As always, host Craig Crossman and co-host Carey Holzman fielded questions along with TigerDirect’s Lonny Paul from listeners by phone and email. Listen to the show podcast and keep listening for more about TigerDirect and Computer America!

Download audio file (ComputerAmerica01162008-hour1.mp3)

As it turns out, Russians have been pretty satellite savvy for years. While the United States was heading for the moon, the former U.S.S.R. was launching global positioning satellites similar to the ones the Western World has been using for GPS readings for years.

When the Soviet Union dissolved, those very same satellite networks sat ignored and unfinished.

Enter Russian President Vladmir Putin. Say what you want, this guy is leaving no stone unturned to increase technology business and development in his country. The newly reinstated system called GLONASS can now theoretically provide accurate satellite based positioning information for the entire Russian Territory. Do you have any idea how big Russia is? The best part is, the first consumer devices that utilize the satellite array should be available next year. By 2010 Russia plans to open the system up to outside nations.

With the United States based GPS, GLONASS, and the soon to be a reality European satellite positioning system (I’ll bet they wish they’d almost finished theirs two decades ago) consumers in the near future could theoretically benefit from a three-system set of information. President Putin joked that he was keen on the project because his treasured Black Labrador named Koni was always wandering off, and he’d like a more sophisticated way of tracking her down. But seriously, this newfound interest in knowing where we all are on the planet is long overdue.

Download audio file (12-12-07.mp3?nid=3084)

Watch every weekday for a TechTip from Dave Graveline.

Dave Graveline is the founder and host of ‘Into Tomorrow,’ a weekly 3 hour radio show about tech, electronics and all of consumer gadgets. Visit the show site at http://www.graveline.com.

If you want to keep up to date with Dave’s daily update, just click on the RSS icon on the left, or just click here.

That’s what we feature in today’s Into Tomorrow Tech Update with Dave Graveline.

Download audio file (12-11-07.mp3?nid=3084)

Watch every weekday for a TechTip from Dave Graveline.

Dave Graveline is the founder and host of ‘Into Tomorrow,’ a weekly 3 hour radio show about tech, electronics and all of consumer gadgets. Visit the show site at http://www.graveline.com.

If you want to keep up to date with Dave’s daily update, just click on the RSS icon on the left, or just click here.

Download audio file (12-10-07.mp3?nid=3084)

Watch every weekday for a TechTip from Dave Graveline.

Dave Graveline is the founder and host of ‘Into Tomorrow,’ a weekly 3 hour radio show about tech, electronics and all of consumer gadgets. Visit the show site at http://www.graveline.com.

If you want to keep up to date with Dave’s daily update, just click on the RSS icon on the left, or just click here.

Download audio file (12-05-07.mp3?nid=3084)

Watch every weekday for a TechTip from Dave Graveline.

Dave Graveline is the founder and host of ‘Into Tomorrow,’ a weekly 3 hour radio show about tech, electronics and all of consumer gadgets. Visit the show site at http://www.graveline.com.

If you want to keep up to date with Dave’s daily update, just click on the RSS icon on the left, or just click here.

While most of us are too busy to even answer a phone, there’s one amongst us for whom this plethora of knowledge just comes naturally. This prodigy of PC lore is our very own TigerTV host Logan—and he’s taken it upon himself to answer as many of your questions, comments, and queries as is humanly possible. Send him your thanks, send him your love, and above all, send him any concerns you may have regarding your PC, it’s inner workings, or anything else with an electrical cord you’re unsure of. He just might answer you—in a segment we call Tiger In Box.

Related Links: Graphics Cards, Flat Panel Televisions, Western Digital Mybook Essential External Hard Drive, Maxtor One Touch III External Hard Drive, Asus Striker Extreme MotherBoard, Sparkle 8800 GTX Graphics Card, EVGA 8800GTX KO ACS3 Graphics Card, ATI 2900 XT Graphics Card

Arno’s got this all wrapped up and ready for you to watch, learn and enjoy—so check it out, then get your own home security system started…because it’s never too late for peace of mind. When you’re ready to begin a simple one-camera installation or feel like diving into a multiple-camera setup, LukWerks and TigerDirect have exactly what you need. You can go directly to TigerDirect.com, or just click on the “LukWerks” link at the bottom of this post.

Related Links: LukWerks by WiLife Security Equipment and starter kits, Available at TigerDirect.com!

It’s important to protect your business and your family anytime, day or night. Ray Koterba, a knowledgeable Lorex representative, was recently at TigerDirect headquarters. TigerTV Host Logan caught up with him and picked his brain about security, and what Lorex can do for you. Check it out!

