Tag: tablets

New Barnes & Noble Nooks & Streaming Video Service & Other Items of Tech Note!

Linda Reimer

New Barnes & Noble Nooks: On the tablet front, Barnes & Noble introduced two new Nooks on Wednesday; the Nook HD and the Nook HD+. The former is a 7” tablet and the later a 9” tablet. Both tablets have improved screen resolution over previous Nook models. In addition, they are family friendly because they have the capability of allowing up to six people to log in individually and personalize the Nook via their individual log ins. The tablets both have parental controls as well so parents can decide what their children can access e-book and app-wise. Both models will be coming out November 1st and can be pre-ordered from Barnes & Noble now.

Here’s a link to the B&N Nook description page if you’d like to see all the bells and whistles these new tablets offer:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/nook/379003208

New Barnes & Noble Streaming Video Service: On the video streaming front, B&N announced this week that it is rolling out a video streaming service. This new service will allow Nook owners to rent, buy and view television shows and movies from Barnes & Noble on their Nook tablets.  In addition, this new service, like Amazon’s Instant Video service, will allow people to purchase and view video content on other devices – so you’ll be able to watch B&N videos on your Nook and also, via apps or a software download, to your PC, smartphone, iPad, Galaxy Tab etc.

Here’s a link to a CNET article on the subject titled Nook Video Opens New Chapter for B&N e-Reader:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-57519573-251/nook-video-opens-new-chapter-for-b-n-e-reader/

California Approves Self Driving Cars: On Tuesday (9-25), California Governor Jerry Brown really did sign that law that will allow self-driving cars on California roads!

PC Magazine offers a nice article on the subject titled California Governor Signs Self-Driving Car Bill Into Law – here’s the link:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2410180,00.asp

And if you’d rather watch your news – here’s a link to a YouTube video that shows the governor signing the bill with Google co-founder Sergey Brin looking on!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAHdX2I4fuE&feature=player_embedded#!

CNET Reports You Can Sign up for a Free Year of Sirius Internet Radio: CNET has an article on their site today titled Freebie Friday Get A Free Year of Sirius XM Internet Radio; it relays the news that the company know for its Car Satellite Radio service actually offers an Internet Radio service too. The service is similar to Pandora and Spotify in that you can access it via apps on your tablet or smartphone and also via the web. The service usually costs $14.99 per month but right now Sirius is offering a free one year subscription to the service – available for a limited time only. Here’s the link:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13845_3-57522181-58/freebie-friday-get-a-free-year-of-siriusxm-internet-radio/

Have a great weekend everyone!

Linda R. 

Tablets Gaining in Popularity & iPod Touch Gateway to Apple Product Adoption

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, I’ve got two related tech subjects to bring to your attention today! The first subject is the growing adoption of tablets like the iPad, Galaxy Tab and Google Nexus 7 and the second, and related article, is on the subject of how purchasing an iPod Touch can be a gateway to purchasing additional Apple products.

On The Growing Adoption of Tablets: According to the tech site ZDNET one in four tablet owners say that their tablet is now their primary computer. And that fact is not surprising considering that PC sales are falling and tablet sales are growing by leaps and bounds. And I think tablet adoption makes sense for many, many people. Consider that many people only need to use a computer to do light web browsing and send email and tablets are ideal for that! And a tablet is also a Wi-Fi connecting device that can be easily picked up and carried with you which of course is not something you can do with a PC!

For more information click on the following link to access the ZDNET article titled 1 in 4 tablet owners say it is now their primary computer:

http://www.zdnet.com/1-in-4-tablet-owners-say-it-is-now-their-primary-computer-7000004770/

iPod Touch Gateway to Apple Product Adoption: If you follow the mainstream news a part of your day as I do you couldn’t have missed the fact that Apple introduced its new iPhone – the iPhone 5 last week. And tech fan that I am I’m going to publically disclose something non-tech about myself right now. As much as I love Apple products I have never owned an iPhone and I’m not going to by buying the iPhone 5 either. And in answer to the obvious question of “Why not?” it is because of cost. Oh, not the initially cost of the phone one can obtain an iPhone for the reasonable smartphone price of $199 with a cellular contract – my objection is to the price of that aforementioned cellular contract. Now of course I work in a public library surrounded by wired phones each day and I live in a house that is just across town from the library so I don’t need a cell phone to use in my working life*

Having said all of that I do have a device that is very much like an iPhone. It has all the iPhone capabilities except the ability to make cellular phone calls. You can make internet phone calls including Skype calls with it but you have to be in range of a Wi-Fi network. And of course the device I have is an iPod Touch. Now Apple also announced a new iPod Touch (5th generation model) on the same day that it announced the iPhone 5. And the new iPod touch which has a 4” Retina Display and more storage by far than my old 8 GB iPod touch – that is a device I will be buying as soon as it is released in October!

