Green Living in Boston

In Boston, MA two people have successfully constructed a few LEED Platinum-level living spaces for the same costs as constructing a home using conventional methods. The project took the couple extensive research and a lot of planning to bring the home together.

The pair filled the home with energy-efficient appliances and equipped it with solar panels to reduce high energy costs.

"There were a lot of misconceptions. We wanted to show that this makes sense environmentally and financially and that it can happen in Dorchester," said Loesch. "We wanted the community to understand that it can be done." (cnet News)

The community was also a help as neighbors took part in the construction of the rainwater harvesting systems.


The houses also include high-tech entertainment systems, a modern security system, and some home automation. Vivint provides the couple with these essentials by allowing them to control the climate and atmosphere in their home from a smart phone or computer. This system will continue to grow and add additional features as time moves on.

High-tech entertainment system also displays news from the net.

Vivint security and climate control system.

Vivint can also be controlled from a smart phone.

Two of the LEED certified homes have now been rented out.


Original story and pictures from "cnet News"

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Hands On: Windows 8 Developer Build

Alright guys I have a very exciting article for you today. I am going to go hands on with Windows 8 (Developer Build). This could be a bumpy ride so hang on!

Note: This post is coming from within the developer build

So I am going to attempt to give a good description based on what it's supposed to be (an alpha build) rather than what it's going to be in a year or so.

At the initial install you're greeted with a similar install screen to that of Windows 7. After which you are given some options for partitioning, deleting, and formatting drives (using the same Windows 7 screen). Most of the initial setup screens remain the same, however in the developer build you aren't asked a lot of questions at the first startup (such as time/date settings and all of that). In fact, all you are asked is PC Name, Username, Password and Password Hint.

Once you login for the first time you are greeted with a very rich and colorful UI, called Metro UI, by Windows:

Metro UI is Windows' new stylish interface.

You can scroll around and look at the 28 free developer applications that come with the build. There are plenty of fun little demo apps to get you started in the world of Windows 8 from games to social apps. Lightweight applications will be a welcome addition to Windows 8 if this is any proof of how they will run.

Labyrinth, one of Windows' demo apps.

Bitbox, a music sampling application.

Another thing you will notice is that Windows 8 has a different set of instructions. At first, without guidance, it may take you a bit to realize where all your bars and menus are. The "Start" menu is hidden in the bottom left corner, only to be shown wen you hover the mouse over it (this may be a setting switch, but I couldn't find it anywhere in this build). You may also find that getting to a normal looking desktop only takes one click (on the "Desktop" application), Here, you are greeted with a Windows 7 styled desktop. The difference is, where the round start button used to be, there is a square button with the windows logo. Upon clicking this button you are brought back to the Metro UI screen. So any apps that would normally be in a start bar, are now tiles on the Metro screen.

The start menu is tucked away in the bottom left corner.

 

One thing that confused me at first, and required some research, was the lack of application exiting. When in the desktop view you can exit any and all normal programs using the same "x" we all know and love. The Metro screen is another story. Upon exiting an app, your only option is to go the bottom left of the screen and hit start which will take you back to the metro screen which doesn't give you the sense that you're actually closing the app and that's because, well, you're not. Windows 8 does something different here. With the low powered apps that run on the Metro screen, Windows takes over and decides when to cut the power based on a timeline and power consumption by more recent apps. However if you have a backlog of apps running and you decide to check it out in the Task Manager (still found under Ctrl+Alt+Delete) you will see that the apps you quit a while ago are in a "suspended" state. A sort of freezing method where Windows only has to remember small pieces of data in order to bring the app back up to speed when you reenter it.

The new Task Manager "suspends" applications.

Windows 8, isn't clunky like evolving operating systems tend to be. In fact, Windows 8 (even just being the developer build) is incredible at task management within itself. Windows 8 has been shown to run less processes than Windows 7 as well as managing cores and CPU speeds better and more efficiently. This makes Windows 8 a snappy, and smooth experience.

In fact, once you get used to hidden menus and out of the ordinary task management, the experience becomes totally refreshing, rather than stressful as you may think it is upon first startup. I've had a lot of fun in Windows 8 in the last 24 hours, testing every single app, downloading some programs of my own, and really digging into the system.

Speaking of which, the control panel is another interesting note. At first, you get a control panel that is rather plain, and has only simple controls, but at the bottom of the Control Panel screen, is a button that will take you to the classic Windows 7 control panel if the option you need isn't displayed in the Metro Control Panel. While this may seem like a poor way of doing things, I found that many of the basic options a user would need are there, without confusing them with Hardware management and all of that stuff. (Trying to get to device manager to install my built in Wi-Fi driver is what clued me in to the new Control Panel)

The Metro Control Panel doesn't have all the options up front.

