ASE Labs

Welcome to the new server

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 05:16:05 GMT

We are now hosted on a cloud instance that can scale with ease. Enjoy the new speed!

Rapoo Wireless Touchpad Keyboard E9080

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:18:12 GMT

Most products in the market are "me too" in design and features. Sure, it is good to stick with something that works, but trying something new and different could make the experience all the better. That is why Rapoo steps in with their new wireless input devices with some unique and space saving technology. Pair this with excellent industrial design and you have a winning product on your hands.

Netgear NeoTV NTV200 Streaming Player

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:01:19 GMT

Another streaming player? That's right, the Netgear NeoTV NTV200 may just be another streaming player, but they aren't all created equal. Netgear selected to leave out local content streaming on this product to focus on the experience and it clearly shows with the intuitive user interface.

Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:56:35 GMT

While we have many different input device reviews at ASE Publishing, we don't feature many stationary pointing device. This stops now as we bring the Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball for review and it brings new technology to this old style input device.

Gmail Gets Optional Preview Pane

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:37:40 GMT

The article sites the inspiration from it's tablet email interface, but I notice that it looks a lot like Outlook, Thunderbird, or just about any other desktop email client. I happen to like the feature and have already turned it on.

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Preview Pane, which is now available in Gmail Labs, allows users to simultaneously preview parts of an email while reading or replying to others. Users of Gmail for iPad or Android will instantly recognize the interface — its design is directly inspired by the email service’s mobile web apps.

http://mashable.com/2011/08/04/gmail-preview-pane/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29

HBO Go on Consoles

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:33:10 GMT

Like Netflix and Hulu, we can soon get HBO content streamed to consoles. The ability to stream every HBO show ever at anytime on a console sounds pretty awesome to me. If there's a billing option that circumvents by cable provider, I may be a new customer of theirs....

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No time table has been announced, but we'd be surprised if the service didn't launch on consoles within a year or so. Although there are no price details at this time, given that the service is free to HBO subscribers on other platforms, we expect the same for consoles.

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/08/03/hbo-go-heading-to-consoles.aspx

HP Touchpad Update

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:32:14 GMT

I haven't had a chance to go hands on with a Touchpad, but from the videos they seem like good tablets. If you're lucky enough to have one, you should be able to get the OTA update. It looks like the update provides increased functionality in addition to increased stability. Enjoy...

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Besides performance and reliability enhancements, this new version also brings new features to core webOS apps such as Email, Calendar and Photos.

Among the highlights are improved image rendering and faster scrolling in Email, the ability to set your wallpaper from photos in the Photos app, new layout of the Calendar, reduced audio skipping in Music when using other apps, and improved speed and accuracy of autocorrections when typing.

http://mashable.com/2011/08/02/hp-touchpad-webos-3-0-2/

Happy System Administrator Day!

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 15:39:57 GMT

Happy System Administrator Day (yes it's real) to all of the System Admins out there. We are surely underappreciated...

http://sysadminday.com/

Apple Releases OS X 10.7 Lion

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:38:29 GMT

OS X 10.7 Lion is now out. Nothing seems to be really compelling to me, but then again, I'm not an Apple user. It's a $29.99 upgrade for those who want to take the step forward. Here's one review I came accross. It's really in depth if you're interested in reading the whole thing.

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For now, I'll tell you that after spending a lot of time with OS X Lion--the client--there are some issues, as I mentioned. It isn't sterling. The Launchpad implementation feels awkward on OS X. Some of the new features, like full-screen apps, take some getting used to.

For the most part, Mac users are going to embrace Lion. There's a learning curve, but that's to be expected. Apple has always pushed and challenged their users to embrace new technologies, often for the better.

Even with its flaws, I'm still psyched about Lion. It's a nice affordable update packed with more than 250 new features that sells for only $29.99.

http://www.informationweek.com/byte/reviews/personal-tech/desktop-os/231001740

More Android Apps Found to be Malware

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:31:45 GMT

Does this really surprise anyone? More Android phones are activated every day than any other phone. That alone paints a huge bullseye on it for hackers. If you use an Android phone, you really need to be careful as to what applications you're installing...

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In the study, Dasient analyzed the live behavior of Android apps to determine their security posture. Of the 10,000 applications evaluated, more than 800 were found to be leaking personal data to an unauthorized server, Daswani says.

