Computer Support Blog

About fifteen years ago, the consumer software market was all abuzz over voice recognition technology.  You could buy programs that, after a training session that created a template of your specific voice, intonation, and speech patterns, could (supposedly) recognize vocal commands.  Between tragically slow computer processors and comparatively limited hard drive space relative to the demands of such vocal recognition training programs, many consumers discovered that voice operation of their computers was more of a boondoggle than a benefit.  Now, with applications like Siri from Apple, voice recognition has progressed to the point where it is a practical way to interact with many computer devices.  So, what is the next step; what is like voice recognition was fifteen years ago to push the envelope forward?  That would be thought recognition and it is no longer just a science fiction concept! Read more »

It is almost surprising how very much product diversity there can be in a simple piece of computer hardware.  Take, for example, external hard drives.  External hard drives all do the same thing; they store your data.  But, there are a multitude of different variations based upon your individual data storage needs.  If you need space, there are now 1 TB external hard drives.  For those who need speed, there are USB 3.0 external hard drives and for those who need long-term storage, there are solid-state drives that appear to last indefinitely.  One of the most intriguing combinations of security and speed comes in the Aegis Padlock DT. Read more »

Sometimes, if you are not a part of a subculture or community, the devices utilized by that group of people might seem alien.  Even so, if there is a niche market and a device that might benefit that group, you can pretty much bet that there is a company within the tech sector that will try to market to that niche.  For those who want to get the most out of their golf game, there is no longer a need to carry around your tablet computer or use multiple devices on the golf course.  Garmin has devised the ultimate golf watch, the Approach S3. Read more »

If you are going to pay money for a streaming video service, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu Plus, you might as well invest in the equipment that allows you to get the most out of it.  While some might be content to watch movies and television on their tablet computer or smartphone, those who truly love cinema will want to watch their programs on the best system they own.  For most people, that is a home theater consisting of a high-definition television and a stereo system.  To connect your streaming service to such a system you need either a dedicated computer or a streaming player, like the Roku 2 XS Streaming Player. Read more »

Late last year, there was a news story that was anything but real news, despite how the technology and business press covered it: Verizon had outages.  Treated as huge news, because Verizon claims to have the “most reliable network,” Verizon was virtually tarred and feathered for having a few bad days last year, wherein the weather contributed to Verizon services going off-line.  What the sensationalists in the media and business sectors neglected to consider was that Verizon’s claim to be the “most reliable network” did not mean that the service would not fail; it is a claim that their network will fail less than its other major competitors!  Verizon, of course, got service back up and running, but there were weeks of analysis – i.e. how did this failure of service happen, who’s to blame for the failure, etc.  Now, it looks like tech sector enthusiasts are likely to endure a series of similar article. Read more »

One way for consumers to evaluate the quality of a product, especially after it has been on the market for a little while, is to compare the price of the item new to the price of used versions.  Consumers will generally not pay full price – or even close to full price – for an item that has been pre-owned.  However, high-quality products that are in limited supply and are an exceptional value at their new price will often have a price in the used marketplace that is remarkably close to the price of the item new.  When consumers are willing to pay virtually the same price for an item new or used, it is a ringing endorsement of the quality and longevity of that product.  By that standard, the Altec Lansing Orbit Ultraportable Speaker is a cool electronic device that music enthusiasts remain very excited by. Read more »

Quite a few creative individuals find that the art they love and skills they develop through higher education are not immediately profitable.  As a result, the current generation of would-be playwrights, painters, and photographers have largely turned to the tech sector for income while they develop the craft they are passionate about in their spare time.  As such, they end up as bloggers, digital artists and software engineers while they work in their off-time toward their “big break.”  One such artist who is leading the dual life in the artistic and tech sectors is Michael Kaplan. Read more »

Over the last few years, business travelling has changed dramatically.  While many businesses have been able to reduce corporate travel by more effectively teleconferencing using new technology, many business travelers have more intense needs while traveling.  Often, air travel is not a chance to relax, it is prep time for the businessperson and many businesses expect their traveling executives and technicians to be in contact, especially on longer flights.  As a result, new technologies have emerged in order to make the office a more portable thing; the office is no longer necessarily a place, but the equipment one utilizes while on the job!  One of the increasingly vital products for business travelers is the portable scanner and one of the best portable scanners on the market today is the Mobility Air. Read more »

While much of the news in the mobile phone industry is usually about mergers and new products, the rise of a new company or the influence of a new technology in smartphones, the days of excitement for the company Research In Motion may be behind them.  Despite having bold plans for the BlackBerry 10 operating system that RIM executives have been promoting as the product that will turn around the company’s cash flow problems, there have been signs that RIM may be too weak to survive until the BlackBerry 10’s release. Read more »

The tech sector has a way of recognizing good ideas and making sure those good ideas continue to develop, even if their initial application was very specific.  In the case of Microsoft’s Kinect, the motion sensor technology was originally developed for gaming.  In fact, the Kinect helped the Xbox 360 compete against other platforms that utilize motion technology, most notably the Wii.  But Kinect is no longer just for gaming and while Microsoft may not be developing the new uses for Kinect, the company is fostering the non-game growth of the system.  Microsoft provided grant money to start-ups to develop new products and applications using Kinect.  While none of these products are market-ready, the most exciting highlights of Microsoft’s Kinect-related program are: Read more »