The Classic Control Panel is still here though.

Essentially, Windows 8 will be everything you loved about Windows 7 with a flashier "Start" menu and app browser, as well as incredible task management. I would expect Windows 8 to sell as well, if not better, than Windows 7 did.

By putting out a public download, they made it easier for developers, and experienced users, to offer suggestions about what to change in Windows 8. Right now, I believe I haven't spent enough time with new OS to complain. Everyone knew it had a tad bit of a learning curve (not like switching to a Mac, but what you would expect it to be by looking at the pictures) but from my experience it has only taken me a day to get used to the setup and (while I'm not positive) I feel that there is or will be an option to return you to a fairly classic desktop experience.

I will continue to bring you updates about my findings with Windows 8 in the hopes that together we can make it an incredible OS. The addition of apps will make this edition of Windows a very universal and easily developed platform. Windows 8 is expected to run on PCs and Tablets, as well as a trimmed version for phones.

In case you are wondering about the specs I am running this on:

Windows 8 Developer Build x86 (I will be downloading and triple booting x64 soon)
AMD Phenom II x6 1055t Processor
4GB RAM
1 TB Hard Drive (50GB partitioned to Windows 8)
Integrated Graphics (HD Radeon 4200)
TrendNet Wireless N Wi-Fi card (needed drivers from their site to operate)

Aside from the Wi-Fi, Windows 8 quickly recognized everything I plugged in to it (wired and wireless USB keyboards, wireless USB mouse, 250GB external HDD, Canon Powershot SX30 IS). I don't currently have any USB 3.0 devices to test my 3.0 ports but I would assume that support is built in, even in this build.

Overall, Windows 8 gets my approval and, while I don't think it's ready for market, I believe that they should have no issues getting a Beta out by late first, early second quarter next year and with their attitude lately, they could have the OS out easily by this time next year.

If you want to give Windows 8 a shot just click HERE to download it legally from Windows.
If you aren't too adventurous you can always Google how to run it in a virtual machine.

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Sprints Plan for iPhone 5

Rumors have stated several times that Sprint will be getting the iPhone 5, so this doesn't come as much of a surprise, but what really may help Sprint drive their iPhone 5 sales over AT&T's, as well as Verizon's, is the unlimited data they may be offering along with it.

It is confirmed that the iPhone 4 (and 5 when it releases) will be on Sprint and as an added bonus there are reports that state that there will be a $40 (same as Android) unlimited data plan available for purchase. This might just make a lot of people reconsider Sprint, especially after AT&T and Verizon both dropped their unlimited data plans.

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Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) - The Scoop

It’s no wonder that many people are curious about the iPhone 5, but with so many rumors (and past knowledge of Apple’s work) you can fairly easily put together the iPhone 5 without too much work. Windows Phone 7.5 handsets (and OS) are another story.

Many people have rumored (and shown) what features 7.5 will be running, however, there is still a cloud around what is really going to show up in the release. Many people are now running pre-release betas of WP7.5, which gives us a good idea of the changes, but they still aren’t all there.

We do however know that the update will greatly reduce the number of things the phone doesn’t do (especially compared to the original release of Windows Phone 7). The update will add things like multitasking as well as a tighter integration of social networking to your phone’s start screen. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and obviously, Windows Live, will all be easily accessible without running apps and even without moving from your start screen. This tighter integration is one way that Microsoft is making the experience easier. You no longer have to consider what app to use when you want to post to or update your network; you just go to the appropriate hub on your home screen. All these features are expected to be in the 7.5 release which is said to be in mid October.

Along with the mysteries of the Windows Phone OS come mysteries of handsets to be expected.

Everyone is aware that Nokia and Microsoft have partnered up to make some, what should be, pretty epic handsets (based on the past quality of Nokia products), but there is still a lot of information missing as to when handsets will be released in the US. Two have been released in Europe already, the HTC Titan and the HTC Radar (pictured above), and will be going on sale within the next month or so. So when will the handsets be available to US consumers? Your guess is probably as good as ours but I would guess very shortly after the release of Windows Phone 7.5 here in the US. If they wait too long, interest will be lost and they will be quickly overshadowed by the iPhone 5. If 7.5 is set to be released in mid October that could mean its release is set the week after the iPhone 5 which be good and bad for the, still new, OS.

