ObliteRon's Blog

Home Security Solution

obliteron — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:27:41 +0000

I am still pumped from implementing a new home security solution. My solution consists of GE hardware, support infrastructure by Alarm.com, and monitoring/control by FrontPoint Security. This isn’t your old busted wired alarm system; this is the foundation for a connected home!

iPhone case

obliteron — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:25:25 +0000

What I’m using now…

More-Thing Handwoven Marine (Blue)

It’s a semi-transparent Hydrocarbon Polymer case with frosted coating. What this means is it is semi-hard; not as flexible as silicone but not hard rigid as plastic. It is smooth, as opposed to grippy or slippery. The only thing that keeps it from being perfect is that the silent switch is recessed and hard to access.

Random Notes — bluetooth, part 2

obliteron — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:59:52 +0000

Decided to return the Jabra SP700 because it will only reconnect to the last paired device. I’m not sure what the “8 device history” is good for.

Ordered the BlueAnt S1 instead and received it on Saturday. It supports multipoint so that it apparently will connect to two devices simultaneously. First impression: the visor clip is HUGE and is designed for thin visors.

Random Notes — iPhone 3G case

obliteron — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:57:44 +0000

After my positive experience with the Incipio Feather for the BlackBerry Storm, I pulled the trigger and ordered the Incipio Feather for the iPhone 3G. It came in last week and I am pretty happy with it. It is close enough to naked that it almost does not look like a case is installed. (But not close enough to use the iPhone 3G dock)

Random Notes — netbook

obliteron — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:09:37 +0000

Windows 7 on the Acer Aspire One D150 works pretty well. Heck, even Windows XP Home Edition ran decently with only 1GB RAM.

Random Notes — bluetooth

obliteron — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:08:47 +0000

Finally pulled the trigger on a bluetooth speakerphone; decided to give the Jabra SP700 a whirl. I can’t be the only one who prefers the UK English voice to the US English voice.

Random Notes — Xbox LIVE

obliteron — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:07:46 +0000

Having a lot of fun playing the 1 vs 100 LIVE Beta…

Twikini, new Twitter app for WinMo

obliteron — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:16:14 +0000

Right now, my current favorite Twitter app on the iPhone is Tweetie; it has a straightforward interface, is simple enough to use, and just feels right. I’ve been looking for an app that worked as well (or better!) on both Windows Mobile as well as the BlackBerry, since I have access to all three platforms. I just saw a tweet about Twikini and am checking it out now.

Sample screenshot:

I’ll try to get a VGA screencap of my own up shortly.

If you’d like to give it a whirl as well, here’s the URL:

http://www.trinketsoftware.com/Twikini

Nyko Metal Pedal Review

obliteron — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:53:34 +0000

I received the Nyko Metal Pedal (NMP) three weeks ago and put it through a quick test on both Rock Band 2 (RB2) and Guitar Hero World Tour (GHWT) on my Xbox 360.

As far as video game drum controllers go, I have the Rock Band, GHWT, RB2, and even the Rock Revolution controllers.

My first RB1 pedal cracked into two pieces. My second RB1 pedal developed a similar crack, and I purchased the Blockhead Hit Kit for its replacement pedal. My first GHWT pedal went defective as well. (My RB2 pedal has since replaced the Blockhead pedal, and is going strong.)

The NMP seems like the Rock Band 2 pedal design, super-sized. Both the base and the pedal itself are wider, but the overall design is similar. I prefer the larger size, as opposed to the Blockhead Hit Kit’s smaller pedal.

In addition, for GHWT, you finally have a pedal that doesn’t move during gameplay or tilt from side to side.

Also included is a dual pedal adapter, which is basically a splitter for the input jack. The NMP + RB2 pedal seemed to work fine for me in RB2. However, the NMP + GHWT pedal did not; the NMP would not always register. As soon as the GHWT pedal was removed from the splitter, the NMP would register every time. Perhaps on GHWT, you need two NMPs for it to work properly.

I’m not a fan of the art design, but it’s under your foot all the time so who cares!

Pros:

Like a super-size version of the Rock Band 2 pedal (that’s a good thing)
Includes a splitter for double bass pedals

Cons:

Double pedal doesn’t seem to work with NMP + GHWT pedal combo

Bottom Line:
You need this if you have a cracked pedal OR you want a Rock Band 2-style pedal for use with Guitar Hero World Tour.

iPhone Apps

obliteron — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:41:21 +0000

(Wow, no new posts since 1/1/2009. What happened?)

My must have and current favorite iPhone Apps in alpha order:

Must Haves
Installous (Cydia)
Lock Calendar (Cydia)
Notifier (Cydia)
SBSettings (Cydia)

Current Favorites
Big Two (App Store)
Disney Plan (App Store)
iMExchange (App Store)
mBox Mail (App Store)
Scramble (App Store)
Tweetie (App Store)