Mac OS X 10.9

Today, found out that Apple is working on Mac OS X 10.9. It's said to come with Apple Maps and Siri. OS X already had dictation, so Siri would be a nice addition. Apple Maps wouldn't do as much as we already have it in iOS form. There isn't any form of maps on the Mac except for online Google Maps. That's it for today! Leave your thoughts in the comments below! Thanks!

Wii U: Released

Yes, that counts as technology. For those who don't know, the Wii U is like the Xbox 720 or the next generation of gaming. Since E3 (Electronics Entertainment Expo), Nintendo has been quiet about the game system that is highly anticipated. Recently, Nintendo has announced some new features that could shed some light on the Wii U. In the last Nintendo Direct, Nintendo announced the rest of the mini games in Nintendo Land, including Mario Chase and Balloon Trip: Breeze. In addition, we now know the price of the Wii U and from my opinion, it's pretty expensive. There are two sets, the Basic Set at $299 and the Deluxe Set at $349. Unfortunately, if you want a white Wii U with the extras of the Deluxe Set, you can't. You can only get a black Wii U with the Deluxe Set or a white Wii U with the basic set. Which means if you like your Wii U to blend in with your HD TV (assuming that the TV is black as most of the HD TVs are), you're going to have to pay another $50 for the black color. You do get great bonuses with the Deluxe Set like the Deluxe Digital Promotion which lets you get extra credits for downloadable games in the future. Now that the Wii U is out (it came out today), I may be able to get a review in soon as I admit, I am a sucker for casual gaming (Mario, Wii Sports, etc.).

To learn more about the Wii U, go to http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu/ .

iPad Mini 4G LTE: Released

So. The iPad Mini with LTE is out. The last time an iPad was released at a different time because of cellular capabilities was when the original iPad came out. And I know that because I waited the extra two weeks and in the line. The line wasn't bad, it was just the two weeks bothered me. This cuts the line pretty close to Black Friday. Is cellular data right for you? If you are mobile and don't have a smartphone, including an iPhone, you probably want a cellular.

To learn more about iPad Mini's cellular capabilities, go to http://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/ultrafast-wireless/ .

My Humble Opinions: iPods

Welcome to My Humble Opinions. My idea of technology in a nutshell. Let's start with iPods. I personally find that music is nothing until you've listened to it on an iPod. Not an iPhone. An iPod. It's a new definition of music. It's something that feels nice. A personal drive that can play any song for 99¢. The next time you listen to music on an iPod, really think about what I said. Thanks.

Holiday Gift Guide is a go on the Apple Online Store

Yep. It's time. The new holiday gift guide up at the Apple Online Store. You can find it at http://store.apple.com/us/browse/campaigns/holiday/giftguide . It showcases the main flagship products and third-party products. It's helpful. While we are on the topic, please check out my gift list at http://techtalk4geeks.blogspot.com/p/holiday.html .

Remote Shutter

Whether it's "Geek's Night Out" or just a casual picture, you can use the remote on your headphones to take a pictures. Not all earbuds have a remote. Most Apple made earphones, including EarPods, have a remote. Some third-party earbuds also have a remote. The remote looks like the small buttons in the picture below. The remote tends to be located on the cord. To take a picture, go to the camera app and use the volume up or down button (the top or bottom portion of the buttons) to take the picture. It's the perfect shutter!

The remote on a pair of EarPods.

Tech 4 Cats

So people like technology. What about the rest of the animal kingdom? How about we start with cats? How about the Game for Cats app for iPad? It's a free app. On the iPad is a picture of an animated mouse that runs around. Check out this video I made of a cat playing the game!

To learn more about Game for Cats, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/game-for-cats/id406740405?mt=8 .

My Thoughts of the Microsoft Surface Commercial

The new Microsoft Surface Commercial is mainly focused on the stand feature. It doesn't say a thing about how it works or what it does. Just a stand. There's about a million other tablets with stands. That includes iPad. I just want to know what a Surface does. The website is no better. It's all about buying one. Hopefully, I can get a review in soon.

The Microsoft Store. Is it even worthy of being called a store?

I recently went to the Microsoft Store with a friend and it was a cheesy remake of an Apple Store. There were a few differences. One being that the employees weren't helpful at all. They didn't greet me at the door and were hogging up the line for the Xbox demos. Also, most of the computers wouldn't work. The trackpads couldn't move the cursor. Games on the PC wouldn't load at all. The webpages always redirect to the Microsoft Store. And don't make me start about the Blue Screen of Death (To get this joke, go to this link: http://techtalk4geeks.blogspot.com/2012/10/otay-ranch-apple-store.html).  Then, I went over to the Apple Store and was welcomed by a genius saying, "What brings you to the Apple Store today?" Gotta love the customer service at an Apple Store!

Shirt Comparison

Back of Microsoft Shirt

Back of Apple Shirt

Front of Microsoft Shirt

Bookmarklets

What are bookmarklets? They are little widgets made by developers to bring creative ways to add functionality to browsers. They use some sort of JavaScript to do this. Because iOS doesn't allow widgets in Safari, we use the bookmark menu! Many services use bookmarklets including Amazon, Pocket (Formerly known as Read It Later), and Readability. You can also find more at other websites by Googling "Bookmarklets". Some bookmarklets add articles to reading lists, others give statistics.

