iTunes Genius

I love iTunes. It’s great to be able to buy one song from an album instead of 9 other songs you’ll never listen to just so you could get the one you liked.

The one thing about iTunes that I can’t figure out is their Genius component – which is supposed to look at the songs you’ve purchased and listen to regularly and then recommend songs that are similar which you might like.

I bought an Annie Lennox song the other day. It’s called “Shining Light”. I’ve been a big fan of hers for a very long time and have several of her songs in my iTunes library.

iTunes sent me an email a day after the purchase of Annie Lennox and included some of their Genius recommendations.

I’m not sure about “Shine” from the band Booty Luv!?! Did iTunes recommend it because they both have titles about shine? (For the record, the dance song is not bad, but I can't help but snicker each time I think about the band's name. And I see no connection to Annie Lennox.)

Netflix has the same type of recommendation service – where they try to guess your tastes based on ratings you give movies that you’ve watched. It’s not much better. At least they are doing something about it though.

How to improve your iTunes Genius recommendations
Netflix offers another $1 million prize for better movie recommendations
Enter an algorithm to improve Netflix's recommendations

Click here to visit the Snackworthy site

Lightning Strike

Lightning strikes are a common thing here in Florida. We have surge protectors for most of our electronics to prevent serious damage. We have battery backups for the most important pieces, like the computer (so you don’t lose any work if the power goes out) and Tivo (seriously, I couldn’t possibly miss one minute of Project Runway!).

We had a major storm the other night. A day later, I decided to do some work around the house (Yeah, I know. What got into me?) and I turned on the stereo to listen to some music.

Wait a minute. I didn’t know Annie Lennox was in the movie "Lord of the Rings"! I could hear Annie singing and the hobbits yelling at each other. (Mr. Frodo wasn’t singing, but I totally bet he could rap.)

After a few moments, I realized that our stereo receiver had been hit by lightning again and an electronic component had burned out inside (even with a surge protector). This happened once before, where the receiver played all inputs at the same time – the TV signal, the iPod, the CD player, XM.

While I like to multi-task, I can’t pay attention to all of that at the same time. Just ask Charles – he'll tell you I barely listen as it is. (Did he just say something?)

So I'll be looking for a new upgraded surge protector with a battery back up. And sending the receiver off to get fixed.

Surge Protectors with Battery Backups
Project Runway (now on Lifetime)
Models of the Runway (Thanks Pat – I’m now hooked on another TV program!)
Annie Lennox (more on Annie later this week)

Click here to visit the Snackworthy site.

TiVo and YouTube

We had some friends over the other night for happy hour. After a few drinks, the conversation turned to funny commercials. One of our guests made a beeline to my laptop, cranked up YouTube and showed everyone the Boost Mobile video. It features two pigs sitting in a restaurant, talking about eating ham. (If pigs can eat ham, why can't Charles, right?)

While this was entertaining, it was more fun watching our guest do the ‘talk to the hoof’ gesture (pictured) that the pig makes at the end of the commercial. (I did say we had a few drinks in us by then.)

Without thinking, we were passing around the laptop to watch the YouTube video. I had completely forgotten one of the benefits of TiVo – the entertainment equivalent of bacon.

With TiVo service connected to a high speed Internet, you can watch YouTube videos on your big screen TV. No need to pass the laptop; everyone can watch at the same time. (Unless you want to watch your guest re-enact the ‘talk to the hoof’ gesture each time the video is played as the laptop goes around the room.)

By the way, happy birthday Scott. See, I never even mentioned it was you doing the ‘talk to the hoof' gesture. Oops.

TiVo
Boost Mobile commercial on YouTube

Camera Bag

I’m enrolled in a photography class right now at the local university. You know that means? No, my pictures have yet to improve. But it does mean shopping for photography accessories, of course.

On the Gaiam site, I found a solar camera bag for my Canon. The bag has a flexible solar panel on top that sends a 1.5W trickle charge to a 12V outlet to charge equipment.

