Digital Technology for Digital Living.
February 27, 2007
Apple TV Delayed
Crap. I was really looking forward to getting my Apple TV ($299) this month. I guess I’ll have to wait a little bit longer.
This morning I got the following email from the Apple Online Store regarding my Apple TV pre-order. Apparently “wrapping up” took ” a few weeks longer” than they expected… whatever that means.
To Our Valued Apple Customer:
Thank you for ordering the new Apple TV, an easy to use and fun way to wirelessly play all your favorite iTunes content from your Mac or PC on your widescreen TV.
Wrapping up Apple TV is taking a few weeks longer than we projected, and we now expect to begin shipments in mid-March, not in February as originally anticipated.
You may check the status of your order any time by visiting our online order status website at http://www.apple.com/orderstatus.
A shipment notification, with tracking information, will be emailed to you as soon as your order is shipped. There is no need to contact us unless you choose to change or cancel your order.
We appreciate your business and thank you for shopping at the Apple Store!
Sincerely,
The Apple Store Team
As you can see, the “letter” from Apple is some of the most uninformative collection of words ever assembled. Apple doesn’t even try to explain why shipments of the Apple TV are being delayed. Pete Mortensen from the Cult of Mac blog sarcastically summed up my disappointment pretty well: “Wow. That’s a stunningly insightful piece of news. Anyone upset that your new toy isn’t showing up Wednesday?”
When I do get my Apple TV (hopefully next month?), it should be an easy setup. Apple is promising true plug-and-play installation. Just connect Apple TV to your TV (even HDMI is built in) and start iTunes, which will automatically detect it. A few clicks on my remote and I should be in business.
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Music, Video, Digital TV
February 26, 2007
Oscars iPhone Ad
If you were watching last night’s American broadcast of the Oscars, then you might have noticed the first Apple iPhone ad. Apple reportedly paid $1.7 million to run the ad during the Oscars. The ad features 28 scenes from popular movies and TV shows with actors saying ?¢‚Ǩ?ìhello?¢‚Ǩ¬ù on a phone. The ad ends with an image of the iPhone and some text that says “Coming in June”. You can see the ad here on YouTube.com.
According to Gizmodo, this phone will be in service with AT&T instead of Cingular.
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
February 23, 2007
European PS3 to be inferior
As a European I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m used to getting inferior products ages after everyone else gets better versions for half the price. In particular Europeans often get shafted when it comes to video games consoles. Take Sony?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s PS3 for example. It launched in November for Japan and the US and it finally comes out over in Britain late next month. It will cost me substantially more that other territories as well. So its late and its more expensive. Now it turns out that its inferior as well. Which is nice as I never expected that.
Sony have announced that its breath taking new console will in fact play fewer PS2 games that Japanese or American ones. How fewer is unknown but I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢d imagine that it would be considerably less that the 98% of PS2 games that the PS3 can play elsewhere in the world.
In the other versions of the PS3 the console has dedicated chips to handle backwards compatibility. European PS3s will do away with this and reply on software emulation instead. The Xbox 360 replies on software emulation as well which is why Microsoft?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s console cannot play anywhere near the complete collection of original Xbox games.
Sony loses money at first on each PS3 sale due to high production costs which could explain why the chips have been removed.
So if you?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢re a Playstation fan you are going to have to hang onto your PS2 to play your game collection. And those who are new to the Playstation consoles I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢d recommend getting a ?Ǭ£50 PS2 from Asda, if you can find one.
Reference for posting: http://news.yahoo.com
AndyD | Comments (1) | Console
February 22, 2007
Dwight Shrute Army of Champions
As an early adopter of gadgets and technology I sometimes get labeled with the ?¢‚Ǩ?ìg?¢‚Ǩ¬ù word… Geek. But thank God there are people around like Dwight Shrute from The Office (US) to take the heat off.
I like my iPod and listening to music. He likes to sell paper and fight evil. I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m happy in a nice temperature controlled office. He has a desire to be frozen and possesses the strength of a grown man and a little baby. We both work in offices but Dwight apparently leads an Army of Champions. He also has his own theme song and music video..