And you might wonder what any of that has to do, specifically, with people purchasing the iPod Touch and then that being a gateway to purchasing additional Apple products…And my answer to that is that I can clearly see why buying an iPod Touch could eventually lead someone to buy more Apple products.

Purchasing an iPod Touch opens up the Internet connected world to a person in a way that a PC really doesn’t. You can use an iPod Touch anywhere you have an Internet connection which is in most restaurants (local ones include McDonalds, Bob Evans & The Central), hotels, in many grocery stores (like Wegmans) and other places of business and you can set it up to be able to access your email, take photos, play your favorite app games, read free library e-books (you don’t need Internet connectivity either once you’ve downloaded the e-book to your iPod), listen to music, listen to audio books, watch videos and do many other things that honestly you can all do on a PC today at least not in the same way… and you can put an iPod in your pocket or purse and easily take it with you!

And then there is the money factor – an iPod Touch is of course a Wi-Fi only device so there is no monthly contract involved. You purchase an iPod Touch and that is it as far as shelling out money for that specific device goes. Granted if you don’t have Wi-Fi set up at home (which is easy to do by the way if you have wired Internet access) then you need to go somewhere else to use Wi-Fi but as I mentioned most restaurants, public libraries and other places of business that people congregate (coffee houses like Starbucks or Barnes & Noble come to mind to) – as increasingly people expect to be able to access Wi-Fi wherever they go.

And then there is the price of the device itself. iPod Touch costs a reasonable price – right now you can buy the 8 GB 4th generation model from Best Buy for $179 or the 16 GB 4th generation version for $199; and the new and improved iPod Touch 5 (which has more bells and whistles) will come in six colors and two storage sizes a 32 GB version for $299 or a 64 GB model for $399 (today the Best Buy site has that 64 GB model listed as available for pre-order for $329)

And as a final thought I think many people who buy an iPod Touch and see what they can really do with it – which is a lot! – they then think “Hmmm, this is a great device but a larger screen would be nice too…and then the upgrade to an iPad which of course has a 9.7” screen. And the entry level iPad (the 2nd generation model) can be purchased for $399. And then if you’re like me and you want a larger screen still – you might just purchase an iMac as those 21.5” and 27” iMac screens are great!

And here the link to the article that inspired me to write glowingly about the iPod Touch – it too is from the ZDNET site and is called The iPod Touch is a Gateway Drug:

http://www.zdnet.com/the-ipod-touch-is-a-gateway-drug-7000004745/

Have a great day everyone!

Linda R.

* I do in fact have a very simple smartphone – it is a Tracfone Samsung LG 800 – a touch screen smartphone. A very basic smart phone to be sure but it only costs me $20 four times a year to have it and it works for me for the few times a year I use it!

What the Library Has to Offer Tech Wise

Linda Reimer

This posting is a bit different from my usual postings that relay and comment on tech news. Instead of discussing what is new in the tech world I thought today I’d discuss what type of tech related items you can access or check out at our library. And you may know about some of these items and services but I’d be surprised if anyone reading this knows about every item on the list!

And here’s a list of many of tech related items and services you can obtain via the Southeast Steuben County Library.

Access free Wi-Fi – bring in your tablet, laptop or other internet connecting device and surf the web!

Free assistance with tech usage questions – if you just bought a new PC, Mac, e-reader, iPad or other tech device and have questions about how to use it – come to the library  and let our tech staff show  you the tech ropes. You can even make an appointment for a one-one-one tech session to sit down with a tech staff member and go over your questions in a leisurely manner.

Free tech programs and workshops – we have an ongoing series of tech workshops and programs that will offer you free instruction on a variety of topics including: how to use Excel, how to use your digital camera, how to edit photos, how to use a computer (the basics), where to find cooking apps and/or websites etc.

