Book review: Doctor Who FAQ is where opinions, like bow ties, are cool

For many people, Doctor Who is a fantastic sci-fi show that has formed a firm grip on the young adults of the world. The truth of how this decades-old show came to be a global phenomenon and the ability to see what it has gained and lost along the way are missed by much of the current audience. If you’re interested in a peek into what Doctor Who has meant to the world since its inception and you’re looking for a fun way to learn more about this beloved show, the Doctor Who FAQ is a great place to start.

Much in the same way that it’s impossible to contain all there is to know about Star Trek in a single book, the vast wealth of knowledge surrounding Doctor Who is nearly immeasurable. Doctor Who existed before the age of television, and continued during a time where it was so difficult to record a broadcasted show that several episodes were lost forever. There’s not been another entertainment experience quite like Doctor Who, and the unique experience created by following the clever time traveler known only as The Doctor is something that could theoretically go one forever. Doctor Who FAQ: All That’s Left to Know About the Most Famous Time Lord in the Universe does a great job offering a view at the show as it has existed from the beginning, as well as the struggles both on and off screen that have shaped something so many people tune in every week to watch.

As the author of a book about Doctor Who, whose goal is to offer insights that would encourage a fan of the show to savor every word, Dave Thompson is not afraid to express a fair bit of opinion in his presentation of interesting facts about the show. Thompson spends some time in the beginning of the Doctor Who FAQ explaining why the show is missing some early episodes, and why it took so long to catch on in the US. If you’ve ever wondered why it is most of the American audience is only really familiar with Tom Baker in the old series or has only ever seen the new series, the beginning of this book is a great read.

From there, Thompson takes you on a Doctor-by-Doctor ride though the series, thoroughly describing the strengths and weaknesses of both the actors that played The Doctor and the rotating carousel of cast members that have played the role of Companion throughout the years.

If you’re a big fan of the current series, specifically the recent work of writer/producer Steve Moffat, be prepared for some thoroughly explained distaste for the show as it exists now. Thompson goes into great detail to explain how the show has grown less cerebral over the years, going from something rich in semi-factual representations of historical events to a straight up sci-fi fantasy that involves World War II Spitfires attacking an alien craft in the cold vacuum of space. Thompson laments the intentional weakening of enemies throughout the show, like the Cybermen who were recently defeated by the emotions of a father trying to save his son. While Thompson is critical of Moffat in many places, the book also spends a considerable amount of time appreciating it for what it has become, even if storytelling has occasionally suffered.

The Doctor Who FAQ is a 400 page highly opinionated view of a show that has quite literally traveled through time, bringing entire generations of people together to enjoy the tales of a character that has managed to appear ever younger while aging by hundreds of years throughout the history of the show. If you’re a fan of any part of the series, this book is a great addition to your shelf.

Munitio’s New SV Earphones: Precision Sound, Luxurious Style

“To hear a full frequency of a recording, you don’t even have to turn it up loud!”

-Kool Kojak, multi-platinum songwriter who produced Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj, Flo Rida, Katy Perry

Recently, I had the opportunity to connect with the team at Munitio, a precision sound brand specializing in lifestyle electronic accessories. Pronounced “Muni-she-yo,” as in the Latin word for fortification and defense, Munitio audio gear embodies strength, authenticity, and style. Before this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, I must admit, I wasn’t familiar with this small San Diego-based company. Now that I am, I am excited to tell you more about it and share my review of one of its flagship products, the new SV earphones.

The Munitio SV earphones are one of the most balanced pairs of earphones I’ve had the pleasure of trying out. To say I was very impressed with their exquisite, crystalline sound delivery would be an understatement. Listening to music through the SVs was a surreal experience. The complexity and clearly delineated layers of acoustics the SVs pumped out would impress even the most discerning audiophile.

The SVs captured my attention on so many levels. On the one hand, it was easy to get lost in the pristine sound quality of whatever I happened to be listening to; On the other hand, I found myself in auditory awe at all of the details and nuances I was able to hear using these precision earphones. In some instances, songs I’m very familiar with  felt like I had never heard songs, which in actuality, I was very familiar with.

