Transcript of live chat with Keith Shaw, Cool Tools editor and gadget guru, on Aug. 17, 2007.
Moderator-Julie
Welcome and thank you for coming. Our guest today is Keith Shaw. This is a moderated chat. When you submit questions or comments they are sent to the moderator. They do not instantly show up in the main chat area. They will appear when Keith sends his reply. Often your question is waiting in a long queue. So please be patient. There will be a delay between the time you submit your question and when you see it onscreen. We will try to get to as many questions as we can during this one hour chat.
Some of you have submitted questions in advance. The moderators will be publishing those questions and Keith’s answers throughout this chat. If you have requests for other guests you would like to chat with, please send an e-mail to jbort@nww.com.
Now, onto the chat.
Keith_Shaw
Hi everyone: I’d like to thank all of my family and friends for showing up today for my chat. My lifelong dream has been to star as a guest in an online chat, and now that dream has been realized. If you’re not a family member or friend, I thank you for taking some time out of your day to speak with me about personal technology and gadgets. Let’s have some fun today and see if we can learn something as well…
010101etc
RE: “iPhone alternatives” — In your opinion, are there better ways to spend $500 for a phone? If so, which product — or is the iPhone the second coming?
Keith_Shaw
In terms of hype and the ability for Apple to make you want something, the iPhone is the second coming. Have you ever wanted something so badly as the iPhone? Probably not. However, as a mobile phone, there are lots of others out there that offer the same, if not more, functionality, and of course the price is much lower for these phones. But you won’t be able to whip out these other phones and go, “Look how cool I am” like you could with the iPhone. Having an iPhone now means you can brag to all of your friends.
Mr Mr
What is your opinion on the 802.11N wireless standard? Do you think it can replace wired Ethernet?
Keith_Shaw
Good question. I think once the standard is finalized (and probably now if you don’t care about interoperability), the speeds of 802.11n will be as good as wired Ethernet (regular, not Gigabit Ethernet or the faster speeds). In fact, most companies will start looking at 802.11n as its main network, and use wired Ethernet as a backup system. In the home, wireless will likely continue its dominance over other transmission technologies.
Moderator-Julie
Keith is busy typing an answer to a question, so here is his answer to one of the questions submitted in advance.
Q: Of all the devices that use Palm OS, which ones do you like the best, and why?
KEITH SHAW: I always tell people that the best Palm OS device is the next one they come out with. That would leave us with the Treo 755p at the moment. More importantly than the device, however, is the network that the smart phone is on. I’m a larger fan of the Verizon EV-DO network than the AT&T EDGE/UMTS network at the moment, but that’s mainly because of the area I work in. Verizon on average seems to have better coverage in New England than the other wireless providers. The best Palm device doesn’t even have a Palm OS on it — the Treo 700w and 700wx use the Windows Mobile operating system, and with the Palm hardware it really is a nice device for enterprise users. It should be interesting if Palm comes out with a Treo that has Windows Mobile 6 on it.
Blah
Are there any really good wireless speaker systems you recommend? Good quality, not just a toy, but at a good price
Keith_Shaw
Most of the wireless speaker systems I’ve seen are usually classified as toys rather than some serious devices. One system I can highly recommend, and one I regretted having to return, was the Sonos Digital Music System, which uses wireless mesh technology to stream music all around the house. They just made an announcement with Sirius to allow for its satellite radio connections to be streamed around the house. It’s a little bit pricier than most people would like, but it’s a really slick system.
Moderator-Julie
While we give Keith time to type up another answer, here is another question and answer from those submitted in advance.
Q: What are the top three must-have products for road warriors?
KEITH SHAW: Despite about a billion products geared at road warriors, the best thing for people who travel a lot is to keep it simple. Technology-wise, the list for me would be: 1) Lightweight laptop with wireless LAN capabilities and an optical drive (the ultra-lightweights don’t allow for application installation via CD, a must-have in my book); 2) a good cell phone and 3) an iPod.
Non-technology products: 1) a good pair of walking shoes; 2) a backpack-style laptop bag and 3) a good paperback book for those times when you can’t boot up or listen to your iPod.
Mr Mr CRT monitors when you upgrade to a fancy new flat screen monitor?
