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Wednesday, 31 Aug 2005

Dish Network: Catering to A.D.D!

This article was just written well and absolute chuckle-full for me. The folks at Engadget do have a good sense of humor, and I am totally down wit dat, yo! Though, admittedly, I had to agree with the usefulness of this almost useless feature, but I think I would use it. I mean, really, it's like getting "free" P.I.P on a TV! Imagine watching The NASA channel launch another shuttle, your favorite sport playing in at least two different ESPN channels, and Lance Armstrong swearing that he's NOT going to race another Tour de France for the 42nd time, ALL AT ONCE!





Directly from Engadget:
Finally, a network willing to cater effectively to our extreme ADD. DISH Network is rolling out a new feature that will show subscribers six simultaneous channels at once, in addition to an interactive menu. The six channel mosaic will live on the DISH Home channel, Ch. 100. Developed for DISH by OpenTV, the six channel smorgasbord was first unleashed last year during the 2004 Summer Olympics and the Presidential Elections. Presumably subscriber response was so positive they’ve decided to not limit the app to special occasions, which seems to indicate we’re not the only ones forgetting to take our ritalin.


Via: [Engadget - Thanks Barb Dybwad!]

| Comments [0] | #TV

Cool Sony GAP Beta Programs

I'm one of the lucky zillions of people who are part of the Sony Gamer Advisory Panel. Basically, it means I get to forum-chat with folks (many whining and complaing teens), and get offered beta versions of new games.

Recently, I was given a cool opportunity to take on a beta for Ratchet: Deadlocked; the next Ratchet series game. My son was probably even more excited than me, actually. But what really got my excited was the latest beta I was asked to join: SOCOM for the PSP! Let me tell you the story...

I get the email saying I was hand picked - which, I almost believe (Sony, please verify if you are at all paying attention to your GAP members) - and there was info on how to get into the beta. But I'm looking through the steps and I'm bummed out by one of the first things listed: "Requires Firmware version 2.0" Normally, I wouldn't care about doing the upgrade, but I'd recently had a conversation with someone that indicated that v2.0 had some serious problems; or so he'd heard. Well, if I wanted onto the beta, I needed to do the upgrade 'cause you could only sign up via the website FROM your PSP. ...and mayhem ensues...

I try to update the firmware, but I don't have my PSP set up for using the wireless stuff yet. My company REQUIRES that I use THEIR WEP KEY so that I can use their laptop on my personal network at home, for VPNing into work OVER MY BROADBAND connection, that I pay for. ...anyway... so, I finally stumble around getting that information into the PSP, which is a pain with the way I have to enter a 26 character WEP key... geez! Then, the update comes down: Great! So I try to run the update, but the battery is low on the PSP - it won't do it. I finally locate the power cord - which wasn't handy (this is what happens when there are children in your house) - and I plug it in. I hit "Start" to get the update going, but it won't do it until the battery is charged (it says). So I let it go for a couple of hours, I try again, it doesn't work, still. I pull the plug out, then try again. It then tells me it can't do it unless it's plugged in!! WHAT?! oooooo K. So, I do it again... it finally updates. Yay!

I finally manage to type in the url on the PSP and get to the website for the PSP beta test, and when I get there, the beta is closed 'cause they've got enough volunteers! Aaargh! So, what's the point of my rant?!

Sony: Please allow people to just use their PCs to sign up for this stuff! I lost a great opporunity to be one of the first beta testers of something cool 'cause you forced me to do a firmware upgrade and then had some flakey way of being sure the thing wouldn't die while it was upgrading. WORK ON THAT and fix it in version 2.5!

| Comments [20] | #Technology

Does Podcasting Have A Future?

I'm not going to give you only my opinion of this subject. I had the distinct pleasure of personally speaking with one of the Vice Presidents of Forrester Research on this very subject. His published work states that there is definitely a future and that the model will probably become something more like radio is now before it's able to be a sustainable technology for the future.

I would happen to agree with him. Though it's been woefully long since I've done a 'cast, myself, I certainly think there is a lot of wonderful opportunity for people out there. Some examples of what Podcasting is doing:



  • Podcasts are giving people the opportunity to "tune in" to shows that are commercial free and talk about the things they love.


  • When people find a Podcast they like, they can listen to it on their iPods, MP3 players, or mobile phones while they're exercising , working, or just driving to work.


  • Podcasts have caught the attention of the media and advertisers: Advertisers and current print, video, and web media have noticed that people aren't paying attention to them when they're listening to free podcasts. ... and now they're getting into the act, too.


  • Podcasts have offered up new ways for people to generate revenue and build creativity. I personally own a couple of domains which relate to Podcasts, such as Music4Podcasts.com and Kid-Cast.com.