“More consumers are realizing it’s better to have headphones that sound good based on personal listening tastes, rather than just buying what everyone else has,” said MUNITIO co-founder Danny Massaro. “Appearance is obviously important too, so we’ve created headphones with unique style and sound identities that appeal to certain lifestyles and listening preferences and allow people to hear their music like never before.”

Their latest addition to an already stellar line up continues in the tradition of excellence! Regarding the SVs, MUNITIO co-founder, Danny Massaro had this to say, “Acoustically, each MUNITIO product is designed with its own unique sound identity that appeals to an individual’s personal listening preference.  For instance, the SV is defined by an ultra-smooth frequency response curve through the mids and highs, exceptional vocal clarity and fast, accurate crossover transitions between instrumentals. Stylistically, MUNITIO products take their cues from a variety of different sources, but always with studio-grade performance, rugged industrial design and tactical functionality at the core. Some of the SVs design heritage comes from the world of high performance racing. You can see that reflected with the flat, tangle-free ribbon cable and the slotted bass port and curves of the aluminum housing earpiece.”

With so many great headphones and earphones out there to choose from, it can be a true challenge for any one company to break away from the pack and gain recognition. Add to that, that I am particularly critical of headphones and speakers and weigh my words carefully when offering my reviews of audio equipment, being raised the son of an audiophile myself. With the SVs, the detail-oriented team of professionals at Munitio have succeeded in not only impressing me, but also in taking high-end audio engineering to a whole new level.

Munitio Billets

The Munitio SVs may be some of the pricier earphones the company has to offer, but if $130.00 isn’t in your budget, do yourself a favor and check out their high quality Billets that will only cost you $70.00 and I’d say that even these lower priced models perform better than 75% of the earphones on the market today. On the other hand, if you are looking for some of the best earphones money can buy, be sure to take a gander at Munitio’s Nines ($170.00), which are their top of the line, premium sonic experience earphones.

Munitio Nines

Munitio Nines

 

Syma X1 4 Channel 2.4G RC Quad Copter – UFO Reviews

Syma X1 4 Channel 2.4G RC Quad Copter – UFO

• Stabilty and agility in flight simplify professional 3D maneuvers like pirouettes 3D fun flips,rolls,and more.
• 2.4GHz Radio control
• 3 way precision controller: up/down, left/right, forward/backward
• Two Fly Mode:Indoor/Outdoor
• Controlling distance: About 40 Meters

Product Overview
1) 3D flips!
Stabilty and agility in flight simplify professional 3D maneuvers like pirouettes 3D fun flips,rolls,and more.
2) 2.4GHz Radio control
By using of the 2.4GHz spread spectrum technology,the model has the characteristics of long control distance,strong anti-interference ability,small power consumption and rapid response.
3) 3-Axis
The latest 3-axis flight control system,with adjustable gyro sensitivity,permits super stable flight.
4) 3D Full flight
Up, Down

David Busch’s Nikon D90 Guide to Digital SLR Photography Reviews

David Busch’s Nikon D90 Guide to Digital SLR Photography

Welcome to the D90, Nikon’s newest full-featured–yet compact and affordable–digital SLR camera. David Busch’s Nikon D90 Guide to Digital SLR Photography shows you how to maximize your camera’s robust feature set, blazing fast automatic focus, the real-time preview system Live View, HDTV movie-making capabilities, and the Retouch mode that allows you to edit your picture in the camera, to take outstanding photos. You’ll learn how, when, and, most importantly, why to use each of the cool feature

Should You Upgrade to Windows 8?

Q:

Would you recommend upgrading a desktop that currently operates on Vista to Windows 8?

A:

I don’t recommend upgrading a computer to Windows 8 that’s more than a year or two old, especially if you intend to keep your data files and programs. If this PC is still running Vista, which came out six years ago, it’s probably too old to assure a trouble-free, satisfying upgrade to Windows 8. You can check by downloading and running Microsoft’s free Upgrade Assistant, from tinyurl.com/atwewxe. I also recommend you search through the support section of your PC maker’s website to see if the company supports the upgrade.

