Palm Pre vs. Apple, Round 3

Posted in This Just In... on July 23rd, 2009 by gkrakow

preOne of the most endearing features on the new Palm Pre was that fact that it was able to sync with all your music stored on iTunes.

Apple didn’t think that was so neat, so they updated iTunes a few days ago to close the door on Palm Pre owners.

Tonight, round three.

Palm has just release a big webOS update for the Pre.

OS software version 1.1.0 adds a bunch of new features including a NFL Mobile Live (audio and video) application, tweaks to the calendar, camera, clock, contacts, email, messaging, system software, Web browser and YouTube application.

Oh, yes – they also reinstated synching with iTunes.

On the official Palm Support Software Update Information Website they put it this way:
“…Resolves an issue preventing media sync from working with latest version of iTunes (8.2.1).”

Isn’t this stuff fun?

Let’s see how long it takes Apple to counter Palm’s counter move.

As for the actual update, webOS 1.1.0 downloaded and installed easily and perfectly over my Wi-Fi connection. (Take that, Apple!) The whole proceedure took a total of 10 minutes.

Leave A Comment »

Rubik’s Cube with an electric touch

Posted in News on July 23rd, 2009 by gkrakow

touchcube“See Me. Feel Me. Touch Me. Solve Me.” No offense intended to Tommy or The Who.

This is actually the advertising slogan attached to the new, all electric version of the decades-old mind bending game, Rubik’s Cube.

The new version comes from the people at Techno Source USA is officially called Rubik’s TouchCube.

In case you forgot, missed or ignored the craze the first few times around here are some wonderful Rubik’s Cube facts to consider:

The Rubik’s Cube was created in 1974 by Hungarian inventor Erno Rubik as the first manipulative puzzle that stayed in one integrated piece. It made its international debut at the toy fairs of London, Paris, Nuremberg and New York in 1980.

Hungarian actress Zsa Zsa Gabor was chosen to host the Rubik’s Cube’s American launch, beginning with a Hollywood party on May 5, 1980.

The Rubik’s Cube has 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 different possible configurations. One, and only one, presents the ’solved’ Cube (a single color on each of its 6 sides).

The current world record for solving the 3×3 Rubik’s Cube is 7.08 seconds by Erik Akkersdijk at the Czech Open 2008.

Over the years the Rubik’s Cube has become a worldwide phenomenon. Featured in films and advertisements, it is recognized as a “global symbol of intelligence”.

350 million cubes have been sold worldwide since 1980.

As for this nifty, new electric version there is one more fact you need to know

If you just can’t wait to buy your TouchCube you’ll be happy to know that pre-sales begin this weekend exclusively on cable retailer QVC. They’ll take your orders now but expect delivery to begin in the fall. The price is TBA.

PS: If you keep your eyes on the cube in the video below you just might figure out how to solve the puzzle.

Leave A Comment »