iPhone 4 Released. Oops!

Thursday, June 24, 2010
Did you wait in line this morning to get your fourth fix of Apple's iPhone? Millions of productive hours were wasted worldwide but if standing in line drooling for a few hours floats your boat then YOU GO FOR IT!

Anxious to hear your initial thoughts on the new hardware. I downloaded the new OS on my (gasp...OLDER!) 3Gs model last night. I like the new features. Some people are already reporting issues with the new hardware including yellow screen discoloration or white blotches.

I still like the Sprint HTC EVO (needs more batt power) and the Motorola Droid X from Verizon Wireless looks nice. I will be getting that in my hands within the next 24 hours to play with.

Talk to me!

Enjoy your Saturday and tune in Monday at 9am. Unless Kim Komando wants my timeslot next Saturday, The HTT Show will return June 19.
  

Facebook Friends Forever?

Friday, June 04, 2010
How about those latest Facebook privacy changes? It seems every few weeks the social networking giant awakes with another set of rules regarding who can see your information, who can post things on your wall, who is allowed to comment on your status. If they keep clamping down on the rules Facebook may have to be categorized as an UNsocial network.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who apparently just finished puberty, announced his company’s most recent changes to its privacy controls:

We've focused on three things: a single control for your content, more powerful controls for your basic information and an easy control to turn off all applications.

This news made international headlines. NBC Nightly News dedicated a big portion of its broadcast last week to tell this story. That is how big Facebook has become and how privacy on the Internet continues to be an issue.

I find it interesting that Facebook users are so passionate ab...  Read More

Merry Christmas! My Gift? A Few Days Off

Friday, December 25, 2009
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and got everything you wanted (please let me if you received Peace On Earth).

If you plan to tune in to my High-Tech Texan Show this Saturday to figure out how to work all those new gadgets, I might suggest reading the directions. I am taking a few days off but will be back next Saturday, January 2, to help you put all those toys together.

I will be back in studio this Monday, December 28, at 9am for my "World According To Garf Show." If you REALLY can't wait to the following Saturday for tech questions you can try to sneak one in during the weekday.  

Texas Tech Fball Saves My Voice Today

Saturday, November 21, 2009
Some commitments just can't be broken. Especially contractual ones involving money. Kind of makes me wish I had a contract with my employer but they do have a deal with Texas Tech. The 9-5-0 must carry the school's football and basketball games.

Most of their football games this season have been played in the afternoon or evening which had no conflict on my 11a-2p show. But an 11am game start today means I get to kick back while the Red Raiders kickoff.

I'm back Monday morning at 9am and next Saturday will be a big shows as millions of peeps will be out shopping for that perfect deal. Tune in as you're trying to find a parking spot.  

DROID DROID DROID!

Saturday, November 07, 2009
Been playing with the new Motorola Droid from VZW a few days. Full review today on my show and interview with VZW Marketing Director.

VZW has no less than 14 more phones being released between now and the end of the year.

11a-2p on The 9-5-0.
  

The Ultimate Solar-Powered Battery Charger

Monday, August 24, 2009
"If you don't have battery power, you got nuttin'." Quote me on that. Which is why extra batteries, cords, car chargers and sometimes generators can be invaluable especially during emergency situations.

Instead of buying all these accessories and schlepping them around with you (which can add a lot of weight to backpacks and briefcases), new types of universal battery chargers are popping up on the market. They are easier to carry but you never know if the chargers themselves have power.

That issue is now resolved with a simple device I found called Read More

Saturday show today

Saturday, July 18, 2009
Tune in from 11a-2p on The 9-5-0.

Back-to-school prep is under way so we'll yap about new products for high schoolers and college kids. Cool, small and cheap laptops. What's the hottest cell phone for kids?

Also, summer travel tech gadgets and, oh yeah, GIVEAWAYS!

Join the live videoconference at www.HighTechTexan.com
  

Interviews Galore on Saturday, June 27 Show

Friday, June 26, 2009
Don't miss The High-Tech Texan Show on The 9-5-0 this Saturday. In addition to Michael Jackson bump music, we welcome these guests:

Podcasts of the show will be posted by early next week.

  

New iPhone 3G S Coming June 19

Monday, June 08, 2009
The S stands for Speed but some iPhone users will be Surprised to learn some of the new features will not be launched when it goes on sale.

Apple announced new hardware and an upgraded OS software (v 3.0) at the company's Worldwide Developer's Conference today.

