Peter just gave me the CG Kindle to play with and I love it. To get books, instantly, on a very readable screen is amazing. I bought two books I wanted to read but didn’t really want to own hard copies of — when you have limited shelf space, you limit your book purchases — and I’m enjoying the device immensely. However, I’ve discovered the design decision behind its major flaw — the next and previous buttons being in a horrible position. Here is my theory.

The geeks currently using the Kindle now are readers. They respect books and don’t like to fold them or otherwise mangle them. They are epitomized by the image above — respectful, intelligent, and ready to learn.

She thinks it’s about tanning.

This is where the designers found their inspiration. First, homegirl isn’t going to sit there in that nice chiffon dress for very long and doesn’t read much so she holds the book at the bottom, ensuring she has to move her hand every page. Heck, she may even fold the book over, cracking the spine. She’ll hold it anywhere but the sides, but her opposable thumbs are free to tap the left and right margins at will. Therefore, we can presume that Amazon’s designers are illiterate.

Another day, another hot Windows Mobile-based smartphone made by HTC. This is the sentence where we talk about the QWERTY keyboard. This is where we mention the touchscreen. This is where we talk about the 2-Megapixel camera, the Wi-Fi, and the EV-DO data connection.

Now it’s a new paragraph, where we talk about how though the hardware’s neat, we bemoan using Widnows Mobile 6, even though it’s better than 5. And now is where we compare it to the Wing from T-Mobile, or the Tilt from AT&T.

And finally we get to talk about how it’s on Verizon for $400 with a 2-year plan, with a joke about indentured servitude, and that it’s available now from the business side of the website.

Verizon ships HTC-made XV6800 smartphone [Electronista]

Another day, another hot Windows Mobile-based smartphone made by HTC. This is the sentence where we talk about the QWERTY keyboard. This is where we mention the touchscreen. This is where we talk about the 2-Megapixel camera, the Wi-Fi, and the EV-DO data connection.

Now it’s a new paragraph, where we talk about how though the hardware’s neat, we bemoan using Widnows Mobile 6, even though it’s better than 5. And now is where we compare it to the Wing from T-Mobile, or the Tilt from AT&T.

And finally we get to talk about how it’s on Verizon for $400 with a 2-year plan, with a joke about indentured servitude, and that it’s available now from the business side of the website.

Verizon ships HTC-made XV6800 smartphone [Electronista]

Let’s face it. Much of TiVo’s charisma is due to its excellent software interface. The boxes are nice, yes, but the real power is in the UI.

Well TiVo and Nero have just struck a deal wherein "Nero will develop a software solution that will bring TiVo features to the personal computer." Hot damn. No word on timeframe or how much it’ll cost but this is good news nonetheless.

TiVo and Nero Partner to Deliver the TV Experience to the Personal Computer [Press Release] via Digital Trends

Let’s face it. Much of TiVo’s charisma is due to its excellent software interface. The boxes are nice, yes, but the real power is in the UI.

Well TiVo and Nero have just struck a deal wherein "Nero will develop a software solution that will bring TiVo features to the personal computer." Hot damn. No word on timeframe or how much it’ll cost but this is good news nonetheless.

TiVo and Nero Partner to Deliver the TV Experience to the Personal Computer [Press Release] via Digital Trends

Zonbu and Everex have teamed up to offer the Zonbu Notebook, a green laptop with a low-power CPU and a Linux OS. The laptop starts at $279, but that requires a $14.95 monthly service charge for using Zonbu’s web storage and service plan. The “free” edition costs $479.

We talked about the original Zonbu PC a few months ago and were impressed, if a little skeptical about the service plan. However, we’ve always said that Linux is the best option for computer novices and having someone else backup your data and maintain your OS online is what we call a good thing. Time will tell how this shakes out but a $479 ain’t half bad.

Specs:
* Processor: 1.5GHz, VIA C7-M
Intel-compatible, low energy use
* Display: 15.4″ WXGA Widescreen (1440 x 900) and VGA output
* Memory: 512MB
* Hard Disk local storage: 60GB (58GB for your data)
* Optical Drive: DVD-RW/CD-RW Dual Layer
* Graphics: VIA Chrome9 HC IGP (64MB shared memory, 128MB maximum)
* Audio: built-in speaker, microphone and headphone ports
* 3 USB 2.0 ports
* Ethernet: 10/100 Mbps built-in - broadband ready
* Wifi: Built-in 802.11b/g
* Power Supply: 65W AC-DC Adapter, 15W average power usage
* Battery: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 2h30 to 3h, depending on usage
* Measurements: 14.1″ x 10.7″ x 1.5″ (35.8cm x 27.2cm x 3.8cm)
* Weight: 5.3lbs (2.4kg)

Product Page

Zonbu and Everex have teamed up to offer the Zonbu Notebook, a green laptop with a low-power CPU and a Linux OS. The laptop starts at $279, but that requires a $14.95 monthly service charge for using Zonbu’s web storage and service plan. The “free” edition costs $479.

