Digital Technology for Digital Living.
August 28, 2007
iBought: Useless Chitika Facebook Application
When I checked my email this morning, I noticed that Chitika, the blogger-driven merchandising/shopping network, made a Facebook application called iBought. The application allows Facebook users to show off their latest purchases in their profiles.
How useful is iBought? If you checkout my Facebook profile, it says I just bought a goat. No, I didn’t really buy a goat. But I wanted to see what ads Chitika would list based on the word goat. Care to guess? I now have 3 bottles of Horny Goat Weed on my Facebook profile. But let’s say I bought something good like a giant HD-TV. Why would I list it on my Facebook profile? That’s like inviting someone to rob you. Needless to say, I’m pretty sure the iBought application will be deleted by the end of the week.
Besides being useless, Chitika needs to fine tune the application coding. I got this error after trying to interact with the iBought application in my Facebook profile:
Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /var/www/html/facebook/lib/facebookapi_php5_restlib.php:1) in /var/www/html/facebook/lib/facebook.php on line 197
So why would anyone want to install the useless iBought application on their Facebook profile? Chitika is paying $1 per for every friend you get to install iBought. The offer is only open to the first 10,000 installs.
$1 isn’t a lot, but if you have a ton of Facebook friends it could be a worthwhile. Then again, you’ll probably make all your friends hate you. Still interested? You can install the iBought Facebook application here.
BeSocial: methodshop
methodshop | Comments (0) | Software
Download YouTube Videos for Your iPhone and iPod
UPDATE: YouTube has reworked their site in response to this article. If you get an error when trying to download a YouTube video, please try some of the plug-ins and scripts listed in step #3.
YouTube.com is a great resource. Not many sites allows users to freely upload, view, and share video clips like YouTube does. YouTube even lets users easily post videos on their blogs and personal web sites. But because anyone can upload a video clip on YouTube, copyright violations are rampant.
In an effort to prevent the widespread distribution of illegal copied video files, YouTube encodes its video files in the Macromedia Flash format, which prevents viewers from downloading files and making digital copies.
Here’s a step-by-step MethodShop.com tutorial on how to rip video files off YouTube and convert them for an iPod Video, Apple TV, iTunes or iPhone. This trick will work on Mac or PC using Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer.
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop.com
methodshop | Comments (0) | General
August 24, 2007
MOTOROLA RAZR2 | Sharp New Mobile Accessory
MOTOROLA RAZR2 | Sharp New Mobile Accessory
MOTOROLA’S MUCH-ANTICIPATED MOTORAZR2 IS READY FOR ITS NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT. THE RAZR2 WILL BE AVAILABLE TO U.S. CONSUMERS FROM ALLTEL, AT&T, SPRINT, T-MOBILE USA, VERIZON WIRELESS AND US CELLULAR. COMBINING GROUNDBREAKING NEW FEATURES AND AN EVEN SLIMMER EXTERIOR THAN THE ORIGINAL, THE RAZR2 IS CAPABLE OF GIVING CONSUMERS THE ULTIMATE MOBILE EXPERIENCE.
The RAZR2 boasts an ultra-thin, sharper profile, having lost 2 millimeters in its makeover from the original RAZR. It flaunts a smooth and sophisticated seamless casing as well as greatly enhanced dual screens that give the device a largest-in-its-class external display. Don’t worry about digging for it in your oversized hobo bag — the chemically hardened glass display is more scratch resistant. And if you should drop it waiting for your morning soy latte, don’t worry about the multi-tasker behind you accidentally stepping on your new device — its durable stainless steel frame can support up to 180 lbs.
With the phone closed, you can do everything on the crisp external screen from watching TV to playing music and viewing album art, and answering text messages on different models from different US carriers. You’ll always know what buttons you are pushing with Motorola’s breakthrough “haptics” technology, which provides vibrating feedback in response to your fingertips. That’s literally something to buzz about!
RAZR2’s patented CrystalTalk™ technology makes calls with friends or family clearer than ever. Whether you are weaving through the crowded racks at H&M or hailing a cab in the streets of NY, a conversation will not be missed. This feature automatically accounts for background noise and adjusts audio to match the ambient volume, ensuring clear calls even in noisy environments.
The fashion conscious will have a tough decision to make with so many gorgeous colors. Start debating now whether you’ll look best with a Bordeaux-like Mahogany V9 from AT&T, a rich deep brown Espresso V9m from Verizon Wireless, or a steely Dark Pearl Grey V9m from Sprint or Alltel. They’re on sale beginning September 4th (and online at Sprint today). There’s even a deep ink Dark Navy color coming soon that is sure to look fine with your latest find.
If you’re the neighborhood trendsetter, the RAZR2 is shaping up to be one of the sharpest new devices for the fashion-forward this Fall. For more information, visit http://www.motorola.com/2
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
August 23, 2007
Google Earth brings you the Virtual space telescope
Fans of Google Earth are in store for a treat today as they will now be able to look away from earth and into the stars thanks to a new Google Earth component called Sky.
