Archive for: communication
- December 27, 2010 12:31 pm
In the world of corporate America and the endless seas of cubicle islands, flickering lights are nothing more than a nuisance/headache-causing annoyance that we have to deal with day in and day out. But six municipal buildings in St Cloud, Minnesota at the will be outfitted with LVX’s “Visible Light Communication System”.
The concept is simple: flickering lights (in this case, LEDs) transfer data to desktop modems that then feed the information to a computer. Similar LEDs in the modem can respond back to the lights overhead, thereby enabling a sort of futuristic exchange of information. And to those worried about endless flickering offices from hell — don’t. The lights flicker faster than the normal human eye can register.
The first generation of LVX’s lighting system will top out 3Mbps. But future iterations will I’m sure gain speed. Such a solution is highly needed in the ever growing world of wireless communication and crowded airwaves.
- September 28, 2010 1:06 pm
For well over a year now I’ve been pestering Beejive’s email box monthly, inquiring as to when we’d see the fantastic multi-account IM app on Android. Each and every time I’d get a response that ultimately said no, but went about it in in varying ways. It looks like my emails can finally cease as BGR has a hands on preview of Beejive for Android.
The coolest feature that caught my attention from BGR’s preview was “chat drawer” that allows users to quickly access and manage conversations via it’s own drop down menu ala the stock Android notification bar. Pretty nifty, eh? As far as looks go, it’s easy to see that they closely follow the iPhone-esque UI. I’m not complaining though. Beejive is slick. In my eyes, it’s the best looking multi-chat IM app for Android. But not only does it have a pretty face, Beejive super stable. Back in the day when I toted around a BlackBerry, I never had any issues with Beejive. Ditto for my iPhone version.
Looks like the Android multi-chat app scene is about to get served. You’ll be able to find Beejive for Android in the Market later this afternoon for $9.99. Excited?
Update
It’s out. Go and get it!
- September 23, 2010 7:03 am
Oh hear it is — the shameless Facebook plug. “Join us on Facebook!” There, I said it. Hey, we need friends. The only thing cooler than gadgets is talking to people about gadgets. Debate is fun. Human interaction keeps us sane. So do us a favor and stop by the Gadgetsteria Facebook Fan Page.
FaceTime may be restricted to WiFi-only, officially, but that doesn’t mean consumers don’t have options. On the more “Apple approved” front, you’ve got Fring. But if you want to use the “one more thing” that truly makes the iPhone4 the iPhone 4, jailbreaking is your only answer. For when you do this, a little app called “My3G” allows you turn Wifi-only apps into 3G loving apps too.
AT&T has complained long and hard about iPhone data usage. With that in mind, how much data does FaceTime over 3G actually use? ~3MB/minute. Not really that taxing. Granted, Fring accomplishes the same feet while only using a paltry 1MB/minute — a full 1/3 of Apple’s tech. Though some would argue the proof is in the (lack of) pixelization, regarding Apple’s offering.
Anyone given FaceTime 3G a shot yet?
You know, I’ve always wanted to trek deep into the forests out west, dragging along a 45lb full-tower computer, and camp out in the middle of the wilderness all while enjoying an intense LAN party. Especially with a full sized computer, mobility is extremely rare. But if I had some sort of solar/wind powered contraption to get me going, maybe my look could change.
The tale of the image above involves a need for a VoIP node where infrastructure wasn’t in place, meaning costly upgrades. Simple concept. After weighing the cost/benefit plans, it looks like self sustainability ended up costing less than erecting new structures, power lines, etc. Hey, I won’t argue with that. The thought of 100% green WiFi is pretty nifty. Toss in another solar panel or add a second fan and you’ve got yourself a mobile LAN rig of epic proportions. Oh yeah, you all want one of these.
See you in the woods…
For me, consolidation is key. I’ve tried Nimbuzz and eBuddy in efforts to do away with using Google Talk and a multi-chat client for my other accounts. I simply prefer the stock Google Talk app for Google’s service, and a multi-chat client for everything else. But with Trillian, it looks like I can finally drop down to a single app. Besides looking great functionality-wise, from the screenshots above we can see that Trillian is quite the looker too! A robust Android app that performs well and looks good. Wo0t!
With that said, Trillian for Android will bring about several features:
- Connect to Facebook Chat, Windows Live, Yahoo!, AIM, ICQ, Google Talk, Jabber/XMPP and MySpaceIM
- Tabbed chat windows with bubble view, photo transfer, buzz and emoticon support
- Set status, avatar and display name quickly in one simple screen
- Synchronize your contacts, avatars, status, accounts and more with your Trillian-enabled desktop or mobile apps
- Get notified easily with Android notification system integration
- Support for Android phones as far back as version 1.6 – works with your good old T-Mobile G1 or the newest HTC Evo 4G or Motorola Droid!
All I can say is I can’t wait! I’ve been bugging Beejive developers for well over a year now on when we’d see a Beejive for Android as I used it extensively back in my iPhone days and even further back in time on my BlackBerries when Beejive was still called JiveTalk. I’ve waited long enough. Their delay is their problem. Hopefully the “within weeks” for Trillian is true, because I sure would love some Trillian action on my DROID. You?
It seems like only yesterday Bluetooth 3.0 chatter was all the rage. Fast forward a few months and what do you know, we’re again sitting here talking about what’s next.
Today, the Bluetooth SIG announced that they have approved the Bluetooth 4.0 spec. With the new spec, even more power frugality will be available, allowing even tinier gadgets such as watches, pens, and god knows what else to benefit from short-range wireless communications.
Seeing as how we’re still waiting for the first Bluetooth 3.0 hardware (Samsung Galaxy S) to actually hit the market, we can all sit back and take a breather. At this rate, it’ll be at least another year before Bluetooth 4.0 hardware starts to trickle out. Anyone excited?
There are some of us who like to talk, network, and spread our social butterfly wings. And then there are some of us who really like to talk, network, and spread said wings. For the latter, multi-chat IM clients are a life or death tool when out and about the town. For mobile users, multichat IM apps are a must.
For BlackBerry users specifically, there are plenty of options in apps to communicate with others already. Why add another? Hey, folks. Options options options. So if Beejive is old news, AIM’s app is making you weep, and Google Talk just isn’t fly anymore, Trillian would love to show you something. See exhibit A above — Trillian for BlackBerry…
In order to start Monday with some good news, we’ll get the bad out of the way early tonight.
Plenty of mass transit commuters in big cities know that riding taxis, buses, and trains to work results in a fair amount of lost productivity. But a recent wave of tech madness has been sweeping trains and buses, with WiFi access becoming almost common place. Focusing on trains/subway rail lines in particular, the task of getting an outside connection can be quite the challenge. Usually the WiFi is provided via cellular signals. Such signals are hard to come by in many of the environments trains and subways travel through, hence the challenge.
Unfortunately for Chicagoans, talks of Metra getting the WiFi fix are null and void for the time being.
