My cousin finally decided to replace his old television set. Actually, it was already an antique in my world. His television was reminiscent of the 1960s, encased in a wooden box, with antennas, and a screen that can’t compete with the size of my laptop monitor. To change channels, you had to turn a knob. He can use it for cable, although the knob to turn for that is a lot bigger and more complicated. At least the pictures are already colored and not the black and white ones. He took much care of his television set. You need to understand my cousin. Unlike me, he will never buy something that he doesn’t need. If it is still working properly, he doesn’t get the logic of buying a newer model to replace it. He was quite content with his television until it passed away after several decades of service. And now, he has enlisted my assistance in buying a new television set.

On the trip to the appliance store, I told him that we need to narrow down the choices a bit, with the various and numerous models that is out in the market. First of all, did he have a brand preference? He said, as long as the company is reputable, then he is fine with that. I told him that several companies have been in the electronics market for a long time, therefore quite reliable in that field. This includes Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, Samsung, LG, etc. I asked a budget range. He wanted something within the $200 - $500 range. What size? He wanted one much bigger than what he usually has. He didn’t want to squint while watching TV.

So when we got to the appliance store, we first tried out the television set up at the lounge (that’s what I call those cubicles where you can test how the television works while sitting on a couch, complete with a stereo surround system). The one featured was a wall mounted wide screen 65” HD Ready flat panel plasma television, the Panasonic TH-65PF10EK. My cousin was impressed. He said he would take it until we asked how much. It costs a whopping $6500, plus tax. My cousin didn’t want to spend that much although he was quite tempted to. We walked through the aisles of television sets, trying to look for the television that would fit his criteria and budget of course.

I noticed that most flat panel TVs were at the $1000+ range and the box type below $500. However, I didn’t lose hope. My cousin was more interested in a wide screen television rather than a flat panel one so we cruised the aisles some more to search for that right television set. Then we saw it. The Toshiba 26AV502U: a wide screen TV, 26 inches, flat panel, LCD, and HD ready. It wasn’t as big as the Panasonic but it is still bigger than what he had before. So, my cousin purchased it, we brought it home, and I helped him set it up. He was as excited as a kid. Then we sat on his old couch and watched our favorite game. Now, I wonder what he will replace next. I hope it will be a new couch.

A friend gave me a new mobile phone. He said he didn’t like it. It was actually given to him by his aunt as a birthday present. Unfortunately for him (and fortunately for me), he was set in his ways and is quite satisfied with his current mobile phone. He didn’t want to use a QWERTY keypad on a mobile phone because his thumb has already memorized the keys to be pressed when texting, without even looking at it. And since the mobile phone was a Nokia E71, which sported a QWERTY keypad, he didn’t want it. But without hurting the feelings of his aunt, he accepted it, then gave it to me. And since I am quite a good friend, who never turns his back on a gift, I happily accepted. Who in their right mind wouldn’t, right? (except my friend of course)

So here I am with my new Nokia E71, but still holding on to my trusty Nokia 6085. I find it quite hard at first to use this phone for sending text messages. It’s not that I do not know how to use a keyboard. It’s more of my pudgy fingers cannot seem to type on the keypad properly. Because of its compressed size, I keep hitting the wrong keys, which makes me type a standard 400 character text message in double the time I can do one with my old mobile phone.

Don’t get me wrong. I am definitely not complaining, lest you get the wrong impression and ask me to give you my Nokia E71. I would not want to trade in or even give away a mobile phone with 3G capabilities. Although my Nokia 6085 has Bluetooth capabilities, just like the Nokia E71, the latter can take better pictures as compared to my puny mobile phone. Other features of the Nokia E71 is that it can play FM radio, it has GPS, and it is WiFi enabled, allowing me to check my email even if I am always on the go. It also allows me to call home even if I am out of the country, with its global roaming capability. Unfortunately, there is something that I do not like with the Nokia E71 that my friend gave me. The color. It came in white. I want something in silver or black. But aside from this, I would never give up my Nokia E71. How else will I be able to afford a mobile phone that is priced at over $400.

So, right now I am still practicing and getting more acquainted with that QWERTY keypad. I am thinking of getting a larger keypad or getting surgery to shrink the size of my fingers. (the surgery costs more so I would settle with getting a larger keypad). Or I am thinking of getting a stylus and using that instead, except that I still have to memorize the letter placements since it is not arranged alphabetically. At least, my pictures have more definition and this carries more features. It is not considered to be a top of the line product, but it still has capabilities that make it quite a unique piece. And I would never let it go… unless someone comes along again and gives me a newer model.

