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Oddball Tech: P.U.M.A., Google van meets a bridge, and UK Street View driver hates photograper

Posted: 11 Apr 2009 02:13 PM PDT

Compared to the P.U.M.A., a golf cart looks cool

How can you take the P.U.M.A. device seriously? P.U.M.A. which stands for "Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility" could stand for any of the following:

"People Using Machines Asininely"
"People Used to Mocking Always"
"People Undergoing Muscle Atrophy"
"Popemobile Undergone Much Alteration"

It's almost a cool idea. Then again, the original Segway was a cool idea, but was just incredibly dorky. This time, the GM/Segway project has a cool name, but I'm not sure it will save GM.

Google van and a low bridge

Google may be run by a bunch of super-smart people, but sometimes dumb things happen. Take a look at this area on Google Maps. We've got a Google Van driving into an area with a low bridge. If you've ever seen one of these cars photographing streets, you know that it's a car with a pole on the roof with a number of cameras on the top. You can click through to see the incredibly obvious result.

Google Fight: Google Street View vs. Photographer

A guy saw the Google Street View car and wanted to take a picture of it. The car normally takes the nice street view pictures you can find on Google Maps. The only issue? The driver of the car didn't want his picture taken.

How could the observer know the driver's position on the matter? Easy, the driver said "Don’t you take pictures of me, mate."

The driver and the car were out in public. I don't know the laws of the UK (where the incident happened), but in the U.S., you really don't have many privacy rights if you are out in public.

Next, the person in the mirror will scream, "Stop staring at me!"

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Posted: 11 Apr 2009 01:01 PM PDT

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Put Netflix Watch Instantly in your TiVo’s Now Playing list

Posted: 11 Apr 2009 12:03 PM PDT

Normally, when you want to access Netflix Watch Instantly on a TiVo, you have to go through a series of menus. It goes something like Video On Demand > Netflix > Watch Instantly.

Now, you'll be able to place Netflix Watch Instantly in your "Now Playing" list with the rest of your recordings. All you've got to do is get to Netflix Watch Instantly the way your normally would and click on a new third option: “Show in Now Playing List.”

The change will be applied the next time the TiVo connects for a service connection. The note says that it may take up to 24 hours before the Netflix appears in your list.

That's a nice change to TiVo. This is a nice bit of customization that will probably get applied to other services like Amazon Video on Demand.

Palm Pre News Bits: Sprint training, TouchStone details, and an update on apps

Posted: 11 Apr 2009 10:14 AM PDT

The Palm Pre - the most anticipated phone in a long time

All the , and some Pre apps have received an update.

Sprint employees prepare for Pre

Sorry about the stupid pun. But in all seriousness, a leaked email from Sprint said, “Employees can expect training to start in April as well as multiple communications to get them excited and ready to help our customers.” Here we are, nearly two weeks into April so it makes sense training is about to commence. This could be the big break Sprint has been looking for to get them back on top of the cell phone business. They definitely do not want to experience any customer support when the Pre launches. So it’s good that they are taking the appropriate measures to prepare their staff for the Palm Pre. Especially with for their Now Network, and mentioning the Pre, something’s going to go down very soon for Sprint and Palm.

TouchStone, leading the charging revolution

One aspect of the Pre I am very excited about is the innovative charging method it brings along. All you have to do is purchase the device, and place the phone on it and it begins charging. Also, it is fully functional, so you can still talk on the phone through speakerphone. Now, Palm replied to two people in the form of to let them know how the TouchStone will be available. The device itself as well as the necessary back cover will be available together or separately. While, how it is going to be available is not all that important, but the fact that they are disclosing information to the Pre’s accessories leads me to believe that the Pre should be ready soon. If the Pre was still months off, why even bring up how the TouchStone will be available?

Update on Pre Apps

Palm has also taken the liberty to announce two new Apps for the phone. One is called FlightView, which is a handy app aiming to let the user know whether their flight is delayed, or running right on schedule. As you can probably imagine, this could potentially save a lot of confusion and hassle. As for the second app, it is a Fandango app, which basically lets you purchase movie tickets straight from your Pre.

Each and every time I read something that mentions the Pre, it looks like that the rumored date of April 30 is more and more right on the money. With the T-Mobile private launch event set for April 21, and the iPhone 3.0 Software coming in June, we could be looking at a very interesting Spring and Summer.

Stay tuned for more Pre information as it breaks.

