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  • Tech Throwback: Motorola E1 Rokr, The First iPhone

    Tech Throwback: Motorola E1 Rokr, The First iPhone

    I like to take a look at where I’ve been to evaluate where Im going. Technology is cyclical after all… wait no its not. That said I still like all the feels that come rushing back like a flood of nostalgia every time I get my hand on the tech I grew up with. Im going to go back periodically and take a looking at the stuff that used to blow our hair back and get our minds rolling. Some of these device blew up and changed the world, some where ahead of their time and some just fell flat and became colossal failures. Today we have a flop but it set the table for one of the greatest tech revolutions of mankind’s existence. Before there was a thought of an iphone, there was Apples first foray into the mobile world. There was a partnership with Apple and Motorola for the Motorola E1 Rokr.

     

     

    The Motorola E1 Rokr

    The Rokr E1 is a repackaged Motorola E398 candybar style phone. However this new bombshell would come with Apple-licensed technology to play back iTunes Music Store purchased music. This doesn’t sound very stellar but at the time this was huge. Phones where just getting cameras. The V3 Razr was blowing up the cellular world, cell phones where now not just fashion accessories but status symbols as well.

    Launched on September 7, 2005 in San Francisco, California, the E1 is the first phone to be integrated with Apple Inc.’s iTunes music player. It features a music player with an interface similar to that of Apple’s iPod music players.

    The next phone being the first iPhone in 2007. This made the Motorola Rokr highly anticipated and tech sites were following the collaborations between Motorola and Apple as far back as December 2004.The Motorola e1 Rokr was a Cingular exclusive. Cingular had dedicated an endcap and standalone display in all of their corporate owned stores.

    Powering Up The Rokr

    I found a gently abused Motorola E1 Rokr on ebay, a new battery and we are powering it back up. It shows the Motorola logo and familiar os pops on. I spent many years with a motorola phone and this brings back floods of memories. It operates just like we all remember, even though the Rokr was not a popular phone the motorola brand was and it was everywhere from 2003-2009. The Cingular brand and Jack icon make me happy. It is basic AF, with only 9 options I’m fully through it a few unceremonious minutes

    But wait! The Rokr has a memory card still full of early ougt hits still on it. Keane, The Killers and Jets “are you gonna be my girl”! the speakers are awful. I am shocked this was acceptable, but at the time it was a wow. The 512 mb card is full with 83 songs on it.

    Its clunky, its slower then I remember the motorolas being. It just has the ipod music player, not the iTunes store so adding music on the fly is not a reality yet.

    The Flop

    Apple scheduled the iPod nano unveiling on the same day as the release of the Rokr. The Nano a success, the Rokr just something to look at in the Cingular store. The relations between Motorola and Apple were bitter and negative. Then Motorola CEO Ed Zander blamed the failure of the Rokr on Jobs and  later accused Apple of purposely undercutting the Rokr. Soon After the Rokr E1 was replaced by the E2, which lacked iTunes support and was superseded by the iTunes-enabled SLVR L7.

     

    The Final Thought

    At the time we had our fingers crossed that Apple and Motorola would unveil exactly what we had been dreaming of for years: a mobile phone with Apple industrial and software design, great call quality, and typically ingenious Apple feature simplification. ingenious Apple feature simplification. We would have to wait another year for that, The iPhone. But the Motorola E1 rocks got Apples gears turning and a stepping stone to Job’s magnificent Vision. Sometime we must fail to change the world and no one embodies that like Steve.

  • Which Laptop Bag Is Our Favorite?

    Which Laptop Bag Is Our Favorite?

    We know bags aren’t the most exciting thing in the tech world, but it’s important to take care of your laptop! You spent a lot of money on a nice piece of technology, so it’s only right that you should get a good bag to carry it. Which one should you pick though? We have a list of some of our favorites here for you to check out! 

