The Professor's Notes

Back in the summer, we visited our daughter in New York, and Matthew and I saw this gentleman sitting ‘Pan handling.”

Perhaps there is a very good reason why someone would ask for money for a helicopter (oh, wait–”helOcopter”) ride to JFK–but wouldn’t a cab be more affordable?

From 2010_08_08

I also chuckle at “pan handling” while talking on a cell-phone, and having your Starbucks cup between your feet.

Speaking of “Pan Handling“–feel free to donate to this blog to keep this blog, and the podcast “Real Tech for Real People” moving along!  The donate button is over there on the right!

And I promise not to use your money for helicopter rides.

In the effort to continue to “catch up” here at The Professor Notes I am posting episode 55 from Real Tech for Real People.  If you enjoy listening, go check out the most RECENT episodes over at Real Tech for Real People.  Over there you will learn in Episode 57 how YOU can win two tickets to the Penn State football game against Michigan.

Also, listen regularly to learn how you can win prizes that you can use daily!

Let us know what YOU want us to talk about.

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Click Here to listen to Real Tech 55

Click here to subscribe via iTunes

NEWS:

Bloomberg predicts Apple’s moves in TV.  Bloomberg expects Apple’s next conquest will be  the TV industry, comparing its early moves to its first steps in the mobile phone market. The article analyzes the technology of Apple TV, noting potential methods through which Apple may approach the TV business.

Bloomberg

Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac – Assuming I can make the podcast, I have 2011 (enterprise have it now, the broader public will have to wait to 10/26) and can make some preliminary comments. Read the rest of this entry »

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Hat tip to my brother for point me to the link

Don’t miss the EXCITING news for winning prizes-including TWO TICKETS to Michigan at Penn State (Football).  Listen to Real Tech for Real People for how to win!

Engadget is reporting today that Samsung will finally be releasing the FroYo Android 2.2 update for their Galaxy S phones, including the Captivate for AT&T and the Fascinate for Verizon.  I hope this is the real deal.  We have had so many rumors floating around.

There are many new and interesting features in the 2.2 Android OS, including the new GMail application, and voice dialing (finally?), in addition to “built-in” tethering.

Fingers crossed…

NOTE:  This blog post is based on a conversation we had about the future of smartphones on Real Tech for Real People, in episode 56 “The LT Episode”.  Give it a listen, and let us know what you think.

Since the start of the smartphone experience, the hardware and the operating system have been so tightly integrated that one is hard to distinguish from the other.  This started as far back as the Springboard Sprint phone hardware attachment for the Handspring Visor, and continues today with the Windows 7 phones, the iPhone and in reality the Android phone.  But what if the phones (hardware) and the soul of the phones, the mobile OS’s, could be separated?

As the Windows 7 phone rolls out we are once again introduced to a wide array of mobile phone models, names, and interfaces.  We have been seeing that with the Android, with several different Galaxy S phone from Samsung, as well as a variety of “Droid” branded Motorola phones with Verizon.  And of course, as mentioned in the NY Times recently, if you want to get the iOS on a phone, you have to get an iPhone.

But imagine a different world: Imagine a world where the hardware becomes separate from the OS.  Imagine if you could go into a cellphone store, and decide on the hardware you wanted, and then purchase (or just install in the case of the Android) an operating system?  It would seem we aren’t all that far away from this reality.  The processors in the Windows Phone 7 are the same as many of the Android phones.  The memory, displays, and cameras are all essentially commodities these days.  The only real difference is the cellular radios that are included in the phones, and that is network dependent, not OS dependent–three “flavors” for each OS and you are done.

Does this open up a whole new world, or just add to more confusion?

Would YOU want to be able to mix and match the OS with the hardware that you prefer?

Let me know your thoughts.

My podcast co-host, Tony Pittman (@tonypittman), shared a link with me.^{Butch Davis bans Twitter at UNC.” Reading further, I learned that:}

…players are forbidden from using the popular microblogging service.

The decision follows at least two instances where players were told to take down Twitter posts.²

My first reaction was “Wow!  Banning the use of a personal tool, on a personal phone or computer–that seems a bit Draconian!”  Then I started wondering what I would suggest instead.  After a little thought (very little) I decided this–he should take the same approach that I have had with my children. Read the rest of this entry »

Much of this episode is about charging. No not for the podcast, but charging batteries! Those things we use every day! Imagine a battery on paper! It’s in this episode!

That said, we don’t charge for our podcasts, but we would love it if you would show your love of Real Tech for Real People, through purchasing yourself, or your loved one, a Real Tech for Real People gift.  A mug, a T-Shirt, a Mousepad… they are all available over at

http://cafepress.com/rtfrp

Take advantage of 15% off on orders over 60%

And if you do, send us your photo with the item, and we will post it here, and over at http://RTFRP.com!

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This episode is a first for us. You can download either the audio, or a VIDEO version of the podcast.

Select YOUR version of Real Tech for Real People!

Click Here to listen to Real Tech 54

Click Here to WATCH to Real Tech 54

Click here to subscribe via iTunes

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Free Phone Fridays at Best Buy! For the month of October! Each week they will include at least one smart phone.

Flexibility is the key to air power, AND ereaders. The F-15C gets a new set of eyes and Sony debuts a bendable e-screen!

AND Flexibility making it’s move to batteries. LiIon battery made on paper by Stanford researchers. Probably won’t be in phones, but could make for “active” RFID technology, among other thin uses.

Speaking of Batteries, Panasonic is finally creating rechargable AA batteries that recharge through frustration! (er, shaking…) Great they say for remote controls, and other hand held devices. About time, *I* say.

We discuss an article that challenges the notion thatAndroid is Open:

Android Is As Open As The Clenched Fist I’d Like To Punch The Carriers With

MG Siegler

Sep 9, 2010

This past weekend, I wrote a post wondering if Android was surging in the U.S. market because Apple was letting it? The main thought was that by remaining exclusively tied to AT&T, Apple was driving some users to choose Android, which is available on all the U.S. carriers. In the post, I posed a question: if it’s not the iPhone/AT&T deal, why do you choose Android? Nearly 1,000 people responded, and a large percentage focused on the same idea: the idea of “openness.”

You’ll forgive me, but I have to say it: what a load of crap.

Old News, but worth mentioning: Gorilla Glass is also in the Samsung Galaxy S displays (and it is transparent aluminum. Sort of.)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Things are beginning to turn here at the lake, and I am enjoying taking the panorama photos with the Samsung Captivate Android-based phone.

From Drop Box