Tech Bacon

Because everything is better with bacon

The Demise of Books Exaggerated March 9, 2009

Filed under: Uncategorized — lfheller @ 9:59 am

Will the Kindle kill books? I think not. But then I again, I’m often wrong. It’s merely interesting to me that people think the advent of another option for reading is a bad thing.

There is one consistent truth about media: each new method of easier distribution actually widens the market. VHS did not kill the movies and neither did DVD. Rather, the larger audience inspired more films to be made, not less. Hard drive recorders and digital downloads have hit the networks hard in terms of the number of viewers actually watching commercials, but thanks to high speed, more shows are being viewed in total just by different means.

The trouble lies in figuring out how to monetize those changes. The producers of VHS tape are gone, replaced by discs. Same with audio cassettes, supplanted by CDs and now hard drives. Will the printed page be replaced by E Ink? Perhaps. But if it puts reading material in the hands of more people are we bemoaning the decline of reading or the loss of craft? And isn’t there room for both?

 

E-Cigarette March 4, 2009

Filed under: Uncategorized — lfheller @ 10:52 am
Tags: ,

e-cigarette_from_the_raw_feed

Tired of the patch, gum or prescription smoking cessation aids? Looking to get around virulent anti-smoking legislation? Or, are you one of those people always eager to try something new? Smokeless cigarettes have reached the U.S., but whether it’s a good thing is debatable.

Housed in a hard cylinder, the “cigarette” body is made up of three parts: a nicotine cartridge, an atomization chamber, a smart chip with a lithium battery, according to its maker Smoking Everywhere. No ash, no smell, no being made a social pariah. Also, not much pay off.

See, you’re not actually inhaling smoke but rather vaporized nicotine. It’s a lot like breathing in air, not very special or rewarding. At least in my experience (yes, I just had to try it at a bar in Zurich). But now E-cigarette’s available at Saw Grass Mills Mall in Sunrise, Florida (cause nothings says family fun like a new way to smoke), or online. Not that I’m encouraging this, mind you.

 

Peep Show March 3, 2009

Filed under: Uncategorized — lfheller @ 12:33 pm

Ok, so the video link and embedded code I tried to include in yesterday’s post about robotic strippers didn’t work.
Here’s a peek, er, still image.
cctv-robot-strippers-large

Follow the link for actual moving images…..

 

Robotic Strippers, of course March 2, 2009

Filed under: Uncategorized — lfheller @ 3:47 pm
Tags: ,

Since “adult” applications have driven the adoption of our most successful new consumer technology (VHS, DVD), so it’s hardly surprising that robotics is getting a boost from stripping.

Embedded video from CNN Video

Forget about robots that will clean, cook or do laundry. It's the ones who will gyrate against stripper poles that might actually gain mass market appeal. After all, look at what porn did for prerecorded video and multiple camera angles did to spur DVD adoption. A means to an end.

 

Feel Good Food For Thought February 25, 2009

Filed under: Uncategorized — lfheller @ 11:58 am

It’s not often a press release catches my eye, but this one sure did where an electronics association claims to examine “The Role Consumer Electronics Plays in Benefiting Humanity.”

It’s a bold statement, but interesting premise. Everyone is talking about the role of the electronics industry in the environmental movement, but why not go really big and talk about its role aiding the entire human race?

While it’s tempting to make light of the promotional angle the basic premise is pretty sound. Instead of viewing technology as toys, disposable gadgets or time sucking devices, why not recognize and celebrate how it makes our lives not just more enjoyable but better?

The IEEE identifies healthcare, education and public safety as the big three, but goes out on a limb and mentions future initiatives in automotive electronics, home monitoring and remote controls, new energy sources and reduction technology, and even future trends in gaming. There’s even a newly established Humatarian Fund to go along with the concept, “to foster technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.”

Feel good food for thought.

 

Unexpected Adoration February 20, 2009

Filed under: Uncategorized — lfheller @ 10:15 am
Tags: , ,

Now that I’ve admitted to using an ancient TV with rabbit ears, there’s really nothing to lose in this: I love Kodak cameras.

It’s true.

