Technology & Business
ClipMenu helps manage your Mac's clipboard
For some a simple copy / paste is more than enough. Others want a little more control and for them there is a free Mac app called ClipMenu (link). It automatically saves the last 8 items copied to your clipboard and you can easily paste any of them back by: invoke the app using the chosen shortcut choosing the item number you want pasted That's it. Its a free app based on user donations so take it for a spin.
Secret to picking the right AA battery
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“720”] Creative Commons Image - Flicker Swanksalot [/caption] You probably received all kinds of shiny new gizmos for christmas and some of them may need AA batteries. Which ones should you choose? Devices fall into 2 categories : High Drain Devices - These are electronic devices that require a sizeable amount of sustained current to work (like a digital camera, camera flash, etc) Low Drain Devices - These require low amounts of power for short periods at spaced out intervals (like a remote control, alarm clock , etc) There are 2 main AA disposable battery technologies:
AudioFly AF78 - a new earphone king
What am I looking for? Before I review the Audiofly 78 with microphone, I wanted to take 2 minutes and explain what I look for in headphones or earphones. When testing audio gear (particularly headphones and earphones), I am looking for flat frequency response. Flat doesn't mean boring but rather it means the headphones reproduce the soundtrack exactly as the producer intended it. When travelling or working, I may have my headphones on hour hours and therefore I am looking for a sound profile that doesn't tire my ears and I look for products that are comfortable to wear.
BBM Voice chat coming to IOS and Android next year
BBM for IOS and Android has been available for some time but it still lacks many of the features found on the BB10 version. Now Blackberry has let the cat out of the bag and everyone can expect functional parity between all of the different versions in 2014. You don't use a BB10 device so you're wondering what's in store? 2 features: BBM Voice - Is a VOIP service similar to Skype or FaceTime Audio BBM Channels - Is Blackberry's own social media network that reminds me of twitter.
A Google Thermostat coming to a house near you
This is an interesting development that no one was expecting. TheInformation.com and EVLeaks have confirmed that Google is working on an internet connected thermostat (similar to the Nest). The current rumour says Google is developing the software and backend controls but the actual device will be developed by a third party. It is also expected to work on Android and IOS. It is exciting to think of what Google may be able to do combining a WIFI thermostat with their huge cloud number crunching AI.
Students using iPads as glorified textbooks in class
The iPad has captured most of the Canadian education market (some have pegged it's market share at 90%). The Canadian Research Chain in Technologies in Education recently undertook an interesting study of 6000 iPad totting Quebec students. The study found that for every 60 minute chunk of class, 88.5% of students used their device for at least 30minutes. What did they do you ask? Most used them as expected to read textbooks or take notes. It was surprising to see that students typically used these devices as teaching support aids (exactly as the educators intended)and not entertainment devices.
Apple offers free iTunes gift today
Apple has an app on the iTunes AppStore called 12 days of gifts (link). Every day (starting December 26th) Apple will offer a free iTunes gift to its customers (for 12 days). These gifts can be songs, TV shows, movie rentals and iBooks content. Apple seems to be in a giving mood and has already opened up a mini album from Lorde featuring her new song No Better and her music video for Royals. The content can only be downloaded via the special app (not directly from iTunes).
Buy a Pebble SmartWatch for $89.99
The Pebble is a neat little watch but most don't want to pay the $119-150 price. How do you feel about paying $89.99 for it (shipping included)? If you have access to a .edu email account (students, teachers, faculty and alumni) you can get yourself a brand new flashy Pebble smart watch for $89.99. This is the cheapest I have seen this watch and this promo is being offered by BestBuy (link). Sorry this is a US only promo.
Clean Install Windows 8 with an upgrade key
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“2500”] Creative Commons Image - Flicker user Tripp [/caption] Let's say you bought one of those $30 Windows upgrade promotion keys from Microsoft last year and now want to perform a clean install. What do you do? The media you downloaded does allow you to perform the install but windows will refuse to activate a new install with that upgrade key. Unless you perform this magical process. If you don't know what you are doing, stop and call a friend.
My top 10 Mac OS applications
[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“720”] CC Image - Flickr Sean MacEntee [/caption] I have been a technologist for the past 20 years helping customers streamline operations, reduce costs or increase profitability through the efficient use of technology. Over the years, the technologies have changed but one that has remained fairly influential over the last 10 years has been Microsoft Windows. Not only has it been a strong business platform but it has been my main personal (home use) platform. With Windows 8 and the increasingly unfriendly user interface, I finally decided it was time to finally go back to the Apple platform for personal use.