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Video, Digital TV
iDJ iPod DJ Mixer
The iDJ is a compact mixing console with 2 built-in iPod docks. Mixing directly from your iPods gives you the ability to utilize thousands tracks from your iTunes collection at your next party or event. If you need to pull audio from additional sources, you’ll be happy to know that the iDJ has two additional turntables or MP3/CD players inputs. I can see how this would come in handy at an event like a wedding where someone ends up handing the DJ a CD at the last minute.
The iDJ Mixer is both Firewire and USB2.0 compatible, so you can use 3rd Generation iPods (iPod mini, iPod photo) or newer generation models as well.
After reading through the specs, I noticed you can take things a step further and connect via S-Video. Greg from getusb.info thinks this feature “makes the iDJ a good video mixer for schools, churches or corporate applications where you have multiple people presenting and don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t want to fumble around with PC connections and projectors.”
The iDJ Mixer also features headphone pre-cuing, separate channel three-band EQ and an industry-standard Kensington security slot. The security slot enables you to lock down the iDJ to a table in case you need to walk away for a few minutes for a cigarette or quick bathroom break.
Technical Details
- Voltage: 110
- Length: 18.5 inches;Height: 5.75 inches;Width: 14.0 inches
- Weight: 7.0 pounds
- Inputs - 2 iPod, 2 Line (CD/MP3), 2 Phono (Turntable), & 1 Microphone
- Outputs - Master RCA, Record RCA, S-Video, Headphone (1/8 & 1/4)
- Compatible with 3rd & 4th generation iPods, iPod Minis, & iPod Photo
- Compatible with Firewire & USB 2.0 iPod connectors
The iDJ can be purchased either from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Music
Cisco and Apple will both use iPhone name
The dispute over who can use the iPhone name is now over. The winner? Both of them. Cisco Systems Inc and Apple Inc have agreed to settle their trademark dispute over the use of the name iPhone with both companies allowed to use the name for their respective products.
The two companies made the announcement on Wednesday and further agreed to explore opportunities for making their products work better together ‘in the areas of security, and consumer and enterprise communications.’
Cisco Systems Inc sued Apple Inc on January 10, a day after Apple chief executive Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone.
Reference for posting: http://news.monstersandcritics.com
AndyD | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
The FreeLoader charges your gadgets
The FreeLoader charger from Solar Technology is a gadget that can charge your other gadgets harnessing solar energy. It can charge a whole host of gadgets such as iPods, digital cameras and mobile phones.
The FreeLoader is also good for the environment as it uses a renewable nergy source and it can save money on your energy bills which is a big plus. Its also incredibly useful if you find yourself away from a USB socket or power point.
The FreeLoader can charge your gadgets and its internal battery at the same time and holds its battery charge for up to three months. It requires daylight and not direct sunlight so it will work even on cloudy days.
The FreeLoader will cost ?Ǭ£39.99 and is available from March 1st. It will retail in the US for about $60, available through Solar Technology’s eBay store.
Reference for posting: http://techdigest.tv
AndyD | Comments (2) | Peripherals
Asda to sell PS2s for ?Ǭ£50
With the launch of the PS3 right around the corner you can expect retailers to lower the price of the PS2. The first to do so is Asda which grabbed headlines weeks before with the announcement of its ?Ǭ£9 DVD player.
Asda will slash the price of the PS2 to a mere ?Ǭ£50 today. The deal will be limited to a set number of consoles in the supermarkets 316 stores so you may be unlucky to find that the store has sold out when you go there or there were none to begin with.
Amazon are currently selling PS2s for just under ?Ǭ£90 and gameplay are selling PS2s for 395 but there is an option to build your own bundle and get a discount.
Reference for posting: http://www.mcvuk.com
AndyD | Comments (0) | Console
February 21, 2007
Co-inventor of the Remote Control passes away
Robert Adler co-inventor of the remote control, has died of heart failure, aged 93. Robert Adler died in a Boise, Idaho nursing home of heart failure on February 15, 2007.
In the mid 1950?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Adler produced a remote control that communicated with a tuner using four prongs that produced ultrasonic sounds whilst working for Zenith Electronics Corp. His remote control was better than other previous remotes in that it did not require wires and was not prone to interference.
The remote control itself was called The Zenith Space Command remote control, which I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m sure was a really cool name at the time.
