You know that anything technological and novel appeals to my inner high-tech geek!  While researching Honda for a project, I discovered ASIMO, which Honda (ASIMO’s developer) bills as ” The World’s Most Advanced Humanoid Robot”.  In development since 1986, ASIMO indeed lives up to its “advanced” claims.  It is not so much a toy, as it is a electromechanical companion designed to assist humans in their daily tasks…more specifically, people who may be handicapped, disabled or elderly.  ASIMO is just over four feet tall–tall enough to help with daily tasks, and yet, not intimidating.  When a person is seated or sitting up in bed, ASIMO is at a proper eye level to that person.

If you view the videos on ASIMO’s website, you notice the gait looks slightly crouched over–this is done to assist with balance, and also permits ASIMO to climb stairs, run at nearly four miles per hour, and avoid obstacles.  ASIMO’s movements are also precise, especially in the hands which feature four very flexible fingers and an opposable thumb.  In one video, ASIMO conducts the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, of which Honda is a corporate sponsor.  ASIMO can be seen at Disneyland in a permanent display, as well as on tour at science centers and large events around the world.

It’s been several years since I went on a rant about the Grammy awards, given out by the NARAS.  Normally I ignore the annual spectacle and go on with life.  But something this year clued me in that there was a painful moment or two, namely, the fact that something (or someone) named Taylor Swift won a Grammy for “Album Of The Year”.  And that it had performed live.

That something: social media.  Facebook.  ”Trending topic” indeed.  One of my good friends wrote, “After seeing Taylor Swift win the Album Of The Year Grammy, I think they should give Milli Vanilli their Grammy back!”  Another friend, the wife of a well-known jazz musician, wrote that Swift’s performance reminded her of an old phonograph winding down in speed.  So, why the rant?

So, now apple has released yet another overpriced “something you don’t need, but you look cool owning it” product.   A limited-storage touchscreen computer.  The tree-hugging hipster crowd and apple fanboys will love this one, but the rest of us in I.T. are stifling our collective yawns.  Deduct $300, and you can actually get a real portable computer with a keyboard.  Hmmm.  Fail.

So why is it an epic fail? Can you say, “Epic marketing fail?” What company, with a single ounce of common sense, would name a product an “iPad”? Within minutes of announcement, the name was being compared to feminine hygiene products. No pun intended, it’ll now be the butt of jokes for years to come. Good going, apple.

Hey all, thanks for hanging in here! After a much needed rest, we’re working on a handful of new album reviews for Rudy’s Corner. To whet your appetite, we have albums by Roger Nichols, The Parade, Joao Gilberto, and a trio of Elenco reissues by Edu Lobo that were released within the past few years. We’ll also feature Pat Metheny’s fascinating Orchestrion project, and post part two of our Jazz Mancini overview. And finally…happy birthday to all of Rudy’s fellow Aquarians out there!

So here I was, about a month ago, ready to write an article about how to make your Facebook account air tight and secure.  In the past week or so, the stakes have changed and Facebook now has new privacy settings.  New, but not improved.  How would you like all of your information available on Google and Yahoo?  If you’re not careful, and don’t act immediately, you may find your life not to be as private as you want it to be…