Brian Fagioli

When you build or buy a computer, some things are sexy and some are just necessary. While processors, RAM and power supplies are some of the fun components, there are underlying things like controllers that do not get the fanfare they deserve. If you go to Best Buy and look at the computers, the display cards do not advertise the controllers -- a shame.

The average user is probably unaware of which controller something like their SSD is utilizing. For the most part, that is OK. As long as the hardware works, they don't really need to know. For enthusiasts however, it can make a big difference in performance. One such unsung company whose products are used by many is Marvell. Today, that company announces the 88SS1074 SATA SSD controller.

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Toshiba's products have been on my radar for many years. When I worked at CompUSA, I would often sell the company's laptops. They were a good balance between quality and affordability. Sure, Sony's laptops were sexier, but they were more expensive too. HP's laptops were affordable, but not always of the best quality. Toshiba tended to be just right.

Today, the company goes announcement-crazy and shares with the world, a multitude of new computers. These new devices range from Android tablets to Windows tablets and multi-mode laptops.

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Android phones have become rather predictable. Year after year, we see specs increase and little else. In other words, the Android market has become stagnant. Even low-end phones are very good -- case in point, the Moto G. However, many consumers still want to have top of the line devices, so manufacturers keep pumping out flagships.

Today, I had the opportunity to attend the LG G3 event in New York City. Since I had already seen many of the leaked images, I was not expecting to be surprised. However, the company did surprise me by focusing on software and UI improvements in addition to the improved hardware. When I finally got my hands on the beautiful hardware, I surprised myself -- rather than focus on what the G3 hardware is, I focused on what it does.

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As a young boy on Long Island, I spent many a summer at Robert Moses beach. With the exception of the occasional jellyfish sting, it was very safe. Unfortunately, a child's imagination can be rather powerful. After seeing the movie Jaws, I would become frightened when the seaweed would rub against me. Even though it was only a plant hitting my leg, in my mind, I pictured a ferocious shark.

Unfortunately, shark attacks are a real problem in some parts of the world, including Australia. In that country, they must be extra-careful when swimming in the ocean. A shark can cause severe injuries, including death. A company called Optus however, has created a new way to detect and warn of sharks, using an unlikely partner -- Google+.

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While I am mostly a Windows and Linux user, I also run a Hackintosh. I do this for a couple of reasons -- partly curiosity, but mostly I just want to be knowledgeable about all operating systems. So, periodically I will boot into my OS X SSD and play around. Today, I decided to check for updates and received the below scary message. At first I thought I was hacked or compromised. After some Googling however, it seems I am not alone and it is not limited to Hackintoshes. The problem is on Apple's end and is an enormous fail.

"An Error has occurred.The certificate for this server is invalid. You might be connecting to a server that is pretending to be 'swscan.apple.com' which could put your confidential information at risk". My confidential information at risk? Oh my!

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Not all nerds are fat, but a good amount of us are. It's no surprise that sitting on our butts staring at a computer screen while drinking Mountain Dew and eating Doritos can pack on the pounds.

While technology has taken many a computer nerd down the path of poor health, it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, technology can actually be good for you. Case in point, fitness wearables like the ones from Fitbit can help you gain control of your life by tracking your activity. Today, HTC, AT&T and Fitbit are launching a promotion that will save you $50 when buying an HTC One M8 and a Fitbit fitness tracker.

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When buying a display nowadays, you have many options. Besides the physical size of the screen, you must decide on resolution. While 1080p was once considered a remarkable spec, it is now looked at as old-tech. Now, 4K monitors are all the rage, and for good reason -- they are gorgeous and with every passing day, more affordable.

The problem is, which manufacturer's monitor do you pick? It's a hard question to answer, as they are all rather similar. However, an unlikely manufacturer has created a unique model that makes it stand out from the rest. Acer announces the XB280HK, which is the first-ever 4K monitor to take advantage of NVIDIA's G-SYNC technology.

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Whether conducting an interview, enjoying the music of a live band or listening to a college lecture, having a recorder handy is a huge plus. Sure, you can try and transcribe on the fly, but that is not ideal. For one, it causes the user to not pay attention. In other words, rather than sitting back and taking it all in, the person must furiously write -- an exercise in frustration. Also, a journalist may want a recorded copy of an interview, so that the interviewee cannot deny quotes later.

Finding the right hardware for recording audio can be tricky. Sure, you can use your smartphone or buy a chintzy recorder and maybe it will meet your needs. However, if the quality of the audio is important to you, it makes sense to invest in a high-quality device. Today, such a device has been announced by Zoom North America, called the H5.

