May 04

Hack Your Linksys WRT54G Version 5 or 6 Firmware

Posted in: Today's Chili

This article was written on June 26, 2006 by CyberNet.

Hack Your Linksys WRT54G Version 5 or 6 Firmware

There is now a guide for those people with the dreaded WRT54G/WRT54GS version 5 or 6 Linksys routers. Until now it was very difficult/impossible to upgrade these routers to third-party firmwares. The guide will walk you through the steps you need to take to install DD-WRT on your Linksys router.

Previous versions of the WRT54G/WRT54GS routers were not plagued with this problem because they did not use VxWorks. When Linksys decided to install VxWorks onto the more current routers it became very difficult to upgrade them, until now. They eventually released the WRT54GL which is essentially the WRT54G version 5 but users are able to upgrade the firmware because it lacks VxWorks.

At least buyers that are initially unaware of the version differences will now have the opportunity to upgrade their routers!

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Apr 29

$1200 For The Optimus-103 Keyboard?!?

Posted in: Today's Chili

This article was written on November 29, 2006 by CyberNet.

Optimus Keyboard

Okay, so the other day we went over all of the features that had been changed since the original concept of the Optimus keyboard had been revealed. The latest feature that they removed was the color keys and they were being replaced with black & white ones since, according to them, that is suitable for 95% of all tasks.

The Optimus blog just commented on how disappointing it was to read all of the negative opinions on that posting but they then go on to reveal the price of the keyboard…read for yourself:

I’m incredibly happy with all the sarcasm and critique my previous post is getting. Nothing inspires me more than tons of negative opinions.

I like people to know how something is being developed and how things are changing on the fly.

By the way, on December 12 we are going to accept only 103 pre-orders at a price of US$1200 with a shipping date about May 2007. Later on we’ll start accepting more pre-orders at sub-1000 price with a shipping date around September 2007.

I am having a hard time determining whether that is some sort of joke or if that is for real! All along they have been referring to the keyboard as costing about the same price as a good mobile phone but the last time I checked my phone wasn’t gold-plated. Come on…$1200 does not seem worth it for a keyboard!

So I guess it is down to one thing now…will you buy a keyboard or a computer, but I don’t think you can afford both!

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Apr 26

1st iPhone Vulnerability Discovered Now Patched

Posted in: Apple, iPhone, itunes, Mac, Today's Chili

This article was written on August 01, 2007 by CyberNet.

Apple patchThe iPhone has been out for over a month now, and on Tuesday we saw Apple release the first security update for it. I’m sure a team of people over at Apple had been working around the clock to push out that update because they were working under pressure. Just a week ago we wrote about a group of researchers at Independent Security Evaluators who found a way to make an iPhone vulnerable to hackers.  They of course reported the exploit to Apple, but gave them until August 2nd to fix it before they discussed it at the Black Hat conference (computer security) taking place on Thursday. Phew, Apple made it with a little time to spare!

iPhone owners will receive the update via iTunes. Computer World explains that “iPhone users can wait out the update interval — iTunes automatically checks Apple’s update servers once a week — or retrieve the patches manually by selecting “Check for Update” under the iTunes Help Menu and then docking the iPhone to the PC or Mac.”

Also in the news, buzz around the web is that a new 20” and 24” iMac computer will debut next week on Tuesday at a press event held at Apple headquarters. AppleInsider reports that a slimmed down keyboard will debut as well as demo’s of iLife ‘08 and iWork ‘08. Apparently Apple is refocusing back to the Mac computers? They seem to have been pushed out of the spotlight ever since the iPhone came around.

Thanks for the tip Cory!

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Apr 22

What’s the Junk on your Computer Worth?

Posted in: Software, Today's Chili

This article was written on January 12, 2007 by CyberNet.

So, what’s the junk on your computer worth? You know, all of the “craplets” that are loaded on it before it gets delivered to your house if you purchased from an OEM? In other words, when companies like Dell install a bunch of useless ISP sign-ups or other programs, how much is all of that junk worth?

Notoriously, Dell has been placing crapware on computers.  Why do they do it? Well, it’s an issues of money.  They are paid by companies to have  software already installed on computers when they ship. If you’ve bought a computer from Dell or other such companies, you know what I’m talking about. And to make it worse, they don’t provide you with the operating system CD without having to pay for it.  Sure, you can restore the system, but it will be restored with all of the unwanted programs installed. I do wonder, how many times do you think AOL has been installed and uninstalled over time?

According to Ars Technica, one of their reps was at CES this week and sat down with Michael Dell to talk about this problem.  Dell asked the people participating in the conversation how much they were willing to pay to get a computer without all of the junk. Someone in the group said they’d pay $60 to get a clean computer, and Dell’s response? Sold!

