Other Gadgets (general gadgets) - Page 46

Mmmm, Burger (C.J.) · 03-18-2005, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by robustpuppy
Oh, damn, good point. Site says it's not available if you have satellite radio.

Seems it might be better to get the aux-in, go without the neat features of skipping songs by using the steering wheel controls, and get satellite. I don't update my playlists endlessly and I do get sick of some things on my iPod.

are you getting the BMW one? Because it's a pretty sucky interface. You can skip songs and choose from 1 of 5 playlists. You're prob. better off with the aux in, unless you need charging capabilities. Also, Dension makes one that may be able to work with satellite, although I think it's more expensive.

Of course, unless you're a travelling saleswoman, why isn't the ipod enough?

mmm3587 · 03-18-2005, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ltl/fb
You lost me at "security protocol" and at how a security protocol would be on a headset, and why I would want to listen to a security protocol.

Well, it's disgustingly easy to hack a Bluetooth device without appropriate security. And most don't have the appropriate security setup to start and most people never do it. I'm pretty unconcerned about wireless security generally, but there are tons of examples of people hacking into BT phones, making them do things, making calls, stealing the address lists and e-mails of people, etc.

For example, see this article: http://news.com.com/Sony+Ericsson+ph...78.html?tag=nl .

It's old, but there was just a big article in a recent Wired about bluesnarfing and the increasing use of it. It depends how much you use your phone in a public area with lots of other people around. If you are usually at home, at the office or in your car, or can figure out the right settings to not broadcast all your info, it might work for you. I'm not trying to scare anybody; I'm just saying that a lot of people I know and trust are very wary of Bluetooth generally for the transmission of personal information, and Bluetooth is one of the least secure digital wireless standards ever implemented.

ltl/fb · 03-18-2005, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mmm3587
Well, it's disgustingly easy to hack a Bluetooth device without appropriate security. And most don't have the appropriate security setup to start and most people never do it. I'm pretty unconcerned about wireless security generally, but there are tons of examples of people hacking into BT phones, making them do things, making calls, stealing the address lists and e-mails of people, etc.

For example, see this article: http://news.com.com/Sony+Ericsson+ph...78.html?tag=nl .

It's old, but there was just a big article in a recent Wired about bluesnarfing and the increasing use of it. It depends how much you use your phone in a public area with lots of other people around. If you are usually at home, at the office or in your car, or can figure out the right settings to not broadcast all your info, it might work for you. I'm not trying to scare anybody; I'm just saying that a lot of people I know and trust are very wary of Bluetooth generally for the transmission of personal information, and Bluetooth is one of the least secure digital wireless standards ever implemented.

*sigh*

I wanted to know what purpose bluetooth serves that makes everyone so hyper about how fabulous it is. You totally are not addressing my issue. But now it's been addressed by Mmmmmm "I know how to read" Burger so don't sweat it.

mmm3587 · 03-18-2005, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ltl/fb
*sigh*

I wanted to know what purpose bluetooth serves that makes everyone so hyper about how fabulous it is. You totally are not addressing my issue. But now it's been addressed by Mmmmmm "I know how to read" Burger so don't sweat it.

Sorry, sorry. You misparsed my original statement, but I thought that your question was already answered. It's not a security protocol, it's a protocol with low security. But the security issues are relevant.

Alex_de_Large · 03-18-2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ltl/fb
OK, now I'm just curious about Alex's car having it. And, if you still have to run some kind of program to synch your phone with the computer, how that is oh-so-much better than sticking the cord in the phone/computer.

It allows wireless, hands-free use of the phone, using a built-in mic and playing the sound through the car's stereo system. I have a kit made by Parrot. It works exactly as advertised.

ltl/fb · 03-18-2005, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
It allows wireless, hands-free use of the phone, using a built-in mic and playing the sound through the car's stereo system. I have a kit made by Parrot. It works exactly as advertised.

voice dialing (like, I say "large alex" and it dials you)? Or can you tell it numbers?

pony_trekker · 03-18-2005, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by taxwonk
When used in reference to phones or crackberries, bluetooth is a system that allows you to use wireless headsets. I have a bluetooth headset for my cell phone and they're great. No wires to get tangled and my phone doesn't leave my pocket when I'm driving or on the train.

