Sky+ HD with "True" HD Ready TV - Is it the only option for the World Cup?

This year I decided to make a new years resolution that was achievable for me:

• Get to the gym 3 - 4 times a week ... ???
• Cut down my drinking levels to those Doctors always mention .... ???
• Bring HD TV to my home ready for the World Cup ... NOW THAT'S MORE REALISTIC!

I have been keenly reviewing the progress towards HD TV in the UK over the last couple of months. Having researched whats available and the options for HD TV I came to the following conclusions:

• Must have a "True" HD Ready TV - 1920x1080p as a growing percentage of programming will be delivered in this format within 12 months
• Its got to be the right size for my lounge - That means 42" is to big (10 feet to our sofa)
• It has got to look good (my wife controls the living room!)
• I need a TV with reasonable speakers (AV Reciever and Surround Sound Speakers is my next New Years Resolution!)
• A TV must have all possible connection options
• FREE View is not an option as it will never support HDTV (certainly not before 2012)
• A PVR capability that can support at least 40 hours of "True" HD TV (approx 300Gb)
• Ethernet Connection (I want to move content around my home wireless network)
• MPEG4 Compression - I have always preferred open-standards that are portable across networks

As usual I have high expectations, but I want to make sure that the choice I make is solid for at least 6 - 8 years. My research has lead me to the following choices on the best way forward:

• HD TV - Philips 37" True HD TV Model No: 37PF9830
• SKY+ HD BOX

Of course the main problem at the moment is that I don't know the cost and availibility of the SKY HD BOX.

Are there any other realistic options?

AJAX Epidemic - Has Accessibility been forgotten?

I have been reviewing the recent AJAX news epidemic with keen interest.

I'm all for the user interface experience of Browser applications moving increasingly towards the Rich Client capabilities of Desktop applications, BUT ... Accessibility must not be forgotten.

It appears to me that the vast majority of the Web Development discussion seems to be falling into two camps:

• Rich AJAX Web Clients - High usability and responsiveness
• Basic Accessible Applications - Low usability and responsiveness

AJAX capabilities should be added in a manner that enables "Graceful Accessibility" for those members of the population that can't use the enhanced AJAX visual effects.

Browser applications need to be developed to enable them to adapt to the users configuration, whether that may be a speech enabled or script disabled Browser. This approach would mean that Web applications can be delivered that meet strict Accessibility Guidelines, are based on Web Standards and deliver a rich usable experience.

Unfortunately, this makes the construction and testing of these type of applications considerably more difficult. The traditional programming methods employed to create most Web Applications are becoming impractical to deliver on these ideals.

Garmin Nuvi - travel assistant - smarter Sat Nav companion

Where does the time go... December has been far to busy.

Well after dropping enough hints I got the SAT NAV I wanted for Christmas.

As usual I spent many hours researching all the SAT NAV's available, and most importantly considering what were MY specific requirements. So for me these were my key needs:

1. A SAT NAV that was truely portable - I could use it in any car without fixing, I could use it on a bike, I could use it on foot.
2. Must have the ability to easily update information - Download Points of Interest of any type e.g. Speed Cameras
3. Must have FM Traffic capability - This means it can be updated with "silent" traffic news and then suggest an appropriate diversion.
4. The navigation voice must be "nice and relaxing" as you have to listen to it a lot
5. The directions should use Streetnames as well as distances
6. The distances used should alter dependant on the speed you are travelling at.
7. Must have a very easy to use interface - touch screen as a minimum
8. Nice to have - Other facilities fro travellers

After much research I arrived at the GARMIN NUVI 300 - Now advertised on telly.

http://www.garmin.com/uk/automotive/nuvi/nuvi300/

It is fantastic. With my first journey Solihull to Woolwich it managed to cut my journey time by three quarters of an hour. My initial thought was that it was crazy in its suggested directions. What I released was that traditionally I picked "simplier" routes often on Motorways rather than the fastest.

If you allow the SAT NAV to do its job and relax, it does a fine job. I have found that it makes navigating to new places very straight forward. I found that I stopped looking at road signs. The travel experience was much more relaxed. If you are navigating on your own it is indispensible.

The touch screen user interface is so easy I didn't need to look at the manual at all. This is a remarkable achievement for a GUI.

The device can be re-charged through the USB cable for my laptop. This is quite handy. When defining a location you usually do it from information in your PC. As it is "truely" portable (size of a packet of cards) - This is easy. This saves writing down addresses and then entering them in the car.

I have also used the built in MP3 player. Handy for my Car. I have yet to try the Audio Book. I thought this was a good idea. I often do long journeys to places I know well, so listening to a book seems an ideal solution.

There are a whole bunch of "travel assistant" features that I have not had the opportunity to use yet. Hopefully that will change in January.

THE FUTURE ...

Having used it I have thought of some features that would be quie nice gimmicks in SAT NAVS:

1. Why don't they let people download different voices? You could have novelty voices like mobile phone ring tones ... My Kids thought it would be great if you could have Homer Simpson, Sally thought Robbie Williams would be rather nice.
2. As the device links to the USB it would be good to be able to load directions from the PC - Perhaps Google Maps?

I would highly recommend this SAT NAV. Small, Easy to Use.

Anyway, I'm off to Leicester ... I will see what it does this time.

Can Google replace Microsoft as the Desktop?

I have been watching with keen interest the rapid developments at Google and wonder whether they can deliver on the concept of a "Web Desktop" or "Personal Portal".

I love the idea that you don't need to be tied to machine (or series of devices) and the software installed on them. I would like to access all my content via the web on any device with a modern Browser.

This would require a single authentication ??? that then accesses all aspects of the software requirements I need in one place. I believe that this is the main area we lack in the web today?

I would like a single entry point to a "Web Desktop" that had the following features:

• Email Accounts (multiple accounts not just one - I have multiple existing identities)
• Diary (I need to see work and personal elements. I would also like to be able to overlay other trusted peoples diaries)
• Blogs (Publish or link my blogs. Advise me of other like minded people)
• Feeds (supply of news: hold on to history, find related info. based on
• Collaboration (can work and exchange documents, photos, music, video, etc.)
• Shopping (links or embedding of my favorite sites - amazon, ebay, etc.)
• Finance (allow links to all my bank accounts securely)
• Searching across all the content of the aspects above

There are probably lots of other elements that I should add to this list, but it's time to watch the England vs New Zealand Rugby Match.