I hate wires. In fact, I dislike having them within the vicinity of my computer, if I can get away with it. Why the violent reaction? Wires make your life pure torture, keeping you rooted to one spot, immobilizing you, all because the wires cannot permit you much room and roaming space. Have you ever sorted out entangled wires? I have seen people getting a kick out of deciphering how to get those knots off because they have all the time in the world to do it. Unfortunately, when you are pressed for time, and you can’t seem to find which wire goes where, then it definitely can be quite frustrating.

It’s a good thing someone had the ingenuity and sense to invent gadgets with Bluetooth ® capabilities. Blue what? Bluetooth®. This name is synonymous in this present world of technology for being wireless. Yes, no wires. Isn’t that great! A wide range of products are now equipped with this wireless capability, definitely make your life, and mine, of course, a lot easier.

A lot of people are not familiar with this capability. They even do not know that the mobile phone that they are using has it. They just see that flashing icon that looks like a B or an inverted eyemask. So what is Bluetooth®? Bluetooth ® is the ability of a gadget to transmit information or communicate to another gadget, without the use of wires within a certain area. This capability covers mobile phones, earpieces, computers, keyboards, mouse, headsets, PDAs, printers, fax machines and other gadgets that may require it. For it to work properly, the gadgets should be in proximity to each other, but not necessarily touching each other, such as the infrared capability.

With this Bluetooth® technology, we can all say goodbye to wires, well at least within your room or house. Furthermore, even with this kind of technology, our security is not compromised. Even if you are able to receive frequencies from a Bluetooth® enabled device, you can still choose whether or not to communicate with that device or not, especially when you are in a public place and you do not know who owns it. This is to ensure that you would not receive any virus or malicious files on your gadget via Bluetooth®.

What I really like about having Bluetooth® is that I can synchronize my laptop, mobile phone, digital camera, and PDA without the hassle of plugging it to each other. I just need to enable the capability, then I can do whatever I need to do with them. What’s more is that it doesn’t cost me a thing, well except of course, buying the Bluetooth® enabled gadget. I can send files, talk over the phone, and even print documents through Bluetooth® without worrying of the cost per minute. How about power? What about it? It only consumes a minute amount of power that you won’t even have to be concerned over it.

In my world of no wires, I have found life to be simpler with a lot less stress. I still hate wires, but at least there is something better to replace it.

I lent my friend my digital camera, a blue Canon Digital IXUS 80 IS. I was quite reluctant to do so, not because I do not like loaning out my gadgets, but because the last camera she used was the one that you had to put film on that even looked like the telephone handsets of yesteryears. Knowing this, even you would be scared. Oh, but she is quite adept in handling a computer so I guess my fears are unwarranted. As long as she knows where the on, shoot, flash, and off button is, I guess she will be okay. One other thing that worries me though is that she might erase all files I have on the memory card, which makes me want to transfer all my files first before I give it to her.

Anyway, I explained to my friend that the Canon Digital IXUS is known to have a more friendly nature, especially with digital camera newbies like her. Since I do not want her to make any other adjustment to the camera while shooting pictures, I placed it on auto mode, for shooting, white balance, contrast, flash, and of course, focusing. I only taught her how to manually focus it, just in case she wants to capture something at a distance, which this digital camera does great.

I further explained to her that should she want to make a video, she can also do so with the digital camera. She got a bit surprised but eagerly listened to my instructions on how to do it. All she needed to do was move the switch from camera to video and she is all set. I warned her not to shoot too much video clips since this can consume much of the battery power. It can handle probably an hour of continuous shooting. I handed her the battery charger just in case she forgot what I said.

She also wanted to know if she would be able to view her pictures and delete them if needed. I showed her the switch to move to reach that feature. I also mentioned to her that she can also transfer those files afterwards to her computer. I gave her the cable and taught her how to do it. She uses Windows Vista as her operating system so I didn’t really worry about that. She thanked me and promised to return my digital camera in one piece. As she left, I shouted out to her one last reminder that although it came in a waterproof case, I wouldn’t want to test it. I hope she heard me.

So now, I am still waiting for her to return it to me. I guess she had a great time with it. I didn’t see it fit to mention anymore its other features such as it being Pictbridge compatible, with red eye reduction, viewfinder, slow sync speed, flash exposure lock, photo effects, and various shoot modes although I think she already discovered it on her own. Oh well, I do hope I get back my Canon Digital IXUS 80 IS in one piece.