If you’re wanting to buy from an OEM, either you’ll have to live with all of the crapware, or pay up! Another way to get around this dilemma is to just get the OS disk and do the clean-up job yourself.  Last December, Ryan actually posted an article, Get your Dell OS CD’s for Free, and explains how he went about getting the OS disk for a Dell Desktop that he’d purchased for free, and over-nighted to him. Yet another alternative is a program that will do it for you called PC Decrapifier. Give it a try. All of that junk is worth something, and you’ll end up paying for it one way or another.

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Apr 21

Two-Sided Functionality with Next Gen iPod

Posted in: Apple, iPhone, ipod, Microsoft, Screenshots, Today's Chili

This article was written on May 10, 2007 by CyberNet.

Thanks to a patent application that Apple filed recently, we now have details on the next Gen iPod, perhaps even an iPhone Nano too. The one thing I gathered immediately from it is that it looks like it’s going to be a lot less thumb controlled. I don’t know about you, but right now I use my thumb to control everything on my iPod.

That won’t be the case with the next gen version because now both sides will have functionality.  Right now the back of my iPod is just a catch-all for a bunch of scratches, but now it appears as though there will be a separate touch surface on the back.

Nextgenipod

Now why would they put a touch surface on the back? Well, it would mean that you could view your iPod or iPhone Nano in full screen! When you touch the activated back side of the device, transparent controls will appear on the front of the iPod.  You could have controls such as an alphanumeric keypad if you’re dialing a phone, a QWERTY keyboard, your song list, etc.

All of this will allow for smaller versions of both the iPhone and the iPod, and full screen viewing, although I’m not sure how small you’d want to make a phone. Right now I’m picturing a phone the size of the iPod Nano and that just doesn’t seem right. How small will they go?

Just in case you want details, below is an excerpt from the patent application:

“A hand-held electronic device, comprising: a first surface having a display element coupled thereto; a second surface having a touch-surface coupled thereto, the second surface not coplanar with the first surface, the touch-surface adapted to detect a location on the touch-surface contacted by an object and an activation force applied to the touch-surface by the object; and control means for–displaying on the display element first information, control elements, and mark representing the contact’s location on the touch-surface, determining when the mark is spatially coincident with one of the control elements, determining the activation force is greater than a specified threshold, and activating a function associated with the one control element.”

“The method includes displaying first information appropriate to the device’s function on a display element on a top surface of the electronic device (e.g., video, graphic or textual information), displaying one or more control elements and a cursor on the display element (e.g., numeric or alphanumeric keys, buttons, sliders and control wheels), adjusting the cursor’s displayed position in response to an object contacting a force-sensitive touch-surface on the device’s bottom surface, and activating or executing a function associated with one of the control elements when the cursor is positioned “over” the control element and a force is applied to the force-sensitive touch-surface at a position corresponding to the cursor. In a preferred embodiment, the control elements are displayed transparently so that the first information is not totally occluded by the display of the control elements. A program implementing the method may be stored in any media that is readable and executable by a computer processor.”

Source: Unwired View

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Apr 21

Read your Feeds and e-mail with “Cellular-Book”

Posted in: Today's Chili

This article was written on February 06, 2007 by CyberNet.

Telecom Italia and Polymer Vision have announced the latest in e-Readers called the “Cellular-Book.” More details are expected next week at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, but for now we have pictures and general information to give you an idea of what to expect.

Initially, this “Cellular-Book” will only be available in the Italian market.  What makes it unique is that it features a roll-able, foldable display.  The reader can extend all the way to five inches for easy reading and viewing, yet folds up to a small device around the size of a cell phone.

With the rollable display you can read newspapers, electronic books, RSS feeds, even your email.  There are 16-levels of gray which makes reading the content easy on the eyes. Later versions of the product are expected to incorporate color. Additionally, it has the ability to download and play music, audiobooks, and podcasts. It takes only one hand to navigate and control your device, and even more impressive is that you can use the device for around 10 days of average use between charges.

Using a mini-USB slot, you can connect to a PC so that you can enable wireless broadband data connections. In order to download maps, email, and music, it connects to a GSM data network. Storing e-books and other content isn’t a problem with 4GB (and up) of built-in storage space. Unfortunately, like other electronic readers, the Cellular-Book does not have a back-light which means you need to have good lighting conditions to be able to read the content on the screen. This of course, is one of the reasons it has an impressive battery life.

There’s no word on what the pricing is going to be, and of course it’s limited availability for now will keep most of you from getting your hands on one.  It’s due out later this year in Italy, and will hopefully make it’s way to the States.

Source: Thanks for the tip OldManDeath!

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Apr 19

BlackBerry PlayBook pried open, gyroscope and other goodies discovered

Posted in: 7-inch, BlackBerry, blackberry playbook, BlackberryPlaybook, playbook, RIM, slate, tablet, teardown, Today's Chili

What’s in a PlayBook? No, literally, what is in that thing? Well, most of the specs were known ahead of today’s release, but there was a bit of confusion about whether RIM’s 7-inch tablet did or didn’t have a gyroscope, which has now been set straight (it does!) by the crew at iFixit. They did their usual study of what it’ll take to repair your own PlayBook should the need ever arise, and gave it a repairability score of 7 out of 10. Replacing the front glass would be a bit of a pain to do, but then that’s the case with most portable devices. The motherboard also got a thorough examination, with all the power management, wireless connectivity, and memory chips getting identified and recorded for posterity. If you want to check iFixit‘s work, feel free to visit UBM Tech Insights as well, who have their own component list and closeup photography of that dual-core TI OMAP4430 system-on-chip. Yes, closeup photography.

