How to fix Apple iPod Touch 3.1.2 firmware upgrade issue
Apple has recently released iPod Touch firmware upgrade 3.1.2. This upgrade is essential to test your iPhone/iPod apps. It may seem funny that 3.1.2 is a bug fix release. There seems to be a bug in the iTunes download progam or Apple servers which prevents this firmware upgrade. What is more irritating is the fact that Apple charges $4+ for this upgrade, yet you can’t install it!
The error is not uniform. Sometimes you get no error at all, but still the 3.1.2 is neither downloaded nor installed. Sometimes it gives a message “Unknown error 2020″. I tried upgrading iTunes and it turned out that it is the latest. I also tried resetting the iPod firmware. Interestingly the original firmware was downloaded without any issue which indicated that this may not be a download server issue. Finally I found a workaround quite accidentally.
There is a simple workaround to get 3.1.2 firmware installed on your iPod touch. Just download a free app from the Apple iTunes Store. This download somehow triggers the iPod touch upgrade download! Initially a 0.4KB file is downloaded which triggers the download of 240MB iPod touch software upgrade.
Problems like these remind me of the good old days when you can do upgrade to a device simply by downloading a file manually. If the file is available for download, it is guaranteed to work. For upgrade etc. iTunes should be made optional. They should give a alternate download location from where the upgrade can be dowloaded and directly moved to the iPod/iPhone.
What is new in iPod Touch 3.1.2 firmware?
3.1.2 firmware upgrade is a minor bug fix release. It contains fixes related to video streaming and sleep issues.
3 must have geek gadgets
1. Geeky T-shirts – This is the easiest way to let everyone know that you are a geek. There are lot designs available on the market. But my all time favorite is the one pictured here (localhost – there is no place like 127.0.0.1).
2. Watches for geeks – You can either go for an ordinary watch with a geeky look or if you are a hardcore geek, you can go for a watch which is difficult even for you to read! For example, Think Geek has a binary watch and you need to practise before you can easily read time!
3. Geeks love sensors – Geeks generally likes anything which measures something. So it is no wonder most of them will go for a device which has the maximum number of sensors. My favorite is the Casio pathfinder series. For example, PAW1300T features atomic time keeping, temparature, altimeter and barometers and yes, it does show time as well!
Another favorite of mine is the wireless weather station. This has the maximum number of readings sure to please any geek!
Where are can I get Geeky stuff?
Following are some of the sites where you can find cool geek stuff!
iPod can kill you?
That is what New York senator, Carl Kruger thinks! He claims that three people in his Brooklyn district have been killed in traffic accident caused by usage of electronic devices.
So he plans to bring a legislation which will make it a crime to use iPod or any portable device while walking on the streets. The plan is to slap a fine of $100 on violating the ban.
What next? Why don’t they ban all the advertising boards displayed in New York? The sexy models on them can distract drivers and can cause loss of life, right?
Via The Scotsman
Windows Home Server – Now a place for all your backups
Windows home server is an upcoming operating system announced by Microsoft at the 2007 CES. This is intended for homes with multiple PCs and will support file sharing, automatic backups, terabytes of storage(!) and connectivity to other devices such as Zune and Xbox.
Check here for some of the prototypes,
Over at the Microsoft press tent at the Consumer Electronics (CES) Show, Microsoft is showing off a few protypes of its just-announced Windows Home Server product.
Although there were rumors circulating over the past month that Windows Home Server would be based on Windows Vista, that’s not the case, said product director Steven VanRoekel.
More Info
Windows Home Server Homepage
What is inside Windows Home Server?
More on Apple’s iPhone – Phil Schiller on CBS
Note the cool scrolling – just like iPod. The photo zoom is bloody impressive and all that for $500!
Guys, you need to wait – iPhone is only available from June 2007. And yeah, I am still scanning for iPhone stuff 
Apple’s rumoured ultimate pocketpc turns out to be a phone!
Ok, many of us were expecting the ultimate pocketpc, but the device turned out to be a mobile phone. But still it is pretty impressive.
The equation is,
iPhone = big iPod + mobile phone + Wifi browsing + some cool ideas
What is Good?
Pretty big and impressive display at 3.5 inch – Apple utilized maximum space for display. This will substantially improve video playback and browsing experience.