Do you still remember the times when you used a floppy disk in order to save and transfer data from one computer to another? It was truly the epitome of a floppy disk. I think they got the idea from the cassette tapes and video tapes of the era. The floppy disk had its own cardboard holder, and kept filed in a wooden box so as to avoid bending it. Imagine bringing to school your whole thesis to hand over to your professor in a wooden box of floppy disks. However, since it can only store several Wordstar files (Microsoft Word was still non-existent then), it had to evolve to the 3.5 inch floppy disk, which wasn’t really floppy at all.

This floppy disk can now carry more files, with a bigger memory capacity. There is still the danger of bending it but because of its hard casing, the risk is considerably less. One thing I like about these storage disks is that it comes in different colors, from the basic red, yellow, and blue to the neon greens, pinks, and oranges. Unfortunately, if the computer doesn’t have a floppy disk drive, then you have a problem. I remember an incident wherein I used a floppy disk to transfer files. Little did I know that the floppy disk wasn’t formatted therefore when I used it, it prompted me to format it or not. I unknowingly formatted it, erasing all data that was stored in that floppy disk, including my backup copies as well…

I figured I can always use a blank compact disc to record my files. Unfortunately, I cannot revise my files that are copied from the CD as well as having problems looking for a computer with a compatible CD drive that can play original CDs and those rewritable as well.

So I stumble into this miniscule gadget that is the personification of the saying “Small but terrible!” With its small stature, it can easily save all needed files just through a quick USB attachment. No more formatting. No more problems with handling. I usually slip it into my purse, always handy whenever I need it.

A USB flash drive has definitely made my life easier. First manufactured by IBM, it is now introduced in various shapes, sizes, and storage capacities. It is quite accessible since most computers and gadgets at present have a USB port attached to it, thus the ease of using the USB flash drive. How can you beat being able to play a presentation just from the data contained in that flash drive? It is not only compatible with most operating systems, but improvements are constantly being made on its speed of transfer.

A flash drive can either be found by itself, as a stand alone USB flash drive, or incorporated in other products and gadgets which can not only store data but also music and pictures as well. The possibilities are definitely endless. From the age of the floppy disk to the present, the USB flash drive has a lot of expectations to live up to, especially in memory storage. And it is doing a fine job of it.

I love getting a new gadget. Who doesn’t, right? But what makes it more exciting for me is trying to figure out how to make it work. I know that it comes with an instruction manual, often written in four languages, with everything you need to know about that gadget, but who really reads the instruction manual? You are excited about it. Do you think you will still take the time to read before handling the gadget? I don’t think so.
Nowadays, all you need to know is how to turn it on or where to plug it, then you use it. Period. No more hassles of knowing what it is, what it does, where it was manufactured, how it came to be, etc. The only time you would probably open up the manual is to check on the warranty card and as a last resort, when you are really stumped about how to do something and have done everything you thought possible to make it work. This can be quite unfortunate because gadgets nowadays are full packed with features to make your life easier. The instruction manual can help you know about it and teach you how to do it. I even remember a friend who was stubborn enough not to use the manual to check on a certain feature, tried to do it on his own, and ended up erasing all addresses and details in his cellular phone.
If you think about it further, learning to operate a new gadget is easy for us who were born in this age of technology. How about those from the older generation who still thinks that a computer is the same as a television with a remote to turn on? Was it easy for them to learn to use these gadgets? I remember seeing an old woman shouting on her cellular phone, not because she was mad at the person she was talking to but because she couldn’t hear her clearly. How about the old man who called using the television remote and tried to operate the television with his cellular phone? How easy is it for them to learn to operate a new gadget?
I am not saying that old people do not know gadgets, much less operate them. In fact, I know a lot of geriatrics who are more technology savvy with their gadgets as compared to me. I am just saying that a lot of people, as they grow older, have a hard time learning how to operate a gadget, as compared to the younger generation. Unless they are truly interested in learning how it works, they would rather just do it the way they know how, instead of trying to learn how to do it using a gadget.
Gadgets at present are actually easier to operate because manufacturers take into consideration their clientele, thus making it more user-friendly. However, the instruction manual is still considered to be a good thing to read so as to completely understand its features and use the gadget to its fullest capacity.

I’m suddenly just overwhelmed with all the technology the world has.

Come on, look absolutely ANYWHERE and you’ll see cellphones, music players, portable video players, gaming consoles, ultra-slim and ultra-light laptops, PALMtops – the list goes on endlessly. But because the world is wired like that, I have personally adjusted and learned to live with the fact that there are certain “gadgets” I could not imagine myself to be without.

