Modern Joys

Twenty years ago, the Walkman was all the rage.  Joggers would clip the large cassette players to their belts as they took off down the street; the Walkman would bang against a jogger’s legs with every step she took.  Ten years later, the portable CD player edged the Walkman out of the market.  Commuters favored the CD player’s superior sound, but many joggers were forced to listen to the sounds of nature instead, since the CD players were infamous for skipping.  And its large size made the portable CD player anything but portable.  Now commuters, joggers and music lovers everywhere can rejoice – music is truly portable with the MP3 player.  MP3 players are compact devices that store and play your music – all of your music, in fact.  Celebrated for its large storage capacity, the MP3 player is a small piece of technology; some are the size of a large stamp.  Buying an MP3 player can be confusing.  Understanding the different types of MP3 players on the market can help you find one that best suits your needs.

Hard-drive-based players

This type of player is the Rolls-Royce of the MP3 world.  It has a large storage capacity of 20GB or higher; the hard-drive-based player can hold just about every song you have ever heard.  The 80GB Apple iPod, for instance, can hold up to 23,000 songs.  All of that storage comes at a price; these players are larger and heavier than most other MP3 players on the market.  The hard drive on these players is considered a moving part; any sudden blow or impact to the player can cause irreversible damage.  If you want to listen to music while you exercise, this is not the player for you.  The player’s lithium-ion rechargeable battery may stop working after two or three years.  Without a battery, the player will not work; unfortunately, you will need to pay to have an expert replace the battery, a repair that could cost as much as $100. 

Micro hard-drive-based players

This type of MP3 player combines the storage capabilities of a hard-drive-based player with the compactness of a flash player.  These players use a miniature hard drive with a storage capacity of 12GB or more.  You can still store hundreds, if not thousands, of songs on a micro hard-drive-based player.  Yet its small hard drive gives the player a compact design.  The player is quite light, but you should never use it while exercising.  The hard drive is a moving part, and it can be damaged quite easily if the player is shaken or jolted around.  Flash-based players are gradually replacing this type of player, but determined shoppers can still find one or two models in stores.

Flash-based players

Flash-based players are fixtures in gyms and health clubs everywhere.  Since this type of player has no moving parts, it is ideal for athletes – no amount of running or jumping can damage the player.  The small size of a flash player makes it easy to carry.  Some have a built-in clip; if not, you might want to invest in a jogging kit that allows you to carry it on your arm or your shirt.  Some flash players use AA or AAA batteries, while others use an internal rechargeable battery.  The player recharges its battery while synced with your computer – no additional adaptors are required.  Batteries in a flash player typically last longer than those in a hard-drive-based player.  The storage capacity on a flash player ranges from 32MB to 8GB.  This is the main drawback of a flash player; where the hard-drive-based player can store thousands of songs, a flash player can typically only store a few hundred.  Its small size can also be a detriment to some, since tiny buttons and screens can be hard to use.

Before you buy any MP3 player, consider the source of your music.  If you download songs from an online store, be warned that not all MP3 players can play music from all stores.  For instance, iPod players play music from the iTunes store, while Zune players play songs from Zune MarketPlace.  Before purchasing that MP3 player, browse through the online music stores to find a site you like.  Then buy the player that is compatible with that site.  If you download your music from CD, don’t worry – all players are compatible with the types of music files stored on CDs.  To get the most music for your money, consider subscribing to a music service.  With a music service, you rent songs instead of purchasing them.  Once you pay the low monthly subscription fee, you will have access to thousands of songs.

Technology is constantly changing.  In a never-ending show of one-upmanship, MP3 manufacturers are reinventing the MP3 design.  Sound quality has improved significantly over the past few years, and it will continue to do so in the years to come.  And new features are continuously being added.  While these advancements in technology are great, they can be bad for your checkbook.  The MP3 player you buy today will seem ancient in a year’s time.  And in 10 years time, the MP3 player will no doubt be replaced by the newest in portable music devices.  So enjoy your player while you can – the next invention is waiting in the wings.

By Amy White

There are many different choices involved when deciding which flat screen TV to buy. One of the most confusing and with the most misinformation is resolution. There are many slight variations in the resolution available in a flat screen HDTV, but they all fall into two main categories, 720p and 1080p. The details are there if you are interested and want to dig a bit, but this mainly has to do with how many ‘lines’ of information are being displayed on the screen.