Lorex Technology Inc.[TSX: LOX] is a leading video security solutions developer, manufacturer and marketer whose consistent record of profitable growth ranks it among Deloitte’s North American “Technology Fast 500″. Lorex Technology’s analog and digital wired and wireless product lines are distributed via security distributors like ADI in the commercial market and by mass-market retailers like TigerDirect.com.

Lorex Corporation was formed in November 2003. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, Lorex Corporation provides the company with an office and personnel that is close to our major selling market. The US company allows Lorex Technology to enhance its relationships with existing customers while developing new opportunities for our expanded range of products. Steve Gold, former President of Panasonic National Sales is President of the new entity.

Check Out these great Lorex products at TigerDirect.com!
Lorex SHS-4QM 4-Channel Quad Observation System, Lorex SHS-4SM Video Surveillance System with 4 Indoor/Outdoor Cameras, Lorex SHS-4WLS Wireless 2 Camera Video Surveillance system

It’s that type of holiday where the present just must be perfect - and what could be more perfect than a digital photo frame to provide your Mother with years of great memories? Today’s podcast tells you about these deals as well as the differences between good and “bad” digital picture frames.

Download audio file (Digital_Picture_Frames_Tiger_Deals.mp3)

Check out these deals over at TigerDirect Deals.

The company’s current 750GB drives also use perpendicular recording, which allows more data to be stored on disks than traditional longitudinal recording. Seagate claims that its 1TB drives will also use fewer heads and disks than drives of similar capacity that are expected to be released, which will help to increase drive reliability and reduce operating temperatures, power consumption, noise, and weight.

Seagate is also making moves on the speed front, announcing a new 2.5-inch, 15,000rpm drive that the company claims is “the world’s fastest hard drive.” The Savvio 15K drive features a seek-time of just 2.9ms (milliseconds), or far less than the roughly 8.5ms seek times found in 7,200rpm drives. On the downside for consumers, these new drives are geared mostly toward data center customers.

Related Links: Seagate Hard Drives, Available at Tigerdirect!

It (Panasonic) plans to manufacture 25,000 units of them a month for the domestic market. The Japan launch will soon be followed by overseas debuts. Matsushita’s plasma TV sales came to an equivalent of about 4 million 42-inch models in the year ended March 31, and the company aims to boost those sales by 50 percent to 6 million units in the current business year, a company spokesman said.

Matsushita, which controls one-third of the global plasma TV market according to DisplaySearch, plans to bring its $1.5 billion plasma display plant on line by summer 2007 to take on the LCD camp. Matsushita also plans to spend $2.4 billion to build the world’s largest plasma display factory, doubling the capacity of its existing plants, including the one due to come on line this summer.

Related Links: Panasonic Plasma HD Televisions, Available at Tigerdirect!

The event was hosted by Dave Graveline of the Into Tomorrow Consumer Electronics Radio Show and the pre-event coverage was hosted by Mark and Chris of the show. This years winner: Charlie Demerjian - of Theinquirer.net.

TigerDirect Charity PC Race - 2007

Download audio file (TigerDirect_Charity_PC_Race.mp3)

Charity PC Race - Full Coverage

Part 1 Download audio file (TigerDirect_Charity_PC_Race_1of2.mp3)


Part 2 Download audio file (TigerDirect_Charity_PC_Race_2of2.mp3)

Are You A PC Builder? Put Your Money Where Your CPU Is (Or Goes)!

Journalists hailing from prominent PC publications, newsletters, magazines, and web-newscasts vied for their fifteen minutes of fame at the CES convention in Las Vegas. They competed in the “Build Your Own PC Race”, a charity event benefiting their favorite educational or other charity.

TigerDirect, an online computer and electronics retailer based out of Miami, hosted the 10th annual “Build Your Own PC Race”, which was held for charity. The PCs are donated to non-profit organizations, and an additional $10,000 is donated to the winner’s charity of choice. Other cash prizes are given to the 1st and 2nd runner up as well.

The Competition Was Fierce
The 30 or so contestants from specialty tech publications like PC Magazine, PC Gamer and Hardware Geeks made for tough competition. All contestants appeared to have built PCs in the past. One of the competitors was rumored to have worked at Intel for a decade or so.

The monumental piles of screws, components, and wires eventually became working, functioning computers as contestants scrambled, inserted, and pushed their way through tower cases and hard-to-reach plugs and connections
One Man Proves His Speed

Contestants “win” (or at least finish) by assembling the computer, booting it up, and connecting wirelessly to the electronic finish line. TigerDirect representatives wandered the floor, making helpful suggestions here and there and generally trying to keep things fair.

