Android 2.0: A Visual Guide [Android 2.0] Dominik Pietsch, 28.10.09, 23:22
Android 2.0: A Visual Guide [Android 2.0]
The best thing about the Motorola Droid might just be Android 2.0. It got official yesterday, and Google showed off some highlights, but here’s a visual guide if you wanna get a little closer. (You should, it’s pretty great.)
Motorola’s Droid Is Memorable, But Won’t Make You Forget the iPhone Dominik Pietsch, 28.10.09, 23:20
Motorola’s Droid Is Memorable, But Won’t Make You Forget the iPhone
The good news is that this feature-rich handset, running version 2.0 of Google’s Android OS, compares very favorably to the Goliath of the smartphone world as a utility mobile-computing device — and, oh yeah, a phone.
The bad news is that there may be too many good things going on to make using this device the quick, intuitive, out-of-the-box experience it should be. That’s a problem, given that the iPhone has set the usability bar so high.
An embarrassment of riches shouldn’t be a negative, and it really isn’t overall on the Droid, which goes on sale Nov. 6 to Verizon customers only. The tight integration of all things Google — maps overlaid on GPS, voice input all over the place, search that does not ask you to decide whether you are looking for something locally or on the net — are now more fully realized in this major upgrade to the mobile operating system that the search giant first released on a single handset, the T-1.
This is very good thing for those who have become Google citizens and are already used to entrusting their contacts, documents and discovery needs to that cloud.
On the down side, you will need a Gmail, Facebook or Microsoft exchange account to use the e-mail app. And, there is no provision for syncing to an address book (or calendar) on your desktop. Everything is in the Google cloud, which — given the recent Sidekick data-loss debacle — may not be the greatest selling point just now.
Like the iPhone and many other handsets this is a primarily a touchscreen device whose face is almost 100 percent screen — and a bright, crisp screen it is. Rather than take sides in the virtual-vs.-hardware keyboard debate, the Droid provides both. The hardware keyboard slides out in a familiar landscape mechanism, and it includes a 5-way directional pad, the better to allow you to keep your hands on the keyboard once you have them there.
The virtual keyboard appears when appropriate, landscape or portrait. And while the software keys appear to be narrower than those on the iPhone, they seem at least as easy to use. Another familiar feature is the “reality check” of a small pop-up displaying the key being pressed. And there is a type-ahead function which displays possible words, potentially saving you keystrokes.
On-board music purchase is from Amazon (at least), but when the Droid is connected to a computer, it’s read as an SD card, and dragging any tracks onto it makes…
GPS-Software: Google macht Navi-Herstellern Konkurrenz Dominik Pietsch, 28.10.09, 22:56
GPS-Software: Google macht Navi-Herstellern Konkurrenz
Der US-Konzern Google will die führenden Produzenten von GPS-Leitsystemen herausfordern – mit einem Navigationssystem für Mobiltelefone. Das Programm soll gratis sein. Als Reaktion auf die Ankündigung brachen die Aktienkurse von TomTom und Garmin ein.
Plex 0.8.3 brings extensive Snow Leopard compatibility Dominik Pietsch, 28.10.09, 01:19
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Plex 0.8.3 brings extensive Snow Leopard compatibility
The latest update for Plex makes the best media center application on Mac OS X even better by improving compatibility for Snow Leopard.
1Password 3 Beta brings a sweet new interface and Snow Leopard support Dominik Pietsch, 27.10.09, 20:24
1Password 3 Beta brings a sweet new interface and Snow Leopard support
Filed under: Cool tools, Security, Snow Leopard
Most of us have really crappy, insecure passwords. Sure, we tack a couple of numbers or punctuation characters at the end of our cat’s name, but that’s a far cry from secure — especially since we also have the equally nasty habit of using the same password on every single site/service/machine/device with which we have regular contact. We’re not just asking for trouble, we’re offering it a delectable stolen identity sandwich.
As most of us Mac folks know, a solution exists and it’s called 1Password. If you’ve owned your Mac for more than an hour or so, chances are pretty good that you’ve been admonished to acquire this lovely app (maybe even by more than one person). Several of us at TUAW are big fans of 1Password, and today our pointy party hats are standing taller than ever thanks to the opening of the public beta for 1Password 3.
This new version brings with it a massive list of changes, improvements and new features — a couple of which have helped me to realize the dream of being able to utilize 1Password data on OSes other than OS X. You see, like many other Mac enthusiasts, I use Windows at work. Obviously, this precludes me from fully embracing Mac-only software like 1Password, but thanks to a brand new feature called 1Password Anywhere, my pain is dulled.
1Password Anywhere allows you to take your 1Password data and open it using any modern web browser. I’ve tested this with Chrome, Firefox and IE under Windows XP and they all work wonderfully. Your data is still absolutely secure and stored behind the same master password that protects the data in 1Password proper. They didn’t spare any detail, either — 1Password Anywhere looks and feels remarkably similar to the native OSX application. The data is read-only in your browser, but being able to easily the strong passwords and paste them is worth the admission price. The truly enlightened will see the application of a service like Dropbox here — just move your keychain file into your Dropbox and your passwords are now with you whenever you go.
Merkel zu Finanzminister Schäuble und den 100.000 D-Mark Dominik Pietsch, 25.10.09, 20:54
Bananenrepublik
Gyrowheel Eliminates Training Wheels in Kids’ Bikes [Bikes] Dominik Pietsch, 25.10.09, 13:20
Gyrowheel Eliminates Training Wheels in Kids’ Bikes [Bikes]
Rarely one invention can save Humanity from annihilation, and push the world forward a couple of centuries in one go. The Gyrowheel is not it, but to millions of children worldwide, it’ll feel like that. Check it in action:
LIke the Segway, the Gyrowhee uses gyroscopes to stabilize an object on wheels, using them to detect the when the vehicle is out of balance. Unlike the Segway, however, the Gyrowheel has a disk inside that spins in whatever direction is needed, creating a force that stabilizes the bike, even at low speeds. It’s not the wheel itself that moves, it’s the disk inside. According to Gyrobike, the manufacturer, this is called “gyroscopic precession.” I call it “black magic.”
Gyrobike says that their 12″ wheel—which will be available on December 1 for around $100— will make any kid learn to ride a bike in 30 minutes to an hour, teaching “correct riding technique” in the process. A 16″ model will be available in spring 2010. [Gyrobike via Daily Mail]
Ein Gyro im Fahrradreifen ersetzt die Stützräder Kinder! Dominik Pietsch, 25.10.09, 12:35
Maine Kayak Source Dominik Pietsch, 24.10.09, 12:05
Now under one roof, Lincoln Canoe & Kayak—the half-century-old outfit based in Freeport, Maine—recently teamed up with the three Canadian paddling brands BoréalDesign, Maelstromkayak and Beluga Outdoor Sports Equipment to create Maine Kayak Source. (Click on kayaks for enlarged views.)
The well-matched union allows each of the quality-focused brands to band together in forming a hub of high-end goods spanning sea kayaks, canoes, clothing and accessories.
Steeped in history, Lincoln Canoe & Kayak ensures a modern future with the addition of BoréalDesign, who will compliment the purveyor of handcrafted outriggers with their expedition-ready, open water ultralight canoe.
For more information check out the site. View more images after the jump.
Marc & Anna Dominik Pietsch, 24.10.09, 12:01
I was unaware of the very solid body of work being produced by design studio Marc&Anna until a few days ago. How pleasantly surprised I was to find a great portfolio brimming with a confidently placed personal.