Tablet Wars suspended, prices inflated!

     This is my 2nd attempt to write a blog after some time away from doing so about this particular topic. 1st attempt was done on my new Nexus 7 Tablet but unsuccessfully posted or published so I'm writing another from scratch. Now that we have gone past the frenzy of the x-mas shopping season, the majority of our retail stores have chosen to increase or put back to a normal retail price for most popular mini tablets (7 inch style). The most talked about mini tablets out there are the Kindle Fire HD, Nexus 7, Apple Mini-I-Pad and others like the Archos 8 inch equivalents.  Having been  forced to purchase a mini tablet at this bad time, my selections are many but few meet my particular needs. I had to go through 3 manufacturers of tablets with a local retail store before I finally got one that came close to my requirements but not at all priced attractively.

     I found that the Kindle Fire HD mini tablet was very functional for the most part with fast response times and very well made also the impressive video quality it has but it fell short on two levels. 1st level was they Kindle Fire's customized Android OS interface limiting the owner to their own format only. The other was its inability to properly support the majority of video formats out there including flash, yes I said flash player support lacking. Having the later affect me way too much, the item was returned then came the Archos 80G9 tablet. This tablet was not as fast, constructed more poorly then the Kindle but had a more open Android OS environment. Where it went wrong and why I returned it was because the hardware became defective after only a few days, volume up button stuck when powering up sending user to an unwanted Android diagnostics built in utility and not the normal Android OS. With no other unit to replace it, I returned it and then waited a few weeks before finally deciding on the Nexus 7 tablet. The great features of the Nexus 7 tablet are its made by Asus, processor speeds excellent, built-in RAM high enough to function properly and on board storage of 32GB (not expandable by micro SD cards one minor fault). The only negative was its price, a bit too close at the $300 mark to make it unattractive but still below.

     So should you go out and get your mini tablet now? The answer to that depends on if you can wait because they are not priced to sell right now. You will have to decide whether or not to spend the extra cash for a mini tablet (7inch) or wait later on when the tablet wars restart again in the spring time. If you have to get one, choose it by features like at least 1-Ghtz processor, 512K RAM or more (1MB!), and an open Android OS format with the android play available and not customized or un-liscensed Android versions without the marketplace installed or other features disabled.

TechRant Live #62

Lasted Episode covering various topics, enjoy the video and don't forget to  send commands to my Twitter accounts at @leoperez, @vrpcworld, Goggle+ an doth sites.

ISP Usage and Market Share

ISP Usage and Market Share:

'via Blog this'

Best Buy's False Black tie Service Plans!

     The bridgewater, NJ store of Best Buy's is run by arrogant management representatives, and young Geek squad crew poorly experienced in real repair but apparently well trained in turning away clients when their Black Tie service plans are called into question was my sisters and my experience lately. I always believe in working out issue within the entity in question but this has opened my eyes to an underlying issue that could be the rule and not the exception. When you purchase an extended warranty service of Best Buy's Geek Squad called Black Tie, most people do not question the validity or quality to expect if put into action, that is why most who do so buy this service plan but I can see now it is becoming more of a scam then an actual service.

     

     Just recently my sister tried to have her laptop repaired under the added purchase of the Black Tie service agreement that was purchased with the laptop by me only to find out that Best Buy had refused to cover her product and comply with their own agreements. They had said that the damage to the laptop was under accidental damage (or intentional, same thing to them) and that she would be responsible for the total cost of repair. There was just one problem with that posturing, the laptops hinge assembly that caused the laptops screen to crack falls under the normal wear and tear or manufacturers fault clause not accidental damage which is covered according to their own statements.The fact that the normal user with a laptop has to lift the top portion (screen) in orde to use it does not mean that damage was accidentally caused by her after all would you fault a person from opening a refrigerator to acces his food only to find the door falls off its hinges and damages the door (if you were the Geek squad at Best Buys' you probably would just to get out of the commitment)?

