Easiest Way To Solve A 3x3 Rubik's Cube

I've been meaning to learn how to solve a 3x3 Rubik's Cube all on my own. I tried different techniques via Rubikssolver.com. Although they were fairly easy to follow, the problem is, my poor memory limits me. My efforts were not paying off as I was having a very hard time memorizing the algorithms required for the different situations.

It would be a different story if the logic of the algorithms were explained. That way it would be easier to remember the combinations. Anyway, to make the long story short, I think I've just found the easiest to understand 3x3 Rubik's Cube tutorial. It's a 25 minute video and the host manages to explain every single step in a way that is very easy to understand. Don't just take my word for it... check out the video below and try solving a cube. Good luck!

Easiest 3x3 Rubik's Cube Tutorial You Will Find - Watch the top videos of the week here

Make Your Own Cheap 5.1 Surround Headphones

This is pretty cool. As we all know, headphones can be pretty darn expensive, expecially those which are especially made for surround sound systems. Babblin5 had this great idea to create his own surround headphones out of a cheap headphone and 2 pairs of earphones.

I'll be honest, I was a bit skeptical about this at first. However, after reading the comments about it, it seems like people are pretty pleased with their do-it-yourself headphones. Not bad for a cheap hack-job. Check out the instructional video below...

5.1 Surround Headphone Hack! - The best video clips are here

Turn Your Old Highlighter Into a Flash Drive Case

Check out this great idea from Instructables.com. Here's a disclaimer though: it comes with really crappy pics. However, at least the instructions are very easy to understand. So you've been warned.

The instructable shows us how to somewhat camouflage and disguise your flash drive to make it look like an ordinary highlighter. I can't count how many times I've lost a flash drive. Who knows which hands my important data will land into? At least if my flash drive is disguised into a highlighter, nobody will give it a second look if ever I leave it somewhere. Now all I have to remember is not to put it in my pencil case along with every other highlighter I have.

Link: [Instructable.com]

Lifehacker's Master Your DSLR Camera Part 1

Lifehacker's doing a great article series about getting the most out of your DSLR camera. Part 1 is all about the Program mode of your camera. This guide is very useful and informative especially for budding photographers. So if your DSLR's dial is permanently set to AUTO, you'll want to check this article out.

I'll be looking out for the rest of the articles in the series and I'll be posting updates for you guys as well. In the meantime, have fun and experiment!

Link: [Lifehacker]

Why Is The Zune 2 Better Than The iPod?

The PMP battle is now in progress and surprisingly, the new Zune is a worthy contender. I do hope the iPod is ready for some competition. Don't get me wrong, I love the iPod. However, I can't help realizing that Team Zune Luv from Zuneluv.com does have some valid points in their article 7 Ways Zune Beats iPod. Here are their two best points in my opinion...

Podcast as top-level entry. It always bugged me that Podcasts were a “category” in music (or video) in the iPod. That was just so wrong on so many levels that it is great to see that cleaned up. Don’t get me wrong, I have music and Podcasts on my Zune - there is just a time and place for everything (and now they both have their place).
Bonus – I can now shuffle music content and not worry that an episode of the Bitterest Pill will show up in the mix.

> I agree, I love podcasts and I think they should have their own top level menu entry. Lumping them in with Music and Videos just creates confusion.

Radio. I seldom listen to radio but found myself in the gym watching a news clip on the monitor that caught me eye. They do that broadcast the audio on FM thing so I switched over quickly, got my fix and went from there. 3 minutes of usage total – but it was nice to have.
Bonus – We live in crazy world where a radio nearby is never a bad thing. Usage will continue to plummet but having that option in the case of an emergency is a comfort.

> No matter how large our music library is, we do get bored with our music sometimes. For the freshest tunes, nothing beats the airwaves.

My Top 4 Video Podcasts

Aside from reading blogs, video podcasts are my favorite way of keeping up with tech news. You can download podcasts through Apple iTunes, RSS feeds, or through their websites. However, I understand that picking a podcast to subscribe to can be pretty daunting, since there are practically hundreds to choose from.

Being the techie that I am, I have tried watching every other tech podcast available in the internet, but I have found out that I stick to a few that I really like. I'd gladly recommend my favorites to those who are new to podcasts, and here they are:

• Mobuzz.tv - Keeping up with tech news is a breeze with Mobuzz TV. However, this isn't just any other tech news podcast. The way it's written makes it really quirky and entertaining, while still managing to keep it's credibility and intelligence. Mobuzz is based in Spain so they have a more European approach to tech news, but they pretty much cover the whole tech world.
  
  Length: around 5 minutes
  Published: 5 days a week
  Host: Olivia
  Based in: Spain
  
  

• Geekbrief.tv - This podcast aims to keep us updated on all the latest gadget news and reviews. The host Cali is a true blue techie and it shows in this podcast; she really knows her stuff. The podcast covers the whole gamut of gadgetry, from cameras to phones to iPods to computers. I love the DearCali episodes, where she answers questions sent in by viewers.
  
  Length: around 5 minutes
  Published: depends, mostly every two days
  Host: Cali Lewis
  Based in: USA
  
  


• WebbAlert - This is another great tech news podcast, based in the United States. It is hosted by Morgan Webb, another real-life techie, particularly a hardcore gamer. The podcast is published almost daily and covers the latest developments in tech, gaming, gadgetry and digital culture.
  