Hardware is one thing we can discuss in better quality. Windows has stated that its phones will have minimum requirements in the past which means that all the phones running WP7(.5) must meet these (and more) standards:

Minimum Windows Phone device requirements

Capacitive, 4-point multi-touch screen with WVGA (480x800) resolution

ARM v7 "Cortex/Scorpion" – Snapdragon QSD8X50, MSM7X30, and MSM8X55

DirectX9 rendering-capable GPU

256 MB of RAM with at least 8 GB of Flash memory

Accelerometer with compass, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, Assisted GPS, and Gyroscope

5-megapixel camera with an LED flash and an optional front facing camera

FM radio tuner

Six (6) dedicated hardware buttons – back, Start, search, 2-stage camera, power/sleep and Volume Up and Down.[76]

List provided by This Wiki

More and more people are now trying out the Windows Phone OS and many people have made the switch. Microsoft isn’t messing around anymore and it’s comforting to know they are back in the game. (It at least makes it all more fun!)

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iPhone Set for Early October Release?

So let’s pretend you didn’t already think that was happening and take a quick peek at some proof, shall we?

According to CultofMac and some alleged Best Buy reports the iPhone should in fact be hitting the shelves in the first week of October.

CultofMac reports state that Apple will be issuing press invites soon to the launch of the iPhone 5 which is set to occur on September 21^st in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Earlier reports stated that a higher up in Best Buy informed it’s employees to prepare the battle stations, as early October could be a solid week for them.

Other, also supportive, claims state that Foxconn, the iPhone manufacturer in China, is producing roughly 150k of the most sought after phone a day. Foxconn and Apple are aiming to reach roughly 22 million handsets by the end of the year, says some reports.

While iOS5 wasn’t the most exciting release Apple has come out with to date, it does keep the player in the lead by a good margin.

The newest iPhone is rumored to be running an A5 processor with 1 GB of RAM. Not only will this create a much faster and smoother environment, the phone should actually weigh less than previous models, which is a plus. Add that to the aluminum casing, that has been rumored, and you have yourself a solid featherweight.

Some other features to be on the lookout for are as follows:

Front and Rear facing camera (Rear has rumored 8MP shots and 1080p video capture)
Dual LED Flash (for when one super bright LED just doesn’t cut it)
Built in Panorama mode (for super wide shots)
Built in NFC (a quick way of paying for goods/services by waving your device over a scanner)

Keep your eyes peeled, we are all expecting the drop any day now.

Article Image is a concept of a possible iPhone 5 Created by Item

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Welcome To "Blogging is Dead"

Hey all, this will be the start of my tech blog. It won't really introduce new things but rather my opinion of current tech events or devices. I really enjoy reading and passing opinions on new releases and I hope to share some of this with you. Some things that I post on here may not be an article but rather a comment to an article I read and the comments that follow it. For example, I read an article about the first Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) phone to be released (In Europe =[) and upon reading the comments I found, of course, a wild amount of fanboyism.

Essentially, my response to their WP7 bashing was this:

"LOL at that WP haters. I've read and experienced enough of the mobile universe to understand that Microsoft is and will make it's come back. Mango is the start. It's becoming clearer and clearer that Windows is not playing catch up, it's trying to do something new. It's trying to create an experience immersed within the UI rather than having to download apps for every separate thing you want to do. I currently am on an iPhone and it's good for what it's intended to do but as far as getting to the point, it never does. I won't touch Android... it's so fragmented it's a joke, still. And ICS (ice cream sandwich) may fix this, and that would be great! Apple proved that it's in fact playing catch up with it's iOS 5 release which really just adds features that are seen and loved in WP7 and Android. I'm sorry but Apple takes too much pride in their cloud (which happens to have been a part of WP for like...ever... yeah) Same with all of the text-to-speech and vice versa features. I am not against any company. I do my research always. WP7.5 has proven that it can and will compete with iOS and Android. Anyone that bashes it is either a fan boy or someone who as never used a WP. The Metro UI and fresh look that Microsoft brings to the table as well as the incredible integration with speech, gesture, and social networking isn't an attempt at getting in to the competition but rather an attempt at changing it. They know they're on the bottom of the smart phone heap but they also know they are doing right by the consumer with their release of WP 7.5. Anyone with an open mind has come to love WP and I fully intend to join the ranks as a WP 7.5 user when they release their handsets this fall."

More to come in the following days. I will begin to include links to articles as well as more opinions!

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