Posts by Paul Hanley

Asus Eee Pad Transformer Android tablet

Try updating the firmware!

I've had a 16Gb Transformer from mid-May and when I received the unit there was already a firmware update waiting for me, closely followed by another one a couple of days later and then the big update to Honeycombe 3.1 at the start of June. Asus if nothing else can't be moaned at for not fixing issues. Firmware updates have fixed camera and performance issues as well sorting out issues with the keyboard that people have been experiencing - most of which seem to have been pretty much iradicated now.

My only real disappointment with the Transformer is the lack of apps available for Honeycomb - which can't really be blamed on Asus. I have noticed over the last week or so there have been a trickle (def. not a glut) of Honeycomb compatible apps and games being released which can only be a good thing. Overal I'm pretty happy with mine (as long as the apps keep coming)

Western Digital WD TV HDD-to-HDTV adaptor

Popcorn Hour A-110

Ok twice the price but silent and plays all of the above formats that you are all moaning about (apart from Apple DRM'ed files obviously).

On the ability to play files bought from iTunes, why do reviewers always get disappointed by the fact that you can't play iTunes DRM protected files on anything other than Apple hardware? Has there been some big announcement from Apple (or anybody else for that matter) saying that they have opened up Apple DRM to other hardware manufacturers? No of course there hasn't and it isn't going to change because WD or anybody else bring out a piece of hardware that will sell 0.00001% of what the iPod does. Lets get real and deal with reality here regardless of if it is right or wrong.

Logitech Digital Video Security System

Plug and play

I think the whole point about this kit is that you plug it in to the mains. You plug a USB dongle in to your computer and install some software and it just all works. There is no messing around with IP addresses (or rather no knowledge of IP addresses in needed). Also from what I have read else where, there is quite a bit of processing power in each camera over and above the normal IP cameras.

Totally over priced all the same but I guess you pay for convenience.

Warrington first to get Virgin Media 50Mb/s

What about home workers?

I work from home 2-3 days per week and spend the rest of the time in office. I have a Virgin 20Mbit connection and I am always hitting my daily limit and getting throttled. In fact I have seem to have been throttled all of this weekend :(

I VPN in to my company network and use RDC to use our back office system. I also download a lot of big image files to work on (hence why I hit my daily limit).

It suxs big time but is still better than any other ADSL service in my area.

US PS3 sales rocket after 40GB console debut

Price!!

Lets not loose sight of the fact that the Wii is considerably cheaper than the PS3 which is also going to be a factor in units sold.

Wii is still a slightly graphically enhanced Gamecube with a great controller. 1st party games are generally good but 3rd party games have been generally quite poor. Sales of 3rd party games are nowhere near the level of 1st party titles which will put publishers off and then you'll have the same issue that the Gamecube had - no decent games that weren't from Nintendo (alright there will be the odd one).

Microsoft Zune wireless music player

Sound Quality

I, believe it or not have both an iPod and a Zune for work and whilst the iPod is an icon of design and all that blah I do have to say that the sound quality out of the headphone socket is far superior to the iPod. Obviously I don't use the in-pack headphones because they are rubbish but I haven't gone mad either, I am just using some £30 Sennheiser CX 300's.

The Zune sounded a lot more musical to me and better paced than the iPod.

At the end of the day what is more important? The sound quality or the UI?