  Length: around 5 minutes
  Published: 4 days a week
  Host: Morgan Webb
  Based in: USA
  
  


• Tekzilla - This is a great podcast to watch on your Apple TV or on you computer, since it's practically a full-length tv show. Their target audience is someone who's not too much on the techie side since they keep everything "idiot-proof." However, it's still a nice show to watch even if you're already a geek.
  
  Length: around 30 minutes
  Published: around once a week
  Host: Jessica Corbin and Patrick Norton
  Based in: USA
  
  

Do you know any great podcasts that are not included here? Let us know!

2 Great Web Apps

In these times when websites are all integrated and everyone's crazy about Facebook, YouTube and Digg, finding these two great sites gave me a huge breath of fresh air. Both are very useful and painfully simple to use. Check these out...

• drop.io - This is a file-sharing service minus all the complications. Just upload your file, type in a name for your "drop," add an optional password, set an expiry date, and "drop it." Its that simple. No sign-ups, no registrations.
  
• Vector Magic - This is an online tool that creates vector graphics from your .gif or .jpeg files. Everything is done on the site, there are no software downloads and no required sign-ups. But the best thing about this site is, the conversion results are surprisingly accurate.

All About the Asus Eee PC

The Asus Eee PC is finally here. For those who have been living under a rock, the Asus Eee PC is a mini-laptop of sorts which runs Windows XP or Linux. It's got a barebones system with only a 900Mhz processor, 512MB of RAM and 4 GB of flash disk space. But what makes the Eee so appealing is it's price. At barely $400, you get a light and ultraportable laptop with almost decent specs. For those looking for a backup laptop, this one just might fit your requirements.

Of course, there's more to it that meets the eye. For those who want to know more about the Eee PC, look no further. I've done the homework and gathered a bevy of info about it. Presenting: The Eee PC!

• Official Eee PC Site - Not too much on here, just some specs, a flash "quick guide" and wallpaper for your pc.
• Cnet Review (7.5 out of 10) - I've always relied on Cnet to give great reviews aimed at the non-technical consumer. I wasn't disappointed since their review of the Eee was comprehensive yet easy to understand.
• PC Mag Review (4 out of 5) - This one's a bit long. Still, it gives us essential information, and goes more in-depth into the technical hardware and software specs of the system.
• Trusted Reviews (9 out of 10) - They gave the Eee a very high rating. Still, their review wasn't written in a biased way, since they also considered the limitations of the system. It was very easy to digest, since it was divided into 4 parts and featured a lot of pics.
• Notebook Review - Another great review of the Eee PC. It really goes into the details so if you want all the nitty gritty about the Eee, make sure to read this review. They also have a lot of pics here, including several screencaps and a shot of it's hardware insides.
• Notebook Review's Eee PC Tweak Guide - They see great potential in the Eee and show you how to make it your own. Install software, upgrade the hardware, and basically hack it to bits. You'll find out how right here.
• Asus Eee PC Unboxed - Here's Engadet's unboxing of the Eee PC. The pics are a bit dark, but you get the idea.
• Tweaktowns Exclusive Inside Look - This isn't your run-of-the-mill unboxing. When they say inside look, they mean it. In this 8-part article, the Eee's hardware gets disected. Nothing is left to the imagination. If you've got a technical background, you just might appreciate seeing the components that make up this machine.

Paint Your iPhone Black

Mark Hoekstra disliked the bling factor of his iPhone. Yup, it was definitely a conversation starter, but not with the people he wants to talk to. So what's a guy to do? His solution is to paint his iPhone black. You might want to do the same, even for a different reason.

Of course you just can't cover the screen in masking tape and paint the thing black or you might just end up with a black brick. Painting your iPhone requires the talent of an artist and the skills of an electronics enthusiast. If you're missing both, Mark's got an in-depth walkthrough at his site which shows you everything you need to know.

The final product looks sweet. He even covered the button at the front with a retro Apple logo. I don't have an iPhone but if I had one and if it were up to me, I'd keep the retro logo but instead of black, I'd paint mine hot pink.

Cool Geeky Furniture

Ok, I admit it, I'm a gadget geek. My room is literally littered with gadgets and their respective chargers, usb connectors, and accessories. However, I also hold a degree in interior design, and although I don't work as a designer right now, I just love looking at furniture on the net. So, the best of both worlds would obviously be geeky furniture. PB Teen has come up with a great line called "Smart Technology" which features furniture with a geeky twist. Here's a couple that I really liked...

Cushy Speaker Console Lounge:

What's best about this is that it's made out of modular elements. This means you can actually combine and arrange the different pieces (there's an armless chair, a corner piece and an ottoman) in a way that best fits your space. But what make's it especially great is the iPod-friendly speaker consoles that also feature audio controls and even cup holders.

iChair:

Use this great retro-looking chair while gaming or watching dvds to enhance your sound experience. High-quality built-in speakers are strategically positioned near your ears, and a subwoofer sits under your seat for maximum bass. Your games and movies will never sound the same again.

Of course, there are severeal other really great stuff on their site. Check out PB Teen's other offerings here.