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iPhone 3GS Upstream Speed Limited to 384Kbps [Smartphones]

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.While the iPhone 3GS got a download speed boost—to 7.2Mbps—it didn't get any upload power-up, according to PC World: Its upstream speed is limited by its hardware to 384Kbps. But don't get out the torches and pitchforks yet.

Most GSM-based cellphones suffer the same problem: No matter how fast they are at download, they will upload at only 384Kbps, or less, as you can see in our iPhone 3GS network test. This is because the hardware doesn't support the HSUPA (High-Speed Uplink Packet Access) standard, created by Nokia—the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) refers to this standard as Enhanced Uplink.

Some would say that this is not needed because Enhanced Uplink—which runs at 1.4 and 1.9Mbps—is not supported by AT&T yet, but in Europe there are networks that already support this standard. I would imagine that users of the popular JesusPhone would love to upload their photos and videos to Facebook and YouTube as fast as possible.

On the other side, with AT&T still struggling to get 7.2Mbps off the ground and most of the other networks having problems and slowdowns everywhere, I would be happy if they all just managed to actually deliver their advertised download speeds. [PC World]

July 9th, 2009 , 15 : 32 : 24 , Share it, No Comments

Pegboard Device Sinks Carpal Tunnel's Battleship [Health]

A pegboard device developed by bioengineering students from Rice University aims to better diagnose and evaluate carpal tunnel syndrome by restraining the hand and analyzing movements with a customized PDA.

In a five-minute test, a doctor uses pegs to isolate a patient's individual fingers. "You wouldn't think it works as well as it does, but once you are pegged in, you can't move anything but the finger we want you to," Miller said. A loop is fitted around the finger, and when the patient moves it, the amount of force generated is measured. "PRIME gets the peak force," Xu said. "Then the doctor can create a patient-specific file with all your information, time-stamped, and record every single measurement.".

Apparently, most of the tests for carpal tunnel are subjective—so improving accuracy and providing detailed patient-specific information will be helpful for sufferers in the future. It's a good thing too, because in this line of work I will need all the help I can get. [Medgadget via Boing Boing Gadgets]

July 9th, 2009 , 15 : 32 : 24 , Share it, No Comments

Amazon Wireless Aims To Make Cellphone Shopping Easier [Amazon]

For many of us, cellphone shopping really means choosing between the major smartphone brands—but for those of us looking at a broader range of devices and plans, Amazon has developed a new site to help make the process easier.

Amazon Wireless offers services like:

•Easy shopping for cell phones and service wireless plans without rebate hassles
•Shopping by carrier, phone feature, price, color and brand
•The ability to purchase a phone and take advantage of upgrade benefits
•Free Two-Day Shipping on a broad selection of phones from AT&T and Verizon Wireless
•Bestseller lists, detailed product descriptions and customer reviews.

The site currently offers a selection of around 130 phones (it's in beta), but right off the bat the fact that carriers are limited to AT&T and Verizon really limits the usefulness of the service. Still, it is another resource worth checking out if you are shopping around. [Amazon Wireless]

July 9th, 2009 , 15 : 32 : 24 , Share it, No Comments

Gadget Deals of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Summer moving sluggishly? Dealzmodo here to save you with amazing deals on movies and games! The awesome Metal Gear Solid collection going for $20! Evil Dead 2 for $13? Who's laughing now Ash? Dealzmodo is! Happy thirsty Thursday everyone!

Computers and Peripherals:
• 17" Dell Vostro 1720 Intel Core 2 Duo T6670 2.2GHZ LED-Backlit Laptop 3GB RAM 320GB for $659 plus free shipping (normally $947).
• 15.6" Lenovo G550 Dual Core Laptop with 4GB DDR3 RAM 320GB HDD for $499 plus free shipping (normally $699 - use coupon code USPG5502BU).
• 15.6" Acer AS5516-5474 AMD Athlon 64 Processor TF-20 Laptop for $299.99 (normally $387).
• 15.4" Dell Vostro 1520 Intel Core 2 Duo T6670 Wide Screen WXGA LED Display Laptop for $589 plus free shipping (normally $650).
• 10.1" Acer Aspire One LCD 1.6GHz Netbook (Refurbished) for $259.99 (normally $349.95).
• 23" Dell S2309W Widescreen LCD Monitor for $149.99 plus free shipping (normally $239.99).
• 20" Samsung 2033SW Widescreen LCD Monitor for $95.00 plus free shipping (normally $169).
• 1TB Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.B Internal SATA Hard Drive for $65.99 plus free shipping (normally $89.99 - use this rebate form).
• Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard for $73.99 plus free shipping (normally $89.99).

Personal Portables:
• Amazon Kindle (Latest Generation) for $299 (normally $359).
• 8GB Creative Vado HD 720p High-Def Pocket Video Camcorder for $129.99 plus free shipping (normally $159.99).
• Canon DC310 DVD Camcorder with 37X Optical Zoom (Refurbished) for $119.99 (normally $999.99).
• 10MP Pentax E60 Digital Camera $89.99 plus free shipping (normally $200).