E-Books – E-Books may be read on e-readers, smart phones, tablets, PCs, Macs and other devices and are available through the STLS Digital Catalog found on the Library’s homepage at SSCLIBRARY.ORG

Circulating E-Readers – with three pre-loaded e-books a piece – want to read the Shades of Gray or Hunger Games trilogy or the new James Patterson book in e-book form and don’t own an e-reader…Check out one of ours today!

Downloadable audio books – also available through the STLS Digital Catalog and downloadable to a variety of devices including PCs and tablets so if you need a new audio book to listen to on a Sunday evening check out a downloadable audio book.
Downloadable videos and music – again these are available through the STLS Digital Catalog which may be accessed via our homepage found at SSCLIBRARY.ORG – we have only just started adding videos and music to the catalog so please peruse the titles and let us know what you think! (Note: the videos and music will play on only a  handful of portable devices but can be watched or listened to on a PC.

Free Databases: Just go to the Library’s homepage and click on the Reference Link and then the Subscription Services Link and you’ll be able to access a number of databases that we pay for but you don’t! And you will need your library card to access the databases which include:

Heritage Quest – to assist with your genealogical searches

Chilton Library – to assist you if you need to repair a car

Business & Company Resource Center – to assist you in finding basic information about a business including items like how much the company makes in a year and where the company’s corporate offices are located etc.

Health Reference Center – to assist you in searching for information on all things medical

Audiobookcloud.com – this is a streaming service for audio books so unlike the audio books available through the STLS Digital Catalog you stream the audio books found via this link from the cloud

Literature Resource Center & Twayne Author Databases – to find information on literature and/or authors

NOVEL List – this one is a neat reader’s advisory site – for example, if you like books by Stephen King, John Grisham or Danielle Steel you ‘ll be able to search for similar authors. And likewise if you like a specific title you’ll be able to search for other books in that same vein.

EBSCO Animals – this one is made great use of by students who can learn about various animals for their elementary or middle school projects

And for adults searching for credible information on a variety of sources for personal or high school/college research:

ART MUSEUM IMAGE GALLERY – a digital archive of visual works of art

OMNIFILE FULL TEXT SELECT (H.W. Wilson) – for full text scholarly journals

INFOTRAC NEWSSTAND  – this one has Full-text newspaper database

NATIONAL NEWSPAPER INDEX and this one offers access to indexed articles from the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Christian Science Monitor, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times

NY STATE NEWSPAPERS – this database allows you to search for stories and articles that have appeared in New York State newspapers

ACADEMIC OneFile this database offers peer-reviewed, full-text articles from the world’s leading journals and reference sources, from Gale and NOVEL

GENERAL OneFile  – a one-stop source for full text news and periodical articles on a wide range of topics. Updated daily, from Gale and NOVEL

FUNK & WAGNALLS NEW WORLD ENCYCLOPEDIA – A wide variety of reliable source material

GROLIER ONLINE  – Encyclopedias & encyclopedic multimedia resources for students of all ages, with AP news feed

And

OCLC FIRST SEARCH Database of library collections from around the world, an STLS* member library subscription resource

We have all those tech related items and services and more! If you have any questions about this list please let me know. You can post a comment on the blog or send me an email!

Have a great day!

Linda R.

REIMERL@STLS.ORG

The New Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Tablet & More On Windows 8

Linda Reimer

The New Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Tablet: Samsung has introduced a new tablet the Galaxy Note 10.1. The Galaxy Note is a 10.3” Android tablet. It is running the 4.04 pre-Jelly Bean software (translation it is not the latest version of the Android operating system which is called Jelly Bean); it comes with a stylus and is the first tablet to offer split screen viewing of apps although not all apps can be displayed in split screen mode. The most notable thing about this tablet is that it has a greater stylus functionality than most other tablets; so if you like to drawn or take hand-written notes you may wish to check out this tablet. If on the other hand a stylus isn’t for you there are other tablets that maybe a better fit for your needs including the tablet that still makes up more than 60% of all tablet sales today – the iPad.

