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Pearing Systems might be building a computer into a side table. It’s a neat idea and they way they’re dealing with access to components is ingenious. It pops right out of the box.
The USB Typing Speedometer reminds me of my mom. It measures typing speeds up to 260 WPM.
Penguin Books will soon be releasing DRM free Audiobooks. Penguin CEO, Marjorie Scardino seems to get what those of us in the tech world have been saying about DRM.
The Rest Easy lounge by Winnebago converts a sofa into a large, soft bed at the touch of a button.
Use promo code “CALI” to save $50 off a Drobo at DroboStore.com. Details are here.
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March 5th, 2008 at 4:15 am
Cool computer! Hahaha, Looks pretty good, yet, kinda impractical to me. Doesn’t really fit the decor, haha. Like the idea of easy servicing. Wonder how well the ventilation is.
Not yet sure where I stand on the convertible sofa/couch/bed thingy on the RV, though.
Hobs
March 5th, 2008 at 8:35 am
I’m a furniture designer and had a PC in an end table 15 years ago. Actually used the table body as the case, with the ports and drives accessible at the edge. Wireless keyboards and the potential of a wireless connection to an HDTV make this one potentially more practical.
I love your show, Cali. Keep up the great work! ;)
4D
March 5th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Cali, spend 5 minutes with a typing tutor program that supports the Dvorak keyboard and you will believe that 260wpm is definitely possible, and even achievable by a normal human.
March 5th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I believe a big reason why computers aren’t built into furniture is because they are two separate markets. Would you buy an ugly table because it has a computer built in? the answer, for most people, is no. It would be too hard to cater to individual tastes in furniture, i think. A better option may be to design computers with furniture in mind…say, a computer shaped like a DVD player for media centers?
As for typing that fast, its not really that hard. I now must simply question your geek-ness, Cali. Seriously.
March 5th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Wow! The quote from the Penguin CEO blew me away! What a great way to treat your customers!! Someone needs to clone this woman and put her in charge of every record company on the planet. Not wanting to go too off topic here but I heard about I believe it was Warner the other day snubbing iTunes in favour of some other DRM free store. It’s that kind of attitude that pushes people, I believe, to piracy. I want to be able to choose where I get my media dammit! So let’s compare…on the one hand Warner & their ilk basically forcing people to either not buy their stuff at all or to pirate it & Penguin on the other who say let’s just get this stuff out there and let people enjoy it on their own terms! Genius.
Rant over. Sorry. :)
March 5th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
@Loren and Brandon:
What are you talking about? Even the fastest typist in the world can type “only” 150 wpm.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Blackburn
March 5th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Cali,
I agree that the quote from the CEO of Penguin is one of the coolest that I’ve heard.
I’m not sure about that unfolding Queen-sized bed, though – looks too much like sleeping on a couch. Okay at first, but the novelty wears off, it’s just sleeping on 3 disconnected cushions…
Regarding the table-puter, the overall concept is nice (as mentioned in other comments). The company might be better off selling either the table sans components, or the mounting hardware just for do-it-yourself-ers to create their own table-puter…
March 5th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I just went to Pearing Systems web site.
They need to really look after themselves…
In addition to the afore-mentioned problems with updating their web site, the name for their main product is MEdiaCOre. At first glance, this looks too much like MEdiOCre (literally) to me. I guess it could just be me…
Mark
March 5th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
No Cali (and Loren) I don’t think anyone would actually be able to reach 260wpm. The record-holder is Barbara Blackburn who only got up to 212 on a Dvorak keyboard. The Qwerty layout tends to slow people down. http://web.syr.edu/~rcranger/blackburn.htm
March 6th, 2008 at 12:25 am
irrelevant to the clip, but would like to tell neil and cali the lighting in todays podcast was right on, looked great.
March 6th, 2008 at 12:36 am
Its Brief #323, write?