Ok it's been a while but new iPods : )

Ok so it's been a while since I last blogged and sorry to all 5 of my readers. But honestly there hasn't been that exciting of news to report.

However we are getting closer to September and yes that means new Apple products. So if you've been wanting Apple gear hold out until about Mid September. There will be new Macbooks, Macbook Pros and iPods.

Most notably is a new long skinny iPod Nano, and a rumored refresh of the iPod touch with GPS? Same rumors about new Macbook and Macbook Pros. Prob a new case and the Macbooks may have aluminum cases now. Also there is a rumor of Blu-Ray support FINALLY!

But that's about it. Got any other questions email me: richmlee@gmail.com

Simplify Media ='s streaming your home muisc to your iPhone/iPod Touch

There is a sweet new app out there for you iPhone/iPod touch users. It's called Simplify Media (http://www.simplifymedia.com/) and what it essentially does is stream your iTunes music from your home computer or your friend's computers to your iPhone or iPod touch anywhere.

The iPhone (and iPod touch) app is free for the first 100,000 downloads and will then be $3.99.

Features include:

- Stream your music over Wi-Fi, EDGE and 3G- Navigate quickly by artist, album and genre- Enjoy cover art, artist bios and lyrics

- Connect with up to 30 friends- Easy setup; no router configuration It does require installing additional software on your Mac or PC to successfully stream the music.

Unfortunately, it appears that DRM encoded files are not available for playback. This typically includes songs purchased from iTunes.

Check out the demo video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8DaD1Dtyl8&eurl=http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2008/08/14/stream-your-itunes-library-to-your-iphone-over-wi-fi-edge-or-3g/

Got questions? Email me: richmlee@gmail.com

Don't buy that Apple Laptop just yet!

Ok so I haven't' blogged in a few days. But today's big news plus a friend of mine was asking) is that Apple is probably going to be pushing new Macbooks, Macbook Pros, Macbook Air and iPods in September.

So if you were thinking about buying one wait until about mid-September, you'll get more bang for your buck. Usually Apple keeps the prices of their computers the same or actually they even get cheaper.

My buddy also asked the difference between the Macbook and Macbook Pro and here are the basic differences:

The Macbook Pro has faster processors, faster hard drives, higher resolution screens, aluminum casing (more durable), and a dedicated video card. All of these things translate into a much much faster computer. Don't get me wrong the Macbook is a very capable machine but the Macbook Pro is just that much faster.

So it just depends on what you want to do. If you plan on doing heave video/photo editing I'd suggest getting a Macbook Pro, otherwise for everyday use a Macbook will be just fine.

Got questions? Email me: richmlee@gmail.com

Tech Douche Bag Of The Month: Don Reisinger

Ok I know I'm not some sort of Messiah when it comes to Tech blogging, I'm an armature Tech blogger I don't get paid for this and I do it just as a hobby, and I certainly don't claim to know everything. But there are a lot of douche bags out there who are purported Tech blogger and they freaking suck. So I've decided to start the "Tech Douche Bag Of The Month" award. This month goes to CNets: Don Reisinger.

I don't like CNet, however I find myself constantly reading it for some unknown reason. It's like train wreck, you don't want to stare but you do it anyway for no reason.

But when I do read it, this guy Don Reisinger, is a giant tool. I don't know where he get's his ideas to write about. It's as if he has a crap idea machine and he just picks the crappiest of the crap and decides to write about it. I don't even know how to explain is douche-ness but it's pretty douche.

Like one of his latest entries, about how Apple needs to lower it's prices on computers to be more competitive with Windows Machines. Hello, Apple doesn't need to lower it's prices and they are still selling plenty of computers and their year over year grown is outstanding. That's like saying Mercedes or BMW should lower their prices so they can compete with Toyota and Honda, freaking retard. Apple is in the "luxury premium" laptop market, why would they lower their standards to half-assed HP's or Dells. Additionally while Apple is interested in Market Share of the PC industry, that is not their primarily focus, their primary focus is the user experience and making the best products they can. They aren't too concerned with squeezing out just as many laptops to the market as HP or Dell.

