Im an early adopter. I'll admit it. This time, my early adoption didnt work out like it normally does. CuteFTP crashes all the time. Adobe stuff can't update properly. My virus software doesnt play nice. My DVD burning software wont cooperate. I had to hack the stupid Cisco VPN that I need to use for one of my clients (i'm a web software developer and technology consultant), and even now it still is "iffy" at best. Office 2007 locks up like its no body's business. My MDA pocket pc phone is even acting all bitchy since I upgraded (other than the other problems I had recently). And the big one, my Hauppauge WinTV thingy barely works. WTF? ready for release my ass. It can't even do the things it is supposed to do well. My xbox 360, which i use regularly for movies, music, and oh yea, video games, just will not play nice with windows vista media center. Its all hooked up, connected as a media center extender, but it just will not play movies. XP, no problem, vista, nothing but problems. I don't get it. I like some of the file system changes, but really thats about it. I can get everything else on XP. Even the desktop "enhancements" can be achieved easily by using Object Desktop. So why did i upgrade? I'm having a hard time remembering? To be fair, I am VERY rough on my installations. I have ALOT of software that I use, plus there is an enormous amount of install/uninstall cycles that I go through with testing out solutions for clients. But really, I never had as many problems with things not working as I do with Vista. I've even had to resort to running it with every single security feature turned off, just to make sure it wasnt that. Its bizarre to me. I really don't want to downgrade, but frankly i dont think i have any choice until more vendors support it.

WTF? topless nippley chick with cracked out hair, body paint of what i am guessing is supposed to be space, memory corp plastered across her midriff, wearing a tutu, with legwarmers and sneakers. AND, carrying a picnic basket in case you didnt notice... Is this little-pink-riding-hood-of-the-80s-from-the-future? Pretty psycho in pink? via Gizmodo

Related to my prior post about the the MDA being dropped by T-Mobile, the HTC Kaiser (HTC P4550) is the upcoming replacement for the Hermes (MDA) Pocket PC Phone running Windows Mobile, though not sure yet on pricing or carrier. I would guess TMO is going to carry it, but not certain yet. Looks about the same, But with a few improvements and technology additions. Its also got a 3mp camera on the back side as well as a video conferencing camera on the screen side of the phone. It runs Windows Mobile 6. Same processor and RAM as the Hermes, but double the ROM. It adds the HSUPA cellular data standard. It upgrades the USB client to 2.0, but drops the IrDA. The biggest thing though is that it adds in built in GPS. woohoo!!! I can toss my Pharos Bluethooth GPS module for tomtom now. I am still being swayed by the S710 though, only downside is that it is a smartphone, not a pocketPC phone. But i think i might live with those few lacking features to gain a smaller sized device. Though, the GPS is quite enticing on the Kaiser, so... Oh well, its moot anyway since you can't actually buy either of these for TMO yet anyway. But I really would assume these are going to be available because of my other post about the MDA being dropped.