Most TV advertisements will flaunt 1080p as if that is the latest and greatest technology available. And it is – the question remains, do you need it and how much does it cost. Like many questions about technology, the answer is, it depends. First, the cost, depending on screen size and plasma vs. LCD, you can spend any where from a few hundred to over $1000 to get 1080p instead of 720p. In the smaller sets, the difference is less, but you may have a hard time finding 1080p in anything less than 32”. The reason for this is, the image is already compressed, so the extra lines of information become irrelevant. Even with sets that are 50 inches and smaller, you will have a hard time seeing a significant difference in image quality.

Next is the question of whether the extra money is worth it. This all depends on the sort of input you are going to be connecting to the TV. If you are going to be using a Blu-Ray DVD player and/or a Playstation 3, then yes, by all means, get the 1080p. This will take full advantage of the high definition available on these devices. Also, if you are going to use the TV as a monitor for a computer, then you definitely want the 1080p. Due to the high resolution required by computers, anything less will give you a fuzzy picture with jagged letters.

However, if you are just going to be watching television from cable or satellite, the extra cost for 1080p is a total waste of money. No broadcast television, regardless of set top box, or claims of High-Def are using anything higher than 720p. This is mainly due to bandwidth. There simply isn’t enough room in the pipeline for the extra data needed to produce 1080p pictures across the channels.

So the bottom line is this. If you are going to be buying a really big screen, and you will be using a true high definition input, such as a Blu-Ray or computer, then buy all means go for the 1080p. Otherwise, stick with 720p and save your money for something else.

By Darryl Brooks

Just like what happened with cell phones, the computer industry has come up with a smaller-sized product for convenience of use and is now offering the public small laptop computers known as Netbooks.  But do these small laptop computers, aka Netbooks, really offer that many benefits for consumers?

Netbooks can be used just about anywhere. These small laptop computers are a good, inexpensive alternative for anyone who just needs something for e-mailing and web browsing. However, the gigabit Ethernet these Netbooks employ does not offer users the fastest browsing experience.

In any case, because these small laptop computers offer the basics which everyone is looking for, and because their compact size means they are easy to carry, Netbooks are actually useful across a wider group of consumers who don’t require or want the same amount or kind of features that a desktop or standard laptop computer offers.

As long as the potential users of these small laptop computers can put up with limited computer functions and low operating power, they should be greatly pleased with the selling price, which can run from about $330.00, for Linux-based Acer Netbooks, to upwards of $700.00 for models sold by HP, depending on miscellaneous features, operating system, and power levels.

The stronger the Netbook’s battery (lower-end models have 3-cell batteries, while more expensive models come with 6-cell batteries), the more one will have to pay for one of these small laptop computers.

But in spite of the convenience and low cost of these small laptop computers, they do have a couple of significant drawbacks. Netbook keyboards sometimes only give the user 80 percent of standard keyboard size –  great for a small child, but too constraining, or even uncomfortable for most adults.

Also, small laptop computers offer images on their 9- to 10-inch screens that are not as sharp as those one might find with, say, a 17-inch desktop screen, or even on a standard laptop screen. Indeed, an adult who has vision problems might find it especially difficult and fatiguing to look at screens on small laptop computers over an extended period of time, which could seriously cut down on productivity.

It is possible to connect these new small laptop computers to a desktop monitor, but that would certainly amount to an inconvenience, and the whole idea behind creating these small laptop computers is that they are extremely easy to use and convenient for users.

It is too early to tell whether the use of small laptop computers will eventually take off. There is usually room for improvement with any brand-new product, and the fact is that Netbooks, at this early stage, have been criticized for offering the public a lack of truly innovative technology. As such, innovations and improvements on these small laptop computers might ultimately make them more saleable.

Latest News Letter from Tesla:

Come see the Model S in New York City 

If you live in greater New York or plan to visit soon, you’re in luck: The Model S will be on display Thursday, April 30 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Friday, May 1 (noon to 9 p.m.) at The Plaza Hotel, 5th Avenue at Central Park South, New York, NY 10019. This is a rare opportunity for the general public to get up close and personal with the Model S, the all-electric family sedan that carries up to seven people and travels up to 300 miles per charge. 

