I just looked at the Epson Workforce 1100 wide-format printer and was quite impressed. They call it the Workforce, but I think they should have named it “the workhorse” instead. The 1100 is not a do-it-all printer. It doesn’t scan or copy or hook up to the Internet. It is not even wireless. Instead it is just a printer.But it is a stable, sturdy printer that prints very well.

This Workforce printer can print on paper as large as 13″ x 19″…. and it does so with crisp text and good color representation. Although it is not promoted as a photo printer, it prints on photo paper with a quality that will compare very favorably to photo printers. It comes with excellent software to help you print a variety of projects in different sizes.

The under $150 price is attractive as is the printer itself. The only drawback is that, because it is a wide-format printer, it is very large. So you will need a large sturdy desk or stand to put it on.  It woul be a good addition to any small office, but would also be very useful for any home user who is interested in printing various projects.

Check out my full review with pictures at the Hardware Secrets website.

Yesterday I talked about the new 3D TV, which didn’t really impress me as “the next big thing”. However, TV manufacturers are also offering other new technologies that I am finding intriguing. For instance, some new Panasonic Viera TVs will have Internet connectivity and Skype built-in. Now sitting in front of the large screen TV and being able to place a video call is something that I find appealing.

Internet connectivity is being quickly built into many televisions. Whether it is in the form of Apps or connections with companies like Netflix, the Internet connected TV is here to stay.

Samsung has an amazing a television that is only .3″ thick– about the width of a pencil. They also have a remote that not only is an exceptional remote control, but that also allows you to see the television picture on the screen on the remote. Many of the new Samsung TVs have bezels that change color depending on the light in the room.

Panasonic has improved their plasma technology and the pictures on their new plasma televisions, both 2D and 3D are really impressive.

While all these changes are nice features, they make a strong statement that television is morphing into something more than our current TVs. You can expect your next television to be the center of communications as well as entertainment. But you may want to wait to make your purchase until we see exactly where this all ends up.

I am in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) where every year the tech-savvy and gadget gurus gather to see the latest and great technologies.

One of the biggest things this year is 3D TV. In fact, the push to 3D TV is nothing short of amazing. While it was announced last year at CES, the implementation has been speedier than I ever expected. All the major TV manufacturers like Samsung and Panasonic will have 3D TV on the market in the next few months. Content providers and distributors are already in place. By June Direct TV will have three high-def 3D channels. Sporting events like the MLB All Star game will be transmitted in 3D. DreamWorks and Technicolor will be turning out movies in Blu-ray 3D very shortly.

I have never seen such a carefully orchestrated push for a new technology. The movie makers and television manufacturers are convinced that everyone wants 3D because of the popularity of 3D movies like Avatar. I, however, as not so sure that people will like the requirements. They will have to purchase a new television to view the 3D programming. They will have to purchase a new Blu-ray player that can play 3D movie disks. And they will have to wear 3D glasses to view anything in 3D.

Certainly 3D is an immersive television experience.  I just think that it is coming too quickly on the heels of the high-definition TV and Blu-ray. Too many people have already made a large investment in their entertainment equipment when they purchased new TVs to make the move to high-def.

I also don’t like the idea of wearing 3D glasses. Maybe they can convince everyone that they are cool. In fact, I am sure that there will be a very big promotional push for 3D TV. They are spending millions on the technology and its implementation.So we can expect them to spend millions more to convince everyone that they need this new technology.

The company big-wigs talked about 3D as becoming ubiquitous on televisions, laptops, and even mobile devices. I don’t see how that can happen as long as we have to wear special glasses to view 3D.

So now we are expected to purchase new televisions and new DVD players. When they do develop the 3D technology to the point where we won’t need the glasses, I guess we will have to throw out our old 3D TVs and buy new ones. Maybe this is just another product with built-in obsolescence. I am curious to see if the public can be sold on it!

I don’t know about you, but I am ready to welcome the new decade. This year we move from the 00 years to the 10s.

