Geek Delights: Google Glass in the house

Google just recently unleashed it's second wave of Explorer beta invites for Glass out into the wild and this lucky geek finally got the gold ticket, minus the $1500 to be 'invited'.  Let's take a quick look at my new geek toy.

PS4: It's here!

Well, my pre-ordered PS4 came in on Friday! So far am loving the updated UI and also the ability to share games!  Here's some quick pics of my PS4 and a shared video of my NFS Rivals session. :)

Car thoughts: transmissions and the harcores

I admit it; deep down inside of this computer geek is a motor head.  I love cars and have since I was a kid.  I learned to drive around age 11 since I lived on a farm.  It was an old green 1977 Chevy pickup truck with a 4speed manual and  a very bad clutch.  So basically I started driving on a manual transmission and also drove tractors and other utility type vehicles which of course were all manual transmissions.

Fast forward to today and oddly enough the car I own is not a manual transmission but a 'lowly' automatic transmission.  BLASPHEMY cries abound from all of the 'hardcore' mini cooper motorers; however I disagree.   Let's take a look at why I think the auto vs manual transmission argument is a totally different ballgame as of the last 2 years.

Back to Android... Sony Xperia Z1 and Smartwatch 2 (imported)

After going nearly a full year without a phone upgrade (did a temp upgrade to the Galaxy S4 but then returned it), I have been itching to get back into the Android world again.  Lately I've been using my iPhone 4S running iOS 7 and have been getting a bit bored with it.  However yesterday my new imported Xperia Z1 and Sony Smartwatch 2 arrived from the UK and after using it for a day I already have some notes and comparisons to other smartwatches I've used.

My GoPro-ish Mini Cooper Coupe video :)

Just a fun and quick video I made of my 2013 Mini Cooper S Coupe using GoPro's Studio application and templates.  Pretty fun and easy!

Bonnie - My 2013 Mini Cooper S Coupe and post 4K miles recap

Back in February 2013, I decided to start looking for a new car.  My 2006 Civic Si was fully paid off and still worth nearly $10-13K.  She was a great and fun car but I wanted to up the torque game and was looking to get a car that was heavy in technology and features (auto lights, wipers, adaptive headlights, bt connectivity, usb media player/iphone connectivity).  After looking after some crossover suv type vehicles and some hot hatches/coupes (VW GTI, BRZ, BMW i3), I then saw the Mini Cooper Coupe.  I'm not much of a hatchback design fan but more of a 2door coupe look.  Thus begins my Mini Cooper journey.  Keep reading for the full post and videos.

LeapMotion, Chromecast and Gaming Thoughts (podcast)

This weeks podcast will focus on Leap Motion's new input device, Google's release of Chromecast and of course the usual gaming industry thoughts along w/some of my personal thoughts on wearable pc technology.

I've included my Youtube demo video of the Leapmotion controller in action using BetterTouchTool for some gestures on my mac mini under my podcast (embedded below)

Post E3, XBOXOne-Eighty, PS4, iOS 7, ReadySet (Podcast)

Today's podcast will chat about Microsoft's post E3 reversal of policy on DRM and checkins, the PS4 and how it can win this console war and some random mobile babble regarding iOS7 and Android and finally props to Fenix Intl and their ReadySet Solar Charging Kit.

Enjoy!

Gaming: the eve of change? pre-e3 2013 thoughts (podcast)

Tomorrow begins gaming's biggest event of the year, the E3 2013 expo. This year marks the begining of the next gen again. In 2006 it was the overly priced PS3 vs the XBOX 360 vs the blue ocean killer Wii; this time it seems to be more of a 2 console race even more. However the next gen of gaming may have large implications to us gamers as consumers and our rights on our games.

Today's podcast is a longtime gamers thoughts on the next gen systems and also a warning to the console makers and publishers.

Bottom line: there is no you without us.

PS. Btw, this is my first ever podcast type post so I apologize if its a bit awkward.

2013: The beginning of the real future?

Holy crap, it's been WAY too long since I've last posted.   Yes, this blog is still alive but barely.  My work life has been a little crazy and in turn has limited my geek hours.  Anywho, today I'll be recapping a few key announcements that have much larger implications in the overall scope of computing/technology and also do a quick summary of the tech i'm rocking these days.