The Interlocutor

The HP Mini MIe: 1st Impressions

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I am writing this post on the Mini Mi Edition.

It is a tribute to HP that this system behaves, in many respects, like the Windows XP-based Mini 1000.

The first attention grabber is the size and sleek looks of the device. While the Mini 1000 was business...(read more)

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

Up for Review: CradlePoint MBR1000 Mobile Broadband Router

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I have just received a CradlePoint MBR1000 Mobile Broadband Router for a review.

This is an intriguing device that gives you routing capabilities with your 3G modem/device.

As someone desperately in need of speedy broadband connectivity in The Floating...(read more)

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

Give (PRODUCT)RED this St. Valentine’s Day

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One of the limited editions of Windows Vista™, is the (PRODUCT) RED Windows Vista Ultimate Edition.

As you search for a lasting gift for you loved one/ones this Valentine’s Day, why not give the Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED ?

This is an INC(RED...(read more)

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

Verbatim 8x LightScribe DVD DL

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One of the most annoying things about authoring and delivering DVDs is the lack of speed when it comes to DVD DL (dual layer, 8.5GB) disks.

While it’s smaller sibling ran at 16x or greater speeds, it was beyond annoying to have to default to 2.4x in order...(read more)

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

HP Small Business Servers Review Series

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Over the next few (several?) months, I will be reviewing the HP’s entire series of small business servers.

I will use a real-world business for each review scenario, and report on the performance and ROI each server brings to small and medium businesses...(read more)

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

The SmallBizWindows Able Planet NC200 Review

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Actually, the Able Planet NC200 Foldable Active Noise-Canceling Headphones Review.

Do not let the long-winded name fool you; this is one serious business device.

Last year, I reviewed the flagship Able Planet Clear Harmony NC1000CH headphones, and declared it Business Ready. However, at an MSRP of $349 USD, the NC100CH is clearly a top-of-the-line product.

This year, I got the opportunity to review the NC200, a value-priced ($99.00 USD) noise-canceling headphones, and I have come away impressed.

The Able Planet NC200 Noise-Canceling Headphones.
The NC200 came in a box with the headphones, and a carrying bag.

It seemed well designed and manufactured, and the hinges – for folding the device – seemed very sturdy.

Testing
I decided to use the NC200 for a series of short hops, and a recent long trip.

As I did with the NC1000CH, I decided to use the NC200 with and without an audio source.

The difference is, and was, very clear.

For my trips, the NC200 was a marvelous companion, and a great utility.

For noise cancellation, the device just worked. The background droning of the turbojets vanished. Just like that!

As an audio headset, NC200 performed impeccably, allowing me to enjoy the highs and lows of program material, which ranged from music and movies on my Zune to HD movies on my Tablet PC.

The clarity of the output from the NC200 needs to be heard.

Conclusions
 One you avail yourself of an Able Planet noise-canceling headphone set, you can never go back to flying without the use of the device. Indeed, you cannot got back to listening to any kind of audio content without the use any Able Planet headphones. Period.

The clear advantage of Able Planet’s LINX Audio technology used in Able Planet’s devices seems very unfair, as I deem all other competitors unworthy.

For the price and performance delivered by the NC200, the editors here at SmallBizWindows have given it the SmallBizWindows Business Ready Award.

 

 

Opera’s CTO speaks about IE and his product’s lack of traction

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Mary Jo Foley is at it again!

In an interview with the appropriately-named CTO, Mary Jo got some really candid answers from the yum-yum about what should be done to level the playing field in the browser space.

And, by opening his pinhole, Hakon Lie shows...(read more)

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

IBM may face mainframe antitrust investigation in Europe?

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I mean, could this day get any better?

Last week, Doofustina Prime , also known as EU Competition Comish Nelly Kr’oes, declared stupidly again that Internet Explorer was in violation of EU antitrust laws. I groaned, saying to myself, “Here we go again...(read more)

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

SmallBizWindows CES Roundup: HP dx9000 TouchSmart Business PC

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At the 2009 International CES, HP unveiled their dx9000 touch-enabled PC.

The HP dx9000 TouchSmart Business PC
Essentially a TouchSmart for the business market, this PC again vaults HP to the vanguard in innovation in the PC space, this time, in the business...(read more)

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

SmallBizWindows CES Roundup: American Airlines

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Billy Sanez grokks Social Media.

It came as a shock to me to see American Airlines listed as one of the fireside hosts at CntrStg.

CntrStg got Billy Sanez, Director of Communications for American to chat with us at CES.

What, I wondered, could they have...(read more)

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

CntrStg

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The most exciting development for me this CES – the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show - is CntrStg, pronounced Center Stage.

What is CntrStg? CntrStg was created to solve one of the problems quite a few members of the IT media find wrong with...(read more)

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

The SmallBizWindows 2008 Awards

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2008 was one of those years when there seemed to be innovative products everywhere.

Resultantly, we are compelled to laud those products that moved us.

Announcing the SmallBizWindows Annual Product Awards 2008.

Read the entire post

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows

HP Magic Giveaway: 25 hours left to win on AbsoluteVista.com

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The final countdown has begun…

Unless you have been in suspended animation for the past few weeks, you know about the HP Magic Giveaway.

What you may not know is that the contest here ends at 11.59 PM Pacific on December 14, 2008. We are still accepting...(read more)

© 2005-2009, John Obeto for SmallBizWindows