Tesla sales representatives will be at The Plaza Hotel to answer questions and take reservations. Eventually we will have a Model S in all of our showrooms and at major auto shows. In the upcoming months, we’ll bring the Model S to Chicago, Seattle, Miami and Washington as we prepare to open regional sales and service centers in those locations. Keep reading these newsletters for details.

Model S to appear on Late Show with David Letterman

The Model S has gotten incredible buzz since its launch on March 26, when it was featured on blogs, in newspapers and on TV newscasts worldwide. On April 29, the Model S will make another historic debut: It’s expected to be the first fully drivable car to appear on Late Show with David Letterman.

Conventional cars and hybrids, which produce CO2 emissions, are not allowed in drivable form on the Late Show set due to strict emission regulations. The prohibition of internal combustion engine cars is an ironic twist, seeing as Dave is a passionate car enthusiast who loves to wax about his favorite vehicles – but hey, it’s a great opportunity for the Model S. I’ll be on the show along with the car, and I am looking forward to a lively conversation with Dave, a fellow sports car aficionado and Tesla fan. Please tune in on your local affiliate station to see this historic event.

EPA finding could lead to more EV incentives

On April 17, the Environmental Protection Agency declared that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions were “dangerous pollutants” producing toxic effects on human health. The landmark finding is likely to put even more pressure on Congress to pass legislation limiting greenhouse gas emissions. This is a huge victory for scientists and environmentalists seeking to slow the pace of global warming. It’s expected to trigger more state and federal regulations on gas guzzlers and pave the way for additional incentives on pure electric vehicles, which produce zero tailpipe emissions.

Earlier this decade, the Bush administration opposed putting mandatory limits on many greenhouse gases. Back then, some politicians engaged in the specious argument that tough environmental regulations would hurt businesses. But it’s becoming increasingly clear that the most successful 21st century companies – from photovoltaic panel manufacturers to electric vehicle makers — will improve the environment *and* the economy.

In fact, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said that greenhouse gases posed “a serious problem now and for future generations.” Despite that ominous warning, she had an upbeat call to action: “This pollution problem has a solution — one that will create millions of green jobs and end our country’s dependence on foreign oil,” she said.

We couldn’t agree more. Many Tesla customers are died-in-the-wool sports car enthusiasts, attracted to the Roadster’s eye-catching design and scorching acceleration. But equal numbers of early adopters buy the Roadster because they see it as their social responsibility. They are proud to support a company whose goal is to develop more and more affordable cars – a model automaker that’s democratizing EVs. This is a stark contrast to car companies whose revenue goes toward cranking out yet more gas guzzlers.

In the past year, the auto industry has come to a clear consensus: The future is electric. Every mainstream automaker is working on hybrid or electric concept cars, prototypes or limited-production fleets. But Tesla remains the only production automaker selling a highway-capable EV in North America and Europe. We are relentlessly driving down the cost of EVs so that more and more consumers can experience these incredible vehicles.

California regulation reduces carbon in fuel

Less than a week after the EPA’s seminal finding, California approved the world’s first regulation to minimize the amount of carbon in fuel. The rule puts the Golden State on the cutting edge of promoting alternative fuels and alternative-fuel vehicles — and it came at the same time that the world’s “most complete” EV charging station opened at a mall in suburban Sacramento.

The regulation, which will be phased in starting Jan. 1, seeks to slash 16 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year and return California emissions to 1990 levels. The standard is expected to serve as a template for a national policy advocated by President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress.

According to the rule, the California Air Resources Board will use fuel consumption in 2010 as a baseline for 2020. To meet the reduced targets, petroleum producers must use alternative fuels — including electricity and biofuels — for personal transportation. The ruling could widen the cost advantage that electricity already commands over gasoline, giving consumers even more of a financial incentive to buy an EV.

The price advantage of electricity over petroleum is already considerable. Gasoline would have to be less than $1 per gallon for the pure electric Roadster to as cheap to refuel as a comparable gasoline-consuming sports car. But consider a likely future scenario with the Model S, which has an anticipated base price of $49,900 after a US federal tax credit. If you assume that gasoline costs $4.25 per gallon – the same as it was last summer, and a screaming bargain right now in Europe — the Model S is equivalent to a gas guzzler with a sticker price of about $35,000. Importantly, those savings are realized immediately if you lease a Model S, so there is no need to wait years to earn back the price difference.