Wifi support and the multi tasking support – Yes, Wifi support is basic now. Still I would rate it as one of the best features.
Advanced sensors are pretty interesting! – The proximity sensor detects when you lift iPhone to your ear and immediately turns off the display to save power and prevent inadvertent touches until iPhone is moved away.
An ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the displays brightness to the appropriate level for the current ambient light, thereby enhancing the user experience and saving power at the same time.
What is Bad?
But there is one feature which is disappointing. The built in camera is only 2 Mega pixels. I don’t think anything below 3.2 Mega pixels is good enough now. I hope they will upgrade it to 3.2 soon! Then probably I will buy it 
Screen size – 3.5 inches
Screen resolution – 320 by 480 at 160 ppi
Input method – Multi-touch
Operating system – OS X
Storage – 4GB or 8GB
GSM – Quad-band (MHz: 850, 900, 1800, 1900)
Wireless data – Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) + EDGE + Bluetooth 2.0
Camera – 2.0 megapixels
Battery – Up to 5 hours Talk / Video / Browsing. Up to 16 hours Audio playback
Dimensions – 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.46 inches / 115 x 61 x 11.6mm
Weight – 4.8 ounces / 135 grams
Cool atomic clock with temperature sensor for $20!
I am always fond of geeky looking clocks. Today I came across this cool atomic clock with temperature sensor for $20. Considering the features below, I think it is good deal.
- Sets automatically by radio signal to atomic clock for time/date accuracy
- Reports indoor/outdoor temperatures in Fahrenheit or Celsius plus current moon phase
- 12- or 24-hour time mode; dual LCD screens; alarm with snooze
- Covers 13 different time zones from GMT to -12 GMT
- Wall-hanging or freestanding; 12 by 1-1/4 by 8 inches
The next iPod? – Apple to release new gadget on tuesday
International Herald Tribune in an article titled “War for the 4th screen” talks about a new device from Apple. It is rumoured that the new device will be a true pocket computer capable of handling music, video, productivity tasks and mobile communication.
For functions from e-mail and instant messaging to mobile MySpace and ESPN, computer users are increasingly turning to the “fourth screen” – the one on their cellphones – which is evolving to adopt more characteristics of the three previous generations of screens: movie, television and computer.
That shift may well be underscored on Tuesday when Steven Jobs, the chief executive of Apple Computer, is expected to unveil an Apple phone representing his company’s new mobile communications strategy – highlighted by a device that may include Jobs-inspired refinements like a sleek ceramic case and a transparent touch screen.
Only time will tell whether this will turn out to be the pocketpc killer like what iPod did to other MP3 players. Well, one thing is sure, it won’t be that easy.
History of iPod and why Steve is God!
iPod from Apple has turned 5 this year. It is one of the world’s best selling gadgets and is a cultural icon in western countries.
Following Discovery channel documentary looks at the history of the iPod. It also looks at how Steve turned around apple with iMac and was inspired by Napster to start iTunes/iPod.
Did you know that iPod started with a smile? The documentary is pretty interesting, watch it when you have time (40+ minutes). If you are part of the iPod cult, missing this video will be a sin!
A-DATA SD Card 1GB for $13
Got a digital camera or PDA this holidays? Then why don’t you get an SD card as well?
A-DATA SD Card 1GB, Model SD 1G is available with free shipping at meritline for a low price of $13!
Why i like Sony Ericsson K750i – Review roundup
I have been using Sony Ericsson K750i for over year and I have fell in love with it! It is one of the best mobiles I have seen. It is small, sleek and efficient and most importantly its sound clarity is amazing! Only downside is that its display is a bit small. So if you are planning to use it for GPRS browsing, you will have a tough time!
Some review comments seen on this phone,
- Sound quality is good, the hands free speakers work a treat.
- Other great things about this phone: Task manager, ability to send a photo directly to a Bluetooth enabled printer, timer, stopwatch, ability to use an MP3 as a ringtone!
- After about eight months the joystick has totally started acting up and does not go down.
- Offers good battery life.
Sony VAIO TXN19P/L Laptop
Sony’s TX series is a high end ultraportable laptop series which offers convenience for a premium. Laptops in this range cost over $2500 and is jam packed with features.