    WaterField Designs Staad Attache 

    This bag, interestingly, was designed with the iPad Pro in mind. Originally meant to be a tablet bag, it still works great as a laptop bag. It’s made in San Francisco and uses an easy-open clip on the front flap. It also sports a water-resistant zipper, helping to keep your tech from being doused. It has a pass-through for luggage handles, which makes it great for taking on flights. It’s made from durable waxed canvas and has a rustic, natural look. It’ll run you around $230, which is on the high side, but it looks great and won’t let your tech get banged up or drenched! 

    Mobile Edge Eco Laptop Messenger 

    For those looking for an excellent value, check out the Mobile Edge Eco on Amazon. It’ll cost you under forty bucks, and it offers a ton of pockets and flaps. While its make and design aren’t quite as luxurious as some of the other bags on this list, it makes the list for being so affordable. Without dipping too deep into your bank account, this bag offers great utility and durability in keeping your laptop safe. 

    Mobile Edge Core Gaming Backpack 

    The second Mobile Edge bag on this list, the Core Gaming Backpack is excellent for gamers. It’s padded and durable, and comfortable to carry. It unzips all the way to the bottom, making it airport checkpoint-friendly, and keeps your gaming laptop safe. It has room for all your cables and peripherals, and even has a charging cable so you can top off your phone while you’re moving between airport gates. Super handy for those who want to game on the go! 

    Our Favorite Laptop Bag: North St. Weekender Meeting Bag 

    This bag is made by Portland-based North St. It’s very durable, made from tear-resistant Cordura, the bag is both lightweight and water-resistant. If you often ride a bike in the rain with your laptop, consuder this bag! It’s also great if you spend a bit of time back and forth between airports. Not to mention, it’s very stylish and hip! It’s a mid-priced bag, though, running at $130. However, it’s very durable and very high-quality; you won’t be disappointed in your purchase. 

  • Top 10 Luxury Cars That Won’t Break Your Bank

    Top 10 Luxury Cars That Won’t Break Your Bank

    Everyone loves getting to drive a nice new car. There’s something about being behind the wheel of a luxury car that’s just so… luxurious. Not everyone can swing the huge payments to own a nice new car though. What’s a good compromise for someone who wants a nice ride but doesn’t want to take a long time to pay it off? For such discerning individuals, we have our top ten luxury cars that won’t break the bank! Our list is in ascending order of price and assumes base configurations with automatic transmission. 

    Our First (and Least Expensive) of Our Luxury Cars: 2018 Acura ILX 

    Photo Credit: YouTube 

    The ILX is a great choice for those who want a luxury ride but still want to have a practical vehicle. This vehicle has some pretty sweet amenities for its low price tag. While base models cost about $29,000, they also have keyless entry and ignition and heated front seats. they also sport dual-zone climate control, for when the driver and passenger feel comfortable in two different temperatures, and automatic LED headlights to help cut through hazardous weather conditions. For those who want a bit more, they can also opt for some safety features like adaptive cruise control and front collision mitigation. The ILX can also be equipped with navigation, leather upholstery and satellite radio. 

  • Ways to Tech-ify Your Space: Our Favorite Home Technology

    Ways to Tech-ify Your Space: Our Favorite Home Technology

    Whether you’ve had your place for a while now or just got your first apartment, you’re definitely looking for cool tech. Everyone wants a high-tech, sci-fi setup, right? Well, not quite: everyone loves the convenience of having cool tech around the house. With that in mind, we’ve got a list of some of our favorite pieces of home technology for your pad! 

    Smart Air Conditioning 

    This one might sound weird but hear us out. The Frigidaire Smart Window Air Conditioner (boy that’s a mouthful) is a very handy device for any apartment. The Smart AC connects to Wi-Fi, so you can control it from an app, which is great. If you’re out of town and want to make sure the electric bill isn’t sky-high, you can adjust the temperature from far away. Additionally, it supports Alexa voice commands, which is even more handy.  