     I tried to contact the main offices through phone, email and other ways to try to resolve issue but nothing yet except for a simple email response asking for original receipt copy when they could look it up quite easily in their systems work order section for repairs. I guess any excuse to delay responding to the customers concerns in a timely fashion or discourage them from perusing it, not in this case this will happen. Like I said I responded and have my fingers crossed that Best Buy's in there infinite business frame of mind does not allow this clearly wrong situation from becoming a thorn on their sides durring this christmas season shopping after all who's going to buy any product from a company that demonstrates that kind of abuse of the customer and the laws that protect consumers from fraud? Lets hope that Best Buy representatives resolve this and any other issue like this quickly and correctly soon. I will keep this issue alive and post any updates as I come across them until it has been resolved, until then take care about your purchases at Best Buy's especially adding any questionable service plans until you know they really do comply.

Best Buy's False Black tie Service Plans!

     The bridgewater, NJ store of Best Buy's is run by arrogant management representatives, and young Geek squad crew poorly experienced in real repair but apparently well trained in turning away clients when their Black Tie service plans are called into question

     My sister tried to have her laptop repaired under the added purchase Black Tie service agreement only to find Best Buy to refuse covering and complying with their own agreement.

     Contacted main offices through phone, email and other ways to try to resolve issue.

When is a Geek a really Geek?

    While listening to one of my many video podcast shows, the topic of geek came up over and over again and it made me wonder what really is a geek today as opposed to the past when it all started. In the past a geek was an enthusiast who explored into a technical topic like electronics using sometimes the cover of repair technician but always at home spending hours and hours exploring and learning, Most geeks of the past in technology had hard times trying to find information to clarify a doubt or learn and being recognized for his or her expertise even though most involved were young curious males.



For many years the geek was a lonely soul forced to travel long distances to find parts, manuals and more sharing mostly in weekly or monthly club local meetingIf the general public saw a "Geek" with his technology like personal computers. The common opinion was they were wasting their time playing with toys, boy has history proven them all wrong especially office workers that had to leave because the typewriters and other old obsolete office equipment was being replaced and they had to learn how to use it or loose their jobs. The educational system throughout the country refused for the most part to hire really experienced geeks to teach their students many aspects related to the personal computers and MAC's (Mainly Mac's due to agreements Apple was lucky to obtain with officials) and many students found themselves being misdirected and not taught properly, only at the home environment had they a chance to really learn if they wanted to. Many of those pioneering Geek's of the past that did the legwork are not rich or famous, only a lucky few today can claim fame and riches. 
There are still true Geek's today but it has become the costume of many in the media to label anyone who can say hard drive a Geek. In the past journalists who wrote about technology now today enjoy the title of Geek or technology wizard and enthusiast and even though they know a lot from years of writing about tech topics, they are NOT a true Geek just because. I don;t think there is a problem saying they are well educated in the topic but the self proclaimed title of geek is wrong and should be talked about not by tech journalists but current geeks and the industry experts that come close to geek-hood. So in conclusion maybe you should start talking and writing about science today and tomorrow you could be by default without the real legwork be proclaim by yourself (what an ego issue) and others that know no better, who knows.

When is a Geek a really Geek?

     While listening to one of my many video podcast shows, the topic of geek came up over and over again and it made me wonder what really is a geek today as opposed to the past when it all started. In the past a geek was an enthusiast who explored into a technical topic like electronics using sometimes the cover of repair technician but always at home spending hours and hours exploring and learning, Most geeks of the past in technology had hard times trying to find information to clarify a doubt or learn and being recognized for his or her expertise even though most involved were young curious males. For many years the geek was a lonely soul forced to travel long distances to find parts, manuals and more sharing mostly in weekly or monthly club local meetings. If the general public saw a "Geek" with his technology like personal computers. The common opinion was they were wasting their time playing with toys, boy has history proven them all wrong especially office workers that had to leave because the typewriters and other old obsolete office equipment was being replaced and they had to learn how to use it or loose their jobs. The educational system throughout the country refused for the most part to hire really experienced geeks to teach their students many aspects related to the personal computers and MAC's (Mainly Mac's due to agreements Apple was lucky to obtain with officials) and many students found themselves being misdirected and not taught properly, only at the home environment had they a chance to really learn if they wanted to. Many of those pioneering Geek's of the past that did the legwork are not rich or famous, only a lucky few today can claim fame and riches. There are still true Geek's today but it has become the costume of many in the media to label anyone who can say hard drive a Geek. In the past journalists who wrote about technology now today enjoy the title of Geek or technology wizard and enthusiast and even though they know a lot from years of writing about tech topics, they are NOT a true Geek just because. I don;t think there is a problem saying they are well educated in the topic but the self proclaimed title of geek is wrong and should be talked about not by tech journalists but current geeks and the industry experts that come close to geekhood. So in conlusion maybe you should start talking and writting about science today and tomorow you could be by default without the real legwork be proclaim by yourself (what an ego issue) and others that know no better, who knows.

