Futurelawyer

First Look: Google Maps for Mobile with My Location

Link: First Look: Google Maps for Mobile with My Location | Crave : The gadget blog. While my recent purchase of the TomTom One handheld GPS device has insured that I don't get lost on my way to the courthouse lately, Google hasn't been sleeping. If you have a cell phone with GPS, or a tiny battery powered bluetooth GPS device, you need to check out the latest version of Google Maps for Mobile. The app works on any Web enabled smart phone (works great on the Centro), and connects to the GPS with a click and maps your current location. From then on, you can get instant directions anywhere. I am going to see how it works in another city, as I am traveling this week, and will let you know.

OLPC ‘Give One Get One’ shipping information details | Gadgetell

Link: OLPC ‘Give One Get One’ shipping information details | Gadgetell. You have until December 31st to purchase an OLPC notebook computer, to be given away to a kid in the world with no other prospect of joining the Internet age. If I had to pick ONE thing any U.S. citizen could do to help the future of the world, it certainly wouldn't be trading in an SUV for a Hybrid. The carbon imprint of all of us is nothing compared to the global forces that will cause the next Ice Age. It may not be politically correct to say this; but, it is totally arrogant to believe that we can control the global environment over a thousand year period. How much better would it be if we concentrated our energy (pun intended) on putting OLPC computers into the hands of every child on earth? I am looking forward to getting the second OLPC before Xmas. It isn't the most powerful computer in the land; or even in my house. However, what it represents can change the world.

STEC announces "cheap" 32GB to 512GB MLC NAND-based SSDs - Engadget

Link: STEC announces "cheap" 32GB to 512GB MLC NAND-based SSDs - Engadget. Will your future computer no longer have heat and speed problems? Could be. A California company has announced that it can bring the cost of Solid State Drive (SSD) technology to around $2 a gigabyte. Currently, the company has 32 Gigabyte to 512 Gigabyte versions in the 2.5 inch format common to most notebook computers. SSD drives don't have spinning platters, and are fast and reliable. The typical mechanical hard drive is seeing its last days.

But Will It Pay Alimony?

Link: Google: Google to Control Your Dog, Personal Belongings, Marry Your Wife I guess it had to happen. The ability of Google to track GPS signals, and the mashup ability to bring up maps of locations, is planned to be used to help us keep track of our "possessions". If you are a controlling SOB, just tag your wife, and Google will track her location for you. Of course, don't expect Google to pay the alimony when she finds out. I hope She Who Must Be Obeyed isn't reading this on my blog. She might decide to track me.

Western Digital increases the Passport portable drive to 320GB | Gadgetell

Link: Western Digital increases the Passport portable drive to 320GB | Gadgetell. My favorite backup drive is my sleek, black, shiny 80 gig Western Digital PassPort drive. Just plug it in to an available USB 2.0 port, and it works. Now, the PassPort form factor is going up to 320 gigabytes. Amazing. At $219, that is less than 75 cents a gig.

Wii Fat - Japan will be fit

Link: Wii Fit hits Japan today, America's still fat - Engadget. Don't get me wrong; I love the Wii. Our family spends a lot of time together in the living room, laughing and playing the games. We golf, and bowl, and generally jump around the center of the room. Now, however, this fat American is rebelling. If I want to exercise, I will walk a block to the news stand. Actually exercising with the Wii? Please. I know, I know, it is good for me. However, playing video games with the family is supposed to be fun, isn't it? The good news? This thing won't be available in the U.S. til next year. Until then, anybody want to play Wii golf?

Clear Type Tuner - Screen Fonts for Old Eyes

Link: Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP. As I get older; and, I am really old, I realize that my eyesight isn't what it used to be. The new LCD monitors sometimes have a problem with text resolution. Clear Type is a font tool that makes text more readable on LCD monitors. The Clear Type Tuner is a free download from Microsoft that allows the tuning of Clear Type text to make it more readable. Tweak your system, and save your eyesight.

Black Hole Phone Bag - Kill That Cell Phone

Link: Black Hole Phone Bag - Newlaunches.com. Okay, I don't know if this works, but I am willing to spend $12 to find out. Too lazy or too stupid to turn your cell phone off in the movie theater or courthouse or hearing room? Just slide it into the back pocket of this allegedly amazing little pouch, and your phone will disappear from the grid. At least, that is what the ad says. Sounds bogus; but, I am always willing to risk my retirement money to educate my readers. I will let you know if this thing works.

Brick is back with the Mini MOB retro mobile - Engadget

Link: Brick is back with the Mini MOB retro mobile - Engadget. I almost had a heart attack when I saw this retro U.K. cell phone, mp3 player, etc. in the brick style of the eighties. I can remember carrying a real brick style cell phone back in the day that was bigger than my current laptop. Oh, my. The new version is only 4 inches long; however, the form factor is enough to give my nightmares, remembering poor cell reception, big cell bills, and that huge 2 1/2 pound behemoth that I used to carry in a shoulder bag. It is incredible that we considered such a phone cool, isn't it? Retro is for people who haven't moved on. Get a life, people.

How Paranoid Are You?

Link: Ion Chambers. Thanks to Engadget for this little gem. If you are a former Russian KGB agent, living in the West, and think Putin is following you, you can make your own do it yourself Polonium detector. Or, you can just do it because you are a paranoid nutball. Whichever, this little guy will tell you if somebody spiked your drink with a deadly dose of nuclear death. Drink up, comrade.