[from wire reports]
It's got the same design and pricing as the current iPhone 3G model, but has a faster processor that Apple says will load most apps somewhere between 3 to 5 times faster. It also comes in improved capacities, all the way up to 32GB up from 16GB.

The 3G S has an updated 3-megapixel camera (up from 2 megapixels) that has autofocus and autoexposure. It can also shoot video that can be edited right on the device in a similar fashion to iMovie. The video it takes is 30 frames per second at 640x480 VGA resolution, bringing it to spec with most point-and-shoot digital cameras.

The 3G S hardware also gets a magnetometer, wh...  Read More

Huge Story Monday Morning

Sunday, March 15, 2009
If you didn't hear this news over the weekend, it's time to WAKE UP PARENTS and keep an eye on EVERYTHING your kids are doing online. Not just on a computer...on video games, cell phones and anything else connected to a network or the Internet.

A Kentucky man was arrested late last week for solicting nude photos from an 11 year-old Humble girl. Via a Sony Playstation 3. Little did her parents realize that a PS3 -along with Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii - can connect to the Net and allow for communication with others. Chat, photo sharing and more.

I just spoke with Sgt. Gary Spurger of the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office who played an integral part in this case. This was the first case of its kind anywhere in the fact that he and his team had to contact Sony in Japan to track down the data stream between the Kentucky man and the 11 year-...  Read More

Live from Cy Fair Home and Garden Show

Friday, March 13, 2009
I'll be hosting my HTT Show this Saturday from the Cy Fair Home and Garden Show. Stop by and say "whattup" near the entrance to the Berry Center between 11a-2p. You'll get an official "Don' Mess With The High-Tech Texan" t-shirt while supplies last.

Topics include: new Netflix devices, how to delete accounts from any website, how far the web has come in 20 years, the new Shuffle, info about the upcoming iPhone OS and more.

Off to Las Vegas next week for some weekday shows and next Saturday's technology show. Props to Continental Airlines and Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino for hosting us. F...  Read More

A Real Work Week

Monday, March 02, 2009
This daily job thing can kill a person. Waking up early, dropping the kids at school, navigating traffic and then finding topics that people care about and talking about them for hours. I am beat!

But having a J-O-B is kind of C-O-O-L right now. I'll suck it up. ;)

Day 1 of The MG Show went OK. I was kind of all over the place with topics but I hit some nerves when talking about the traditional dying media. TV viewership is sliding and newspapers are cutting back and starting to charge for content.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the Business and City&State sections COMBINED in the Chron today. Things really must be tough. I got several calls and emails about that.

Scouring topics for tomorrow but the RyanAir possibly charging for in-flight toilets story is catching my eye.  

My Brand Extension

Sunday, March 01, 2009
So I create this brand called "The High-Tech Texan" back in 2001. I research every bit of technology I can, test and review thousands of products, host a tech-oriented radio program on Houston's biggest talk radio station and provide sound bites and appearances to TV stations about the latest technology news and gadgets. Now what?

The geniuses at our station want me to talk even more! About other things. So starting Monday, March 2, at 9:00am CT, we invite you to tune in and WATCH "The Michael Garfield Show." Or as I like to call it, "The World According To Garf."

I actually tried this once before on our station a few years ago. Did the Mon-Fri thing for about 8-9 months before station management (one again those geniuses) brought in a syndicated morning show. I fell back to my technology schtick on Saturday afternoons and have been quite comfy with my 3 hour work week. Now I go the office 6 days a...  Read More

Big Week, Bigger Weekend, Huge Upcoming Schedule

Friday, February 20, 2009
The digital TV conversion did not happen as planned this week, Facebook went nuts on its Terms of Service and backed down to public backlash and my work schedule is about to get a lot busier.

First, here is the video from the on-air marriage proposal we did last week on my show. At last check, my cousin Daniel Schwartz and his fiance Perelle Solomon are still engaged. That's always good news.

We are debuting a new videoconferencing partner on my show this Saturday. omNovia will provide the interactive service that allows you to log on, watch and participate during my radio show. Fire up your webcam as you will be able to see us and we can see you for a unique perspective that brings people and content together. This Houston-based company does a gre...  Read More

Continental Airlines Bringing Live TV To Your Seat

Tuesday, February 17, 2009
It has been over one year since Continental Airlines released information about their plan for live in-flight TV service. I fly Continental regularly and have yet to be able to tune into a live sporting event or Wheel of Fortune.

