‘i’s’ the word - iPod, iPlayer, iMac

12:59pm Thursday 13th March 2008

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It's all in the i. iPod; iTunes, iPlayer, iMac, iPhone. Slowly but surely, the Apple is worming its way into every portal of our lives. Music players, phones, computers are all merging. New partnerships are forming. Where some users may love a big chunk of technology, today's users prefer small and multi-talented units. And, Apple - and their partners - are playing their tune. Although I have used both, and mostly PC, the Apple line-up is starting to look very appetising.

May the best format win...

Sometimes competition isn't such a good thing - if you are in a two-way battle and come out last. When Toshiba - the HD DVD team - took on Sony - the Blu-ray team - to see which would win the hearts and minds of high definition DVD users, it only took months for a winner to be announced. Pushed beyond their limit, by third party decisions and partnerships, Toshiba has thrown in the towel. With several top film production companies choosing Blu-ray, it was like taking on Rambo - you were bound to lose. So although Blu-ray has won, people in the business are predicting it will soon be replaced with PC technology. You may want to read tech journalist Ian Morris's take on the situation. http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/ianmorris/0,139101819,49295662,00.htm Lost in space...

Losing confidential data, if you follow media coverage, has become extremely commonplace. And it isn't just in the UK. Unfortunately this is a global issue.

Mobile Tech News, http://www.mobiletechnews.com/info/2008/02/13/133807.html, did report a company finding lost data, which was positive. But they reportedly were still no further ahead in discovering how it happened. Bottom line: limit how many people have your data - especially via your computer. Limit how much personal data you give out via social networking sites, retailers, surveys, data collectors. Set up one email, one mobile, one credit card for all online transactions. And be clever with your passwords. One option if you find it tough is to simply open the page of a book, take a sentence, choose the first letter of each word, then use a combination of letters and numbers. And change is good. Change them often.

Shooting satellites...

The Wild West reputation of the US has just been moved to a new level with announcements of plans to shoot down a satellite heading for earth. The official story is that it is carrying dangerous fuel - unofficial reports say it is carrying spy technology and data. Either way, what was once a good script for a movie has gone from fantasy to reality. Technology in space is ever-evolving.

http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/ Start your engines...

If you believe in urban myths, there is a conspiracy theory that the big guys are keeping the little guys from getting their non-fuel powered automobiles on the road.

But, the eco-movement is pushing forward demand for alternative vehicles. Although major manufacturers all offer small, economical options, it seems green is making some gains.

http://www.ft.com/ reported about how a Californian company, which just launched a battery-powered version of the Lotus Elise, is looking to raise funds to produce electric sedans. What Greener Car, http://www.whatgreencar.com/, rated the Reva G-Wiz electric car as most green, followed by the Citroen C1 1.0i. The Ford Focus 2.0 Tdi was in the middle, and BMW, Porche and the Hummer company were in bad company at the most polluting' end of the scale. Maybe Bernie Ecclestone was right to sell off his big collector's cars for charity.

Changes ahead...

The Westmorland Gazette website is getting a make-over. The new look site will feature easier navigation, more visuals and a host of opportunities for you to interact - more blogs, community correspondents online, contributed videos. Stay tuned. If you have any ideas or want more information contact Kate Whiteside, Web Editor, at 01539-710183 or kate.whiteside@kendal.newsquest.co.uk.

Gazette online vote results...

Do you think employees should be able to access online social network sites from work? Option Number of votes ... Yes 33. Maybe 12. No 83.