Miscellaneous:
• Family Guy Talking Stewie and Brian for $10 plus free shipping (normally $20).
• Unlimited Skype Calls within US & Canada for $2.50 per month (normally $2.95).

Hobomodo:
• 1-Year of Dog's Life Magazine for $0.
• Huggies Pure and Natural for $0.
• Screening of "Food Inc" for $0.
• Screening of "I Love You, Beth Cooper" for $0 (limited - valid today only).
• Arby's Roast Burger coupon (with Soft Drink Purchase) for $0.
• "Braided Cellophane" by Tobacco MP3 download for $0.
• "Fireflies" by Chris Garneau MP3 download for $0.
• JellyCar on iPhone for $0.

If a deal looks too good to be true, investigate the store and see if it's a good, reputable place to buy. Safe shopping!

[Thanks TechDealDigger, Fat Wallet, DealNews, GamerHotline, SlickDeals, Cheap College Gamers, CheapStingyBargains and TechBargains.]

July 9th, 2009 , 15 : 32 : 24 , Share it, No Comments

The Seven Types of Employees You Meet at Best Buy [Satire]

Have you ever noticed that no matter which Best Buy you go into, you end up seeing the same people working there? That's because there are seven types of people that work at every single Best Buy, with no exceptions.

A little known fact about me is that I worked at Best Buy for a couple of years in high school before getting fired for badly, badly abusing the employee discount system. But while there I learned a lot about the types of people that work in such an establishment, and I've noticed the same people in other Best Buys that I've been to since. So here are my list of the seven types of people you'll find there, from a former employee's perspective.

Next time you go to Best Buy, be on the lookout. I promise you'll see at least a couple of these characters.

Illustrations by Dan Meth

Want to ditch this gallery format and see everything on one page? Click here.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.

Car Audio Thug
You'll find this guy in the car audio department. He's got a big plug earring in each ear, some form of facial hair out of a late-90's R&B video and tattoos on his forearms. He tears into the parking lot every day, tires squealing, bass blasting, in a late-model Civic that he's dumped thousands of dollars into. You suspect that if he didn't have a job selling car stereos, he'd be stealing them.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.

Marginally Cute Customer Service Girl
This girl works at the customer service desk or as a cashier. She's maybe 17 years old and is kind of cute, but only when compared to the chubby piles of sadness she's surrounded with. Because of this, she's constantly hit on/sexually harassed by the guys who stock CDs and DVDs. She manages to take this in stride somehow and is almost infuriatingly perky and chipper. The chances of her having hooked up with the car audio thug are very high.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.

Grizzled Old Home Theater/Computer Sales Lifer
This guy has seen some shit. He's a refugee from Lechmere or Tweeter or some other now-defunct retail outlet. He knows the most about the products he sells, which is why all the part-time high school employees send customers with actual questions his way. He's got an air of resigned acceptance about his life, and while he's all-business with customers, he's got no filter with fellow employees. He tells inappropriate jokes and talks vulgarly about the managers behind their back. He has a strictly regimented cigarette break every 2.5 hours that he never, ever misses.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.

Pervy Geek Squad Guy
This guy searches every computer that's in for service for porn, collecting everything he finds on an external HDD that he keeps in the back. He talks in graphic terms about what he'd do to women who he sees enter the store, but when he talks to them he's totally professional. You suspect that he pleasures himself behind the plastic curtains, but you don't want to confirm this. He's got a level 80 World of Warcraft character. Somehow, he and the grizzled old sales guy are buddies and eat lunch together.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.

Sad Department Manager
This guy went to college then, after graduation, moved back home with his parents to save money. He ended up getting a job at Best Buy while he "figured stuff out." It's 10 years later and he still lives in the town he went to high school in, is balding, gained 15 pounds and is the manager of the digital cameras department. He's perfectly adequate at his job, but talking to him for more than 5 minutes just makes you so damned sad.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.

Slick Careerist Manager
This guy wants to go right to the top. He runs team meetings, irons his blue polos, and gets a hard-on when talking about accessory sales and service-plan attach rates. He's climbing the ladder with everything he's got, and he spews corporate nonsense with the passion of a true believer. You've never seen him have an actual human interaction with someone, and you wonder if he even has any furniture in his apartment. He may be a robot.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.

Terrifying Loss-Prevention Guy
This guy is either an ex-con, an ex-cop or a vet. He is jacked yet forced to wear a yellow polo shirt, which creates a false sense of levity when dealing with him. He may seem friendly on the outside, but if you cross him he will snap your neck. He legitimately thinks that it's unfair that Best Buy security guys aren't allowed to carry sidearms. He has so much rage bottled up inside him that you know to just say hello and smile and otherwise steer clear.

