Digital Technology for Digital Living.
October 31, 2006
Buyer Gets Soap Instead of iPod
I was on Jason D. O’Grady’s PowerPage when I saw this article and started cracking up. We’ve all heard of the iPod’s vaunted “clean design,” but this is ridiculous.
Apparently someone named Sean bought what he thought was an iPod from Smalldog.com. However after removing the shrink-wrap and opening the box, he instead found inside two bars of soap and a package of cheap batteries.
As you can imagine, Sean was pretty pissed off. I found a write up of how his conversation with a Smalldog customer service rep went on Consumerist.com.
“I picked up the phone and gave Smalldog a call… I was ready to really tear into someone when a supremely polite and nice customer service rep answered the phone. When I told her about my situation (and not too nicely, I might add), she started laughing. For a second I was shocked! I mean, first you screw up, and then you laugh at me!? But the next thing I knew, I started laughing too. She used just the right amount of humor and seriousness in helping me figure out what had happened… She also wanted to know if I took any pictures, saying that she’d love to have a few to show the other people in the office… It was good to see that someone could have a sense of humor and still be incredibly accommodating at the same time.”
The big mystery to this story is how was the iPod box shrink-wrapped if it had already been opened? There are two theories.
- Someone in the iPod factory swapped out the iPod with the soap and batteries before the box got shrink-wrapped.
- Someone at UPS or Smalldog might have done a homemade shrink-wrap job. All you need is a roll of plastic and a heated cutting device.
We will probably know exactly what happened, but this tale does have a happy ending. Sean got a replacement iPod. The moral of the story: just because something is shrink-wrapped, doesn’t mean it’s actually in the box.
methodshop | Comments (0) | General, Music, Portablegadgets,gadget,gadgets shop, latest gadgets, new gadgets
October 30, 2006
UK Urged to Legalize iPod
Want to be a rebel and break the law in the United Kingdom? It’s easy. All you need is an iPod and a CD.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Pop a CD into you computer.
Step 2: Import the songs into iTunes.
Step 3: Sync the songs onto your iPod.
Millions of people in the United Kingdom break the law everyday just by using their iPods. Why? The music industry in the UK claims that the illegal practice of coping music onto your iPod costs them hundreds of millions of pounds a year. Anyone else getting a 1998 Napster flashback here?
Apparently the UK music industry is about a decade out of sync with reality. In an effort to help the UK music industry get with the times, ministers in the UK are being urged to relax copyright laws to prevent music fans from facing prosecution for using their iPods. A UK think-tank called the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has recommended an overhaul of the legislation to allow a “private right to copy” music, and thus stop home users being treated the same as large-scale pirates.
Ian Kearns, deputy director of the IPPR, had this to say on the subject:
“Millions of Britons copy CDs on to their home computers, breaking copyright laws every day. British copyright law is out of date. When it comes to protecting the interests of copyright holders, the emphasis the music industry has put on tackling illegal distribution, and not prosecuting for personal copying, is right. But it is not the industry’s job to decide what rights consumers have. That is the job of Government.”
The dawn of the digital age of music was initially damaging to the music industry… but only because the industry failed to embrace the change consumers desired. As a result, people turned to illegal file-sharing sites such as Napster to find digital music. However, since the launch of the iTunes Music Store, digital music has proven to be a successful business model and the laws in the UK should be changed to better reflect current times.
Duh!?
methodshop | Comments Off | General, Music, Softwaregadgets,gadget,gadgets shop, latest gadgets, new gadgets
October 26, 2006
Touchscreen iPod Rumors
If the latest round of touchscreen iPod rumors are true, you may want to revise your holiday wishlist.
Touchscreen iPod rumors have been circulating around the Internet for awhile now. Even MethodShop.com posted some touchscreen iPod patent pictures back in February. The new twist to this story is that the touchscreen iPod might have a wide aspect ratio screen. This would make a lot of sense since Apple recently started selling movies on iTunes.
The new widescreen rumor originated from an anonymous executive at an iPod accessories company who spoke to someone at TrustedReviews. How reliable is this anonymous executive? Your guess is as good as ours. Anyway, here’s what Mr. Anonymous had to say:
“In a very matter of fact tone I was told that the product was not designed for the current generation of device, but the official 6G iPod… which is to be released in December. His company’s device only comes onto the market shortly before then and would benefit hugely because the new iPod would sport a screen that filled the full side of the device and consequently offer higher resolution video… This is why Jobs isn’t afraid of the Zune,’ he said, though he had no knowledge of whether wireless would make an appearance.”