Using the new component, users can on the moon, planets, stars, constellations and galaxies by reversing the image away from our own planet. Users can also advance in time to see where planets will be located on a given date or when a meteor shower will occur.
“(We’ve taken) terabytes of data and made it easily accessible to anyone,” said Andrew Connolly, an associate professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Washington and a visiting faculty member. “We are hoping astronomers around the world will share it (information) with everybody.”
Reference for posting: http://www.bizjournals.com
AndyD | Comments (0) | General
Free repair for faulty Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheels
It appears that the Xbox 360 is not the only Microsoft gaming product that can be faulty. Microsoft has announced plans to provide a free retrofit for its Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel which fixes a malfunction in the chassis that may cause the device to “smoke” when the AC/DC power supply is being used.
According to Microsoft, there haven’t been any reports of fire, personal injury, or property damage so far but the console giant does not want to take any chances (of lawsuits I’d imagine). The wheel should run fine on battery power however.
If you have a faulty steering wheel you should take a look at the company’s support page and arrange for it to be picked up and repaired for free.
Reference for posting: http://www.engadget.com
AndyD | Comments (1) | Console
August 22, 2007
Largest Hand in the World
Lui Hua can’t play the Nintendo Wii or Guitar Hero. He wants to but he physically can’t…. at least not yet. Why? Hua suffers from a rare condition known as macrodactyly. When he was hospitalized in Shanghai last month, his left thumb measured 10.2 inches and his index finger measured close to 12.
From The Shanghai Daily:
“It was the biggest hand in the world,” said Chen Zuliang, a hospital official. “Liu’s fingers stopped growing in recent years so plastic surgery was at last possible to correct the malformation.”
On July 20 surgeons undertook a seven-hour operation to reduce the size of Liu’s fingers and thumb. Doctors removed 11 pounds of flesh and bone in the procedure. A second surgery is scheduled to take place. Enlarged limbs can be caused by a number of medical conditions. Lymphedema is perhaps the most common cause and results in some extraordinarily enlarged limbs.
BeSocial: methodshop | digg story | flickr
methodshop | Comments (0) | Games, Geek
August 18, 2007
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra performs in Second Life
A virtual Philharmonic Hall in Second Life will host a live performance by The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. The performance will be hosted in Second Life a massive online universe.
Principal conductor Vasily Petrenko will conduct Ravel’s Sheherazade and Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances, as well as world premieres by composers Kenneth Hesketh and John McCabe.
After the performance Petrenko, Hesketh and soloist Kate Royal will answer questions about the performance in the virtual Grand Foyer Bar in Second Life.
There are a limited number of spaces at the virtual event and the orchestra is asking people to register for a chance to win a free ticket. The performance will take place on 14 September.
Reference for posting: http://www.vnunet.com
AndyD | Comments (0) | Games
MTV invests $500m into games
MTV Networks has announced that they will invest $500 million in games over the next two years. A large amount of their games are published through MTV games who is working with Harmonix in the process of preparing the eagerly awaited title ‘Rock Band’ for a Christmas release. Harmonix are the developers behind the popular Guitar Hero series and they were just one of a number of accusations that MTVN had picked up recently.
MTV Networks chairman and CEO Judy McGrath, commented on the investment: “Gaming is a focal point of our vertical entertainment strategy to super serve our loyal and passionate audiences with engaging experiences, and the success of all our properties, everything from AddictingGames to the virtual games on Nicktropolis to the award-winning ‘Rock Band’, really has put us in a leadership position. As we continue to take our brands narrow and deep to serve our targeted audiences, we are investing over $500 million in the next few years towards building our games business, worldwide, across all of the brands.”
Reference for posting: http://gamesnews.virgin.net
AndyD | Comments (0) | Games
August 14, 2007
Internet Video Contest Gives American Idol Hopeful an Edge
Can an Asian-American ever hold the American Idol title? Paul Ethan Hahn says a resounding “yes” and Internet video might be his Ace in the Hole.
Paul grew up in Murray Hill, New Jersey and has always been a big country fan. He also loves the hit FOX-TV program American Idol. And if Paul has his way, he’ll be the first Asian country singer on American Idol.
“I wanna make Paula Abdul cry and show that jerk off Simon how to sing. I want to be the next American Idol!” Paul quips.
This week, Paul Hahn entered an online FOX 29 Philly Idol contest and hopes that a hi-tech edge will help him bypass the massive lines outside the first round of judges.
FOX 29 posted an open American Idol audition on their website. The winner gets to perform live on Fox’s morning show, Good Day Philadelphia, and gets to bypass the first round of judges at the open American Idol Philadelphia auditions later this month. To enter, all you had to do was upload a video of you singing.
