In Progress... Interactive MultiTouch Sphere. from seeper on Vimeo.
I'm not sure of how the spherical interface is superior to a flat screen, but its undeniably cool!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Multitouch Sphere
I found this while trolling on Gizmodo and thought it was too doggone cool.
I'm not sure of how the spherical interface is superior to a flat screen, but its undeniably cool!
I'm not sure of how the spherical interface is superior to a flat screen, but its undeniably cool!
Palm Pixi on sale November 15 exclusively at Sprint for $100 on contract
Palm Pixie Coming to Sprint [Sprint's Press Release]
Via: Engadget
Article Highlights:
Engadget seems to think that the Pre price point of $150.00 makes the $99.99 eventual cost of the Pixie irrelevant and I disagree.
While it does seem a bit odd to price these two phones so close to each other, I think the Pixie may provide the form factor that many are looking for. That is, lacking the flimsly feeling slider functionas well as the sharp edges of the Pre.
Further, the Pre price point is one which quickly dropped from a significantly higher sale price. I think it would be logical to infer that the Pixie will be dropping in price as well soon.
Further, the Pixie specs are certainly not "low end" and that means that in the end Sprint now has an attractive candy bar styled phone that sports a nice operating system with good specs.
I think it will be a winner.
Via: Engadget
Article Highlights:
- Out of pocket cost: $250.00 w/ instant $50.00 rebate and a $100.00 mail-in rebate.
- Release date: Nov. 15, 2009
- $79.99 Touchstone wireless charger
- $19.99 Touchstone back cover
- MSM7627 Dual ARM Processors (600Mhz and 400 Mhz "modem processor")
- 200 Mhz Graphics card
- CDMA2000 Evdo Rev A support
Engadget seems to think that the Pre price point of $150.00 makes the $99.99 eventual cost of the Pixie irrelevant and I disagree.
While it does seem a bit odd to price these two phones so close to each other, I think the Pixie may provide the form factor that many are looking for. That is, lacking the flimsly feeling slider functionas well as the sharp edges of the Pre.
Further, the Pre price point is one which quickly dropped from a significantly higher sale price. I think it would be logical to infer that the Pixie will be dropping in price as well soon.
Further, the Pixie specs are certainly not "low end" and that means that in the end Sprint now has an attractive candy bar styled phone that sports a nice operating system with good specs.
I think it will be a winner.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Hulu Might Start Charging
Chase Carey: Hulu to Charge in 2010 - ADverse: Atkinson on Advertising | Blog on Broadcasting & Cable
Article highlights:
News Corp's C.O.O. Chase Carey announces his belief that Hulu needs to start charging for content.
Important facts:
Hulu is a joint venture by NBC Universal and News Corp. [Link]
Analysis:
Hulu has always struck me as too good to be true and there are ways of thwarting the embedded adds. I discovered this accidentally when I started using Playon from Mediamall to stream Hulu to my PS3 Slim. In short, you can simply fast forward through the commercials.
Considering that the embedded commercials are what make Hulu free, being able to fast forward effectively nullifies Hulu's income.
Further, while I am always a proponent of good stuff that I don't have to pay for, I am curious to see how Hulu will make paying for stuff seem attractive. Could this be similar to Comcast's "Fancast" (on demand, online tv)? I.e. providing instant online access to the shows without a delay?
After all, Hulu will have a tough time making a sale to a growing public who have come to love and depend on a free Hulu. In fact, many Hulu users utilize it as a free cable substitute. In other words, Hulu users don't like paying for stuff and Hulu knows this; thats why they created Hulu in the first place.
Even though charging for stuff is going to be initially off putting, Mr. Carey's statements that the model of choice would allow users to "appreciate the value" suggest to me that the paid Hulu subscription could provide a premium service that makes it worth the money.
I know its too early to know for sure, but this could be how "a la cart" cable becomes a reality. To date Hulu has provided a great service, but for me its not been quite good enough to totally ditch the cable. If my suspicions are right and Hulu becomes a virtual cable company, it might provide a very compelling alternative, especially if they offer an a la carte option.
We'll see!
- Konrad
Article highlights:
News Corp's C.O.O. Chase Carey announces his belief that Hulu needs to start charging for content.
Important facts:
Hulu is a joint venture by NBC Universal and News Corp. [Link]
Analysis:
Hulu has always struck me as too good to be true and there are ways of thwarting the embedded adds. I discovered this accidentally when I started using Playon from Mediamall to stream Hulu to my PS3 Slim. In short, you can simply fast forward through the commercials.