What do you do with your old
Keith_Shaw
Ha! I try to sneak them into the office and hope that our IT department won’t notice the extra monitors. I think most people don’t really know what to do, but there are some options. This week, for example, we did a video that showed how you can take that old monitor and create a dual-monitor system, so you can have two (or more) monitors instead of just one. The second option would be to try and find out when your town does a computer recycling day and utilize that option. Third is to donate the monitor to a local school or charity, although I’m not sure they’d want old monitors either. The last option, which most people probably do, is to just keep the monitor sitting somewhere in the house collecting dust.
ticktock
Do you think CES will take over the world?
Keith_Shaw
CES has become the new Comdex. Every technology vendor in the world now goes there, and it’s really a huge circus of lights and hype. Although this year, the biggest news was about 500 miles away in San Francisco at Macworld, with the launch of the iPhone. So CES probably won’t take over the world as long as Apple keeps doing Macworld. I also enjoy going to DEMO (disclaimer: DEMO is run by Network World events), because of all of the technology optimism that is seen at that show.
Hkroft
What gadget do you get the most use out of?
Keith_Shaw
Like most people, I’d have to say my cell phone, because I’m always carrying it around with me. While I don’t do as much on my personal cell phone as I could, I still use it to take photos, I use it for text messaging and of course for making phone calls. I love the Bluetooth technology for the hands-free headset, and it has GPS.
Moderator-Julie
Keith is working on another live question. So here’s the answer from one submitted in advance.
Q: Are there any devices that I can use to take a “game” break at work while still looking like I’m being productive?
KEITH SHAW: I’m not sure if I’m going to get in trouble for answering this. There are some cute devices that will let employees hit a “panic” button that switches their screen to a fake-looking spreadsheet when the boss walks around, but there are better methods out there.
1: Get an office, and arrange your computer and desk so that anyone walking into the office can’t see what’s on your screen. This gives you extra time to hit the “Alt-Tab” button in Windows to switch to your other documents.
2: If you’re playing a game with sound, use headphones. If the boss asks, explain that they’re noise-canceling headphones used to drown out the excess office noise (doesn’t work if you work in a library)
3: If you don’t have an office, invest in one of those black-screen protector things that prevent snoopers from looking at your display from the side.
samEnt
What’s the coolest tool for the enterprise?
Keith_Shaw
I don’t want to start a war here, but I think the BlackBerry is the best and coolest tool for the enterprise at the moment. Having a device that so strongly understands corporate e-mail is tops for the enterprise at the moment. I haven’t really enjoyed Windows Mobile devices, and the Palm, while it’s a cool and easy-to-use device, doesn’t seem to do e-mail as well as the BlackBerry. But that could all change, of course, and quickly.
careyblast
What brand of Bluetooth headset do you recommend, Keith?
Keith_ShawAliph Jawbone, which has great noise cancellation technology. The recipient of the phone call can never tell whether you’re in a noisy location. Every time I call my wife with this phone from the car, she has to ask whether I’m in the car because she can’t tell. That is rock and roll technology. I also just got a sample of the new BlueAnt Z9 Bluetooth headset that includes voice isolation technology, so I can’t wait to try that.
My favorite one at the moment is the
Hkroft
DEMO is fast approaching – any hints as to what we can expect to come out of there?
Keith_Shaw
Even though Network World produces the show, I’m not privy to the information as much as people would think. I do receive some details about what’s coming up, but I’m under the same NDA restrictions that all of the companies are under, not to reveal anything until the opening day of the show. From the dispatches from Chris Shipley (by the way, everyone should read the DEMOletter blog at www.demo.com/demoletter), this upcoming DEMO will include lots of “real” Web 2.0 technology instead of just hyped services looking for VC buyouts. I just hope there’s some cool gadgets as well….
Moderator-Julie
Keith answered this one from an earlier question …
Q: What’s the worst-ever device you ever tested, and why did you hate it?
KEITH SHAW: That’s tough, because the name of the column is “Cool Tools” and generally I like to highlight the really good stuff out there in personal technology. When a product fails or is totally awful, I generally don’t write about it (unless it’s Windows Vista and the product deserves it). There were two products that I wrote about that were cool in concept, but not in delivery. One was a solar-powered device charger that could keep multiple portable devices charged through the power of the sun. The problem was that the device didn’t keep the charge stored, you could only recharge it if the sun was out (you couldn’t pre-charge the battery, so to speak). The other device was a mini-projector that would let you display the contents of your smart phone screen onto a larger display, such as a computer screen or even bigger projector. The problem with that one was the smart phone display was always so bright, it washed out the quality of the image it was trying to display.
careyblast
Thoughts on the iPhone… live up to the hype?