  • Podcasts have caused developers, including giants like Sony, to think about how they can write software to help Podcasters get their shows out and sounding professional. Just look at producst like MixCast Live!


  • Advertisers, such as Best Buy, have jumped on the bandwagon for getting Podcasters, like Engadget, to deliver in-show ads during their Podcasts.



So, all in all, I think that we can say - just from these few examples - that there is lots of potential for awesome content and revenue to be had. We, as a technology community need to support it well, and all of the "talent" out there needs only to find a niche for a subject.

I'm looking forward to the Forrester VP's further prognostications about what he sees happening with Podcasts and other "consumer related" technologies.

*Special thanks for Mr. Forrester VP, who will remain nameless so that I am not considered for using his time and my own for personal gain by anyone even though we both had this conversation of our own will and it had nothing to do with a conflict of interest or anything ridiculous like that.

| Comments [456] | #PodCast

Mediabolic Strikes Up Two More Deals

I was going to report that Mediabolic had struck up another cool deal while I was away on vacation, but it looks like the news is coming fast and furious (or I'm just a little slow!). Mediabolic has made the following two announcements:

August 25th:
OpenTV has chosen to license Mediabolic's networking technologies for its OpenTV Core middleware. As you may know, OpenTV is one of the world's largest makers of PVR/DVR set-top box (STB) software for cable and satellite network operators, with more than 57 million set-tops deployed in 96 countries. The OpenTV home networking solution will integrate Mediabolic's standards-complaint software, enabling network operators to deploy multi-room PVR/DVR STBs that can record shows on a PVR/DVR STB in one room, and view them using a STB in another room. These PVR/DVR STBs will also be able to access personal content on PCs, such as photos and music from any networked STB.

August 31st:
Maxtor, one of the world's largest suppliers of hard disk drives, has licensed Mediabolic's Media Server software to deliver a new line of UPnP- and DLNA-compliant network-attached storage (NAS) products with built-in media server capabilities. Incorporating Mediabolic's media server software elevates the NAS from a backup support PC peripheral to an entertainment hub for the digital home.


If most of the world doesn't have Mediabolic's software in their STB's, TVs or NAS devices in the near future, I will be amazed! These guys are moving fast! ...and they STILL listen to the little guys, like me! While talking with one of the Vice Presidents of Forrester Research, he and I had discussed where this technology seems to be going and where the benefits are. He and I both share having musical talents, as well as a serious love of technology. One of the things I had mentioned to him was that I thought what Mediabolic was doing was amazing. He wondered what I thought of the BenQ LCD TV deal, and my thought was this: Consumers want some kind of connected device that allows them to access their pictures, videos, and music from someplace other than just in front of their computer. Converging the TV, and the possibility of Firmware upgrades, with software and other electronics to handle media serving is almost a nature move. Me, I'm kind of a "component" sort of person and prefer to have most of my stuff in all kinds of separate pieces of equipment so I have some greater flexibility. But the truth is, Mediabolic covered MY needs, too. Now all we have to do is see where Forrester puts these guys!

Via: [Mediabolic Press Release]

| Comments [68] | #Technology

Friday, 12 Aug 2005

Man Dies after 50 Hours of Game Play

Honestly, I think I should have titled this "Get a life" but the guy died, so it's a little late... oh man, another bad joke there, too...

Well, it appears a 28 year old man, in Seoul Korea, died just after finishing playing a "very realistic" war game at a a local cyber-cafe. He only left his seat to use the toilet and take short naps on a make-shift bed. His mother sent his friends to find him after he never returned home after the couple of days of game play. He apparently died of some type of heart failure.

"We presume the cause of death was heart failure stemming from exhaustion," a Taegu provincial police official said by telephone.

I don't know about you, but this kind of stuff is just totally damaged. First of all, I couldn't go 50 hours without bathing at LEAST twice! Imagine winning a game after more than two days of playing and then dropping dead just as you walk out the door into the real world. At least if he were in The Matrix, and he died, he would have died. Hmm... makes you wonder what happened there, doesn't?

Via: [MSN Tech via Associated Press]

| Comments [2] | #Other

Wednesday, 10 Aug 2005

Olive's Symphony of Digital Music

On July 28th, Olive Media Products introduced the Symphony Wireless digital music center. A piece of audiophile bliss, this sleek (and still BLACK!) HiFi goes for the low price of $899! Olive is a developer of cool audio systems.

Olive Symphony is based on the growing popularity of centrally stored, managed and wirelessly distributed digital music throughout a home. But this is no ordinary networking company trying to build an audio streaming device. These guys are serious HiFi experts growing to match the times.

Olive claims their high fidelity sound is achieved through their Digital Pure Audio (DPA) process. The proprietary technology combines a 32-bit IBM PowerPC for flawless processing of audio in lossless quality. Digital outputs for your amp, ensure the best quality sound from this device. It's fanless design also keeps it running silently.





