Chad Criswell's Blog
Posted by Chad Criswell
According to an article posted at Digitimes, networking giant D-Link is planning to lower the prices of its latest 802.11n wireless routers by as much as 35%, making the street price under $50. When you consider that most of the new 802.11n routers from other companies cost in the $80 range, the discount will likely be very attractive to consumers. Should you bother with purchasing an 802.11n router right now though? Compatibility issues could be coming down the pipe for brands such as D-Link that have signed on to a specific version of the new "n" standard. This latest version of Wi-Fi has not yet been standardized by the international community, but it appears that D-Link is hoping to drive up demand in any way that it can.
Posted by Chad Criswell
Due to capacity and manufacturing issues it has been reported that at least one manufacturer of TFT displays is expecting there to be shortages in the first half of 2008. Thanks to good old supply and demand that means that prices on medium size LCD screens may be on the way up (or at least remain stagnant) for much of next year.
What does this mean to you as a consumer?
If you have been putting off making an LCD television or larger LCD computer monitor purchase now may be the best time to go ahead with it, especially with the seasonal influx of special offers and discounts. Although the manufacturer is predicting only a small rise (3-5%) it still might warrant some consideration if you know you will be in the market within the next few months.
Source: Digitimes
Posted by Chad Criswell
The Wall Street Journal and others are stating that Internet icon Google may be getting set to add online file storage to the suite of free online applications that it already provides such as a free word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation system. Google is being very quiet about the whole idea, leading some to wonder if the idea will ever come to fruition or if it is simply a potential vaporware candidate.
Like the other Google applications, the storage component would be free for a certain amount of space. Additional storage would be available for a fee. No word as to whether the service would allow file sharing.
Some people wonder if this new option is wise for Google or if it is even needed. Many people already use Google's applications as a type of online storage by emailing attachments to their spacious Gmail inboxes. Regardless of the competition, if Google does open this component up to the masses one can expect it to become very popular simply because of the brand name associated with it.
Posted by Chad Criswell
There is no longer a need to settle for a boring cold gray laptop case. Unlike the laptop cases reviewed here on Suite101 in the past, this new addition makes a statement using a different form of style. Instead of utilitarian these cases are actually quite comical. Thanks to the guys over at Barry's Farm, you can now own your own (or give as a gift) a laptop sleeve that is as unique as the recipient. They come in six different colors but are all basically the same style, a cuddly little google eyed monster that wants to devour your precious laptop. Each case is lightly padded, but don't expect it to provide protection from anything but the most minimal of damage. For those that want something different or to use as a great gift for a high school or college student these new laptop sleeves are fun and entertaining.
Source: Coolest Gadgets.
Posted by Chad Criswell
There are dozens of examples of strange computer mice. I have seen mice wade in the shape of a realistic human hand (for the gross out factor I guess) and I have seen mice with actually useful additions such as retractable cords for the laptop toting traveler. The new USB Label Mouse Printer is one that seems more a question of what strange and almost useless gadget can we cram into a common everyday item.
If you are the type of person that likes to label everything in your office and prints tiny little half inch wide labels on a regular basis then perhaps this mating is of use to you, but the printer appears to be sub-par in the clarity department, and you can only wonder how much the tiny little rolls of label material will cost. Add to this the fact that the mouse itself is of the standard mechanical variety and you really have to stretch to see the allure of this new product. Come on Casio, what were you thinking?
Source: Engadget