Paul recorded his American Idol demo using his Apple MacBook Pro laptop, with a built in iSight camera, and the video editing program iMovie.
“It was so easy,” says Paul. “I just opened iMovie, recorded about a minute sample of my singing, burned a DVD and threw it into the mail. The whole process only took about 10 minutes.”
Since Idol’s first season, we’ve seen Kelly Clarkson belt out high notes, a plethora of Sanjaya hairstyles, and even a contestant who went on to win an Oscar. But we haven’t seen any serious Asian-American contestants get a real shot at the Idol crown (sorry but William Hung doesn’t count).
Will Paul’s dream of telling off Simon and getting to sing a country song on American Idol come true? Can Internet video voting give this American Idol hopeful a back door to stardom? That’s in the hands of you, the voters.
You can watch and vote for all the top 10 Philadelphia contestants, including Paul Hahn, on FOX 29’s web site: http://media.myfoxphilly.com/idol/idolvote.html. The top 5 get to perform live on FOX 29’s morning show Good Day Philadelphia and the winner gets to bypass the massive lines at the Philadelphia open auditions for season 7.
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop | flickr
methodshop | Comments (1) | Video
August 11, 2007
Universal to test DRM
Vivendi’s Universal Music has said that it will run an experiment that will run August to January concerning selling digital sale of songs from artists without the customary copy-protection technology, DRM.
They hope to look at factors such as consumer demand, price sensitivity as well as piracy. Most major recording studios insist music sellers use DRM technology to curb online piracy.
Retailers including Google, Wal-Mart, and Amazon.com, will participate in the DRM-free trial however, Apple iTunes online music store, the third largest music retailer in the US will not.
Reference for posting: http://news.bbc.co.uk
AndyD | Comments (0) | Music
Halo 3 xbox 360
To celebrate the release of the third game in the popular Halo Franchise, Microsoft are releasing a special edition Xbox 360. It shares it’s style with the Masterchief, the main character from the Halo games but unfortunately is not going to be bundled with a version of Halo3.
Features
* Halo 3 Special Edition Console
* Halo 3 Special Edition Wireless Controller
* Halo 3 Special Edition 20GB Hard Drive
* Halo 3 Special Edition Wired Headset
* Halo 3 Special Edition Gamer Pics and Theme (Exclusive download via Xbox LIVE)
* Component HD AV Cable
* Ethernet Cable
* HDMI Port
* Play & Charge Kit
* Xbox LIVE Silver Membership
* One-month Lbox LIVE Gold Membership
In other Halo3 news, the game has sold more than a million copies already, months before its release through pre orders.
AndyD | Comments (1) | Console, Games
August 09, 2007
JK Rowling Interview on iTunes
Even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan, you have to admire J.K Rowling. Not just as a writer with a world-class imagination, but also as a businesswoman and entrepreneur. She seemed to come out of nowhere to create one of the biggest entertainment franchises ever.
It’s hard to believe that she used to be unemployed, surviving on U.K. state benefits. That was 1995. Now it’s 12 years (and hundreds of millions of dollars) later, and she’s just finished her seventh and final Harry Potter novel, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”
iTunes Link: J.K. Rowling Interview
Rowling recently did an interview with Meredith Viera for the American news programs The Today Show and Dateline NBC. I only caught part of her Dateline NBC interview, so I was pretty happy to see that they posted the whole thing on iTunes. The interview is an interesting glimpse inside the world of Harry Potter, and it offers some real insight into the woman who created a billion dollar world of magic.
BeSocial: flickr | methodshop
methodshop | Comments (0) | Video
Hybrid Solar Lighting Video
Hybrid Solar Lighting Video
Clever idea!!
Hybrid Solar Lighting
Hybrid Solar Lighting - HSL technology uses rooftop, 4-ft-wide mirrored dishes that track the sun with the help of a GPS receiver. The collector focuses the sunlight onto 127 optical fibers. The fibers, which can be thought of as flexible light pipes, are connected to hybrid light fixtures that have special diffusion rods that spread out the light in all directions. One collector powers about eight hybrid light fixtures—which can illuminate about 1,000 square feet.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | General
August 08, 2007
MF-575 Digital Picture Frame Review
Why give someone a single still framed picture when you can give them an entire slide show? The MF-575 is an inexpensive hi-tech digital photo, MP3, and video player with a bright, high-resolution 5.6-inch color TFT screen.
This year on Christmas morning, I was thinking about taking a series of pictures while everyone is opening their gifts. Then I’ll take the memory card out of my digital camera and pop it into the MF-575 picture frame for an instant slide show for everyone to enjoy on Christmas afternoon. Good idea right? The number of images you can put into your MF-575 slide show is only limited by the capacity of the memory card being used.
Here’s the full review: MF-575 Digital Picture Frame
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
methodshop | Comments (0) | Digital Camera