But stand by (or actually sit down and lower your tray table)...I just received this photo of the first Continental plane fitted and being tested with the new DirecTV service.

No date announced yet for the rollout by OnePass frequent fliers are anxiously waiting.  

Live from Reliant Center this Saturday

Friday, February 13, 2009
It's VDay and there should be no better place to be than to roam the cavernous halls of the Reliant Center, right? If you don't have a life then come join me and The 9-5-0 broadcast team for a live one from the Texas Home and Garden Show.

We'll have giveaways - including the famous TrimmerGuard device. Also lots of interactive discussion about online dating sites - has it worked it for you or someone you know? Horror stories? We need to hear them.

Microsoft opening retail stores (bad idea). A new Kindle book reader from Amazon (still don't need it). A $250k bounty if you can find the Conficker virus author (it was my brother-in-law!).

And a verrrrry special way to end the show tomorrow. Tune in from 11a-2p but make sure you are around the dial for atleast the last few minutes. Radio history....  

BREAKING NEWS: House Passes Bill To Delay Digital TV Switch

Wednesday, February 04, 2009
The House voted today 264-158 to delay the analog TV shutdown until June 12. This comes one week after the Senate voted to delay the switch (see blog entry below) originally scheduled for February 17.

The bill now goes to President Obama for his approval which he should sign-off on quickly. Given the economic situation the Obama administration believes the digital TV transition should be the last thing on legislators' to-do lists.

Consumers who rely on traditional over-the-air broadcasts will need to upgrade to a pay TV service such as cable or satellite, use a TV with a digital tuner or buy a converter box for their older analog television sets.

Still be resolved is the funding needed for more coupons to help consumers offset the cost of converter boxes. That issue will likely be considered as part of the economic stimulus legislation.

This decision is not unexpected - atleast by me - as the signs of trouble were there: the coupon subsi...  Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Senate Passes Bill To Delay Digital TV Switch

Monday, January 26, 2009
No surprise here, really. As we debated last Saturday on my radio program it may be a good thing to push back the planned February 17 switch from analog to digital TV. And the Senate seemed to agree.

The Senate voted Monday to delay until June 12 the deadline for the changeover from analog to digital television broadcasting. People still getting their pictures through old-fashioned antennas otherwise would face a Feb. 17 cutoff.

Nothing is set in stone yet as the House needs to make a decision however comparable legislation is being readied. As previusly reported here the Obama administration has called for a delay as they fear to many Americans using over-the-air signals won't be ready.  

Looking to launch your tech business?

Sunday, January 25, 2009
This Wednesday night at the Hyatt Regency is the time and place to be. The Houston Technology Center is hosting its annual TECH CONNECTION. If you want ideas and contacts of how to get your idea or business off the ground and - more importantly - where to find money to help your cause, get downtown to the Hyatt.



From the press release:

Read More

The High-TEXT Texan

Friday, January 23, 2009
Imagine texting over 28,000 in ONE MONTH. Only a teenager, right? The New York Post recently profiled ten teen texters who hopefully had an unlimited plan.

Is this dangerous? Did they hurt their thumbs? What did their parents say? I will talk with one of their parents on my Saturday show to get his opinion and thoughts when that bill came in.

No doubt we will cover other pressing matters in the tech world like Microsoft laying off 5,000 employees, Google not making as much money as they are used to (sniff, sob...) and Sony reporting an operating loss for the first time in 14 years.

But have you gone out and bought your HDTV for the Super Bowl? Lots of sales so we will help guide you to the best deals and smartest ways to hook them up.

...  Read More

Half Marathon Is Ovah and I Am Spent!

Monday, January 19, 2009
The first few weeks of each new year usually are a blur to me. A few days after the ball drops I find myself cheering and celebrating a Longhorns bowl win. I then jet off to Las Vegas for the huge Consumer Electronics Show - a tiring 4 days of walking, talking, meeting, greeting and traveling.

If that doesn't take enough out of me I then have to do my final prepping (hydrating, carbo-loading) for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon the following weekend. That weekend has come and gone and now, just now, I can move forward with the new year.

We broadcasted our...  Read More

Day 1 at CES is ovah

Friday, January 09, 2009
Loooong day in Vegas. This show can kill ya. Miles and miles of aisles in the LV Convention Center. I spent almost 7 hours in that cavernous place and barely scratched the surface of seeing and meeting all the exhibiting companies.

