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I know there are a few Blackberry Playbook tablet users out there. According to Phandroid BB Playbook users can expect the OS 2.0 update that will give you among other features
- native email client
- the ability to play Android apps….
The phandroid story can be found on their site (link) BlackBerry Playbook OS 2.0 Update Coming Next Month – Runtime For Android Lets Users Run Android Apps and Games http://phandroid.com/?p=81937 (http://phandroid NULL.com/?p=81937)
A friend of mine got a Kindle fire for Christmas (as I’m sure millions of others did to). One of the things she discovered is that the Kindle Fire does NOT recognize or open eBooks that are in the .ePub format. Personally I think its strange that Amazon would not include ePub format in the kindle reader as ePub books seem to be one of the most common eBook formats (at least based on what I see when surfing the web). My friend was disappointed as she already had a large collection of ePub formatted books that she was hoping to load on her Kindle Fire.
So that’s where todays post starts, “How to do get the Kindle Fire to recognize an ePub book”? Lets start with the following, “What eBook formats can you read on the Fire”? The answer is ……….(Insert Drum Roll here)………List from Amazons (LINK) Kindle Fire Page (http://www NULL.amazon NULL.com/Kindle-Fire-Amazon-Tablet/dp/B0051VVOB2)
Content Formats Supported
Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively, Audible (Audible Enhanced (AA, AAX)), DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, non-DRM AAC, MP3, MIDI, OGG, WAV, MP4, VP8.
Of the formats listed – Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively, DOC, DOCX, are the eBook formats. So what do you do if you want your ePub file on the Kindle. You need to get conversion software for eBooks that will allow you to convert your ePub file.
The one that we found is called (LINK) Calibre (http://calibre-ebook NULL.com/). (From the Calibre site)
E-book conversion
calibre can convert from a huge number of formats to a huge number of formats. It supports all the major e-book formats. The full list of formats can be found here (http://manual NULL.calibre-ebook NULL.com/faq NULL.html#what-formats-does-app-support-conversion-to-from)
The conversion engine has lots of powerful features. It can rescale all font sizes, ensuring the output e-book is readable no matter what font sizes the input document uses. It can automatically detect/create book structure, like chapters and Table of Contents. It can insert the book metadata into a “Book Jacket” at the start of the book.
The best part about the Calibre software is that its FREE! You can download the Calibre software on their (LINK) download page (http://calibre-ebook NULL.com/download) . Calibre is available for Windows, Mac, Linux and also in a portable version, which means you can put the files on a USB drive and run the program on any pc without actually installing the program.
If you don’t secure your wireless network, strangers could use it and gain access to your computer – including the personal and financial information you’ve stored on it. Protect your computer by using WPA encryption.
Just came across this one today. For any HTC cell phone fans in the So. California area, HTC USA is holding an event at the Lexington Social House in Hollywood tomorrow night 12/14/11 from 7p to 11p (Pacific Time).
Information about the event, and where to RSVP if you want to attend can be found on the HTC (LINK) Facebook page (https://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/events/153841771383150/)
The event, which is 18 and up, will have “bites and cocktails for all”, plus “there will be the latest HTC phones on display for those of you with dreams of megapixels dancing in your heads”. The event is “Dress to Impress” (Based on comments on the Facebook page).
(*Note – Tech Geek and More has no involvement with this event, just sharing the information)
Currently on the (LINK) Best Buy (http://www NULL.bestbuy NULL.com/site/searchpage NULL.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=-2385739114435906649&id=pcat17071&type=page&st=iconia+tab&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960) website, they are offering a refurbished Acer Iconia Tab 16 GB Tablet with Case for $269.99. 
As someone who has tried virtually all 10” tablets, and owns an Iconia Tab (That I paid $399 without a case), I can highly recommend this tablet. I know it lists as a refurbished model, from the Best Buy (http://www NULL.bestbuy NULL.com/site/Electronics-Promotions/Refurbished+Product+FAQs/pcmcat249600050017 NULL.c?id=pcmcat249600050017) site, here is what that means
The Iconia Tab looks and feels well built, and comes well equipped. The Iconia Tab has the follow specifications
|
Product Height
|
0.5″ |
|
Product Width
|
10.2″ |
|
Product Weight
|
1.7 lbs.. |
|
Product Depth
|
7″ |
|
Processor
|
NVIDIA Tegra 2 |
|
Processor Speed
|
1.0GHz |
|
Display Type
|
Widescreen WXGA high-definition multitouch (1280 x 800) |
|
Screen Size (Measured Diagonally)
|
10.1″ |
|
Storage Capacity
|
16GB |
|
SD Card Slot
|
Yes |
|
Adobe Flash Compatible
|
Yes |
|
Front Facing Webcam Pixels
|
2.0MP |
|
(Rear) Digital Camera Pixels
|
5.0MP |
|
Wi-Fi Built In
|
Yes |
|
Bluetooth-Enabled
|
Yes |
|
USB 2.0 Ports
|
1 |
|
HDMI Output
|
Yes |
|
Operating System
|
Android 3.0 Honeycomb (at boot up) (Will upgrade to v3.2) |
The Tablet comes with Honeycomb 3.0 installed. Acer has released the 3.2 upgrade for the tablet, so you will be running the official LATEST version of Android. You will get prompted for the upgrade when you 1st boot up and get connected to the internet. In addition, for those of you who like to Root your Android devices, this is one of the simplest tablets to Root. Rooting instructions are on (LINK) Tech Geek and More (via XDA – Developers (http://forum NULL.xda-developers NULL.com/showthread NULL.php?t=1138228)).