Sony VAIO TXN19P/L is small and lightweight (weighs around 2.8 lbs). It is claimed that it can give 5-11 hours of battery life! It also features a brilliant 11.1 WXGA widescreen display.
Gift idea for christmas – Digital photo frame
Confused as to what to give as a christmas present to a family? One of the coolest Christmas gift I have found is the digital photo frame. This looks like a normal photo frame except that it can hold a lot of photos and can be used as a replacement for the photo album. Also photos can be directly transferred from memory devices such as a flash card. Some even provide remote control for a slideshow and speakers for audio!
Many people don’t have a digital photo frame, so it will make a nice christmas present.
Here are some of the good photo frames I have come across.
Thinkgeek has a very good photo frame. Its LCD screen is big(10.5″) and offers all the features you need. It has remote control (supports zoom function) , supports all major memory cards and can play MP3 files also!
The only downside is the high price tag of $180 and lack of internal memory. It is a shame since to me some internal memory seems an essential feature.
Philips has a cool 6.5″ digital picture frame which looks pretty sleek. It has 3 other interchangeable color frames which is free!. It can hold up to 60 digital photos with internal memory and supports all major memory cards. A price tag of $166 still looks high!
Further Reading
What is a digital photo frame?
Digital photo frames on Amazon
Samsung NV10 – Smallest 10 Megapixel camera?
Samsung NV10 is probably the world’s smallest 10 Mega Pixel camera.
The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) named Samsung’s NV10 digital camera, officially launched on last July, the European Compact Camera 2006-2007. Samsung NV10’s Smart Touch interface has been highly praised by a lot of reviewers.
This is probably an ideal gift for a geek this christmas! Check out the impressive set of specifications below!
Further Reading
Samsung official NV 10 site
Dpreview Review of NV 10
Stuff Magazine Review
Specifications
| Sensor | 1/1.8 ” Type CCD, 10.3 million pixels total, 10.1 million effective pixels |
| Image sizes | 3648 x 2736, 3126 x 2345, 2605 x 1954, 2084 x 1563, 1042 x 781 |
| Movie clips | 640 x 480 @ 30fps / 15fps, 320 x 240 @ 30fps / 15fps |
| File formats | JPEG, Exif 2.2, DPOF 1.1, AVI MPEG-4 |
| Lens | 35-105mm equiv, F2.8-5.1, 3x optical zoom |
| Image stabilization | Advanced Shake Reduction (ASR) |
| Digital zoom | up to 5x |
| Focus | TTL auto focus |
| Focus distance | Normal: 80cm – infinity, Macro: 4cm – 80cm (wide) 50cm – 80cm (tele) |
| Metering | Multi, Spot, Center |
| ISO sensitivity | Auto, ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1000 |
| Exposure compensation | +/- 2EV, in 1/3 EV steps |
| Aperture | F2.8-5.1 |
| Self timer | 2 or 10 sec, Double self timer 10 & 2 sec |
| Continuous shooting | Single, Continuous, H. Continuous, AEB, Motion Capture(1M fix) |
| LCD monitor | 2.5-inch TFT 230,000 pixels |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, NTSC, PAL, DC in |
| Print compliance | EXIF 2.2, DPOF 1.1, PictBridge 1.0 |
| Storage | MMC / SD card compatible, 19 MB internal memory |
| Power | Rechargeable battery SLB-0837(B), AC adapter |
| Weight (no batt) | 148.7 g |
| Dimensions | 96.5 x 60 x 18.5 mm |
Looking for the smallest/lightest laptop?
I am now looking for a laptop. The one I have is a 15″ monster size laptop which weighs over 3kg(6+ lbs). After carrying this for 2 years, the most important thing I look for in a laptop now is the size and weight. Everything else seems so less important!
Here is what I found in the smallest and lightest set of laptops. Going for the smallest laptop obviously will require some sacrifice such as doing away with an optical drive. An external drive can anyway be purchased separately.
I have only covered the top 5 smallest laptops. Note that only relevant specifications are mentioned. Things such as warranty, included software or support provided etc. can be found at the product sites mentioned. I may do a detailed review of each product soon.
[Obviously this list will get obsolete within a month. But I am planning to keep this updated.]