Model S: More than 900 reservations so far

Given the cost advantages, it might not come as a surprise that we’ve received about 900 reservations for the Model S. The surge of reservations online and at showrooms in California proves without a doubt that there’s pent-up demand for a car that doesn’t compromise on performance, utility or efficiency.

The Model S does 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and will have an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. A 17-inch touchscreen with in-car 3G connectivity means you can listen to Pandora Radio or consult Google Maps, or check the car’s state of charge remotely on your iPhone. The Model S can be recharged from any 120V, 208V or 240V outlet or quick-charged from an external direct current supply in only 45 minutes.

Tesla also is taking reservations for the Model S Signature Edition with a $40,000 reservation fee, which is refundable. Tesla will produce only 2,000 Signature Edition cars, which will be the first built and have unique interior and exterior features. Signature Edition cars will be evenly split between US and European customers.

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see some of you in New York later this week.

Elon Musk

In the two weeks following the launch, we received 711 reservations for the Model S, the all-electric family sedan that carries up to seven people and travels up to 300 miles per charge.Tesla unveiled the car March 26, and reservations immediately began streaming in online

and at showrooms in California. This historic vehicle is likely to be the world’s first mass-produced, highway-capable electric vehicle when production begins in late 2011. The surge of reservations already proves that there’s pent-up demand for a car that doesn’t compromise on performance, utility or efficiency.

The Model S does 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and will have an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. A 17-inch touchscreen with in-car 3G connectivity means you can listen to Pandora Radio or consult Google Maps, or check the car’s state of charge remotely on your iPhone. The Model S can be recharged from any 120V, 208V or 240V outlet or quick-charged from an external direct current supply in only 45 minutes.

The anticipated base price of the Model S is $49,900 after a US federal tax credit of $7,500. The reservation fee of $5,000 is refundable. Three battery pack choices will offer a range of 160, 230 or 300 miles per charge. The company has not released for pricing for options and higher mileage battery packs.

If you account for the cost advantage over the life of the car  vs. an equivalent internal combustion engine car at a cost of $4.25 per gallon (a likely future cost in the United States, and a bargain right now in many parts of Europe), the Model S is equivalent to a gas guzzler with a sticker price of about $35,000. Importantly, those savings are realized immediately if you lease a Model S, so there is no need to wait years to earn back the price difference.

Tesla also is taking reservations for the Model S Signature Edition with a $40,000 reservation fee, which is also refundable. Tesla will produce only 2,000 Signature Edition cars, which will be the first built and have unique interior and exterior features. Signature Edition cars will be evenly split between US and European customers.

See the Model S this weekend in Silicon Valley

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area or are visiting for the holiday weekend, you’re in luck: The Model S will be in Tesla’s showroom in Menlo Park, Calif., on Saturday and Sunday – the first opportunity for the general public to see this car in person. Additional sales representatives will be at the store throughout the holiday weekend (Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday noon-5pm) to answer questions and take reservations.

Eventually we will have a Model S in all of our showrooms and at major auto shows. We’ll send updates in this newsletter on when and where else you can see the car in person. Customers and their invited guests will soon get more information about the late April viewing in New York City.

Proven technology, record Roadsters

The acclaimed Model S comes from the only production automaker selling highway-capable EVs in North America or Europe today. With 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, the Tesla Roadster outperforms almost all sports cars in its class, yet is more than twice as energy efficient as a Toyota Prius and delivers 244 miles per charge.

Tesla delivered  over 100 Roadsters to customers in March, marking the first triple-digit delivery month in the company’s history. Tesla delivered over 170 cars in the first quarter – more than the total delivered in 2008.

Tesla has delivered about 330 Roadsters so far. The base price of the Roadster is $101,500 after a $7,500 federal tax credit.

