Aug

13

ScanDrop and Google Docs

Filed Under Business Ideas, Resources, Principles, etc., Technology | Leave a Comment

While trying to archive some corporate governance documents a few weeks back, I thought to myself, surely some enterprising company or individual will create a way to scan directly to Google Docs.

I love programmers. To my joy, OfficeDrop has a solution. They’ve integrated shared folders so that you can choose where the documents are filed as you’re scanning. You can also rename them. Apparently, they OCR them and make them into searchable pdfs, but Google Docs doesn’t yet add that information to the Google Docs index.

Unfortunately, it’s not scanning my lettersized page properly on our Canon MF5750. I’ve submitted a support request and I’m hopeful that between this post and my support request, I’ll come to a solution quickly.

Jul

2

Pixel Qi Reflective LCD launches DIY Kit While I’m Gone!

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So, I’ve been waiting for a decade for a reflective computer screen and watching Pixel Qi for at least a year I believe. They FINALLY launched their DIY kit while I was in Europe and it sold out in less than one day. I was so disappointed not to get one of the first DIY kits to test on my netbook. I preordered one anyway and I’ll let you know if it works on my Acer Aspire when it gets here.

Apr

6

No Pixel Qi Slate Computer from HP

Filed Under Technology | 2 Comments

HP Slate versus Apple iPad

Although I was correct in assuming that HP would continue to piggyback off Apple’s marketing (they released a video before and blog post just after Apple’s iPad launch), it appears that my prediction for a Pixel Qi slate computer was too hopeful. The specs on the HP Slate are released via Engadget along with a promotional video on the coat tails of Apple’s hype.

Due to this unfortunate revelation, I will not be purchasing the HP slate and I’m still waiting for a computer that meets my display needs.

Mar

23

Why I Bought the HP Slate Before the April 3rd iPad Launch – Watch out AAPL

Filed Under Education and Love for Learning, Technology | 4 Comments

First, I want to explain why I’ve switched platforms from Apple back to Microsoft. Second, I’ll outline what’s so compelling about the Slate and finally, I’ll make a hopeful prediction.



Switching from Apple back to MicrosoftI switched to Apple back in 2001-2002ish after using a rock-solid PowerBook that Family Literacy Centers purchased for me at work. That machine ran for a year straight without ever crashing after I had used a PC laptop that was crashing on me 4-5 times per day. We bought an iMac in 2002 and didn’t look back.

I know of at least 7 mac purchases that were influenced directly by my opinion of Apple over the past decade. I’ve noticed over the years that my experience of rock-solid computing has not proven true for all those I’ve influenced, especially on the newer Intel based macs. I have friends and family who are complaining about their machines crashing, as well as the usual software compatibility complaints.

During hard times in 2009 after the financial debacle, when my iMac’s screen stopped working, I couldn’t afford to shell out the money for a new Mac and my cousin gave me an XP machine which served me well for months. The hardware had a few issues and I bought an HP desktop about a month ago. I was so impressed with Windows 7 (with federated search, incredible speech/writing recognition, and free security software) that it’s made me wonder if Apple has been sitting on its own marketing coat tails. Regardless of which is better, my 21.5 inch monitor, dual core processor, 6 GB RAM, 3/4 terabyte hard-drive system was $698 at Wal-Mart (I needed the machine immediately). And given the experience I’ve had with the machine since buying it (I absolutely love Microsoft OneNote), I’m a Microsoft/HP fan once again.

The HP Slate

Now, based on some hopeful (or wishful) predictions, I’ll explain why I think I’m buying an HP Slate this Spring instead of an iPad. I make these predictions mostly because I can’t sleep this morning and also because I’ve been watching the eReader, reflective screen space for years and read every Google alert associated with the technologies (Pixel Qi, Liquavista, and Mirasol). I might as well get some web traffic from the time I’ve invested/wasted into learning about this stuff while teaching a few others what I’ve learned :)

I predict he HP Slate will meet my requirements better than the iPad, especially the primary requirement of a reflective screen technology that can sustain long-term reading.

I predict that HP is the major manufacturer that Mary Lou described as a Pixel Qi customer for the following reasons:

  1. Phil McKinney’s first prototypes for the product (which was started as a dedicated eReader) were with eInk and he stated that the reading experience was an important factor, but that customers wanted more rich media as well. Pixel Qi is both worlds combined.
  2. Steve Ballmer’s presentation revealed that the HP Slate had a screen slightly subdued (colors not quite as bright) against other LCD screens next to it. The Pixel Qi is known to be a compromise between bright color and readability.
  3. The HP Slate clearly has the same form factor as the Pixel Qi screen, which is a 10.1 inch netbook sized screen. McKinney’s earlier prototype matched the 9.7 eInk screen (and more like the iPad screen ratio), but I hope they’ve changed it to the 10.1 netbook size in order to get the reading experience and rich media, like the Pixel Qi screen.