    Smart Lock 

    If you’re like me, you absolutely hate getting locked out. Wouldn’t it be great if you could just unlock your door from your phone? Well, good news: you can! Companies like August and ADT offer various smart locks, but August is a great choice for those who don’t want ADT service. August’s Smart Lock Pro + Connect is $279 and comes with Apple HomeKit functionality. If you have friends coming over but you’re not home yet, you can unlock the door remotely. If you’re lying in bed worried about whether you locked the door, you can double check. 

    Robot Vacuum 

    A robotic vacuum is a fantastic companion for any home owner. I personally can’t stand having to sweep and vacuum all the time, so having a robot to do it for me is a must. Roomba is the most well-known brand of robotic vacuum, but they’re not the only player in town! Brands like iLife and Ecovacs also offer a great selection at various price ranges. The iLife V8s is a great budget pick at $260. 

    Our Favorite Piece of Home Technology: Amazon Echo 

    This one had to top the list. It’s just so handy! Between reading you the news, making calls for you and helping you with recipes, Alexa is the ultimate assistant. You can even connect your Echo to other smart home devices, like the aforementioned Smart AC and Smart Lock, allowing you to control all the aspects of your house with your voice. You’ll be feeling like a sci-fi tech master in no time with all this home technology! 

  • 5 Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers for Summer

    5 Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers for Summer

    As my old buddy Brad used to say, Its summer time and we’re living easy. I’m sure you all have great summers plans in place,  with boats and beaches, golf, good friends, great times and noodle salad, but have you accessed what you are going to use for music during all this fun in sun? I didn’t think so and that is why I’m here, to tell you about the 5 best portable Bluetooth speakers you can take with you anywhere you go this summer. To make this list they will need a few requirement, for one they have to be IP water resistant. The second is they need to have full 360° sound.

     

    5. TREBLAB HD55

    Wonderful sound, With HD55, you’ll feel as if you’re at a live concert, with clear high notes, deep bass and 360° true HD sound. This advanced Bluetooth speaker has the latest state-of-the-art double 12W drivers and double bass radiators. Great for the  Office, traveling & late nite LA gangsta style pool parties. IT is waterproof with a rating IPX4.  Amazon pricing of only $69.97

     

    4. Soundcore Flare Portable Bluetooth 360° Speaker

    Much like the HD55, the SoundCore Flare has the 360° and is IPX7 waterproof. This has great mid range sound, great acoustics and will keep the singing going on all night. It secured the number 4 position for one terrific reason, its $10 cheaper at $59.99.

     

    3. JBL Xtreme 2 Portable Bluetooth Speakers

    The JBL Xtreame is know for delivering earth-shaking powerful stereo sound. The speaker is armed with four drivers, two JBL Bass Radiators, a rechargeable 10,000mAh Li-ion battery supporting up to 15 hours of playtime. Its also IPX7 certified waterproof.  At $299 it starts off our top 3 Portable Bluetooth Speakers for summer. 

    2. Bose SoundLink Revolve+

    You can never go wrong with Bose. They have mastered commercial sound. And this is the best-performing portable speaker from Bose. It ultimately delivers Deep, loud, jaw-dropping sound with True 360-degree coverage. Ipx certified and fits beautifully in the golf cart.  At $299 its a steal. 

     

    1. Ultimate Ears MEGABLAST

    And the winner is…UE’s most powerful speaker with 360° intensely rich sound, stunning clarity, and heart-pounding bass. With up to 12 hours of battery, it brings your music to life wherever the summer leads you. With  Amazon Alexa hands-free voice control you can now just ask Alexa to blast tunes from Spotify. It is waterproof and virtually indestructible: Never worry about going easy on it, your music will always be on point. The speaker is IP67 rated and can be immersed in water for up to 30 minutes. Yes I tried it. It is by far the loudest on this list, the most durable and at $190 the best value Portable Bluetooth Speakers for your summertime listening pleasure.

     

    The Final Thought

    This is going to be the best sounding summer ever. Get me  my speedos and a REM playlist!!

