Filed under: TECHNOLOGY | Tags: Apple, AppleStore, iPod, iPod Touch, IpodShuffle, Microsoft, Shopping, Voice Over
When the Apple store went down this morning,
there were rumors swirling that a new iPod Shuffle would appear when it went live; those rumors were right. The latest iPod shuffle comes equipped with 4GB of memory priced at $79.99 and a sleek case that’s reminiscent of the first generation. Best of all, the shuffle now speaks the name and performer of the song since there still isn’t a screen on the least expensive iPod. Expect the new iPod to ship 3-5 business days after purchase. (http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/11/apple-goes-retro-with-latest-ipod-shuffle 3/11)
Dying to know what the Voice Over feature sounds like. Robotic? Anyone know? Interesting added feature to compensate for the missing screen.
Apple is said to be developing a new device with a touch screen that could be as big as 10 inches. Some people say the device is an inexpensive notebook computer. Others say it will be an iPod Touch with a bigger screen for watching movies and reading electronic books. (Iwantmedia 3/11, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123672009081687801.html 3/11)
Hitachi will pay a $31 million fine after admitting it was involved in a conspiracy to fix prices related to the sale of TFT-LCDs to Dell. In 2008, LG, Sharp and Chunghwa Picture Tubes entered plea agreements related to price-fixing claims. USA TODAY/The Associated Press (3/10) , TWICE (3/10)
Microsoft is eyeing the growing netbook market as it takes steps to refresh its hardware and software to fit with the low-cost computer segment. “There are many things that I think will emerge from this world of pervasive computing, and the opportunity for us all to take advantage of it is really incredible,” Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer said in February at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. InformationWeek (3/10)
Somewhere among the launches of the HP Mini 1000, the business-based Mini 2140, and the ridiculous, high-fashion Mini 1000 Vivian Tam Edition, HP released the Mini 1000 Mi. The difference this time around: the operating system. HP ships the Mini 1000 Mi with a customized Linux distro. Instead of using a more typical Windows-esque user interface, HP decided to make its own. (http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/06/HP_Mini_1000_Mi_1.html?source=NLC-MOBILEHARDWARE&cgd=2009-03-11 3/6)
3M has developed a battery that has cell supervision happening chemically instead of electronically, which in turn makes the battery weigh less. The batteries could make their way into laptops, power tools and cars, according to this analysis. The New York Times/GigaOm (3/10)
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Filed under: Feature | Tags: Barack Obama, Beverages, COFFEE, Facebook, Inauguration, MSNBC, Shopping, Starbucks
FREE COFFEE WITH YOUR VOLUNTEER WORK: STARBUCKS GETS INTO THE SPIRIT
In the spirit of giving…oh wait, the holidays are over…in the spirit of the inauguration, Starbucks is giving away a tall cup of coffee (small in normal person speak) when you pledge 5 hours of volunteer time from Jan 21st through Jan 25th.
Here’s a link to the Facebook page.
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Filed under: TECHNOLOGY | Tags: Blockbuster, Business, DVD, Fast food, Recordings, Reuters, Shopping, Video
TECHNOLOGY
Rental chain Blockbuster is entering the realm of fast food chains’ dollar menus, cutting the price of its DVD rentals to 99 cents to lure in more first time customers, reports Reuters. The details – how long the rentals are for or what markets the offer will be available in, have yet to be determined. (Cynopsis 12/5)
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Filed under: TECHNOLOGY | Tags: Business, Energy, Online shopping, Remote control, Renewable, Shopping, Television, Wind
TECHNOLOGY
If you’re looking to extend your green lifestyle to the TV room, online retailer Gizoo has an item for you. It’s the Wind-Up Remote Control, which, instead of batteries, uses good, old-fashioned hand power: 30 turns of a dial charges the device for about a week. (Pocket-lint.co.uk 8/8)
Filed under: TECHNOLOGY | Tags: Arts, Blu-ray Disc, DVD, DVD player, High-Definition Multimedia Interface, Home Video, Movies, Shopping
TECHNOLOGY
Bose has unveiled two 3-2-1 DVD Home Entertainment Systems. The 3-2-1 GS and 3-2-1 GSX Series III systems are equipped with the same high-quality audio and feature HDMI output, which enables connectivity to high-definition televisions. (ElectronicHouse.com 7/11)
Open Air Cinema has introduced its CineBox Home Outdoor Theater System, with which movie fans can watch their favorite flick from the comfort of their backyard. A 10-foot screen costs $399, and other components include a digital projector, DVD player, sound mixer and LED light. (CEPro.com 7/11)
Consumers spent $10.77 billion — a 1.6% increase — on DVD and Blu-ray purchases and rentals in the first half of this year, according to this article quoting Home Media magazine. Disc purchases grew 1.1%, to $6.87 billion, while rentals rose 2.6%, to $3.9 billion. (The Hollywood Reporter 7/13)
Filed under: BROADCAST/CABLE | Tags: Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, AMPTP, Arts, Ghost Hunters International, Programs, Sci Fi Channel, Shopping, Television
SCI FI Channel’s summer season premiere of Ghost Hunters International on Wednesday night (9p) delivered 1.3 million A18-49 viewers, 1.4 million A25-54 viewers and 2.3 million total viewers. Scare Tactics also debuted this night (10p) with 1.1 million A18-49 viewers, 1.1 million A25-54 viewers and 1.9 million total viewers. A second new episode at 1030p also aired with the same viewership counts among A25-54 and total viewers but slightly higher A18-49 viewers at 1.2 million. (Cynopsis 7/11)
Click the image below for full episodes.
