2010 BMW 535i Gran Turismo Mini-Review

2010 BMW 535i Gran Turismo

Every so often a car comes around that leaves such an impression on the auto industry and the buying public that it changes the course of automobile design, perhaps even moving things in a whole new direction while still embracing timeless elements from the past. The BMW 535GT (Gran Turismo) is most definitely NOT that car. It was clear right from the beginning that BMW was hoping the GT would usher in a new era of the classic “estate car”, but in fact the GT has been anything but.  Not that it could have even come close with the 7-Series size and the looks that make you wonder “what were they thinking”. Ultimately the GT is a grand affair with subtle yet distinct lines, a huge pile of the latest BMW technologies, all combined into one of the hardest-to-like packages yet seen from the German automaker. Needless to say, I was less than impressed with the results.

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Barnes & Noble Nook Color Mini-Review

Yea, I know what you are thinking….old news right? The Nook Color was released ages (or is that eons) ago in tech years so why would I even bother to review it now? Well, rest assured I have my reasons….and they not as nefarious as you might think! You see, recently Barnes and Noble made some major (aka, HUGE) updates to the Nook Color, taking it from simple e-reader right on up to tablet status. What does that mean in non-babble talk….well, think Angry Birds for starters.
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Why Apple TV Matters

Ok, so you have heard about the new Apple TV. About how it can stream iTunes, Netflix and how it will save the planet from the evil Cable TV overlords who want nothing but to squeeze every last nickel out of  recession-weary viewers. You also may have heard how the new updated Apple TV came up short of expectations in that there were no apps, no support for component out, and unlike the previous generation Apple TV you can’t purchase, you can only rent. Underneath all of the hype, beyond the excitement and after the Steve Jobs reality distortion field has faded, one question still remains; why? Why is the Apple TV anything to get excited about at all? Don’t we already have several streaming media boxes to choose from? Yes, there are other similar devices out there but the Apple TV brings something extra and I am about to tell you why that might just make all the difference.

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Steve Jobs wants to save the world from….porn??

Saw this late yesterday and just about fell off my chair laughing. Seriously, porn? What’s wrong with porn?? I can agree with the idea that saving folks from malicious software and the scourge that is Microsoft Windows but I really can’t see the point in attacking good ole porn. Another good point that I think many bloggers are missing about this latest email exchange with Apple’s CEO is just how inappropriate the whole thing was to begin with. As anyone who has ever sent an email while under the influence of heated emotions knows it is almost always regretted later. As for the whole Apple vs. Adobe Flash thing…well I can see where Apple is going with their side of the argument but it is hard to ignore the whole ecosystem of companies and developers that has built up around Flash over the last 10 years or so.  I know of several folks out there that are truly scared that their long term job prospects are at risk over the idea that Flash might go away which really does explain why emotions are running high. The counter argument might be that technology never sleeps (something I completely agree with) and all developers should be keeping an eye out for whatever the latest trends are as a matter of staying current (something else I completely agree with). When the dust does eventually settle over this issue I suspect that both parties will likely have reached some form of middle ground but what that means for Flash developers is anyone’s guess. Till then, let’s just hope Steve keeps the late night anti-porn emails down to a dull roar.

Tweet No Evil

So I was catching up on that latest news and saw this. Yea, seriously. Who cares if you manage to fire off a tweet from an iPad? For those who don’t care to click on through, the story basically is that Steve Jobs got his panties in a bunch over someone using an iPad to send off a tweet asking if anyone thought “it looked cool”. As silly as this all seems, and yes, it is very very silly, it got me thinking. How do you know if something you tweet about is over the line? I mean, can you really know if something is going to send someone into a tizzy or that last tweet about how much you hate work ends up making the rounds at the water cooler. I for one have always kept a close eye on what I post online, including stuff that ends up in places that I consider private like Facebook but I can really see how folks might get themselves into trouble with something like twitter. So, I decided to round up some great examples on why everyone should “tweet no evil”….
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About That New Look & Why 2010 will Rock Tech

Ok, I know. I have been neglecting this blog for far too long. But that’s all about to change starting right now with a whole new look for Daily Techno-Babble! The old look was sooo last decade and with so much having changed it was way past due for a complete redesign. So, in with the new, out with the old and I hope you all approve!

Now that we are looking to the future let’s talk about what 2010 holds for the world of tech. Well, there is this new gadget from Apple called the iPad, virtualization is still changing data centers everywhere and social media has (and still is) redefining where things are at with online services. All of these things are great but that’s not why I am personally excited about the upcoming year in technology. Nope. I see something else setting a new standard, and it only begins with devices like the iPad/iPhone and the upcoming Dell and Lenovo tablets. I call it “frictionless computing” and you are going to be hearing much more about it before 2010 is over. Trust me.

5 Online Video Sites For Both TV Shows & Movies

Right on the heels of my last post about how I ditched cable for internet only video comes a quick list of five sites that let you follow in my footsteps and get both TV shows and movies online. Most folks who are currently stuck with cable or satellite TV might not realize that so much content is now available online but after checking out these sites they might just change their minds. There are literally thousands of movies and just about every major show online for free and the rest will only cost you about $2 per episode to own. So get the popcorn and put your feet up (in front of your computer) and enjoy some of the best programming the internet can offer…

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Ditching Cable TV Service – One Year Later

Let me just get right to the point and say that ditching the $75+ per month Cable TV service over one year ago and going solely with online video offerings was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Seriously. I don’t miss the crappy reality shows, nor do I miss the jamming of commercials at the end of a movie or “special event” and I sure don’t miss the $75-100 price tag. If you are on the fence about losing the ridiculously high cable bill every month then read on and learn how not only did I save money but I actually got access to a greater selection of programming directly online through iTunes, Amazon, and several other popular streaming media services.

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2008 BMW X3 SAV Mini-Review

BMW X3 SAV

In a world where the SUV has become a symbol of excess and poor fuel economy you would think the market for such vehicles would have virtually disappeared by now. But in the BMW X3 there may be life after death for those who still want a smaller, more “politically correct” SUV that hopefully won’t make too many compromises. Unlike the larger X5 the X3 draws most of it’s styling and mechanicals from the 3-Series sedan (previous generation) which makes for a far more car-like interpretation of the SUV. BMW makes this clear by calling the X3 a Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV) in an effort to an effort to differentiate the brand. Nomenclature aside, the reduction in size and the more European feel to the X3 make this BMW a slightly more attractive option when compared to the competition from Audi, Lexus and Infinity. Overall I liked the X3 for what it was but it was not without fault and I found that most of the appeal could be found in the SUV-like utility combined with the smaller form factor. While I can’t say I totally recommend the X3 (read on for details on why) I can say that it does offer an intriguing mix that will undoubtably appeal to more cost-conscious buyers looking to still satisfy that SUV fix.

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How SoundExchange is Killing the Radio Star

Just in case you missed it, the latest from the internet radio scene has popular streaming audio service Pandora ready to bow out of the business thanks to a significant rate hike by SoundExchange. Although some claim that Pandora could improve it’s business model through more advertising the real issue at hand is the undeniable attack on streaming media services by SoundExchange. Just like the recent fuss over the throttling of bittorrent traffic by Comcast, this latest attack aims to accomplish one goal; the elimination of “new media” streaming content over the internet. Why you ask? Simple, these new business models are disruptive of traditional media and take control away from the middlemen companies such as SoundExchange and Comcast. Comcast wants to rid it’s own network of any potential competition to it’s own On Demand service while SoundExchange is using high fees to squeeze out competition to both traditional radio broadcasts and satellite services.

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