This is what it would take for me to get rid of my smartphone

Below is a video from Google called Project Glass.  Its all about their take on augmented reality (AR).  Folks, this is the future. I am ready for this yesterday!!!







Obviously this is the next evolution of of smartphones, its just an on person computer with an amazing interface and very innovative display.  LETS GO GOOGLE!

NEW GADGET!

NEW GADGET!

Today I just wanted to share a quick post about a new gadget I got the other day that I really like! Its the Logitech M510 Laser Mouse. I looked at a lot of mice, both in the stores and online. I wanted one that wasn't too heavy but also fit my hand. On this mouse I especially like the rubber type texture on side as it keeps my thumb in place. Another feature I wanted was a couple more buttons for back and forward in my web browser - which this mouse has of course. And, unlike several others I tried, these are easy to get to without shifting my hand on the mouse. This mouse also has the standard scroll wheel that will go both up and down, but also left and right, which is nice! The last thing i'll mention that I like about this, and that really pushed me over the edge to decide on it, was the "tiny Logitech Unifying receiver". It really is tiny too, I leave it plugged in to my laptop all the time, even when its in the bag. Anyway I looked at a LOT of mice and now that I found one I like I just wanted to share, and maybe save someone else some time!

Check it out!

And always Remember, Stay Passionate
about your inner Geek! 

-C 

Daylight Savings and a VCR?

Current Time

DST SUX

Today is, as i'm sure you already know, Daylight Savings day.  If you are outside the US or happen to live in a few of the states that don't observe DST well count yourself lucky.  Basically, we had to change all our clocks forward 1 hour.  An despite it feeling like 5AM when the alarm went off this morning it was showing 6:00AM. It did get me to thinking about how in our technological world we have found ways to deal with however. For most clocks, most of my life, it means manually advancing the clock 1 hour, or later in the fall, advancing it all the way around 11 hours (or 23 hours if digital am/pm).  However, we forget just how many clocks there really are all around us.  I for one seem to fine random watches or the clock on the stove or whatever weeks later that I forgot and suddenly get into a panic!  On the other hand there are several devices I have that really just do it right.  Like my iPhone, no notice, nothing pops up, it just knows i'm in Texas, and at 1:59a it changes to 3:00a.  SO NICE.   And this really has become my time keeping device of record for me. Same thing with my Windows PC and my MAC.

I also have a clock I got a few years that uses the wireless atomic clock sync signal to set itself.  It isn't as fancy at my phone by far to be smart enough to change automatically for DST, but it has a slider switch for the time zones in the US on the back as well as a DST switch.  I just flip the DST switch and boom, done.  I just love how simple it is.  But then there are the other ones...



The Proverbial "VCR clock" 
Proverbial, because seriously who has a VCR anymore?! The ones that just don't want to be set. EVER.  The one for me is my New Balance N4 Heart Rate Monitor.  Now don't get me wrong, it has a lot of great tech built into it! Its got the chest strap, and it works really great for showing my heart rate, calories burned, time in zone and all sorts of things... And, its actually really helped me lose some weight.  But dammit if I have to Google the instructions every time I want to change the clock. Why cant we get some sort of standard here?  We almost do actually, i'd say about 99% of my other watches just require to either hold in "mode" or just cycle through the modes and then use the other button to chance the time.  But this one is a little more complicated, granted since it has so many features it has more buttons and there is only so much room... But still.  So basically, you go to mode and switch from showing your heart rate, to showing the time, then hold in Mode, then press the light/set button while it cycles through all the settings you can change.  Next I think you have to and hop up and down on one foot while reciting alphabet backward. Or something about like like that.  If you have one or are getting one, make sure you save the instructions!  Anyway, as technical as I am, and as much as I love my gadgets, I just leave it wrong.  But hey, its correct for about 1/2 of the year and it stays in HR mode anyway and I only wear it while working out... so it not a big deal. Right?  Ok...it is bit of a geeky shame for me :-(

And for the record, I ALWAYS had our family VCR clock correctly set growing up, it was even a point of pride for me.  But hey, you may have noticed i'm a bit of a nerd, geek, tech...  But i'm proud to say, I've always been a geek, and I come from a long line of them!  But that's a story for another day!


Wishlist!


Ok So i got to looking arround on Amazon and I found an AWESOME watch by casio that is SO going on my wishlist!  Its called the: Casio Men's GW700A-1V G-Shock Solar Atomic Watch

First of all its a watch that also receives atomic time updates from Fort Collins Colorado!  And, it adjusts for DST on its own!! OMG!  And, if my nerdgasm wast already in full swing, its Solar powered. woah. Plus all the normal stuff you need like, Stopwatch, and 4 alarms, backlight, water resist, etc.  Click on the link above and check it out yourself and see what you think.  Anyway, my gadget lust is showing so I need to stop now I think! LOL



How about you?
What is one clock that you have that handles DST change especially well for you?
And, the opposite, what is YOUR "VCR clock" that one thing just refuses to be set??

And always Remember, Stay Passionate about your inner Geek! -C

Welcome to the Passionate Geek!

Here we celebrate our passion for gadgets and all sorts of tech!

My goal here is to be able to share my passion for these things with you!  One of the other goals i'd like to keep in mind here is to also offer advise and my experience with various products and services to help you, my readers make a better decision.

If you have an idea or a request for a technology topic there is a very good chance I've had my hands on it and/or read a lot about it!  Just ask!

Along those same lines, I do tech support for for 9-5 and I also will be posting tips and tricks for Windows and Mac, and many various popular applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint), as well as other tech related topics from beginner to advanced, such as setting up a home wireless network and Wifi security.


My wife and I also are expecting our first child soon (Oct 2012) and I'm sure i'll be combining my passion for tech with that as well.  Some ideas I already have are having you guys follow along with me and my decision on getting one of those fancy wireless video baby monitors!



Just remember, no matter what you do, be passionate about it!

Christian, The Passionate Geek