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.

my current mobile setup, thoughts...

Tonight's write up will be a quick summary of my current mobile / on-the-go setup and also a few thoughts on the current crazy mobile world.

iPhone 5, NFC: make or break?

Well, it has once again become a crazy busy summer and now is almost fall.  I apologize again for the lack of updates.  Today's post will center around the beast that is the iPhone 5 and an emerging communication protocol: NFC (near field communication).  I won't be analyzing all of the rumored features of the iPhone 5 (that will be unveiled tomorrow) but concentrating on one feature and how its inclusion/exclusion could affect it and its adoption.

Sweets for Geeks: Jellybean on my Galaxy Nexus

Google officially announced its latest update to the Android mobile operating system at it's 'best' I/O ever last month.  Jellybean, aka Android 4.1.x, builds upon the Halo theme gui that Ice Cream Sandwich introduced and keeps with a consistent theme throughout the OS.  Several key new feature have been included in Jellybean including Google Now and a much improved notification system w/actions.

A tasty dessert: Galaxy Nexus and ICS

Today's post will finally have some pretty geek photos and thoughts on Google's Android 4.0 aka Ice Cream Sandwich.  This last month I broke down and got a Samsung Galaxy Nexus via Google's Play Store. Its unlocked and works on both AT&T and T-Mobile USA 3G and is of course a pure vanilla Android experience. I'll chat about the overal ICS experience and also my quick thoughts thus far on my Galaxy Nexus (hint: i love it!).

NFC tags and a quick demo

Well, if you've been reading my blog or twitter tweets, you'll probably notice my latest obsession with NFC (near field communication).  I finally received my first batch of NFC tags/stickers from www.tagstand.com and wanted to just showcase a quick demo of using a NFC tag with NFC Task Launcher to check in to foursquare with a tag.

Youtube directlink to video

[youtube CiE_rybNtrI]

free to dev: my idea for the music industry

Today's post is more of a brain dump than post.  I've been thinking about the music industry again and thought of a few things I'd love to see happen.  I doubt the industry or RIAA would ever consider it but it's worth a shot.  The biggest problem I have with the industry is how it deals w/innovative services/sites.