DEAD

LIKE MY PHINEAS AND FERB TOUCH? why yes. yes you do.

LIGHTS! CAMERA! PODCAST!

ITS OFFICIAL! I KNOW HAVE MY NIKON D5000! That was on of the big pieces to my podcast, and now I can start filming! I am personally soooooooooooo excited for this! Months of saving and patience have paid off lots. I will also be posting sample pictures here as well as wayyy more pictures on my photoblog.

I'm doing this for my readers, because I want to bring you great photos, and produce a great podcast for you to watch. Please enjoy what I will be giving you.

iPhone May Become Non-Exclusive To AT&T Within A Year

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/08/31/analysts-believe-iphone-will-become-non-att-exclusive-in-a-year/

I think that's very possible, assuming Apple makes no major changes to the iPhone.

Apple Tablet News

Yes all know Apple is very likely working on a touch tablet.

And we can say it's very possible we could see something around early next year.

But there are some things we don't know. First of all, this is a big thing, but who's interested?

Who's gonna buy it? First of all, someone who wants to spend around $700 for it.

Also, it's gonna be the people who want a large touch device that has mac capabilities in such a small size, which surprisingly, some people really don't care about, but most do, notice I said "some."

Another thing, how will Apple market this? I'm assuming they will have some brilliant marketing idea, taking that from Jobs being at Apple and really concentrating on this. It's gonna have to be in a way that makes the tablet applicable to lots of people. It has to have the things everyone cares about.

So, what is it going to run? Well we don't know that, but what do we want it to run? Personally I would like to see an operating system close to the mac O.S. The iPhone O.S. would be fine, but it would make the tablet seem too much like a large iPod Touch.

So really we don't know much because of the secrecy Jobs is making sure of, but we know what we want, and I'm sure Apple knows that too. So we'll see.

Posterous

Some cool news. And I'm gonna make it short and simple. New blog up @ michaelsthoughts.posterous.com. Why? Well let me explain. It's simple! I post there and you can still see posts here! This blog is for more of my little opinion posts. So go check it out! And if you're a blogger, I recommend you try it! It makes it so easy to do anything! Post on the go, post once and you can have your post on facebook, twitter, and anywhere else you want!

Try it.

GO POSTEROUS!

Camera Coming To iPod Touch?

Is the iPod Touch getting a camera sometime soon? According to my sources, apple is definately in a position to add a camera to the iPod Touch, just like the iPhone. It will have still and video capabilities. The iPhone has had a still camera in all models, and in the 3G S, there is now video. Apple also added a nice feature to the still camera. Just tap on an area in the screen to focus where you want to, also macro shots are now possible with the iPhone. The video capability comes along with a simple editing technique. Simply trimming a video to size, it's nice enough. All this is very likely coming to the iPod Touch. According to one of my sources, TechCrunch, apple has placed a large order of camera modules similar to the iPhone's in about a $10 range. This is very likely for the touch. Another source says that lower end iPods such as the nano and classic will have a still/vid camera in them. Everything except the shuffle which lacks a screen.

On another note:

This is not confirmed by anyone, but rumors speculated about apple's tablet-like device, show we may see something next year. It's anybody's guess if apple may decide to implant a camera in this device too.

Mozilla Firefox 3.5

Mozilla Firefox. Once a popular browser, and now a hit all over the web. Since it's release yesterday, in 24 hours it hit 5 million downloads! According to TechCrunch this is not a record, but still a lot.

So what's new?

1. It's much, much faster
2. A few new features
3. Better performance, LESS crashing

So that's a very brief look on Firefox 3.5.

To read a full review click here.

NEW SEGMENT

So in this post I want to share with you a new idea. I think it's in people's best interest that they have someone to get a personal opinion from. Which leads me to say I am starting a simple "ask a question get an honest opinion" section. It will just be a normal post and you just comment in it and I will reply by email (or if any other desired feedback options, just mention). I want to do this because I feel that news and such has been somewhat dull lately, plus I want to be doing something for my viewers that helps them understand more and get the info that they want. For now, please give me your opinion on this idea.

This post will be weekly, meaning that you can comment in a blank post and I will reply ASAP.

As this is an idea in progress, another option is simply email. Email me your questions and I will reply ASAP. So again... comment so I can make this segment the best that I can.

NEW PHOTOBLOG SERIES!