VRPCWORLD's-TechRant, Episode#24

In this account I cover the news of that day like tablets, Google+, lawsuits on copyrights and others. I also speak about the 30th anniversary of the IBM PC in my perspective as it relates to the REAL experience, not the phony one pushed by others glorifying the IBM LATE entry into the PC's. Also covered is the economy as it relates to us and a mention about the great town of Hillsborough, NJ's justice system so it should promise to be at least an interesting podcast. A Newer & Better look I think in presentation people.

The Tablet Wars March On!

Another Great video/ podcast created by me that covers many topics and (hopefully) will be consistently recorded and posted on a weekly basis. I'm trying to establish some sort of coherent way of posting my podcasts and also updating my blogger site but not yet possible in any reliable way, will do so soon I hope. Meanwhile enjoy the video and or episode and keep in touch with your comments here and at all sites connected to this show, TechRant. Thanks and enjoy.......

Keep up to date on my Podcasts at my YouTube Channel+!

     Everyone can keep up to date with my newest (and old) podcasts at my YouTube channel, Vimeo and Ustream channel (all refer to vrpcworld, easy). So if you want the latest of my ranting in video format then tune in and please send feedback and or comments. I am always reading your feedback and comments to try to make the show better just please keep it civil (not like me, right?).  Many episodes to view so just browse. Thanks for following me on the Internet.

The New IPhone 4 for Verizon finally coming!

     Well it looks that it finally happened, Apple has slightly turned their backs on AT&T's exclusive hold on the IPhone's since it's 1st initial generation release. It may not be wise just to blame the AT&T solely for policies strictly enforced and we will eventually learn the details of that little scandal but for now all Verizon lovers rejoice, your dreams have come true or maybe your worst nightmare only time will truly tell.

     Apple's web site is already reflecting the change by offering to purchase the IPhone at the unattainable prices and I definitely would not pay that much for it, especially since it will become absolute as soon as the Verizon IPhone 4 2.0 is sold. So if you are into collectables and want one of the 1st 4th generation or IPhone 4 then act quickly at a $660+ price for the lower end model and over $780 for the elite. Why not you fanatics have money to burn in this really bad economy on a cell phone of all things. I'll stop before I become too political on this article, post or whatever you want to call it.

CES 2011 is over and will IPhone 4 go to Verizon!

    Well another CES has come and gone and the hot overwhelming product being displayed were of course the touch tablets from various manufacturers like Dell and others but will they be affordable and will they become reality, we will have to see. Netflix is hot this year as a streaming online video provider not to mention their in the mail DVD's & Blue-ray CD's. You will probably find this very popular service on many devices like TV's, blue-ray players, Roku boxes and others. They did it right but must slack off and keep offering better services to compete especially with Amazon, Vudu, and Hulu plus like services. 