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When it comes to computer building, Asus is one of the top brands; I am speaking from experience here. Building systems is one of my favorite hobbies and when selecting a motherboard or graphics card, Asus is always one of the brands at the top of my list. Of course, with great quality sometimes comes a high cost, but while Asus hardware sometimes costs more, I respect the adage of "you get what you pay for". I am willing to pay more for reliable, well-built components, whether it is Asus or other manufacturers.

Today however, Asus turns the volume up to 11 with a new gaming brand called Strix. What does "Strix" mean? The company says "taken from the ancient Roman and Greek word for owl, Strix means the keenest hearing and sharpest eyesight. Strix means feeling your environment so that you detect and react to the slightest movement. Strix means survival on the very edge of instinct. Strix is in your blood, as it is in ours". Deep stuff, bro. What does it mean to me? Kick-ass gaming hardware! Check this stuff out.

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As a Long Islander, there are things that I'm almost required to like, such as eating bagels and going to the beach. However, there is something else many of us are expected to enjoy -- Howard Stern. While not everyone likes his humor or radio show, I have been a fan for as long as I can remember. I even bought a Sirius radio when he made the switch from FM to satellite.

Sadly, while I listen religiously in the car every day, I don't listen in my home. It is not convenient to tie up my phone or computer -- it can be a battery drainer. Luckily, that is changing. Today, Roku announces that Howard Stern and the rest of the SiriusXM lineup is coming to the streaming box.

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There are many important jobs in the world, such as nurses, police officers and doctors to name a few. However, firefighters are near and dear to me, as I endured losing my home to a fire. The flames and smoke are very scary, ruining everything in their path. Anything left was destroyed by the water from the hoses, but, I survived. The brave firefighters worked hard to save me and my home and are true heroes.

All firefighters are heroes, regardless of what part of the world they protect. Israel’s Fire and Rescue Commission saves many lives and homes every year, and they have a tool in their arsenal that is helping them to fight fires. No, it is not a new hose or truck, it is Google Maps.

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The trouble with computers is that it is almost impossible to stay on the bleeding edge. The moment you buy the latest and greatest, something new comes along to replace it. I still remember fighting the battle of buying the fastest CD and DVD burners, years ago. It seemed like every other week, speeds would get boosted and I just had to have the fastest!

If you just bought a brand new SATA III SSD, congratulations, it is really fast and I'm sure you love it. But did you know that SATA III is on its way out? Yup, sorry to break the news to you, but SATA Express is one of the new standards, set to replace it. Today, Marvell announces that it has created the industry's first fully compliant SATA Express controller. Things just got real.

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Despite what some people think, the PC is not dead. However, for many, the concept of buying a desktop PC with a monstrous tower is. After all, thanks to companies like Apple, electronics have become art. And so, if someone does need a PC, they may opt for a laptop or all-in-one instead.

Truth be told, I have never been a huge fan of all-in-ones. If the display breaks, you could end up with a giant paperweight. I still remember when people bought TV/VCR combos. Almost always, the VCR failed and you would see a second VCR connected -- insanity. I have been of the opinion that it is best to keep your monitor and computer separate. With that said, I do like having a small footprint on a desk. Today, Zotac announces a spherical PC that is not only small, but beautiful too.

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As a trained Sociologist, I am always analyzing my surroundings. One of my particular interests is the plight of the working poor. It breaks my heart to see people toil away for low pay, while struggling to pay bills. Even sadder, these hard-working people are often taken advantage of by "pay-day" lenders -- they offer an extremely high-interest loan which targets the poor who cannot make ends meet.

Luckily, technology can be developed to solve many of the world's problems, including the pains of the workers living paycheck to paycheck. Yes, a new app for Android and iOS, called Activehours, is aiming to solve this problem.

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When I boarded the train earlier this morning to go to the Surface Event in NYC, I had small expectations. Let me clarify -- small but not low. In other words, I was expecting a Surface Mini. Truth be told, I wasn't overly excited about yet another small tablet (manufacturers are already doing a good job with them). However, despite my trepidation about a small tablet, I was excited because it would have been a Surface, which is known for high quality. Plus, there were rumors about a new Surface Pro 3, and that had me giddy.

Imagine my surprise, when internet rumors about the Surface Pro turned out to be true and the Surface Mini was vaporware. I was front row today while watching Satya Nadella and Panos Panay unveil the Surface Pro 3 and I was smiling ear to ear the entire time. Not only was the tablet amazing, but so too was the presentation. It was very Steve Jobs-esque, which is rather appropriate. Today, Microsoft is finally a step ahead of Apple with devices. The magic has left California and gone to Washington. Here are some of my first impressions of the game-changing laptop/tablet PC hybrid.

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