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Buyer Beware the TVPad

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TVPad M121

What looks like an AppleTV, runs the Android OS, and irritates me to no end? It’s the TVPad!

First off, I admit that the language barrier didn’t help the situation, but if you’re thinking of getting one of these boxes, just know what you’re getting into. The TVPad is a custom box that runs specific apps to stream video from the Internet to your television. You can actually get your own computer hardware and install the same apps, but the TVPad is packaged into one small unit to make things very convenient. I won’t comment on the legality of the product or the video streams.

Now here’s where it gets dumb, and again, my language misunderstanding could have gotten in the way. Since the TVPad is meant to connect to your television to stream Internet-based video, you assume two things:

  • The TVPad connects to your TV
  • The TVPad connects to the Internet

Not unreasonable, right? Connecting to your TV is really easy if you have HDMI. One cable and you’re done. So how about that connecting to the Internet part? Take a look at the box and the “instruction manual.”

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What would be your guess to connect the TVPad to the Internet? WiFi? I can read that on the box, and the manual shows the configuration steps. But no, you and I would be wrong. You see, the TVPad M121 does not support WiFi!! I have no idea why, and I still question this engineering decision. The only hint that WiFi isn’t on the M121 model is this statement in the configuration settings:

As a wireless network environment is uncertain, please choose the cable network for your comfort.

Translated this means suck it up and hardwire me to the Internet. Seriously?!

UntitledYou have to use the cabled Ethernet connection to get the TVPad online. You have an Ethernet cable installed in your living room by your television, right? It’s common in every household, right? Oh wait, the TVPad has a USB port. That’s the answer. You can use one of those going-out-of-style USB WiFi adapters. Those are relatively cheap now. So I got one, a name brand one that should do the trick. But no, it didn’t. There was no indication that WiFi was now enabled via this adapter. More online research that keeps point me back to the wired Ethernet port. Really? Really.

Now, I wasn’t about to string a 50-ft CAT5e cable from the router through the living and dining room to the TV. And no, we weren’t going to relocate the Road Runner drop. What next? Set up a WiFi/Ethernet bridge like a wireless basestation working in reverse. Have you tried to get an older, unsupported 802.11g router working with a WiFi bridge from another vendor? You have? Good for you! I wasn’t about to go down that possibly tortuous road. Instead, I went for the (more expensive) sure thing – the dual band, 802.11n Apple AirPort Express.

I swapped out the older 802.11g router with one AirPort Express to act as the primary router and added a second AirPort Express to bridge the wireless back to a wired connection for the TVPad. This setup was much faster than figuring out the TVPad doesn’t or won’t natively support WiFi.

Then success, bittersweet success. The TVPad with $200 more in extra equipment was finally up and running. It actually streams video well and is responsive. Just remember that you have to choose the cable network for your comfort.

Here are some pics for the heck of it.

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The Totality of My Knowledge

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Seemingly, the totality of my work knowledge can be contained on a single disc, an 700-MB CDR.

I was backing up my documents on my work computer and pared down my files I wanted to keep to fit on a single CD – not sure how to view that fact. And oh yeah, the CD is only half full.

Aww, wait… I didn’t bother to verify if the disc is actually readable and usable. Perhaps that’s a better testament to my totality of work knowledge?

Lana Del Rey vs Katy Perry

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This is an interesting spin on pop music success. Katy Perry started her musical career as Katy Hudson, a gospel singer. She then underwent a pivot, changing her persona and her fortune.

Basically, Lana Del Rey followed a similar path to Katy’s but with differing results (for now anyways). The trailer park-living Lana is actually Lizzy Grant who has significant backing for her talents. Her past and musical start didn’t begin with YouTube but as a member of Interscope Records. After this was revealed, there was backlash against Lana though her Born to Die album is melancholically good.

I’m not sure why Katy’s change didn’t derail her popularity. Maybe it’s Katy’s can’t-be-taken-seriously image she portrays that is the big difference, personified with songs like California Gurls and Last Friday Night. For the seriousness and weight of Lana’s genre, a transgression in her storied past cuts deeper since it questions her pain and angst captured in her music.

Listen to Lana’s music, and you decide for yourself.

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Oahu in a Cup

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What does the essence of Oahu taste like? Take a sip of Starbucks’ new (and limited) Oahu Coffee to find out. Check out the coffee’s description:

This 100% Oahu Coffee is grown in rich volcanic soil amid gentle Pacific breezes, resulting in sophisticated notes of baking chocolate and dried fig, and a silky, smooth texture.

Who knew our trade winds induces flavors of chocolate and fig? Anyways, look for this limited release in-store or better yet, order online at StarbucksStore.com.

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Love the Eco-i-Lite

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Aw, I’m bummed that my original pair of Eco-i-Lite flashlights have both died. I love these rechargeable lights. Plop them into their inductive charging bays, and that’s it. When the power goes out, these light up themselves. Under normal conditions, the charging bays also act as night lights. The LEDs in the flashlights are bright (though not focused beams) and their batteries last for a long time.

