When Apple recently released it’s tablet, the iPad, reception was mixed. Many thought that it was over priced while others thought that it was the best thing ever. Back in December, before the iPad was even announced, the JooJoo was announced. It had been previously called the Crunch Pad bui when TechCrunch dropped support for it the hardware maker decided to release it. It has less storage than the iPad and it is not user accessible. IT uses web apps instead of nativley installed applications. One feature that it has that the iPad doesn’t is a  webcam for video conferencing and that is an important feature that will keep people from buying the iPad.

The JooJoo

The Consumer Electronic  Show is where most of the new gadgets coming out during the coming year are announced. It is held in Las Vegas every January. Ending on the tenth some of the devices announced already are multiple Sling Player devices, multiple netbooks, and USb 3.0 harddrives. Multitouch devices are a big part of CES this year. Microsoft announced their multitouch tablet, a multitouch 22″ monitor and an HP tablet PC.

Facebook’s new privacy features actually make it more difficult to set your profile to be hidden.  The new settings implemented Wednesday allow you to set certain posts viewable by only certain people. This is one of the only positive features.  For new users the default settings are set to allow anyone to see your profile and for new users setting the privacy settings is not usually the first thing that they do.

Facebook Logo

Google Voice a service on the web that allows you to receive an send text messages for free, direct certain calls to certain phones and block callers. You receive a free phone number as well.It features threaded comments similar to Gmail. It is currently in a invitation only beta but it will be opened up to the public soon.

A Google Voice Screenshot

There will be eight new macbook pros for checkout in the Library soon. They can be used during Honors Study hall, in the library or in class. They must remain in the building. You can check them out in the library.

Image Courtesy of Apple

Microsoft has a program to give free software to students. The Dreamspark programs gives students access to the server operating systems, Visual Studio, and the Expression Studio. Expression studio includes a web design program and a program to create images for use in websites and other projects.

To sign up for the program go to Journey Ed’s website and order the Dreamspark Verification key. Use your school email to sign up for the account and when it asks for school identification scan in a picture or take a picture of you school id. Go to the Dreamspark website and sign in with a Microsoft Live ID. Once you are signed in click go (see image)

After you have clicked go you enter your country and state. Once you have your verification code emailed to you that can be entered at step 3. Once you are verified you can begin downloading software.