Some are calling the decade just past the oh-o’s.  From the beginning of the decade with the introduction of global terrorism to the end of the 00’s with economic tribulations, there were many problems and missteps in the oh-o’s.  But if you look at technology during this decade, rather than troubles and tribulations, you will see a slow evolution of growth and advancement.

In my New Years newspaper column for 2001, I made some predictions. Here are the predictions and the results.

The Internet will be faster for many.

During the past decade, millions of new Internet users were added to the online community. Millions more upgraded their Internet service to the faster broadband service. Some are even using high-speed fiber optics to access the Internet. (Unfortunately, not in our neighborhood.) The Internet has become so much a part of our lives that the word “Google” has been added to the dictionary.

Home networking will make its appearance.

Both Microsoft’s Windows 7 and Apple’s new Snow Leopard operating systems have home networking built-in. Both companies are offering family packs for three home computers. Millions of families now have two or more computers in their homes.

Music will continue to merge with the computer.

The iPod was introduced in 2001 and you know the rest of the story. People everywhere have wires hanging from their ears as they listen to digital music. Millions have digitized their music collections on the computer and download that music to their portable players. It is even becoming popular to use iPod docks or media extenders to listen to the digitized music throughout the home. Millions are also using their computers and Internet radio stations to listen to music from around the world.

Digital photography will become a popular hobby.

No one will argue that digital photography has become the norm. I haven’t seen a non-digital camera in eons. When the flashes go off, whether it’s at sporting events or a birthday party, the cameras are all digital.

Wireless and portable will be hot.

Millions of people access the Internet from their portable netbooks, laptops and/or smartphones. They can use WiFi in places like Starbucks and Paneras. Some also use a cellular connection to hook up just about anywhere. Wireless and portable are the hottest things out there today.

Internet Appliances will face a shakeout.

You might remember the push for Internet appliances back in the year 2000. They faced a big shakeout, and have reemerged as the netbooks which were one of the most popular types of computers in the last few years.

Several things that I did not talk about at the beginning of the decade have also changed our lives. Everyone from Luddites to great-grandmothers are now using cell phones. Some of you, like me, have even given up your land-line and gone all cellular. And millions of you now have smart cell phones like the iPhone that let you surf the web, play games, get satellite directions, and play music.

Television has undergone a huge transition. We now have televisions that are larger and thinner than we ever dreamed of. We have TiVos and video recorders that let us replay live TV and time-shift our TV viewing to suit our individual schedules. Hi-definition televisions and Blu-ray players produce amazingly detailed pictures. With the introduction of high-profile 3D movies like Avatar, we may even be moving into a 3-dimensional world for both movies and television.

We don’t want to forget about the many wildly popular Internet sites that have become a vital part of our world. We now have Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. You can connect with friends from around the world, get a minute-to-minute rundown of what everyone is doing, and see videos of everything from dancing cockatoos to how to stuff a turkey.

Yes, our lives have certainly changed in the last ten years. This brings us to ask “What technological advances will better our lives in the next ten years?”  We may have some big breakthroughs. Perhaps we will find the cure for cancer. Or maybe we will find a way transport objects on beams through the air. Or maybe someone will come up with a viable flying car.

There may or may not be any really big breakthroughs in the next ten years, but you can bet on one thing. Technology will continue to transform our lives in ways that none of us can even imagine.

Remember the holidays when you were a child? Whether it was a quiet dinner with close family or a more raucous celebration with extended family and friends, it was nothing like today’s celebrations. The high tech world has thoroughly infiltrated the holidays.

In days past, family celebrations were only rarely interrupted by the ring of a telephone. Today we have family members answering their cell phone almost constantly and teen-agers texting under the table cloth edge during the holiday dinner.

Years ago, everyone smiled when the camera came out and even though some of us had Polaroid cameras, most of us didn’t even think of viewing the photos or movies until weeks later. Now we can hook the movie camera up to the television and watch the movies right after they are taken. We can place the photo memory card in a digital picture frame and show off the pictures immediately. We can even pop the card into a printer and print copies for everyone. That is except for the photo of Ted, the teenager with the pimply face. His photo will undergo some Photoshopping before it is printed for posterity.