OK, so I may not be Ansel Adams (yet), but I sure know the importance of natural lighting.

Gaiam

Solar Power

I use my mobile phone a lot. Sure, I use it for calls occasionally. More often, I’m texting like a pre-teen girl or updating Facebook or checking my email. All of which takes up a lot of energy. (Actually, I meant the battery power in my phone, although my thumbs do feel a little tired.)

Once my bank account allows, I’m buying the Solio Hybrid 1000 charger. (I wonder if there were nine hundred and ninety nine chargers before this one…)

It’s a battery that powers up from the sun or from the USB port on your computer (if you work in a cave devoid of light like I do). When your cell phone battery starts to wear out, plug it into this gadget to recharge. It works the same as if you had plugged it into a wall. The great thing about the Solio is you can clip it to a bag, suitcase, etc. and let it charge throughout the day.

After a little time with the Solio, you’ll be back to talking on your phone. Me...I’ll be back to my texting.

TerraPass

Radio Shark

Are you still listening to the radio? Haven't given it up for your iPod or some clever podcasts on the Internet? Then listen to this.

You need to get Radio Shark.

It's like TiVo for your radio. (Tell me you know what TiVo is!) It records live radio and allows you to pause, stop or even repeat your favorite broadcasts.

It plugs into your computer's USB port for power and you control it through either a Mac or PC.

And you thought you had everything you needed...?

Radio Shark

Palm Pre

Didn't Apple once make a phone? Everyone was so pleased with its touch screen. How revolutionary!

Puh-lease. Palm was making them for years, just without the style, the pop music and the marketing muscle. I'm on my second Palm Treo that keeps track of my entire life.

Finally, Palm has gone glam. The new Pre features a beautiful touch screen - with plenty of curves and glitz. And, a real keyboard that slides down. It was the most buzzed about at the Consumer Electronics Show this month.

I think I'm in love. Sign up now at Palm's web site for a Pre-alert of its availability. Be sure to type something on your new Pre in front of all those iPhone fanatics.

Palm Pre

Keyboard 2.0

Oh, my god. I can't believe you're using last year's keyboard. Don't you know how boring it is? Do something with that tired old thing already! It's embarrassing.

At the very least, get some new press ons to freshen it up. These useful keys include new options that your old board could never do.

While it won't help your typing (nothing will), the colors sure will complement that new manicure.

Pick up a set right away. After all, you don't want all the other computers making fun of your keyboard.

Computer Key Caps

Jawbone

In another month, it will be convertible weather. That time of the year when friends and family claim they can't hear me on my mobile phone.

But I've got plans for this fall. I'm buying this new headset for my phone. It has noise reduction technology built in that really works. The headset rests against your skin and picks up on the vibrations of your jaw while you talk. Check out the video demonstration on their web site. Amazing, huh?

Now no one has an excuse to hang up on me. Again and again and again.

Jawbone

Free fonts

One of my favorite features on a computer is the ability to change fonts. They're very important to me.

Whether you're creating an invitation to a party at your home (I better be invited) or trying to liven up a boring business presentation (don't invite me to that), the right font is essential.

Go to Dafont. They have thousands of fonts. And here's the best part. They are FREE. Yeah, I know. It's like winning the lottery ... just without all the money and quitting your job and fun stuff.

Maybe I've oversold it. OK, how's this? Dafont is a great place for free fonts. And they even have instructions on how to install, for those who might struggle.

Dafont.com

Free software to remove spyware

Ever notice when you go to a web site and there are ads for something you searched for a couple of days ago? That's because Internet advertising companies keep track of your every move.

If you're on a PC and surf the Internet, your computer is probably full of little cookies and spyware running in the background. They download without your knowledge and monitor your movements. And those are the legitimate ones. Stumble onto the wrong site and you could download some nasty little bugs. Yuck.

Yeah, we know Macs don't have to worry about this stuff. But for the majority of the population, get Ad-Aware. It's free and it keeps your computer clean. Download from CNET.

Ad-Aware