Tennis Channel will air nearly 150 hours of live and same-day game coverage of eight tournaments that comprise the Olympus US Open Series. Starting July 18 through August 17, the network will feature seven primetime Sunday doubles finals as well as semifinals, quarterfinals and more in hi-def. (Cynopsis 7/11)
Yesterday during a meeting at the Sherman Oaks base of the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP), SAG officials walked away from the final contract offer on the table. A counteroffer was presented to AMPTP and plans to meet and continue the negotiations are on for today. SAG leaders continue to argue the AMPTP offer does not meet their requirements regarding new media and DVD residuals in addition to product integration and force majeure protections. (Cynopsis 7/11)
HBO at the Television Critics Association’s press tour announced pilot pickups for three series, including one involving iconic film director Martin Scorsese. The three are “Treme,” a drama set in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina; “The Washingtonienne,” a comedy that will be produced by Sarah Jessica Parker; and a drama set in Atlantic City in the 1920s from Scorsese. (The Hollywood Reporter 7/10)
The Sundance Channel, recently acquired by Cablevision, will launch a Sunday-night comedy block in September. The block will be anchored by “The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle,” a half-hour series about a daytime talk-show host that will star Jennifer Saunders of “Absolutely Fabulous” fame. (Variety 7/10)
More people in the 18- to 49-year-old demographic that advertisers prize find shows on Bravo engaging than any other network on television, according to a new study by Nielsen IAG. Other cable channels in the Top 10 were VH1, TLC, MTV and TBS. (Mediaweek 7/10)
NBC Universal CEO Jeffrey Zucker said that corporate owner General Electric has no plans to sell off the TV company. As evidence of NBCU’s security within GE, Zucker pointed to the company’s recent acquisitions, which have included cable networks Oxygen and The Weather Channel. (The Boston Globe/Associated Press 7/10)
Filed under: Feature | Tags: Apple, Apple TV, Arts, Entertainment, Netflix, Roku, Shopping, Television
DROP IT LIKE ITS HOT: ROKU MAKES ME HAPPY
I finally got the Roku out of the box and took it for a test drive. After 1 minute connecting to my wireless network and Netflix account, I was on my way. The hardest part of the entire process was probably upgrading my Netflix package to accommodate for the device (I was one of those people on the next-to-nothing plan).
The device immediately searched through my queue of 100 titles to pull out the 10 that were available instantly to watch.
The What
I’m assuming you’ve heard about the Roku but if not here’s the skinny. The device allows you to watch titles in your Netflix queue (available to watch instantly) on your television screen rather than just your computer screen.
In Use
The Roku is exceptionally easy to use. The interface is simple in the vein of Apple interface design. The only choice the user is allowed to make is which title to watch from those available. No searching or adding titles is allowed. I’m down with that especially being that my computer is always seconds away. Here’s my only request: Allow viewers the ability to watch trailers for those titles available.
Selection of Titles
Roku’s site boasts 10,000 titles but in searching for titles which mattered to me, I was a little disappointed. That said, I’m sure selection will improve over time.
Quality of Video
Connections exist for both HD and SD even though Netflix only currently offers titles in SD quality. That’s bound to change. I connected my HD TV to the HD component video cables in hope of a brighter tomorrow. . .
Speed
When I selected Super Size Me, the title began within seconds. Easy breezy. BTW, recommend this documentary. Thoroughly convinced me that when faced with a fast-food-only selection, kiddie size is the only way to go.
Price
$100
Buck Stops Here
It’s a great little device at just the right price. To get one of your own, click here.
Alternative Netflix Viewing Options: On Your XBox
Instead of buying a Roku to watch your Netflix movies, you can install a plug-in for free on your XBox and watch for no additional charge. The XBox plug-in may be a little buggy and slow but it does allow you to edit your queue and search through all titles available to watch instantly. The Roku only allows you to watch titles already in your queue. If you have an XBox, this is the way to go.
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