No, I haven’t decided to turn this blog into a spinoff of Engadget, but I can’t help but mention cool new technology when I read about it. Like the new Google phone which is set to make its debut Oct. 22. The phone will cost $179 and will incorporate a large touchscreen, a trackball, a slide-out keyboard and easy access to G-mail and mapping programs. 

The phone will be available to T-Mobile customers in areas where the company has established its faster wireless data network. Otherwise, the phones will be available on T-Mobile’s Web site and can be used on T-Mobile’s slower data network. One cool thing about the G1 is that software developers are free to write new applications for the phone, which could add to its appeal.

Check out this vintage Sesame Street clip where Grover tries to help a girl fix her computer. Notice the “computer” as well. Funny stuff

Chances are, you’ve at least checked it out. If you’re like me, you’ve tried to ignore the fact that it’s coming. But like it or not, the new Facebook will be here by the end of this week, and there will be no going back. 

I guess you could say Facebook has given its users more than enough warning that the site we’ve come to know and navigate so easily will soon take the form of a new design. The tabs we know — Profile, Friends, Inbox, etc. — will no longer be organized in the same way. The new Facebook is meant to make it easier to share information and photos and shifts some applications to the bottom of profile pages. In recent weeks, Facebook has given users the choice to switch over to the new design or stick with the old design. But by this weekend, everyone will be moved to the new design for good. 

I don’t actually have any specific objections to the new design. It’s just different. I’m guessing this is why so many have rallied against the new format. It’s not what we’re used to. But I’m betting once people have gotten used to the new design, the switch will no longer be an issue. 

What are your thoughts — have you made the switch yet? Do you prefer the new or old Facebook design? 

The old Facebook:

The new Facebook:

Earlier today, Apple announced a revamped line of iPod Nanos, the thinnest Apple has ever made according to Apple CEO Steve Jobs. The new Nanos will sell for $149 for an 8-gig model and $199 for a 16-gig version. According to Jobs, Apple has sold 160 million iPods since they were introduced in 2001. 

The new version does seem to be a great value, but I have to wonder if sales will reflect this. With the 3G iPhone —  which incorporates phone, internet and iPod capabilities — starting at $199, it almost seems like a waste to not just go with the iPhone. For those who are just looking for a music player, though, the new Nano seems like a great deal.

What kind of music player do you use? Would you (or have you already) purchased an iPhone? What are your thoughts on using your phone as a music player?

Pilobolus

My sister called to share a conversation she recently had with another relative, who will remain nameless.

After purchasing drinks in a coffee shop, the person saw a sign that read “Free Wi-fi with purchase.” 

She turned to my sister and asked, “What’s a wiffy?”

Apparently she felt she had been cheated out of a free pastry, or possibly a small plastic toy that often accompanies kids’ meals at fast food restaurants. If I didn’t know better, that’s what I’d guess a “wiffy” to be.

I’m updating this from the new Firefox 3 web browser made available today by Mozilla. Though I had some issues accessing FF3 at first, I was eventually able to get on the site and download the new version. Mozilla is trying to set a Guinness Record for the most software downloaded over a 24-hour period. So far, so good as far as I’m concerned, but I haven’t had much time to test out the new browser as of yet. I do like the star button to the right of the address bar and the larger “back” button, as well as the overall clean look of the new Firefox.

According to the Associated Press, the release was delayed today as visitors to Mozilla’s site overloaded Firefox’s Web servers. Speaking of the Associated Press, I also read today that the organization plans to meet with a bloggers’ group to help form guidelines under which AP stories can be quoted online. Apparently AP sent a legal notice to a blog author last week, calling for the blogger to remove several postings they found to be “improper use of its stories.” Is it inappropriate that I’m citing an AP story in my blog about the use of AP stories in blogs? Guess I’ll find out.

A new version of the Mozilla Firefox web browser is scheduled to be released next week. The new version is expected to be more secure, easier to use and more easily personalized to the user. Should you download the new version, it will overwrite your existing installation of the browser. But according to Mozilla, no bookmarks or browsing history will be lost with the download.

I plan to download the new version and test it out, so I’ll be sure to share my thoughts here after it is released. For anyone interested in downloading Firefox 3, you can do so here on Tuesday.

I thought this article was appropriate following yesterday’s announcement by Apple. Enjoy!

Earlier today, Apple unveiled its new 3G (third generation) iPhone which will be cheaper and faster than current models. Sounds like a good deal for anyone in the market for an iPhone…an 8 GB model will sell for $199 and a 16 GB model will cost $299. Download speeds are expected to be improved as well.

Do you have an iPhone or plan to get one? What are your thoughts on the iPhone if you already have one? Please feel free to share.