Cool Tech Reviews

The Microsoft Surface with Windows RT is now available at the Microsoft Store for preorder with delivery by 10/26. The pricing was announced to be competitive with the Apple iPad:

• 64 GB with Black Touch Cover $699.00
• 32 GB with Black Touch Cover $599.00
• 32 GB without Black Touch Cover $499.00

And note, if you want a different color Touch Cover that will be extra.

• Surface Touch Cover (5 color choices) Add $119.99
• Surface Type Cover (black) Add $129.99

Unclear on the difference between the Touch Cover and the Type Cover? Here’s the skinny:

• Both covers click into Surface and protect the display when folded closed.
• Touch Cover is a thin and ultra-light dual keyboard cover, with a spill-resistant surface, that comes in several vibrant colors to express your personal style. They keys are "printed" and are touch sensitive - they don’t move. When folded back, Touch Cover automatically disables keystrokes for a full touchscreen experience; when closed, it turns off the display.
• The Type Cover, is a dual keyboard cover that lets you work the way you’re used to working. With a full row of function keys, Type Cover marries the comfort and speed of a traditional keyboard with an incredibly thin form factor so you can be productive anywhere, anytime. The keys do move.

As far as the other specs, hit the link above for the full details, but here’s a brief summary:

• Exterior: 10.81 x 6.77 x 0.37 inches, 1.5 pounds, VaporMg casing, dark titanium color, volume and power buttons

• VaporMg™ casing: Made with VaporMg, Surface is precision crafted to be tough yet elegant, without excessive bulk. At less than 1.5 pounds, with a watch-like finish that’s incredibly smooth, and durable, Surface is a delight to hold and touch.

• Integrated Kickstand: Integrated Kickstand provides uncompromised support and flexibility. Flip out the Kickstand for hands-free entertainment. Whether you’re watching a movie, or shooting video, Surface stands on its own.

• Ports and Connectivity: Bring your entire media collection with you wherever you go. A microSDXC card slot lets you add up to 64 GB of extra storage. Show off everything on the big screen using the HD video out port. Full-size USB port and Bluetooth 4.0 provide clutter-free connections with wireless mice and headsets. Dual 2×2 MIMO antennas provide reliable internet connectivity.

• Windows RT and Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT Preview: Work anywhere, anytime with Windows RT and Office Home 2013 RT2 (which includes Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote). Keep tabs on news, friends, and entertainment with pre-loaded Microsoft apps including Windows Mail and Windows Messaging, SkyDrive, Windows Internet Explorer 10, Bing, Xbox Music, Xbox Video, and Xbox Games. Visit the Windows Store to discover more apps and games.

• Storage: 32 GB or 64 GB depending on model

• CPU: NVIDIA T30, 2 GB of RAM

• Wireless: Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0 technology

• Front and rear-facing 720p HD video cameras: Capture life from all sides with LifeCam. The rear camera is angled to shoot straight ahead when the Kickstand is flipped out. The Kickstand also enables hands-free Skype video chat or recording. Custom lens design and an ambient light sensor maximize light intake while providing sharp focus so you’ll never miss a shot

• Audio: Two microphones, stereo speakers

• Sensors: Ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass

• Power Supply: 24W power supply

• Warranty: One-year limited hardware warranty

It will be interesting to see how well Microsoft can play in the tablet hardware game on it own versus Apple. Reportedly they have placed orders for 3-5 million during the 4th quarter.

For years I had a Caller ID adjunct box attached before an older landline phone with answering machine that sits on the line for our DSL service. Aside from the small hard-to-read display, the darn thing ate batteries at a ferocious rate. I suppose I could have bought a new phone/answering machine with Caller ID (although many of those displays are hard to read too), but first I thought I would look around to see if I could find a Caller ID box with a large screen that I could plug in to the wall. After a little searching at Amazon I found the oddly named Fans-Tel Type II Large Backlite Screen (actually the Fanstel Model G99M Caller ID Adjunct Box) which fit the bill quite nicely:

The 3 line backlit LCD screen is 3 3/8″ wide by 1 1/2″ tall (viewing area 3.1″ x 1.5″ ) and the large font characters are easy to read since the backlight on the display lights when a call comes in or you are reviewing calls. Better yet it has an AC cord and a brick that I plugged into the same power strip that the phone plugs into. You can optionally insert 3 AA batteries to back-up the memory and run caller ID during power failures. As you might expect, I have not had to replace them in the 6 months I have had the unit.

More details:

• Caller ID: Receives and displays name, number and calling time
• Caller ID on Call Waiting: Receives and displays name, number and calling time of a waiting caller during a telephone conversation
• Memory Capacity: Stores calling numbers, names, and calling times of last 99 calls, answered or not
• 4 Buttons: DIAL/FLASH, DELETE, FORWARD REVIEW, and BACKWARD REVIEW
• Protocols: Supports both Bellcore and ETSI Call Waiting Caller ID interfaces
• LED Indicator for Message Waiting and New Call
• Flashing LED and LCD icon indicate message(s) waiting in your local telephone company’s voice mailbox

I do not use the call or message waiting features, but I got just what I wanted: easy to read Caller ID without the battery bill. The price is currently $24.98 at Amazon.

A perennial favorite iPad app for the younger generation around here is Pocket Zoo. There is a cartoon zoo that you can visit and see photos of the animals and hear the sounds they make. Not surprisingly, it’s a lot of fun to startle your friends and siblings with an elephant’s trumpeting.

However, the real winner is the live animal cams at zoos around the world. You mostly have to visit during daylight, of course, but the kids find it endlessly amusing to try to spot the animals, some of which are much tougher to see than others. The penguins pictured below always seem to put on a great show, but your young ones may need more patience to spot some of the larger animals. On the other hand, when they do catch a glimpse of the tiger, for instance, the reward is even greater.

Highly recommended.