Contemplating on buying An iPhone? Check This Out

When Apple first announced that they would be releasing a cellular phone that would work as a multimedia device, the electronic industry began to salivate. Already the company revolutionized the mp3 player by creating and distributing the iPod. In fact, much in the way that Kleenex and Coke are commonly used identifiers of tissues and soft drinks, the iPod has become a reference for any mp3 player. Now, it seemed, Apple was posed to retool the ways in which we view and discuss cellular telephones in everyday life. Are we just a few short years away from referring to every cell phone as an iPhone? If this is the case, then what are the pros and cons of purchasing such an innovative device?

First off, let’s go over some of the reasons why buying an Apple iPhone would be a wise investment. To start, it should not be discounted, although it has already been written off by some, that the iPhone houses within its parts an iPod. The iPod is the name in music on the go. Even if someone already owns an iPod or other mp3 player, the iPhone possesses the most technologically advanced (next to the almost identical iPod Touch—the iPhone without the phone capabilities) music player on the market.

Secondly, the Apple iPhone serves as a cell phone. In this day and age, it is hard to even survive without the ability to call up someone on the road or away from home. Of course, this also means that most people already have cell phones, but few possess the quality of the iPhone. Already, this item not only doubles as a phone and an mp3 player, but it doubles as the best phone and the best mp3 player; a two-in-one cellphone.

Finally, the iPhone has the most productive handheld web browser around. Not only can you purchase songs for your iPod portably now, but also you can replace most needs for a laptop computer. Save the ability to type large documents comfortably, the iPhone’s Internet browser offers the same online experience as any laptop or desktop computer. No other device on the market combines portable music, cell phone use, and Internet browsing into one, easy-to-use gadget.

Now, what are the cons of purchasing an Apple iPhone? To start, it should not be forgotten that the iPhone carries a steep price tag. And while the price maybe due to the fact that the device is the most technologically advanced thing on the market, the more frugal of customers might not be so impressed by it.

The answer to whether or not you should buy an Apple iPhone boils down to this. If you already own an iPod, already have a cell phone, and either had an internet-ready laptop or lack the desire for web browsing on the go, the iPhone is JUST NOT FOR YOU GUYS. But if you are a sucker for the newest in technology, would like to combine two or three of your gadgets into one—in a high end package no less, or simply have money to throw around, then the iPhone from Apple would be a wise investment and you can just freak on it and it has loads to offer you guys!

Those of you who didn't my earlier post on iPhone, check this out to know what an iPhone is http://liv2rite.blogspot.com/2008/08/iphone-coming-to-india.html

Plug-In Hybrid Cars- Answer To Over Exploitation of Fossil Fuels

Whether or not you buy into the idea of global warming, it is hard to argue against going green. Especially when considering the health consequences of smog buildup, something needs to be done about our overuse of fossil fuels. In recent times, hybrid vehicles have been able to stem the tide somewhat, but unfortunately, these vehicles seem like band-aids that are being applied to a deep gash.

Realizing that the current crop of hybrids is a good start, but not the ultimate answer, the state of California is upping the ante. The California Air Resources Board has ordered the states carmakers to begin producing plug-in hybrid vehicles, or cars that can tap in to electrical mains as a primary energy source. This may not be a bad idea, but is it really a step-up from the current hybrid set?

The hybrid vehicles on the market now are able to charge their batteries via an engine, resulting in low fuel consumption. The proposed hybrids charge batteries from the mains, which evidently will result in an even larger cut in fuel use.

California has told its automakers that at least 58,000 of these vehicles must be manufactured for sale between 2012 and 2014. Should the companies fail to follow the guidelines, their only recourse is to 25,000 vehicles with absolutely no emission. Failure to comply with one of the two orders will result in an unspecified punishment.

Being someone who believes that global warming is a severe threat to our way of life (or at least our future way of life), I applaud California for implementing such a plan. Obviously, current hybrids are not the solution. These new hybrids are probably not the ultimate fixes either, but they at least improve upon a great idea. If society continues to make gradual steps toward a more eco-friendly way of life, we just may kick this global warming yet.

Blu-Ray? How Is It Different From HD-DVD

Well, it's over. The High-Definition home video format war has come to a close. The winner: Blu-Ray by a technical knockout. With sales of HD-DVD slumping to the point that virtually all of the formats supporters have jumped ship to Blu-Ray, retailers have decided that HD-DVD is done. Markdowns of and the refusal to stock HD-DVD are the main components of the premature death.

This surprised me quite a bit. I thought that the fact that the Playstation 3 (a big supporter of Blu-Ray and an actual player in its own right) seemed to be struggling would signal an advantage for HD-DVD. Take this into account with the fact that the X-Box 360 (PS3 competitor and backer for HD-DVD) had a one-year head start; I just assumed that this format would pull away from Blu-Ray.

Additionally, I was under the impression that name recognition would give HD-DVD an advantage. Many people have HD televisions and almost everyone has a DVD player. It would then seem obvious, to me, that when faced with the choice of selecting an HD-DVD player or a Blu-Ray player, consumers would pick the HD-DVD format. I theorized that the name Blu-Ray would intimidate or confuse consumers. Evidently, I underestimated the buying public. Because not only is Blu-Ray the preferred medium for experts, it also has become the format of choice for the public.
At the end of the day, it probably does not matter which medium wins the format war (unless of course you purchased a now-obsolete HD-DVD player). I just hoped that the HD-DVD format would prevail, if only to put the ever-cocky Sony in their place. But now, I think it is time to move everyone on to the same page and make Blu-Ray a consumer-friendly and high quality for viewing films in the home.

Lithium ion batteries will now last for long

How many times have you faced this scenario? You are running behind, you grab your cell phone, and you realize that your phone's battery is on its last legs. Or, you have taken your laptop outside the home to do some work, but your unit is almost out of juice in just a couple of short hours. Chances are, we have all been in these situations. Luckily, scientists at the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois have preliminary plans for a solution to these and other problems with lithium ion batteries.

These researchers have created new energy for lithium ion batteries that increases a battery's life. This new battery averages an increase of over 30 percent in power compared to the current offering of lithium ion power supplies. These batteries also address a problem common in today's crop. While old lithium ion tended to lose its ability to recharge itself in a fairly short time span, the new batteries also improve upon the old set's length of life.

Finally, the new lithium ion batteries offer a safer alternative to the old. The chance of fire in an overcharged or damaged unit, quite common in old batteries, is virtually eliminated. In fact, up until a couple of weeks ago, the only hold-up in manufacturing these units was the inability to find a cost-effective producer. Enter Toda Kogyo.

This Japan-based company claims to have the capacity to build and manufacture 30 million laptop batteries a year. The scientists at Argonne think that Toda Kogyo is the ideal candidate to make their dream battery a reality for the average consumer. They have selected the company as their primary battery producer, but nothing has yet been confirmed as to when these units will begin showing up in computers and cell phones for consumers to purchase.

Whatever the timeframe is for these new lithium ion batteries to hit the market, I think it is safe to say that they will be a welcome sight. Any improvement, no matter how marginal, is beneficial when dealing with the limited lifespan of the current crop of batteries. Hopefully, this will prevent the dreaded out-of-power scenario (although it would probably take an infinite power supply to stop people from letting juice dissipate without charging) from continuing to be the recurring problem it is. I applaud these researchers, and I look forward to having these batteries available to purchase.