Bridget Carey: The Digital Dish

MTV's "Diary of Facebook" to feature South Floridian

A local Facebook user is making a cameo in MTV's "Diary of Facebook," which airs tonight at 11 p.m. Eastern. The episode showcases some Facebook users' stories, one of which is Hollywood, Fla. resident Thomas Ohlson. He's part of a large community on Facebook raising awareness for ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. It's a nervous system disease that leads to muscle weakening, twitching and an inability to move arms, legs and body.

But don't expect to see much in regards to behind-the-scenes company secrets. Ad Age's Edmund Lee writes: "At best, MTV's "Diary" is a gloss, a 21-minute company brochure examining a few very narrow nodes of life inside Facebook."

Diary - Celebrity News

First impression of Xperia Play, a Verizon PlayStation Android phone [PHOTOS and VIDEO]

Tonight I visited the Miami Beach party for the Xperia Play, getting a hands-on preview of the PlayStation Android smartphone on Verizon. Maker Sony Ericsson tied the event with its Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament going on now in Miami.

The phone wasn't activated on Verizon's network, but I got to mess with it for about an hour. This gaming geek's first impression: Stunning.

The graphics are vibrant and crisp on the 4-inch, 16 million color screen. It's easy to hold and play games -- it just feels so natural. And the 5-megapixel camera on this new Android 2.3.2 system has an updated interface that makes settings (such as flash/mode) much more simple to change in a snap (video below). It also appears to take sharp photos and video. (I couldn't send any to myself because there was no network connection.) And being a Android 2.3 OS, it includes the new Google Maps with a 3D interface, where you can zoom in and see shapes for buildings (video below).

It comes pre-loaded with six games, and will have the option to download more: Asphalt 6, Bruce Lee, Crash Bandicoot, Madden NFL 11, Star Battalion and The Sims 3.

As you can see in the photo, the PlayStation joysticks are designed as two circular touch pads, and you can adjust the sensitivity settings.

At the event, I met up with Danish "DMAQ" Maqbool and Tom "Tsquared" Taylor (pictured here) of Major League Gaming. They've been using the phone for a couple days and both fell in love with it. They especially couldn't get enough of the Bruce Lee game.

Each said the touch-pad joysticks were easy to use, and battery life was not a problem. DMAQ said in one sitting he played for three hours straight and still had a little more than half his battery. Tsquared said the battery charged fast and the "speaker system is awesome." I'll take his word on that for now, since the music was too loud to judge myself.

There's no offical launch date, but it's expected to come out within three months or so, according to event organizers. I personally can't wait to give it a spin.

Photos and video of the camera's interface:

 

In this short video, Tsquared and MAQ show the Google Maps 3D layering on a map of New York.

 

Spanish-language laptop hits BrandsMart stores in South Florida, Georgia

Adiós to remembering keyboard shortcut combos. For the first time in the United States, Spanish-speaking customers can walk into a retail store and buy a computer made for the Spanish language.

South Florida BrandsMart USA stores are carrying the Spanish-language version of the Dell Inspiron M5030 laptop, which includes additional keys for special characters like the ñ, as well as keys for accents and punctuation. It also loads a Spanish version of Windows 7, and Dell offers booklets and tech support in Spanish. BrandsMart is selling it for $498.88, the same price as the laptop's English counterpart.

The laptop is coming later this month to BrandsMart stores in Georgia.

Sure, any computer can be switched to another language. And a keyboard can be programmed with shortcuts. By default on an English keyboard, you have to hit ALT + 164 on the number pad to get the character. For those unfamiliar with Spanish, having quick access to a dedicated ñ key is a time saver that can mean the difference between typing año (year) and ano (anus).

While writing the story, I spoke with Nova Southeastern University computer engineering professor Leo Irakliotis, whose first language is Greek, and used to struggle with typing in Greek on a English keyboard.

"The first time I had to switch between keyboards, I had to write the program myself and that was 25 years ago," Irakliotis said. "Now it takes you about 45 seconds to do. It's quite impressive actually what you can do."

Since any computer can be switched, buying it in Spanish-out-of-the-box in stores is more about comfort levels and typing convience.

