Cyber Acoustics

A New Brand of Summer Blockbuster

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:40:00 -0700

Just when you think computer games are dead, you might want to think again. Sure, your kids might be talking about this summer’s blockbuster movie sequels like The Dark Knight Rises and The Bourne Legacy, but they might not know of the new Blizzard sequel: Diablo III. [More]

Kickstarter: Support Grassroots Endeavors

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:15:00 -0700

Every day, I visit some of my favorite sites to find out what’s new and exciting in the technology world. You know the ones: Mashable, Engadget, Mac Rumors, etc. Lately, I’ve been seeing more and more mentions of a startup company asking for funding to launch their idea. Recently, Pebble, a customizable watch for iPhone and Android, was seeking $100K in funding and received over $5 million. This may seem like an anomaly, but think about it. If you have an idea, wouldn’t it be great to be able to pitch it to the world? Who knows—you may even hit the jackpot. [More]

Trading Cards: Who's Laughing Now?

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:09:00 -0700

Okay, I’ll admit it: back in the 90s I, along with my son, got caught up in the Pokemon craze. It was fun, and brought back memories of when I was kid, collecting baseball and football trading cards. We all know what happens to them when you grow up and move away, though—they hit the yard sale circuit. Bye bye, Mickey Mantle. I was determined that this was not going to happen again with my son, so I made a plan. You might say I went a little overboard. [More]

Everybody Needs a Buddy….

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:30:00 -0700

Living in the Northwest, we pay some of the highest prices for gasoline. How do I know this? Not from the news, but from a simple app called GasBuddy. We all know that gas prices are not coming down, and every so often, it pays to call on a buddy for a little help. [More]

Updated: And You Thought You Knew What OMG Stood For…

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:18:00 -0700

Move over, Words with Friends. There’s a new favorite app on the block. [More]

A "Titanic" New App

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:48:00 -0700

2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking. Since her maiden voyage and sinking on April 14, 1912, the story of the RMS Titanic has fascinated generations of researchers and fans. The 1997 blockbuster movie brought the ship to life and right into our living rooms. Everybody knows about Jack and Rose and their tragic love story, but what about the real passengers? What really did happen? [More]

Pinterest: More Than Just a Flash in the Pan

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:25:00 -0700

It’s no secret that the Internet lovers are flocking to Pinterest. 30 days ago, I didn’t know anything about it but with an average of 1.36 million users daily and growing, the social photo pinboard has taken the web by storm, and top online retailers are creating Pinterest boards. So, is Pinterest worth looking into? [More]

Myspace. Yes, Myspace.

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:36:00 -0700

“Really, Steve? Myspace?”

Yes, I know what you’re thinking—it’s nuts to be talking about Myspace and Justin Timberlake in the same blog. But hear me out: it may not be so crazy to be talking about this after all. [More]

Enhance your iPhone 4 Pictures

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:40:00 -0700

Some say that a picture’s worth a thousand words. I say: depends on the picture. With so many camera phones and point-and-shoot cameras out there, one only has to join a site like Flickr or even poke around on Facebook to see just how bad some pictures can be. But what if you could make your pictures stand out—just by using your iPhone, and spending less than $100? [More]

“Portlandia—The other side of Portland, Oregon

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:29:00 -0700

Even though I’ve been working and living on the west coast for over 20 years, I still say I am from the east coast. I’ve lived outside of Boston, NYC, and Washington, DC. I’m a die-hard Yankees and Giants fan and understand the way of life back there, but I’ve been lucky enough to visit just about every major city in America. Each one has its own personality and distinctive culture. But when it comes to Portland, Oregon (“Ore-gone” if you’re a non-native), this city is in a world of its own. [More]

Steve on CES: A Post-Conference Update

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:34:00 -0700

Well, I’m finally digging out from attending the Consumer Electronics Show last week. Believe me, it wasn’t easy. I had to cover approximately 3,100 exhibitors spread out over 1.8 million square feet all while dodging 153,000 attendees. Did I mention it was in Las Vegas? On a positive note, this year will surpass 2006 records which is a good sign that we’re bouncing back. [More]

CES 2012 - What Will Be This Year's Hot Products?

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:54:00 -0700

In less than two weeks, the marvel of CES will begin. People from all over the world come to Las Vegas to see what the electronics industry will showcase for 2012. If it plugs in, runs on batteries, or uses solar power, then more than likely you’ll find it at CES, and the question is always “Which product will steal the show this year?” I already know that mobility is going to be hot once again. Any hand-held device like phones and tablets will dominate the floor space. Here is what I expect to see.

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Last-Minute Christmas Gifts

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:38:00 -0700

Ok, we’re less than 2 weeks away from Christmas and the funds are about to run dry. As always, the last person on your list is the hardest to buy for. Not that this person has everything, they just don’t know what they really want. I feel your pain, so I have listed 5 cool gadget gifts for under $100.00 that might ease the headache of trying to find the perfect present. Here you go... [More]

Google Goes Indoors with Google Maps 6.0 for Android

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:25:00 -0700

There are a lot of options out there on your smartphone to lead you from point A to point B. But what if you are in a mall trying to find a certain store, or even in an airport looking for something to eat? GPS has made it easy to navigate the outdoors, but once you go inside, you can’t always depend on it. Or can you? [More]

Internet Forums: A Great Resource for First-Time Tablet Buyers

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:10:00 -0700

I just read an article yesterday that 3 out of 4 consumers will be looking at buying a tablet instead of a notebook or laptop this holiday season. Talk about a dramatic shift in a short period of time! For all you first-time tablet buyers, a word of warning: when you open the box, all you’re going to see is the tablet and a plug. No instructions, usually no manual, and if you’re super lucky, maybe a coupon for you next purchase! Thanks a lot.

You and I aren’t dummies, but come on, is it too much to ask to get a little help here with our tablets? Simply telling me how to turn it on and where to plug it in just doesn’t cut it. It bothers me a lot that manufacturers leave us to stumble through the learning process on our own. This is where Internet forums come into play. [More]