After weeks of planning and thinking, I have finally come up with a good idea for a photoblog series. I was recently doing a project for school that involved doing a photoshoot downtown. At home photoshopping my photos, I tried some black and white effects. I was startled by the amazing contrast and detail when I applied that effect. I hope to do about 10-15 of these. 

So go see my new black and white series!

New Photo Site - LAUNCHED

My new photo site is now up. You can now view browse and purchase my work. If any comments/suggestions/questions are present, please email me @ mikebmx95@gmail.com. Or comment within this post. (Email recommended)

Thank You

Check out my first gallery.

Photoblog Series

In the past I have always thought of doing a specific series of images on my photoblog. This has been put off, but now I have the time to put forth the effort. Please comment and let me know what you want on it! And if it doesn't really matter to you, so what? Just for fun send in your ideas! Comment, or email.

THANKYOU

New Photo Site!

As the weeks have gone by, so have many many hours of photography and getting the best shots just for you. You have seen them on my photoblog, but now I want to introduce something new, something for you. Over the few weeks of preperation, I am about to launch my new site. It is located on www.imagekind.com. To find my pictures, go to www.michaeldavinci.imagekind.com. Here you can purchace high-resolution pictures with or without frames! Also gift-cards can be purchased. Right now I will have a very low start-out price which I plan to keep through the rest of the month. I am also hoping to have it all finished by the end of this week. I wish it could be sooner, but I have other daily activities such as homework, photography jobs for other people, and such. Thanks for your patients and I hope you enjoy it when it is launched!

When the site is launched, please give your comments, feedback, and suggestions in this post!



Or briefly view my images without leaving this site.

New iPhone Release Date

As it is well know, apple will be releasing the iPhone OS 3.0 along with a whole line of iPhones with that imbeded in them. But the main focus is the update. My source "Tech Crunch," indicated an estimated arrival time on July 17. I could go on and on about what's new in this package, but you can go look for yourself, or watch the keynote. 

Keep watching and waiting.

Apple. A BILLION Downloads. Cool.

Just today the famed apps store has hit a billion downloads in just under 9 months!
As happening somewhere around 12:00, tech crunch's estimate was way off, them guessing 1:24 am today. So, kinda exiting. Now obviously I didn't win the stuff apple was dealing out, because if I did, you wouldn't be reading this because I would probably be in shock and die.

So things are looking great for apple.

1. Most popular apps store.
2. Great products.
3. And a billion downloads from the apps store in just under 9 months.

Truly amazing...

App Store Is Almost To A Billion

As you know the app store is about to hit a billion downloads. According to one of my sources, Tech Crunch, estimates that it will hit a billion at approximatley 1:24:06 AM on April 23, 2009. 

Join the countdown and enter to win what apple is dishing out. One winner will get apple's gadgets including the touch, a mac, a time capsule, and a $10,000 iTunes gift card. Chances of winning are slim, but what the heck? Enter. If you're not really a person who can stay up late, then you can read about it later.

So join the countdown, and witness apple hit the big number with 9 zeros behind it.

Would You Pay For Facebook?

Never. Never will I pay for facebook. Recently the idea has been proposed to charge monthly for facebook usage. This idea is highly rejected by everyone who uses facebook. Even to those who don't have a facebook, maybe there a MySpace person, or just aren't really into social networking, even they think this idea is rediculous. There will be future posts on this but for now if you have a facebook, join the group "We will not pay for facebook. We are gone if this happens," and do what you can. Currently there are over 4 million people in this group.

Hopefully this simply will not happen.

The New iPod Shuffle

Ok, let's talk about the new iPod shuffle. Apple recently released a new version of the shuffle, and it's ok in my opinion. There is a new catchy design that, well let me rephrase that... Attractive to "some people." It is long and narrow, and unfirmiliar looking. Modifications on iPods can be hard to adjust to sometimes, but they just plain started over on it. It is however smaller, and has no buttons. 

So... Basic changes...

