Design vs. Functionality - PC Archivestag:blog.tmcnet.com,2012-01-03:/design-vs-functionality//682009-01-23T17:19:13ZNews and views on design vs. functionality balance across the communications and technology space.GEDC Sets a New Wireless Standardtag:blog.tmcnet.com,2009:/design-vs-functionality//68.392322009-01-23T16:35:46Z2009-01-23T17:19:13ZI personally get very excited when I read about new steps in wireless technology. I own a lot of gadgets, a lot of media hardware, and a lot of computers. With all of that comes a large electric bill and...Scott BouchardI personally get very excited when I read about new steps in wireless technology. I own a lot of gadgets, a lot of media hardware, and a lot of computers. With all of that comes a large electric bill and worse yet... a lot of wires. They're everywhere, they're a pain to keep organized and to hide, and they keep my gadgets confined to restricted areas. I dream of the day when every gadget I own is wireless. According to a report from ScienceDaily, my dreams may be approaching reality.
The Georgia Electronic Design Center (GEDC) at the Georgia Institute of Technology, has developed a new chip design that promises wireless functionality for ultra-fast media applications. The new Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) chip is capable of transmitting 60 GHz digital Radio Frequency (RF) signals. The chip "represents the highest level of integration for 60GHz wireless single-chip solutions."
What does this mean? Multi-gigabit wireless technology is the next step for new wireless applications. Consumers and IT markets alike will benefit from this new technology. Potentially, it means that you can move gigabytes of photos and video from your camera to a PC almost instantly. Download a high-def movie to your handheld device from a kiosk or your PC in seconds. DVD players, Desktops Computers, and Data Centers... all virtually wireless.
This technology is the future of wireless communications.]]>
Netflix on Xbox 360 Frustratingtag:blog.tmcnet.com,2008:/design-vs-functionality//68.388542008-12-20T12:00:17Z2008-12-20T13:42:48ZI haven't had much time until yesterday to actually play with some of the new features of the improved Xbox 360 interface that was released a few weeks ago. One of these improvements is the ability to now stream Netflix...Scott BouchardI haven't had much time until yesterday to actually play with some of the new features of the improved Xbox 360 interface that was released a few weeks ago. One of these improvements is the ability to now stream Netflix movies right to your console for your viewing pleasure (once you have an account of course). Seeing as I'm on vacation, I figured it would be a decent time to check out the two week free trial.
So... I log into my Xbox 360 and search for the Netflix area. I click through a few menu options and supply my email address and password, and then end up on a screen that tells me to "go to netflix.com/xbox to create my account". So now I have to get up off the couch, stroll over to the computer and punch in a url. I do so and go through the regular hoops of setting up one of these trial accounts, including choosing a service that I can cancel anytime over the next 2 weeks for no charge (of course), and giving them a credit card number.
But now... it sends me back to the Xbox. I go back to the couch, ready to watch a movie, press a few buttons and then my Xbox gives me an activation code and tells me to go to netflix.com/activate to activate my streaming account. Again I get up and go back to the computer, plug in the code, and boom, I'm ready to watch movies on my Xbox, Right?
Wrong.
Maybe I was a little too eager, or maybe the frustration was already kicking in and I had ignored a direction somewhere, but I went back to the couch assuming I could browse through lists of movies on my Xbox, hit a button, and spend the next few hours watching something I wouldn't cough up 11 dollars for at the theaters a few months ago. What greeted me at the couch was nothing. I tried to find some way I could choose a movie on my Xbox, but the option just isn't there.
After paying attention to a few more messages, I realize I have to go back to the computer and set up a que under the "Watch Instantly" tab. Then from this que, I can go back to the Xbox and select the movies I have already selected and start the streaming.
As I browse for a movie to watch, I reach an even greater level of disappointment. In my opinion, the selection of movies for streaming stinks. You know those old Mom and Pop rental stores that used to be around before Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, and Tommy K's squeezed them out? Remember how they had only ONE copy of every movie no matter how popular it may be? Remember getting there late on a Friday night and having to sift through old classics because everything you wanted to rent was already spoken for? This is what I felt like looking through the list of available streaming movies.