In the Christmas’ of my youth, the presents under the tree were mostly sweaters, jewelry, ties and socks. Although there was an occasional kitchen appliance for mom or a power tool for dad, you didn’t need an outlet to plug in most of the presents back then. We received toys like board games and erector sets.

Today, electronics have taken the center stage with digital cameras, cell phones, GPS devices, electronic books, electronic gaming devices, digital music players, and digital picture frames. After the presents are opened, the room will be more aglow from the LCD screens of digital devices than from the lights on the Christmas tree. Most of the today’s toys need batteries. Yes, there are still board games, but now you can play Scrabble on the computer and the new version of the Clue board game relies on cell phone texting for clues.

Santa Claus may still be making a visit, but his new Santa suit will probably come from Amazon.com rather than from a department store. And the cookies we leave him will most likely be slice-and-bake rather than home made from scratch. And if you don’t have a fireplace for Santa, you can turn your computer screen into a virtual one with websites like FauxFilre.com (www.fauxfire.com).
Instead of music from the radio, vinyl records, or cassettes, many families will be listening to digital music from their iPods or computers. Some will listen to Christmas music from around the world through the Internet. They will be listening to this either on their computers or on an Internet radio.

In fact, some of the younger crowd will have wires handing from their ears as they will forgo the Christmas music and instead listen to their own choice of music. Some families will still sing carols. Instead of using mimeographed sheet music, however, they will, no doubt, have the words printed out from the Internet.
If the kid’s want to watch TV when the party starts to wind down, there will be no turning the dial to find a television show. We can go right to Frosty the Snowman that we recorded on the DVR, or the copy of The Christmas Story that we rented from Netflix.

The holidays of yesterday were great, but the holidays of today are not all bad. They are just different. As we miss some of the traditions and the way things were in the good old days, but we can embrace some of the new technologies that make today’s holidays a little better a little brighter.

Merry Christmas to all.

Okay, I think I am in love with a camera! I’ve never said that about a camera before, but the Rebel T1i has really turned my head. I looked at the Rebel about 3 years ago and thought it was a good camera, but the changes that Canon has made have turned it into a really good camera.

They have updated the menu system  and to make it more user-friendly. The 3″ LCD is beautifully crisp and clear. The 15 megapixel CMOS sensor produces excellent photos with good color reproduction. The buttons and controls are well-placed and easy to use. On top of that, they have added the ability to take high def  movies. While the 1080p movies are shot at a slower 20 frames, the 720p movies are shot at 30 frames and look good enough to satisfy me.  At about $799 for the camera and lens kit, this is a great SLR. You can read my full review with photos at  HardwareSecrets.com.

Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i 150-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera – Black This powerful digital SLR camera features a 15.0-megapixel CMOS sensor that lets you capture true high-definition video and still images with ease. Learn more about the Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i.

Yesterday I spoke to a group of PC users at our local community college. When the topic of cell phones came up the crowd became quite animated. They wanted to talk about iPhones and Droids and why their calls get dropped. The thing that really amazed me was that even though some of them didn’t understand the concept of cell towers or how cellular communications work, they were all convinced that Verizon is better than AT&T because Verizon’s blue map has more dots than AT&Ts red map. This is a true testament to power of television advertising and the genius behind the current crop of holiday ads that Verizon is running. If you haven’t seen them yet, just surf over to YouTube and type in “Verizon Holiday Ads”. They each have a great holiday theme. They are not only cute, but, as my recent experience exhibited, they are positively memorable. How many times have you seen a commercial ad and not remembered which product it featured?  Not so with the Verizon ads. Everyone came off with a Verizon is good and AT&T is bad concept.  It doesn’t get much better than that for brand recognition!

Nintendo’s Wii gaming system is like no other. While Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation focus on improved graphics and fast-paced action, the Wii focuses on fun.

The Wii’s graphics can’t compare to the graphics of the other new gaming systems, but once you start playing you get so caught up in the games that the graphics don’t matter. You see, when you play with the Wii, you don’t just move your thumbs. The motion sensitive wireless controller will have you out of your chair and moving about. You really get into the game.