Read the full story in today's Herald here: Spanish-language laptop hits stores in South Florida

Spanish-language Dell Inspiron M5030 Tech Specs:

Processor: AMD Athlon II Dual-Core P360
Memory: 4GB, DDR3, 1333MHz, 2 DIMM
Video Graphics: Integrated ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250 Graphics
Hard Drive: 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Multimedia Drive: 8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Display: 15.6" HD (1366x768) LED Display with TrueLife Panel
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit, Spanish)
Digital Media: 3-in-1 Media Card Reader
Networking: Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Wireless: Atheros 802.11g/n Wireless Card
Sound: Integrated Audio / 2 x 1W Speakers
Keyboard: Spanish Keyboard, Backlit - NO
Webcam: Built-in 0.3 megapixel
Power: 6-Cell Battery
I/O Ports: 3 USB 2.0, VGA, 1 Half Mini-card Slot, 1 Headphone Jack, 1 Microphone Jack, RJ45 (Ethernet)
Width: 14.88" (378.0 mm)
Depth: 9.65" (245.0 mm)
Height: 1.48" (37.7 mm) front / 1.58" (40.2 mm) back
Weight: 5.62 lbs (2.552 kg) with std. 6-cell battery
Warranty: 1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty and Mail-In Service

(Pictured above is the English counterpart of the M5030 Dell laptop. The Spanish version adds several more keys.)

Review: Verizon Motorola Xoom lacking now, but shows promise

[UPDATE 03.16.11: Today Motorola announced it will be selling a cheaper Wi-Fi-only version of the Xoom for $600 at various retailers on Sunday, March 27. It's the same price as the 32 Gig Wi-Fi iPad 2. That changes things quite a bit, and makes the tablet appealing for folks who don't want a data plan or don't need mobile broadband. (Verizon is selling the Wi-Fi and 3G/4G version for $600 with a two-year data plan, or $800 without a plan.)

When comparing the Wi-Fi versions of the iPad 2 and Xoom, the Xoom outshines the iPad 2 with a better camera and the ability to view online Flash videos, making for a much better online browsing experience. The only question is will the apps designed for Honeycomb be able to stack up against the iPad? Many app updates are needed for things like Facebook and Qik video chat to work nicely.]

So the Verizon Xoom hit stores with several flaws: buggy apps, lacking Flash support, lacking hardware for 4G.

But once Verizon and Motorola address those issues with software updates (and letting you get 4G installed by bringing it back to the store), then it promises to stand strong beside the iPad 2. On March 18, the Xoom will be able to view Flash videos, and it has a better camera than the iPad 2.

But, the iPad 2 has better apps and a better e-book reader. And with the iPad you have the option to turn the 3G data plan on and off different months. There's no contract and no activation fee.

To get that lower $600 price tag on the Xoom, you'll need the two-year data contract with Verizon. Otherwise, you'll have to dish out $800 to not have a contract.

The video below sums up my experience, or just check out the more detailed print review in today's Herald.

Review: Motorola Atrix 4G blurs line between laptop and smartphone

So tablets aren't your thing, but you like the idea of a mobile computer? Try on the Atrix for size. It's the next generation of smartphones (aka NirvanaPhones); just plug your smartphone into a docking station with a screen, keyboard and battery, and you just turned your phone into a laptop.

It's been a week since I returned it to AT&T, and I still have the Atrix on my mind. It really was a snazzy  tool for business travelers... yet too expensive to commit my love. Be aware that it's not fast enough to flawlessly stream videos, although I did watch a full 30 Rock episode on Hulu and just put up with the choppiness. (4G ain't always what you hope it to be.) Review video below, full print review here.

How not to use the Facebook 'like' button

Folks, its time to slow down and be more aware that you can send the wrong message by "liking" certain things on Facebook.

Last week's Poked column was about the problems that come with the term we over use on Facebook. The "Like" button has infected every crevice of Facebook sharing. In this busy world -- and when we don't know how else to respond -- we simply click "Like" to show something has our attention.

Why are people clicking "like" to stories on the Herald's Facebook page about the horrific catastrophe in Japan? Or liking a story about a child murdered? Because they like the art of journalism? That's just a poor attempt at interaction that makes the users look moronic and insensitive.

And what about "liking" when a friend writes a status message about being sad, or ill? Is that how people try to say "I feel your pain?" And if you just want to see what Charlie Sheen is up to, do you dare risk your professional reputation by clicking that you "like" him, just so you can get updates?

Check out the column and share your two cents. Have you fallen prey to the "like" button syndrome of quickly sharing and showing acknowledgment, rather than taking the time to comment in a sensitive situation?

Ideeli adds local deals, starting with Miami

Ideeli.com, a online shopping site for limited-time sales of high-end products, has introduced a series of local deals this week, starting with "Destination Miami."

Deals in Miami (which can be found under the experiences tab) include Eden South Beach Restaurant, offering $70 for a three-course, prix-fixe dinner for two including a bottle of wine, valued at $130. Some deals must be redeemed within three months, others within a year.