Not to mention that Apple probably has some pretty smart people in their marketing and sales teams that know what to charge for produces and services and this douche bag knows better than S.Jobs and the rest of the crew there? Doubtful, otherwise he'd be running Apple right?

Now don't get me wrong Apple doesn't make everything great, they make some pretty craptastic stuff too, does anyone remember the Newton, or iPod HiFi? Yeah no one does because these things blew more than a a 2 cent hooker in Bangkok on payday.

Anyway this is just a small sample of this retard you'd have to read more of his blog to get the full experience of this douchery. But take my word for it he's a tool and that's why he deserves this month's "Douche Bag of the Month" award. Don't be surprised if he wins it next month and the month after and the month after........


Got questions? email me: richmlee@gmail.com

XBox does not <3 Wireless....

So another buddy of mine emails for help with his wireless router:

To: Dick's Help Desk
I'm a long time reader, first time writer. I am having issues with a router purchased on the advice of this blogger, and am seeking answers.
So I switched over from my old DSL to road runner a few weeks ago, and that is when I got that linksys N router you suggested. Now everything has been going fine, and my computer that is plugged directly into it seems much faster. Jessica's laptop also seems faster on the wireless Internet through the router.
But for some reason, when I tried to play xbox live last week it was horrible. The xbox showed it had a strong wireless connection, but when I tried to play RB6:V2 with Ryan it was so awful and choppy we could't even play. The only thing that has changed since he and I used to play just fine is my new Internet service and new router. He and I also tested it with Halo 3 and had the same issue.
I was thinking about stopping by Fry's to pick up another one and test it, but wanted to first see if you had any advice.
Thanks Dick's Help Desk, and I eagerly await your answer.
From: Lonely Gamer in San Diego
Sent from my iPhone

So I suggested several fixes:

1. Reboot all devices and the magical unplug and replug the power to your router.


2. Update the firmware on your router.


3. Use WEP instead of WPA2 and choose a simple WEP key


4. Restore your Xbox network settings back default and re-configure the wireless


5. Move your Xbox somewhere away from speakers, metal, or cordless phones. These things will cock block your wireless signal and throughput.


6. If all else fails, then you should consider getting a different router, but one of these should work.

Got questions email me: richmlee@gmail.com

Beto needs help

So a buddy of mine calls and asks what kind of laptop should I get? Well he has the following cirteria:

• Wants to spend less than $1000


• Needs it for basic web, email, pictures, movies and music


• Wants it to be somewhat portable as he is going to run around quite a bit

Well ultra portables are out because they cost more than $1,000 but that would be perfect. However this is what I suggested for him:

Hey Beto:

So I did a little research for ya and here are my recommendations:

Although I'm not the hugest fan of Dell laptops except their XPS line but that is a little more expensive that what you're willing to pay. They have a new "Studio" line that is in between their shitty Inspiron Line and their top of the line XPS.

They have two Studio configurations that would work well for you:

The Studio 15 "Good" configuration is $749 and this has the specs that would satisfy your requirements such as email, trading, web surfing, music, pics, videos and it's somewhat portable. It has the good Intel Core 2 duo processor at 2.00 ghz, this processor has two processing cores or it's really like having two processors. It has a large 160 gig HD, CD/DVD burner, WiFi, and 2 gigs of memory. This laptop used the integrated Intel graphics chip set which is ok but not as good as a dedicated video card.

The Studio 15 "Better" configuration is $899, this has all the same things as the "Good" configuration however it's got more memory 3 gigs, a bigger hard drive 320 gig HD, and a dedicated video card, 256 MB ATI card. It's only an extra $150 dollars but you get so much more, I think it's def worth the extra money.