Admittedly, both the models I own and use were given to me by the company. One, the Kodak DX 7590 for use at a photography course in Sante Fe also sponsored by Kodak. And the other, the V570 Dual Lens camera at a press event for the product’s release. This last camera is still a favorite, three years later. The two lenses, one a wide range and one for closer shots seemlessly switch between the two. Panoramic shots are stitched together in seconds and the optical zoom is internal to the camera, keeping it compact and light weight.
zx1_front_hero
It’s always difficult for people to believe, this affection for a camera made by Kodak. I recently discovered it was shared by a well regarded photo industry insider, who recently showed me how surprisingly nice another new Kodak product is, the Zx1 and Zi6 Digital Video Cameras. The footage I’ve seen was vivid and clean. More so even than some of the other, hipper, pocket camcorders.

That dual lens camera never caught on with consumers and it’s possible Kodak never really gave it a chance. I think people really missed out on a fun and functional product. May the video cameras not meet the same fate.

:

 

Tech Love February 19, 2009

Filed under: Uncategorized — lfheller @ 1:48 pm


People just assume tech editors, reporters and reviewers always have the latest gadgets and homes tricked out with the best gear. You know what they say about people who “assume…”

Until a few years ago, I had a 19 inch, 15 year old TV with rabbit ears from RadioShack. And if a friend hadn’t gifted me a flat panel HDTV, that old Panasonic would still be in the living room.

While other tech writers may not be quite so extreme, we all share a healthy skepticism of new technology. (That’s why the Onion’s video bit about a new product release last week was so howlingly funny. Everyone wishes they’d written it.) So when a jaded group of people like a product, it’s worth taking note, and this week the new Kindle came out. Yes, it’s expensive at $359, but the fact that the first model sold out at the same price and pre-orders are reportedly strong for Kindle 2 in this soft retail market screams viability. Clearly the Kindle is selling something people want.

And here’s how you know electronic readers are the future, copyright issues are being raised and the debate over digital downloading and rights has begun in earnest. Here we go again…

 

Sony Releases New Stupid Piece Of Shit That Doesn’t Fucking Work | The Onion – America’s Finest News Source February 10, 2009

Filed under: Uncategorized — lfheller @ 2:45 pm

Sony Releases New Stupid Piece Of Shit That Doesn’t Fucking Work | The Onion – America’s Finest News Source.

Thanks to Rebecca Day for the heads up. This pretty much sums up the way most people feel about technology.

Profanity alert, virgin ears click elsewhere.

Nothing against Sony, they make some products I like and find useful.

 

Hulu and You February 9, 2009

Filed under: Uncategorized — lfheller @ 9:59 pm
Tags: , ,

08sdigi_600
Alec Baldwin is a comic genius and paired with Hulu.com as the media Site’s spokesman, I think I’ve fallen under a spell. I can’t stop watching.

For those living under a rock, Hulu streams TV shows and movies with limited commercial content. It’s become a clearinghouse of legitimate, authorized content. Easily accessed and not too laden with promos or glitches. I’m all caught up on Lost, Battle Star Galactica and 30 Rock of course, and am looking forward to Nip/Tuck and old episodes of Arrested Development.

But while it looks pretty good on my 24 inch LCD monitor it would be even better on the bigger TV with the good sound system. That’s why Apple TV will be my next purchase. That way I can watch Alec in “Generaissimo” over and over again.

 

Bacon Bacon Everywhere February 6, 2009

Filed under: Uncategorized — lfheller @ 11:41 am
Tags:

It’s been a week of more bacon than tech, but there seems to something happening, sociologically speaking. I can’t turn around without a new bacon bit, pun intended. Yesterday, the most intellectual person I know sent an email that when opened turned my 24-inch monitor into an enormous perfectly crisped piece of bacon.

It’s not enough to just enjoy the bacon blitz. Oh no, there must be some kind of deep meaning to it. Is winter and our craving for fatty foods? The economic doom and gloom that has us yearning for simpler times when food like bacon wasn’t vilified? A craving for comfort foods? A combination of all these things, I suspect.

So what’s the technological equivalent of bacon? The TV? Not quite so warm and fuzzy as a piece of bacon. Video games seem to be recession proof, sales are actually up and game software is outselling prerecorded DVDs and Blu-ray discs combined. Game nights and Wii parties are popular, what with no one having any money to go out. No word yet if bacon is being served…..

 

 
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.