“Tech Companies” collection
Follow the innovations and strategic directions of the giants that define our digital world, including Apple, Microsoft, Google, and more. This section offers an expert look at the product ecosystems and corporate shifts of the world’s leading technology brands.
HTD Tech Briefs
View all →August 12, 2009
WebCam Monitoring & Streaming Via a $5 iPhone Application – iCam
If you travel frequently, have small kids, or just like to keep an eye on things, I have a great solution for you. A few weeks ago, I came across a nice iPhone app called iCam by SKJM which allows you to set up video monitoring of up to 4 sources at a time. Sure, there are lots of webcams…
Read more →August 2, 2009
Honey, I Shrunk the Dongle – Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 6000
Microsoft introduced its BlueTrack Technology in 2008 claiming that its breakthrough technology would allow for users to use mice having BlueTrack on just about any surface (just not glass or reflective surfaces). I decided to put that to the test in this quick review of the Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 6000. I have reviewed several mice and there are truly…
Read more →July 31, 2009
Consumer Heads-Up Displays May Be Sooner Than You Think with the “eyePhone”
I have been thinking about the recent release of iPhone OS 3.1 Beta 3 to the iPhone development community and the fact that there is now the framework and APIs for "augmented reality" applications available for programmers. What are "augmented reality" apps? Basically, applications that use the iPhone's camera as well as GPS, compass and accelerometer to produce visual interactivity…
Read more →July 14, 2009
The DO’s and DON’Ts of Customer Service in a Social Media Age
How many times have you had a bad customer service experience? More than 50% of the time? I will bet that you think that it's much higher than that even. Most of us tend to remember poor customer service experiences than good ones. It's easier to gripe and complain about someone NOT doing something to your satisfaction than it is…
Read more →July 7, 2009
Review: Double your iPhone’s Battery with the Mophie Juice Pack Air
I am a hard-core iPhone data user. My AT&T account shows that I have downloaded 5.4 GB and uploaded 1.1 GB worth of data since I received my first iPhone. I suck through batteries like there is no tomorrow, so much so that I actually had to return my first iPhone because the battery just wasn't holding a charge because…
Read more →July 1, 2009
5 “Hidden” iPhone 3.0 Firmware Tricks
I have been playing around quite a bit with my new iPhone 3GS and the apps and firmware therein. I can't say enough positive things about the release so I wanted to write about a few items that people might not know about because they are buried away or not immediately apparent. I'm sure there are many people who have…
Read more →June 23, 2009
How to Fix Apple Mail Not Saving Passwords – Keychain First Aid
Recently I was plagued with having to repeatedly enter and re-enter my passwords on some of my email accounts using Apple Mail. There didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. I would get asked to enter when sending email from a certain account as well as when trying to receive email from a completely different email account.…
Read more →June 22, 2009
Restore Missing iPhone Applications after 3.0 Firmware Upgrade
I was excited like many others to get the new Apple iPhone firmware 3.0 update last week. Installation was not an issue for me, even after coming from a jailbroken 2G (original) iPhone. That is, until I started looking for some of my applications. For some odd reason, there were several of my applications that had just disappeared. I finally…
Read more →June 11, 2009
Baby Brain: Keeping Digital Notes on your Baby’s Habits via your iPhone
I think that I had kids about 10 years too early. Well, actually, I'm glad about the age that I had my 3 beautiful daughters, I'm just not happy that I didn't have today's technology back then. The makers of Baby Brain, an iPhone application that is touted as "the Ultimate iPhone app for Parents", invited me to try out…
Read more →June 8, 2009
Places to Get Info LIVE on WWDC 2009 (Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference)
In the past, I have compiled a list of sites that will have streams of information related to the Apple World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC 2009). Today, I'm a bit behind but am still hoping to get a list published quickly. The WWDC 2009 takes place in San Francisco from June 8-12, 2009. The Keynote starts at 10:00 am Pacific…
Read more →May 26, 2009
A Mouse for the Rest of Us – Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000
I have big hands and big feet, you know what that means, right? You guessed it, big shoes and computer mice that just feel too small when you use them. That is, until I tried a Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000. At almost twice the height of regular mice, the 6000 truly makes those of us with large hands…
Read more →April 9, 2009
Conficker Worm- What You Should Know, Prevention & Fixes
It looks like the Conficker worm is rearing its ugly head today, downloading a mysterious payload that is heavily encrypted to infected Windows machines. As the information on this is just starting to hit, there is still a lot of speculation as to what the payload contains and what it does. This post provides a brief rundown of links, tools…
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