A letter writing campaign may be in order. Gateway is ditching its rustic Holstein cow spots in favor of a sleeker high-tech image. Their new logo features a symmetrical spot, “designed to evoke ‘cow’ without saying ‘cow'”, and a “G” designed to look like an “on” switch. Gone are the barnyard accoutrements, replaced by images that convey “sleek, silver, high-tech competence”. It’s a brand overhaul that removes any cute or homespun feelings that may have been detrimental to their business and government customers. Dell needed the opposite effect when they went after the home market with “Steven” (aka Mr. “Dude, you’re gettin’ a Dell”). But they weren’t abandoning such a well-established trademark as the Gateway cow look. While Gateway claims to be retaining the “essence” of the cow, their ad agency doesn’t want people to even think “cow” when they see the new logo. Seeing a stack of Gateway boxes will never be the same. Moo! Bring back the cow!

Here’s an update to an update. I dreamed of a dockable purse that would recharge all my devices. A reader emailed me about the Splashpower wireless charging system, due out next year. Now Steve’s pointed me to MobileWise’s Wire-Free Electricity Base. The NY Times describes its technology as follows: The nubs are contact points that intersect with a discreet conductive patch on the back of compatible products (or for older devices, with an adapter). […] The trick lies in some patent-pending technology that allows the base to communicate with compatible devices and deliver power only to the nubs that are in contact with a suitable receptor.” Forget the purse, I want this for my Itty Bitty Booklite.

Popular Science asked user interface guru, Jef Raskin, to test drive the BMW 745i, and, more importantly, the car’s iDrive unit. As you may recall, the iDrive knob is BMW’s answer to consolidating 35 gauges and lights and 66 manual controls. Raskin’s main complaint is that the iDrive interface has too many modes. With 700 functions to accomodate, the simple knob is manipulated the same way for many different behaviors. And if you’re driving there’s minimal feedback possible to assist you. Perhaps the real problem is the need for the 700 functions to begin with. iDrive’s interface designer reveals the reality that haunts all software developers and interface designers: “Marketers are features-driven people.” Sure the designers wanted to keep things simple, but “if our marketing department says we need it, we design it in.” It’s a good thing that most people value their lives over changing the car radio station. Raskin pulled over every time he was asked to demonstrate a feature. (Bonus link: the BMW M3’s Easter Egg. Fun with electronic transmissions. I wonder what sequence will bring up the programmer credits?)

Sometimes just a few tips can vastly improve your skills. Derrick Story’s Top Ten Digital Photography Tips are going to go a long way on my next foray with the Digital Elph. But first I think I need a portable tripod. (via xBlog)

“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” pulled a 5.8 share on ABC last week. Not bad for a show that first aired in 1967. If you’re in the mood for celebratory popcorn and toast, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” will air on November 21. I have to admit, though, that it’s still a little odd to be turning to ABC for Charlie Brown instead of CBS.

Were you a fan of “Late Night with David Letterman”? Have you lost hope of ever seeing vintage “Late Night” again, beyond what you still have stashed away in your pile of scratch VCR tapes? Did you think NBC would never let go of the rights after Dave dumped them when they gave Leno the Carson spot? Well, despair not. Cable network newcomer Trio has purchased rights to a batch of the old original “Daves” and adding them to their 2003 prime-time lineup. But to whet (or perhaps deaden) your appetite, they are showing 53 hours of “Late Night” starting early Thanksgiving Day. Fifty-three hours. That’s a lot of lovely beverages, Chris Elliott, Larry ‘Bud’ Melman, and toast on a stick.

The Fire Museum Network has a directory of the almost 300 museums devoted to fire fighting in the U.S. and Canada. It also lists museums in other countries. The web pages of the San Francisco Fire Department Museum reveal the variety of material the topic has to offer: helmets, uniforms, and awards, fire alarm and extinguisher technology, and of course the evolution of the various means of bringing water and firefighters to the scene with hoses, ladders, pumps, and engines.

“Best known to the public for his definitive investigations of the origins of Dixie, O.K., Podunk, and Rebel Yell,” Allen Walker Read, etymologist, died on October 16th, aged 96. Surprisingly, “OK” is used in nearly every language. Although Americans assumed it had native origins, Europeans brought forth their own theories of its origins. But Read was certain of OK’s American heritage and piled on evidence of its use in the 1830s and eventual dissemination around the world. Still, there are doubters. (via BrainLog)

What sandwich will “last a minimum of three years at 80 degrees, six months at 100 degrees” while traveling “to the swampiest swamp, the highest mountain, the most arid desert?” It’s the Army’s latest MRE (meals ready to eat) which resemble, sort of, those pocket sandwiches that have become common in grocery stores. They don’t need a spoon, don’t need preparation, and are easy to eat on the run. The two available flavors are pepperoni and barbecue chicken, but what the soldier far from home really wants is peanut butter and jelly. Unfortunately, peanut butter is not stable enough to survive, and in order to imbue it with long lasting properties, food scientists have to also ruin its appealing sticky qualities. Ah well, it’s enough that our Army cares enough to increase morale with “fresh” bread products.

Reader Lynn sent in a swift update to yesterday’s “purse charging” entry. Splashpower is working on a wireless charging system. Mobile devices with a SplashModule electromagnetic chip can be placed on the SplashPad charging platform to recharge. No custom plugs or docks are necessary, the SpashPad just plugs into the wall outlet. When combined with wireless syncing, this device will truly free up your wireless gadgets. The company hopes to ship a product next year.