1. Smaller sleeker design
2. Depressingly, only two colors
3. No buttons (I will discuss this factor in a minute)
4. BIGGER memory

Now, some of these changes are benificial to the consumer, and some can be irratating at times. These are my comments on the new changes apple has made to the shuffle. Ok... smaller sleeker design, I'm cool with that. And it has the same great clip that shuffle is known for. Now with this gen, only two colors? This took a way opposite step than with the "nano chromatic" and please call it the iPod nano 5th gen. "Chromatic" has like what... 9 colors? The shuffle can be described as, well... blank, gray, depressing. Now this is the same with the classic, but what is it that keeps the classic from falling into the "unpopular category" of dark or grey? Well the classic just has too many "BIG music fans" because of its insane memory (which is a little lower than the previous version, but still... 132 GB is considerable enough, for me anyways) for it to be looked down on because of only two color choices. The shuffle... different story. Well, what does the shuffle have to rely on besides color? Now... hard to use controls, no screen (which there never was)... The only plus that I consider is it now has more memory, which has been bumped up to 4 gigs. Now as I said before... There is no buttons on the shuffle. So how does the user use it? The answer is in the earphones. There is a feature similar to the earphones that come with the iPhone (both models... 2G and 3G), a control "ON" the earphone itself. This is cool for some people, not for me. Why? Maybe it's because I am used to the touch's controls, and couldn't stand switching to that. Or maybe it's not me, maybe it's just a weird (and not to mention difficult) way to control the iPod. Still, the small and convenient size, keeps it a considerable purchase. And in my opinion, it's a "good" iPod. Noticed how I used the word "good," and that's fair. My main focus with apple however, is the iPhone OS 3.0, which will be posted about on this blog in the near future. Be expecting a post about it, and details on what's new. For more info about it, watch the apple keynote or download it from iTunes. Until the time comes when it is released, I hope you enjoy the shuffle if you decide to purchase it.

Photoblog Update

If you view my photoblog you may have noticed that there haven't been pictures up this week and I post daily photography. I apologize for this. I have been really really busy. I will have more posted starting today though. Lately I've been thinking of doing something cool with my photoblog, and I thought it would be cool to do a series of something. If you have any recommendations please comment. This could include FOOD, SCEANERY, PORTRAITS, MACRO SHOTS. Let me know so I have an idea of what to post.

Thank you for viewing, and I hope to get started on a series soon!

Visit My Photoblog

PHOTOBLOG

For those of you who know that I have a photoblog running and I post new pictures everyday... Good for you....

If you don't, I recommend you do. 

I have had my photoblog for about a month now and it is growing. I need your comments and suggestions to make it even better as I go. My main interest in photography is sceanery and lifestyle. Since about the age of 8 I have always been fastinated by how things look and are put together. I always keep a constant watch on patterns and colors. This is what lead me to photography. 

This is a brief background on my interest, and what I'm asking you to do is simple.

Visit my photoblog today and see for yourself the passion I have for photograhpy and studying the world around me. 

On another note if this interests you and you share the same passion I do and would like to start a photoblog... comment or contact me by email.

SAY CHEESE

Visit my photoblog

Humerous New Paint (With a cool side)

This is humerous. Researchers from the university of tokyo have designed a paint that can absorb electromagnetic waves! This is ment to keep your neighboors (and a kid named Matthew Salzano) from hacking into your wi-fi. What makes it so special is it is made with an aluminum-iron odixe that resonates around the frequencies used by wi-fi. This is actually kinda cool. So why hasn't it been developed yet? Well most wave absorbing materials are only capable of blocking frequencies of up to 50Ghz. This however has 4 times that power. The structure of this new material distortes the bonds between oxygen and iron. Ok yah this is more sciency stuff and that isn't my division. I'm a tech kid. It would be cool to see this released soon.

US Considering Law To Require Audible Camera Shutter Noise

The US is considering creating a law that says the shutter tone on all camera phones can't be silenced. This is to protect the personal privacy of citizens. Similar laws are already in place in South Korea and Japan. This is a not new to many phone companies so it will be nothing that they are not used to. Personally I think this is a good idea. I believe that personal liberties and privacy are important to US citizens. What's your opinion on this?? Do you think this is right? Or is this ridiculous to you.

Comment

The Dark Night is back in theaters

Christopher Nolan's epic film "The Dark Night," is playing in theaters AGAIN! Personally I loved this movie. It was way better than the first and had Batman's all time favorite villian in it. The movie was great, the plot was great, the actors were great.

Don't let this chance fly by you if you didn't see it in theaters! The IMAX experience is amazing on this film.

Below are some links to the movie content and actors.

The Movie
Christian Bale
Heath Ledger
The Idiotic New Rachel

How Many Times Have You Heard "What's Next For Apple?"