A few trends I noticed:
  • The economy is cutting in to the attendance; both exhibitors and attendees. Traffic near the convention center was smoother than in years past. People traffic in the aisles seemed lighter. There was much less press releases and media folks in the press room.

  • Thin is in. LG, Sony, Panasonic and other companies rolled out so...  Read More

    Viva CES!

    Sunday, January 04, 2009
    It's the first week of the year and you know what that means. Tax prep time! Just kidding (kind of). It's the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas!

    Getting my checklist together which includes...comfy shoes, broadcast equipment, lists of companies I plan to meet with, list of parties and events, energy drinks, money, How to Beat The Casino at Craps book and my return plane ticket.

    Thousands of companies will be exhibiting new gadgets, software, games, autos and other things we will "need" in 2009. It is my job to decipher the truth, dispel the rumors an...  Read More

    New Year. Special 4 Hour Show.

    Friday, January 02, 2009
    Happy freakin' New Year. Or should I say "Good Riddance 2008." We can only hope the economy stabilizes a bit in 2009 but I say hold on and tighten your seat belts.

    I'll jump start the new year this Saturday with a special, extended 4 hour show on The 9-5-0. Due to some programming changes I will go one extra hour until 3pm CDT. Help me fill the time with calls and emails.

    I'll be reviewing the technology landscape of 2008 (good and crappy gadgets, websites and more), making a few predictions what we will see in the next 365 days and listening to what you got for gifts this holiday season. Can't figure out how to work it? Call me and we'll try to help.

    Next week we broadcast the show live from Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show - always a good one.  

    Holiday Countdown

    Friday, December 12, 2008
    Just a few more weeks until Christmas and don't forget the first night of the Big H starts on December 21. Whatcha gonna get your kids? Yourself?

    Lots of goodies and good deals are out there so we'll run down several categories on my show this Saturday. Digital cameras, HDTVs, remote controls, gaming systems, PDAs, cell phones, laptops, desktops, autos and more. We're also looking for the best deals you have found.

    And did you pass the DTV test on Tuesday night? The digital TV transition and converter boxes should be a hot topic.

    Also, check out thiRead More

    Monday Sushi/Cocktail Launch Event at Kona Grill Sugar Land

    Sunday, December 07, 2008
    After a big weekend of rolling out a new show theme song, suffering through a Cowboys late-game loss and realizing the Longhorns officially got screwed by the BCS, I'm glad to welcome a new week.

    So let's celebrate Monday night with the launch of a new menu item at Kona Grill in Sugar Land. They have named a dish after me - I like sushi a lot - and they are debuting it with a VIP cocktail party from 5p-7p.

    The High-Tech Tuna Tartar will be sampled along with other appetizers and wine. Bring a few friends and show up on the awesome patio.





      

    HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2008

    Sunday, November 30, 2008
    I've checked my list twice (actually more than a few times) and here it is! What you should be asking for, shopping for and getting this holiday season.

    Along with world peace...
      

    Saturday Shopping Show

    Friday, November 28, 2008
    Black Friday is in full swing and Cyber Monday is a few days away. Time for hot deals but lots of questions, right? Tune in this Saturday at 11am as it will be one of our busiest days to answer questions about electronics and other products to make sure you are getting the best deals.

    What is the best deal you found? Share it!

    We'll talk with Leah Bird with AT&T Wireless about hot cell phones and PDAs. Also, Steve Janisse from GM will talk about the attributes of the new Saturn Vue - a great hybrid car with a nice price.One of my favorites companies, Energy Muse Jewelry, will also be spotlighted. Timmi Jandro and Heather Askinosie will talk about their special jewelry with healing properties. I've been wearing their stuff for years and their online business is growing rapidly.  

    TV Time Monday Morning

    Sunday, November 23, 2008
    I'll be on Great Day Houston this Monday morning sometime between 9a-10a on Channel 11. Debra Duncan is doing a "Debra's Favorite Things" show and giving a ton of products away to her audience. Hmmmm, wonder where she got that idea???

    There will be 6-7 technology products I will be showing off and then throwing them out to the audiene. Some pretty good stuff in there.

    I'll also be on the Friday show to talk Cyber Monday, online shopping tips, online safety, etc....
      

    Verizon Brings On The Storm

    Wednesday, November 19, 2008
    It was June 29, 2007. The day I put down my Blackberry Pearl and started my new life with the iPhone.

