.com. Blackberry devices are available at your nearest GCI Wireless store. Call for availability (www.gciwireless.com).

Worry-Free Online DVD Rentals

I enjoy watching movies, and especially the convenience of watching them in the comfort of my own living room, curled up on the couch with a bag of popcorn. I’ve always been a big fan of renting movies, and now online DVD rental services have made my habit a bit more affordable.

Just recently, Blockbuster announced its online rental service to compete with the online rental market. I was so excited when this happened because in the past, Blockbuster probably made a small fortune off me with what I was paying for individual store rentals and occasional late fees. Now with online rentals, I pay a flat fee with no worries about any late charges.

Blockbuster Online (www.blockbuster.com), offers the first month for $9.99, and $14.99 per month thereafter. You can have up to three movies out at a time with over 30,000 titles to choose from. The shipping is free both ways, and you can cancel your subscription at any time with no commitments. An added bonus every month includes two coupons for an in-store movie or game. This is definitely the best online DVD rental offer on the market. The only drawback that I experienced first-hand was that in two separate instances, the website stated “down for scheduled maintenance,” and I could not log on. Also, if you’re looking for a free trial, unfortunately Blockbuster does not offer one.

Two other good online services include Netflix (www.netflix.com) and WalMart (www.walmart.com). Netflix, being one of the first, offers more titles than Blockbuster with over 40,000 to choose from. Its price is a little higher at $17.99 a month for three movies out. You can also choose two movies out for $11.99, five for $29.99 or eight for $47.99. It also comes with a free two-week trial, free two-way shipping and you can cancel anytime.

WalMart offers a free 30-day trial, and about 13,000 titles to choose from. The prices are $12.97 for two movies out, $17.36 for three movies, and $21.94 for four movies. It also offers free two-way shipping and the option to cancel at any time. The delivery time is a little slower than Blockbuster or Netflix, but keep in mind you do get that long free trial period.

A Heads Up On Noise Reduction

I love traveling, but flying on a long airplane flight can be a grind. The crying children, people talking loud or yelling at each other, or the jet engine noise can make it difficult to relax or fall asleep. On a recent overseas flight, I was fortunate enough to try a pair of noise reduction headphones. The technology is truly remarkable. Small microphones that are built into the headphones listen to the ambient noise around you and takes it away almost magically. While listening to the music on my iPod with these special headphones, it amazingly shut the rest of the world out, even to the point where I could not hear the flight attendant talking to me.

There are three noise cancellation headphones that I would recommend. For starters, there’s the Sony MDR-NC6. According to Sony, it reduces ambient noise by 70% (10 decibels). Weighing 5.29 ounces, and folding for easy storage makes it good for travel or a daily commute. The MDR-NC6 also functions as regular headphones when the noise canceling circuit is not activated. It also comes with a dual plug adaptor and retails for about $59.95 on www.sony.com.

The Panasonic RP-HC100 features an ergonomically designed headband and large foam ear pads for a comfy fit. It weighs 5.1 ounces and easily folds to fit in its carry pouch. Its large driver units and neodymium rare-earth magnet deliver a rich and powerful sound. Retail price is $79.95 at www.panasonic.com.

The Bose QuietComfort 2 Noise Cancelling® Headphones use Bose’s proprietary TriPort® technology, which allows the driver to create deep lows. That means you can hear balanced low notes while listening to your music. A little heavier than the Sony or Panasonic, its weight is 6.9 ounces and folds flat to fit in its zippered carrying case. Also, the cable can be removed so you can go “cordless” if you just want to reduce the noise. The price is $299 at www.bose.com.

Although all these headphones are great for trips on an airplane or noise in general, I highly recommend splurging for the Bose if you can afford it. The comfortable ear pads make it all worth it, and you’ll be in your own world.