Boot Camp: Run XP on Your Intel Mac.....Legally

Blindsided. Apple is beta testing a new piece of software called "Boot Camp" that will make it easier for you to run Windows on an Intel-based Mac, and apparently they plan on featuring it in the next version of OS X, Leopard. If you have an Intel Mac and a copy of Windows XP, Boot Camp makes it easy for you to create a partition on your hard drive for each operating system and gives you the ability to boot into either OS X or Windows. Maybe I am out of the loop, and maybe it is just really strange that Apple would foster this unholy alliance, but I was completely caught off guard with this announcement. This is not to say that Apple and Microsoft will get along anytime soon. "Apple has no desire or plan to sell or support Windows, but many customers have expressed their interest to run Windows on Apple's superior hardware now that we use Intel processors." Oh Apple, always so modest.

MII Flashcam

For a $2500 flashlight, you might think the makers of the Flashcam might want a name that would fit a piece of technology as opposed to a pornography website. Not so apparently. Never-the-less, the Flashcam nearly compensates for its outrageous price tag with a gig of memory, audio/video capability, an LCD screen, infared, and a bright as hell "85000 candle power light." Cool, but not $2500 cool.

Via Uber-Review

Toshiba SED TVs

The folks over at IGN are raving about Toshiba's new SED television technology, which they say will put LCD and plasma to shame. At first glance, the SED TVs look very similar to plasma/LCD technology. The form factor of the unit is slim and it look like it should be just as light. The picture quality, however, sets the SED technology apart from the rest. IGN reports a 10, 000:1 contrast ratio for the prototype with a 100,000:1 contrast ratio by the time these start rolling out (tentatively) at the end of the year. For some comparison, current plasma televisions will give you around 3,000:1. This, combined with a super-fast refresh rate means the traditional downsides that LCD and plasma televisions hold (in particular the difficulty to show black) will be demolished. I have never been more glad that I have yet to buy a big LCD/plasma. Prices for the new SED technology are surely going to be substantial in the beginning, but if Toshiba can manufacture enough to be competitively priced, this will be the TV to have.

Fuji FinePix V10

I have always been a fan of Fuji's digital cameras. They have good picture quality (in all but low-light situations), good design, and come at a decent price...if only they would give up those cursed xD memory cards. The V10 looks to be another Fuji I would love to have. And, like all cameras I say that about, right now it is only available in Asia (Korea). A quick look at the Fuji website shows a March 2006 release date in the States, though. As for the camera, I love the design, and the features are in line with most compact digitals as of late. At 5 MP it is all the camera the average point-and-shoot consumer would need, and at three inches the LCD looks to be one of the biggest you are going to find in a compact-ish camera. The only problem I can pick out of the specs is the problem I have with most compact digitals - the optical zoom. The 3.4x optical zoom is fairly standard, but doesn't quite do it for me. If you are a portrait taker, and don't mind using the Fuji-only xD cards, you might want to check out the V10 when it hits our shores in March.

via Akihabara

2006 Bloggies

OK, so I am a bit late on the Bloggie bandwagon this year, but it's never too late for a shameless plug. If you like Waiting for Response and it enriches your life with fascinating news and a touch of bitterness please go to the Bloggies site and vote for us (I am especially fond of the "Best Kept Secret" category). If you don't like the site, well that really hurts my feelings - vote for me anyway to help heal the pain. To make sure that your vote counts, you have to vote for three seperate blogs, so head on over and make sure that the blogs you read are well represented. Voting ends Tuesday 1/10 at 10pm EST.

iTunes Signature Maker

"So what type of music do you listen to?" Ugh, what a dreaded question. If you have trouble defining what is in your iTunes library, check out the iTunes Signature Maker (iTSM). This tool analyzes your music collection, asks a few questions and then generates a short audio clip that attempts to summarize your music taste. Now, you don't have to let people know that you are a music snob, iTSM will do it for you.

via Lifehacker

Steel Camera Shaped Flask

I can't afford to give drunk uncle Jim a digital camera for Christmas this year, so maybe I will get him something he can actually operate (and believe me, he is a pro) - this camera-shaped flask. It even includes a funnel so you do not spill a precious drop. How's that for conservation?

via Book of Joe

Ebay Auction to Benefit Mercy Corps

This may be a bit of a diversion from the normal subject matter around here, but it is a worthy cause none-the-less. One of Carole King's reps emailed me about an Ebay auction they are doing for Mercy Corps, a charity that "exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities." You certainly can't go wrong with that. Also, my mother would hound me for hours if I didn't mention something that had both Carole King and a charity like this involved - and with the holidays coming up she would have ample time to do so. If you are interested in Mercy Corps or just the Carole Kings swag, here is the auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4808466265.

USB Bible Drive

For those cases where being religious isn't as important as showing how religious you are, let me introduce to you the USB Digital Holy Bible Key Chain. Only suckers carry the Bible text on an ordinary secular USB drive. Get "The Complete And Beautiful King James Translation of The Holy Bible" on a bitchin' gold keychain for the low low price of $29.99. I wonder if the church still takes a 10% tithe on Bible gear?

via Book of Joe