Jewish World Review April 23, 2004 / 2 Iyar 5764
More small wonders bring delight, challenge
By Mark Kellner
http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com |
As I write, a recording of pianist/conductor Murray Perahia's performance of
Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 25 in C (K. 503) is filtering into my workspace.
A small video camera is at the ready, if I want to have an online chat. And
then there's the Motorola MPx200, a wireless phone discussed here before:
I've found new possibilities for it.
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JWR contributor Mark Kellner has reported on technology for industry newspapers and magazines since 1983, and has been the computer columnist for The Washington Times since 1991.Comment by clicking here.
Livin' large, livin' cordless
All of these are connected in "small" ways to my computer, but each can play
a big part in making my computing life - and perhaps yours - a tad better
and easier.
Let's start with the Mozart and Mr. Perahia, who celebrated his birthday on
April 19. I'm hearing this rather marvelous piece of music thanks to WQXR-FM
in New York City, which is transmitting its broadcasts over the Internet.
Big deal, you say; stations have done that for years. Yes, I reply, but I'm
listening not with Real Networks' "RealPlayer," but rather with Microsoft
Corp.'s Windows Media Player. (The "Real" product is balking at playing
radio stations, and I'm not sure why.)
So what, you say? So, I'm doing it on an Apple Macintosh G5 desktop running
OS X version 10.3, also known as "Panther." It may not be as widely known as
it should be that there is a version of Windows Media Player for the Mac,
but you can find it at
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/software/Macintosh/osx/default
.aspx, free of charge.
It's good to have alternatives, and though many Macintosh die-hards will
smirk at the irony of Microsoft providing a nice alternative to Apple's
iTunes (stet) and RealPlayer, that's the reality. I hope the Microsoft folks
will continue to support Mac users with its media software, which can bring
the wonders of great music to one's desk.
Another nice item, not tiny but useful, are the JBL Creature 2.1 Computer
Speakers made by Los Angeles audio firm Harmon Kardon, retail price just
under $130, but available for under $98 at Office Depot's online store. The
cute "space alien" design bespeaks the moniker, but these "Creatures"
produce fantastic sound in not too much space. The subwoofer doesn't look
out of place on a desktop. The "right" speaker has touch sensitive volume
controls, although a keyboard "mute" button is still a good idea for when
the phone rings or a colleague drops by. The "Creature" speakers are
suitable for PC and Mac systems; I'll bet they'd handily impress a Linux
user for that matter.
Equally impressive is Apple's iSight, a $149 video camera (with built-in
microphone) that uses a FireWire (IEEE 1394) cable to convey picture and
data to the computer. The product works only with Macs at this point. What I
find striking is the small size, easy setup and stunning picture the device
provides. Whether I want that picture available to the rest of the world is
another matter.
One thing that should become more widely available in the weeks ahead is the
Motorola MPx200, which lists for $499, but can be had for half that price,
or less, depending on the deal you strike with either AT&T Wireless or one
of its dealers. I've seen prices ranging up and down the line, all the way
down to free after rebates. (Those probably involve two-year service
commitments, but that's something buyers would want to investigate.)
The MPx200 is a phone that can handle e-mail, Internet browsing, MP3 music
files (stereo headphones are included) and a range of other tasks including
contact management, appointments and task lists. All this in a "flip" phone
that is not at all too much to carry or remember. It's stylish (a black case
highlights the LED display on the front and the fold-up LCD display inside),
rugged, and has worked well for me in and around Washington, D.C., a place
with not a few cell phone users.
Best of all now, the phone can synchronize addresses, photos, calendar items
and to-dos with my Mac, thanks to PocketMac Smartphone 3.0, $28.88 from
www.pocketmac.net. The program supports file transfers between Microsoft's
Entourage for Mac, as well as Apple's Address Book, Mail and iCal programs.
Such convenience has been years in the making, and it's another bit of
democracy for Mac-oids: we can now use worthwhile accessories, no matter who
makes them.
Small wonders: Gadgets good and bad
The right tool for the right job
Office 2004 for Mac is coming
Good Computer Info? It's In Print
'Office' suite good for price
The Delightful Deja Vu of the iPod Mini
Another check creation option
Blocking pop-up ads
Apple's super-cool iBOOK G4
MSN, the AOL alternative?
It's Konfabu-lous (and other Mac joys)
The world on my wrist, courtesy MSN
Treo 600 is great business tool
How to make good computer choices this year
The year behind, the one ahead
Last minute gifts, and other thoughts
Something special in the air, again
Veterans Admin plans computer revolution
More holiday gifts
Holiday Shopping Ideas (One of a Series)
Now, Mr. Gates Joins War on Spam
Stopping "Phishers" From Scamming You
Staying safe online
Franklin Covey Brings Order to Outlook
Upgrades: Should you do it?
Time to dump Ma Bell?
Palm T3 widens users' options
Electronic reading
Lessons from a hurricane
Can the PC and phone really merge?
The case of the curious keyboard
The season ahead
New keyboard adds flair to motion tablet
Upgrade path smoothes a bit
Dreamweaver, make me a web
Experiments in upgrading
A tale of two headsets
A declaration of Mac-dependence
Fuji's Fine FinePix S602Zoom
In search of good Mac apps
Little gadgets make computing easier
Adobe Acrobat 6.0 scores
Toshiba's Twisting Tablet PC
HP printer a steady worker
iTunes store, Mailblocks are cool online services
Palm's objects of D-Zire
Gateway's Tablet a winner
Outlook 2003 beta: A promising program
Tungsten's handy "Dubya"
Lexmark's winning all-in-one
Wireless ways
Long distance tech support does trick
Tablet Planner software a hit
Up and down the road with Joyride
Clarion's "AutoPC" is no "Joyride"
Apple's Keynote is PowerPoint for less
Moving adventures
Traveling companions
HP's Compaq Tablet PC a winner
The war on spam continues
Browser for Mac users has good start
New Adobe software organizes photos
Techno-war
The year the PC grew up
PC meets philately: one hit, one miss
Digital Nikon camera a winner, at a price
Honey, they shrunk the COMDEX
Last-minute ideas
Microsoft's Tablet PC has promise, problems
Upgrade with a plan
Palm's New Tungsten PDA Shows Its Mettle
Nobody asked me, but ...
Love, in Quicktime
T-Mobile's sidekick a good partner
Put on a (happy, unwrinkled, tanned, whatever) face
Apple software upgrade very useful
I came, I saw, iPod
How's that? A tech critic reflects, briefly
Satellite radio gets favorable reception
HP's desktop printing marve
Mac satisfaction --- and some really good software
Off to college ... with eMachines
Have PC, must travel
After Shot manages your digital camera images
X200: Mobile worker's fantasy
Beware: Consumers face a fee for printing own checks