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WowWee Robots Hit The Big Time!

The nice thing about WowWee’s scary RoboRaptor is that it’s slow. Like most toy robots that walk, it can barely outrun a snail. But the new PEA Bot uses Segway self-balancing technology and can book along at a few miles per hour. Fortunately, it has no snapping teeth.

The bot is about 18 inches high, and it’s the first non-Segway product to use Segway technology. Unlike the full-size Segway, with the PEA Bot, you can dial in varying levels of imbalance, to give the toy a more animated, or drunken, look. There’s also a flip-down cup holder on the bot, so you can use it to send refreshments to a friend across the room. Be sure to turn up the stability first.

Like WowWee’s RoboSapien, the PEA Bot can run either in remote control mode or in programmed semiautonomous mode. It will avoid walls and obstacles and can pick itself up if it falls. However, it has no cliff sensors, so it will drive itself right off a table or a flight of stairs.

The new bot should sell for about $200 when it ships later this year. Check them out on the web at www.wowwee.com.

You’ve Heard of Local Area Networks…. How About Body Area Networks?

Like everything else, implantable medical devices are going wireless. A new in-body antenna chip from Zarlink Semiconductor is in preproduction, and should appear in pacemakers and hearing implants this year.

By transmitting data to and receiving instructions from nearby base stations, body area network (BAN) chips can reprogram your heartbeat at your doctor’s office or make a diagnosis from a bedside wireless monitor at home.

Not only will we be surrounded by intelligent objects in the streets, but we’ll wear clothes made of nano-engineered smart fabrics that will use wearable technology that runs on body heat such as intelligent electronic contact lenses functioning as TV screens when we are in the subway.

Think Twice Before Posting Any Information Online

Whether it’s a chat group, forum, or even an email, take caution when giving out personal information or expressing your opinion about someone or something online.

Internet information is growing larger and more impossible to control every day. It’s not uncommon for people to lose their jobs because of what they wrote about their boss or their company, not realizing that it would remain as a permanent online record for the entire world.

One 22-year-old answered an Internet inquiry about whether anyone had ever had a bad drug trip. His reply was so interesting and colorful that years later it still ranks number seven out of a total of 92,600 Google hits that come up when you type in his name!

That’s why you should be very careful about what you post. Your boss or your future boss and head hunters can research your name online and pull up more information than you want them to have. They can also do continuous background checks on you, no disclosure required.

They not only can see what you’ve posted, they might be able to see your age, marital status, the value of your house, things you wrote as a teenager, liens, bankruptcies, and political affiliations.

Without the full story, a post or a question could be misinterpreted. For example, let’s suppose you are doing research for a friend or relative with a drug problem. If you post a question asking how to help someone beat a drug habit, others may assume the person with the habit is you.

To protect yourself, Business Week magazine gave the following recommendations:

  • Register with an online profile manager such as Ziggs or LinkedIn. They’re free.
  • If you must use MySpace, refrain from posting the risqué. Consider cloaking or using an avatar.
  • Order a background check from Zabasearch or Argali. Contact vendors if you find incorrect information.
  • Think before you blog. Anything personal that you post may come back to haunt you for years in the future.
  • Don’t send anything in an e-mail you would not want the world, and especially your mother, to read

As always, use common sense with the Internet. It is a very public place with a very long memory. It is fair to assume, Google never forgets anything.

Tech Experts Earns Certified Partner Status In Microsoft’s Partner Program

TechExperts recently earned certified status in Microsoft’s Partner Program, which recognizes TechExperts’ expertise and impact in the technology marketplace.

As a Certified Partner, TechExperts has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and proven ability to meet customer needs.

Microsoft Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support that give them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

“Only companies that have demonstrated high levels of customer service, proved their experience and attained advanced certification receive the designation of Microsoft Certified Partner,” said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft Corp. “Microsoft recognizes TechExperts for its skills and expertise in providing customer satisfaction with Microsoft products and technology.”

In addition to earning certified status, TechExperts has earned a Microsoft Competency.

Microsoft Competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner’s capabilities with specific Microsoft technologies to customers looking for a particular type of solution.

Each competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that partners bring to the technology industry.

Microsoft Certified Partners enrolled in the Networking Infrastructure Solutions Competency have proved their competency in implementing technology solutions based on the Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 operating system, with a particular focus on Windows Small Business Server 2003.

These implementations may include solutions that connect Windows-based servers, PC locations and the Internet; installation of a server farm; or a small-business Windows Server stand-alone solution that includes file and print capabilities.

We are extremely pleased to have earned certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program. The certified status allows us to clearly promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers.

The benefits provided through our certified membership and enhanced relationship with Microsoft will allow us to continue to expand the service and offerings that we provide our clients.