    It wasn't easy at first. The Pearl must have been my sixth or seventh model of the Research In Motion (RIM) device. My first Blackberry was heavy, had a black-and-white screen, a clickable track wheel on the side. It was great. Wherever I went my email followed me. I lost count of the number of times I emailed contacts from the golf course, er, my office.

    They got smaller, lighter and thinner over the years. Full color screens came along. A phone was added so I didn't have to c...  Read More

    Blackberry Storm Hits U.S. Stores on November 21

    Thursday, November 13, 2008
    The secret is out. At least on this blog first.

    The much-anticipated and highly teased Blackberry Storm will hit U.S. stores on Friday, November 21, according to a Verizon Wireless spokesperson I talked to yesterday.

    Specs: touchscreen (no keyboard) with a tactile click response, music player, 3.2 megapixel camera, full HTML browser.

    I didn't get a price point but Internet rumors place it around $225 with a two-year service plan from VZW. ...  Read More

    More Fill-In For Joe Pags Thursday

    Thursday, November 13, 2008
    Joe Pags is taking another day off from his afternoon drive time show on The 9-5-0 this Thursday. And back by popular demand to kill, er fill, time from 3p-5p....MOI!

    I sat in for Pags on Monday and my originally planned topic of new technology in the Obama administration didn't sit too well with the right-leaning, conservative, red blooded, Republicans who mostly listen to the station. Maybe this time I will just read the comics aloud.

    Any local and topical suggestions are welcome. UTMB laying off so many people? Does anyone realize the Latin Grammy's are here in our town? Why is still so freakin' humid in November? TALK TO ME, PEOPLE!

    And stand by for my annual High-Tech Texan Holiday Gift Guide. Just a few more days and I will publish my selections for the hottest (and coolest) gift this holiday season. Is there an iPhone killer? Will there be a laptop AND desktop computer in the list year? And...  Read More

    Monday Drive-time Radio

    Monday, November 10, 2008
    Oh, I remember this blog thing. Anyone still out there reading this? That's cool, as long you are listening to me on The 9-5-0, KTRH, etc...

    Since you're here...I'll be sitting in for Joe Pags today during his 3p-5p show on The 9-5-0. Pags, I believe, yaps a little about politics and other boring things so I'll try to spice your afternoon up a bit.

    Feel free to send topic ideas.  

    Radio Show Late Today - Tune In!

    Saturday, October 25, 2008
    The Texas Tech Red Raiders are killin' me with their 11am gametime starts. The 9-5-0 airs their football games which means my normal 11a-2p show gets pushed back to a later start.

    So tune in Saturday from 4p-6p as we go live with a slew of informative things. Fake iPods are being sold across Houston and the HPD have seized a few culprits. I commented on Channel 11's story (by Jeff McShan) Thursday night and will talk about spotting fake electronic gear.

    T-Mobile launched the first Google-powered cell phone this week. It's an alternative to the iPhone and other smartphones. Call me if you have one so we can hear a p-by-p on the gadget.

    Don't want to receive text messages from a certain person. Or would you like to monitor all the texts going to your kids' (or your spouse's/employee's) phones. Text...  Read More

    Radio Show on late today - 4p-6p

    Saturday, October 18, 2008
    Tune in, if I still have a voice!

    The 9-5-0. www.the950.com  

    A Breathalyzer For Your Email

    Thursday, October 09, 2008
    Yep, that's what I called the new Mail Goggles on KTRH this morning. It was an early live interview and I was trying to give an analogy of what this new Gmail feature does. I think people understood what I meant from the immediate texts and emails I received.

    Comments like "I can be the Designated Mathematician" came in fast and furious. So fast, in fact, my guess is that these emailers were not alcohol impaired and didn't have to go through the extra steps of sending the emails using Mail Goggles.

    No more drunk emailing, people....  Read More

    Media Helping Ike Survivors

    Thursday, September 18, 2008
    I don't want to toot the horn for all of the local media who have been working non-stop since last week covering Ike. It is our job to work, cover and report on things especially during times of crisis.

    The KTRH newsroom has been in constant motion all week as have TV and print newsrooms, news trucks, satellites, printing presses, delivery drivers and more. I've seen and heard some great coverage from all media outlets that disect the power outage, PODs, insurance tips and on and on. Expect round-the-clock coverage through the weekend.

    Here is one of the more interesting instances of the media helping people one-by-one. Channel 2 had its chief meterologist Frank Billingsley fly over the Galveston in a chopper as he took calls from residents wanting to see their homes (or what is left of their homes). Nice job, Frank.  

    High Tech Texan Blog