Users can record CDs, vinyl and tape onto the noiseless 2.5" 80GB hard-drive, which holds up to 20,000 songs. The integrated CD database identifies, tags and archives the CD automatically.

Listening to your library away from your receiver/amp isn't impossible, either. Users can enjoy music away from Symphony by streaming the wireless (802.11g) audio simultaneously to as many as 5 rooms. You can update your iPod via USB or use the built-in CD-RW drive to burn and duplicate CDs. The Symphony's networking capability also allows music to be streamed to a Mac or PC.

Two additional features set Symphony apart: The bundled Playlist Mac OSX software allows users to accurately manage classical music, and the Preload service offers a free upload of the user's music onto the Symphony.

"The quality limitations of lossy audio formats and problematic integration of convergence technology have made most digital solutions unacceptable for music aficionados.", said Oliver Bergmann, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and President of Olive Media Products, Inc. "Olive enters the market from the perspective of a true audiophile, eliminating the PC experience entirely."

That's all well and good, Oliver, but unless you're going to let me try one of these out in my house for free, I'm thinking even my highly trained musical ear isn't going to pick up the sonic differences between your product and my Roku Soundbridge, or my DLink DSM-320. Of course, I can't do all of the other fancy stuff like ripping CDs directly, but I also would prefer not to have to re-do my entire iTunes library onto this device.

Hey, here's a thought: How about we come up with ONE library format for ALL music and stop competing with each other? XML anyone?

via: [Automated Home]

| Comments [85] | #Hardware

First INSTEON Software Product

If you're thinking about starting up using the latest in Home Automation hardware technology, you might want to give mControl, from Embedded Automation, a look. Their claim is that they are the first software product to support the new INSTEON automation solution. That claim is validated by the owners of INSTEON, SmartHome.com.





Their product, mControl, proports to allow total control of a home from a TV set with a single remote control. You can do your standard operations manually, which can also be set to trigger from scheduled events. mControl can operate and automate items such as lighting, a gas fireplace, sprinkling systems, HVAC systems, security cameras, and hot tubs. mControl has been designed for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, however, mControl can also be run on Windows XP Pro and viewed from browsers such as Internet Explorer 6.0. A closer look at the product might help to see if it can be run it from FireFox, Opera, or Safari, but a contact at Embedded Automation says they don't currently support those browsers.

This will definitely be on my list of products to watch. Given my love of the old X10 and the quality of product I've had from HOMESEER, I'm not going to be easily switched, but given their support of INSTEON, and the promise that technology has, it just may be time to move on. But I've got my eyes on HomeHub, and the latest versions of HomeSeer, still.

Via:[Embedded Automation]

| Comments [15] | #Software

Podcast... From... Spaaaaaaaace!

As the folks at Droxy said, " Steve Robinson can officially be known as the first 'Spacecaster.' "



Photograph Courtesy of NASA



Astronaut Steve Robinson, of the Space Shuttle Discovery - the first mission back into space for the US Space Program since the tragic previous mission - created a podcast from space. You can hear the MP3 podcast where Robinson shares this historic experience from the mission.

The space shuttle landed safely to Earth on August 9th, 2005! Welcome back Space Program!

Via: [Droxy]

| Comments [64] | #PodCast

'ello Gov, your car was speeding!

Those crazy Brits are at it, again! Well, they're really not so crazy, but I have to wonder what they're thinking. Obviously, they don't have the blood-thristy lawyers and angry tax payers that the US does. What's he on about, you say? Well, the UK Department for Transport just gave the OKIE-DOKIE for a trial of RFID-enabled license plates.

Yep, they're drinkin' the Kool Aid! These ACTIVE RFID chips are designed to track vehicles in Britain. Passive RFID chips transmit over short distances, but active chips "go both ways" and can go longer! The new "e-Plate" licenses use active RFID technology to transmit vehicle identification numbers and other data to readers over 300 feet away.

I suppose it comes as not shock that the US will be keeping their eyes on the results found from the Brit's trials. Privacy advocates are already crying foul at the thought of RFID license plates, consdering them "backdoor surveillance tools." Others consider them tools to help fight against terrorism. Yeah, OK...

Active RFID is currently in limited usage on US roadways, where the Department of Homeland Security is issuing RFID tags to foreign freight and passenger vehicles as they enter the country.

Via: [Engadget]

| Comments [4] | #Technology

Monday, 8 Aug 2005

Radio Controlled Grass Muncher

Behold, the Evatech Remote Control Lawn Mower! This lawn mower is equipped with an R/C kit (about $400.00) to make cutting the lawn fun again! I'm guessing this sure beats what my neighbor did with the spike and the string wound around it, while the gas pedal of his tractor is held down with a brick, and the "safety seat" pulled down bungies. It's got to at least be a litte safer!





