David Kearns Central RSS 2.0
# Monday, September 27, 2004

I plunked down (via billing at a later date) $200 and I am forking over my original Sidekick, and I didn't even check to see what's improved:

Intellisync: Users can now synchronize their Microsoft Outlook/Exchange Calendar, contacts and to do list with their hiptop2.

Integrated, higher resolution camera: The flash -enabled camera is a great addition to the device.

Photo Caller ID: A fun feature that will allow you to see a photo of who is calling you. This offers new choice in how users integrate the camera application into their experience with the product.

Support for vCards: The new hiptop2 device allows you to send and receive virtual contact cards (vCards). vCards are a great way to easily save and share contact information with friends and colleagues.

SMS enhancements: This popular application will have new features and the ability to save up to 130 SMS messages on the device.

Yahoo! Messenger: The popular Yahoo! Messenger has been added as a choice for instant messaging.

[ Danger ]

All great enhancements. The Yahoo! and SMS will really come in handy. There are a bunch of other hardware improvements, form factor improvements, camera is now usable, battery life is longer, and on and on.

Didn't get the Sidekick, but still want a good deal? Sidekick II is only $200 (new contracts only, after $100 rebate).

Monday, September 27, 2004 7:58:57 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [6] -
gadgets

It's like I've been saying all along, the fine people of Mansfield know what they speak of:

If you don't enjoy coffee, or if it bothers you, don't drink it. But if you consider coffee to be one of life's pleasures, perhaps you will be interested in some of the latest findings about coffee's health effects, as reported in Harvard's Women's Health Watch. We're talking here about regular coffee, with its full content of caffeine, not decaffeinated coffee.

[ mansfieldnewsjournal.com ]

Monday, September 27, 2004 6:09:18 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [0] -
coffee

YES!

Conan O'Brien will take over from Jay Leno as host of the "Tonight" show.

[ Yahoo! News ]

Who's taking over for Conan? I am suspecting Carrot Top.

Hopefully NBC will follow up with an exact date so I can make my big countdown clock to the day I won't have to see Leno on TV anymore.

Oh, and Kudos to you Conan! You deserve it, man! Erin go bragh!

Props to Dari

Monday, September 27, 2004 4:00:29 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [0] -
news

AT&T's new IM/SMS/Email jobby: Ogo

Seems like a cool idea. For about $100 ($20 set up) and $18 a month you get unlimited IM, SMS, and Email. Here are the caveats:

  • No details on what type of access you have to Email
  • The website is hideous
  • Only 1 IM profile appears to be setup-able
  • The website is hideous
  • SMS to international numbers is an extra $.25 a pop
  • The website is hideous

However it is still a good deal, and no one can call you on it!

Monday, September 27, 2004 2:36:19 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [1] -
gadgets

Security officials can't quite explain why singer Cat Stevens, now known as Yusuf Islam, was on a U.S. government "no fly" list.

[ MSNBC - Homeland Security's Info: Miles from Nowhere ]

Since when is a casual association with someone reason to suspect them? Yusuf Islam lives his life in the public eye, at least in the UK, and to the best of my knowledge, no credible “intelligence” indicates any “terrorist” leanings by him. The quicker the US apologizes, the quicker we can get back to harassing the real bad guys...

update: Time says it was a spelling mistake. Here's hoping that all of the David Kearnses in the world, regardless of spelling, keep their noses clean.

Monday, September 27, 2004 8:56:13 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [1] -
rant
# Sunday, September 26, 2004

All of this time I figured that my “killer app” for the PS2 was $a(B000066TS5,Kingdom Hearts). I like Kingdom Hearts, don't get me wrong, but I also could have as easily done without it. GameFly has just provided me with the reason why I needed a PS2 but didn't even know it: $a(B0000690ZE,Sly Cooper and the Thevius Racoonus). Sure it's cheesy; the title is cheesy, the premice is cheesy, and the story is a bit cheesy; but it's pure gold.

GameSpy gives it 4 1/2 stars, IGN an 8.5, and GameSpot a 7.8. The biggest complaint seems to be the shortness of the game, but I will always prefer quality over quantity (and never would have put the “gummi” levels in Kingdom Hearts).

The Sequel is already out but I have enough games to hold me while I wait for it's price to come down. Hopefully Sucker Punch is already working on the 3rd Sly Cooper title, cause I feel a dynasty coming on.

Sunday, September 26, 2004 2:50:38 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [2] -
games
# Friday, September 24, 2004

Odd British usage of the word “instructed”:

Ex-singer Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, says he has instructed lawyers after being refused entry to the US.

[ BBC News | World | UK Edition ]

Clearly Islam doesn't realise that he's not the issue, but the moon shadow that follows him.

Friday, September 24, 2004 4:57:03 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [3] -
humor
# Thursday, September 23, 2004

A device that attaches to a computer to control access to a particular application. Dongles provide the most effective means of copy protection.