I just got off the phone with T-Mobile because my wife's MDA just blew up and I was trying to figure out what options I have for replacement and apparently the MDA is being dropped. I am very surprised by this, since the phone is only about a year old, and i am pretty sure it has been selling well. Maybe not though? The PDA support person i spoke with regarding my options for replacement, mentioned that the MDA is being dropped, and actually has been dropped as of March 13, 2007. They are still selling it however if you check their site, which I would assume is to clear out remaining inventory, but reading between the lines I would assume that they are no longer placing orders for more inventory of the MDA. I couldn't get much more information than that, but it came up because of warranty questions. I could hear someone in the background say something, then she clammed-up. The MDA is a great phone/PDA. I have thoroughly enjoyed using it, and will continue to. However, my wife is probably going to have to upgrade, and currently there are no other Window Mobile Pocket PC phones on Tmobile. The closest is the DASH, but that doesn't have a touchscreen. Its actually a SmartPhone, not a PocketPC. Not a huge deal, but, the lack of touchscreen might be a bit of an issue. From some posts I have found in assorted cellphone and gadget blogs, HTC (who makes the MDA) is going to be releasing a new version of the MDA in the second quarter of 2007. I have read that it was being code-named the Atlas (HTCs name) and will be about 20% smaller than the MDA. The MDA's biggest downfall was its hugeness, though quite tough because of that i think. I can't really find the connection between these two, but I think the Atlas is the HTC S710, which is apprently being released in march of 2007 (so that would make sense), though its currently halfway through march, and no-joy yet. Unfortunatly there is no information on whether T-Mobile will carry the S710 or not. Its half the speed, but yet a different chip, so who knows if the speed is better or worse. Resolution is the same, but screen is .4 inches smaller. Oh and its a smartphone, not a pocketPC, so im guessing that its actually not the replacement. Update: Found some more info. The HTC Kaiser is apparently the actual successor to the MDA (HTC Hermes/TyTN/whateverthehell). The S710 is just a new smartphone. Don't know any details about the Kaiser though, because the text is in chinese, and well, i can't speka da chinese. If anyone has any information, i would be interested .

Gizmodo brought up a great point about the pizza cooker mentioned earlier also...

Since heat rises, that heating element underneath the pizza cooker's top section will lose a lot of its heat, and most of the heat coming from the bottom heating element will also be dissipated to the surrounding air. With summer coming up, this is a really dumb way to heat up your kitchen and make everyone miserable. Plus, that pizza sitting on there in the graphic above looks like somebody threw up on it.

LOL - didn't even think about the heat rising issue. I was too distracted by the stupidity of this single use device. (i wonder if you could bake a pie on it?) This 1,235-watt countertop oven space heater is sure to create some issues around it as well I just realized. How many fires due to some dumb-ass having a cookbook sitting next to it will this cause? The more I think about this thing, the dumber it becomes. via Gizmodo

The most comfortable bluetooth cellphone headset evar to come out. This is a pillow, you can't get more comfortable than that can ya! Holy Hanna... Ok, so it's not a headset, I lied, sue me. Well, technically it is a headset I suppose, since it does connect to a cellphone via bluetooth, and it allows you to communicate via your pillow. So, pillow headset. Are you that afraid of being disconnected that you can't stand the idea of being without your cellphone even while you are sleeping?!? I think it would be awesome to strap this thing to your head and go walking down the street. (like this guy) Though i guess the one single use of this that would make sense is for lengthy phonesex sessions, leaving you fully handsfree. via Coolest Gadgets

...if you think this is a "must have" device. So, just out of curiosity, do you not have an oven in your kitchen? How about even a toaster oven? Being that this thing only does 1 thing, which is heat up pizza, all types (frozen or fresh) and sizes (7 to 12 inches) of pizza can be custom baked. Thats it. Nothing more. I guess you could melt crayons with it, but that might void your warranty. And, at least you know that your pizza will be cooked with "exclusive RotaBake(TM) technology"... This thing is basically gonna take up a 1.5 foot square on your countertop. I'd also assume 2 possibilities, either your counter space is at a premium and 2 feet is not gonna fly, or if your a guy, your wife won't allow it. There is a third option, and its that this is perfect for you because you only eat pizza and don't have a wife. Presto Pizzazz pizza baker via Boing Boing

This game/puzzle is great fun. Its a very simple concept. You are a seed that is capable of growing into assorted plants. You must try to navigate the length of the map, across different terrain, by picking the correct type of plant to become. When the plant grows it will produce a seed or fruit, which in turn travels in a specific way. The game itself is draw with crayon, yet it has an interesting look and feel to it. The look alone keeps you interested. I warn you though, its a very peaceful, and addictive puzzle. Check it out. Sprout