This might help explain Steve Jobs dismissive attitude last week:
“Jobs is unimpressed with Microsoft’s Zune, which allows users to exchange songs. ‘It takes forever,’ said Jobs. ‘By the time you’ve gone through all that, the girl’s got up and left!’”
Adding more fuel to the fire, here’s what Gizmodo had to say about the widescreen iPod rumors:
“One thing’s for sure, if this widescreen iPod is released in the next two months, the Microsoft Zune with its old-fashioned 4×3 screen and crippled WiFi will be slam-dunked.”
methodshop | Comments (0) | General, Music, Portable, Video, Wirelessgadgets,gadget,gadgets shop, latest gadgets, new gadgets
October 25, 2006
Macworld Blooper Reel
Ever talk yourself into a corner or been bogged down with technical problems during a presentation? Just remember that these problems can happen to anyone… even Steve Jobs.
Here’s a blooper reel of Steve Jobs and his gang over at Apple messing up on their very important Macworld keynotes. My favorite part is when Jobs tosses a camera to someone in the audience after it didn’t work for him on stage. Enjoy.
methodshop | Comments (0) | General, Videogadgets,gadget,gadgets shop, latest gadgets, new gadgets
October 23, 2006
Rise In Robberies Blamed on iPod
According to several police chiefs in the UK, the popularity of the iPod may be behind a 5% increase in robberies. Ian Johnston, chief constable of the British Transport Police had this to say last Friday about the iPod and other valuable gadgets, “The mobile phone explosion is continuing. The iPod explosion is continuing. All of these gadgets that people carry around with them are very attractive to robbers, so that puts the opportunities up. We’ve obviously got to respond to that…”
Apparently just wearing an iPod in the UK can make you a target for a mugging. If you are extremely worried about being attacked for your iPod, you should consider not using the white earbuds that come with every iPod. White headphones are a dead giveaway to everyone around you that you own an iPod.
Even though overall crime in the UK has dropped, robbery rose by about 5% compared to last year. Violent crime was also slightly up nationwide mostly due to street brawls and pub fights.
In case you are curious, here’s the breakdown in recorded crime in the UK compared to last year:
- Drug offences up 16%
- Other offences against the person-with no injury up 6%
- Robbery up 5%
- Criminal damage 0%
- Theft of and from vehicles 0%
- Domestic burglary down 4%
- Other burglary down 5%
- Other thefts and handling down 6%
- More serious violence down 13%
- Other offences against the person-with injury down 4%
- Sexual offences down 6%
- Total recorded crime down 2%
methodshop | Comments (0) | General, Music, Portablegadgets,gadget,gadgets shop, latest gadgets, new gadgets
October 19, 2006
Some iPods Have PC Virus
Oops. According to a notice on Apple’s technical support site, 1% of Video iPods shipped after September 12 had a little present on their hard drives. It wasn’t something good, like free music or movies, but a computer virus called “RavMonE.exe” that spreads via removable media.
Apple’s response was the following: “As you might imagine, we are upset at Windows for not being more hardy against such viruses, and even more upset with ourselves for not catching it… So far we have seen less than 25 reports concerning this problem…. and all Video iPods now shipping are virus free.”
Mac users can breathe a sigh of relief, the “RavMonE.exe” virus only affects computers running Microsoft’s Windows operating system. If you are a PC user who recently purchased a Video iPod, you can detect and remove the virus using an anti-virus software program like Norton AntiVirus. You should also scan any mass storage devices that you have recently attached to your PC such as external hard drives, digital cameras with removable media, and USB flash drives.
Good luck.
methodshop | Comments (0) | General, Music, Portable, Softwaregadgets,gadget,gadgets shop, latest gadgets, new gadgets
October 18, 2006
World’s First YouTube Band
If you get a chance, head over to YouTube.com today. The number one video is something called “Internet Killed the Video Star” by the ClipBandits – the world’s first YouTube only band.