Le Rallye Monte Carlo

Late last month, the Roadster set another impressive record – a feat that’s attracting a lot of buzz in the blogosphere: A Tesla  Roadster went the entire 241 miles on a single charge of the Le Rallye Monte Carlo d’Energies Alternatives. And the Roadster still had an estimated 38 miles left on the charge! This appears to be an absolute record for a production EV.

The challenging course

, sponsored by l’Automobile Club de Monaco, went from Valence, France, to the Principality of Monaco. Terrain was mixed and included high-speed driving on highways, urban streets and up and single-carriageway roads that wind through the Alps.

The Roadster was the only car to finish the rally after a modified Porsche 911 dropped out. After the Roadster crossed the finish line, former F1 driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen took it for a spin around one of the Monte Carlo Rally’s special stages.

Tesla’s coming to London

We’re opening a regional sales and service center in London’s popular Knightsbridge district. This will be the first of three European stores that we hope to launch this year and an important base in Europe’s largest city.

The London facility will open this spring at 49-51 Cheval Place, formerly the Segrave Supercar Club. We’ll be walking distance from Harrods department store and convenient to Heathrow Airport.

We signed the London lease at a historic and exciting time for clean-tech companies in the U.K. London Mayor Boris Johnson, a sportscar buff and fan of the Tesla Roadster, announced  this week a plan to introduce 100,000 EVs and to build 25,000 charging stations in the capital. Prime Minister Gordon Brown – also familiar with Tesla – said EVs would be one cornerstone

of his economic recovery plan.

We’ll soon be sending an invitation to customers and guests with details about our launch party later this spring. We look forward to meeting Tesla’s many European fans at this event.

Cheers!

Elon Musk

Only a few decades ago businesses and consumers had only a handful of choices for telephone service, but recent changes in technology have changed all that.  These days many business owners and home consumers are taking a look at a technology known as Voice Over IP, or VoIP for short, and this promising technology can be an excellent choice for both commercial and home use.

While there are many important advantages to using VoIP technology, perhaps the most important is the cost. Compared to the cost of traditional business phone service VoIP can be a real bargain.  It is this cost difference that draws many business owners to VoIP service, but it is important for any would be adopter to compare plans carefully.

The amount of cost savings will vary according to a number of factors, including the up front cost of the equipment, the ongoing cost of service and the cost associated with outages, upgrades and repairs.  It is important for business owners to consider their options carefully if they are to maximize their savings and minimize their costs.

One of the most important considerations is the scope of service being offered by the VoIP provider.  While many VoIP services allow subscribers to call anyone who has a phone, be it a cell phone, VoIP phone or a traditional landline, others allow calls only between VoIP subscribers. This restriction is a significant one, especially in the world of business, and it is important to be certain that the VoIP system is capable of reliably connecting with any type of phone.

It is also important to be aware that most VoIP providers will charge a flat monthly fee for calls within the United States, versus the minute by minute service offered by most traditional telephone providers.  In addition some VoIP providers will charge a small per minute charge for calls to foreign countries.  Business owners who need to make frequent international calls may want to inquire about flat rate plans for international calling.

The type of VoIP equipment will also vary quite a bit, and it is important for the business owner to shop around carefully and choose the type of equipment that best suits their own needs.  Some VoIP service uses a computer, along with some sort of microphone, to transmit voice calls.  In addition many of these systems can also transmit video data, making them a good choice for businesses who want to do frequent conference calls and long-distance collaborations.

Of course not all VoIP systems require a computer, and there are a growing number of systems that are indistinguishable from traditional phones.  Many VoIP service providers will provide their own phone equipment, or even an adapter than can be used with any type of phone.  Business owners will need to compare the cost of the required equipment and weigh it against the cost savings to be achieved by choosing VoIP service.

Of course nothing, not even VoIP service, is without its disadvantages.  This technology is still relatively new, and it is still undergoing some growing pains.  Business owners will need to be aware of the potential pitfalls of VoIP service as well as the benefits.

One of the most significant drawbacks of VoIP is sound quality.  The quality of sound on a VoIP system can vary quite a bit, and many users still find it inferior to traditional landline service.  Many businesses have discovered that they need to upgrade their networks in order to provide adequate bandwidth for a new VoIP system, and additional upgrades may be needed down the road to accommodate a growing phone system.  Business owners should consider the possibility that sound quality will suffer before committing to a switchover to VoIP service.

