Are you dealing with a ton of “message undelivered” “message unsent” “I hate you” messages from your iPhone? Welcome to the club.

Tons of glitches with a few of their updates and rather than get all technical I’ll just tell you how to fix it:

1. Go into Settings from your home screen
2. General
3. Reset
4. Choose “Reset Network Settings.” Click Ok/yes to agree to their warning and then your iPhone will restart itself.

Don’t worry, resetting your network settings does not erase any data. All you will have to do is rejoin your wi-fi networks (and enter in the passwords again). Worth it for trouble free messaging.

Note: if resetting the network settings does not alleviate your problem, you can troubleshoot a few ways. First see if you’re having problems sending messages while you’re on wi-fi or using 3G. If wi-fi, reset your wireless router (just take out the power, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in). If 3G…that’s a bit trickier. Some people say they have success doing a hard reset (completely wiping their phone). Try resetting network settings. I bet it will work.

Boom.

To make things simple, the iPhone 5 is being released on all 4 major networks: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint. Fortunately, you only have to worry about AT&T and Verizon (there are 7 people on T-Mobile and only the Sprint CEO uses Sprint. I said it.).

To make things even simpler, if call quality/reliability is of utmost importance, go Verizon. If data speed (uploading and downloading) and using data while on the phone is more important, go AT&T.

That’s it. If you must know, Sprint is somewhat similar to Verizon and T-Mobile is near identical to AT&T

This may be the greatest video ever describing AT&T vs. Verizon for numerous reasons. Point of the story: 5 dropped calls for AT&T and not a SINGLE DROPPED CALL for Verizon. Boom.

Ok, little known fact about me: I’m a sucker for beta/preview releases. Not sure why. I was playing around with every beta version of Windows 7 as it was coming out, caused me no end of frustration but I dove right in.

Also, little less known fact, Windows 8, Microsoft’s follow up to the smash hit (I said it) Windows 7, has been making tech waves due to it’s new “Metro” style UI. Kind of like a giant smartphone screen on your desktop.

So here’s the deal: Microsoft releases these preview/beta versions of Windows 8 and uses everybody who downloads it as guinea pigs to find all the bugs. Free testing. So why should you download a buggy operating system when your Windows 7 machine is rock solid? Because you should live hard and stop playing it safe with your computer.*

here’s the download page: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/home/

*all seriousness, don’t overwrite your main operating system. Google, “dual boot windows 7 and 8″ and you will find tons of guides of how to run both operating systems on the same computer with (little to) no fuss. And to make you’re life even easier: http://lifehacker.com/5840387/how-to-dual+boot-windows-7-and-windows-8-side-by-side?popular=true

Rumors are starting to finalize and the next iPhone iteration looks like a winner: larger screen, multitouch home button, thinner, same or better battery life, upgraded 8mp camera.  What’s not to like?

Rdio is an impressive site.  It does many things that others do (Pandora, Last.fm, grooveshark, etc) but does so in a clean, fast, and full service package.  You can read a full review here.

Trust me, if you like music, sign up for Rdio, download the desktop add, link it to your iTunes/Windows Media Player and you will be off to the races.

Rdio is in closed beta but leave your email in a comment and I’ll send an invite (10 left).

My Rdio page: http://www.Rdio.com/boomtown

The iPad reminds me of the original iPhone release. Neat but was so fundamentally broken that it should not have been releases and did not deserve the high price. The baby non 3g iPad however is an interesting option for people who do not have a kindle but WANT one. The Kindle DX is around $400 and for an extra $100 you can get the iPad. Not awful.

My final conclusion is that the vast majority of people should wait for the next iPad iteration that will be sure to have a camera, better battery life, slightly speedier processor and a more stable/robust OS.

For those spicy early adopters out there…have fun with your iPad. My review unit won’t arrive for 2 months so i’ll have to see for myself what I’m missing.

Personally, I’ll just plan on buying my iPhone 4G on verizon in September.

(Update: maybe there is some hope for the iPad 3G…still has to use the awful ATT service but at least it can grab some non-wifi data)

Sigh.  So as feared Apple has released a giant iPhone called the iPad.  Super.  That’s really all you need know.  It’s a giant iPhone, running nearly the same exact operating system, with nearly the same exact form factor (albeit jacked up in size).

Actually, it’s not a giant iPhone because it only has WIFI.  So…it’s a giant iTouch.  The main reason why the iPhone is so powerful is the fact that all of its apps can update themselves via a cellular 3G network.  So wherever you are, bam, your apps can you use the power of the Internets (plural intended cause it sounds more fun).  The iPad, dare I say it…sucks.