Considering that the embedded commercials are what make Hulu free, being able to fast forward effectively nullifies Hulu's income.
Further, while I am always a proponent of good stuff that I don't have to pay for, I am curious to see how Hulu will make paying for stuff seem attractive. Could this be similar to Comcast's "Fancast" (on demand, online tv)? I.e. providing instant online access to the shows without a delay?
After all, Hulu will have a tough time making a sale to a growing public who have come to love and depend on a free Hulu. In fact, many Hulu users utilize it as a free cable substitute. In other words, Hulu users don't like paying for stuff and Hulu knows this; thats why they created Hulu in the first place.
Even though charging for stuff is going to be initially off putting, Mr. Carey's statements that the model of choice would allow users to "appreciate the value" suggest to me that the paid Hulu subscription could provide a premium service that makes it worth the money.
I know its too early to know for sure, but this could be how "a la cart" cable becomes a reality. To date Hulu has provided a great service, but for me its not been quite good enough to totally ditch the cable. If my suspicions are right and Hulu becomes a virtual cable company, it might provide a very compelling alternative, especially if they offer an a la carte option.
We'll see!
- Konrad
Friday, October 23, 2009
Zombieland Hat
This hat from Real Deal Brazil won't hide your inner dork (In fact its likely to accentuate it), but if you liked Zombieland you might be interested in the hat Woody Harrelson sported. Its $30 and made from "recycled brazilian truck tarps".
Apparently no two are alike...my Wife is making fun of me as I write this, but hey...I gots me some Zombieland memorabilia!
http://realdealbrazil.com/recycledtarphats.asp
Dell Adamo XPS Specs
Specs Leak For Dell's Super Skinny Adamo XPS - Dell - Gizmodo
Article highlights:
- either 1.4 and 1.9 GHz dual core Intel processors
- 128 or 180 GB SSD
- integrated X4500MHD graphics
- and 4GB of DDR3 RAM
- 13.4 inch WXGA LED-backlit screen.
Is it just me or is this svelte entry an answer to a non-existent problem?
What I mean is, who the heck cares about swiping their finger across the top of the outer shell to be allowed to open the thing? If the finger swipe led to robotic automatic opening I could see that as being a nifty gimmick but by all accounts its nothing more than a lock; A lock thats tied to the laptops battery life. This means that if the battery is dead, you couldn't open the computer which begs the question..."why?".
I mean, aside from being something of a security feature (if the thief didn't know how it worked) its nothing but an extra cost. The Adamo isn't exactly cheap either (supposedly $2K ish), so basically, its an unnecessary (and not even really desirable) cost addition.
Then there this the design issue; I'm not complaining about the different looks, its the function I have a concern about. Assuming you used the Adamo XPS on a flat surface it'd probably provide a comfortable angle for typing. However, laptops frequently find themselves on a multitude of surfaces, including laps, couches, chair arms etc... and I am really skeptical about the stability of the design on these varying surfaces.
So, if you're in the market for a "different" laptop the Adamo XPS might be something to watch.
Source: Gizmodo
BBC NEWS | Technology | Universal phone charger approved
BBC NEWS | Technology | Universal phone charger approved
Hallelujah! Micro USB to be the "universal standard" for handset charging!
This has always been something that I've thought was an unnessesary thorn in consumers' sides. As I see it, the only real reason to use a unique charging/data port is to screw the customer by forcing them to buy new peripheral hardware.
Of course the International Telecommunication Union has no enforcement power, but as the article points out, "some manufacturers have already signed up".
But still, bravo...finally!
Source: BBC
Hallelujah! Micro USB to be the "universal standard" for handset charging!
This has always been something that I've thought was an unnessesary thorn in consumers' sides. As I see it, the only real reason to use a unique charging/data port is to screw the customer by forcing them to buy new peripheral hardware.
Of course the International Telecommunication Union has no enforcement power, but as the article points out, "some manufacturers have already signed up".
But still, bravo...finally!
Source: BBC
Motorola Droid Preview : Boy Genius Report
Motorola Droid Preview : Boy Genius Report
The long and the short is Motorola may have a winner on its hands. If this is true, it would be the first in a long time. Even in pre-release form the "Geniuses" over at BGR seem to think that the Motorola Droid outclasses most of its competition.
Article Highlights:
Our thanks to BGR for their great preview!