Here’s a link to a New York Times article, titled A Tablet Straining To Do It All, that offers a look at the Galaxy Note 10.1:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/16/technology/personaltech/samsungs-rival-for-the-ipad-loads-on-the-features.html?_r=1&ref=technology

And an in-depth review from the tech site CNET:

http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/samsung-galaxy-note-10/4505-3126_7-35150647.html

More On Windows 8: The tech site Gizmodo today offers an in-depth review of the upcoming Windows 8 operating system. This is notable because if you buy a new PC after the end of October this is the OS that will be running the computer and it is markedly different in looks and functionality than its predecessor Windows 7. In fact I’d say that Windows 8 is so different in looks from Windows 7 that it makes the comparison of the changes between Windows XP and Windows 7 look like the proverbial Sunday picnic.

I’ve seen a preview of Windows 8 and just to re-iterate it is really different in how it looks and in much of its functionality than Windows 7. You can do most of the same things with Windows 8 that you can do with Windows 7 just in a different way and the Start Menu has become a discarded feature just to give you an idea of how big the changes are!

Here’s a link a Gizmodo review of Windows 8:

http://gizmodo.com/5934932/windows-8-review-incredibly-innovative-incredibly-important-not-quite-incredible

Linda R.

Video Goes Full Circle & Where Are The Paper Maps?

Linda Reimer

VideoGoes Full Circle: The earliest video screens were very tiny. In the eighteen nineties when commercial videos made their debut; viewers had to watch small videos on very small screens housed inside cabinets called Kinetoscopes. And as time went on video technology advanced and people could go to the movies and watch larger than life characters on the big screen. And of course today, large HDTVs are found in almost every home. And yet more people today are watching smaller videos than at anytime since the pre-cinema, Kinetoscope era. They are watching videos on the go on their tablets and smart phones – and so in a sense watching video has come full circle from the solitary experience of early video watchers who had to squint at the small characters on the screen inside a cabinet, to the communal experience of watching films on the big screen, through the television era and now to an era that combines huge HDTVs in homes with portable small screens to go!

The New York Times has a cool article today that relays the history of video watching from its beginnings in the Victorian Era through today. It is titled Yes, Norma Desmond, the Pictures Are Getting Small Again – here’s the link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/technology/movie-screens-small-to-big-to-small-again-digital-domain.html?_r=1&ref=technology

Where Are The Paper Maps? Anyone over the age of, oh, say about 35; will probably remember going on family vacations, back in the day, and pouring over paper maps to see what sites you were going to see in advance or simply using them as a guide to find  your way. Paper maps were plentiful then and seemed to be available free of charge at every gas station and National Park. Fast forward to today and paper maps are scarce and cost money to obtain. And the reason for the coming obsolescence of paper maps is two-fold: A. paper maps cost money to print and B. fewer people than ever before are using paper maps in the smart phone, tablet & GPS era. And that latter point is the larger one of the two! When you can take out your smart phone or tablet or access the GPS system in your car and see exactly where you are, and correspondingly where you want to go – you probably aren’t going to be looking to purchase paper maps; unless of course the maps are for your sixth grader’s geography project!

Here’s a link to an NPR/Associated Press article titled GPS, Apps Make Paper Maps Harder To Find that offers a cool history of American map usage in recent years – and how it has changed!

http://www.npr.org/2012/07/03/156181268/gps-apps-make-paper-maps-harder-to-find

Linda R.

Google Introduces A Tablet & A Media Streaming Device

Linda Reimer

Today Google jumped into the tablet and media streaming market by introducing a 7” tablet called the Nexus 7 and a media streaming player called the Nexus Q.

The Nexus 7 will be a Wi-Fi tablet, have a 1280 x 800 HD display, have Bluetooth capability, will be running the latest Google OS Jelly Bean and have a front facing camera for video chatting. It will go on sale in July and cost $199.

Here’s a link to an interactive CNET review of the Nexus 7 if  you’d like to see what it looks like!

http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/google-nexus-7-8gb/4505-3126_7-35338333.html?tag=TOCcarouselMain.0

The Google Nexus Q streaming media player will join media players like the Apple TV and Roku boxes. It will stream music and videos from the Android/Google cloud to your television or speakers and can be controlled by Android tablets and smartphones. It will list for $299 and will also go on sale in July.

Here’s a link to the first CNET review of the Google Q:

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-media-receivers/google-nexus-q/4505-6739_7-35339164.html

Linda R.