Answer this... How many times have you heard "What's Next For Apple?" Seriously how many? I have lost count. Many people are scared at the idea of Steve Jobs not being there anymore, and what will happen when he's gone. Well what will happen? Let's think about this. This is going to happen sooner or later. 

Yes everyone loved him... He WAS important. But was this never expected? 

The founder of a company isn't immortal. And one day he will pass away. 

What should apple be doing? Well first of all... Steve isn't completely worring about the company dissapering once he's gone. Let's take into consideration that apple has a very good reputation and is not likely to just fall soon. Sure there are downsides though.

But maybe apple can move in a new and maybe better direction as they move on. 

For me I think of Steve as the apple on the iPod touch and the iPhone. 

He was apple.

Now I have discussed most of the emotional and business sides of this let's move on further. 

I will talk about a few more things and you can comment on this story and tell me about your perception about all of this.

For the business side of it...

What are the upsides and downsides?

First of all... I think the company feels a little bit scared at not having him there anymore.

And maybe a little confused about the road ahead. 

I'm not being rude... but THESE THINGS HAPPEN APPLE... JUST MAKE SURE YOUR PREPARED FOR WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

As I mentioned before... This might actually have benifits for apple. For me steve was the heart of the iPod and iPhone. 

But I feel the company may move in a new direction for the better. Not completely change the face of apple.... But improvments and changes on some things. (I can't disclose exactly what to change) Because I don't know. But AGAIN... Comment on whatever you think could change or how you feel about this...

ALSO...

On the subject of change... I hope you plan on watching the inaguration on the 20th!!

Good luck OBAMA.

But like I said... change can always be for the better... Let's hope apple makes wise decisions from here on and also... GOOD LUCK to the company's future.

 

 

New Blog Title

In this short post..... I just want to update saying my readers like my new blog title. I myself find it more versatle. Whats your opinion? 

Comment

I Have Changed The Title Of My Blog

As you can see, I have changed my blog name. I was thinking "The Tech Blog," was well... kinda cool but not really a name that I could be comfortable with saying a million times. Also... I also changed it because I needed a more original name. Michael's Thoughts, fits my criteria perfectly. What where the things I needed my blog to be?

1. I needed my blog to have an Original Name

2. For people to say "oh here's this really cool blog you should go to" does it sound natural to say.... "Go to 'The Tech Blog?'"

3. Things need to change. Along with other reasons I just really felt my blog needed a new name.

And for Matt I'm not sure if this is an inconvenience since it was different on ur blogosphere update. COMMENT

Any opinions? Request? Or wanna talk-about this?

Comment

Windows 7 Extended Downloads!!!!

Due to popular demand... 

Windows 7 is giving more people the chance to download Windows 7.

Yesterday there was 2.5 million slots available. 

 

Download it today.

My outlook on this has changed. I WOULD download it.... but like I said....

VISTA UPGRADES ONLY 

Windows 7 Only Available TOMORROW

A beta version of windows 7 will be released tomorrow. However.... Microsoft is only letting the first 2.5 million to try it out. The down side is... If you have XP... (For the VISTA SUCKS people) you can not download it. You have to be upgrading FROM VISTA... Personally I wouldn't want to download it right now... It would be worth the wait... Because I don't want to be one of the first to get it then realize this sucks! I'm not saying IT WILL, but it would be wise to wait.

Microsoft has a lot of people "Hooked on Vista." 

Why?

Well let me clarify that...

Windows has added a cool functionality to vista besides the bugs and issues.

Vista has an ORIGINAL design and represents microsoft well.

Even though that makes it cool... It doesn't make it good enough for someone to say I like it... "Good Job Microsoft."

Hence... This Cool Software won't stay Cool forever.

People's trust in vista is slowly fading.....

It is a good start though... let's hope windows 7 perfects it. 

 

Palm Announces Palm Pre At CES

At a press conferent today at CES, Palm announced their new phone. The "Palm Pre," which features a slide out keyboard... 3.1" touch screen... and its characteristics ARE LIKE THE iPHONE! Quote, this may be enough to get palm out of the dumps." Ya its a new design but nothing has really come close to the iPhone. Phone companies have tried to copy the design of the iPhone, but it is so original! 

Some things that make the Palm Pre the sluggish twin to the iPhone...

