Google Android Ham Radio: The Golf Oscar Oscar Golf One Echo

A fun exercise... what if Google made a ham radio? It is like when I dream about winning the lottery. The G00G1E? I'm sure it would be better than the dual-band P-A-968 Cell Phone. In the Baofeng UV-3R, we've seen that basically a decent SDR can be crammed into a small package. Apple is probably the best at developing the slickest form factor. (Heck, they are even suggesting that we should cut our plugs in half to help slim down our devices. Maybe that would save room for a better antenna.) But, if anyone could pull something wild like this off, it would be Google. All it takes is a couple of Googlers that are hams to take a crazy notion and who knows what could happen. They are all millionaires and could spend a few bucks on a pet project. ;)

I like Rich's suggestions for several features: DSP filtering, CTCSS, APRS, Echolink, and a D-Star alternative codec.

I say bring on PSK31 and a waterfall!



Plug link via Slashdot.org

As Effective as a No Guns Sign

Workers at an iPad factory in China are signing a no-suicide agreement. Because paper and signs stop people from committing violence to themselves or others.

Via Slashdot

Speaking of Macs

I was told by a co-worker at a sister company that Macs are impervious to viruses. Well, lah de dah!

His statement makes this all the more fun... Hacking Apple Laptop Batteries. Forget borking the software, let's get the hardware.

(After seeing this post, I hope to incorporate the phrase "lah de dah" into all of my posts.)

Slippery Slope

I hope my iPad won't be a gateway drug to liberalism. Slim was warning me of the dangers of the Mac Cult this morning. And now I see this neat chart. The key: 58% of self-described Mac users are liberal. Hopefully, managing hundreds of Windows boxes will offset my experimentation.

Via Slashdot.org

A New, Smaller iPhone

According to this article, Apple may introduce a new, smaller iPhone that is less expensive than the current models. It would be around $200 without a contract. That doesn't sound like the Apple I know. Steve Jobs is losing his iron grip already.

Why you shouldn't buy an iPad

Here are 10 Reasons you should not buy an iPad.

They include reasons like it is too expensive and that the new version (projected to be available in April) will be better.

I still want one.