Both Studio Laptops are about 6 pounds W 14'', H 1'' front and 1.3'' in the back, D 10.3''

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop_studio_15?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

Your other option is to get a refurbished Macbook from the Apple website:

The white Macbook is $899 and has a 2.1 ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1 GB of memory, 120 GB HD, and a CD burner and Reader. The down side of the Mac is that it's new you'll have to get used to how to use it but trust me it's really easy, you don't get a DVD burner, and it has an integrated video card. But the build quality of the Macs are the best. Macs use very high quality parts and are typically very reliable. This laptop is also a bit more portable because it's only 1'' think all the way around, has a 13.3 in screen and only weighs 5 pounds. The other advantage is that Macs have no viruses, pop ups, spy ware etc. Plus you get the awesome Mac software included at no extra cost for your music, videos and pictures. I use my Mac to make all those movies of when we used to go out a couple summers ago. And lastly the Mac OSX operating system is waaaayyyy better than windows. don't worry about it being refurbished, it comes with the same warranty as new laptops and statistically speaking new laptops have a repair rate the same as new ones, so they're not any worse than a new one, they just can't be sold as new.

Here's the link:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB402LL/A

If it were up to me I'd get the Mac, they're just that much better than lame ass windows. But if you're more comfortable with Windows I'd recommend the Studio 15 "Better" configuration. That should be a great laptop for you.

Email me back if you have questions.



Richard

BMWs get em' while they're "cheap"

I know that my blog is a Tech blog, so why am I blogging about BMWs? Well technically BMW's are a giant piece of tech. Now a days no car would be able to function with out massive amounts of tech such as computers that control temp, safety, navigation etc.

But I'm not going to really talk about that what I wanted to bring to my 5 readers attention is that BMW is going to increase their prices on their cars. Not that they're not expensive enough already but their margins are getting squeezed and they need to make up for this so they're gonna pass it right along to the consumers.

So if you're thinking about getting a BMW now is a great time because they are offering 0.9% APR on almost ALL BMWs (including the M5 and M6 sorry no M3). This is ridiculous because BMW has never offered this low of financing on new cars.

This also is important to know because now this actually makes buying cheaper than leasing. That's right, I said it. However it's not just the low buy rate, it's also residual values shrinking and leasing money factors going up. It's getting more expensive for BMW to lease cars to you and I.

Well anyway if you're interested in getting a new BMW I'd take advantage of the 0.9% (good thru 9/2/08) financing right now. Here's the link:

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/FinancialServices/FinancingOffer/Default.aspx

"0.9% APR2008 335i Convertible Offer: 0.9% APR Financing now through 9/2/2008
Qualified customers only. Available at participating BMW centers through BMW Financial Services NA, LLC. Applies only to specific models and only for specific model years. 0.9% APR available through 9/2/2008. Subject to credit approval. See participating BMW center for details and vehicle availability. * Be sure to ask your BMW center about adding an automatic transmission at no cost."

Got questions? Like should I lease or buy? I've built a pretty nice lease vs. buy calculator and I've got a lot of experience with leases and buys. So email me: richmlee@gmail.com

Nintendo DS - "Backup" your Games

If you have a Nintendo DS, you might want to invest in one of these babies. It’s called an RS4, basically it allows you to copy DS games onto a Micro SD card and store your entire library of games on one card instead of carrying around like 20 games.

And you might be able to think of other ways to utilize its capabilities. Here is a video of the goodness in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxInC6zQJx4

But you better hurry if you want one because Nintendo just filed a lawsuit against several of the manufactures of this device so get em’ while they’re hot! Here's the link to buy one:

http://www.supercardnds.com/detail.asp?subcatid=0&private=&catid=10544&PageNo=1&PageSize=1

Got questions? Email me: richmlee@gmail.com

iPhone Nano in time for the holidays? Maybe...Maybe Not...

Ok so fresh rumor of the day: Apple plans to release an iPhone Nano just in time for the holidays. Well take this with a grain of salt, they've been saying this sine the first iPhone and nothing has ever happened.

But it's supposedly going to be smaller of course, have similar functionality come in 4 and 8 gig sizes and may just be a phone with WiFi, no EDGE or 3G so that will keep your wireless plan costs down a lot. No word on pricing but it's said to be "cheaper" than the iPhone, you can interpret that anyway you'd like but right now no one has a clue.

That's about it, nothing solid and I wouldn't hold my breath. But it would be a nice option and if this were true there should be some kind of announcement in the September time frame with the rumored new Macbook/Macbook Pros.

Got questions email me: richmlee@gmail.com