New MAC MINI

I have a new toy. A new MAC MINI. I have been trying to learn Android programing on my DELL but it is too old to keep up with the Eclipse software and the Android Virtual Devices that I would try. I actually timed how long it took to start a Nexus 7 AVD and it was about 7minutes just to start it up. The MAC MINI that I have now is running OS X With a 2.3 GHz Intel i7 with 8gig of DDR3 RAM. So far so good. Running Eclipse and other software has been great. They only real issue I have had are related to getting use to the MAC OS. I already have an IPAD 2 and have been used to that but this is not quite the same thing.

It is strange to see the power coming out of such a small machine. My Dell XPS is about 10 times bigger in physical size but has less processing power. I have to give my Dell props. It is over 5 years old and is still running strong. It has seen its change of video cards as well as a hard drive update but after those changes, it was up and running and going strong. I still use it and so does my family, its not like its gone but it was time for a change for me.

You might be wondering, why the MAC MINI and not an IMAC or even a Chromebook. I looked into getting a Chromebook but I could not find someone that was using one to do Android programming. I do like the IMACS but I also like upgrading when I can. The MAC MINI allows for a user update to memory and hard drive where as not all of the IMAC line does not. The 21inch IMAC does not allow user updates but the 27in IMAC does allow some user update. I also had an extra screen and extra keyboard to use. The biggest choice I thought I had to make was, magic mouse or trackpad. The winner there was the magic mouse and I find it is awesome.

I look forward to getting to know my MAC MINI better and running more programs on it.. IWork's, iMovie, Evernote, Parallels and more.  Its the beginning of a long road.. paved with an Apple..

Andriod Market searches a bit easier with AppsStoreHQ

I have a Motorola CLIQ and I like Android. Outside of the battery getting drained quicker than my phone from years ago its not that bad, but then again it does sooo much more and I use it sooo much more. I have downloaded many apps and found some useful, and some not. Finding those apps hasn't always been easy. So I went looking for an easier way and came across AppsStoreHQ.

AppsStoreHQ has apps listed on the web that are in the Andriod Market. At first glance you will see it broken down to Category, Price Range, Rating and Relase Date.  If you know that name of the app, just type it in the search box and let them do the rest. I did a search for an SMS app I use called Handcent and I found it right awy. I was able to read a small discription of it, see pictures if there were any posted, check out some user reviews and even scan a QRcode to get the app from the store. Don't take my word for it, go and check it out for yourself at AppsStoreHQ.com

Android Market Passes the 20,000 Mark

Bring on the parades and pass out the streamers.. Google Android Market has passed the 20,000 mark. Out of all those apps, 62% are still free...Now if we can just get Motorola to update the CLIQ to 2.0 or 2.1 we can all be happy. Check out the article from Electronista..

UPDATE: Google says the actual count is more like 16,000

About the Motorola Cliq for T-Mobile

I have had a T-Mobile Wing mobile phone for quite some time now. Of my share of mobile phones, this has been the most versatile and does everything I need. It has its quirks now and then but it is OK. With more Android phones available and their multitude of downloadable apps along with the phones potential, I am leaning towards getting one of them. I like the G1 and the MyTouch but what I want is the Motorola CLIQ.

What does the Motorola CLIQ have that would move me away from a Windows Mobile Phone, let me tell you. It has MOTOBLUR. This allows streaming of your social networking feeds to your handset in realtime. It has a 5Megapixel camera for clearer shots. ( I wish it had a flash as well but that is not a deal breaker for me.) It comes 3G and WIFI capable, has Bluetooth Connectivity and a Full Qwerty keyboard. The keyboard is a must have for me right now. From my understanding of T-Mobile 3G speeds, when they go up to the 7.2Mbps, this phone will be able to take advantage of it.Check out the video below to see the CLIQ in action.

What you get in the box besides the phone is a 1400mA battery, Charger, USB Charger, Stereo Headset and a 2GB SD Card. A 2Gig card is not bad to start with but if you plan to take many pictures, listen to lots of music and more, your gonna want to get a bigger card.

Check out TMOBILE.COM or MOTOROLA.COM for more spec info.

One more thing....... the CLIQ is available for pre-order starting 10/19/09.