Adventures in Underland

http://bit.ly/eReaderReview082010

So I haven’t posted in a while, but I’m too busy right now to do a real content post so here’s a link to a pretty simple tips & tricks article on InfoSoup about keeping your iPhone battery

http://blog.techsoup.org/node/1364?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=btc

I’ve been running Windows 7 since beta and I only just found out about this feature called XP mode for Windows 7 (Professional and Ultimate versions only).  I still haven’t tried it much, I have yet to see a need for it, and I run tons and tons of old junk.  However, in the off chance that you have an application that will run in Windows XP, but just refuses to function in Windows Vista or Windows 7, this tool may be for you.

I won’t go into to much detail, but it’s built on top of Windows Virtual PC technology (which used to be Microsoft Virtual PC 2007).  Windows XP mode is basically an installation of Windows XP, that runs transparently in a Virtual machine on your Windows 7 desktop.  Complicated … ish … the technology is complex, but the simple integratioin makes the usage very simple.  Whatever the difficulty level, it’s Friggin Cool for Shizzles!!!

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/features/windows-xp-mode.aspx

This XP mode is only supported in the Professional and Ultimate editions of Windows 7, just another reason to shy away from using the Home versions in a business environment.  It is a seperate download, but is free.

One sleepless night while on an iPhone App downloading spree, I picked up this little gem and subsequently forgot about it.

Fast Forward several weeks later … 

Last night I decided I was finally going to get the server component that the Mobile Air Mouse app requires to be able to connect to the PC and see if this was worth keeping.  I was blown away.  The brief description I remember having read before automatically picking up the app because it was “on sale” for a couple bucks, had nothing on the experience I actually received while using it. 

This app effectively turns your iPhone® or iPod Touch® into a powerful freely mobile touch-pad or remote control for your Mac or Windows PC.  It has tons of features built in designed to make the user’s remote control experience simply phenomenal.  Use it to drive presentations and not be tethered to your laptop by a wired or short range wireless mouse.  No need for a surface to place it on, simply hold it in your hands.

Built in common functionality for Internet browsers and media players makes access many features that much quicker and easier.  Programmable function buttons expand the ease of use by letting you tailor certain functionality to your specific needs.

All in all this Cool Tool gets an A+, 5 stars, high fives, and 7.2 out of 7.2 Kudos. 

I’ve been told I couldn’t sell a shorter mile to a traveling circus, so if you’re still not sure take a look at their video demo.

——————————

Author’s Note: Starting with this Cool Tool, about once every week or two I will present a “real world – people actually use this” Cool Tool.  Some of them may simply increase your cool factor, some of them may save you time and money, some of them may lead to endless consternation and grief.  You’ll just have to take the bad with the good …