[ Webopedia Computer Dictionary ]

Thursday, September 23, 2004 5:33:42 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [3] -
rant

There is hope yet:

...disappointed hockey fans can still watch the puck drop in more than 50 million U.S. and Canadian homes when the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning face off against the Philadelphia Flyers in the season opener of the video game NHL season on G4techTV. The hard-hitting action begins with highlights, scores and stats, airing daily on the network's sports program “Sweat,” premiering October 13 at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT.

[ G4tv.com - Press Releases ]

Time to stock up on soft pretzels, peanuts, and alcohol-free beer! I'll just throw a slab of ice down in my living room, and it'll be just like the MCI center!

Thursday, September 23, 2004 3:17:10 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [0] -
hockey
# Wednesday, September 22, 2004

Google wants to keep you up to date on them:

Google Alerts are emails automatically sent to you when there are new Google results for your search terms.

[ Google Alerts: FAQ ]

Of course, so does Yahoo!, but I think I like the Google system better. (Even if I can't really say why)

Wednesday, September 22, 2004 6:46:49 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [0] -
gadgets

Wha?

A London-to-Washington flight was diverted to Maine on Tuesday when it was discovered passenger Yusuf Islam - formerly known as singer Cat Stevens - was on a government watch list and barred from entering the country, two federal officials said.

[ Guardian Unlimited | World Latest  ]

Apparently we don't mind looking like the stupidest country in the world. And, apparently, we have no one doing any PR work, who would certainly point out that this confirms that the US isn't fighting terrorism, but fighting Islam. I'd like to see W step in and reverse this immediately, or I might have to do the unthinkable.

Wednesday, September 22, 2004 6:17:59 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [5] -
politics
# Tuesday, September 21, 2004

My copy of $a(1864500247,Lonely Planet World Food Morocco) has arrived and it looks every bit as good as $a(1740590090,Lonely Planet World Food: Indonesia) which I picked up previous to my trip to Indonesia. Next up I think I'll get $a(1864500239,Mexico) even though I have no current plans for a trip there.

The kitchens of Morocco combine European infusion, Arab trade and age-old custom. These elements form a cuisine that reflects a vibrant and lively culture. The essence of Moroccan food - from spiced couscous to sweet mint tea - is captured and celebrated in this comprehensive guide. Whether you are travelling the country or expanding your own pantry, Morocco's true culinary spirit is here for the tasting.

[ $a(1864500247,Lonely Planet World Food Morocco) ]

Tuesday, September 21, 2004 1:55:25 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [0] -
food

Survival horror hits the high school – the first action adventure in the style of American teen slasher movies. Tortured screams echo through the high school’s deserted corridors. Faceless creatures lurk in the shadows. Five teenagers set out to bring light into the darkness – and experience a night that will scar their souls forever.

[ Ubisoft - Obscure ]

I hadn't caught wind of this earlier. It seems as if more and more publishers are getting into the horror genre. This one looks good, but a planned horror title from Namco looks rather boring.

Tuesday, September 21, 2004 1:48:28 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [0] -
games

Here's the original Japanese:

「東京ゲームショウ2004」開催初日の9月24日(金)の9時30分より、開会式を行います。ご取材のほどよろしくお願い申し上げます。

[ Tokyo Game Show ]

Nintendo, and Sony to some degree, always try to save a few surprise announcements for the TGS. Unfortunately the press is almost all in Japanese, and my Japanese is non-existent. (Though, on my recent trip, I learned my first Kanji: )

So far the fun new totally confirmed announcements seem to be:

  • Nintendo DS to arrive November 21st for $149
  • PStwo is coming, smaller and more network enabled than it's big brother.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004 11:40:59 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [4] -
games
# Friday, September 17, 2004

Patience, all will be posted in time.

[ davidkearns.com ]

Most of these photos are from the hotel that we stayed in for a few days as a “mini honeymoon”. There are a couple of photos from the reception, and one of a McDonalds menu...

Still to come, photos from the nikah ceremony.

Update: Link straight to September gallery now working.

Friday, September 17, 2004 12:52:59 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [7] -
life
# Thursday, September 16, 2004

Turn a desktop or tabletop into a mini carnival arcade with a Bulls-Eye Ball™ game of skill and chance!

Action packed desktop game is fun for both kids and grownups alike. Toss and "boink" marble-sized silver balls onto the mini built-in trampoline — and into the bulls-eye!

Competition is accompanied by music, flashing lights, sound effects and the amusing voice of a score-keeping barker.

Choose among three automatically scored games: 30-Second Blitz; 25-Point Rush; and the Bulls-Eye Ace.

Recommended for ages 7 and older.

[ Fun Office Game ]

Oh, and seriously impede office productivity...

Thursday, September 16, 2004 3:29:08 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #    Comments [4] -
games
Archive
<September 2004>
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
2930311234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293012
3456789
Blogroll
About the author/Disclaimer

Disclaimer
The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions.

© Copyright 2010
David Kearns
Sign In
Statistics
Total Posts: 1300
This Year: 1
This Month: 0
This Week: 0
Comments: 1761
Themes
Pick a theme:
All Content © 2010, David Kearns
DasBlog theme 'Business' created by Christoph De Baene (delarou)