There is also the risk that an undercapitalized VoIP service provider could suddenly go out of business, taking their customers’ phone service with them.  While in many cases a new company will take over for the failed provider, there is no guarantee that their equipment will be compatible.  Business owners may suddenly find themselves faced with the choice of shelling out thousands of dollars for new equipment or going back to their traditional landline service. 

Since there is no universal standard for VoIP service it can be more difficult to switch providers in the VoIP world.  While every traditional landline service is compatible with virtually every phone in existence, the same is not true of VoIP service.  Changing from one VoIP service to another may require significant investment in new equipment, and business owners will need to be aware of these potential costs.

The bottom line is that VoIP can be a great choice for many business owners, and many businesses are already taking advantage of the cost savings and flexibility this new technology can provide.  As with any type of technology, however, it is important to be aware of both the benefits and the potential drawbacks of this new type of phone service.
 

There’s a lot of talk in the media right now about the “DTV Changeover”, the February 17, 2009 switch from analog broadcast television to digital broadcast television – and a lot of confusing information is being tossed around on all sides. There are people everywhere that are trying to sell consumers new equipment based on this changeover. You need to understand how it affects you before you decide how you’re going to respond to it.

But why the switch? As technology has moved forward, we’ve discovered more efficient ways to use the radio frequencies (RF) that analog television depends on. After the switch, television will be using less RF bandwidth and transmitting more information. More shows, more music, more entertainment, and of course, more commercials. Digital broadcasts are less prone to noise and static, and the digital signal carries much higher resolution for HD displays to take advantage of. The bandwidth that’s released by the conversion will be re-targeted and assigned to other uses by the FCC after the cutover.
 
Generally it’s explained that you will be affected if you have an analog television now (probably so, if your television is older than a couple of years) and use an antenna to pick up locally broadcast programming. If you are currently using a cable box or satellite box, the changeover won’t affect you directly unless you decide to unhook that cable/satellite tuner and attempt to tune in broadcast channels. This is the part that most people need to understand – if you are a cable or satellite subscriber, you don’t have to do anything. You won’t even notice that the switch has happened unless you disconnect your television and try to tune in broadcast channels.
 
Remember to think about all the televisions you own. Maybe you’ve got cable in the living room and bedroom, but you’ve got a TV in the shop or garage for Sunday Football that’s using an antenna. Those televisions will have to be converted or connected (to cable), or you’re going to miss Monday Night Football. The little box under the kitchen cabinet? Same thing – no more cooking shows until you convert or connect.
 
If you find yourself among those affected directly by the changeover, there are three options. You can buy a new digital television, you can buy a converter box, or you can become a cable or satellite subscriber or extend your current cable or satellite connection to the other televisions.
 
You can obtain a coupon (up to two per household) for $40 from the government that can be used towards the purchase of a converter box. It’s very important to note that they expire 90 days after they are issued, so make sure you don’t apply for them very far in advance of your own need! The coupons aren’t restricted based on income, and you can only use one per converter box. The converter box goes between your television and its antenna and allows you to tune in digital broadcasts, although only at the standard resolution of your analog television. You’ll still have access to the expanded content provided by the digital changeover, though.

A new digital television is another option, one that offers you an enhanced viewing experience, bringing you clearer, higher resolution images and better sound than the analog format provides, along with the additional content. This can be expensive, but doesn’t have to be if you aren’t looking for a particularly large screen. Most digital televisions sold today are LCD, but nearly any TV that is HDTV ready is digital, whether they’re plasma, CRT, or DLP. Make sure you ask your salesperson, just to be safe; some, fairly rare, older HDTV systems are still analog.
 
The final choice is one most of us are familiar with. You can add a television to your cable or satellite plan, but most providers require you to purchase or rent another “box” (the tuner) from them. This can seem like a waste if you don’t use the television often, so consider the long term cost carefully. In some cases you can pay for a new, small, digital television for the cost of the cable/satellite tuner! And the converter box will almost certainly be less expensive – make sure and add up the cost before you commit.

Now you know what you need to know to make an informed decision on how to deal with the DTV changeover, and you know when it’s coming. All that’s left is adding up the cost and making the final decision. Add up the numbers and get ready to join the digital television revolution!