Q:

My PC with XP just died. I just bought an iPad for portability so I don’t see why I need a laptop. I gave one away because I didn’t like the feel of it. But I still use Office — particularly Publisher. Should I buy a Windows 8 laptop with a touch monitor or a desktop?

A:

It sounds to me like you’re not a laptop fan, and don’t feel you need one for portability. So I suggest you consider one of the new Windows 8 all-in-one touchscreen desktop computers.

Q:

Is the capacity of the iPad infinite? I’ve had mine three years and regularly delete emails. Is there a capacity limit and if so, how should it be dealt with?

A:

The iPad has finite storage. For some of its functions, like email and the calendar, you can control how much data it stores by going into settings and specifying how many messages it should show from each account, or how far back in time its calendar should sync with the calendar service it uses.

Otherwise, if you begin to run up against the device’s capacity, you’ll have to delete some apps or media or other content. You can check how much capacity you have available by going to Settings, General and then clicking on About.

Email your technology questions to Walt at mossberg@wsj.com.

LCD Screen Replacement for Motorola I1 Reviews

LCD Screen Replacement for Motorola I1

Features:

1. High quality LCD Screen for Motorola I1

2. Each screen is tested before shipping

3. It is used to repair faulty screen, this will also cure: display problems, dead pixels, cracked screens, wrong color issues

4. Replacing the Screen in the cellphone takes expertise. The Screen is tested out. If you have an Motorola I1 cellphone that works great, but the display is damaged in some way, this auction is what you need

5. Reasonable price and gre

Review: Little Labyrinths by ByteSize Games

Sometimes a simple maze game where the main goal is just to get out of each level can actually be entertaining, as long as the game is constructed well.  My big concern with Little Labyrinths was that it was going to be too easy since you basically trace your way out of each maze with your finger.  It turns out that with the right game play mode this is not only challenging but can get quite addicting.  Thankfully Little Labyrinths has 6 game play modes to choose from, and in the right combination these can be rather rewarding.  Just make sure that you have a “big kid’s” game to quickly switch to when someone wants to know what you’re doing.

 

The basics are simple: you have a who that has to find a what in a where.  How you accomplish this makes all the difference in the world.  You start off only being able to select the mouse, the hunk of cheese, and the inside a wall options.  As for game modes you’ll start with classic, which basically lets you traverse maze after maze until you run out of time.  For each run you’ll get judged as “quick” or “not-so-quick” and bonus points will be doled out accordingly.  This also helps determine where the timer starts for the next run.  Along the way you can collect gold, stars which earn you extra points and hourglasses that give you a bit more time.

When you earn enough money, or you decide to break down and boost your booty via IAP, you’ll be able to start unlocking additional whos (the character you play), whats (the item you’re looking for) and wheres (the location you’re playing at).  Of course this is all fluff as it does not affect game play at all, but at least it gives you something to work towards and it helps shake things up a bit. More importantly is the ability to unlock additional game play modes.  I would suggest freeing up Zen mode first.  The lack of pickups makes it kind of dull, but you get 25 coins for each maze no matter what and it only takes a few seconds to run through a maze, so it’s a quick way to earn lots of money.

 

Additional modes include 3 minute mode (yep, you get three minutes to complete as many mazes as you can), speed mode which is like classic except there are no pauses between runs, torch mode which adds the bonus stress of dimming light to your obstacles, and kids mode which is basically Zen mode but less interesting and worth less money.  Game Center is supported and each of the game play modes has its own leaderboard.  There are also 69 achievements to earn just in case you need something else to keep you occupied.  Control is simply a matter of drawing a line with your finger where you want your character to go, and you can adjust the sensitivity to your needs.

The visuals are decent enough, with each character, item and location having a distinct look.  I do like the fact that a dashed line is drawn over the path that you trace so you can see everywhere you went.  The sound effects are pretty good as well, with each character making its own noise as it moves through the mazes.  The different items have a unique noise when they are picked up as well.  Even better is that each game play mode has its own music, and there is even a separate track played during the results screen.