The long and the short is Motorola may have a winner on its hands. If this is true, it would be the first in a long time. Even in pre-release form the "Geniuses" over at BGR seem to think that the Motorola Droid outclasses most of its competition.
Article Highlights:
- Carrier looks to be Verizon
- 550MHz Texas Instruments OMAP3430 processor
- separate PowerVR GPU
- 256MB of RAM
- CDMA Rev A.
- Wi-Fi
- GPS
- a digital magnetometer - According to the BGR this function allows for auto syncing with a wireless docking station.
- accelerometer
- proximity sensors
- a 5 megapixel autofocus camera with dual-LED flash
- notification LED
- four touch-sensitive navigation buttons
- a slide-out full QWERTY keyboard
- 3.5mm headset jack
- microUSB port
Our thanks to BGR for their great preview!
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Associated Press: FTC: Bloggers must disclose payments for reviews
The Associated Press: FTC: Bloggers must disclose payments for reviews
This took me off guard and I am left scratching my head a little bit. I am all for full disclosure, but I am always a little wary whenever the Feds place a new and in this case significant restriction on how bloggers must act.
One of my biggest questions is what body will be enforcing these rules and then deciding each case.
Blogs especially have always struck me as being the most organic and casual form of reporting. It seems that the risk of hefty fines could really have a chilling effect on amateur news posts, reviews aka free speech.
Definitely something to keep an eye on!
Source Associated Press
Via Google
This took me off guard and I am left scratching my head a little bit. I am all for full disclosure, but I am always a little wary whenever the Feds place a new and in this case significant restriction on how bloggers must act.
One of my biggest questions is what body will be enforcing these rules and then deciding each case.
Blogs especially have always struck me as being the most organic and casual form of reporting. It seems that the risk of hefty fines could really have a chilling effect on amateur news posts, reviews aka free speech.
Definitely something to keep an eye on!
Source Associated Press
Via Google
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Surprize Attack
Game Stop and Infinity Ward are sweetening the pre-order "pot" for the 6th edition of the awesome Call of Duty franchise by giving away a lot of cool stuff to some of those who pre-order the game.
Apparently Game Stop also held a beta-ish type gaming session on Oct. 1, 2009, so I guess someone forgot to hit the "Send" button on their newsletter before that date as I got my email today (Oct. 4th, 2009). Whats more a call to my local Game Stop to inquire about the details of "Surprize Attack" revealed that, they at least, had no idea what I was talking about.
That said, a tiny bit of digging under keywords "COD MW2 Surprize Attack" yielded www.surprizeattack.com. The site is all flash and contains a scrollable list of currently available prizes, a countdown timer (to the next prize release presumably) and a space to enter your pre-order code and email.
In case you went to the store, got a printed receipt and are now wondering where your code is I can tell you that mine was located. Directly under the store info on the upper right hand side of the receipt was a set of numbers that where formated like this: #####/## - ###
If you need to see an example there is a link on the bottom portion of the page to a sample.
Game Stop and Infinity Ward claim that there are "Thousands of prizes" and that there are two chances to win every day. So far there isn't too much stuff that I'd be interested in, although they did show a slick looking parka that will be available to win starting Oct. 5, 2009.
If your a fan of the series its definitely worth checking out.
Konrad
Apparently Game Stop also held a beta-ish type gaming session on Oct. 1, 2009, so I guess someone forgot to hit the "Send" button on their newsletter before that date as I got my email today (Oct. 4th, 2009). Whats more a call to my local Game Stop to inquire about the details of "Surprize Attack" revealed that, they at least, had no idea what I was talking about.
That said, a tiny bit of digging under keywords "COD MW2 Surprize Attack" yielded www.surprizeattack.com. The site is all flash and contains a scrollable list of currently available prizes, a countdown timer (to the next prize release presumably) and a space to enter your pre-order code and email.
In case you went to the store, got a printed receipt and are now wondering where your code is I can tell you that mine was located. Directly under the store info on the upper right hand side of the receipt was a set of numbers that where formated like this: #####/## - ###
If you need to see an example there is a link on the bottom portion of the page to a sample.
Game Stop and Infinity Ward claim that there are "Thousands of prizes" and that there are two chances to win every day. So far there isn't too much stuff that I'd be interested in, although they did show a slick looking parka that will be available to win starting Oct. 5, 2009.
If your a fan of the series its definitely worth checking out.
Konrad
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