     Last year many touch tablets that were introduced but few if any were actually produced for retail sales. Hewlett Packard (HP) was one of the slow to move on the touch tablet craze and still lacking even lacking today. Many podcasters covering the event dreaded covering the tablet craze content with the Apple fix with their expensive and exclusive IPad's but although the IPad did very well in sales this holiday season, there is a ever growing need for an affordable non-Apple touch tablet with Android OS and even Windows from Microsoft. It's not beyond these from becoming a reality if it were not for the fear factor of these many US based makers of PC products but it's a different story for the makers overseas especially the influx of cheap affordable touch tablets from china and other countries. It seems that the 7 inch forma factor is a bit more popular then Steve Jobs and other industry experts said was not an attractive one just look at the Galaxy. You can walk into any Best buys and other retail stores and see there are 7 inch touch tablets ready to be purchased and would be interesting to see just how many were purchased in the last 3 months (curve, quantity and locations).

     The new Motorola proposed Xoom tablet was an impressive tablet and the new super cell phone that attaches to a skeleton type netback is a great concept but price will affect it's success not to mention who the carrier is. Most likely it will be the favored Verizon new tablet by the podcasters and industry experts ( what do they know anyway with a bottomless money pocket unlike the rest of us). This device holds a lot of promise and will be using the newer Android HoneyComb version especially created to address the many tablets being produced with larger screens then a small cell phone of today. Others will be making tablets and we will have to see which ones actually catch on to the regular American consumers.

     There were others gadgets displayed at the show like speakers systems and such but one left over push for 3D TV's was very apparent at the CES event by many manufacturers. Some were without the need for glasses with poor group view abilities (made for loners) and rumors to make the already 3DTV's more cheaper or as they would say, more affordable to the general public so they can justify making so many without a real demand for them thanks to in part Hollywood's moguls. I'm in the opinion that the 3DTV's will not catch on as they would like and many 3DTV's will be in warehouses and in stores waiting for someone to adopt them (dust & spider webs). A positive note to that is when you are in the market to buy a new TV (HD/ FHD-1080p) you may be able to get one of these unwanted 3DTV's at a lower price (markdown) just to get rid of them even if you will probably never use the 3D feature, who wants to wear googles? The promising field of TV's are OLED, 4K and ultra thin LED's, that will attact consumers. Just my opinion anyway, take it or leave it. For more information on CES 2011 visit sites like Revision3, CNET, TwitTV and others including Googles Youtube video arsenal that cover the topic. Also don't forget to visit my site for my little take on the industry along with my podcasts at youtube.

The Touch Tablet War is on for the Holidays!

(Ad from local Best Buy's, bottom left and top related to tablets)

     This is becoming an excellent time to get a hold of and or sell some great Android touch tablets from all just about all over the world. Between the inexpensive wanna-bee tablets of China (which aren't really that bad of a choice, cheap), France's Archos and then the others like the Samsung Galaxy Tab (EXPENSIVE) it is clear that the IPad will NOT be the sole seller of touch tablets this year. I would not be surprised by the end numbers to reflect just that fact but the consumers have such a wide variety that is maybe a bit confusing as to what to buy this holiday season and on. The Archos line-up is really well made and fairly inexpensive but their customer service support policies are very much lacking or non existent, a problem if you run across an issue with your unit. It's a shame that Archos lacks in customer service because I happen to think their products are very, very good and state of the art competiting strongly against Apple's Ipad's. I don't believe Mr., Jobs was correct in his statement that smaller touch tablets like the 7 inch or less would not become popular after all you can't stick an IPad in your back pocket that easily nor does the price justify it's lacking components like a camera (Facetime?). I expect that Apple will announce another version of the IPad line-up if not a mini-Ipad (4-7 inch) since the market will reflect the demand from it's technologies manufacturers here in the USA and around the world. This is a great time to experiment and try out many, many units that are out right now but take care with what the makers claim it has in hardware and especially the OS version. Archos is also famous for not really providing a true Android OS with it's essential components like the Android Marketplace or GMail syncing. Still the Archos line-up is very attractive both in its price and its hardware. Some units are so cheap that compared to the pole's IPad low-end device, you could buy2 or more of its competitors units but as an Apple fan I do like its line up as well, just not the pricing and their customer service support is renowned for excellence so you could say you get what you pay for. Look around, compare and seek out reviews especially the free ones located throughout YouTube's videos, I know I do. Have a happy shopping adventure this xmas season.