 

If you’re one of those people that can’t admit that they can enjoy a kids’ game or feels that they need more than a simple one mechanic offering, Little Labyrinths probably isn’t for you.  However, if you’d like something simple that you can use to kill a few minutes here and there but isn’t solitaire, this would be a great choice for you.  There’s enough variety in the game play modes to keep most people happy, and it’s designed just right to jump in and out of without ever having to worry about what you did last time you played.  It’s also very kid friendly, and probably even a good game for you to play with your kids.  Just be warned that you might find yourself spending more time with it in one sitting than you’d expect.

Overall Score: 8/10
App Store Link

This game was reviewed on an iPad 2 running iOS 6.0.1.

Philips Shoqbox: The Extreme Adventurer’s Ultimate Boom Box!

 

 

Know anyone who likes to adventure, who loves the great outdoors or who is into roughing it? If you do, then you’ll want to bookmark this article about a great, ultra-rugged Bluetooth speaker from Philips.

 

Philips needs little introduction of course, as one of the pioneers and leaders in the world of hi-fidelity sound systems. Now the company that has for decades now, consistently raised the bar as to what we can expect high-quality audio reproduction to sound like, introduces to the world, the ultimate ruggedized portable Bluetooth speaker solution.

 

The Philips Shoqbox 7200 is a powerhouse of sound, packing 2, 4-watt neodymium drivers into a compact and super-sturdy structure that is both stylish and highly functional and durable. I was extremely impressed with the Philips Shoqbox. It has everything you could want in a rugged speaker and none of the things that you don’t want. It is drop-proof and shockproof and lightweight, measuring right at 7 inches by 3 inches. It is also splash proof, meaning that minor exposure to water won’t damage it, and if it did happen to fall in the water and become completely submerged for a brief moment, if all your port covers are sealed properly, your Shoqbox should theoretically be just fine.

 

 

I have to say, I haven’t done a full submersion test with the Shoqbox. I am simply defining what the term “splash proof” indicates in terms of a device’s waterproof-ness. For the more technically inclined, the Shoqbox’s protection level could also be described as meeting an IP-54 rating, with its superb protection from the ingress of objects, debris, dust and liquids.

 

 

The Shoqbox is also feature rich, and the only rugged Bluetooth speaker to integrate both gesture control and voice feedback into the device. The gesture control allows you to play and pause and skip tracks with simple, swiping hand motions, and the voice feedback will keep you informed of the battery level. The lithium battery is good to go for 8 solid hours of sound escapades between charges and, as if all that weren’t enough, it has a built-in microphone so that the speaker can be used as a speakerphone!

 

Like most small Bluetooth speakers, it can receive a signal up to 30 feet away from the source. The Shoqbox also comes with a 3.5mm line-in jack for the times when Bluetooth is unavailable. You can also connect two Shoqbox speakers wirelessly for amazingly crisp, clear and loud stereo sound.

 

When it comes to sound, this thunderous speaker will blow you away. It’s a fantastic speaker compared to all the other Bluetooth speakers in the market rugged or otherwise, so when you take into consideration it’s rugged durability, I’d say the Shoqbox has few rivals in the world of rugged Bluetooth speakers when it comes to toughness, sound quality or portability.

 

 

With its convenient carabineer bolt and dense rubber bumper surrounding the speaker’s grill, this speaker will keep up with even the most adventurous and extreme of us. Whether in the wild, the forest, the desert, the rainforest, the beach or the mountaintop, camping out, or even just for a family weekend picnic, the Shoqbox is one of the best portable and heavy-duty speaker options you will come across.

 

At this special time of year, it’s worth note that even if you personally don’t care for spending time out in nature, the Shoqbox would make a great holiday gift for any outdoorsy and adventurous souls in your life.

 

The Philips Shoqbox is available HERE for $180.00.

What I Played this Week – GPP, Atomic Frogs and Dead Trigger!

This week I played 3 awesomely cool games at the $1.99 level and below…Galactic Phantasy Prelude is a space shooter RPG in the same class of game as Galaxy on Fire 2 (SD version recently went free and hit #1 in nine countries). Atomic Frogs, a physics puzzler that requires deft timing and aim to launch your frogs through the various obstacles. Last is a free to play shooter called Dead Trigger, which brings the joy of shredding Zombies to iPad in exquisitely detailed apocalyptic strokes. So, without further adieu, let the WIPTW game review madness commence!….