Specifications
Model : Sony VGN-UX280P
OS : Windows XP Professional (Service Pack 2)
CPU : Intel Solo Processor U1400 (1.20GHz, 2MB L2 Cache)
Chipset : Intel 945GMS, Bus Speed 533MHz
RAM : 1GB PC2-3200 400MHz DDR2 SDRAM
HDD : 40GB4 4200rpm Ultra ATA(Shock Protection)
Display : 4.5″ Wide SVGA LCD, Touch Screen (1024×600)
Graphics : Intel Graphics Accelerator 950 with 128MBConnectivity: Intel PRO/Wireless(802.11a/b/g), Integrated WAN, Integrated Bluetooth, Ethernet 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
Sound System : Built-in monaural speakers, Built-in microphone, Microphone jack, Headphone jack
Others : Memory Stick Slot, 1 USB 2.0 port, port replicator connector, DC-in (1), 2 Built-in Cameras (front: 0.3M pixels and back: 1.3M pixels), biometric fingerprint sensorBattery Life : Lithium-ion, 2.5-4.5 hours
Dimensions : 1.2lbs (545g) and 5.91″(W) x 3.74″(H) x 1.27-1.50″(D)
Specifications
Model : Samsung Q1
OS : Microsoft Windows XP Tablet Edition
CPU : Intel?Ç¬Æ Celeron ULV Processor 353
Chipset : Intel 915GMS, ICH6M
RAM : 1 SODIMM 512MB
HDD : 40 / 60 GB (PATA, 4,200rpm, 1.8″ HDD)
Display : 7″ WVGA (800X480)
Graphics : Intel 915GMA 900, Max 128MBConnectivity : 10/100 Ethernet, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth
Sound System : Intel HD Audio, 2 stereo speaker (2W x 2 speaker)
Others : 2 USB (USB 2.0), 1 Type II CF card, RJ45, Audio Jack, 2 Array Mic, VGA, DC-inBattery Life : 3.5 hours
Dimensions : 1.27 lbs (779g) and (WxHxD) 227.5 x 139.5 x 24.5~26.5 mm
Specifications
Model : Raon Vega
OS : Windows XP Home
CPU : AMD Geode LX800 – 500 MHz (L2 Cache – 128 KB)
Chipset : AMD CS5536
RAM : 512 MB
HDD : 30 GB (4200 RPM)
Display : 4.3″ XGA TFT 800 x 480 pixels up to 1920 x 1440Connectivity : Free external Wifi
Sound System : RealTek ALC203
Others : USB2.0 x3; VGA x1; microphone x1; headphones x1Battery Life : Enhanced Battery: 5.5 hours Compact Battery: 1.8 hours
Dimensions : 1.06 lbs / 480 g and 6.3 (W) x 3.1 (L) x 1.1 (H) [inch] – 160 x 80 x 27.5 [mm]
Specifications
Model : OQO 01+
OS : Windows XP Professional
CPU : 1GHz Transmeta Crusoe
Chipset :
RAM : 512MB DDR RAM
HDD : 30GB hard drive (shock-mounted)
Display : 800 x 480 W-VGA 5″ transflective display (indoor/outdoor readable)
Graphics : 3D accelerated graphics with 8MB of video RAMConnectivity : 802.11b wireless, Bluetooth wireless
Sound System : Microphone, Speaker
Others : 4-pin FireWire (1394), USB 2.0, 3.5mm stereo headphone jack,Battery Life : up to three hours
Dimensions : 14 ounces(396g) and 4.9″ x 3.4″ x 0.9″
Specifications
Model : Asus R2H
OS : Windows XP Tablet Edition (English)
CPU : Intel Celeron 900 Mhz Mobile
RAM : 768 MB
Chipset : Intel 910 GML
HDD : 60 GB
Display : 7″ WXGA 800 x 480Sound system : Built-in Speaker
Connectivity : RJ45 x 1, 802.11b/g Wireless LAN, Bluetooth
Others : Embedded GPS with North America Maps, 1 x Secure Digital Card Slot, USB x 3, VGA Out, Fingerprint readerBattery Life :
Dimensions : 1.83 lbs / 830g
More Reading
Sony UX Series
Samsung Q1
Raon Vega
OQO 01+
Asus R2H