Gadgets and VoIP

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iRiver Wave Home

Looking for something that can do a little more than just the usual VoIP or voice recording? iRiver’s Wave Home not only does VoIP, but it also many other multimedia functions.  It contains a 7″ LCD screen, and a wireless headset that not only does the duties of an average headset, but can be used as remote to control the Wave Home Station.   The gadget comes packed with a 1.3 megapixel camera, this will come in handy when you want to participate in a video chat.  The list of impressive features doesn’t stop there.

The device works as a cordless phone, placing free or low-cost calls over the web. Of course, it receives calls as well.

How To Send Email When You're Dead

"The Last Messages Club" is a new service that sends personal emails written prior to one's death to loved ones in the future. The messages can range from a final love letter, guidance for someone left behind, a list of instructions, or details on life insurance and other financial information. Photos, videos and documents can also be attached. Organizers insist The Last Messages Club is in no way ghoulish but eases the stress and trauma associated with the death of a loved one.

You can use The Last Messages Club to:

HP Restores Creased Photos With Flatbed Scanners

I haven't seen this yet but it certainly sounds interesting: Scientists at Hewlett-Packard have developed a technique to detect creases in photographs using standard, unmodified flatbed scanners. Once correctly scanned into a computer, software can determine where the photograph's defect is, and artificially correct it to remove any trace of a crease or fold. The result is a spotless JPEG scan from a creased photo, with absolutely no modified hardware and no technical know-how required on the part of the user.

Hackers Crack UK's National ID Card in 12 Minutes

The U.K.'s new National ID cards are supposed to be "unforgeable." Embedded inside the card is a microchip with the details of its bearer held in electronic form: name, date of birth, physical characteristics, fingerprints and so on, together with other information such as immigration status and whether the holder is entitled to State benefits. Unforgeable or not, Adam Laurie successfully forged one in twelve minutes.

Free Anti-Virus Programs

I have no idea why this information isn't better known. Free anti-virus programs are some of the best bargains I know of for Windows users, and yet many people have never heard of them.

First of all, every Windows computer needs an anti-virus program running at all times. If you are running a Windows computer right now without up-to-date anti-virus software, your system will become infected with a virus sooner or later. In fact, your PC may be infected right now without your knowledge. Yet there is a free and easy method of avoiding viruses.

If you already have an anti-virus program installed, there are several things you should know:

Another Online Backup Solution

Online backup services are popping up everywhere – and for good reason. I would suggest that every computer user needs a good backup plan that includes storing of data off-site. Anyone who has data worth keeping needs to have at least two fresh backups at all times: one stored locally near the computer and another stored some distance away. The distant backup provides insurance against theft, fire, floods, hurricanes, and other local disasters that will destroy local backups, along with the computer(s).

Online backup services have been around for years, serving commercial customers at rather high prices. Commercial services, such as Iron Mountain Digital, typically charge $100 a month or more to back up data off-site. Mozy was the first company to successfully go after the consumer marketplace and then has been followed by many others. I currently use Backblaze to back up the Macintosh and Windows systems in my home and am pleased with that company's $5 a month service.

Now still another company is advertising its services to consumers, and at attractive prices. Best of all, some of its services are FREE for personal use.

More Thoughts About "Skype versus Gizmo5"

I posted an article two days ago entitled "Skype versus Gizmo5." A number of obviously satisfied Skype customers sent e-mails to me with a more or less common theme: this would be a terrible thing for those who use Skype daily to talk with friends and relatives around the world.

I disagree.

Skype versus Gizmo5

Skype is presently embroiled in a legal battle that may force the popular service to shut down. Details may be found at http://www.theage.com.au/technology/biz-tech/shock-threat-to-shut-skype-20090731-e3qe.html. If Skype goes away, will more than 40 million active daily users around the world be left without service?

Not really. In fact, there are a number of similar services already in operation and many of them work as well as, or even better than, Skype.

Skype has a dozen or so small competitors, most of them are companies you never heard of. I use both Skype and Gizmo5, a competitor to Skype that offers a better service (in my opinion) and has almost identical pricing. Calls from a Gizmo5 user to another Gizmo5 user anywhere in the world are always free of charge, the same as calls from one Skype user to another Skype user.