  • Beau’s Number 1 App Review: Jurassic World Alive

    Beau’s Number 1 App Review: Jurassic World Alive

    Beau’s App series. Each week, I install whatever is the No. 1 bestselling app on the iOS or Android store and review it, to save you the effort in case it’s total waste of life. This week a game called Jurassic World Alive is not in the top spot but Im taking it on anyways. Why isn’t it No. 1? It’s so new its just out of beta and instantly the Alpha of AR games. I could wait a week,  but Im way too excited. Also because it’s free, because it just came out for phones, and because it’s  really cool.

    In the key of Pokemon Go, Jurassic World Alive is the AR game we have been waiting for. This game is set to explode in the same way Pokemon Go took over the summer of 2016. Alive is the latest  franchise to try their hand on the Pokémon Go formula. Yes, we finally we get dinosaurs unleashed around our local neighborhood.

    The Dinosaur Hunt

    Jurassic World Alive puts players in the role of a new recruit in the Dinosaur Protection Group (DPG). Players are tasked with saving dinosaurs from another extinction by tracking them, collecting DNA samples and creating new hybrid species in a lab. Those man-made dinosaurs can be assembled into a team and fight in player-versus-player arena battles, which kind of seems counterproductive to the whole dinosaur protection thing.

    You walk around the real world to “fly” a drone and collect dinosaur DNA from the terrible, augmented reality thunder-lizards that’ve infested your neighborhood (think: capturing a creature in Go); create your own hybrid creatures; battle your dino “strike team” against other players and, well, probably drain your smartphone’s battery very quickly in the process.

    Claire, the same character from the Jurassic World movie series, introduces you to the basic concept of the game. Dinosaurs will pop up on your screen, once you’re in range you can click on it, and then launch and pilot a drone to collect DNA samples from the dinosaur so you can create it yourself in the lab. You can only create a specific dinosaur type once you’ve collected the required amount of DNA from that species, which will often require walking around your neighborhood to find more of that dinosaur.

    Jurassic World Alive Map and Advantages

    Dinosaurs smashed with Pokemon Go is an accurate summation rather than a reductive statement. The map is almost the same but with less out of the way stops. Jurassic World Alive keeps its drop-boxes close to the road and at stop lights making it much more convenient to get to the walking back behind the church. There also happens to be one at the end of my drive way so that is also cool.

    The Drone is a little harder then just throwing a pokeball. you have to launch a dart multiple times to a small target on the reptile. The closer you get to bulls-eye the more DNA points you accrue to unlocking that dinosaur. You have a set amount of time to pull as many DNA points as you can, my max is 60 so far.

     

    The Final Thought

    Ive been waiting for a less kiddy Pokemon Go game. I loved they hype, the comradery and community the first month of Pokemon go brought us. Im hoping we get close to that magic moment with this game as well. Kids and Adult gathered around community centers, parks and churches trying to find another Eevee, it was a glorious summer. So lets all download this and go on a hunt together, get some exercise and mutate some dinosaurs into monstrocitys.

  • Tech Throwback: Kodak Brownie Camera

    Tech Throwback: Kodak Brownie Camera

    I like to take a look at where I’ve been to evaluate where Im going. Technology is cyclical after all… wait no its not. That said I still like all the feels that come rushing back like a flood of nostalgia every time I get my hand on the tech I grew up with. Im going to go back periodically and take a looking at the stuff that used to blow our hair back and get our minds rolling. Some of these device blew up and changed the world, some where ahead of their time and some just fell flat and became colossal failures. Today I’ve got my hands on the old and original Kodak Brownie Camera.

