racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

Google’s Chrome OS has been a novelty because of the idea of putting everything on the Web. Now that Apple will be releasing its upcoming OS X Lion soon, it seems they’re taking a page out of the Chrome OS playbook by adding a browser-only mode.

Beta versions of Mac OS X Lion feature a “restart to Safari” mode, which can be used to leave your current session and open a browser-only session, sans the desktop, finder, dock and other desktop UI elements. You’re basically left with something like Chrome OS’ interface–just the browser.

This option can be accessed from the user lock/login screen, which means you can boot right into Safari-only mode if you don’t want to access your desktop. Perhaps this is some form of guest-only mode. Some early reviewers say it’s a good way to troubleshoot your computer in case a catastrophic error happens and you need to research how to troubleshoot. Still, with Lion’s new auto save and and restore capabilities, you can return to your regular desktop and all your apps and sessions will still be there.

Will this new feature be a challenge to Chrome OS? Probably not, since Chrome OS was designed primarily to be a browser-only OS. OS X Lion, on the other hand, is a full-fledged desktop operating system and you would need to boot it up until the login screen before you can access Safari. In contrast, Chrome OS promises to be lighter and quicker, although you will need access to either a Wi-Fi network or 3G. Then, there’s the price. If you compare prices, the latest Chromebooks from Acer and Samsung are about half or almost a third the price of the cheapest MacBook.

Will OS X Lion’s browser-only mode put Chromebooks to shame?

I’m not much of a mouse fan, as I prefer using touchpads on laptops and netbooks. But I do use mice on my desktop computer. If you’re on the lookout for a reasonably-priced quality mouse, the Microsoft Express Mouse might be the right mouse for you.

Express Mouse uses the BlueTrack technology, which is said to perform better than laser-based optical mice. BlueTrack lets you use the mouse on more surfaces, such as the table, floor or even your pants. Being wired has its ups and downs, with the advantages being that you won’t need to recharge or buy new batteries.

Microsoft’s Express Mouse has an SRP of PhP 790, and is compatible with Mac and Windows.

June is nearing and it’s the season for Hollywood blockbuster movies. With family-friendly films slated for theatrical release this coming June — Cars 2, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, X-Men First Class, Captain America, Green Lantern and Hangover II, who wouldn’t want to spend the tail-end of summer relaxing and watching a movie?

(OK, forget the Hangover as “family friendly,” but if your family is mature enough then go ahead.)

That’s why this blog, in cooperation with Globe My Super Circle and Sumo Sam, is running a photo contest that will showcase family connectedness using today’s high-tech (or even low-tech) tools.

The mechanics are simple:

• Take a wacky, funny, interesting or artsy photo of how you and your family members stay in touch.
• You can submit your entry through any of the following: (1) Post your photo on your blog or photo-sharing account, and link to this post, (2) Tweet a link to your Photo and mention @jangelo; or (3) Share your photo on Facebook, include a link to this post, and tag my account – J Angelo Racoma
• Photos may not be edited/Photoshopped except to improve the contrast/levels and to resize.
• To ensure I don’t miss your entries, send me an email at jangelo (at) gmail (dot) com with a link. If the photo is accessible from a photo-sharing site, do write a comment on this post with a link.
• Submission of entries will run from today, May 31, until 11:59 PM of Friday, June 10, 2010. I’ll be updating this post to include official entries.

I will then choose a list of 10 finalists, from which I will raffle off the entries using a randomizing application. Winner will be announced this Independence Day, June 12.

Note: I’ve extended the contest up to June 17, and I’ll announce winners by June 19, due to reader requests.

So get your camera out and take shots of your siblings, spouse, friends, relatives, pets, yourself, and whoever you hold dear. Prizes at stake are tickets for 8 people at Shangri-La Cineplex and a PhP 5,000 dinner at Sumo Sam.

This contest assumes the winner can claim and use the prize (i.e., located or living in the Philippines), but if your entry wins and you can’t physically claim/use it, then you can assign it to someone who can.

This has been the most expensive review item I ever wrote about: the Nissan Teana 250 XV V6 luxury/executive sedan.

After an extended weekend of driving the Teana around town and winding hilly roads, we come to one conclusion: the Teana is the review car my family and I will miss most.

In a striking case of irony, analysts say Microsoft will earn more from Google’s Android operating system than it will from sales of Window Phone 7 smartphones.

As with most technology companies, Microsoft is fiercely protective over its technologies and patents. That’s why the company had been filing lawsuits against other manufacturers and technology firms that are found to be infringing on its patents and intellectual property. Some settle for licensing deals, like HTC. And here’s where Microsoft gets a lot of money from Android.

According to analysts, Microsoft will get $5 from each purchase of an Android-powered HTC smartphone. With 30 million units of HTC smartphones sold since, this amounts to $150 million in royalties to Microsoft. Still, HTC is said to have had a good deal, since other manufacturers are being charged $7.50 to $12.50 per unit for MS technologies used in their smartphones.