App of the Day: Dropbox

Yeah.. get with the program Bronx. Dropbox has been around for a while, but i never felt the need for it until recently. Here's the story.

I get all my music from my phone using an app called Music Junk. It's a crazy app, it pretty much has every song imaginable. It's free, but you will need to download the app outside of the market. Anyways, i usually download maybe 1-2 songs every so often after listening to them on YouTube. But then, i get too lazy to actually hook up my phone to the computer using a USB cable - so i just e-mail the songs to myself using Gmail.

Lately, Gmail has been acting funny and not sending the e-mails. Could be because the file size is too big. So i got Dropbox. Using it is very simple. Upload a file from your phone using the Dropbox App. Then you can either fetch it via their website on your computer, or download their software. It also works vice versa if you need to send files to your phone.

Why didn't you use Dropbox before?

Like many others i was just naive. I had my own thoughts on how the service worked. In any case, it's a great little app that's perfect to save some files that you will need for multiple devices. The free 2GB storage doesn't hurt either.

Google Plus!

So who else is on Google Plus? I have 130 invites left over, so e-mail me if you want an invite.

If you want to add me here's my link:
Peter's Google Plus

I have been talking about G+ with a few friends, and I think it could surpass Facebook in the next 3 years. The main reason being Google's monopoly on the internet.

1. Gmail. One of the 3 most used e-mail systems in the world. Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail.
2. Android. Contacts and calendar features on most Android smartphones use Google based apps that are linked directly online.
3. Picasa. One thing i hate doing right now is uploading my pics to Picasa.. then having to upload them again on Facebook. Google+ removes that hassle

I know that it's in beta, but there are certain elements that can be improved. Things that they did to make themselves stand apart from other social networking sites. Such as, "Circles".. wtf is that. Since the days of Friendster.. it was always "Friends". I'm still getting used to the whole "Circles" shananigans.

Status streaming, videos, pictures, need to be adjusted to properly flow with the rest of the page. Currently, there are multiple sizes for images that offset the whole status stream experience.

It seems like most people are just waiting for the sudden jump to G+ from Facebook. It doesn't seem like that's too far off, considering many bloggers have already predicted Facebook as the next MySpace. If i was Mark Z. i would cash out now and retire.

Kids these days follow trends.. actually not just kids. Most people follow trends, starting with clothes and accessories, to linguistics and social patterns. G+ might just be the next big thing. I admit i am still using Facebook primarily, but that's because G+ is still in beta. I have a hunch when it officially launches - it will do very well.

Firefox Addons!

I remember back in the days when i had decode the page HTML to download certain pictures or videos from a site that was trying to deter downloads.

Fear no more, Firefox addons solves the problem.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/video-downloadhelper/

Download helper is a nifty little tool that lets you go to Youtube and download the video file AND convert it to whatever file you want. For me, i convert them into iPod files so that i can play them on the go. I just downloaded Sista19's Ma Boy :)

Wish List: Sager NP8170

My conclusion after my hard sought out laptop search is the Sager NP8170 (instead of the NP8170-S1)

Anybody wanna buy me this? Lol.

Model: Sager NP8170 (Built on Clevo P170HM)
Display: 17.3" FHD Glossy (1920x1080)

CPU: Intel® Core i7 2630QM, 2.0-2.8GHz, (32nm, 6MB L3 cache)
VIDEO: nVidia GeForce GTX 560M 1.5GB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11
RAM: 16GB DDR3 1333MHz (Sale: Free 8GB Upgrade)
HDD: 500GB 7200RPM SATA
CD: Super Multi DVD±R/RW / CDRW
NET: Built In "N" WIFI & Bluetooth
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Installed

MSRP: $1469.00
DISC: -$44.07 (3% Cash Discount)
SHIP: $28.00
TAX: $0.00
TOTAL: $1452.93

Hello Nikon D3100

So after some contemplation, i decided to sell my Canon Rebel XT and get a new camera. There were a few reasons for this.