Sadly, I can’t find them locally anymore. I swear I bought these at Costco or Sam’s Club a few years back and thought I saw them in the past few months. But neither big box retailer carries them anymore. Not sure why, but Amazon has them so I’m ordering a new pair.

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Starbucks Pearl City Shops Is Refreshed

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It’s not just the Enchanted Lakes Starbucks getting refreshed. The Pearl City Shops Starbucks is also charged up for the national launch of Starbucks new Refresher flavors.

Check out this electrifying display! I didn’t see this at Enchanted Lakes.

Since it was lunchtime, there were samples of hand crafted Cool Lime and Very Berry Hibiscus. What did I think? Well… I expected more tartness from the Cool Lime. That or I would have preferred some carbonated zing. But the carbonation is reserved for the canned Refreshers (Raspberry Pomegranate, Strawberry Lemonade, and Orange Melon). Both the Lime and Very Berry drinks are available either hand crafted (made in the store) or in instant VIA form. Of course the hand crafted versions have fresh ingredients added that are not in the VIA packets. As of now, there are no canned versions of Cool Lime or Very Berry Hibiscus.

Starbucks Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher

Next I sampled the Very Berry Hibiscus and true to my expectations, I was reminded of the Hibiscus flower while drinking this. It’s a better blend than the Cool Lime, but I can’t shake that flowery image as I drink it. Oh, and a word of caution. After sampling the Refreshers, your palette is in for a bitter shock if you chase it with a coffee-based drink.

So the Refreshers live up to their namesake and is refreshing. This marks a different market for Starbucks, going beyond coffees and teas. But I’m still a coffee fan, addicted to its taste, color, and scent, so I’m sticking with the brown stuff. 🙂

Here are a few more pictures of the Starbucsk Pearl City Shops location.

Starbucks Enchanted Lakes Got the Refresher Refresh

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Stopped by the Starbucks Enchanted Lakes location this morning and saw the new Refresher look.

The bright, bold colors reflect the new Refresher flavors of Cool Lime and Very Berry Hibiscus. Today marks the national launch for these flavors. Inside and out, the store is really pushing these fruity additions.

You can score a coupon for 50% off any Refresher flavor.

If you want to sample these new drinks, head on over on Friday, July 13, from noon to 3pm. You’ll receive a free tall sized Refresher.

While you’re bedazzled by all the Refresher activity, don’t forget to pick up this week’s pick, the Tasting Table Cookbook.

I haven’t yet had the chance to sample the Cool Lime or the Very Berry Hibiscus. Cool Lime sounds like a natural match for this iced drink. I’m a little wary of the Hibiscus drink, not really wanting to drink a flower you know. 😉

I have had the original three Refreshers, Raspberry Pomegranate, Strawberry Lemonade, and Orange Melon. From the names alone, I would have guessed Orange Melon would be my favorite, but instead, it’s Raspberry Pomegranate. To me, this had the best flavor combination. There was an aftertaste to the Orange Melon. It started good then the aftertaste kicked in, negating the initial yumminess. I didn’t feel that way with the Pomegranate. The Strawberry Lemonade was okay, not great, not bad, just okay. I am looking forward to Cool Lime, but given my experience with Refresher flavors, maybe Very Berry Hibiscus will be my new favorite.

For more info on these new Refreshers, check out the coverage by Starbucks Melody.

Oh, a few more pictures of the Enchanted Lakes store (which was still setting up in the morning).

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The Kenmore Elite 72053 Refrigerator Is Magnetic!

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Here I thought the stainless steel Kenmore Elite Model 72053 (31-cu ft) refrigerator did not have a magnetic surface. I am wrong, or partially wrong at least.

Kenmore Elite 72053 Refrigerator

Out of pure randomness, we passed a magnet near the behemoth’s surface, and it stuck! But it’s only in the upper left corner where the ice maker is. And the magnetism isn’t strong. Don’t expect to attach large or heavy objects. Pictures and single sheets of paper are okay. Anything else starts sliding down the surface. “Magnetic stickers” work well though to get your refrigerator in the seasonal spirit.

Contest: Win an iPad from Farmers Hawaii

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Win an iPad? Then surely, this contest can’t be from the limited coffers of Pulpconnection! But yes, you can win a free iPad from Farmers Hawaii in their traffic safety karaoke contest.

Starting today until the end of July, singers, crooners, and American Idol-wannabes can sing along to Jake Shimabukuro’s original creation, Slow Down, and submit their renditions. One winner will receive Apple’s latest iPad, and a fan favorite, as voted by you the people, will win $200 in gas.

For you alpha types, be one of the first five to submit your entry and get a $25 gas card just like that. For all other entrants, you’ll get a copy of Jake’s latest, Peace Love Ukulele.

To enter and to read the official rules, jam on over to http://www.myfarmershawaii.com/karaoke.

Are you ready? Warm up them pipes and sample your challenge.

Can you beat this sample? This ain’t me, I swear.

Good luck!

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