BlackBerry PlayBook pried open, gyroscope and other goodies discovered originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apr 18

Zune Software Available For Download

Posted in: Freeware, Newly Released, Software, Today's Chili

This article was written on November 12, 2006 by CyberNet.

An anonymous tipster sent in a direct link to the Zune software so that anyone can download and use it…even if you don’t have a Zune! I’m not sure where they found it or how long it has been available but I didn’t see a link on the Zune.net site.

The setup file is only a small portion of what you have to download and once you get that running it will download the rest of the installation files. Here is what the initial setup screen looks like:

Zune Setup

It isn’t anything really special but I did notice after it completed the download for the installation files that it also downloaded the firmware for the Zune. A little while later it finished doing everything (no advanced installation options available) and I was able to start playing around, but no until I restarted my computer. ;)

Honestly, I can’t tell that much of a difference between this and Windows Media Player (WMP), which is exactly what I expected. The library and options all appear to come from WMP which makes me wonder why they didn’t just make the Zune work with WMP 11 in the first place?

Here is a screenshot of the interface for those of you who aren’t able to get it installed or just don’t want to install it:

Zune Software

It also appears that some Best Buy’s have started to sell the Zune a little early…I wonder what Microsoft thinks about that! :)

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Apr 17

AtomChip Super Notebook Computer – For Only $18,500

Posted in: Today's Chili

This article was written on January 06, 2006 by CyberNet.

AtomChip Super Notebook Computer - For Only $18,500

If you have some spare cash lying around (that is, enough to buy a new car) then you might want to look into the Super Notebook Computer from AtomChip. This baby comes with 1TB of RAM, 2TB storage, 6.8GHz processor (AtomChip® Quantum® II processor), digital camera, wireless (of course), and much much more. They packed all of this in and it only weighs a little over 4 pounds! Guess Dell‘s new XPS machine doesn’t look so powerful now, huh?

Home Page: AtomChip

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Apr 16

Giveaway: USB Docking Station with VGA Support

Posted in: Today's Chili

This article was written on December 10, 2008 by CyberNet.

startech usb dock-1.png

Important Note: This giveaway is only available for residents of the United States.

This is the one and only hardware item that we have up for grabs in our birthday giveaway, and we’ve been able to play around with it for about a month now. It’s a USB Docking Station by StarTech that also happens to support a VGA input. How does it work? You can basically plug in several USB devices, a VGA monitor, ethernet cable, and more into this slim little dock. The dock then plugs into your Windows computer via a single USB cable.

Now I bet you’re wondering the same thing that I was in regards to the monitor support. With this dock you can essentially plug in an external monitor into your machine without needing an extra VGA port on your graphics card. How well can the single USB cable manage the monitor and other devices/cables plugged into it?

Not surprisingly it has some troubles playing videos or games that require a constantly refreshing screen. The USB cable just can’t provide the same bandwidth that a VGA cable can, plus it is also sharing the bandwidth with any other devices plugged into the dock. If you are able to set the color depth down to 16-bit instead of 32-bit you’ll notice a significant improvement, but you probably still won’t want to watch any videos or anything. If you’re just doing some word processing, web surfing, and other casual work this should suit your needs perfectly.

Here are some of the specs for the USB Docking Station by StarTech:

  • Works with Windows 2000, XP, and Vista
  • Supports resolutions up to 1600×1200 @ 32-bits & 1920×1200 @ 16-bits
  • (4) USB 2.0 ports
  • (1) VGA port
  • (1) 10/100 Mbps RJ45 LAN port
  • (1) 3.5mm speaker output
  • (1) 3.5mm Mic input
  • Dimensions: 7.99″ x 2.75″ x 0.75″
  • Weight: 7.6oz

StarTech USB Docking Station Homepage

–The Giveaway–

We have (1) USB Docking Station (valued at $129.99) to giveaway today! All you have to do is drop a comment below providing both your name and email address in the appropriate fields. We obviously need your email address for contacting you in the event that you should win. Believe it or not we’ve actually had winners in previous giveaways get randomly selected, but since they didn’t provide an email address we had to pick someone else.

Just as with all of our giveaways we will be using a random number generator to determine the winners. For this round here is how we’re going to give out the licenses:

  • 1 winner will be picked from comment numbers 1 through however many comments there are.

The winner of the USB Docking Station must be a resident of the United States.

Entries for the giveaway will be accepted up until December 11th at 7:00PM Central Time.

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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