We talked about the original Zonbu PC a few months ago and were impressed, if a little skeptical about the service plan. However, we’ve always said that Linux is the best option for computer novices and having someone else backup your data and maintain your OS online is what we call a good thing. Time will tell how this shakes out but a $479 ain’t half bad.

Specs:
* Processor: 1.5GHz, VIA C7-M
Intel-compatible, low energy use
* Display: 15.4″ WXGA Widescreen (1440 x 900) and VGA output
* Memory: 512MB
* Hard Disk local storage: 60GB (58GB for your data)
* Optical Drive: DVD-RW/CD-RW Dual Layer
* Graphics: VIA Chrome9 HC IGP (64MB shared memory, 128MB maximum)
* Audio: built-in speaker, microphone and headphone ports
* 3 USB 2.0 ports
* Ethernet: 10/100 Mbps built-in - broadband ready
* Wifi: Built-in 802.11b/g
* Power Supply: 65W AC-DC Adapter, 15W average power usage
* Battery: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 2h30 to 3h, depending on usage
* Measurements: 14.1″ x 10.7″ x 1.5″ (35.8cm x 27.2cm x 3.8cm)
* Weight: 5.3lbs (2.4kg)

Product Page

After throwing Peter under the bus last week with my random endorsement defending e-books, I felt it was necessary to return the random endorsement to its roots. That is, giving me an opportunity to take everyday objects and laud their capabilities, often hating on other present-day “tech” in the process.

Today I endorse umbrellas, albeit somewhat reservedly.

I’m mainly endorsing umbrellas because of their simplicity: they block stuff, be it rain or the sun’s harmful rays. That’s it. No shoe-horned whiz-bang features or embedded ads for you to deal with. There’s no built-in social networking—not everything needs to be a social network; frankly, I could give a damn what my stupid friends are up to at all hours of the day, nor do I care what junk they’re buying online—nor crappy GPS (like in that episode of “The Office”). It’s a gadget (at least I’m considering it one for the purposes of this wonderful column) that works out of the box, no assembly required, no Engrish manual to sift through.

Held in one hand (or two if you’re crazy!), the umbrella is activated with the touch of a single button. By pressing it, the one part instantly shoots up from the other part, granting you protection from the elements all in one slick motion. It’s sort of like sliding to unlock, only better. Better because I think the iPhone is dumb.

No, the umbrella isn’t perfect—they break too easily. Like, if there’s even a hint of wind prepare to have it turn inside-out, possibly even blow away, making you look like a complete boob in the process. You’d think after however many thousands of years someone would have invented an umbrella that doesn’t turn inside out at the drop of a hat. (I guess engineers are too busy working on integrating Web 8.0 into my cup of coffee.)

If anyone wants to send me endorsement ideas that’d be great. I think I’m scheduled to endorse potato peelers next week.

After throwing Peter under the bus last week with my random endorsement defending e-books, I felt it was necessary to return the random endorsement to its roots. That is, giving me an opportunity to take everyday objects and laud their capabilities, often hating on other present-day “tech” in the process.

Today I endorse umbrellas, albeit somewhat reservedly.

I’m mainly endorsing umbrellas because of their simplicity: they block stuff, be it rain or the sun’s harmful rays. That’s it. No shoe-horned whiz-bang features or embedded ads for you to deal with. There’s no built-in social networking—not everything needs to be a social network; frankly, I could give a damn what my stupid friends are up to at all hours of the day, nor do I care what junk they’re buying online—nor crappy GPS (like in that episode of “The Office”). It’s a gadget (at least I’m considering it one for the purposes of this wonderful column) that works out of the box, no assembly required, no Engrish manual to sift through.

Held in one hand (or two if you’re crazy!), the umbrella is activated with the touch of a single button. By pressing it, the one part instantly shoots up from the other part, granting you protection from the elements all in one slick motion. It’s sort of like sliding to unlock, only better. Better because I think the iPhone is dumb.

No, the umbrella isn’t perfect—they break too easily. Like, if there’s even a hint of wind prepare to have it turn inside-out, possibly even blow away, making you look like a complete boob in the process. You’d think after however many thousands of years someone would have invented an umbrella that doesn’t turn inside out at the drop of a hat. (I guess engineers are too busy working on integrating Web 8.0 into my cup of coffee.)

If anyone wants to send me endorsement ideas that’d be great. I think I’m scheduled to endorse potato peelers next week.

Earlier this week, we told you about some source code that was missing from ASUS’ Eee PC software. DigiTimes relayed a statement from ASUS today in response to the allegations.

"Asustek stated that it has always respected the spirit of the GPL and the failure to make the source code available was due to an omission by one of the company’s software technicians. The company is working on publishing all the related source code onto Linux forums and will provide downloads, it added." There is more information on ASUS’ web site as well as a link to the source code.

Asustek makes statement on Eee PC source code violation [DigiTimes]