There are currently only 3 members in ClipBandits – J-Pe$o, Girl Bass Player and ClipBandit. They don’t even know each others real names, just their YouTube IDs, and have never met in person. They also live in 3 different states, California, New York and Texas. So how does an Internet only band practice or play gigs together? Easy. They do it all via YouTube. J-Pe$o and Girl Bass Player record their separate parts and upload their clips to YouTube. Then the ClipBandit syncs up their clips on several large video screens in his recording studio and plays his part live. He then uploads the final product to YouTube.
ClipBandits all got started when J-Pe$o uploaded a video to YouTube of a song he wrote during college. Then The ClipBandit saw the video and submitted a video response of himself playing along with J-Pe$o’s clip. Several songs later they’ve added a bass player, are considered the front runner for the Cingular YouTube Underground Band Contest and are looking for a drummer. We wish them luck.
If you want to download any of the ClipBandits videos and convert them for your iPod then check out this tutorial: How to Copy Videos Off YouTube.
methodshop | Comments (0) | Broadband, General, Music, Videogadgets,gadget,gadgets shop, latest gadgets, new gadgets
October 16, 2006
Red iPod Helps Fight AIDS
Looks like all the rumors were true. Say hello to the new special edition red iPod Nano.
Bono, Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities have partnered with Apple Computer on a special red-colored iPod Nano to help raise money for a new charity aimed at battling AIDS in Africa called PRODUCT RED.
To help promote the new red iPod, both Oprah and Bono bought 10 red iPods at Apple’s retail store in Chicago. The video aired last Friday on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” (video).
Apple has agreed to donate $10 from the sale of each red iPod to the PRODUCT RED charity to help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.
The PRODUCT RED charity was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA. They hope to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world’s most iconic brands to produce PRODUCT RED branded products. Other companies that plan on offering special PRODUCT RED items include the Gap, Converse, Armani, American Express and Motorola.
According to AppleInsider, rumors of a red-colored iPod first surfaced when Bono was overheard at Dublin’s Patrick Guilbaud restaurant “discussing a new charity red AmEx card and red iPod.”
methodshop | Comments (0) | General, Music, Portablegadgets,gadget,gadgets shop, latest gadgets, new gadgets
October 13, 2006
Live News via Treo Phone
When a single-engine plane crashed into an Upper East Side apartment building on Wednesday, Fox News Channel delivered early video to its viewers from the crash site using a hand-held mobile phone with live streaming video.
Scott Wilder, a Fox cameraman, had been about 20 blocks away on another assignment when the crash occurred. Wilder ran uptown and reported live from the scene using a hand-held Palm Treo Smartphone that uses the existing mobile network to transmit video to the Fox News control room. From there, Fox News sent it out live on TV to supplement other video being shot by local traffic helicopters.
The picture quality from the crash site wasn’t spectacular, but it was live. Wilder was also able to talk to “Studio B” anchor Shepard Smith on the same phone and give a live “man on the street” report to Fox viewers.
As these advanced video phones become more and more popular, we can probably expect a surge of citizen journalism. If YouTube can make anyone an Internet celebrity, a video phone can make anyone a reporter. Right?
methodshop | Comments (0) | Digital Camera, General, Mobile Phone, Portable, Videogadgets,gadget,gadgets shop, latest gadgets, new gadgets
Muslims Offended by Apple Store
Jason O’Grady from PowerPage.org found an interesting research report that says the 5th Ave Apple Store is offensive to some Muslims. Why? Apparently the glass cube shape of the Apple Store entrance resembles the Ka’ba in Mecca (see image). The report, which was translated by The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), also finds problems in people referring to the glass cube as the “Apple Mecca,” the store being open 24 hours a day like the Ka’ba, and because “alcoholic beverages” are served inside at a bar.
Obviously the offended Muslims in question have never actually been to the 5th Ave Apple Store. The only bar in the Apple Store is the Genius Bar and although the advice of a Genius Bar employee may be intoxicating, it isn’t alcoholic. For those of you unfamiliar with the Apple Genius Bar, it’s a booth inside the Apple Store where you can bring your broken iPod or computer and have them take a look at it. There are no alcoholic drinks served at the Genius Bar, just knowledge. The purpose of the Genius Bar must have gotten lost in translation. For the record, Apple Stores do not serve alcohol. People getting drunk and playing with expensive computers and iPods probably isn’t a good idea.