     

    The Original

    IF you have ever taken a real photography class, you know the best way to teach someone how a camera works is to have them make there own Kodak Brownie Camera. Kodak Marketed toward there camera to the turn of the century children. They were issues and  carried by soldiers. At the hefty 1900’s price tag of $1 (about $29 today)  they were affordable to everyone. Its a small, brown leatherette and cardboard camera and introduced the term “snapshot” through its ease of use and low cost.  it was introduced in February 1900, the Brownie took cameras off tripods and put them into everyday use. For Kodak, the low-cost shooter was the hook that allowed the company to reel in money through film sales. And for the rest of the world, it helped captured countless moments and shape civilization’s relationship to images.

    The first model of the camera was invented by Frank A. Brownell. The name comes from the brownies in popular Palmer Cox cartoons. Consumers responded, and over 150,000 Brownie cameras were shipped in the first year of production. Over the years it was extremely popular and many versions of it existed.  There where many models over the years with feature and functionality improvements. My personal favorit was the Beau Brownie..

    Beau Brownie

    The Beau Brownie  was  a new version of the Brownie sold  from 1930 to 1933. They  had very little technical variation from the immensely popular Brownie cameras. With the only one big technical difference being the introduction of a new doublet lens, allowing the same picture to be projected on a film plate over a shorter distance and this made the Beau Brownies nearly 2″ shorter than their conventional counterparts. With an updated Art Deco design with an  enameled two-tone front plate, it was a stunning example of period tech. It was produced in  in five color combinations: black and burgundy, brown and tan, two-tone blue, two-tone green, and two-tone rose.

    Basic Operation

    The Brownie operates under the following sequence of events:

    1. A shutter in the front of the camera is opened allowing light to pass through the lens. This light is reflected from the object being photographed.
    2. As the light passes through the lens it forms an image of the object being photographed. As it continues through the lens, this image is inverted (turned upside-down).
    3. The lens projects the inverted image onto light-sensitive film at the back of the box. This is known as exposure of the film. The longer the shutter is left open, the more light is allowed onto the film.

    Does it get any simpler?

    The Final Thought

    One look at theses you instantly know what is is and where it came from. There are a little over a hundred variation of this original, portable, and everyday camera, but one definitely has its place in your heart,assuming you are older then 45 of course. Its evolution over its 100 year span was predictable and outstanding all at the same time holding true to its core design.  All I can say about the Kodak Brownie Camera is It came, It saw, and It captured an entire century.

  • 10 Science Questions Every American Should Know the Answers To. Do You?

    10 Science Questions Every American Should Know the Answers To. Do You?

    The National Science Foundation is an organization that keeps up with American’s scientific aptitude. To that end, every two years the NSF releases a series of ten basic science questions. These questions are meant to test the average American’s knowledge of science. Every American should know the answers to these questions, but do you? Let’s find out! 

    Are Electrons Smaller or Larger than Atoms? 

    Photo Credit: Inventions and Inventors 

    Yes! Electrons are one of the smaller parts of an atom. Electrons, together with protons and neutrons, make up each and every atom. Those atoms, in turn, make up all matter in the observable universe. Cool, huh? 

    Does the Earth Go Around the Sun, or Does the Sun Go Around the Earth? 

    Photo Credit: YouTube 

    Much to the surprise of flat-Earth conspiracy theorists, the Earth actually orbits the sun. This was a major scientific breakthrough during the Enlightenment. Astronomer Galileo Galilee is largely credited with popularizing the “heliocentric,” or sun-centered, model of the cosmos. 

    Is All Radioactivity Man-Made? 

    Photo Credit: Wikipedia 

    No, it isn’t! The vast majority of natural radioactivity is in the depths of outer space. However, everything from soil to flowers to certain minerals on Earth contains certain amounts of radioactivity.  

    True or False: The Continents Have Been Moving for Millions of Years, and Will Keep Moving 

    Photo Credit: Encyclopedia Britannica 

    This one’s true! Yeah, believe it or not, the continents are on the move. They’re just really slow about it! A few million years ago, a map of the Earth would have looked like some alien planet to us. In a few million years, the continents as we know them will be a thing of the past. Mind-blowing, right? 