The controller looks like a TV remote which you hold in your hand and move to perform certain functions. So to bowl, you actually go through the motions of throwing the bowling ball. In golf you swing the remote just like is a golf club. In Excite Truck, you turn and twist the remote to steer the truck. The remote comes with a wrist strap and I highly recommend that you tighten it around your wrist when you play to prevent accidental release.

One of the wonderful things about the Wii is that both the games and the way they are played are appealing to adults of all ages. I wouldn’t even consider taking on a twenty-something in a shoot-em-up game that requires finger dexterity. But I’d be happy to take them on in a game of Wii baseball or bowling.

TheWii game console itself is a small (1.75 inches by 6.25 inches by 8.5 inches), sleek white device. The console comes with everything you need to connect the Wii to your television. It has a wireless controller, a motion-sensitive nunchuk (secondary controller used in some games), a sensor bar that is set on top or in front of the television,  a cradle (for mounting the console vertically), the power adapter, and a set of composite A/V cables. The Wii Sports package with baseball, bowling, boxing, golf, and tennis, is also included.

Setup is simple. Follow the Quick Start guide to plug everything in. Then turn the TV to the proper input, like Video 2 or Video 3. (This will differ depending on which input you plugged the cables into.) The games come on a CD which is easily inserted into the game unit. If the game doesn’t start, it means that you inserted the CD in the wrong direction, as I did on my first try. Just press the eject button and insert with the CD facing the other direction. Software setup is fairly straightforward, like entering your name and choosing the number of opponents and difficulty of the game.

Wii has wireless network built-in. It can hook up to a secure WEP or WPA encrypted network or to a wired network with an optional adapter.

The Wii’s navigation is done through an interface that Nintendo calls “channels.”  There is a Weather channel, a News Channel and a Message Channel that can be used if the unit is hooked up to your Internet connection. There is also Mii Channel where you can customize your own Miis. These are the cute little roly-poly avatars that are used in many of the games. There is also a Photo Channel which can be used to view and edit photos. You can load up to 1,000 photos through the Wii’s SC card slot and can view them individually or in albums. You can also create a slideshow with music.

There are lots of accessories for the Wii and you may want to purchase a few of them. Although you can play many of the games alone, an extra remote is almost a necessity to really have fun with two players.

Games for the GameCube can also be played on the Wii, but they don’t take advantage of the Wii’s motion sending capabilities. To play them as you are used to, you may want to purchase a classic controller for the Wii.

Then, of course, you will want to buy some games. The has plethora of games including Nintendo classics like Zelda, Mario and others. In addition you can buy Wii Point Cards to purchase classic games like Alien Crush, Pinball, Poker, Sim City, and others. Hits from the Sega Genesis and Nintendo 64 systems will also be available. If you remember playing asteroids or other retro games, you’ll love this feature.

This is a game system that will last. As game designers work with the Wii, they will find new and innovative ways to employ the systems motion-controlled interface. So there are sure to be many inventive new games in the future.

Many gamers will find the Wii’s pricing very attractive. The game console with everything you need to set it up and the Sports Package can be purchased for $199.