But you look like a tool wearing a cordless headset.

taxwonk · 03-18-2005, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pony_trekker
But you look like a tool wearing a cordless headset.

I use it in the car. It serves the purpose of helping me to avoid getting into accidents. I don't fucking care what it looks like. But you do have a point. I see people wearing them at court and they invariably look and act like tools.

pony_trekker · 03-18-2005, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by taxwonk
I use it in the car. It serves the purpose of helping me to avoid getting into accidents. I don't fucking care what it looks like. But you do have a point. I see people wearing them at court and they invariably look and act like tools.

In the car=ok
On the train=uncool
walking around=nerd

as if you care.

My new favorite way of using my cell phone is off, and as a paperweight.

ltl/fb · 03-18-2005, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by taxwonk
I use it in the car. It serves the purpose of helping me to avoid getting into accidents. I don't fucking care what it looks like. But you do have a point. I see people wearing them at court and they invariably look and act like tools.

Train. On the train, too.

I see people wearing them at the damn mall. They look like idiots. I knew what it was (wireless cellphone talky thingy), but I didn't know it's called "bluetooth."

Flinty_McFlint · 03-18-2005, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pony_trekker
In the car=ok
On the train=uncool
walking around=nerd

as if you care.

My new favorite way of using my cell phone is off, and as a paperweight.

On the contrary, it looks super cool. Like Star Trek or something. And people who can't see the earpiece think you're crazy and move out of the way.

Alex_de_Large · 03-28-2005, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
I don't remember if this has been discussed here yet. Has anyone here used the BlackBerry 7100 series handheld as a primary device? Now that Cingular has the 7100g, I am considering it.

thanks,
AdL

After doing research, including input from many regular rposters here, I ordered a 7100g late last week. I should have it tomorrow. As soon as I get it and use it a bit, I'll post a review.

AdL

NotFromHere · 04-06-2005, 04:44 PM

And it's really really cool.

From PC MAG
Sonos comes through with the best and easiest audio-only media hub we've seen so far. The ZonePlayer ZP100 is expensive for an audio hub, but cheap compared with other whole-house audio systems.

Simple, elegant, effortless. Plays the same music simultaneously in multiple rooms, or different music in different rooms. Reads directly from network hard disks.

No on-screen (TV) display. Costly compared to simpler digital audio hubs. No photos or video display. Won't play WMA lossless or DRM audio, FLAC, or Ogg Vorbis files, yet.

Connects via Ethernet: Yes
Hard Drive: No
Supports MP3: Yes
Supports WMA: Yes
Shows Photos: No
Plays Internet Radio: Yes
Shows Video: No
Has On-screen TV Display: No
Rips CDs: No
Sonos.com

NotFromHere · 04-22-2005, 05:19 PM

Because this is where this discussion belongs.

Alex, yeah I've tried the Shures on my portable CD player which is proof positive that the Ipod sucks for sonic quality.

And another thing, I have only had the Ipod since the generic winter gift giving month, and have already filled up the hard drive on my computer. Granted, the computer is old (3 years? 4 years?) but we were running pretty lean on this one. We bought a new one last year and this one is used only for e-mail and Itunes. Is it really that bloated? My choices seem to be to buy another hard drive (seems wasteful) or an external drive. Any advice?

pony_trekker · 04-22-2005, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NotFromHere
And another thing, I have only had the Ipod since the generic winter gift giving month, and have already filled up the hard drive on my computer. Granted, the computer is old (3 years? 4 years?) but we were running pretty lean on this one. We bought a new one last year and this one is used only for e-mail and Itunes. Is it really that bloated? My choices seem to be to buy another hard drive (seems wasteful) or an external drive. Any advice?

A lot really depends on what file type you are using. You have the option of using AAC, AIFF, Apple Lossless, MP3 and, WAV. I believe that WAV and AIFF create HUGE files. I use primarily AAC and have about 1100 songs, filling up about 7 gigs.

IF it is still full use a firewire external hard drive and create a wireless network so that all the computers can use the same library.