1. I bought it for $200 and sold it for $300. So profit = good
2. It was giving sporadic ERROR99 messages - and it was bugging me
3. There was no image stabilization on the lens and it was killing the photos. I also thought the ISO or Aperture of the camera were off..
4. No video recording mode

Now i have the Nikon D3100. So far so good, love the weight and handle of the camera. I think compared to the Canon T2i, the Nikon holds a little better as the handle can be gripped by one hand comfortably. The buttons are also well placed, including the FN and Info button for quick changes to settings.

The overall quality of the camera is solid. The lens also feel heavier, but that's because it has it's own motor inside. Video recordings in 1080p were sharp. The only beef i have with this camera so far is that in Manual modes, it doesn't have AUTO ISO.. which means if i want to do Aperture or Shutter priority modes, i'd have to figure out the correct ISO settings before taking the picture.

I guess practice is needed. I also bought this camera using the strategy i posted a few days ago, and i've already sent in my rebate forms. I need to wait 8 weeks for that to come back, and sell the R1900 printer sitting in my living room. I still need to buy a few things:

1. Tripod
2. Side holster bag
3. Larger SD card

New Toy: Canon Rebel XT

I've been searching eBay for the past week looking for the best possible deal on a DSLR. Long behold i was able to snatch a great deal for just $160. It's true that sometimes, you can find a nail in a haystack. The camera does have a slight problem with ERR 99 codes when doing shots in creative mode. It will need some servicing, but unfortunately - that would cost more than i paid for the camera. I will have to live with only using auto modes.

Eventually i do plan on upgrading to a T2I which has video capability and will need an image stabilizing lens. Nevertheless, this current camera takes some awesome pictures. With a large aperture (4.0 - 4.5) the blurry effects is awesome.

Those of you that have a DSLR and want that blurry background effect when taking portraits try setting the dial mode to AV (aperture priority mode) and use the lowest possible setting, which is generally 4.0 for entry level DSLR's. Zoom in or get as close to the subject as possible. Hopefully you can get some results similar to mine. Practice, practice and more practice.

Setting Up Your New Android Phone

When i first got my Android smart phone i wished there was an extensive writing on what to do with it.. well i couldn't find one that answered my questions, so i will write one. If you read my blog regarding the top apps for Android, ignore it because my top app list has totally changed after a days worth of research.

Note: I only include free apps here, and there are plenty of great apps for only $0.99. 

Setting up your phone

1. Make sure you have a Google account.  If so, use the calendar and contact address book to sync with your phone.  This is practically the best part about Android phones.  If you were to ever get another phone, transferring contacts is at the touch of a finger.
2. Extend your battery life by reducing the volume of live apps on your home screens.  Or, if your phone has the option, go into settings and change the frequency at which the apps get data from the web.  Don't use live wallpapers.  Reduce the screen brightness.  Use power controls to turn off GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-fi when not in use.

