Seiki 4K TV now in 39 in size

Seiki, the company famous for the $1200 52" 4K monitor, just released a 39" version. At $700, it is a pretty good deal if you want to jump on the 4K bandwagon.

You can order it right now from Sears. At 4K, it runs at 30Hz so I won't be any good for TV usage. As a computer monitor, 30Hz, I can deal with that refresh rate just for coding. When you drop it down to 1080p, it does run at 120Hz. I'll have to see it in person to make a judgement. I'd have to see how it handles viewing angles and upscaling. Otherwise, this can make a good cheap tv for the kid's room.

Link: http://www.sears.com/seiki-39inch-class-4k-120hz-led-ultra-hdtv/p-05703146000P

Office acquisitions: Eames Lounge and Ottoman

This absentee blogger is busy furnishing his new house. I just ordered one of these for the office: An authentic Herman Miller licensed Eames Lounge and Ottoman (aka ELO). It was a pretty big purchase; setting me back close to $5K with tax/delivery. Yep. 5 with three zeros behind it. It has upgraded leather. I debated this heavily in my mind for quite a bit. I replace a laptop or computer every few years and those items cost me $2-$3K. Electronics are so disposable. I figure I'd keep this for a very long time and I could pass it along to my kids.

It is the real deal and should arrive in 6 weeks. I was looking at some fake reproduction ones and it bothered me to think about getting a fake. I love design and this is an iconic piece of 20th century furniture. Originally designed by the husband and wife team of Charles and Ray Eames in 1956, it has stood the test of time for over 57 years. 57 years is a long time to qualify this as a true classic. It is also a drool-worthy man-cave acquisition piece.

Trust me, this is the ultimate laptop lounging seating. This is one of the benefits of being fortysomething. I even got a matching portable walnut stand for my laptop.

History of Aspect Ratio

If you want to waste 15 minutes to learn and enjoy a great history lesson on Cinema and Aspect Ratio, this is worth the time to watch:
Direct Link: http://vimeo.com/68830569

You'll learn how we got 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios.


The Changing Shape of Cinema: The History of Aspect Ratio from FilmmakerIQ.com on Vimeo.

Workspaces, Office, man cave ideas

I haven't been able to post any new gadget blog type posts in a while. I'm finishing up closing a deal on a new house so my attention has been elsewhere. This leads me to this new post.

With a new house, this geek will probably have to shop for new furniture for his workspace(s).

Intel shows off first Thunderbolt 128GB stick

According to PCWorld, Intel is toying with the idea of a "Thunderbolt Stick."

Here is the world's fastest thumb drive (in prototype form). This is pretty much a Sandisk SSD in a thumb drive form factor versus your typical Flash NAND in USB 3.0 sticks. Yeah, it is kind of ugly but we have to remember this is just a prototype.

LINK: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2040903/intel-shows-worlds-fastest-thumb-drive.html

Upcoming reviews

I am anticipating a few new items coming in this summer.
I'm pretty excited about some of the kickstarter projects I've backed.

First is the MiiPC
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2102024857/miipc-power-to-the-parents

and Parallela
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/adapteva/parallella-a-supercomputer-for-everyone

I'm pretty certain the MiiPC and Parallela ARM based super computer will be coming this summer as promised. MiiPC has already sent out request for shipping. Furthermore, sites like engadgets have already done some hands-on look.

Kickstarter can be interesting and it can be suspense-fully risky. I am still waiting for feedback from ZionEyez. People are pretty much writing it off as a scam. Forbes even wrote a piece on them.

I'll report back if I actually get anything.

Magic Mouse Carbon fiber bling

Who here likes carbon fiber?

Stickerboy has a nice collection of skins for the Apple Magic Mouse. I happen to pick up a carbon fiber skin set.

I need to work out the minor bubbles but it looks pretty good if you are into carbon fiber.

Link: http://www.stickerboy.net/collections/magic-mouse-top-wrap-skin-skins