Jump to content

Technology catch-all thread


iamshack

Recommended Posts

QUOTE (lostfan @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 09:51 AM)
They did do this by 2012, all phones have micro USB except Apple products, who resisted it so they can keep that revenue stream going. No matter though, since now instead of charging 8 bucks for chargers (for something that costs pennies to make in China, mind you) they charge 30 bucks for a charger and a car charger, since you don't need a charger every time you buy a phone anymore. Fothermuckers.

 

That was done in Europe, and even then, it's voluntary. It needs to be made involuntary world wide, heh.

Edited by Y2HH
Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 01:11 PM)
That was done in Europe, and even then, it's voluntary. It needs to be made involuntary world wide, heh.

I dont get it. Most cars not have a USB input which is so much better than what was the "ipod dock" yet there is still no standard. One of the stereos I used with a dock just broke so I am down to 2 alarm clocks and the rest are bluetooth enabled.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 01:42 PM)
I dont get it. Most cars not have a USB input which is so much better than what was the "ipod dock" yet there is still no standard. One of the stereos I used with a dock just broke so I am down to 2 alarm clocks and the rest are bluetooth enabled.

 

The issue is these types of standards can sometimes hold back technological advancement, despite being nicer for end users.

 

Unfortunately, even when such an advancement occurs, it's proprietary and/or slow to be adopted. The numerous sized USB iterations were slow to be adopted which is why I have like 3 different sized USB chargers laying around here. Apple's new Lightning cable is actually better than any of the current USB charger standards, but again, it's proprietary and only Apple is allowed to use it, so that sucks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (bmags @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 07:44 AM)
I"ve had the one for a few months now. Never thought about the power button issue, but then again, i have normal sized hands that can hold things.

 

All the experience of switching phones has done is convince me that iphone 4 was probably apples greatest version to date and I miss it, and that you guys are crazy to have such heated opinions about the marginal benefits over each phone.

 

That said I like the 6-second video thing on the one, should be fun now that instagram can upload videos.

I was just thinking this...but I guess someone has to do it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Choosing which marginal benefit you like today determines which things receive more development over time.

 

For instance, while SD card slots are cool, they are becoming less and less common because customers apparently have other priorities.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (Jake @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 06:09 PM)
Choosing which marginal benefit you like today determines which things receive more development over time.

 

For instance, while SD card slots are cool, they are becoming less and less common because customers apparently have other priorities.

 

Or maybe it's because most people don't need more than 32 GB of storage on their phones.

 

Unless you're loading your entire music library and movie library onto your phone, you should have more than enough space.

 

I have 20 games on my Nexus 7 and I still have 13 GB left.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (Jake @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 07:09 PM)
Choosing which marginal benefit you like today determines which things receive more development over time.

 

For instance, while SD card slots are cool, they are becoming less and less common because customers apparently have other priorities.

Except Microsoft continues to think they're more important than a reliable OS that doesn't freeze.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok longish story short my iPad got stolen (32 GB iPad 2 wi-fi) and we'll I'd gotten really attached to it and need to replace it with an iPad mini. Should I buy one now or wait for the 4th generation version coming out probably next month?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (lostfan @ Aug 12, 2013 -> 05:30 PM)
Ok longish story short my iPad got stolen (32 GB iPad 2 wi-fi) and we'll I'd gotten really attached to it and need to replace it with an iPad mini. Should I buy one now or wait for the 4th generation version coming out probably next month?

 

Can't you track where your iPad is when stolen?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (lostfan @ Aug 12, 2013 -> 06:30 PM)
Ok longish story short my iPad got stolen (32 GB iPad 2 wi-fi) and we'll I'd gotten really attached to it and need to replace it with an iPad mini. Should I buy one now or wait for the 4th generation version coming out probably next month?

I seriously doubt the next upgrade will be a major one. Is there some ability you couldn't do on the last one you'd really need? Better processing or something?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 12, 2013 -> 07:50 PM)
I seriously doubt the next upgrade will be a major one. Is there some ability you couldn't do on the last one you'd really need? Better processing or something?

I dunno. Supposed to be thinner I guess?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (chw42 @ Aug 8, 2013 -> 07:41 PM)
Or maybe it's because most people don't need more than 32 GB of storage on their phones.

 

Unless you're loading your entire music library and movie library onto your phone, you should have more than enough space.

 

I have 20 games on my Nexus 7 and I still have 13 GB left.

 

I didn't mean that to be an endorsement of SD cards. I totally agree with what you are saying. SD cards have stability issues and such anyway. I'm using an HTC One, so it clearly wasn't really on my radar

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (lostfan @ Aug 12, 2013 -> 09:46 PM)
I dunno. Supposed to be thinner I guess?