Charlie Demerjian from TheInquirer.net won the race by finishing in 6 minutes, 47 seconds. He has now won the event two years in a row. Mr. Demerjian chose to donate his winnings to Wingspan Life Resources.

For a Worthy Cause

The Speed-built PCs contain a 64-bit dual core AMD processor, 1GB of memory, a 256MB graphics card, a wireless card and a DVD burner. They will go to Seattle’s Atlantic Street Center after being inspected by Systemax technical personnel. Sytemax is TigerDirect’s parent company.

Related Links:

• TigerDirect.com
• AMD Processors
• Memory
• Graphics Cards

Vista is Here. But are you Vista Savvy? Read on to find out!

You see, when you install Vista from within Windows XP, the new OS is installed on a new partition, along with a new drive letter. This letter is usually D. This is fine, except that old programs that used to automatically boot from the C drive when you start your computer may get lost or confused. The solution to this minor dilemma is to start your computer in a dual boot configuration. Start the PC with the Vista DVD and install from there. This makes it so whichever operating system your using at a given time (Vista or XP) appears on the C drive, instead of D. It also designates any programs you install using Vista to the C drive, rather than shuffling them off to D. This will keep your programs that automatically default to C running smoothly as well.

Make Sure You’ve Got Working Network Drivers.
So you’ve got Vista installed, and now some of your network equipment is acting screwy. Here’s the deal: Microsoft tested more than 100 hardware drivers from the XP-era. They work fine with Vista but are not included with the operating system for various reasons. Ethernet cards and Wi-Fi adapters seem to be the most commonly affected devices. The solution to this snafu is a simple one: download the XP driver from the device manufacturer’s website. This will likely fix the problem straight away. There is a list out there with drivers that Microsoft engineers found compatible with Vista, you can find it at Windows/Sectrets.com/Vista.

Pick Your Laptop’s Pocket, While it’s Sleeping.
Okay, so this one is more of a feature than a trick. But it is still way cool. If you use a laptop computer, you know that starting up your laptop just to check a message or find an address or phone number isn’t always practical. Windows Vista SideShow technology enables laptop manufacturers to include a secondary or auxiliary display in future laptop designs. This display can be used to easily view the critical information you need, whether the laptop is on, off, or in sleep mode. The convenience provided by these auxiliary displays will save time and battery life by allowing you to quickly view meeting schedules, phone numbers, addresses, and recent e-mail messages without having to start up your laptop.

Go Commercial Free, For Nary a Fee.
You record your favorite television shows to your computer while you’re at the gym. But when you’re finally ready to watch, you still must fast-forward through commercials. Clip out the drivel: Vista’s edition of the Windows Movie Maker lets you edit shows you’ve recorded using Media Center. Although you are restricted to standard definition television content, this is still a great feature. You can also archive your video material in Windows Media Video (WMV) format, which makes for much smaller files than Media Center’s MS-DVR format.

Go Ahead: Use Virtual Folders.
Although the release information for Vista has downplayed the new Virtual Folders feature in order to hype other facets, it’s still there and highly usable. You just have to know where to look. Try it out: look for pre-constructed examples in C:\Users\username\searches. In a nutshell: you can use this handy feature in conjunction with the revamped search function. Start a search then click the “save search” option. This creates a search folder. If you use a title like: “documents by Mike that contain the Serious project” then the folder will dynamically update its contents to include any such file that is added, changed, or removed.

Keep the Malware Out of Your Hair
Trojan horses and rogue programs like spyware and its ilk are the bane of modern computing. Vista helps defend against these problem applications better than XP ever could. Here are two tricks that’ll hold back the tide attempting to flood your machine.
The first is fairly intuitive: leave Vista’s User Account Protection enabled and select a Standard User account. You will have to enter an administrator password occasionally, but bear with this. It is worth the minor inconvenience to keep out unwanted flotsam. For even better security, do what many power users already do: apply parental controls to your already created Standard User account. We know, you are already an adult. However, enabling this feature gives you a pop-up warning whenever you are about to enter a suspect webpage or run a rogue application on your computer.

Did You See That 3D?
Windows Vista is capable of striking 3D effects. But they are not just ready and waiting to pop out at you: you’ll have to know the tricks. For the best rendering in Vista’s included chess game, follow these instructions: Click game, then options, and toggle the Graphics Quality slider all the way to the right. When you click OK, you will notice the game instantly becomes smoother and less jagged. If you happen to be running an older PC, then you may wish to trigger the opposite effect. Slide the Graphics Quality indicator all the way to the left. This will drop the game into a 2-dimensional version that is perfect for PCs without the graphics power of the newer workhorse machines.

