Windows users tend to have drive C: as a small drive for the operating system.  They use an external hard drive or partition for there data.  iTunes does not give you the flexibility to change where it backs up its devices.

One resolution is to use a program called junction that redirects folders to another location.

Download the tool from Microsoft

1. Copy it to your windows folder
2. Create a destination folder on your alternate drive (EG:  d:\backup)
3. (XP users)  D:\>junction “C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Apple Computer\Mobile Sync\Backup” D:\backup -s
4. (Vista / Windows 7) D:\>junction “C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup” “D:\backup” -s
5. Change username to your actual username in the above examples

Have a tough time reading the terms of use agreements?  Why not listen to them instead.  You may find Richard Dryfus’s reading a bit amuzing.

Listen here on Cnet

What is Steve Jobs planning now?  His legacy office?  Check it out here at WSJ

Apple holds conference on IOS 5.0 and OS x Lion

• Your devices no longer require a computer
• Data is synced in the iCloud
• Over the air updates -- Delta
• Keyboard with your thumbs
• Air Play
• iMessage -- Instant messenger
• Calendar -- Shared appointments
• email -- Rich text, improved search, drag contacts
• Music, photos, documents all are automatically synced to the  iCloud
• Photos -- Easy access to camera app, edit your photo from the app.  Use of the volume buttons to take photos.
• Mobile me is now free
• Enterprise support for data encryption
• You can see all your purchases from your devices
• Incremental backup of documents (application controlled)
• Notification Center
• iMessage
• Newsstand
• Reminders
• Twitter
• Camera
• Photos
• Safari -- Tabs
• PC Free
• Mail
• Calendar
• Game Center
• Wi-Fi SyncMultitasking Gestures for iPad
• AirPlay Mirroring for iPad 2
• Accessibility
• Compatible with iPhone 3GS / 4
• iPod touch 3rd and 4th Generation
• iPad and iPad2

Apple has released an APP store for the MAC OS.  What about the PC.  There are talks about getting one.  However, there are some pretty cool alternatives:

1. Allmyapps (my favorite)
2. Google Apps
3. Amazon Apps for Droid

Allmyapps

Be sure and get the latest update for your iPad / iPhone.

You can do this by connecting your device to your computer and going into iTunes to update the device. Why would you want to update it? There are 6 main reasons to do so.

1. Safari web-kit has been updated and is about 2 times faster than before. You can do a run sunspider-0.9.1 benchmarks to compare speeds. They have also updated some security fixes.
2. The iPad side switch can now be set to either mute the audio or lock the screen from rotating.  You can set this in general preferences.
3. Turn your device into a mobile hotspot
4. iTunes Home Sharing
5. Airplay updates allow you to stream audio / video to other devices
6. Screen sharing -- Allows you to hook up a video cable from the iPad and mirror it to your tv / monitor. This feature can turn your ipad into a media server / client for your TV / Theater room.

Visit Apple for the updates

What do you think will be the added features in the future iPad 3?

Based on the rumors that I have heard, I will post a few that are likely to appear.

First off, it will be scheduled for release in September 2011. HD video say, 2 times the existing resolution which would be 2048 x 1536. Or what about 3D video, without glasses. Front and back facing cameras in HD resolution with optical and digital zoom.

Since we are still waiting for the release of the iPad 2, why would we be expecting an iPad 3 right away? Will it be a replacement iPad2? With the new competition from the Android platform, you will see more tablets released in September, so Apples wants to stay ahead of the curve. Since they have invested another 4 billion in research for new technology, you can bet that it will be a substantial improvement over the existing hardware.

Did you purchase the camera connection kit to use the iPad’s USB feature?
Did you purchase the Yeti USB Microphone with the understanding that it would work with the iPad? Well, it did work fine until Apple released the new iOS 4.2 software for the iPad. The software now reduces the power output on the USB port. Because of this, the microphone will no longer work plugged in directly to the iPad. But don’t fret, you can still get it to work with a USB Powered hub attached in-between the iPad and the Yeti. You can still do professional recordings in stereo with the blue fire app from the App store.

What did CES bring to us this year?  Here are just a few reviews of what I was able to see at CES:

View my CES Videos on Youtube

• Motorola
• Nvidia -- Tegra CPU for tablets and cell phones
• Intel
• Verizon 4g Phones and tablets
• Windows Phone
• 3D TV
• Hollagram

Aquinas High School vs Loma Linda Soccer game Jan 6 2011

Want to know how much energy you are spending on your appliances

Here is a whole house solution: Powerhouse

This device starts around $500 and attaches to your electrical panel in your house.  It then feeds the information to a website that you can visit on almost any device.  You will find ways of saving about 15% off your electric bill.  You can expect to save enough money for the device in about 2 years.  There is a $7.00 month monitoring fee to run the device.  Most households that spend about $3000 a year on electricity will find a savings of about $450 a year after they install this device.  It will do energy consumption comparisons to new energy efficient devices and alert you to excessive use of energy.  If a device is wearing out or consuming more energy, it can alert you to this problem.  Click here for information on how it works.