Ideeli is free to use and boasts 3.3 million members since it launched in 2007. The site is among the top sites for what the industry calls "flash sales," and ranks alongside similar deal shopping destiations like HauteLook, Gilt Groupe and Rue La La.

Long lines for Apple's iPad 2

Long line at the Aventura Mall Apple store as customers wait for the iPad 2 release at 5 p.m. today. This photo was taken by Anabel Llopis, a marketing director for the mall, who said there are hundreds in line.

Update: Pictured here is Alisa, the first person in line at Aventura Mall, who waited since 11:40 p.m. last night to get the iPad 2. It's her gift to herself for her birthday today. [Photo sent in by Aventura Mall's marketing manager, Alejandra Velasquez.]

I've also recieved reports of hundreds at the Lincoln Road Apple store. Share your line experience by sending me a message: bcarey@miamiherald.com or @BridgetCarey on Twitter.

Breakdown of iPad 2 release: Verizon vs AT&T data plans

The iPad 2 goes on sale in stores Friday, March 11, at 5 p.m. You can buy it at:

• Apple Stores
• AT&T
• Verizon
• Best Buy

If you rather just wait to have it delivered, online sales begin Friday at 4 a.m. Eastern. You can get a version that only uses a home Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet, which is the cheaper version. This is good for folks who don't plan on traveling much with it.

Wi-Fi version prices:

• $500 for 16 GB of storage
• $600 for 32 GB of storage
• $700 for 64 GB of storage

Want to get one that has the option to tap into a wireless 3G network when you're not at home or in a public Wi-Fi spot? Add another $130:

• $630 for 16 GB of storage
• $730 for 32 GB of storage
• $830 for 64 GB of storage

Now you have to decide between AT&T or Verizon. Both don't require a contract. Paying for 3G is on a month-to-month basis, which you can switch on and off anytime. There are no activation fees. You'll have to decide which one has a monthly data plan that better fits your needs, and which has coverage that works for you.

Expect to download large files frequently on a trip or do lots of video streaming? Then get a bigger data plan. Just want to check some e-mail and download a file or two? You'll only need the minimum. But be aware of how overage charges work. For example, if you have it with AT&T so that you're sent a monthly bill, you'll be automatically charged for all the data overages. But if you set up an account with a credit card, you'll be asked before being charged more.

AT&T:

• $15 a month for 250 MB of data. (Overage: $15 for another 250 MB.)
• $25 for 2 GB of data. If you get this plan now, there's a limited time deal where you get the first-month free. (Overage: Another 1 GB costs $10.)
• The Personal Hotspot feature is available to customers who choose the $25 plan, plus pay another $20 for tethering. It'll give you an extra 2 GB of data. (So that's $45 a month for 4 GB of data and the option to share the Internet connection with nearby devices, like a laptop.)

Verizon has more choices:

• $20 for 1 GB of data (Overage: $20 for 1 GB.)
• $35 for 3 GB of data (Overage: $10 for 1 GB.)
• $50 for 5 GB of data (Overage: $10 for 1 GB.)
• $80 for 10 GB of data (Overage: $10 for 1 GB.)

So what's the big deal about the iPad 2? There's now a camera in the front for video chatting, and another camera in the back. It's also thinner, lighter and has a better, dual-core processor. And you get the option to buy colorful covers that help it stand up. If you don't care about these things, then go with the original iPad, which is $100 cheaper.

Comcast expands digital offerings to Miami

Starting today, most of the Comcast customers in Broward and Miami will need a digital converter box attached to every television in order to see any channels beyond the basic 25-or-so.

It's part of Comcast's move to a new digital platform with expanded offerings. My home already converted in early 2010, as did much of Broward, but most of Miami and Key Biscayne are being switched over today.

It's no biggie if you already have some sort of set top box from Comcast, like a HD receiver or DVR. But if you have a secondary television, like in a bedroom or kitchen that just connects to the cable in the wall, then you will need to add one of these boxes.

Comcast is giving three free boxes to each home, and you can either have someone come out to help you install the units, or have the company send you a self-install kit. But chances are if you are effected by this, Comcast already contacted you.

Comcast hasn't gotten to everyone in South Florida just yet. The switchover process will continue to neighborhoods throughout Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties until the first quarter of 2012.

This week, Comcast also started offering more Spanish-language content, and launched a new web portal: XfinityTV.com/latinoTV.

You can read more in today's story: Comcast expands digital offerings to Miami