Tech Critiques Episode 134

This week in the news we talk about how the FCC is investigating Verizon's new ETF's (Early Termination Fee) for smart phone users.  And if they actually notify their smartphone customers about this change in their cell phone plan.    YouTube is going Hi-Def with a new 1080p player could this mean YouTube is going for quality over quantity.  Crytek is giving away their game engine and developers kit to universities.  It hopes to get more developers on board with the Crytek game engine.   Microsoft has banned 1 million Xbox live players for modifying their consoles to play pirated copies of xbox games.   But will they still be able to use their Xbox.  The NBA is now offering a new iPhone application that will let you watch live streams of NBA games and have live stats updates. Also in the news we talk about Apple buying Lala and what they intend to do with it.

Reviews include
Dragon Dictation
Dragon Dictation is an easy-to-use voice recognition application powered by Dragon Naturally Speaking that allows you to easily speak and instantly see your text or email messages.
Review Grade = A-

Google Chrome
A browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.
Review Grade = B+

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Tech Critiques Episode 132

This week in the news we talk about Google announcing their plans for the Google Chrome OS and how it will be launched sometime in 2010 initially only for netbooks.  This could have a big impact on Microsoft Windows 7 and the Mac OS X operating systems.  Sony announces firmware 3.1 for PS3 which includes some new features.  The most significant of those features is social media integration starting with Facebook.  There is a new video game contest out to see who is the biggest Gran Turismo fan.  This contest coincides with the release of Gran Turismo for the PSP.  There are some really great prizes for this contest so head over to the Playstation blog to more details.  Car alarm manufacturer Viper has released a new iPhone Application called SmartStart that works with their new Viper car alarms.  Allowing you to remotely control the alarm from your iPhone.  Also in the news we talk about how the UK Judicial system is starting to use Twitter to serve court injunctions.  But how will the court know it is really you.     

Reviews include
Office Live Workspace
Microsoft Office Live Workspace allows you to store up to 5GB online
and it works with Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint. It also allows you to view, edit and share documents with password-protection.
Review Grade = B

Motion 4
Start animating right away with the easy-to-use tools and intuitive interface in Motion 4.
Review Grade = A

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Tech Critiques Episode 131

This week in the news we talk about how Netflix video streaming is finally available for the PS3 console.  And what kind of impact this can have on the Sony PS3 video download store.  It also looks like YouTube is in talks with Hollywood studios to rent movies online through video streaming.  Nothing official has been announced yet by YouTube, but things are starting to get exciting in the online video streaming world.  General Electric has announced a new product called the VSCAN which is a ultra small portable ultrasound machine.  The device is about the same size as a flip style cellphone and is meant to make medical equipment access easier for doctors and nurses.  Microsoft, working with researchers at the University of Konstanz in Germany, have added video to navigational maps.  This new feature can make Microsoft's efforts a strong competitor with Google Maps.

Reviews include
Photoshop on iPhone
a new Photoshop app for iPhone users that lets them edit photos from both their phone and their online library on Photoshop.com.
Review Grade = A

MotionX
MotionX-GPS is the leading GPS App for the iPhone. Over two million iPhone users have chosen MotionX.
Review Grade = A


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Tech Critiques Episode 129

This week in the news we talk about a new malware attack the hackers are doing through Facebook.  So beware when you get friend invites from people you don't know and with links you can't verify.  We share with you a new video demonstrating the potential use of Microsoft Surface technology when applied to choosing a new car.  It brings a whole new dimension to the new car buying experience.  There are several rumors about the potential release date for the new Gran Turismo 5 for PS3.  It could be coming out either late 2009 or early 2010.  Either way Gran Turismo 5 is bound to be another break through racing game like the previous Gran Turismo games before it.  The US courts have ruled that it is ok for Microsoft to continue to sell Microsoft Word, while it appeals the case.  The case doesn't look good for Microsoft though as the other company has a patent that they are violating.  Also Blockbuster is in the news again with an announcement of more store closures.  And there plan to return to profitability includes opening more kiosks to compete with Redbox.

Reviews include
Growl
Growl lets Mac OS X applications non intrusively tell you when things happen.
Review Grade = A

Dropbox for iPhone
Access your Dropbox on the go straight from your iPhone.
Review Grade = A

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Tech Critiques Episode 125

This week in the news we talk about Sony's big announcement that a lot of rumors have been going around about this topic for awhile now.  Sony has finally reduced the price of the PS3 by $100 to a now more acceptable price of $299.  Sony has also officially announced the release of the new PS3 slim console.  A slim and trim version of the original monster sized PS3 console which was originally released in November, 2006.  And lastly Sony has announced the release of the new PS3 3.0 firmware which adds some much needed new features to the XMB (Cross Media Bar). 
Also in the gaming news department Microsoft's Xbox 360 is said to have a failure rate of 54.2 percent.  Looks like Microsoft still has not fixed the red ring of death for the Xbox 360.  Redbox.com which we reviewed a few episodes ago has announced a new rental service.  Redbox will soon be renting video games from a few select kiosks for only $2 per night.

Reviews include
Wikipedia for iPhone
An official Wikipedia application for the iPhone
Review Grade = C+

Wikipanion for iPhone
Wikipanion meshes the Wikipedia with your iPhone. Get automatic search results while you type. Set your own font size that is saved and applied to every page with no future adjustment. Your last visited page is opened up from when you last left the application.
Review Grade = A

LogoYes.com
LogoYes is the leading provider of do-it-yourself logos and other premium design products to small businesses around the world.
Review Grade = B-