If you like space opera, with a lot of backstory, features, multiple avenues of advancement (play it safe, or play a pirate), Galactic Phantasy Prelude might be your game at a mere 99 pennies. Though GFF is not free to play, you can still advance via IAP, which kind of rankles. I wish developers would decide on one model and stick with that. Make the game free with IAP or make the game paid without it. Other than that somewhat annoying aspect, GPP does a great job in almost all areas. You complete game missions and ad-hoc challenges, and in between can either be an honest Joe or Jane and run merchandise between planetary systems, engage in mining (boring), or go to the dark side and steal from other hapless victims fun.

So far the early combat experience is very predictable, but I admit to not having advanced that far past the first few levels. The graphics just plain pop on this game. Kind of a cross between typical 3D engine and anime-style imagery, the shading and perspectives are outstanding and unique. In-game music is a quaint tinkling for a 3D space shooting game, and better fitted to a platform type (or maybe just redone completely). Your character is a space orphan become stolen ship captain, and his best friend crewmate going on a grand adventure. The story and plot development is mindly interesting.

The crew aspect is cool. Any weapons or equipment you acquire for your ship need crewman to operate and maintain, so you have to recruit them in the various stations you visit. Crew get upgrades in ability as you advance (I assume translates to better battle performance), and lot’s of little details like this are nicely peppered throughout, from full customization of weapons and support gear all they way up to developing a full fleet of ships to explore and exploit the galaxy around you. The game played well on both my iPad mini, and my iPod touch 4G.

Atomic Frogs is a somewhat goofy but interesting physics game. The graphics however are smooth, and everything else in the right place for a problem solver. First, the idea behind the game…specially enhanced frogs that have been zapped with radiation and special jumping powers escape their lab in an eternal search for atomic water to jump and frolic in. Your job is to aim them and time their atomic blasting power, which will destroy guard robots and other barriers. The ultimate goal being to roll the frog onto a switch that releases the toxic water the frogs crave.

As you advance through the levels, you have to use different frogs for different aspects of the puzzle. Some melt metal, and some expand and float upward before exploding. On-screen taps activate the special powers. If you like games like Cut the Rope or similar puzzlers, this is the same caliber and style.

Dead Trigger is just good old-fashioned zombie-killling fun! If you read the iTunes reviews, you may note the recent complaints about game progress not saving between versions. The game is free to play, but many of the better weapons may require IAP (or viewing advertisements) to build up enough gold to earn, which is admittedly a downside, and especially so, if your hard won progress get’s blown away. Might want to keep that in mind before upgrading.

The game graphics were honestly stunning on my iPad mini, and the point is, well?… Mindless zombie murder on a massive scale! You traverse the various urban settings, shooting crap out of the approaching hoard, while trying to evade their attacks (some of which are surprisingly fast). You find power-ups and bonus items along the way. Effects are as real as any 3-D game I’ve experienced on iOS, and the game gives plenty of ways to level up without opening up the wallet (try the everyday free gold mission, for example). You can also earn gold by liking the game on Facebook, etc… Have to face the fact that this is the new “free” on the app store, but hey it is an awesome game! Madfinger should address the progress save problem, though (which I have not confirmed). 

That’s it for this week’s edition of WIPTW… You can grab the games at the links above, and don’t forget to return to iPhoneLife for more great reviews, news, tips and more! Cheers!

JYC-N-769/N3 DSLR Camera Global Positioning System GPS for Nikon D90/D5000 (Black) + Worldwide free shiping Reviews

JYC-N-769/N3 DSLR Camera Global Positioning System GPS for Nikon D90/D5000 (Black) + Worldwide free shiping

• Consumer Electronics
• Camcorders Photography Tools Remote Controls

Small size, lightweight and easy to carry.Connect specific cameras to GPS receivers.High-quality chipset function.Low power solution with GPS mode.Record the current longitude, latitude and UTC for pictures.Compatible with Nikon D90/D5000.Specially designed for DSLR cameras. Package Details Weight: 132.68 g Size: 16.5*12*4 cm Package Includes 1 ? JYC-N-769/N3 DSLR Camera Global Positioning System GPS for Nikon D90/D5000