Computer, Do As I Say!
Boy, Don’t we all wish that had worked in the past! With Windows Vista, this may not be such an idle fancy. Windows Speech Recognition, a new feature in Windows Vista, lets you interact with your computer using voice commands. It was designed for people who want to use their mouse and keyboard less, yet maintain—or even increase—their overall productivity. You can dictate documents and e-mails in commonly used programs, and use voice commands to start and switch between applications, control the operating system, and even fill out forms on the web. Windows Speech Recognition was built using the latest Microsoft speech technologies.

It adapts to your speaking style and vocabulary, so the accuracy with which Windows Vista recognizes your speech improves each time you use it. Windows Vista supports speech recognition in a number of languages, including English (United States), English (United Kingdom), German (Germany), French (France), Spanish (Spain), Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese. With Windows Speech Recognition, you are empowered right from the start; a guided setup and an interactive training experience familiarize you with key concepts and commands.

Related Links: Sofware, Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista

Sharp LC-46D62U 46 Inch LCD HDTV
The AQUOS® LC-46D62U sets a new standard for large-screen flat-panel TVs. With Full HD Spec 1080p resolution, dramatically enhanced black level and an elegant new design, it produces a breathtaking picture quality that is second to none.

Panasonic TH50PH9UK Huge 50 Inch Plasma Television
A 50″ plasma display with the size and the exceptional image quality that is equally at home in the broadcast studio, a corporate boardroom, or on the set.

Related Links: Sharp LC-46D62U 46″ LCD HDTV, Panasonic TH50PH9UK 50″ Plasma HDTV, Sharp televisions, Panasonic consumer electronics, Panasonic broadcasting, Plasma/LCD/HDTV, HDMI high-def cables

• LG prepares top announcement about their combo HD DVD and Blu Ray DVD player
• Warner Brothers announces a TotalDVD format
• Gmail exploit may allow spammers access to your contacts, and
• Learn about the TigerDirect News CES Coverage next week.

Download audio file (Tiger_Direct_News_Update_for_01042007.mp3)

Make sure to listen to all the TigerDirect News Podcasts for the latest Tech Updates

LG teases us with new HD DVD/Blu-Ray Combo Drive

The long promised LG combo HD DVD + Blu-ray player is destined to end the high definition format war. LG promises the dual format player will be able for viewing next week at CES. LG has promised details on pricing and availability in Las Vegas next week. While no clear winner has yet appeared in the DVD format war, we can be sure this will be an ongoing battle. (Source: Engadget)

TotalHD DVD format released

Total HD discs, the hybrid double-sided Blu-ray HD DVD discs, are now being commercialized and introduced at CES next week. Industry insiders say the disc actually may confuse thinking that Blu-ray and HD DVD formats are no longer relevant in day to day buying decisions and an unwitting consumer may assume all discs are dual format - then if they buy say, a Sony DVD, it will not support both formats.

Gmail exploit provides your contacts to hackers

Gmail contacts important to you? Many people count on Gmail to provide their daily fix for email, however a new exploit takes advantage of the fact that Google puts your details into a JS file. According to Digg, if you’re logged into Gmail and browsing the web, any rogue website can declare the function “google” and then parse all your contacts.

The only way to safeguard yourself is to disable Javascript in your browser or simply climb into a hole and not use your Google suite of services.. Engadget reported testing the exploit and found their contacts correctly identified and ready for harvest.

LIVE! Coverage from CES Starting Sunday, January 7

TigerDirect News and the Advanced Radio Network will be providing LIVE video streams from the Computer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week, allowing you the first opportunity to see ALL of the products which are coming out in 2007. Make sure to check theTigerDirectNews.com homepage for live video provided by Stickam.com. During off hours, rebroadcasts of videos recorded throughout the day will be available. Turn to TigerDirectNews for the latest in Technology and Computing News.

This is your TigerDirect News Update for Thursday, January 4, 2007.

• ISP for Automotive Connectivity
• Samsung Hybrid Wifi/GSM phones making Splash
• Microsoft Bribing Bloggers with Fancy Vista Notebooks
• LCD TVs now hottest holiday gadget; and
• CES Coverage starts next week on TigerDirect News

Download audio file (Tiger_Direct_News_Update_for_01022007.mp3)

Subscribe to TigerDirect News Podcasts and keep up to date on the latest tech news!