The Deals are out for Touch Tablets, and the war begins!

The New Boxee Box is here finally!

      Well its finally here after a long drawn out wait for it, the boxee box made from d-link. There are good things about this media box for the living room and then there are bad ones, big ones too. Although the interface seems to enjoy the same ease of use that has made boxee a success among many of us lazy media browsers on both Mac and PC's there are some differences in presentation that we all are a customer to. 

Review of the Roku Box from Netgear!

    

 This is my attempt to review the new Roku box that are available right now at some of the local retail stores as well as various online web sites like the manufacturers, Roku.com. First factor that impressed me was the price for what it offered in comparison to other living room type of media boxes using the internet as its primary source. I purchased mine at a local Best Buys (didn't want to wait in the mail for it and no extra savings doing so) and chose the elite model for $79.99. I was surprised to see just how simple this device is to setup and that it came with built in wifi abilities allowing me to just about locate it anywhere in my home but the cable connect was available and does provide for a better viewing experience. With the ability (the model I chose) to play 1080P video from various sources (paid or free), I was amazed just how good it performed, the easy and small remote control similar to appleTV's.  This device is a real threat to the boxee box, AppleTV, GoogleTV and others trying to work their way into the living room entertainment business model. I have always enjoyed boxee app on my mac-mini but I could not justify paying so much for the external box created by D-Link for the Boxee group. I still think that the Boxee model is the one to fear and emulate especially since it works so well on mac's PC's. Boxee's owners could take over the market if it just lowered the external boxes price to a reasonable one that competes against the other contenders. So I give it 4 stars out of 5 for the Roku box only lacking in its applications list providing both youtube and  integration with a local PC or Mac for media files to display in the living room or where ever its located. Maybe we will see an app for that on the Roku box soon, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Review of the Roku Box from Netgear!

     This my attempt to review the new Roku box's available at some local retail stores and online as well.

Roku's WebSite

Scripted MacMini Dilema Support

It's been just about over 2 years since I made the leap to a Mac (Mac-Mini) after getting tired of having to diagnose and re-diagnose mostly software conflicts in my previously owned PC's. All I wanted to do is really get some work done on my computer and have it work when I needed it to do so in an application. Many will say that any and all issues can be addressed with the PC if directed to the right place but who exactly knows what that means after all I'm no newbie at this. I have been involved in electronics since 1975 and personal computers since they first starting appearing as toys on the market, yes toys not taken seriously. So looking at the specifications of the Mac-Mini and its ability to use MS Windows OS as well to make the transition easier, I made the leap at a relatively low cost (almost, less then $1k and thats without a monitor). I was surprised to see that this ignored computer by most was really quite good and very functional and a whole new world opened up for me in computer use. Mind you I had tried previous versions of the Apple computers in the past but none seemed to satisfy my need or hunger as a enthusiast in electronics to own, let alone the pricing of this very poorly market supported device (little software and or games). Many will recall and even today just how few software title there are for the Mac as compared to the PC's but quantity doesn't always transform to usability or stability. The PC compatible Microsoft OS based realm was (and still is) unstable at the very least but it is getting better. Most enterprises still use PC's and there preferred OS from Microsoft so they will not disappear anytime soon but they suffered in the last few years this and other flaws.

I made sure that my newly purchased memory matched the specifications required (bus speed, type) and I also rechecked it through the 3rd parties online seller utility plus descriptions (supplier has a good reputation of supplying memory for all types of computers including many Mac's). The new OS recognized it, identified it and passed it in its pre-boot test process and OS. The only place where I saw that memory was not being recognized was in the "Activity Monitor" application built-into the OSX. It reported a total of 3GB for use, missing 1gb. The other day I called into Apple's support system to ask a very logical question about memory usage or recognition on my Mac Mini I upgraded to improve the performance. I saw no logical reason to believe it would not be recognized properly but that did not happen. What I got from Apple's support system at the other end was a scripted tech response locked down to illogical conclusions and useless chatter even though it was politely done. I explained that I went from 2GB of ram to 4GB and that the old and the new OSX recognized it as being there and functional (pre-boot testing). The representative still insisted that my Mac Mini model would not function or recognize anything higher then 2 gb but he was wrong. The 1GB, a major loss and what poor reflection on the claims of 64 bit performance advantages as described online at Apple's web site.