Keith_Shaw
With the amount of hype the iPhone got, I’m not sure it has lived up to its hype, but a lot of people lined up for one, and they all seem happy. Of course, this is only the beginning. When Apple figures out some of the enterprise issues (Exchange connections, VPN access, faster networks) and also starts doing over-the-air downloads of iTunes songs to the phone, then all bets are off. I think I’ll get more excited about the 2nd or 3rd generation of the iPhone.
samEnt
What is the greatest ‘tool’ threat to the Enterprise?
Keith_Shaw
I’d like to say the “rogue user” is the greatest threat, but sometimes I feel like I’m the rogue user here at Network World, but I think they do have a role at the enterprise to keep IT thinking about new applications, devices and software that can help employees be productive. That said, the greatest “device” threat is probably the USB memory stick, because of its ability for quick and easy file transfer. People can steal data from a company quickly with a USB stick, and then of course your mobile employees can also take the sticks with them on the road and then end up losing the data.
Hmonroe
What technology are the Patriots going to deploy this year against the Indianapolis Colts? Peyton Manning has a laser rocket arm!
Keith_Shaw
I have it on good authority that the Pats are going to be utilizing anti-laser-rocket-arm technology this season. Palm, Apple, Microsoft, Google and Cisco have all teamed up to create this technology to prevent the Colts from repeating as champs….
Moderator-Julie
Keith is working on another live question. So here’s the answer from one submitted in advance.
Q: What’s your opinion on those “fast pay” credit-card devices for phones, PDAs and the like. Is it worth the bother?
KEITH SHAW: I’m always amazed at watching companies try to come up with new features for phones and mobile devices that aim to make things easier, but in the end they make things more miserable for the end users. No wonder I’m always getting e-mails from readers who say things like, “I just want a phone that makes phone calls” whenever I write about new video, music or other bells and whistles that are popping up on cell phones. Same thing goes for these “easy pay” systems. For more than 6 years now we’ve been hearing about how Bluetooth technology and micro-payment technology will allow you to do things like pay for a soda or movie tickets with your cell phone. Sure, the technology might work and it’s all whiz-bang, but if people look at you and go, “So what?” it’s not going to fly. And with all of the problems with identity theft on the Internet, there’s no way I’m going to give out credit-card information to any other device, whether it’s trustworthy or not.
Ticktock
What’s your favorite old-school gadget? Maybe something that others would consider obsolete, but you still love.
Keith_Shaw
People were amazed that I held onto one of my cell phones for four years, but I eventually got a new one that I’ve had for only a year now. I still use one of the original 2nd-generation iPods (the one with the black and white screen and not compatible with any of the iPod docking stations). But other than that, old-school for me usually means it’s past 6 months old.
Moderator-Julie
Keith is working on another live question. So here’s the answer from one submitted in advance.
Q: I like the convenience of USB memory sticks for traveling, but am not sure how to secure that data. What’s the best way?
KEITH SHAW: Glue the memory stick to your hand, or tie a string to it and yourself so the device never gets lost or stolen. Apart from that, the next best idea would be to check out USB devices that have native hardware encryption and mandatory password enforcement, so if the device is lost the data is useless to anyone who finds it. I recently tested some SanDisk devices (the Cruzer Enterprise) that do a great job of keeping the data secure.
rgreives
What gadget name would make you never guess what it was?
Keith_Shaw
Well, nobody really knows what a Treo is, but I think you’re thinking of something else…
Ticktock
How would you define Web 2.0?
Keith_Shaw
That’s a good question. There’s been so many definitions flying around, it’s hard to keep up. Is Web 2.0 the ability to become more collaborative with co-workers, friends, and the outside crowd? In this case, this chat would be considered a Web 2.0 tool of sorts. Is it the world of blogs, wikis, podcasts? Is it social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn? I guess the answer is yes — anything in the Web that can get some attention would qualify as a Web 2.0 tool at this point, until someone starts suggesting that we’re in the Web 3.0 world (which some say already exists in terms of 3D virtual worlds like Second Life)
Hmonroe
Did you ever use a typewriter?
Keith_Shaw
I learned how to type on a manual typewriter in high school, then took a 2nd semester of typing on electric typewriters, but mainly I took the second semester as a way to meet girls (the ratio of girls-to-guys in typing class was much higher for me). I typed a lot of papers in high school and early college, but then moved on to computers. I can still type between 60 and 70 words per minute, so if this gadget columnist gig doesn’t work out I can always get a job as a data entry specialist…
Moderator-Julie
Keith is working on another live question. So here’s the answer from one submitted in advance.