You might get a first generation mini cheaper after the 2nd comes out?

 

Actually check Target this week, they seemed to have some surprising deals on apple stuff for back to school?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 12, 2013 -> 09:57 PM)
You might get a first generation mini cheaper after the 2nd comes out?

 

Actually check Target this week, they seemed to have some surprising deals on apple stuff for back to school?

Rumor has it it's supposed to be thinner and supposed to bring the retina display to the mini. They might not have that ready in time for this fall. I've thought about getting a Nexus instead but I want to keep using Apple tablets

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Has anyone taken on the arduous task of converting VHS tapes to DVD/digital yet? Oh my god, I've taken on this project for my dad and it's hell. Unless there is some trick I am missing, you have to injest the footage in real time. So not only am I spending 1 1/2 to 2 hours per VHS copying it to a DVD, but then I am taking another hour to 2 hours to convert that video.ts file from the DVD to an .mp4 file for digital playback.

 

I have now spent 10 hours straight working on these, have converted 7 tapes so far. I have probably 30-40 left to do by the end of the week before I go back to school, unless I take the entire project to school w/ me.

 

I bought a software called "softarc" to do my converting. It seems to work fine, but it takes FOREVER to convert a video, like I said 1-2 hours per DVD. Now, this could be because the computer I am using is that laptop I bought off my buddy, and it appears to be slow, or maybe the conversion software is just not very good, I'm not sure.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

But while I am here, what is a smaller video file type to use than .mp4? I tried looking up some info online, but I don't think I was using the right keywords because I was not finding any helpful answers. My choices are the basics, .avi, .mpeg, .wmv, .mp2, .mp4, .h264, some others I can't think of off the top of my head, and then a whole bunch of "device" video codecs for ipads, android, ps3, zune, etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (lostfan @ Aug 12, 2013 -> 11:28 PM)
Rumor has it it's supposed to be thinner and supposed to bring the retina display to the mini. They might not have that ready in time for this fall. I've thought about getting a Nexus instead but I want to keep using Apple tablets

 

I'd wait, it's supposed to be ready in a few months (October), for the holiday season.

 

Listening to Apple rumors is a fruitless activity, it's to the point where every possible guess is made, so someone has to be right by default. A bunch of new Apple products are on their way this fall, believe that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Aug 13, 2013 -> 01:46 AM)
But while I am here, what is a smaller video file type to use than .mp4? I tried looking up some info online, but I don't think I was using the right keywords because I was not finding any helpful answers. My choices are the basics, .avi, .mpeg, .wmv, .mp2, .mp4, .h264, some others I can't think of off the top of my head, and then a whole bunch of "device" video codecs for ipads, android, ps3, zune, etc.

 

Stick with MP4, it's the most universally compatible with really nice overall quality. Video files tend to be big due to compression (you don't want to over compress audio or video, or it looks bad/sounds bad), and with space becoming a non-factor, who cares. We are already using handheld devices with 32gigs+ on them, and PC's with multiple terabytes. Space is the last thing you should be concerned with when doing audio/video work right now. Do it at the highest quality you can, because in a few years, that space you're trying to save won't matter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Aug 13, 2013 -> 09:54 AM)
I'd wait, it's supposed to be ready in a few months (October), for the holiday season.

 

Listening to Apple rumors is a fruitless activity, it's to the point where every possible guess is made, so someone has to be right by default. A bunch of new Apple products are on their way this fall, believe that.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. Apple is saying they're going to refresh the iPad line, it's pretty overdue and the Android lines are starting to pass them at a lower price point.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Aug 13, 2013 -> 08:54 AM)
I'd wait, it's supposed to be ready in a few months (October), for the holiday season.

 

Listening to Apple rumors is a fruitless activity, it's to the point where every possible guess is made, so someone has to be right by default. A bunch of new Apple products are on their way this fall, believe that.

Announced this fall, out probably early next year. Depends how long you want to wait. The mini now is pretty awesome.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Aug 13, 2013 -> 01:05 PM)
Announced this fall, out probably early next year. Depends how long you want to wait. The mini now is pretty awesome.

If it's going to take that long, f*** waiting, I'll get it today after work. I NEED MY IPAD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (lostfan @ Aug 13, 2013 -> 12:12 PM)
If it's going to take that long, f*** waiting, I'll get it today after work. I NEED MY IPAD

 

I don't think it's going to be that long. I think it'll be out before the Holiday quarter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...