Only thing missing from this is a phone capabilities it seems. The Q1 ultra is a UPMC that looks like it might have gotten it right. Split thumbpad for text entry, as well as what looks like a clickwheel type device. Information is fairly limited online, but I can make some guesses from the pictures. From looking at the images it looks like the Q1 Ultra has:

• Split thumbpad for what I can only imagine is much more comfortable text entry than normal tiny keyboards
• A click-wheel, though i wonder about the possibility of ipod-like function, since thats patented8 way Programmable D-Pad
• thumbstick
• a big ass touchscreen (obvious from the stylus) about 7 inches diag if its the same screen as previous versions.
• stereo speakers built in
• microphone - look like stereo
• videocamera, for i would assume video conferencing
• a fingerprint scanner for unlocking
• SD slot, though i can't tell which one, mini,micro,normal, etc
• a bunch of quick access buttons
• Ports: power(obviously), ethernet,usb,TV/monitor(i'd assume this is actually a multifunction port for drives and monitor),headphone
• connectivity via, wifi(g/b),bluetooth,ethernet, and WiBro(from engadget)
• based on Q1P, at least 1gb ram,60gb HD Vista Business version capable as well as mediacenter(obviously),higher res screen (1024x600)

All those are educated guesses based on the symbols and what I know about the assorted protrusions from the device. Its too bad that the site doesn't give much info about the device. But we can assume vista (or some version of it) and all the bells that come along with that, such as movie,pictures,music,office stuff, IM, PIM, etc. Supposedly the Q1 is going to support at least wifi and bluetooth, though the site alludes to the idea of there being more. If this could do EVDO, who cares about phone then, just skype-ify the Q1 and you're good to go, for the most part. Obviously it wouldn't be perfect, but at least it would put a phone on it. The downside of that would be that there is not "private" speaker and mic. You could easily solve this with a bluetooth headset. I am beginning to come to the realization that it might not be possible to jam "everything" into 1 device, so oh well, two devices, a phone and a UMPC would be good enough. Too big as an MP3 player for working out, but then again, so is any smartphone with a keyboard. added: Ehomeupgrade is reporting the Q1P which, i am pretty sure is the current new version of the Q1 series that samsung is releasing at CeBIT. But its the same as the Q1 Ultra being shown at CeBIT. The Q1P doesn't have a built in keyboard, whereas the Q1 Ultra does. The Q1P has a type II CF slot, but the Ultra picture shows an SD slot. Though the Q1P does clear up 1 question, its not a clickwheel, its just an 8 way D-Pad, assuming that is not changing with the new version. So although it does seem that there are 2 announcements about Q1's, i think the one they are showing in the online exhibit is cooler. The naming is confusing. Apparently this was being called the Q2 before, as i just found out at engadget Q1 Ultra

This is a pretty sweet execution of a flash virtual tradeshow. I think they did a good job. The virtual tradeshow is for CeBIT07, yet another consumer electronics show, but the Euro version. Anway, they basically put the whole tradeshow, or at least their part of it, online. Their product releases are happening online as well, so you can actually gawk it yourself. The system is searchable, apparently via tags, though it seems like i can type anything in get some results. Very good pop menu that doesn't make you wait around for alot of stupid animation. The main page is a little spastic though, since it keeps cycling through a bunch of "starter options", but overall, those options are quite good, and most likely what you are looking for anyway. It also suggests the current "hottest issues" which I wonder if its real, or just populated by the marketing department? Cool if real, lame if not. The flight of screen elements is clean and quick, no lollygagging, waiting for slow dumb animations. Stuff just swoops there, and is done, very nice execution in that respect. Results of searches or clicking into a section, items are presented as thumbnails that somehow aren't annoying. I think because the imagery in the thumbs actually is interesting as opposed to the usual, straight on shot, boring ass thumbs that most companies produce. The references to outside materials, such as blogs is a nice touch as well, eliminating the "trapped" feeling you normally get from flash sites. Plus its BIG. they didnt skimp on the size of it, which makes for very nice photos as well. samsung tradeshow