iPad in our life

iPad is becoming more and more integral to my day-to-day life. Thanks to so many great applications that makes it possible. Obviously at home, the device has been the subject of “fight” between my wife, my kids and I

If you have a 5 years old and a 3 years old like me, iPad becoming their first choice over Nintendo DS and PSP, can you imagine that? You will think that they will choose NDS and PSP in the heartbeat but the reality both devices are sitting around collecting dust now. The variety of activity that they get from from iPad is far more greater. For example, tell me how many games in NDS that gearing toward education? The last time I check, I could not find a game in NDS or PSP that will teach the kid how to read or pronounce! That is mind boggling to me. For those games, I have to buy my kids Leap Frog system which the screen is so sub-par compare to what they get from iPad.

As for my wife, she enjoy reading books and browse the Internet. With iPad, she doesn’t have to need to carry around her Sony TZ anymore (she is still using since I have to take the iPad away from her time to time to work ). Now she is requesting me to purchase another iPad just for her. She just could not wait for the share anymore! Oh I forgot to mention, she is a gamer and Plant vs Zombie and Traffic Rush are her favorites !!

For me, I use iPad daily for so many task. From simple browsing, remote desktop to my PC, emails, tweeting, and much more. And the things that I do with iPad are growing everyday. Just today, I purchased an app called Air Display which allows me to use my iPad as my second screen for my Mac !! For only $10 (the software cost) and I get a 2nd monitor, what a bargain. Reading my business documents in iPad is a pleasure. Even with my “offline” life at Indonesia, with proper apps installed (offline browser, iCab, GoodReader, DropBox) , I am all set.

Now all I need is to wait this fall where OS 4.0 becomes available to my iPad. I will definitely looking forward to see how multi-task will enhance my experience even more with my iPad!!

Happy New Year 2010 !!

Hello all ICUBE reader. I’ve been pretty passive lately on writing the blog. Too much tweeting around instead making me so lazy to write. Not much new gadget that I bought lately. I am still waiting for the rumored iPhone tablet to come to reality. So instead, I am staying with several of my beloved devices: Mac Book Pro 15 inch for my music production tool, Sony TZ laptop for my main working laptop during travel, my beloved iPod touch that I wish it would have the camera, my Blackberry Tour that becomes a must-have phone to communicate to all my friends (all of them on BBM system), and finally my Archos 5 IT that has been hacked to have a full Google experience (waiting for the 2.0 upgrade soon). This year I hope it will be an interesting year for gadgets and subnotebooks arena (or if you prefer to call them netbooks instead)! For one, more Android devices are scheduled to appear. Obviously people is waiting for Chrome OS for netbooks. More on the cloud applications including Office 2010!

Alright, I think to kick off this new year, you guys should check out this Google phone (real Google phone), a.k.a. Nexus One. Engadget has the real unit on hands and created a small video with it.

Here is the link to it: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/02/exclusive-google-nexus-one-hands-on-video-and-first-impressio/

Let me know what you think about it. My first impression, it is very smooth and fast! But I am still not sold with the Android ecosystem for now. I stick around with my Archos 5 IT for now until later on this year for more worthy devices.

- Muliadi

[3-in-60] Windows 7 launch, Archos 9, Kindle for Windows

Well it is October 22 and all tech lover eyes are watching on the launch of Windows 7 today.

1. Windows 7 launch at New York
It’s been a success launch at New York. The event showcases not only the Windows 7 OS but also all the new hardware around it that makes the OS shine. From the ultra thin new Dell Adamo XPS, to multi touch LCD screens, these hardwares really showcase the capability of Microsoft new OS. I’ve been using the new OS for almost a month now and all I can say, good job Microsoft. Here’s quick coverage by Natali Del Conte.

2. Archos 9
Along with the announcement of Windows 7, Archos officially makes it available their newest 8.9 inches Windows 7 based tablet. With the weight of 1.8lb and capable of 1080p full HD video, this is a perfect slate based entertainment tablet. Some of other highlight features are: 0.7 inches thick, HDMI output, tactile resistive touch screen. Hmm .. yummy .. I wish it is a 6 inches though, that will be perfect for me.

3. Amazon Kindle reader coming to Windows 7
With a very competitive challenge from Barnes and Nobles (from $259 BN Nook, eReader for iPhone and PCs), Amazon has to response with various news today. First of all, Amazon drop the regular Kindle and replace it with the international version of Kindle at one-low-price $259 (matching BN Nook). But more interestingly, during the Windows 7 launch event, Amazon show case its reader on a Windows 7 tablet PC. With multi touch capability, this is going to be sweet (another reason to think about getting Archos 9).

Alright, see you all tomorrow for the weekend recap of my three gadgets news in 60 seconds.

Good night.

[3-IN-60] Smartphones, Windows 7, eBook reader etc

Here is a quick three tech topics in 60 secs daily recap for today:

1. More and more smartphones announced

Blackberry officially announced two of their new smartphones: Bold 2 (a.k.a Onyx) and Storm 2. Just like their recent release of Gemini (a.k.a Curve), Bold 2 will incorporate digital touchpad replacing their track ball technology. Storm 2 improved a lot of issues found with the original Storm (performance and screen typing technology). It also finally added WIFI.

We are going to see more and more Droid phone in the US. Verizon announced its first Google Android phone by Motorola. Sprint add their line up with HTC Hero (Android platform)

2. eBooks Reader

eBook reader is hot. Following Amazon footsteps, more and more companie announced their new eReader platform. At least 3 readers are announced in the last 3 months by B&N. Sony comes up with 2 new eBook reader. Another company called Spring Designs also announced a very cool eBook reader that incorporated Android OS and 2 screen (e-ink and traditional TFT)

3. Windows 7
Yes, two more days and you can get your copy of Windows 7 (even though I’ve been using the OS for the last 3 weeks now). This is the most anticipated Windows OS since Windows 95. Microsoft has done tremendous jobs in fixing and shape up their OS to the point that the rave from the customers just astounding. Haven’t pre-order one yet? Go to your local Best Buy to reserve one The upgrade is still going to be painful but it is going to be worthed

See you tomorrow on my daily 60-sec news.