Security Scare

After a brief security scare, I seem to be back up and running again. A heads-up to anyone who frequents Google websites several times a day, like I do. There's a domain trying to take advantage of anyone who mistypes Google's name as "goggle" in the address bar.

They got me briefly (embarrassing to admit, but true), but I realized I was in the wrong place in time to avoid any serious consequences. I verified that I dodged the bullet with scans from two different scanner programs, after reverting to a previous restore point on my machine. Hurray for having adequate back-ups.

From what I have been able to ascertain from searching the Web about the bogus site, it's popped up in varying incarnations, off and on, for the last five years. It doesn't seem like the current version is as deadly as the original version, which looks to be nothing more than a scam and spam ploy, but my suggestion is to avoid it, regardless. If you want to read up on the site for yourself, see McAfee's Site Advisor or Symantec's Norton Safe Web.

There was an episode of The 404's podcast not too long ago where Justin Yu bashed Web browser users, Internet Explorer users in particular, for too often typing the site they're looking for into the search field of their browser, rather than typing the address directly into the address bar. This instance is exactly why we do - sometimes, we screw up when we're typing the URL, and we get directed to a site created by individuals with malintent. Typing it into the search field first let's Norton save us from our fallible fingers.

Way to go Google

This is perhaps the coolest Google doodle yet.

Eco-friendly...phones?

Apparently, there’s a type of “green” tech that I’d missed until now – green cell phones. Namely, the Samsung Replenish. 

(credit: amazon.com)

I stumbled upon an ad for one the other day. Since it was the first I'd heard of a "green" cell phone, I looked into this Android-based phone a little more. Here's an article from the New York Times about its original launch back in April (I think there's a new model out now). And, here is the product page on Sprint's website.

It seems to get semi-mixed reviews from users on Amazon, but here are the stats that make it "green" tech:

• Constructed of mostly recycled materials (although, users say it feels solid).
• Available solar panel charger for the battery door (and since many users complain about battery-life, this may come in handy).

I like that it's not only eco-friendly, but also has a physical QWERTY keyboard in addition to the touchscreen. Even though I'm a die-hard BlackBerry fan, if Verizon Wireless had this phone, I might consider trying it out.

Tech news round-up

After a rough two weeks with work, I'm glad to put August behind me. There were several tech-related stories I missed during that period that I'd still like to comment on, so I'm going to do a quick "round-up" now.

The death (sort of?) of the HP TouchPad

Shortly after the initial drops in the price of the HP TouchPad, HP announced that it was discontinuing the TouchPad altogether and kicking the price down to a mere $99. Mass sales and sell-outs ensued. HP subsequently announced they would be bringing the TouchPad back again for a short factory run to fulfill additional orders, still at the $99 price tag.

This announcement also left Web OS in the realm of uncertainty, although HP said they are exploring other venues for the OS, just not in mobile devices. There was also some speculation that HP would be ending their consumer PC sales (NO!), but HP has since refuted those claims.

Although I understand the lure of obtaining a tablet at the bargain price-point of $99, I have to question why so many people are anxious to buy a device that ultimately won't be supported by HP. If it breaks within the 1-year warranty period, are you still guaranteed it will be fixed or replaced?

I decided to take a pass, but I am still disappointed that HP put so little confidence behind this product, despite its lagging sales.

RIM rolls out the new BlackBerry Curve

As reported on CNET's Dialed In, the new Curve will be available in three flavors - CDMA-only, GSM/UMTS, and dual mode GSM/CDMA - but will be more of an "entry-level" phone, in comparison to the BlackBerry Bold. I'm pleased to see BlackBerry rolling out a new model, and as I understand it, the upgrades to the OS are noticeable. When it's time for me to upgrade my current 9330, which I love in all ways, I'll consider the new Curve.

The Nintendo Wii gets a face-lift, if you live in Europe

The new Wii will be smaller and slimmer than its predecessor, and will also feature an upgrade remote. However, Nintendo will only be rolling these new versions out to Europe, just in time for the holiday season.

This could be seen as a curse or blessing, though, since the new model removes the backward compatibility with Nintendo Gamecube titles, as well as Gamecube controller ports and memory ports.

If you haven't purchased a Wii yet and those features are important to you, then you won't be weeping over not having access to the redesigned Wii. If you don't care about those things, of course, then by all means, see if you can somehow get your hands on a European Gamecube when it's released.

The retirement of Steve Jobs

While I'm no fan of Apple, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge his stepping down (again). I'm sure Apple fans will miss his influence on the company and its products. I personally wish him the best and suggest he does not return to the company again, if only for the fact that his health may depend on it.

Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004, although, it was later reported that the procedure he underwent that same year removed the cancer completely. Be that as it may, Steve Jobs has battled various other health issues off and on since then. I can't imagine that the demands of fulfilling the role of Apple CEO are conducive to resolving those issues.

So, for your health, Steve, make this retirement permanent and get well.