In addition, the researchers found that 11 of the applications were sending potentially unwanted SMS messages out to other smartphones--the mobile version of spam, Daswani says.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/231002162?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_ALL

Cooler Master Storm Sirus 5.1 Gaming Headset

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:59:16 GMT

Cooler Master has built a reputation as a maker of high quality computer components and peripherals. However, there are always dangers in expanding into a new market, and today, ASE Labs has the Sirus 5.1 Gaming Headset; Cooler Master's latest entry in their Storm line of gaming and performance equipment. Does the headset stand up to the same quality standards as the rest of the Cooler Master Storm line?

This Weeks News

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:40:50 GMT

I haven't had a lot of time to post new news, but there's been some good stuff happening this week. So I figured I'd post a single news article with some interesting things that happened this week.

First, if you're a Netflix subscriber that has a plan using streaming and DVDs, you're probably pissed. Netflix split it's streaming and DVD plans into two separate billable items. Now, you'll have to pay $7.99 for each service totalling $15.98 for both at the base level. That's a significant hike from the $9.99 that was billed before. I'm in this group and I'm not thrilled with it, though I do understand that what Netlix has to pay more and more to license all of the selections. But I think they need a lot more selections to justify an increase this high. Everyone used social media to show just how pissed they were about the change. Hopefully, Netflix will reconsider. In the meantime, here's an article reviewing the alternative options:

http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20079003-285/nine-netflix-alternatives/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

T-Mobile also launched their new caller ID feature. This would be awesome if it was free, but I don't think it's worth the $3.99/month they're asking for it. I think it's easier and cheaper to just let things to to voicemail and it it's important enough, they'll leave a message...

http://www.tmonews.com/2011/07/t-mobile-introduces-name-id-caller-id-for-everyone/

Google began testing the new Google + social media site. I haven't gotten an invite yet, so I guess I'll have to wait... Apparently, it's mostly dudes right now. That sucks. You'd figure since women are more social creatures by nature, that they would have jumped at the chance to try it. I suppose that if invites were given to a bunch of nerdy dudes, then there weren't going to be too many women that they knew who could get an invite.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-20079285-71/google-its-a-man-thing/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

The Demo for "Catherine" became available on Xbox Live. I'm not one for puzzle games, but this was really an interesting game. It's certainly one of the most unique games I've seen in a long time. I'll likely get it when it comes down in price. I don't think I can justify $60 bucks on it.

http://majornelson.com/2011/07/12/demo-catherine/

So, there you have it. A weeks worth of news in one post. Hopefully, I'll get more time to keep up.

Happy Birthday USA!

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 23:03:26 GMT

Kick back a few and remember that today our great nation freed itself. Hopefully we can continue to be the exceptional nation that we are and always have been.

Windows Phone Gets Angry Birds, Custom Rings Coming To Mango

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:12:00 GMT

Great news came yesterday for Windows Phone owners. Angry Birds is now on Windows Phone! I haven't played it myself, but apparently it's one of the best games ever. Also, they've announced that custom ringtones will be made available in Mango! This is one of the things I've critisized them for in my coming Windows Phone article. I can appreciate that they've taken the time to use the Zune software to keep the ringtones you create out of the music collection in the phone. I've run into that issue with Android in the past.

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Custom ringtones are coming.

If there’s one request we’ve heard over and over since launching Windows Phone last year, it’s this: More ringtones, please! I’m the program manager for the “sound experience” on the phone—everything from ringtones and alarms to alerts and key clicks. Today I wanted to take a minute to tell you about the ringtone-related changes in store for Mango, the next version of Windows Phone arriving this fall.

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_phone/b/windowsphone/archive/2011/06/28/now-in-marketplace-angry-birds.aspx

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_phone/b/windowsphone/archive/2011/06/28/ringing-in-mango.aspx

Supreme Court Strikes Down Violent Video Game Law

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:38:06 GMT

This is a big win for upholding First Amendment Rights. First Amendment aside, the government shouldn't be deciding what games minors are allowed to play. That's what the parents should be doing. I hate it when politicians try to push their own lifestyle agendas under the guise of "protecting the children". It's so transparent....

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The Supreme Court has finally ruled on the constitutionality of the California law (Brown v. EMA) that would have banned the sale of violent video games to minors.