Seriously.

I may sound absolutely shallow and materialistic – but at this day and age (not to mention especially in my profession), gadgets are NECESSARY for someone to make a living.

My laptop – an ASUS A8Jr – is solid proof of that. I have to be able to create your designs on-the-fly and this gadget gave me the means to do so. You can’t really go around carrying a desktop PC now can you? I’m a fan of music as well – who isn’t right? But of course as ridiculous to see someone lugging his bulky desktop PC around, it’s also as silly to see someone carrying a laptop in arm and just listening to his tunes! And in this iPod generation, music players just come in ALL shapes and sizes (and I’m not exaggerating this; I’ve seen players shaped like animals! Talk about being creative like that!). I have a trusty old school iPod Nano. It fits my personality because with a nice playlist, enough for a long commute, without sacrificing portability and disk space, it’s good enough for me.

But take a look at the multimedia players nowadays. Some of the most savvy ones (perfect example: the iPod Touch), can even aid you with your fitness regime! And again, these objects of technological necessity latch on to us according to our need, according to our lifestyle.

And of course to unwind, I have “de-stressers” also, and they come in the forms of a Playstation Portable (or PSP) and the Nintendo DS Lite (or NDS). Having both of these portable consoles is a huge help in immersing me into the fantastic world of gaming.

The PSP for example is one of the most versatile gaming platforms to date. It’s a multimedia player, gaming console and web browser in its most basic state. And let’s not even go to what it can do if you modify it. Want to watch movies on the go? Watch it on your PSP (and not too shabbily because of the portable multimedia players around, the PSP has one of the largest screen dimensions around!). And solid games like Final Fantasy VII and God of War make the PSP a worthy gaming investment.

The NDS – although it falls a bit short in terms of graphical power– is a solid FUN-factor with games. Combine classic games like the New Super Mario Bros and Trauma Center to the amazing interactivity of the NDS (you must try the touch screen and the built in microphone to name a few!), and you have hours upon hours of fun right in your hands.

People will definitely say that it’s a different world nowadays. I’d say I agree, its difference now is striking compared to what the world was ten years ago. But these are advancements in lifestyle, improvements in the mundane world. And if you ask me again if I’d rather live in the stone-age or a world without gadgets, I have one answer: Not a chance.

Palm is back! Palm launched its Pre as its latest entry to the smartphone market. The renowned PDA maker has finally come up with something to follow up its successful Treo series. More surprisingly, the company also created a completely original operating system called webOS. Finally, we just might have a worthy challenger to Apple’s iPhone.
The hardware

While the, final version of the hardware is yet to be released, Palm has gone to great lengths to bring its industrial design up to date, and they’ve landed a winner. The phone has a bit of a curve to its body both in the back and around the sides,. It’s slightly smaller than an iPhone when closed, slightly larger when open, and roughly the same width.Unlike the iPhone, Pre uses a slide-down QWERTY keyboard from underneath the screen in a portrait arrangement, Along the left side of the phone are volume buttons, and up top there’s a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and ringer on / off switch.A MicroUSB port lets your charge the phone or work with files for the device, though Palm is also excited over its Touchstone, an inductive charger that lets you just place the phone atop it for power.
Around back there’s a 3 megapixel camera with an LED flash which reps say can snap continuously without saving (a nice touch), and the back (as well as the battery) is removable. The first models may come with Bluetooth 2.1, Rev. A and 802.11b/g Evolution Data-Optimized ( EV-DO) or 3G GSM.

The software
Palm is implementing numerous programs in its webOS, but as far as facts are concerned, the operating system it’s developed is based on Linux.The user interface is impressive and at par with iPhone’s interface and HTC’s TouchFlo 3D. However, unlike the others, webOS provides true multitasking, allowing the user to switch between active apps. You don’t have to close and reopen, just shuffle through your programs. If you switch to another app, the UI scales back the program you’re in down to that deck of “cards,” then zooms up the new selection. All of the applications for the phone will be coded in standard CSS, XML, and JavaScript, which can be a walk in the park for its developers.

The release of the phone is slated for the “first half of 2009.
Palm has stated that it will make a concentrated effort to engage the community and bring the best of app development.

The Verdict

A lot we don’t know yet about the Pre, and with a device this new, you can never truly understand what the experience will be like until you put it through the test of an average day’s work. That said, Palm has made enormous strides with webOS and the Pre, both putting the brand back on the map. For now,only one thing is for certain: The smartphone game just got a whole lot more interesting.