Out of all my online hobbies, watching full movies is on my A-list. And here’s the thing: everyone can do too, but not everyone know how. So in today’s post I’m gonna present the two websites I use, and how to use them.
Sphere: Related ContentControl your PC with your Bluetooth phone
Posted by Francis Panganiban on May 11th, 2009
Image by Blueshareware.com
[For Windows only] Phone Remote Control is a shareware application from Blueshareware.com that lets you use your phone as your PC’s interactive remote control. All it needs is a Bluetooth-enabled phone and PC, and you’re ready to go.
Some features that I personally like:
- Control Winamp, iTunes, or Windows Media Player using your phone (switch tracks, shuffle play, rewind/fast forward, volume control, etc.)
- Control your on-screen mouse cursor using your phone’s control stick (awesome for pranks and presentations)
- Interact with your Powerpoint presentation right with your phone
- Shutdown or reboot Windows, or lock your work station with just a few clicks
- Extra features enhance your workstation security; Phone RC can automatically lockdown or set your PC to screen saver mode when your phone is out of range
- Version 5.1 can actually use WiFi connection instead of Bluetooth (sweet)
However, there are some drawbacks — since it’s a shareware app, you’ll need to get the full version if you don’t want it nagging you after every few clicks, and some actions cause your PC and phone to freeze, especially if you’re on a low-speed Bluetooth connection. But overall, I’d give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Bluetooth Remote Control [Blueshareware.com]
Sphere: Related ContentWindows 7 RC Downloads now available!
Posted by Francis Panganiban on May 5th, 2009
This is an update to an earlier post I made.
Microsoft has now opened the gates to Windows 7 RC downloads. According to Technologizer, the downloads have actually been dispatched earlier than expected (being released late night at May 4, while the expected release is at May 5).
With all the new download servers open, everyone is now allowed to grab a copy of the Windows 7 RC, even those without TechNET or MSDN subscriptions. Here are the steps:
- Proceed to the Windows 7 RC download page.
- Register and sign in with your Windows Live ID, and then fill in the registration form using your personal information.
- Verify your email address by following the link in the email sent by Microsoft.
- Proceed here to get your activation key and download link.
- Download the DVD Iso file, and then burn to a DVD disc using your favorite burning program (recommended program CDBurnerXP).
- Boot up the Windows 7 DVD disc, and then the setup wizard will guide you through the rest of the installation.
Be sure to check if your computer meets the following recommended requirements:
- 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- 1 GB RAM (32-bit) / 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
- 16 GB available disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB (64-bit)
- DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Some users have reported that they were able to make Windows 7 RC run smoothly on PC’s with only 512MB of ram and a 2.0 GHz processor. However, I have not yet tested this claim myself.
And that’s it. Enjoy your newly installed Windows 7.
Some notes:
- According to the Windows 7 download page, the RC will only work until January 1st, 2010. By the first of March, 2010, the RC will automatically time your PC, and it will automatically force shutdown after 2 hours, unless you have installed an activated version of Windows 7.
- You will need a working internet connection for RC updates, or else your OS might begin showing you annoying nag screens.
- To burn the ISO, you will need a DVD-RW drive, and of course, a blank DVD-R disc. Standard CD-RW drives and discs won’t work.
TED Talks: Amazing hacks out of a $40 Wii-mote
Posted by Francis Panganiban on May 4th, 2009
Out of all the TED videos I’ve seen recently, I have to admit — ‘Johnny Lee: Creating tech marvels out of a $40 Wii Remote‘ is one of the most amazing videos I’ve watched. He combines sophisticated software with non-expensive hardware and a Wii mote to create amazing educational tools; such as $50 electronic whiteboards, multi-touch interfaces, and 3-D head-mounted viewers.
Best of all, the software he used on the demo is free to download from his site, so you can do everything he did with a Wii-mote.