**Update (10/22) – Modem has sold
Another spare item has come up and is now for sale. I have a brand new (Factory Sealed / Box has never been opened) U.S Robotics 56K v.92 Modem (Model 5686E) now listed on (LINK) eBay (http://cgi NULL.ebay NULL.com/ws/eBayISAPI NULL.dll?ViewItem&item=300613150958).
The bid starts at $15.00 and if you just want to Buy It Now, it will cost $20 dollars (plus $10 shipping in both cases) . The auction starts today 10/21 and goes for the next 5 days. Additional Item specifics can be found on the auctions (LINK) eBay (http://cgi NULL.ebay NULL.com/ws/eBayISAPI NULL.dll?ViewItem&item=300613150958) page.
**Update (10/23) – USB 3.0 Interface Card has sold
From time to time, spare pieces come up during customer projects. Sometimes its something that was ordered and wasn’t needed, other times its just the equipment that was pulled and replaced. In an attempt to not get stuck with a lot of spare stuff, Tech Geek and More now has an eBay account, and will be putting things up for sale from time to time. For this 1st time we have a Buffalo USB 3.0 Interface Card (PCI Express)
The bid starts at $5 and if you just want it now, it will cost $20 dollars (plus $5 shipping) . The product is actually new, but the box is not factory sealed. If you are interested in checking out the bid, you can find it on (LINK) eBay (http://www NULL.ebay NULL.com/itm/300612480496?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984 NULL.m1558 NULL.l2649)
For anyone looking to get a good quality Android Tablet, Best Buy has a great deal on a 32 GB IdeaPad K1. The IdeaPad that is on sale runs Honeycomb 3.1 which is that latest version of Android, in addition to 32 GB of storage. This sale price puts this 32 GB tablet price in line with the 16GB tablets from Asus, Motorola, Samsung among others. The Tablet information can be found at (LINK) Best Buy (http://www NULL.bestbuy NULL.com/site/Lenovo+-+IdeaPad+K1+Tablet+with+32GB+Memory+-+Black/3074132 NULL.p?id=1218376442151&skuId=3074132&st=ideapad&cp=1&lp=3).
In this economy there are times where you just don’t want to pay for all the bells and whistles. People are always looking for a way to cut the “FAT” out of expenses.
One way to save a little is to not pay the ridiculous prices cell providers charge for data services. (Keep in mind, that some of you may be under a data contract that has REALLY HIGH PENALTIES if you cancel, so check how much its going to cost you before trying to get out of your data plan) For those that already have expired contracts or can get out of your data plan, you could be seeing $50 or more a month in savings while still being able to use your device via Wi-Fi.
The specific situation I will be addressing at this point comes because of helping a friend (Shannon this one is for you) that has a 3G iPad from Verizon that she would like to use but doesn’t need the 3G access. Since the main uses for her iPad will be at home where she is already paying for internet (and has Wi-Fi) or maybe while out at Starbucks or McD’s. The error / issue she was getting was an error message about “Needing access to her account”. That message is because the 3G service is turned on with the iPad 3G by default.
So here is how you convert the iPad 3G in to a Wi-Fi iPad
Steps -
-> If your Wi-Fi (or the Wi-Fi in the area you are in) is secure, You may be asked to type in a username and password to connect, depending on the network security settings. .
6. That’s it, you should now be able to use your iPad with only Wi-Fi
Additional Notes -
GameStop has announced today that in addition to consoles, games, and accessories that they accept as trade-in, that they will now take your iPod, iPhone, or iPad. (LINK: http://www.gamestop.com/gs/landing/events/idevice/default.aspx?cid=eml_10000286 (http://www NULL.gamestop NULL.com/gs/landing/events/idevice/default NULL.aspx?cid=eml_10000286) )
Rumors (that are unconfirmed) are still circulating that GameStop also soon start selling iOS products, which makes sense with the upcoming iPhone 5.
GameStop does have a few rules for trading in your iOS device