Voice to Text Recognition on an iPhone

I have been searching for an application that will allow me to use my iPhone as a dictation device and will automatically convert my voice recordings to usable text. While reQall doesn't quite fill all my needs, I am finding that it is still a pretty interesting utility that can add a lot of extra support to a hectic lifestyle.

reQall allows you to set up categories and set times for your tasks. You can have folders for categories like Shopping, To-do and Notes. It has both a Web and Phone interface so you can make changes and update your lists to help make them work even better for you. But what I like the most is the ability to add your notes, dictation style, on the fly using your iPhone and the reQall application.

There is a free version that gives you a taste of what the program can do. And then…. the Pro version adds quite a few subtle capabilities that will make this program almost indispensible to you if you are one of those people that is continuously on the go. We need all the tools to make ourselves more efficient and to operate at our peak efficiencies. You might find this is just the program to give you that extra edge. These days, it is only small things that differentiate ourselves from our competition. Here is one way to give you the ability to shine in your customer’s eyes.

The Standard Version is free but for $2.99/month, $24.99/year you may want to consider the Pro version. Here is a brief list of features found in the Pro Version:

• Add items to Google Calendar and Outlook by voice.
• See what you need to remember right here and now via the Memory Jogger.
• Group items by creating Places that have an associated geo-location (with a GPS-enabled device. If you have the new iPhone 3GS this will do that for you).
• Group items by Place even without a GPS device. For example, "Errands" or "Online Tasks" can be Places.
• Create To-Dos, Notes and Shopping List items via email.
• Have your items for Work and Home organized automatically.
• Receive reminders via text message.

I have only been using this application for a short time but already I know that when the initial trial is up I am going to spring for the Pro Version.

Turn Your PC into a DVD Ripping Monster - DVD - Lifehacker

We get a lot of questions about how to backup your DVD collection to your workstation and make them available for playback. Here is an article from Lifehacker  writer  Adam Pash describing several different software packages to put into your software arsenal to do these functions. A package that I use currently that rips a DVD and converts it automatically on the fly to a .avi file. I then pointed all of media center libraries to this directory and they are now all available to play from my Xbox and Linksys MCE units. Another trick is to add package art to the icon by dropping a .jpg image into the directory with the movie file. Be sure to change the name if the image file to folder.jpg.   Since you can’t have the same file name located in the same directory, I place each movie file in its own folder to contain the files associated with the movie.The program I am using is called Intertech DVD Converter Pro and is not free but isn’t outlandishly priced either.

I also use a program from AudialsOne4 that allows me to capture any screen video to disk and save it in any video format that I choose. This allows me to capture content from video seminars that I need to go back to in the future or that I am not able to watch at the time of the broadcast because of some other commitment. It’s a great little program that also does video conversion from one format to another or almost any kind of digital from one format to another. I use this for a lot of different types of captures and conversions all the time. So hopefully all of these different choices will help you fill out your media library and give your DVD’s a longer safer life. Happy computing!

Turn Your PC into a DVD Ripping Monster - DVD - Lifehacker

You'll be looking at a new Kindle owner

Well, after reading about the new updates to the Kindle 2 this morning I decided that it was about time to get back into the game and " git me one of those..."

It is kind of funny that I have held off so long when I think about how leading edge I used be, first with the eRocket units and later using palm pilots and computer screens to read books. Finally the technology has come around that makes all this so much easier to read, easy to acquire and gives you some extra capabilities to help make your business life so much richer and maybe a little more functional.

Has the Kindle reached it's highest peak. No, it is still missing some key components that would make it the perfect device in its category. Many of the new systems are now communicating with your local libraries allowing you to access books that they have in their virtual shelves without any additional cost. This is one item that is now on my new wish list.

The ability to loan a book to a friend or family member, much like you would do with a traditional physical book, is now a limited feature of some of the other eBook competition. Hopefully Amazon will continue to respond to competition as they add more features to their product.

It is going to be interesting to see where this all progresses to. So next week I will begin this new adventure using by new eBook reader and I will let you know how it goes.

Hands-On Look at What's New in Office 2010 - Office 2010 - Lifehacker

One of my favorite sites these days for learning about new things both techy and nontechy alike is Lifehacker. Though there is a genuine bent towards the tech side of things there is a great amount of information being blogged by numerous writers about all sorts of things. However, this posting is a little on the tech side. If you are curious about some of the new features in Office 2010 that is coming out soon, here is a quick overview of the Beta that has been reviewed by Kevin Purdy. There are some interesting new features, and for those of you that have fallen in love with Windows 7, you will see better integration with the task bar and other features that I can’t live without now. Enjoy!

Hands-On Look at What's New in Office 2010 - Office 2010 - Lifehacker

Update available for Kindle 2

Amazon has announced two updates to its latest generation eBook reader.  Jude and I were discussing last night how we wish that the Kindle supported PDF file format natively.  For me one of the biggest uses with the Kindle is to have all my books, manuals and white papers available to me on the device.  Up until now you had to send your file to Amazon to have it converted from native PDF to a format that could be used on your Kindle.  The Kindle DX already had this feature in it.

The earlier versions of the Kindle will get this an update through Whispernet. You will be able to add PDF Files to your Kindle via connection to your PC using the USB port on the device. This update will also provide programming changes to make better use of the battery to give the Kindle better battery life. This appears to be in direct response to the newly releasing Barnes & Noble Nook eBook Reader that offers native PDF support in 10 days of battery life without using wireless connection.

Regarding the battery life boost, Amazon states, "Battery power management for portable wireless devices is a complex technical area, and the battery life improvement announced today is the result of a six month firmware improvement and testing program." With 3G connection active on the Kindle, users can enjoy reading books for up to a week.

Remember, sometimes dreams do come true!

New service from Comcast: Access your DVR remotely

You can now manage you DVR remotely using myDVR Manger. Once you have logged in and initialized the application, it will take 24 hours to synchronize to all the DVR units in your home.  This program allows you to schedule your DVR to record your favorite TV shows and movies from any where you have Internet access with computer.  If you have forgotten to schedule a program you can now access the DVR that you would like to program remotely from your work or other Internet connected computer.

The features include:

• Schedule your recordings online
• Review your scheduled recordings
• Modify a scheduled recording
• Modify a series recording

You will need your Comcast username (this is your email account) and password to be able to activate an access this account.  You will then be able to access and eventually any DVR that is in your home from a remote desktop.  You can even use this application on your home PC to make it a little easier to program your recording schedules.

I will let you know how well this works after I have used it for couple of weeks.  You're facing simple and straightforward and I feel this is a great addition to Comcast's capabilities.  Good going Comcast!