My newly installed memory is working somewhat properly with the exception of what I explained but I saw no real reason to believe the new memory was either bad, incompatible with the computer or the wrong type for it. The Apple representative refused to acknowledge the OS & devices acceptance of the hardware upgrade discounting it to be a fallacy or lie on my part. The last advise I got from Apple representative was to buy a newer Mac Mini or an Apple computer that would accept more memory, of course through Apple only with a pricy tag (bad economy, don't have money to waste besides my Mac is still good or maybe they just want to stop supporting it like my old IPhone 2G, phasing them out). I decided that I'm not going to spend any more money in another Apple product (for now) and it really puts into question whether or not I should even invest in the future in any Apple product if this is the approach they will take. It almost appears like an orphaned group of products being abandoned by Apple's hierarchy. Customer service is lacking a bit right now or support depends way too much on reading a scripted screen for support answers but I'm hopeful it will change and more experienced logical thinking staff are hired soon to answer the phones of serious customers with an IQ higher then a chimpanzee, we can only hope.

The new evolution of the Internet!

It has come finally to the attention of some of the media savvy or so called experts in technology to proclaim that an unavoidable clash between the cable providers and online streaming with the Internet will happen soon. I have for some time now been saying this conflict can't be avoided. We are in a time that our elected officials see the possibilities of this happening and the advent of future technologies on the web to produce what is not yet possible due to limiting red tape and binding crippling laws that they are now willing to change in order to allow the web services to grow (I hope so). Of course the company Blockbuster had a leg up on this at one time as opposed to NetFlix but we now know that this is no longer is the case. We should ask ourselves exactly why this happened and where was the geniuses of Blockbusters been while this was going on? Well it's pretty simple really they just did not want to see the needs of their consumers but rather the bottom dollar abusive practices that the car manufacturers have been doing for years and drove them to bankruptcy. When will they ever learn that the customer comes first and that a small percentage gain is more reliable in time then any fast action abusive financial practices these companies wish to do. I'm amazed by the longevity of some companies through hard times like IBM and others and despite their short fallings they still exists today rather then others who tried to get fast easy money at the expense of customers, you and me. So will they finally learn a lesson or will they continue to try to ream their customers for all they can? We will have to see just how stupid these so called talented CEO's do in the future especially in these hard times we are in today.

It isn't enough that some companies live in the past and wish to impose (sometimes by law) their antiquated practices by way of providing poor or limited services and or over charging us for it (by force), but they also now want to cripple the very technological advances that could propel the internet into a new evolutionary phase of existence for the better good of us all. The cell phone industry is also going this route and just about all media is hanging on for dear life as the Internet evolves into a consumer choice of services on demand or another cable provider that the consumers can control at their whim. If these companies would just get their fat heads out of their A holes and start thinking with reason they will see many opportunities that are available to gain their so called bottom dollar within reason, if they do not I'm sure the foreign markets will. Technology will not stand still and wait for a few mentally challenged CEO's in the industry to finally wake up, it will go on and evolve many services like it or not by the industries involved. Today Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter and others are the stars of the Industry but it may not be that way in the not too distant future especially if there are talented kids in a garage inventing the new hot services or items to come to light. After all didn't most of our now top dogs start out in one form or another that way? So I say to the industry now to start putting the consumer first and stop abusing them with higher and higher fees unjustly. Take a smaller steady percentage so that you may last longer in the tech world to come and make products and services that the consumers really want not like some of these crippled devices that exist today. It's within their grasps to do so, or not it's their choice.

VRPCWORLD 1st Podcast

Just the 1st of many videos/ podcasts so keep checking out the YouTube account at: http://www.youtube.com/vrpcworld