Program Apps to Download

• Must Have (Ranked)
1. Launcher Pro - The best free app i've downloaded so far.  There are tons of options you can do, so it's hard to write it all down here.  But for tops, it allows you to customize how many homescreens you want.  I personally think 7 is overkill so i only use 3.  It also allows you to make yo ur phone look like Froyo and has a slide menu at the bottom.  I've added all my most used apps - making it possible for me to not have any icons on my desktops.  The only downside at the moment is that you can resize any widgets unless you buy the full version.
2. Music Junk (Must Google, not available in market)  - Missing a song in your collection? Free downloads!  I have been able to find every song that i've looked for so far.  Great app.  The best part is, after downloading to your phone you can send it to your computer as well. 
3. Fancy Widget (Must Google, not available in market) - Good thing i didn't download Beautiful widgets.  Fancy Widgets is basically the same thing but free.  The look of the widget looked too similar to HTC Evo, so they were forced out of the Android market.  You can still Google it and find the 1.3 version.  This is the big Clock/Weather widget you will see in my screenshots below
4. 한글 (Korean IME KB) - How can you have a smart phone without Korean typing?  With smartphones you can text others in Korean.  You also need the IME style Korean KB to search your favorite celebrities
5. Battery Indicator - I replaced Quick Battery with this widget.  Instead of having an icon on my homescreen, the battery indicator in % is now in my status bar.  Makes it much cleaner
6. Gallery 3D - I believe this comes standard on most custom ROM's - but it won't for for a few phones.  You can get it in most Android forums.  It links directly with your Picasa account for easy access to all your photo collection
7. Cube 3 - The stock music player sucks.  Cube 3 is the best.  It shows the album artwork in it's widget.  You will notice i was listening to Bruno Mars
8. Droid Light - Toggle switch On/Off for your LED flash.  Works like a flashlight
9. Audio Manager - You get instant access to all your volume controls with this app.  It sucks having to go into Settings > Volume Control to change these settings.  This basically fixes that.
10. Handcent SMS - This free App has the ability to show you an incoming text message without having to unlock your phone.  Also you can make incoming text messages pop up in new windows
11. Smooth Calendar - A small program that shows the date and tasks.  Looks much better than stock.

• Optional

• Astro File Manager - The standard file manager that comes with your phone hides many of the folders that are active on your phone.  Astro is an upgraded file manager
• Advanced Task Killer - Whenever you hit "back" or the "home" key on your droid, the phone keeps the last 2 programs that ran on memory.  You can kill those apps if you want fast with this easy to use program.
• Goggles - Take pictures of things and let Google do a search for you
• Google Sky Map - This is more of a "show off" tool when your looking at the stars at night
• Solo Lite - Guitar.. pretty cool.  I need to learn how to play something using this
• Quadrant Standard - Free phone benchmark that allows you to gauge exactly how fast your phone is compared to others.
• StopWatch & Timer - This app is more useful to some than others.  If you workout often and like to keep track of reps and laps, this is a good app
• Yelp - Can't figure out what to eat?  Yelp it using GPS to find the closest restaurant near you

Games to Download

1. Angrybirds - Regarded as the best game app on the iPhone is now coming to Droid.  Only beta is available at the moment
2. Abduction! - Sort of like Frogger
3. Live Holdem - Probably the best free Hold'em app out right now.  There are countless tables always in action.  The only downside is the fact that the servers crash often and the game just hangs.
4. Unblock Me Free - A game that works the brain.  You must try and move blocks in order to get the red block out
5. Super KO Boxing - Remember that boxing game on SNES?

What your phone can look like

I'm not totally satisfied with the setup.  I still need a really good looking calendar widget.  Launcher Pro's paid version has one, which i might just end up getting. 

Terminology

1. What is rooting?  Rooting is a way to give administrative privileges to the user.  Things the phone manufacturer didn't want you to do can be done by rooting the phone.
2. What is bootloader? Unlocking the bootloader allows the user to install custom ROM (Custom Android O/S) on the phone rather than using the stock version.  This method is used to get rid of all the useless bloatware that comes with the phone.

Bronx's Top 10 Android Apps

Here are my Top 10 Apps for Android handsets.  This list can change due to the volume of cool new apps that come out every day.  Also note the following apps are all Free.. i did not include any paid apps.  There are some apps that everyone seems to get like, ATK and BW - but i have not tried those yet so i can't write about them.  There have been mixed reviews on the web which makes me hesitant on DL'ing them for now.
 
List deleted because i created an entirely revised version with abundant info here.

Picasa Review

This won't be an extended review of the product because it can get very long.  Simply put, download this product.

http://picasa.google.com/

It's freaking amazing!  I downloaded Gallery 3D for my Droid X and it links (syncs) directly with my Picasa Webalbum.  Google already gives you 1 gig or storage space, and i have only used up 7% of it after uploading the majority of pictures i have on my computer since 2000. 

The Picasa program also has a face recognition ability where it scans all your photos and shows cropped portraits of people you can tag and name.  That was pretty scary - but it groups up the same people together.  It's like a  program from one of those CSI TV shows.