Adler leaves behind a legacy of gadgetry which makes it so much easier to operate our beloved televisions.
Reference for posting: http://www.engadget.com
AndyD | Comments (0) | Peripherals
Joost and Viacom make a deal
The online tv service, Joost has made a licensing deal with Viacom International Inc. Joost works in a peer-to-peer fashion and allows users watch television programs on their computers.
Many video sharing sites such as YouTube are constantly being asked to remove content that infringes broadcaster?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s copyrights. Earlier this month, Viacom asked YouTube to take down over 100,000 clips from their programs.
This deal should help Joost coexist peacefully with content producers rather than operating at odds with them.
Reference for posting: http://www.pcworld.com
AndyD | Comments (0) | VOIP
February 20, 2007
PS3 to get movies
In an interview with 1up.com, Sony?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s PlayStation Studio Chief Phil Harrison revealed a few features that PS3 owners can expect in the future. Among them was the ability to download movies to the console?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s hard drive and play them.
The service seems to be matching Xbox 360?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Live service which will allow gamers to download movies as well as games and music (which Sony?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s network also does).
Harrison said that this was just part of the company?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s ?¢‚Ǩ?ìten year plan?¢‚Ǩ¬ù for the console which they hope will be future proof. He also hinted at the possibility of larger hard drives in the future.
Of course many would say that Sony is merely copying Xbox?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s already established service which has had movie downloads in the Xbox 360 since 22 November. However it would appear to be another step in turning the games console into the home entertainment centre that does everything you want in the living room.
Reference for posting: http://www.trustedreviews.com
AndyD | Comments (0) | Console
Gamers make better doctors
In the February issue of Archives of Surgery, a new study suggests that surgeons who play video games have considerably higher surgical skills than their non-gamer colleagues. One notable field in particular was laparoscopic surgery, which involves manipulating instruments while staring at a monitor.
Although only 33 surgeons took part in the study, it did find that those who played video games for at least 3 hours a week performed 27% fast and made 37% fewer errors. They also scored 42% percent better in surgical tests than non gaming doctors.
The correlation between video games and surgical skills was apparently so high that it proved to be an even greater indicator of performance than either the length of an individual’s surgical training or their prior experience with laporscopic surgery.
The link seems straightforward enough with games requiring players to pay attention to complicated surroundings and then going to work to an environment when attention is the key to success.
Reference for posting: http://www.engadget.com
AndyD | Comments (0) | Console
Tele-Safe II stops them listening in
Privacy is important to everyone and the makers of the Tele-Safe II are counting on that to sell that latest privacy gadget.
The Tele-Safe II can do a number of things to make you more comfortable at home. It can detect wiretaps and prevent them from hearing anything and it can also detect when another phone is picked up somewhere else in the house. In fact if it does detect that someone has picked up another phone it will mute it, leaving you with the confidence to chat without anyone listening in.
I can think of a number of people who would want to own such a device. There?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s the paranoid who think that everyone is out to get them, anyone who?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s doing something they shouldn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t be and the unfaithful.
All that privacy does come with a hefty pricetag, $195 but I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m sure the paranoid will think its worth it.
Reference for posting: http://gizmodo.com
AndyD | Comments (0) | General
LCD Monitor vs Gun
When your computer’s flat screen monitor breaks what should you do? You could attempt to replace the bad screen yourself… or grab the nearest BB gun and shoot it. Repeatedly.
Someone posted this video on Break.com of a LCD monitor being shot with a Tokyo Marui Desert Eagle BB gun. This guy didn’t even bother to take the LCD monitor outside before shooting it. Either he has faith in his aiming, or he has little regard for his drywall.
Maybe the next time you buy a flat screen monitor you might want to look up its “Gunfire Resistance” rating.
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Video
February 19, 2007
Cellular Blowout
*Sponsored Post*
Cellular Blowout
Once upon a time there were just a few million cell phone users in the US. Many of these phones were the size of a household brick, and equally as un-attractive. It was a simple time without the fierce competition between the phone networks that we have today. The good news for the consumer is that this competition has pushed the boundaries of technology to the cutting edge, but the negative side of having so many networks is that it is common practice to have a phone locked to a specific network.