The Greatest Time-Saving Tips in iOS 6 That No One Notices

In iOS 6, there are two features you will not notice but help you a lot! The first one is the fact that there is no password required for updating apps. This is very helpful because before we would need to type in our Apple ID password before updating apps (Just so you know: updating is free). Next, is that when you set up an Apple ID, you no longer need a credit card. Some people want to buy only free apps. We used to need a credit card for that but now we don't! This is very helpful to new Apple users!

Microsoft Surface: Half the Tablet It Says It Is

Microsoft's flagship tablet, the Surface, isn't living up to what people are paying for. A 32 GB Surface without the Touch Cover (Hmmm. Sound familiar anyone?) is $499. However, this tablet only comes with 16 GB of storage. Half of this is devoted to the included features. A 64 GB Surface has only 46 GB of free space.

"We believe in the value of our entire Microsoft ecosystem, so we have pre-installed certain core apps to ensure you get the most out of your Surface"

- Microsoft

In all honesty, not everyone has an Xbox. We should be able to download the app included separately. But, the Surface does have a microSDXC memory card slot that can expand the free storage space of Microsoft's Surface. But come on. How often do you hear, "I'm going to Best Buy to buy a microSDXC for my camera." I think this is my first time hearing of this card. What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

To learn more about the Surface, go to http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-US?WT.mc_id=MSCOM_EN_US_HP_FEATURE_132F1ENUS32267 .

Apple sells Lighting to Micro-USB adapter

If you've ever owned a phone not made by Apple, this may be useful for you. Apple now sells an adapter for Micro-USB to Lightning. It's very small and had many uses. It just connects an iOS device with Lightning to any Micro-USB cable. It's main purpose is to charge or sync a device.

To learn more about the Lightning to Micro-USB cable, go to http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD820ZM/A/lightning-to-micro-usb-adapter?fnode=3a .

Understanding How to Answer Your Calls

For those who don't know, answering a call on an iPhone may be more difficult than you think. First, you get a call. If your iPhone's screen is off, a slide to answer slider is shown. If you are using your phone, two buttons appear. One to answer and one to decline. To decline a call with the slider, press the lock button (top button). To be reminded to call back or to send a message (while declining the call), slide up the bottom right phone and two options will appear (iOS 6 required). I think you can take it from here. Congrats! You've uncovered the secrets of answering a call!

Apple Bites Back

Recently, Apple lost a lawsuit with Samsung in the UK and Apple had to post an apology. Apple posted the apology with note that they won the lawsuit in the US. The judges disapproved and required a rewritten apology. Apple said it would take two weeks to rewrite it. After two weeks, the apology was on Apple UK's website. However, Apple added some JavaScript to require users to scroll down to see the apology no matter the dimensions of the user's screen. Nice going Apple!

To see Apple UK's apology, go to  apple.com/uk.

Holiday Gift List 4 Geeks: 2012

It's the start of the 2012 holiday shopping season! That means frantic shopping for the perfect gift, right? Well, the Tech Geek is here to help with a gift list for the geek in your life! One less person to freak out about! This page is easily accessible from the top tab bar that says, "Holiday Gift List 4 Geeks". Check it out and let me know if you have any great ideas.

If you need help accessing the page, here's the link:

http://techtalk4geeks.blogspot.com/p/holiday.html

iPod Shuffle doesn't have EarPods

Well, that title was pretty much self-explanatory. Yes. The new iPod Shuffle doesn't have the new EarPods. Instead, it has the older Apple Earphones. It may be because of the small packaging. There are many variables. Short-story-that's-trying-to-be-longer short, there are no EarPods.

The iPod Shuffle is currently $49.

To learn more about the iPod Shuffle, go to http://www.apple.com/ipod-shuffle/.

iPad Mini: Review

Yesterday, I went to the Apple Store to test out an iPad Mini. It's great! I just wish that there was a Retina Display. The feel is just right. The texture is very similar to the iPhone 5. The white is like gem! Not to mention, the Smart Cover is cute. It's so tiny. In addition, the figure of the iPad Mini makes it easier to press the volume up button to take a picture. The pictures are great for such a small thing! Everything else is pretty much the same as the regular iPad. However, I didn't get a chance to see how well it fits in a pocket. I presume it fits well. I give the iPad Mini four-and-a-half out of five geek glasses.

iPad Mini: Released

Okay. Apparently, I've been living in a cave and totally forgot about the release of the iPad Mini: Wifi. Yes. It is out and I hope to do review today at an Apple Store. I also hope to compare it to a competing tablet. Hopefully, I'll have a review within the next two days.

To learn more about the iPad Mini, go to http://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/overview/.

Wireless Keyboard

If you find typing on your iOS device is too hard, you may fancy a wireless keyboard. Apple makes one for Mac and iPad. It's called the Wireless Keyboard. Just go to Settings > BlueTooth and connect to your keyboard. The setup process is different depending of the brand and model of your keyboard. You may already have one for your computer. Try one today!