The best thing about the online album is being able to change the settings to private or public.  Instead of having to burn DVD's of your memorable pictures every-so-often, by putting it on Picasa, you can relax. 

This product just outshines Facebook by a mile.  The Picasa software which integrates with the Picasa webalbum allows for very easy photo uploads.

The only flaw i have witnessed so far, is the folder hierarchy.  You can add as many folders as you want, but can't make folders within folders.  I generally like to organize my photos by Year and Month. I.e.:

2001:
- Jan
- Feb (etc.)

But in Picasa, you can't do that, so it sucks.  I ended up having to upload all my pics from 2001, into 2001 - merging all the pictures from different events together.

Overall this thing is 9/10.  Even if you don't have a smartphone to take the experience to the next level, just being able to back up all your photos online very easily is well worth it.

New Phone: Motorola Droid X

First impressions. Having all contacts instantly added using Google contacts.. is like the best thing so far. I remember having to manually input these numbers long time ago.

Second, the hard buttons at the bottom of the phone seem to be very sturdy. I remember when i went to see a demo at the store, the buttons seemed cheap and loose.. but it's not the case. I wonder if Verizon fixed a few things with these last batch of phones they shipped.

Third, volume for speakers is loud and clear. Not sure what all the fuss was about. I'm sure with 2.2 it'll be even louder.

Fourth, speed.. it's lighting fast. seriously.

This is my first smart phone, so I'm going to be spending the rest of the day playing around with it.

Motorola Droid X or Samsung Fascinate?

Hard decision.  I like Droid X's bigger screen since i have large fingers, but it may be bothersome in my pocket.  I like Fascinate's layout as it looks similar to the iPhone.

Both run Android 2.1 OS, so software isn't much of an issue.  The biggest 2 problem:

1. I can upgrade now, but Fascinate doesn't even have a release date yet. (rumors say August)
2. Size.. there are obvious pro's and con's.

Got My New 42" HDTV

Yay my philips 42" HDTV is here. Woot - already hooked up my HTPC (Home Theater PC) to it and it's amazing. Watching TV is a lot more enjoyable now.

I watched the Naruto movie on it as soon as i got it and it was sick. The only thing is - i think im going blind. My couch is located about 10 feet from the TV and i can't see the smaller text.. :( Even with this big screen. So the only uncomfortable part is having to walk closer to the TV to browse through things.

Building an HTPC (Home Theater PC)

Yay my computer parts came today.

• Lian-Li pc800v HTPC case
• Linksys wireless router
• Cables
• New wireless Logitch KB + Mouse
• Wireless USB adapter

Poderbits Sound Recorder

So tis been quiet few weeks.

For some reason, i'm always so tired.. specially after lunch. I feel like an hour nap everyday.. but can't. James - what you gonna do for your birthday? Holla.

Simon went to Argentina - he should be back anytime now.. maybe this wednesday? He left w/o saying anything.. that brat. Punk needs to get his life together. Even when i look at him - he looks so clustered.. always trying to keep himself busy with useless shit. I wonder how everyone will be like after they get married and are like 35. I hope i'm filthy rich so i can travel.. or be a couch potato and stay home all day.

I've got this new program called Polderbits.. which is an audio recorder! Damn i'm thinking about buying it cuz its rad. You see - if you go here:

http://www.bugs.co.kr

They have pretty much every album out right now - and you can stream all the songs.. and you can pay a buck to download the mp3. But with an audio recorder - you can just record it and save it as an mp3. So i got a bunch of songs! Specially the goody oldies from back in the days and some of the newer ones. Muhahah..

I've been playing partypoker.com - and started with 1000 play chips - and now i'm at 30,000.. playing on 25/NL then 2000/NL.. I was actually up to 130k but lost 100k after playing in the 100,000/NL.. played too aggressively. Lost with pocket A to a flush draw on the river. SOAB.

Hmm.. i should get back to work..