gadget Vixen

Virtual Library Shelf – Gadget Idea

Since I’ve been reading so much lately, I got an idea for an awesome gadget that I wish someone would invent. An electronic gadgets that reads bar codes of books. Kind of like a virtual book shelf of books you’ve read, are reading, and/or want to read. In fact, kind of like Shelfari, but pocket sized. So for example – I see a book in a book store I’d like to read. Instead of having to write down the name for later, I simply scan its barcode and choose to save it in my ‘to read’ list. It recognizes the name and author of the book and stores it. You can also scan books after you’ve read them to put them into your “Read” list. I know I’d like to be able to efficiently collect a list of books I’ve read with a swipe across the barcode.

Now, why doesn’t someone invent a gadget like that?

New iPhone in Australia 6-12 Months After Announcement?

I was itching to get more information – anything – about the new iPhone today. Instead of browsing the web for info I wanted to get some actual face to face communication going – to hear from someone in an actual store if they knew anything at all about the release date (of course I knew they wouldn’t, but I had to ask). So I went into the nearby Telstra shopped and asked when the iPhone may reach Australia if the new model was announced Between June 8 and 12 2009 at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference. The response I got wasn’t good. They estimated that it would take between 6 and 12 months for the new iPhone to reach Australian shores after the date of the announcement! Six to twelve months? I wonder if they were even being serious

Apple Worldwide Developers Conference – New iPhone Model

I can’t wait until the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in June. It’s hosted in California and my bet is that if the new iPhone is announced any time soon it’ll be there – between the 8th and 12th of June. The event is sold out. This is the only reason I’m holding off on buying a new iPhone since my old one has been stolen. I will wait until early August at the latest – and if the new iPhone announcement is made I’ll be buying a new one. Heck, I’m already worrying about the length of the queues >.<

Saya – First Robotic Teacher

Well, it’s happened. A robot teacher. Saya the robot started off as a receptionist at Japenese companies and up/down graded to the classroom (whether being a teacher after a receptionist career is an upgrade or downgrade is debatable). She delivered her own lesson when she was brought up to the podium, but apparently she isn’t meant to replace human teachers, although the spokesperson was quick to add that Saya can help in schools where there is a shortage of teachers. Needless to say, the students’ full time teacher was not impressed as she watched her students have fun with the robotic replacement by poking her face and pinching her after the lesson was over.

Apple iPhone 3G Outsold by Blackberry Curve

The iPhone 3G has been outsold by the Blackberry Curve. In fact, I’ve been noticing a lot of Blackberry Curves around lately, on the train to and from work. But pfft, the iPhone will leave them in the dust when the new one comes out in a few months. And boy, a new one had better come out. Besides, the only reason the Curve outsold the iPhone is the ‘buy one get one free’ promotion. Cheapos.

iJoyRide – Horse Exercise Machine – Sucks

If you like horseback riding, but don’t actually have access to a horse, this exercise gadget may be for you – the iJoyRide. iJoyRide is a machine that mimics the back of a horse. You sit in a ’saddle’ and it moves as a horse would. It apparently trains your butt, thighs, and abs. For some reason the girl in the video is moving her arms back and forth slowly – not sure what that has to do with horseback riding, your hands have to be kept stable when you have the reins and are on a real horse.

I also don’t understand how the iJoyRide actually tones you up. The video showed a very slow rocking motion – all you’d have to do to stay on that is relax and come along for the ride. And the girl in the video also didn’t seem to care one bit about the actual posture you are meant to have when riding a horse, which is one of the key things that provides that exercise on a real animal anyway.

Horseback riding doesn’t provide exercise by just rocking you back and forth. You get exercise when riding by learning how to sit properly to maintain balance, learning to use your thighs to grip the horse instead of just sitting there and letting your legs flap about, having to be focusing on the animal at all times to make sure that you have control, using leg yields to have the horse go in the direction you want, and constantly change the pace and gait of the horse. Rocking back and forth slowly for an hour while sticking your legs out and doing weird arm movements isn’t gonna cut it. Sorry, iJoyRide.

Canon 1000D – Practising

I have been having so much fun with my Canon 1000D and I am really getting better at this photography thing, mostly due to the help of the nice people on an Australian photography forum.

I went out for a 2 hour walk with my dog today to take some photos and I’ve already gone back and edited a few on my Dell Vostro 1500, but the Vostro isn’t here so I’ll just post two of the photos of my dog without any Photoshopping. As you can see the white balance in the photo of her eyes is way off. When I realized this I quickly changed it, but I still really like how sharp this photo is. If you zoom in to its full size of 3888px x 2592px you can see every hair and my reflection in the dog’s eye. During post processing I fixed up the blue tint and edited out the sleep from the corner of her eye.

My Baby, iPhone 3G Was Stolen

Ugh, so many things going on. For one, my favorite gadget in the world – my iPhone – was stolen at a shopping centre yesterday. I don’t know how or by who – one minute it was in my zipped up bag and the next it wasn’t. When I tried calling it, the phone was turned off. I went straight to the Optus shop and got the SIM and phone locked – those bastards aren’t using my baby. I know I have no chance whatsoever of getting my stolen iPhone back and had half a mind to buy a new one today (the day after this happened). But then I realized that it is somewhat likely that a new iPhone will be released in June or July, so I figured I may as well wait for the new model if there is one.

Meanwhile, check out these possibly leaked, possibly photoshopped photos of the iPhone 4G, featuring a matte as opposed to glossy back.

iPhone 4G Leaked Photos

Canon 1000D Twin Kit – Entry Level DSLR

I’m at lunch, so I guess now is as good as time as any to brag about my new gadget – the Canon 1000D. I’ve been interested in starting up photography for a while and yesterday I purchased my first Digital SLR. I got the 1000D IS Twin Kit and have been snapping photos like crazy. I’m still horrible at this, obviously, but I’ll get better. I decided to not start off using any of the automatic presets on the camera and jump straight into manual for fear of developing a bad habit. One of my photos is below (hey, it’s good for me ).