Launch Date Prediction – April

I further predict that HP will launch the Slate at the same time or before Apple launches the iPad on April 3rd (this is an admittedly hopeful prediction, come on Phil McKinney, let it be true):

  1. HP’s strategy with this product seems to be to piggy back off Apple’s marketing machine with a superior, less-expensive product. They preempted the Apple iPad announcement at CES. They preempted the presale buzz by posting new videos. They’ve started leaking the product/launch dates to Spanish websites (the actual Spanish says June). Why won’t they preempt the actual launch of the iPad (or at least launch along side it)? A lot of money stands to be made on Apple’s coat tails if they can launch it that quickly.
  2. Again, demo product has already been shipped to the Spanish tech blog! (kind of early for that if it’s a June launch, and September Europe launch, don’t you think :)
  3. The technology is ready. Windows 7 has multi-touch built into it. The hardware is all available and Pixel Qi is already shipping to manufacturers. There is no reason that HP wouldn’t be able to ship at the same time as the iPad.

Actually, most predictions are saying the Slate will be launched in June, but surely McKinney will read my blog post and know that I’ll be his first customer if he’s chosen the Pixel Qi screen (and I can shut off the backlight). HP would like to take my $541 sooner rather than later, wouldn’ t they? I’m just hoping that HP stands to make enough off their piggy back strategy that they won’t wait too long, surely by June. I need to buy that computer, let me give you my money in April HP :)

Here’s hoping for an April launch with a Pixel Qi screen. Go Microsoft/HP!

Jan

21

Amazon Kindle opening up for Active Content, or Apps

Filed Under Education and Love for Learning, Technology | 1 Comment

I didn’t expect this move from Amazon until the Kindle had a color screen and a touchscreen. Apparently, they’re going to open kindle up for developers. I’ve been hoping this kind of move will help developers to implement some more powerful education tools into the Kindle.

Jan

9

eInk, Marisol, Liquavista, Entourage Edge – Color Reflective Screen Technologies

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Anyone who knows me realizes how excited I am about reflective displays for computers, laptops, ereaders, phones, etc. I bought a Kindle and a Motorola F3 just because they use eInk.

I love the Marisol screen technology that I read about a month ago but rediscovered in the CES news this week.

Apparently, it reflects much better than the Pixel Qi screen.

The only problem with this demo is how bad it makes me want one of these screens.

I found a competitor,  to the Pixel Qi screen before Mary Lou Jepsen was able to get a product out the door. It’s called Liquavista.

I have yet to see a product that is launching soon with any of these technologies, but I’m considering the Entourage Edge as a useful alternative. It provides an eink display and a color display in a book form factor.

Dec

25

Kindle Replacement

Filed Under Education and Love for Learning, Ideas and Thoughts, Technology | 1 Comment

I’ve been searching for a replacement for my lost Kindle.  I’ve honed in on one display technology, the Pixel Qi screen, and I’m watching the outcome of the following devices:

  1. Plastic Logic Que
  2. Microsoft Currier (this one currently sounds like it most fits my life, but I’m worried it has back-light screen)
  3. Notion Ink Tablet
  4. Apple Tablet

My requirements are:

  1. Non-emitting light screen (I like Pixel Qi because it supports video and text editing so I could do all my work on it)
  2. Web browser
  3. Wi-Fi
  4. Text-editing/file system
  5. Kindle reader program (this may be optional depending on the availability of a digital library on the device)
  6. Full-text search of both books and my personal notes
  7. Pen or written input

We’ll see how the different systems stack up.  I would appreciate any insights into new options to fulfill my requirements.

Dec

15

Lost my Kindle…what’s next?

Filed Under Favorite Books, Technology | 2 Comments

I lost my Kindle on my last business trip and I’ve been super upset about it. I need my screen back for doing research because normal computer use causes me a great deal of grief. I nearly turned around and bought another Kindle, but hesitated because I believe the next wave of these products is coming out 1st quarter next year, thanks to the Pixel Qi screen that I’ve been following. I’m also hopeful that the Plastic Logic Que’s form factor will serve my purposes better than the Kindle (and I think that the reason for the profile shots of the Que are because it’s going to sport the Pixel Qi screen itself).

Yet, in the long run, if I like the Pixel Qi screen and Microsoft or Apple launch a tablet I can use for reading and for my email, I’ll probably head that route over a dedicated reader.

In the meanwhile, the wait and staring into the flashlight of my flat screen are both killing me.

Sep

16

Kindle Hint – FREE Mp3 Audiobooks that use the audible player

Filed Under Business Ideas, Resources, Principles, etc., Home, Family and Church, Ideas and Thoughts, Technology | Leave a Comment

Thank you Robin for letting me know that the Audible folder supports Mp3 files. Thank you Paul for the great place to find FREE Mp3 audio books.

I dream of the day when Kindle is opened up for developers and someone creates an application that combines text-to-speech, Audio books and the actual text. What a killer application for teaching my children to read. I know the technical difficulties of syncing the actor’s voice with the actual text. But one can dream :)

Aug

28

Favorite Kindle Web Services – kindlefeeder and FeedBooks

Filed Under Education and Love for Learning, Technology | Leave a Comment

I recently discovered two excellent web services for the Kindle.

It’s been a while since I’ve looked over the Kindle space (even though I use my Kindle more than my Blackberry) and I’m pleased to see innovation and interest growing around the platform.

keep looking »