But what happens if your phone is network A but you want to use the services of network B? This is where Cellular Blowout excel.
If you haven?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t already heard of Cellular Blowout, then you will do soon! They were voted number one wireless store on the Internet, and they have some of the hottest phones and phone accessories on the market.
They dominate the unlocked cell phone market, and rightly so. Cellular blowout carry over 18,000 products in stock, and they cover everything from basic entry models, to the latest designer phones such as the gold Limited Edition Dolce & Gabanna V3i.
Cellular Blowout have a top quality customer service team, and a 100% guaranteed return policy. So if you are looking for a cell phone or cell phone accessories then why not take a look at Cellular Blowout
Gadgetman | Comments (3) | General
Lost Planet map packs on the way
The intensely enjoyable sci fi shooter, Lost Planet: Extreme Condition is to receive new map packs for gamers to fight on. Capcom, the publisher of the game
The first map packs are called Radar Field and Island 902 and gamers will be able to download them for 400 Microsoft Points (about ?Ǭ£3.40) on March 9th when the content is debuted on the Xbox Live Marketplace.
The Battleground map that was previously bundled with the special edition of the game will be available at a later date.
For any Xbox 360 owner who has not got the game, you can download both single player and multiplayer demos from the marketplace.
Reference for posting: http://xbox.boomtown.net
AndyD | Comments (0) | Console
February 15, 2007
The Wind Up Phone Charger
Forget AA batteries or pre-charge modules there is another way to charge up your mobile phone should you it run out of battery. The Wind Up Phone Charger is an alternative method that will keep you talking when you need too. By winding the charger at 2.5 rotations per second for a total of 3 minutes you can gain up to 8 minutes talk time.
The size is not too big a problem though it will no doubt be much larger than the mobile phone itself. You could easily keep it in a rucksack or briefcase or the glove compartment of your car. It only costs ?Ǭ£6 too, which is a bonus.
I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢d recommend buying them as presents for anyone who uses the ?¢‚Ǩ?ìran out of battery?¢‚Ǩ¬ù excuse far too often.
Reference for posting: http://www.ubergizmo.com
AndyD | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
February 14, 2007
Add Videos to Your PSP
Can’t get enough of your favorite TV show or movie? Why not take it with you on your Sony PSP? The internet is full of PSP encoded video files ready to be downloaded onto your Sony Memory Stick. But you have to know where and how to name the files in order for the PSP to read them properly.
Here’s a short tutorial that expalins how to add videos to your Sony PSP.
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methodshop | Comments (0) | Portable, Video
A new channel for Wii
Nintendo have launched a new channel for the Wii menu and to be honest I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m not sure what to make of it. The new channel is called ?¢‚Ǩ?ìEverybody Votes?¢‚Ǩ¬ù and allows Wii owners to vote in a number of polls as well as predict the results. Its novel but is it really good?
Why would anyone want to take part in polls? What a bizarre new step for Nintendo to take to enhance their online portfolio. I can understand the weather and news channels, they give something, but why would anyone want to know if Britons think cats are better than dogs?
Well at least its free to download so if you get the inkling to give your opinion on something in a poll format be sure to download this latest channel. Nintendo are promising at least three questions a week but frankly if they didn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t live up to this promise I wouldn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t care in the slightest.
AndyD | Comments (1) | Console
Mario and Invincibility Star Mouse Pads
Super Mario Bros Dot Design Mouse 2 is a mouse pad in the shape of a recognisable character from the Super Mario Bros games. There are currently two to choose from; a Mario pad and an invincibility star pad.
Now I can only imagine that people would buy these pads for the sheer novelty or nostalgic purposes because they do not look like the most comfortable pads to use. Mouse pads look the way they do for a reason, the ergonomic design makes it easy to slip into your hand and use your computer. This on the other hand is the shape of a sprite built character and would probably drive you nuts after five minutes.
Still it looks cool and perhaps its one of those items you keep in the case and admire it from time to time instead of using.
It currently retails for $23 and requires a USB port. Its compatible with WinXP/ME and Macintosh OSX operating systems and apparently Vista too.
Reference for posting: http://www.ncsxshop.com
AndyD | Comments (0) | General