As far as building a cube shaped store entrance that’s open 24 hours a day…. Apple’s 100% guilty of doing that. But can a simple glass cube really be blasphemous? Please write a comment below and share your thoughts.
methodshop | Comments (0) | Generalgadgets,gadget,gadgets shop, latest gadgets, new gadgets
October 10, 2006
Video Message From YouTube Founders
It’s official. Say hello to Chad and Steve, the worlds newest millionaires. Web-search giant Google has acquired YouTube for roughly $1.6 billion. The acquisition of YouTube makes Google the 500 gorilla of online video. And that’s a perfect place to be at a time when consumers are rapidly increasing the amount of time they spend viewing video clips online, and Internet video advertising is booming.
Thank goodness Rupert Murdoch didn’t buy YouTube.
youtube | digg story | methodshop
methodshop | Comments (0) | Broadband, General, Videogadgets,gadget,gadgets shop, latest gadgets, new gadgets
October 09, 2006
Atari Pong Wall
I was on TechEBlog the other day and found this great YouTube clip from Nextfest 2006. It’s an interactive installation of an Atari touch-sensitive “Pong Wall” game. No video displays or game controllers needed. You just touch the wall and use your hand to position your paddle. The Pong Wall detects hand movement by using embedded sensors on the wall. And the game interface/score is projected on the wall with LEDs.
It’s fun to watch this technology in action but unfortunately the two guys playing in this clip aren’t very serious competitors. Actually, they look a little tired. So don’t expect to see riveting game of Pong. Just marvel at the geek fun of it all and not the sleepy players.
If you’re really itching to play Pong again, Atari released a retro game system called the Atari Flashback 2 ($30). It features the same wood grain paneling and look of the Atari 2600. Games include Asteroids, Breakout, Centipede, Lunar Lander, Millipede, Missile Command, Combat and…. Pong.
methodshop | Comments (0) | Console, General, Software, Toys, Videogadgets,gadget,gadgets shop, latest gadgets, new gadgets
October 05, 2006
DVD Rewinder
Don’t you just hate rewinding DVDs? Who doesn’t. It’s about time someone invented a way to rewind DVDs. And a stylish one at that. At first glance you make think that the aptly named DVD Rewinder looks like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle hot pot… but it’s not.
Here’s how it works. Just snap a disc on the DVD Rewinder, press the button and watch in wonder as your disc spins in reverse thanks to the “Centripetal Velocity Spindle.” To complete the illusion, the DVD Rewinder plays a “rewind” sound while it spin discs backwards. You can also record your own “rewind” sound which provides unending possibilities for trickery.
In all seriousness, my friend’s wife just found out that you don’t actually have to rewind DVDs. So chances are you’ll be able to fool a few people with this gag gadget. So show this to your less-technical friends, sit back and enjoy the show.
Batteries not included. Yes the DVD Rewinder is a real product and can be purchased from dvdrewinder.com.
digg story | flickr | methodshop
methodshop | Comments (0) | General, Music, Videogadgets,gadget,gadgets shop, latest gadgets, new gadgets
October 03, 2006
Pogo Stick Extreme
Looking for the next extreme sport? How about Extreme Pogo Sticking!? All you need is a pogo stick on steroids like the Flybar 1200.
This isn’t your average pogo stick (pro skateboarder Andy Macdonald helped develop it). The Flybar 1200 has a complex spring system consisting of 12 independent rubber thrusters capable of producing 1,200 pounds of power. In case you are wondering, that’s enough to get a 170-pound rider over 5 feet of elevation.
The Flybar 1200 also has extra-wide foot pads, with skateboard grip tape for stability and control. You’ll need that extra stability if you decide to do some backflips. Yep. I said backflips.
Check out this video of a pogo stick daredevil named Fred doing some tricks around his suburban neighborhood. His triple backflip is astonishing. The guy has some serious balls. He’s wearing a helmet, but one bad wipeout and he’d probably paralyze himself. So dangerous… but fun to watch.
If you like Fred’s backflips, then you’ll like this next video of Team Xpogo doing a series of Skateboarding / Freestyling hybrid tricks.
Get a Flybar 1200 and enjoy the view!
digg story | flybar pogo stick | methodshop
methodshop | Comments (0) | General, Toysgadgets,gadget,gadgets shop, latest gadgets, new gadgets
