Apple announced their new tablet the iPad today.  It basically looks like a big iPod Touch and we’ll have to wait 60 days for the WiFi only model and 90 days for the 3G.  The price definitely fells like a deal breaker, with the best model costing almost as much as a MacBook laptop.  $30 a month seems like a good deal for unlimited data.   Big downside here is still no multitasking and there’s no built in camera.  Here’s quick info and specs:

Specs:

• .5″ thin / 1.5lbs
• 9.7″ IPS screen, 1024×768 resolution
• 1 GHz processor
• 16-64 GB Storage
• 802.11 n WiFi + BlueTooth
• Accelerometer and Compass
• 10 hour battery life

Info:

• Backwards compatible with iPhone/iPod Toch apps
• iBooks eReader app
• Custom iWork apps written for iPad
• Syncs via USB
• iPad Keyboard Dock accessory
• iPad Case, protects and stands unit up for watching videos

Cost:

• 16 GB, no 3G, $499
• 32 GB, no 3G, $599
• 64 GB, no 3G, $696

• 16GB with 3G,  $629
• 32 GB with 3G, $729
• 64 GB with 3G, $829

ABC’s Modern Family is what I think, the best new comedy this season.  Last night’s show featured Phil getting a new home theater system with an advanced universal remote.  Phil’s wife Claire, couldn’t figure out how to use the system at all.  It was a perfect example of how my family feels about my system.

The best quote was when Claire says, “I have this theory that Phil purposely installs complicated technology so he has a reason to talk to me like I’m a child.”

Definitely worth a watch for any tech enthusiast or HD junkie.  You can check out the full episode below.

Microsoft recently launched a beta of their new site Microsoft-Hohm.com, which is designed to help you track your energy usage and show you ways to save money and energy.  Think of it as the Mint.com for energy.

Hohm allows you to find your utility company and automatically import your energy usage.  Right now there is limited support from the utilities, but you can manually input your energy bills to help keep track of your usage.  The site also will help you build an in depth profile of your home and its energy strengths and weaknesses.

After looking at your energy bills and home profile Hohm will provide you with energy saving ideas to lower your usage and bills.  They have some quick, simple ideas such as setting your computers to go sleep, replacing your incandescent bulbs with efficient compact fluorescents, and lowering the temperature of your hot water heater.  They also offer more involved projects such as adding insulation to your attic, replacing inefficient appliances, and having your ducts professionally sealed.

Consumer energy monitoring is definitely becoming a more popular topic with hardware devices such as Energy Inc.’s T.E.D. (The Energy Detective) and Embedded Automation’s upcoming mStation.  Microsoft’s online service has the potential to become an integral part of these systems.

I have three main complaints about Apple’s headphones:

1. Comfort
2. Sound Quality
3. What I like to call PAF (Public Annoyance Factor)

The main focus of my rant today is the third, and what I think is the most important problem with Apple’s headphones.

Apple gives a free pair of earbud headphones with all of their iPod devices, and 95% of people use them. While these headphones may suffice for most people, those who don’t like the sound quality or comfort have the choice to upgrade.

Who doesn’t have a choice is the person sitting next to the iPod user.  As I’m writing this right now, the train is almost completely silent, except for the tinny sound of drums and symbols.  Where is it coming from?  I look around for someone with a radio playing.  No, it’s someone with an iPod and Apple headphones.  I can only imagine how loud it most be for them if I can hear hear it from five seats away.  It’s as if the headphones we’re designed to send more music out of the headphones, than to the person using them.  Next time you’re on the bus, or in the library or some other place where silence is appreciated and hear the faint sound of music, look around, chances are it will be someone listening to an iPod.

My suggestion to Apple is to please change their earbud headphones from the hard form factor, which let half of the sound produced escape from the back of the set. Instead use the earbuds with the soft silicon or rubber tips.  They’re more comfortable, have been sound quality, and most importantly, they keep the sound where it belongs, in the ears of the listener and not those around them.

Bitstream, makers of the Bolt mobile browser is officially dropping their Beta tag with today’s version 1.5 update.  If you already have the current beta installed, it should automatically prompt you to update.  Check back for a full review, here’s a quick overview of updates to the browser:

• 15% Faster than the previous beta.
• Full length video steaming
• Dedicated search bar
• Download manager
• Improved navigation and text rendering

While waiting for the new review, check out our past review of the beta here.

• VMware ESXi 4.0
• Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700
• 6 GB DDR-II Memory
• 5x Intel Gigabit NIC
• 3ware 9650SE RAID Controller
• Patriot 8 GB Flash Drive (ESXi OS)
• 4x 500 GB Seagate 7200.12 Hard Drives in RAID5 (VM Datastore)

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It reminds me of Nintendo’s old video producing days.