The ONLY thing that makes me interested in this thing is its battery life.  Having 10+ hours of video playback is tasty.  That said…is it worth it to buy this thing?

If you already have an iPhone I would have to give it a resounding NO.

If you already have an iPhone AND a Kindle…an even louder NO.

If you do not have an iPhone NOR a Kindle, yet you have an iTouch and a trust fund…then, maybe, go for it.

If you do not have an iTouch, Kindle, nor iPhone and you have a trust fund…go crazy.  Enjoy your large iTouch/the iPad.

Bah.  This photo below pretty much sums it up:

You have attractive people in your life and you yourself may look attractive at times.  In order to capture all of this attractiveness one needs a solid camera.  No need to read a ton of reviews or ask your friend who minored in photography at a small liberal arts college in the northeast.  Just buy one of these and start snappin’.  Boom.

Ultimate/Professional

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV ($4,999): Big mack daddy of the camera world.  If you want the best, can swing the $5k price tag, and more importantly, can afford all the Canon glass* you’ll need to take advantage of this beast, then look no further.
Runner Up, Nikon D3X ($7,500): Amazing camera in it’s own right and maybe even worth the $2,500 over the Canon.  Obviously if you’re looking into this world of camera’s then you will most likely decide between these two based on your current lens collection.  But if you’re just jumping into the high end, grab the Canon, great deal.

Prosumer DSLR

Nikon D300s ($1,699): Great value, nice little incremental upgrade from the D300 released last year (added video).  Can’t go wrong.
Runner Up, Canon EOS 7D ($1,699): This is a tough one and it comes down to preference.  I prefer Nikon.  Others prefer Canon.  Both of these cameras are awesome.  Fact.

Prosumer Non DSLR

Canon S90 ($400) : Arguably the most exciting release this year.  Can camera releases be exciting?  Prolly not.  But if they were…this would be exciting.
Runner Up, Canon Powershot G11 ($440): A bit chunky but feels great in the hand (odd turn of phrase), takes stunning photos, and is a steal at $440.

Consuner DSLR

Canon Rebel T1i ($759): Canon is on a roll and I have to give the win to the Rebel T1i over the D5000.  Just buy this camera if you want to get into photography.  Step it up Nikon.  
Runner up, Nikon D5000 ($699): CLOSE call, dammit.  Solid, very fast on the snap, great value if you want to get into the world of DSLR.  Edge goes to Canon though.

Point and Shoot/Pocketable

Samsung TL225 ($299): Samsung comes out of left-field and strikes the point and shoot world across the dome piece.  Built in lcd screen on the front for those adorable arm stretched out photos you ladies are so found of.  Nice downward angle to avoid the double chin shot.  All around great camera.
Runner Up, Canon 780is ($200): One of my all time faves.  Small, solid, takes clean photos and a great value.  Perfect stocking stuffer.

Conclusion

This is it folks.  No need to look further.  These are the best cameras right now.  Yes, there are other brands besides Canon, Nikon, and Samsung.  But they just aren’t as good.  Nikon’s and Sony’s take just plain awful photos in the point and shoot category (soft, almost blurry photos.  They are all style over substance).  There are some prosumer/higher end Olympus cameras that are solid but why invest in an Olympus when Nikon and Canon lenses are so much better?  Done and done.  Enjoy and Merry Christmas/Happy New Year!

*”glass” is photo-slang for lenses used on DSLR/SLR’s.

Fact: the Dell Vostro V13 sounds more like a diesel engine component than a sleek, inexpensive, ultraportable laptop.

Fact: despite its name, the Dell Vostro V13 is a sleek, inexpensive, ultraportable laptop that should top your gift lists

You’re looking for a netbook or ultraportable?  This is the one to get.  13.3″ screen, full size keyboard, 5+ hour battery life, 3.5lbs for a starting price tag of $449?  Boom.

Shipping today in time for the holidays, more details here

Note: I’d lean towards the middle of the pack or fully loaded $649 version.  All capable but the dual core $649 version is worth the extra scratch.

Pretty simple and slick, go to StereoMood and click a word describing the mood you’re in.  Just sexy?  Click “sexy.”  Just woke up?  Click “waking up.”  And so on and so forth.  StereoMood will then compile a nice little playlist right in your browser based on your “mood tag.”

favorite song found so far: You’ve got the love (XX remix)

Enjoy.