    True or False: The Center of the Earth is Very Hot 

    Photo Credit: Wonderopolis 

    True! Earth’s core is comprised of molten metal. The immense pressure of the planet’s mass keeps the core as hot as the surface of the Sun! 

    True or False: Lasers Work by Focusing Soundwaves 

    Photo Credit:  Laser World 

    False! Lasers work, instead, by focusing light energy. That focussed light can then be applied in all kinds of neat ways, from cutting diamonds to detecting intruders and more! 

    True or False: Humans Developed from Earlier Animal Species 

    Photo Credit: How Stuff Works 

    This one is a bit controversial to some, but it’s true! Scientists agree that humans are evolved from earlier animals and share a common ancestor with the great ape family of animals.  

    Do Antibiotics Kill Viruses as well as Bacteria? 

    Photo Credit: News Medical 

    No, they don’t! The clue is in the name: antibiotics are only effective against living things. Oddly enough, viruses are technically not alive. They’re incredibly good at replicating themselves and taking over cells, but they don’t possess the right qualities to be considered living beings. 

    True or False: It’s the Father’s Genetics that Decide Whether a Child is Male or Female 

    Photo Credit: Quora 

    True! Weird, right? Since only a male can pass down their Y chromosome, it’s actually on the dad’s genetics to determine the sex of their child. This one trips a lot of folks up, but it’s easy to remember since women can only pass down their X chromosomes, and it takes an XY combination to create a biological male.  

    The Last of Our Science Questions: True or False: The Universe Began with a Big Explosion 

    Photo Credit: Sputnik International 

    True! Scientists largely agree that the universe (as we know it) began after a fantastic expansion we refer to as the Big Bang. Now, the term ‘explosion’ might be a bit inaccurate, as that would imply preexisting space into which things were being scattered. The Big Bang, instead, was more of a sudden expansion of an infinitely dense and infinitely small point in space. 

  • Memorial Day Sales: Which Items to Watch Out For!

    Memorial Day Sales: Which Items to Watch Out For!

    Memorial Day is more than just the start of summer: it’s a great time to find some awesome deals on technology! Which items are going to be on the best sales? Which ones should you be on the lookout for? Let’s get into it! 

    TV Deals 

    A more traditional Memorial Day item, TVs are more affordable than ever before, and even more so when on sale. LG and Samsung TVs will certainly be found for great prices during the holiday weekend. Look for 4K Smart TVs to be dropped in price to nearly two-thirds their MSRP. Awesome to consider for Father’s Day, or just for hosting the Memorial Day cookout! Look for deals from Amazon, or retailers like Best Buy and Target. 

    Best Laptop Deals 

    Keep your eyes peeled for great deals on laptops. While this one might not seem like a normal Memorial Day deal, there are certainly great buys to find. HP and Dell laptops are often found at great discounts during this time of year, and models like the HP ProBook 440 GS can even be found for less than half price! Great for graduation presents or just for upgrading if you’ve been looking for a new laptop! As with TVs, stay on the lookout for deals from Target and Wal-Mart. Don’t forget Amazon or Best Buy, too! 

    Biggest Memorial Day Sales: Appliances 

    The biggest savings to be had are almost always on appliances during Memorial Day. Refrigerators will be nearly half off at places like Home Depot. Sears will be having some pretty great deals on dishwashers and stoves. While this is hardly exciting, if you’ve been meaning to do some home improvement, Memorial Day weekend is a great time to do it! 

  • 10 Things You Never Knew About Your iPhone

    10 Things You Never Knew About Your iPhone

    Do you fancy yourself as being tech savvy? How much do you really know about your phone? If you know all ten of these iPhone tips and tricks, you may really be a tech wizard! Check out these 10 crazy things you never knew your iPhone could do! 

    10. Snap Pictures with Your Volume Button 

    This one is cute, letting you snap a picture with your phone like it’s an old-school camera with a top button. You don’t have to do anything to enable this, it’s just already on out of the box! Have fun snapping pictures!