July 9th, 2009 , 15 : 32 : 24 , Share it, No Comments

Archive for the ‘Gadgets’ Category

Green your home improvement

The BUDD green home-improvement “rule”:
B = Buy only what you need,
U = Use everything you buy,
D = Donate any leftover materials,
D= Dispose of waste responsibly.

This came in an email from Friends of the Earth UK and is so simple and sensible it just has to be shared.

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Less rubbish, please

The government wants people to throw less waste into landfills and reuse and recycle more. “We need to move away from being a throw-away society … to one which is much more responsible and cognisant of the need to … minimize waste and dispose as a last resort,” the new(ish) minister of water and environment affairs, Buyelwa Sonjica, said in a speech she apparently gave at the local government indaba on environment this week (it was sent out in a media release).

But to get more people to start recycling, local municipalities will have to start making it easier to recycle. There are a committed few who carefully clean and sort their plastics, cans, glass and paper and then take them to the municipal collection centres. But, let’s be honest, it’s a schlep finding somewhere to store all the stuff until you’re ready to load up the car and drive to the drop-off point - which for some people can be quite a long way from home. Those of us who can afford it can pay for a kerbside collection service - free ones are few and far between. But, all in all, there isn’t much in the way of official incentives to get people to recycle.

Could things be about to change, though? The minister said that her department is developing South Africa’s “master plan”, called the National Waste Management Strategy, that will “guide us on how we reduce the amount of waste generated, recover materials where possible, recycle and reuse …”. She added that her department expects that municipalities “will have to ensure that communities will have access to separate waste bins that will cater for recyclable and non-recyclables”. I wonder what that means. Will we one day in the near future be able to put out a wheelie bin of recyclables on municipal rubbish collection day? That would be nice.

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24.com blogs relaunching within the next few hours

Bandwidth blog just got wind that the biggest blogging platform in South Africa (likely Africa) is about to get a major face lift. The revamp of 24.com blogs has been under works for the past year and will bring the platform’s functionality on par with global players. Alistair Fairweather, social media manager of the newly formed 20fourlabs (24.com’s innovation unit) had this to say -

We’re very proud to be launching our long awaited revamp of 24.com blogs. Not only have we given SA’s biggest blogging platform a much needed facelift, we’ve also added a lot of features based on what our user have asked for most often. So personalisation is a big focus, and things like friendly URLs and better stats systems. And this isn’t the end – we’ve got quite a few more crunchy bits in the pipeline for the next few weeks. Under the hood we’re thrilled to have implemented the first fully MVC product in the 24.com stable, and we’ve done some much needed optimisation in the data and logic layers. All in all it’s just a much, much better product now.

Congrats to Alistair and his team!

Some screen shots of the revamped blogging platform and its themes

Disclaimer: Charl Norman works for 24.com

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Twitter Betters Google in Popularity

We have never thought that a name other than Google (form the “world” of the internet) will ever find more admiration with the Media, but, against all odds, Twitter managed to get more popularity than the G-all-mighty.

google_twitter-buy-out

If we’re to believe the news-monitoring service VMS, in the last 30 days Twitter generated $48 million of media coverage and appeared everywhere from news programs to magazines and even daytime talk shows. And just for the curious, in the last monthTwitter received 2.73 billion impressions. Out of this, TV channels contributed 57% of the PR Value, newspapers stood at 37%, while magazines amount for 5% of the value.

However, the number of impressions does not include smaller newspapers across the country which means that if calculated, these impressions could actually double in number. In June alone, Twitter’s unique visitors totaled almost 21 million with the traffic growing 14% over May.

It’s a fact that hot social-media properties slowly tend to fade away after “success” but with Twitter the story could be different as it has more sizzle than any name every had. Care to disagree?

Also, would that trigger a red bulb at Google HQ and lead them to a buyout?

[via AdAge]

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Apple Reeks in $1.23 billion Profits for Q3 2009

woof Just like Google, Apple have enjoyed the privilege of registering a profit in the third quarter of the year proving that the recession hasn’t had much of an impact on the growth of the company.

Apple posted a $8.34 billion revenue along with a net quarterly profit of $1.23 billion.

The year-to year comparison also sees Apple ahead from the same quarter last year where it registered a profit of $1.07 billion, or $1.19 per diluted share.

The Gross-Margin was also up at 36.3 percent compared to 34.8 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales contributed 44% to the overall revenue.

Talking about the growth from sales perspective Apple sold 2.6 million Mac computers during the quarter, a four percent increase over the year-ago quarter.

In the same period 10.2 million iPods were sold which is a 7 percent increase over the quarter year ago. Also, 5.2 million iPhones were sold representing 626 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter. Not to forget the 1.5 billion applications downloaded from the App store in the first year.

Looks like a very good year for Apple don’t you think?

[via Tuaw]

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