Q: GPS vs. in-phone services, what gives?
KEITH SHAW: I think in the long run, in-phone services for GPS and mapping will have an advantage over stand-alone GPS devices, if only because the maps reside on the network, and can be updated faster than with maps stored on a local device. But the larger screens of the stand-alone devices are very appealing to users who need this technology as part of their job. For the occasional user of GPS, I’d recommend going with an in-phone service like VZ Navigator (Verizon) where you can get a 24-hour pass for $5 or so, rather than spending $200 or more on a GPS device. How many times in your daily life do you really need to find someplace new?
Radiogirl
What gadget can I buy as a gift for a husband that seems to have every gadget out there?
Keith_Shaw
Buy him a sweater. It’s amazing, that with all of the gadget testing I do (including for the NW holiday gift guide), by the time the holidays roll around the only thing I want is a nice L.L. Bean flannel shirt.
Junkmail
As a parent, will you be providing your kids with cell phones for safety?
Keith_Shaw
By the time my kids are old enough to start begging me for a cell phone, we’ll probably start with the ones that are specifically geared towards them — the ones that only allow specific numbers to be dialed, where they can’t spend all day talking and ring up the bill. The phone will also likely have GPS tracking so I can find out where they are at all times.
Hmonroe
You have kids – what do think about technology that monitors your childrens’ activities? — convenience, bad parenting or too ‘big brother’?
Keith_Shaw
Good question, it’s something I’m going to have to address probably sooner or later. I think these tools should be used to complement parenting, not replace it. It sounds really “Big Brother” when you’re reading about these tools, but then when you’re faced with your own kids, you probably say, “the heck with that” and install the software. I know there has to be some trust between parent and child, but I guess it depends on what age the kids are when you install the software.
careyblast
Any favorite baby gadgets?
Keith_Shaw
There’s a “baby laptop” toy out there (hopefully not made in China) that is a godsend for parents who bring home their real laptop and have their toddler run right over to it and bang on the keys. The baby laptop is more durable.
Moderator-Julie
Keith is working on another live question. So here’s the answer from one submitted in advance.
Q: What’s the most overpriced gadget (or type of gadget) currently on the market and why?
KEITH SHAW: Any smart phone or similar device that costs over $300, and charges $50 or more per month for unlimited wireless data service. Those costs can, and should, come down.
Bubbatronics
What makes a tool cool?
Keith_Shaw
Great question, I battle with this question on a daily basis… I think if the device can “advance the story” in terms of productivity for end users, if it does something more than the last gadget does (not a “me too”), then it’s worthy of a look. That’s why I’m not really excited about iPod knock-offs, etc., because they may have additional features, but nothing that’s earth-shattering. One of my favorite toys from last year was this great stereo system that let me convert all of my old record albums onto CD — it solved a problem and did it easily (the TEAC GF-350)
C
What other technology Web sites or blogs do you read, besides your own?
Keith_Shaw
Who has time to read other blogs? It’s hard enough to try and keep up with all of my own stuff…. Seriously, I look at Engadget and Gizmodo (who doesn’t), and then scan regular news sites as well for new tech gadget stuff. A lot of the time, I get what I’m looking for just from all of the PR pitches I get from technology companies… 🙂
Moderator-Julie
Keith is working on several more live questions; keep them coming! Here’s the answer from one submitted in advance.
Q: If you had to get rid of all but three electronics that you own (excluding appliances like a fridge and dryer) what three would you keep?
KEITH SHAW: TV, iPod and cell phone.
rgreives
There has been much dispute of the difference between a dork and a nerd (tech speaking). What is your take?
Keith_Shaw
I think it’s a matter of what you’d be proud of calling yourself. I consider myself a nerd more than a dork, I think that has a negative connotation. It’s a good time to be a nerd (tech-wise), and not such a bad thing anymore. Geek also counts.
Hmonroe
What is the first gadget you ever reviewed? And, when was it?
Keith_Shaw
For Network World, it was a Sprint attachment that let you take a Handspring Visor (remember those?) and turn it into a cell phone. This was in 2000 I believe. But before that I was always into giving opinions on things — whether writing editorials at the local newspaper or writing theater reviews for the Syracuse Daily Orange in the ’80s.
