1110consulting

After quite a while, Microsoft has updated the menu system of the Xbox 360. It is a simple and quick update (which is very nice to not have to dig around too much or wait more than a couple of minutes to see the fruit of the labor).

Now, first thing most will notice is that the menu system and avatar solution seem very “wii-like”. That is fine, but a year+ to the game make me feel like they took something that worked and slapped the MS face on it.

That being said, there is Netflix HD streaming tied into the system, the menu is nice to navigate but since it has changed quite a bit it took me a while to figure out where to go to play the game I had in the drive.

Any other experiences, comments - please let us know.

For those of you with AppleTV’s check the software update for a new release of the software that ties in better with iTunes 8.x.

AppleTV is on of the Apple items I have looked at over the years and one of the biggest stopping points is I do not yet have a HDTV. The AppleTV will work with composite in, but most say it does not look or work as well.

With the latest software and iTunes integration I’m closer than ever. I have been looking at a refurbished from Apple ($50 or so cheaper) and still has the same bells and whistles and I’m thinking about Boxee on the system too (Hulu, CBS, others) it becomes more of a internet playback device than something tied right into iTunes.

Anyone care to comment?

The long-awaited google app has hit the Apple iTunes App Store (download again even if it shows the “old” version and sync).

I did it and it is there in all it’s glorious voice recognition splendor… I played a little. Using my 1st Gen iPhone with the system it works AWESOME!

Put the phone to your head, small tone and speak. Take it away from your head and it “works”. Fills in a google search and poof! Find the weather, stock price, movie times, Chinese restaurants…

I found in the tests I just did 90% speech accuracy and quick and great search results (plus well formatted for the iPhone). Open iTunes and get your download on!

Apple released an update for the buttonless trackpad on the macbook and macbook pro tonight. Following the update, the system reboots and installs a firmware update on the machine to update the software - during the update the trackpad is unresponsive (normal).

So far the trackpad is running well on my machine (other reports?) and seems to be a bit more sensitive. Hopefully Apple will continue to take this great technology and improve upon it.

Have a new macbook or macbook pro - start software update (no download link yet) and update your machine.

google will take over the world…

a number of years ago, google introduced gmail. huge storage, no cost. then they rolled in gchat. works well, integrated via the web into gmail - it’s there so why not use it…

yesterday, google rolled video and audio chat right into google. a co-worker chatted with me this morning from his mac to my pc.

the image size was kept small - i did not have a video camera on my machine - but it ran smoothly, audio was good and would be a very easy step from google chat to google video (without leaving the browser).

i am planning on trying it with others - but for right now, hopping into ichat is an option, skype, and aim are always around (thought download required) - why not just use the web interface many of us are already staring at…

Since the release of iPhone 2.0, I have been very happy with the solution.  It works well with Exchange, software and the phone itself is A LOT more stable and some nice new features - though STILL NO cut & paste

iPhone 2.2 will take things to the next, next level.  Google street view, some new advances in the software and hopefully some general speed boosts (and HOPEFULLY) cut and paste.

I have been using Parallels for about 2 years now.  I do not use it a lot, but when I do use it - it is easy to work with, quick and powerful.  Today (Tuesday), Parallels announced an upgrade from version 3 to version 4.  The new version is cleaner, more feature rich and for $40 (the upgrade price) you can download and activate the new version.

Following the upgrade, the system will look for version 3, update the system and convert any existing parallels install to version 4 files.  Parallels claims a 50% speed increase (I noticed Ubuntu 8.10 loaded and ran a lot faster and smoother) and I really like the ability to pop into an OS, work and then suspend or even shut down quickly.

If you require the need to run something other than the Mac OS from time to time, Parallels is a great solution.  VMWare also has a solution (Fusion) that does all of the same things (with some additional strengths/weaknesses) but personally come back to Parallels as my option.  Thoughts - let us know…

wordpress.org is working on the next version of wordpress (2.7). 2.6.3 is the current version but after some playing i installed 2.7 on my server to see what the changes are.

from a practical view, 2.7 changes the way the admin sees wordpress (which i really like). the admin interface is clean, much more web2.0 and easy to navigate. i have not tried themes or plugins, but the system itself seems really clean, easy to integrate and when 2.7 appears for the masses- if wordpress holds true the update/upgrade will be easy.

in my test i installed 2.6.2 from godaddy. i then removed the entire wordpress folder and files (leaving the database) and copied over the 2.7b2 files. i changed the config file to match the file that was originally created when godaddy generated the database and uploaded that.

opened the 2.7 index page, the system told me to update the database (which i did and with one post took 15 seconds) and off i went. Logged into the admin and all was right with the world.

if all holds true, the system will show an update to 2.7 “soon”, i will upgrade to the version, update the database and off i will go! anyone else trying 2.7, let us know!

i have been thinking of ways to deepen my connection with my clients and make the “business” seem more available. I considered blackberry and another phone number but the costs (even the verizon family plan) runs about $40-50/month.

i stared looking for other options and came across skype (again). for $8 (3 month) you get unlimited outbound nationwide calling. for another $12 (3 months) you get an inbound number (so people can call me). all for about $7/month.

this can be made a little cheaper by doing a year agreement. i’m giving it a go for 3 months and see if i use it and if it works well.

one other area i’m a bit worried about is having the tie in to the computer. i’m looking for a headphone/mic combo for a reasonable price. it seems like logitech has some solutions. if i continue the contract through the year i may consider a skype wifi phone, but not quite yet…

experiences, thoughts, let us know…

Apple has put together a great app store for the iPhone and iTouch. Many free or low-cost tools, games and random items (e.g. lighters) that have deepened the iPhone and iTouch solution.

Recently, there was some talk of Apple using the app store as a method of limiting items that may compete with the systems they have in place. The most recent example is Opera mini for the iPhone. Opera make a really nice browser - personally I have never gotten too into it, but it is an option to Safari. If mozilla were to release something for the iPhone I think I would download it in a heartbeat.

This is where it gets interesting. It seems like Opera is an option to Safari and Apple is not “encouraging” the competition - but limiting it. Hopefully Apple begins to see that not only would some of these Apps expand the user base, they could encourage their own applications to excel.

Thoughts, let us know.