Apps are big business. From gas calculators to dorky light sabers (complete with sound effects) there’s an app for practically everything and everyone.

Apple, Palm, and Google have all staked a claim in the lucrative mobile application business, but what about Microsoft?

In addition to developing an upcoming mobile application store, a recent case study on the icrosoft Developer Network website details the process of running a complex iPhone app onto the Windows Mobile platform.

Blogging has been a cinch lately thanks to readers sending me tips for all kinds of art and design to write about. A big THANKS to all those who’ve been pointing me in interesting directions!

One recommendation I received recently was to check out thinkgeek.com. While browsing nerd inventions (some too nerdy even for this geekette), I came across The Freeloader Portable Solar Charger.

The Freeloader powers up from its solar panels or a charging cable that plugs into a computer USB port. Once charged, the internal Li-Ion battery can power any number of different hand held devices such as an iPod for 18hours, a cell phone for 44 hours . . . etc. Once charged, it can store a battery life for up to 3 months! This awesome gadget can be yours for the very reasonable price of $49.99 USD.

Meet the Beanzawave. This prototype is the world’s smallest microwave measuring 7.4 inches tall by 2.6 inches wide and 5.9 inches deep.

The Beanzawave works by using mobile phone radio frequencies to create heat enough to cook food products in under a minute! (It certainly brings up issues of what phone frequencies must be doing to our brains.)

How did this project all start? Heinz asked microwave expert Gordon Andrews and industrial design authority Stephen Frazer to develop this portable USB powered microwave to promote their Snap Pots. Andrews, the managing director of GAMA Microwave Technology, stated that users can ‘tune’ the radio-frequencies to provide best results.

‘It is possible to heat a pie, a burger, a cup of soup or tea in quick time,’ Andrews said.

There is talk of making it usable with lithium batteries, meaning the Beanzawave would become a microwave on the go.

Want one? Hold onto your spoons for now fellow nerds, Heinz hasn’t released it yet. They might for around $160 if consumer feedback is positive.

It has become almost cult-ish the way in which people devote to computer platforms. Nearly a year ago, I converted to a Mac user. That’s not to say I don’t use both comfortably, but if I have a choice…it’s Mac hands down. Unless you’re a programmer, I don’t see why you’d go any other route. I was asked yesterday why I prefer Mac over PC and my answer was “it just works better.” I was shot back with “well…that’s your opinion.” No. It’s the truth.

Microsoft spends millions on advertising a year just like Mac does, but the difference is in the intelligence of the advertising and the fact that Mac also invests in making their products work. It’s not just about bashing PC, it’s about educating the consumer about the competition’s weaknesses. Watch the commercials below to see what I mean.

Yes PC, lots of people still use you…but there was not a single point in that whole commercial that made a valid argument as to why.

I forgot to mention another favorite item from Lost Marbles in Ottawa…..a clever ode to the mix tape in our digital generation. The memory stick stores up to 1 hour of high quality digital music – which is about the same amount you could hold of a C60 cassette tape.

Love it? Have to have it? Check out http://www.suck.uk.com for this product and loads of other fun pretty things. If anyone out there from suck.uk.com is reading this and feels like sending me stuff….I like stuff….a lot…especially free stuff.