Gshocker's Toys

AT&T U-Verse comes home

Yesterday I made the plundge into the U-verse universe. I was tempted by the channel linup as well as the favorable pricing structure compared to what the cable company offered. While I had been reasonably happy with the cable service it was starting to get more and more problematic.

So the AT&T tech showed up after calling to confirm the time and things got started. Luckly for me I was able to give him access to both the cable lines in the building but also the phone patch panel outside the building. This seemed to speed up the install process.

After a few hours and lots of cable work everything was installed and ready to be cranked up. I have learned that while there are a few simularities to the FIOS service offered by Verizon t here is one big difference. While Verizon has to get the fiber right to your house.. AT&T gets close but goes the last "mile" using copper lines. This means that while Verizon can offer the same speed of internet connectivity to all their customers.. AT&T has the same issue that all DSL providers face. The further you are the slower things get. Now since the AT&T building is right behind my building it is pretty safe to assume that I will get as fast as possible.

So far the Internet service has been quite good. While the cable was giving me faster overall speeds the consistancy of the service was terrible. I would have to call every few weeks to get something reset so that the speed would continue. So far right from the start everything is running as advertised with my AT&T service.

I am getting more HD channels now than I was before and the DVR is integrated over the net simular to Tivo so that I can login and schedule recordings and manage the ones that I already have. This certainly makes the device and service user friendly for anyone who uses the net.

As I explore a bit more and try more of the features I will post some more notes here.. So far I am happy with the service and do not have any regrets.. of course it has only been 1 day so far.

Toshiba Qosmio X305-Q701

My Asus laptop decided to suddenly die on me last week. Now since this was my only PC it was hard to do some of the things that I need for work so getting a replacement was in order. I started looking around but was interested in getting something that would not break the bank but would still let me play some games. I was willing to give up some specs since this time around I was not going to be buying a highish end game machine.

After looking over the net and checking out some Dell models and some Alienware models I decided to stop in to Best Buy to see their Toshiba, Ausu and Gateway game machines. These seemed to be a bit more in line with what I wanted to spend so it would be a good place to start off.

After looking over a few different models I decided on the 17" Toshiba X305-Q701. This has an interesting case that can kind of grown on you (on maybe not grown on your but you can get used to it). The specs include Intel Core 2 Duo 2Ghz processor with 4GB of RAM, 200 GB 7200 RMP SATA drive and an Nvidia 9700m GTS with 512MB of memory.

So far it has been great. I am playing my games in there and getting the work that I need done. I was even able to put the SATA drive from the old laptop into this one as a second drive which was pretty cool.

If you are looking for a new game laptop it might be worth a trip down to Best Buy as they have some decent game units for $1000 to $1600. Certainly much easier to swallow considering they will get the job done.

WOW.. What a game !!

Not much more needs to be said.. 2 3 run home runs in the first inning for David Ortiz. Certainly seemed to be ready for tonights game. 13 batters for Boston in the bottom of the 1st.

Beard Pappa San Diego

Well hit Beard Pappa today in San Diego. I have to saw that overall I was dissapointed. The fillings were a bit warm and not as thick as I remember them in Japan. I love the one in Shibuya and must admitt that the ones in the US have not been as good. This store on San Diego needs some help on order to stay alive.

iPhone Parody

This is good stuff...

Ironic iPhone site advert

This iPhoneAtlas.com website is a good source of some tips on the iPhone. I found it interesting that the last few days when I have looked over there I see an advert for Blackberry. I am sure this is just some rotating advert via the cnet network but seems out of place on a site dedicated to the iPhone and more than likely visited by iPhone users. If you are an iPhone user I would bookmark this site as it is good. And try not to get suckered into retiring your new iPhone for a Blackberry (which by the way is a great device).

iPhone in stock. NO LINE?

Well I was just at the local Apple store here in San Diego and I was shocked to see no line outside. This was around 10am so the store had just opened for those not waiting to get an iPhone. I figured there must be none left but when I walked into the store they seemed to have stacks of iPhones in there. Looked to me like they had enough of each model so just about anyone could walk in and just grab one.

Could this be the end of the long lines? Has the demand finally slowed so that the long process of purchasing one is not causing lines anymore? I am curious to know if that is the case but not interested enough to go check later in the week to find out.

So if you were waiting to get an iPhone till the lines had slowed this may be the time.

Google Maps Japan adds Street View

Looks like Google has driven all over Japan now. Here is a quick shot of the SoftBank store where the iPhone launched in Japan. This looks to be a shot from around June / July as it has the same display in the window that was there when I walked by in June. 

I wish there was an easier way to send friends links to different street views as it would make a great way to show people your trip. Maybe someone will make a little app that uses this somehow.

Big Brother Apple?

Well it looks like Apple is up to its usual non-communicating ways.. Another App has been pulled from the App Store and this time no one seems to even fathom why it was pulled. At least with the last app it was assumed that Apple had problems with the way that the app let you use the iPhone as a modem for your computer. I am not sure why this is Apple's problem but it was up, back, and gone again in a matter of days. 

Now Box Office a cool little app that lets you see what movies were showing in your area. Very usefull for lots of people out there. Once again Apple has pulled an app and given the developer no explanation as to why. Actually it seems like Apple has not said anything at all. Check out Gizmodo from the full story.

Apple certainly doesn't seem to be making friends fast in the developer community. With not reasons given of communication it sure would worry me if I was a developer looking to make an app for the iPhone. What do you do when hours and hours of development time go up in flames as Apple pulls your app..