ISP for Automotive Connectivity

While NYC cabs prepare to measure cellular connectivity, Autonet Mobile claims to be the first in-car ISP. Autonet provides a remote terminal, powered by Verizon EVDO networks, for use in your car. While many already subscribe to the EVDO service, Autonet provides a simple terminal offering a WiFi connection for the users to ‘jacking in’ to the net on the go.

The service claims they will provide coverage on up to 95 percent of US roads for $50 a month when it’s launched this spring. Partnering with AVIS, a new upsell will be appearing on the rent-a-car market: In-Car WiFi.

Samsung Hybrid Wifi/GSM phones making Splash

Samsung launches the first “Googlephone,” the Ultra Edition 13.8 (formerly known as the Z720) is destined for the European-crowd and will be numero uno in what’s likely to be quite a lengthy list of Googled mobiles. The Ultra Edition will provide similar services to the T-Mobile @home beta users in the Northwest who have been testing the phones as the T720 since last year.

These phones allow users to roam between cellular and WiFi networks for making telephone calls and receive unlimited calling via WiFi for $20 a month.

Microsoft Bribing Bloggers with Fancy Vista Notebooks

While Microsoft first gave OEM clients beautiful leather embossed Asus notebooks touting Vista, they have now sent fancy-schmancy Acer Ferrari laptops preloaded with Windows Vista to about 90 bloggers.

This move is being seen as the software giant sending bribes to bloggers. Even as they try to defend themselves, Microsoft’s PR Gurus aren’t exactly sure what they did wrong.

LCD TVs now hottest holiday gadget

While digital cameras led U.S. holiday spending for the last three years, LCD TVs took first place this year with $925 million in sales.

Coming Next Week

Next week, TigerDirect will take you to Las Vegas and the Consumer Electronics Show. Live streaming video will carry the coverage by TigerDirect News and “Into Tomorrow with Dave Graveline” radio show. Listen for further updates this week as we prepare for our first live CES Coverage, brought to you by STICKAM.com.

Today’s Headlines:

• PSP to sport 60GB hard drive?
• Replacement Wii Straps arriving in mail; Tiger executive suffers from his Wii-kend Experience with the latest Nintendo system
• FDA Announces cloned livestock safe, but not final
• ALLofMP3.com just won’t shut down
• Core 2 Quad Q6700 chip to be announced at CES

Download audio file (tigerdirect_news_update_for_dec_29_2006.mp3)

Subscribe to the TigerDirect podcasts for the latest in technology updates.

PSP to sport 60GB hard drive?

According to industry speculation, yesterday’s announcement by Samsung of a new 60GB 1.8″ hard drives included images that indicate that the drive may end up in an upcoming PSP.

Nearly two years since it’s Japanese release, a PSP upgrade may be due in many people’s mind.

Replacement Wii Straps arriving in mail

People are starting to receive their replacement Wii straps with thicker string attaching the device. No matter how strong the strap, the Wii-mote seems to be giving people a workout. Listen to what Editor Dan Brown had to say about his Holiday adventure with the Wii.

FDA Announces cloned livestock safe, but not final

In a FDA report issued Thursday, cloned pigs, goats and adult cows were deemed to pose no threat to humans, including milk and other byproducts.

While Wired News reorted it costs $15,000 to clone a cow and $2,000 to use ‘natural breeding’ we cannot be sure why cloning is causing any type of buzz.

The FDA noted that it cannot forsee any special labeling requirements for clone-based products while recent polls show more than half of Americans would NOT buy cloned meat if they could.

ALLofMP3.com just won’t shut down

Russia’s ‘All of MP3.com’ is a key issue in some international trade agreements and the recent lawsuit filed by the recording industry isn’t slowing them down one bit. The lawsuit has been called ‘unjustified’ by AllofMP3 who claims their site is legal under Russian law.

Core 2 Quad Q6700 chip to be announced at CES

Speculation ensues that Intel will introduce the followup to the Q6600 Quad Core CPU at CES in Las Vegas in less than two weeks. The new chip, dubbed the four-core Core 2 Extreme QX6700, will have 8MB of L2 cache. The Core 2 Quad is two Core 2 Duos bonded together in a single package is expected to be clocked at 2.4GHz.

TigerDirect wishes you and yours a great New Year as we sign off from this holiday week. We look forward to serving you another year in 2007, TigerDirect’s 20th Anniversary.

And that was your TigerDirect tech update for Friday, December 29, 2006.

Listen to the full story from Dave Graveline with Today’s Into Tomorrow Tech Update!

Tech Update Podcast for 12-15-06

Download audio file (Tech_Update_for_12-28-06.mp3)

Brought to you by Into Tomorrow and the Advanced Radio Network.

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• Digital Cameras and Video Cameras

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