I find your lack of faith disturbing
NPR has a great story about rejected Star Wars merchandise concepts, including an audio-slideshow complete with mock-ups and commentary by the original designers.
Some of the considered ideas: AT-AT Chair Caddy, Bantha Slippers, Cloud City desk lamp, Darth Vader gumball machine, and Princess Leia headphones.
For more, head over to Action Hero Insider to read one of the designer’s blog post and see more original sketches.
Gotta see it to believe it
Learn more about Photosynth here; try it here.
Getting in sync
After years of living in what seemed like 2 distinct worlds (desktop v. laptop), I finally realized the need and benefits of syncing info across my machines.
Although there are numerous solutions out there, I took advice from one of my more pro-Windows friends (WE) and tried Microsoft’s own free app - SyncToy (obviously, Win-only).
A straight-forward and easy to use app, SyncToy allows you to sync selected “pairs” of folders on multiple machines or external drives. Now, before I leave the house in the morning, or after I get back from school in the evening, I can simply run SyncToy and will no longer have to worry about leaving crucial files behind or only having access to earlier versions.
A simple (and all to obvious) solution to keeping my digital life organized! dl: SyncToy
How fast are you surfing?
Curious about how fast your Internet connection really is? Head over to SpeedTest.net to find out.
IPTV cubed
As TV continues to find its way online, more and more services have sprung up to help viewers find their favorite shows. PrimeTimeRewind offers a somewhat unique, but ultimately not that useful flash rotating cube IPTV guide.
Guitar Hero hits the road
(via CrunchGear)
Dave Chappelle @ Cobb’s Comedy Club - 3.16.08
Dave Chappelle put on a fantastic performance Sunday, March 16, 2008, at Cobb’s Comedy Club in North Beach!
Not surprisingly, Chappelle is as funny as ever! He started the set with a series of pokes at the tiger mauling that occurred at the SF Zoo a few months back, continued with hilarious insight and jabs at the San Fran crowd, touched on politics, gave perspective into his family life, and never let up.
One of the funniest joke of the night: Dave was talking about being older and married with kids - before his wife goes to bed (and after Dave has had a few tokes), she has to remind Dave not to eat his kids’ lunches! [Obviously I can do no justice to the hilariousness that comes with his perfect timing and delivery...but I think you get the idea.] He then casually quips, “I don’t do it any more…”
Cheers to Dave and Sarah, jr.! (you had to be there)
GM turns to Spy Hunter
Google Earth has its limits
For all your interstellar travel needs: Google Sky
A better way to go hands-free
This summer, California will be following on the heels of a number of other States/DC which have made using a cellphone while driving illegal. The “Hands-Free Law” goes into effect on July 1, 2008 (more info here).
In a nutshell, motorists over 18 will be required to use some sort of hands-free device (be it a headset or external speaker) in order to use their mobile phone while driving. While some people prefer on-ear headsets (wired or bluetooth), I have recently become a huge fan of my new bluetooth hands-free speaker, the Jabra SP5050.
Why bring this up now? It is on sale this week at Costco (in-store only) from $69.99 to $49.99. Once charged and configured, this ultra-slim device offers one of the best hands-free options out there. It auto-pairs with most mobile phones, has an easy to understand interface, is barely noticeable, and offers extremely clear sound with noise-canceling technology. For regular commuters (or Californians), this is absolutely a step (or three) above other hands-free solutions, especially wireless headsets.