As the tax deadline nears, phishing scams rise

Posted: 11 Apr 2009 08:28 AM PDT

Tax related phishing scams continue to rise as the deadline for filing taxes nears. Experts say the most common types of tax related phishing scams include fake offers of refunds, economic stimulus payments, or help getting rid of tax debt. When the recipient unwittingly follows the link provided, they are taken to a site where lots of personal info such a social security and bank account numbers is asked for.

“Filing your taxes online is extremely convenient, however if you want to maintain the privacy of your data, you need to ensure that you are connecting to the proper Web site, that the connection is using encryption, and that your computer is free from any malware. If any of these components are compromised then your data is not safe,” Ryan Barnett, director of application security research for Breach Security, said on Friday.

Another tax related scam to watch out for is fake tax preparation sites. These malicious sites look like legit tax prep sites but are actually out to steal your data. Stick with the big guys like TurboTax or H&R Block, or better still, find a local accountant to help you. To protect yourself from tax related scams, keep your anti-virus program updated, never click on links in emails from people you don't know, and when in doubt, go to the IRS website or give them a call.

4th Gen Zune coming to compete with iPod Touch?

Posted: 11 Apr 2009 08:06 AM PDT

Engadget got a hold of some artwork of the new Zune HD. At first it was believed to simply be a concept, but there are rumors coming from “sources close to Zune” that this is indeed the next Zune. The Zune 4th Generation will be a bit smaller than the iPod Touch, and have competitive features.

The Zune is Microsoft’s entry into the portable multimedia device field, and has always been overshadowed by Apple’s iPods. The Zune 4th Generation would offer users a touchscreen display and other features similar to the current iPod Touch, though it remains to be seen if there will be an Application Store for the Zune like there is for the iPod Touch.

Microsoft released the first Zune in 2006. The first generation featured a 30 GB hard drive, WiFi for sharing music with friends, and a radio FM Tuner. While many view it as a decent music player in its own right, Apple’s penetration of the music player market has been too great for the Zune to overcome in any sense.

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BOOM! Top Apple news for the week of 4-05-2009

Posted: 11 Apr 2009 07:06 AM PDT

We may not cover Apple 24×7… but we know someone who does! Here’s a few of this week’s hottest from to get you started…

Virgin Mobile announces the “Pink Slip Protected” $50 unlimited calling plan

Posted: 11 Apr 2009 06:13 AM PDT

Virgin Mobile has joined the likes of and has announced a $50 unlimited calling plan. The new Virgin Mobile plan will offer customers unlimited minutes with no roaming charges for just $49.99-a-month, but they have also included a little bonus in what they are calling “Pink Slip Protection.”

Now, in addition to having a low-priced monthly calling plan, you will also have the ability to lose your job and not have to pay for your cell phone for up to three months. Of course, in order to take advantage of the “Pink Slip Protection,” you must prove your situation by showing “proof of eligibility for state unemployment benefits.”

Customers will be able to begin signing up for the $49.99 Unlimited Calling Plan on April 15. Additionally, customers choosing this calling plan will also be able to add an unlimited text message plan for an extra $10-a-month.

News: RIM officially confirms BlackBerry Storm 2

Posted: 11 Apr 2009 03:14 AM PDT

We only told you about the possibility of seeing a next generation BlackBerry Storm, the Storm 2 and now it seems that rumor has been confirmed to be true. RIM's Alain Segond von Banchet, Channel Sales Manager in the Netherlands has confirmed the release of the Storm 2. It will be due later in the year, for Europe: late '09 or early 2010! What the sales manager wasn’t being so honest about was whether the Storm 2 will be upgraded with WiFi, despite this, it seems very obvious that this hardware update will be inevitable if RIM wants to continue to compete with its rivals using the Storm 2. Hopefully we’ll see more info of the successor of the first BlackBerry full touchscreen mobile soon.

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Hantech Tablo unboxing

Posted: 11 Apr 2009 12:03 AM PDT

The Hantech Siso Tablo is a handy device that attaches to your laptop screen and turns it into a tablet PC. It took me 5 minutes to set up and install the software, and I was up in running with no trouble at all. The Tablo runs for $99 MSRP, and is a solid investment for students, business users, or artists.

ctia 2009 show stopper pen house 2 480x319

The Tablo uses the sensor to determine the location of the pen relative to the display much like the Nintendo Wii, and allows you to write for hand recognition or interaction with your computer either through writing on the screen, or in the air in front of it. You can use the Tablo in Windows, MS Office, and Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. It becomes sort of an inexpensive Wacom tablet and there’s no excuse not to get a Tablo if you’re in the market for a device with these functionalities.

Check out for a full list of supported applications and where to buy. We’ll have a full review up in a few days.

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