If you’re using Dropbox and have a .EDU address you need to head over to:

https://www.dropbox.com/edu

Once you log in and verify your .EDU any of your previous referrals will be doubled (500MB), as well as any future referrals.

If you are not already using Dropbox you should be. Take a look at our previous article : “Staying Sane with Multiple PC’s”.  It’s a great way to utilize the cloud to access and store your personal files. After you install Dropbox you will have a folder that you can organize your files in that is accessible on any browser or computer. A great way to get organized in the new year.

wikileaks.org is no longer a valid link from within the US. Their DNS no longer points to the web servers IP address. However you can access their website directly through the following IP.

http://46.59.1.2/

A simple trace route leads us to believe that the site is hosted in Sweden. Due to the name Bahnhof, and the fact they are a Sweedish ISP.

I was out on GameStops website recently and I noticed that they we’re selling the Special Edition Super Mario Brothers Wii and DS XL.  I thought the red systems looked pretty cool until my eyes caught the price tag.  I understand that the extras in each bundle are a little different so comparing prices is a little tricky.  But still…they’re selling a full out console that has integrated motion sensing for 20 dollars more than the DS XL?

I cannot believe how expensive the DS XL is.  Justifying 200 dollars for a console system is one thing.  But how do parents justify buying their kid a “gameboy” for the price of their monthly car payment?  Now I know what your saying, it’s not a gameboy…it’s a nintendo ds…it has wifi….

…it’s a gameboy.

And the price point should stay around or under 100.

// end rant

Wal-mart (WMT) has taken new steps to engage there customers in a more modern way. Recently Wal-mart has outfitted 100 stores nationwide with new “Wireless” stores.

The new Wal-mart wireless store within a store is taking the Best Buy Mobile (BBY) approach and taking a classier style by having employees dress in business casual and separate the phones from the rest of the store. The phones are all working demo’s un-like the past where all they had was “dummy” phones that did not function. This enables the customers to try out the phones before they buy them.

Inside the wireless store there are separate areas to complete transactions and have a more personal experience. Wal-mart is definitely staying on top of the market and listening to what there customers want. I look forward to see what Wal-mart does in the future. Anything that drives competition within the marketplace will help us consumers have more choice at better prices.

Until Next Time

Carpe Noctum

TJ

Today Apple announced the new “app” store for OSX. The app store is the same as what we currently see on the IOS devices, a one stop shop for applications.

What does this mean for developers? Lets take a look at the pro’s and con’s.

Pro’s:

Easier to monitor application downloads

Easy avenue to push out updates

Easily manage product keys and keep your work protected

Free advertisement

Reach more users

Con’s:

Apple approval process

Apple cutting in to profits (ie IOS store 30/70 split)

Not as much control over what you can publish

Lots of paperwork to get your profits

There are a lot of questions still un-answered in regards to the Apple App store, they plan on opening within 90 days so we will see if this move helps or hurts us. This is still an opt in platform so not “All” applications will have to go through the store but it may help the new developers get noticed and help you keep track of your intellectual property.

Until next time:

CARPE DIUM

TJ

Verizon Wireless now has a splash page advertising the fact that they are selling the iPad.

To the best of our knowledge they are selling an iPad wifi with a mifi.  It seems that there is no integration with Verizon’s network and the actual physical iPad.

So what??? What does this mean for Apples business model?  Of course, this isn’t the Apple Verizon play we’ve all been waiting for but it certainly is a start.

Price isn’t terrible, 1GB for 20 dollars.  Also, it’s a pay as you go plan so that’s  a plus.  Contracts are no fun.

In conclusion, I am not interested in carrying around my mifi and connecting to its wifi.  That sounds like a huge pain. I’ll stick with my Verizon droid for now…

Jumping on the bandwagon I would like to repeat the rumors that I’ve heard. According to the web there will be a Verizon I-Phone released in first quarter of next year.

However, as we know nothing is official until we hear from Apple or Verizon.

Further updates as soon as we know more!

As of right now I am writing this blog post from my new I pad. It takes a little getting used to but I am blown away by how well this device performs. So far I have installed quite a few apps and I am loving all of them. My goal is to replace my Macbook Pro that I normally use at school to lighten my load. I am not expecting to be able to do everything but basic web browsing and note taking should work great. I think it’s going to be pretty easy to do. Here are the apps that I am enjoying so far.

Desktop Connect:

By far my favorite app on the device. I am able to control Linux boxes, Apple Machines as well as Windows Machines remotely. This is a RDP and VNC remote desktop app. I really like the mouse control, you don’t directly control the mouse it’s different, but nice. Another cool feature is the auto-discovery of Windows and Apple devices that are advertising remote connections. All devices that are available show up on the left hand side.

Netflix:

I have never seen Netflix work so flawlessly. Within 30 seconds I was logged in and my movie was playing, almost instantly. The Netflix streaming catalog is growing every day. I was able to browse TV shows and Movies without any lag or slowness.

WordPress:

The next one was a tuff decision. What app would I use to keep up with the Twitter universe?
My first instinct was to download tweet deck. I was un-pleasantly surprised when I clicked on a link and I could not navigate to the Webpage. (It does work in portrait mode)

Twitteriffic:
This is a pleasant upgrade from Tweet Deck, it even makes cool bird sounds when its launched. It’s like pretty much every other Twitter Client you have access to a timeline with all your friends as well as re-tweet and reply. I really like the simple and easy to use interface.

Real Racing HD:

Everyone that I demo this app for is blown away by how well the device handles the game and how stunning the graphics are. The game play is solid although I would like some more control over the game. All you have access to is the brake, not the accelerator. Overall the game is a 9 out of 10.

Today while looking at all of my domains ( way to many) and I saw that Godaddy added a new feature to all of my domains. Site Diagnostics.


I was thinking that Godaddy would help me with SEO and things like that. Unfortunately it was just another sales tool. It seems like everyday I go back to Godaddy they just want to sell me something that i probably do not need. I am getting sick of sorting through ad’s and such to manage my DNS. I do give them credit, they did give me a rating for load time for my site but that was about it.

GoDaddy please stop trying to sell me things that I do not need!

It looks as though Apple has added a few new features to mobile me on the windows and the mac side.  It looks as though they have added features such as video upload to the Mobile Me Gallery. Full Knowledge Base Article Below.

T.J.