1. The Palm Pre has a 3.1" screen (iPhone has a 3.5")
2. It also has some of the amazing sensors of the iPhone such as.... An AECCELEROMETER... PROXIMITY SENSOR... And An AMBIENT LIGHT SENSOR...
3. IT LOOKS JUST LIKE IT!!! It has the same body... only difference is the sides are curved, but it has the same shape and a home button on the bottom. 

Even though it has these amazing features... THAT DOES NOT MAKE IT AMAZING

As far as things go... The iPhone still remains undefeated...

Acer 7-10 Inch Notebooks

More talk about acer's new 10 inch notebooks. Yes they have recently released a mini notebook, which is perfect for on the go or just anywhere! It's so small and compact but yet easy and the keyboard isn't too small where you can type on it it's just the right balance between perfect and compact. I have had a chance recently to try it out at costco. And it's AWESOME!! It's sleek compact and sexy. I have never seen a notebook like this before. It is priced at about $400 as far as I know... (not a definate price) 

Is it worth it? Ok first... what do you like? Mobility? Fair price? Cool design?

YES NO MATTER WHAT THIS IS WORTH IT!! 

It's functionality is just the same at the Acer you are used to (if you have one)

I know I am stressing this... But it is AWESOME!!

So you decide if it's worth it for you! 

iMovie Moving Online?

Due to my source Crunch Gear, rumors say that iMovie may be moving online! This is something kinda different that I hear. For those of you who don't know what this is, iMovie is a home movie editing software. This would be kinda difficult. I mean like... Why would you even want this to be online? Would you? No. In my opinion it would be difficult to use web based editing tools. And if you have large data that cant be stored online, this more reason why this is stupid. Video is going two different ways. 720p and 1080p is increasingly easy to edit says Crunch Gear. But storage and distrubution is difficult. Though poorly encoded streaming video like most of youtubes content is easy to store and distribute. In some way we need to conbine the picture quality of HD videos and the usability of streaming video, but putting the editor online doesn't seem like a step in that direction at all. Apple seems to have made some slightly different dicisions in which seems like desperation. Example... There are rumors that they are planning to design a 7-9 inch iPod Touch. AND NOW THIS. Only what confuses me.... is how is this a benificial step to apple?

Internet Explorer Dropping In Stock And Popularity?

Internet Explorer. The web browser which to say is one of the least popular. Their stocks have dropped dramatically during these few months in which the leading ones seem to hover over it. 

One of the more popular web browser choices is... Firefox. 

I mean... YAH! It's features make it the #1 choice and its cool slick format and its fast speeds just make it that much more popular. Recently as many people know, google released their web browser Google Chrome.

It is now the #1 choice for those who want a simplistic and easy to use PLUS fast, web browser. 

Now that I have talked about both of the best choices for a web browser, let me get back to internet explorer. For some people there are some questions. (For the people who have NO problem with it)

Why is it not the best choice?

• Well in my opinion, it's slow, clunky and unfriendly. And the problem is it is pre-installed in windows computers and a lot of people have to deal with it or just switch to a different one. (Which if you do not know how to, click on this)
• Another reason, in the lake of people who hate it, it totals to a 77% rate of people who hate internet explorer! For whatever reason.
• In most of the different versions of internet explorer, we see these problems reocurring. Due to its funtionality. Now note that it may not be considered a bug, but a lot of people just don't like the way it works.

I hope this helps and if you are considering switching web browsers, remember...

The TOP two are...

Mozilla Firefox (quote, the browser that HAS IT ALL)

And Google Chrome (If you prefer the simplistic browser that easy to use fast and just cool)

Blogosphere Update On "So Busy I Could Die"

My friend Matthew from... "So Busy I Could Die," has just recently released a update video for his podcast, "Our Blogosphere." If you have subscribed to it already this is a great new video. Please download. This will keep you up to date on what's going on and the changes he has made. If you havn't it is a podcast where Matthew and David, talk about tech stuff and what's going on. 

Hey.... Just like my blog!

Which leads me to say I will be joining the podcast soon and will either talk on the podcast or FILM. 

Either way you will see me soon. 

So if you want to subscribe or watch the video... Click Here! 

It is the most recent post. You can choose either download ONLY this episode... or..

You can subscribe to it!! I know.... NO WAY!! 

So if you are interested in it... please subscribe.