Nintendo Wii

Nintendo Wii Designed for kids ages five to 95, the revolutionary Nintendo Wii isn’t just a next-generation system it’s an all-generation system. The innovative minds at Nintendo discovered that the evolution of gaming has made video games very complex, and those who once enjoyed playing games with their entire families have become alienated. The Wii is pronounced “we” for a reason it symbolizes Nintendo’s driving philosophy: this system is for everyone. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer, a casual player or a grandparent who’d like to play a game with your grandchild, the Wii will provide you with a wondrous experience that returns gaming to simpler times while also defining a new age of game development. In addition to amazingly realistic next-generation graphics and a variety of outstanding titles to choose from, the true magic of the Wii starts right in the palm of your hand the controller. The unique Wii Remote controller is wireless and motion-sensitive, allowing you to use everyday motions to simulate the motions in your game. The Nunchuk controller attaches to the Wii Remote and uses an analog stick along with motion-sensing technology to assist in character movement. Imagine yourself in the thrilling world of Wii Sports, the awesome, action-packed sports game included with your Wii console. Using your Wii Remote controller, you’ll chase down powerful tennis serves, add touch to your golf swing to avoid tricky sand traps, overpower speeding fastballs to knock them out of the baseball park and more. The Wii Channel Menu, which is the first screen that will appear on your TV, provides a simple user interface that includes the Video Console Channel, News Channel, Forecast Channel, Photo Channel, Internet Channel, Wii Message Board and the Wii Shop Channel. Using the Mii Channel, you can even create playable caricatures of yourself called Miis that you can use in a variety of Wii applications. With an innovative motion-sensitive controller and the Wii Channel Menu, the Wii will truly make you feel less like just a player and more like you’re really part of the game. The Wii system has been wildly popular since its release. The Wii, the games, and the price are sure to appeal to the baby boomers whether they want to play alone or with the younger crowd. If you are into shoot-em up games and hard rock, look at a PS3 or an Xbox. If you want to taste some old-fashioned fun with a hi-tech twist, try the Wii. To see pictures and an even more detailed review, click over to Hardware Secrets.com.

Nokia, the world’s largest cell phone manufacturer is recalling about 14 million cell phone chargers. Charges involved in the recall are labeled AC-3U, AC-3E, or AC-4U. These chargers were manufactured between April 12th and October 15th of this year (2009).

The outer case of these chargers is defective and can open unexpectedly causing a shocking effect. If you think you may have one of these, head over to  chargerexchange.nokia.com and enter the details in the form provided. Nokia is offering a free replacement.

This Lexmark all-in-One printer is one of the new Internet-connected printers. Not only does it print, scan, and copy, but you can get the weather, your personal calendar, or stock information on its screen. You can print photos directly from a memory card. You can automate tasks like emailing a scanned document to a certain group of people. You can even use the printer’s screen like a digital picture frame to show off your photos. It can be set to automatically print on both sides of the paper.

The printer has the best touch screen that I’ve seen on a printer. It also had very good print quality and performs all functions more than adequately. So what’s not to like?  Well — I spent several hours on the phone with Lexmark tech support to get the printer set up and wound up with the printer printing, but throwing up a Windows error every time it prints. The Internet connectivity which is accessed by mini programs that Lexmark calls Smart Solutions,  is difficult to set up and use. And not too many solutions are currently available.

However, I must give  Lexmark an A for effort. After I posted my review on Hardware Secrets, they contacted me to try to resolve the problem so that other users will not be confronted with the same errors. They have not yet notified me with the resolution, but I am sure it will be forthcoming.

Here is my summary:

The print quality and good solid print, scan, and copy functionality make this a good All-in-One. The wireless networking was easy to set up, but Lexmark obviously has some problems with their interconnectivity. While adding features and Internet connectivity is certainly admirable, the average consumer doesn’t want to spend hours on the phone with tech support to set up a new printer and certainly doesn’t want to use a printer that throws up errors every time it prints. I might have had more of a tendency to recommend this printer if their tech support could have solved our problems in a timely manner. This printer is a part of a brand new line for Lexmark and perhaps the problems that we had will be resolved, but there is no guarantee.

That said, the touch screen is superior. The interface is clear and easy. While the SmartSolutions might be a reason for a techie to purchase this printer, this technology is still in its infancy. There will have to be a lot more applications that are easier to use before the average person will want to make the leap.

While the S605’s quality and performance are excellent, the problems that came along with this printer make it difficult for me to recommend it.

Pros

• Excellent large touch screen
• Great easy-to-use interface
• Speedy printing
• Wireless networking  is easy to set up
• Customizable SmartSolution applications
• Good quality prints

Cons

• SmartSolutions difficult to configure
• Difficult to  close the touch screen
• Plagued by software/driver/connectivity problems

My full review including pictures can be found at Hardware Secrets.

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