The court struck down the law 7-2 using the First Amendment as the reasoning. Justice Scalia wrote the majority opinion, with Justices Thomas and Breyer in dissent.

"The act does not comport with the First Amendment," opens the opinion's syllabus. "Video games qualify for First Amendment protection. Like protected books, plays, and movies, they communicate ideas through familiar literary devices and features distinctive to the medium. And 'the basic principles of freedom of speech . . . do not vary' with a new and different communication medium."

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/06/27/supreme-court-decides-video-games-case.aspx

Hulu Plus on Android

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:44:43 GMT

Hulu Plus is now available for six Android devices. Shouldn't applications that work on one Android device, work on another providing they are the same version? This kind of segmentation is one of the big things that suck with Android. This is awesome for Hulu users though. I'd love to have it for Windows phone. This should also add value for those who might be interested in aquiring Hulu.

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Launching in Google's Android Market yesterday, the new Hulu Plus app allows Android users who subscribe to the $7.99-per-month service to stream TV shows and movies directly to their mobile devices.

For now, the app supports just six Android phones--the Nexus One, Nexus S, HTC Inspire 4G, Motorola Droid II, Motorola Droid X, and the Motorola Atrix. But Hulu is promising support for more Android phones as the year progresses.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-20073618-251/hulu-plus-app-launches-for-android/#ixzz1Q7Oc2CSy

Arctic Hobby Sky Rider 111

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:06:33 GMT

You want to get your kids outside and want them to have fun. Sure, they can still play stick ball... but that's so last century. Enter the Arctic Hobby Sky Rider 111. With this mechanical bird, you can take to the air and have a blast.

Mozilla Rolls Out Firefox 5

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:39:50 GMT

This is Mozillas first release since they've adopted a six week release cycle. Hopefully, speed doesn't sacrifice quality.

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Mozilla delivered two things today: Firefox 5 for personal computers and Android phones, and the promise to deliver the browser just a few months after its predecessor.

The organization, once the leading challenger to Microsoft's Internet Explorer, faces new challenges--notably Google's Chrome, new versions of which arrive every 6 weeks. Adopting a similar philosophy, Firefox now revs on a three-month cycle, and today Mozilla met its first deadline.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20072903-264/mozilla-releases-firefox-5-first-rapid-release-version/#ixzz1PvRMjUGX

Illegal Streaming Is Now A Felony

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:59:39 GMT

Beware illegal streamers, you've been warned. Evidently sreaming copywrited material to the public with intended financial gain wasn't illegal before. Who knew... I think it's funny that you have to do it 10 times before you can actually be charged.

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The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill yesterday that would make illegal streaming of copyrighted content a felony.

The bill, known as the Commercial Felony Streaming Act, addresses what some lawmakers are calling a loophole in current copyright-infringement laws. It is currently a felony to download or upload copyrighted content, but streaming is not expressly prohibited. This bill would add that streaming copyrighted content would also be a punishable offense.

If the bill is eventually passed by lawmakers, it would allow for infringers streaming content for commercial purposes to be sentenced to up to five years in prison. According to the bill's text, infringers will be charged when "the offense consists of 10 or more public performances by electronic means, during any 180-day period, of 1 or more copyrighted works."

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20071913-17/senate-committee-agrees-illegal-streaming-is-a-felony/#ixzz1PXdywF00

Redbox Expands Game Rentals

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:51:22 GMT

Redbox has rolled out game rentals nationwide this month. Though it appears that none of them are near me. Which sucks, because there's a few games that I'd love to rent for a day or two, but sure as hell wouldn't buy....

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As promised, Redbox has rolled out game rentals nationwide.

In April, Redbox said it would start offering game rentals in 21,000 of its 27,000 kiosks this month. The company is renting out a range of titles for the Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation 3, including the recently launched Duke Nukem Forever and last year's blockbuster hit Call of Duty: Black Ops.

Redbox has launched a full online listing of games available to customers. Those who find something they like can reserve a title from home and pick it up at their chosen Redbox location.

Redbox is charging $2 per day for its game rentals. It currently rents DVDs and Blu-ray discs for as little as $1 per day and $1.50 per day, respectively.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20071891-17/redbox-presses-play-on-game-rentals-nationwide/#ixzz1PXbuyGOn