However, hardly anything remotely recent was available. Like I said, I wasn't going to pay 11 dollars at the theater to watch the 3rd installment of the Mummy series, or Will Smith flying around in Hancock. But, I would spend time watching them if they streamed right to my living room, especially during a free trial. Sadly that doesn't look like an option for a long time.
Unless there's some drastic improvement in what's available, I'll most likely be looking for that "cancel subscription" button before this trial is up.]]>
The computer mouse goes over the hilltag:blog.tmcnet.com,2008:/design-vs-functionality//68.387202008-12-10T18:54:56Z2008-12-15T22:04:10ZThe computer mouse had its 40th anniversary on Tuesday. It's come a long way since it was first displayed to the public in 1968, but personally I think it may go the way of the Dodo in the coming years...Scott BouchardThe computer mouse had its 40th anniversary on Tuesday. It's come a long way since it was first displayed to the public in 1968, but personally I think it may go the way of the Dodo in the coming years due to the increased implementation of touch screens and speech recognition.
While it is currently an indispensable tool for most computer users, I still feel all instances available out there are poorly designed for my purposes and lack the type of functionality I need on a daily basis. I'm still a trackball fan.
Read more about notable moments in mouse history here.]]>
Dell Makes an Attempt at Styletag:blog.tmcnet.com,2008:/design-vs-functionality//68.378902008-10-07T13:40:56Z2008-12-15T22:57:23ZEveryone I know used to owned a Dell. I think I've owned 3 or 4 in the past 10 years. But Dell took a tumble a few years back, and lost their commanding grasp on the market. I think...Scott BouchardEveryone I know used to owned a Dell. I think I've owned 3 or 4 in the past 10 years. But Dell took a tumble a few years back, and lost their commanding grasp on the market. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that they were the ugliest option on the market for a while.
In the computer world, features and performance should be the most important things to consider when purchasing a new machine... but these days, that's no longer the case. It's sad, but looks - the physical appearance of the machine might actually be one of the most important selling points. Apple and Sony have both embraced this and have done a great job marketing their computer lines with this in mind. Now Dell is starting to take the hint and have finally embraced a sense of new age design with their latest line of computers.
They now sport a very sleek and colorful design that follows the type of direction Sony went with their computers. This comes with Dell's push onto retail shelves after years of cornering the direct-sales PC business. In order to compete in this market they needed to appeal not only to a consumers budget, but actually entice potential buyers to ignore everything else in the store to come poke and prod Dell products.
I have to admit, I like the direction they went. The forms alone give off a perception of speed and power. I just hope they don't skimp on the features as a result. I like pretty, but I need functionality and won't settle for something that doesn't perform to my standards. Check out a few of their latest models:
I personally get very excited when I read about new steps in wireless technology. I own a lot of gadgets, a lot of media hardware, and a lot of computers. With all of that comes a large electric bill and worse yet... a lot of wires. They're everywhere, they're a pain to keep organized and to hide, and they keep my gadgets confined to restricted areas. I dream of the day when every gadget I own is wireless. According to a report from ScienceDaily, my dreams may be approaching reality.
I haven't had much time until yesterday to actually play with some of the new features of the improved Xbox 360 interface that was released a few weeks ago. One of these improvements is the ability to now stream Netflix movies right to your console for your viewing pleasure (once you have an account of course). Seeing as I'm on vacation, I figured it would be a decent time to check out the two week free trial.
The computer mouse had its 40th anniversary on Tuesday. It's come a long way since it was first displayed to the public in 1968, but personally I think it may go the way of the Dodo in the coming years due to the increased implementation of touch screens and speech recognition.
Everyone I know used to owned a Dell. I think I've owned 3 or 4 in the past 10 years. But Dell took a tumble a few years back, and lost their commanding grasp on the market. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that they were the ugliest option on the market for a while.