“General” collection
Access a diverse collection of miscellaneous technology reviews, specialized DIY tool assessments, and unique lifestyle articles. From niche electrical equipment to general digital organization tips, this section covers the broad spectrum of a tech-focused life.
HTD Tech Briefs
View all →August 9, 2010
“The 39 Clues” Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway – Stop #5 For “The Black Circle”
I usually write about technology, gadgets, software, hardware and other gizmos. I also have been know to talk about parenting from time to time. One thing that I preach to my kids (but unfortunately don't practice as much as I should) is that of reading. And this is odd because I was an English Major and have lots of books…
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August 3, 2010
Should Apple Open Up their iOS to Control Jailbreaks and Security Therein?
I have been a long time jailbreaker of my iPhone and have frequently documented the process on my blog. When I first started doing it, it was definitely not for the weak at heart, however, now it is becoming so easy to do, even the non-technical user can do it...and that is where it gets dangerous. In the past, you…
Read more →August 2, 2010
“Where’s the Pause Button” – TweetDeck’s User Stream Preview is Real-time Web
I was lucky to be one of the first 5000 people to get access to test out a new version of TweetDeck called "User Stream Preview." In this preview build is the ability to use Twitter's new Streaming API which essentially turns the Twitter firehose on full blast. In the past, you were at the mercy of Twitter's API limits,…
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July 28, 2010
Daddy Got an Owie! Making Your Own Injuries A Lesson to Your Kids – Cast of Dads Podcast #28
Well I managed to acquire 18 stitches this past weekend, but still had enough brains to be able to participate in our weekly podcast of Cast of Dads. We did the recording just a few hours after I had returned from the ER and enduring the wonderful process of someone sewing my forehead back together (sorry for the graphics there).…
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July 27, 2010
Wrapping Up the AT&T “Lose the Laptop” Challenge – A Retrospective
We are now in the final days of voting for the AT&T Lose the Laptop Challenge. It has been an interesting four months writing about different topics and how they relate to the HTC Tilt 2 smart phone. You can see all of my articles on the Lose the Laptop site here. But I thought that it might be a…
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July 26, 2010
The Mobile Spy – “Ending It All” (The Finale & Part 4)
Catch up on Part 1 of “The Mobile Spy” here, Part 2 here and Part 3 here (on AT&T's Lose the Laptop site) or Part 1 here, Part 2 here and Part 3 here (on HighTechDad.com). He slept most of the way. He hadn't realized how running on adrenaline had made him so incredibly tired. He only woke a few…
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July 26, 2010
How To Install a Replacement Battery into an Apple iPhone 3GS
My iPhone 3GS has been showing signs of a dying battery for a month or so now. The symptoms included the battery depleting faster than normal, charging very quickly (because there wasn't much to "charge"), and the iPhone simply crashing when the battery was at 75-90% FULL. It would simply crash as I was doing some tasks, not even showing…
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July 23, 2010
Cool Birthday Parties, Pool Safety & Live Parenting Failures Round Out “Cast of Dads” Episode #27
Sorry for the delay in posting about our latest Cast of Dads podcast. Coordinating family schedules are hard enough…but when you attempt to coordinate 5 different schedules from different families, it's a monumental task. And even after we record, there is still the production work that has to take place (bit hat tip to CC Chapman for his hard work…
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July 21, 2010
iPhone 4 Scarcity – What AT&T Can Do To Help Make Customers Like Me Happy (Think Beyond the Tech)
It should be pretty obvious to those people who know me or read my social media updates that I really want an iPhone 4. I have had the original iPhone and the iPhone 3GS (I skipped the iPhone 3G), and now I'm ready for the "new hotness." But I have an issue, actually a bunch of them and some of…
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July 19, 2010
The Mobile Spy – “The Final Purchase” (Part 3 of a 4 Part Story)
Catch up on Part 1 of “The Mobile Spy” here and Part 2 here (on AT&T's Lose The Laptop) or Part 1 here and Part 2 here (on HighTechDad.com). He enjoyed the obscurity that the shadows of the train station provided him. He easily slipped between alcoves and doorways, at times jumping into the moving crowds. Everything was falling in…
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July 15, 2010
Recall or “Stop Gap” Fix? My Thoughts on the Upcoming Apple Press Event Around the iPhone 4 Antenna Issues
Of course I want to jump into the speculation/rumor mill on what Apple will be talking about tomorrow (July 16, 2010) at a hastily called Press Conference around the iPhone 4 (and issues therein). For starters, I don't have an iPhone 4 (yet). Apple PR has told me that they are backlogged. My local AT&T stores are saying that they…
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July 13, 2010
Laptop Got Stolen? Send PREY Out to Find It, for Free!
I'm sure that many of you have heard of the Find My iPhone service for MobileMe that helps you locate missing iPhones or iPads. Or the equivalent on Windows Mobile phones called My Phone. And I'm sure you know about LoJack that helps you locate stolen cars. LoJack also offers a service for computers as well, for a price. There…
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