Bubbatronics
Best gadget for the car is…
Keith_Shaw
I’m not really a fan of gadgets in the car at the moment, because anything that distracts the driver is not really good for the rest of us on the road. Probably a GPS device that stops couples from arguing about driving directions…
Moderator-Julie
Keith is working on another live question. So here’s the answer from one submitted in advance.
Q: If you could run over one of your wife’s gadgets with your car, which would it be and why?
KEITH SHAW: I love gadgets and I love my wife, so there would never be any reason for me to run over anything with the car.
Redbarn United States, and then blatantly copied overseas, especially in China – the latest example being the iPhone? What gives? Is this good or bad, and why?
How do you feel about technology being developed in the
Keith_Shaw
Piracy is bad wherever it happens….
Shack
Do you plan on covering things like new apps that become available for the iphone or just sticking to cool hardware?
Keith_Shaw
With my schedule it’s a lot easier for me to stick to talking about hardware — for some reason, software really hates me and doesn’t want to cooperate with my systems, and it takes longer to review than hardware. But if there’s some really cool app out there, I’ll always take a look.
Radiogirl
Have you seen the Microsoft Surface? What are your thoughts on it — or on home entertainment gadgets?
Keith_Shaw
I haven’t seen one up-close-and-personal yet, but at SIGGRAPH 2006 in Boston I saw something that was eerily like the Surface (it used Windows XP underneath) by Mitsubishi. I think the Surface as currently pitched might be a big mistake — these large expensive systems that will sit in hotel lobbies and other public areas are ripe for breaking. But the touch-screen technology on them is pretty cool. I think it will be a long time before you see this type of technology in the home, unless they can get the costs down quickly.
Moderator-Julie
We are almost out of time. If you have final questions for Keith, please submit them now. Here’s the last Q&A from one submitted in advance.
Q: Do you think any brand will ever be cooler than Apple?
KEITH SHAW: The Keith Shaw brand is close to becoming cooler than Apple, but I need to start wearing more black mock turtlenecks when I go out on the road. The closest in terms of cool cachet would be Google — they still get as much attention from the press in a lot of things that they do. It should be interesting to see how the world reacts if they come out with a G-phone.
Hmonroe
What gadegt are you asking Santa for this Christmas? And, what do you think will be the hottest gadget this holiday season?
Keith_Shaw
I’ll answer the second part first. One of the hottest gadgets for this holiday season will be the Pleo robot from Ugobe. This is going to make Furby madness seem like kid’s play. They’ve already sold out of their online pre-orders, so the only way you’ll be able to get one is through the retail stores like Target, Best Buy, etc. We’ve been waiting for more than a year for this robot to come out — it’s really lifelike and different from anything else you’ve seen. In terms of what i’m asking Santa for this Christmas, I haven’t figured that out yet. I might ask for a new iPod to replace that old one I’ve been using.
ticktock
Do you think we are catching up with Asia/Europe in cell phone technology – if not, when?
Keith_Shaw
I think the U.S. won’t catch up for a while, because of the fact that there’s always going to be wireless technology competition, and in Asia/Europe, there’s just one standard officially. Plus the cultural differences — smaller geographic areas mean cell phones are used more than they are here.
careyblast
Ever given your wife a gadget gift?
Keith_Shaw
Yes, I have bought her several iPods and Macintosh computers over the years. She always gets the new stuff, and then I get the gadget hand-me-downs.
Redbarn
Do you think Microsoft will, in the next twenty years, continue to see their share of the OS market continue to shrink? How bad will this get?
Keith_Shaw
That all depends on whether businesses feel the need to switch their desktops to a different OS. With everything moving towards a Web-based world anyway, the OS behind the desktop may not matter any more anyway. Any machine that can access a Web application will be just fine for most people (as long as it can also play music).
Moderator-Juliehttp://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=cooltools
Remember to keep reading Keith’s column and blog at
Watch his videos at http://www.networkworld.com/video/
And listen to the Twisted Pair podcast at http://www.networkworld.com/podcasts/twistedpair/
Mark your calendars more chats at 2 p.m. EDT
August 28, The truth about NAC with security expert, Joel Snyder.
September 19, Enterprise messaging demystified with Michael Osterman
October 1, The road to infinite capacity with Amazon.com CTO, Werner Vogels
All schedules and transcripts are at www.networkworld.com/chat
Keith_Shaw
Thanks a lot to everyone who showed up for the chat! Send any other questions or feedback to me at kshaw@nww.com.
Moderator-Julie
Thank you for attending.