Next year, they're planning to release a RCLM2007H2 water powered hybrid R/C mower. Talk about innovative! I wonder if it will work while it's raining?

Via: [Red Ferret Journal]

| Comments [3] | #Hardware

Filter Web Get Cash says MSN

It's about time, really. MSN has decided that they'd like to have people start to help filter the web by using their blogs. I guess we're already sort of doing that, but what MSN has in mind is kind of a crude cross between a blog and wiki.

Last week, in some stealth mode version of a release, they opened up a preview version of MSN Filter, which is a service based on MSN Spaces.

"MSN Filter is a collection of community-driven blogs built on the MSN Spaces platform," said Lead Program Manager for MSN Spaces Mike Torres.

To run the Filter, MSN hired paid bloggers to post on topics including lifestyle, sports, music, technology, and television. These bloggers have been tasked with scouring the Web for stories not yet in the mainstream, as well as soliciting contributions from readers.

Readers will be able to receive updates from the blogs through their desktop, e-mail, or phone through Microsoft Alerts. All the filters will also include an RSS feed to which users will be able to subscribe and add to My MSN, start.com, or an RSS reader.


That's sort of neat, I guess. Or, you can just visit my blog, or some of my friend's blogs and get that kind of satisfaction, too! Isn't that what we're doing here? Aren't we helping to filter out what's going on in the world and running it down in a few tiny paragraphs? I guess the world needs more bloggers!

Via: [BetaNews]

| Comments [2] | #Websites

Get Yo' Wi-Fi On! Fo' Free!

As anyone who travels around, like a salesman, would tell you: Getting online and checking email is just as important - if not more - than returning phone calls. Hey, sometimes you don't even know if you NEED to return a phone call without checking your email first!

With all the great benefits of the iPass technology and being able to find HotSpots all over the place at your local Starbucks - and there are zillions of them - it's seriously good to know where you're heading has actually got that quick-connection fix that you need.

So, if you want to know where they are, swing on over to Metrofreefi.com, and take a look at them before you head out. Or, you can be like by buddy Kevin, and just show some love to Verizon and use their EVDO modem service and surf wherever you are!

Via: [Shack's Blog]

| Comments [3] | #Websites

One Man's Opinion on Linux

Sure, you're thinking I'm writing an article about what I think of Linux. Well, I'm not. Someone else (and many others) have already done it. I'm just relaying the news, Yo!

Check out this interesting article written by a first hand user of Linux; someone with definite reasons to look at the purpose and the pain of why Linux has had such a hard time taking hold of the consumer market for desktops.

Shack writes:

Where is the killer app? I know Linux has a lot of free alternatives to popular software and these alternatives work as good as or sometimes better than the retail software you get for Windows. What is the application that makes you want to install Linux because that’s the only way to do what that app does? I’m talking about home desktops users now, not servers. What about all the gamers who use Windows? Why do they stick with Windows? Because the games they like to play are on Windows and not Linux. Yes a few games have had a Linux version released. Still it’s not reason enough to make your everyday user switch over to Linux.


Read: [ Shacks Blog] for the full text.

| Comments [7] | #Software

Opsware unifies Windows, Unix, Linux Management

Today, at the LINUXWORLD Conference and Expo in San Francisco, Calif, Opsware announced a new shell technology that transparently extends the reach of existing shells enabling management of Unix, Linux and Windows systems from a single universal shell. The Opsware Global Shell enables centralized management of Unix, Linux and Windows servers with the ability to execute concurrent operations on hundreds to thousands of systems in parallel. A full demonstration of the power of the Opsware Global Shell is available this week at the LinuxWorld Conference & Expo in San Francisco at Opsware’s booth #343.

The Opsware Global Shell leverages the powerful Opsware data model to help administrators organize their machines into logical groups for more accurate change management and faster trouble shooting. For example, administrators can execute commands on systems based on their profile, location, application, SLA and other attributes. The Opsware Global Shell further advances Opsware’s lead in IT Automation by providing a powerful automation platform for task-based management of large, heterogeneous data center environments.

I love automation of any kind, so hearing this kind of stuff gets me all excited (don't worry, you're all safe from behind your screen!). I've always said, we spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on computers and software - let's let THEM do the work. Of course, I still see reasons to make sure we keep all of this stuff in line so that the whole "Matrix" thing doesn't happen to us, but you definitely can feel the benefits of working with machines when they're working and helping you out, and you're taking a nap 'cause everything is running smooth! ... just don't get caught by the CIO, OK?


Via: [Opsware press release] - Thanks Lish!

| Comments [10] | #Software

Mediabolic Lures BenQ: A Great Match

The folks at Mediabolic, who I totally think rock, have done it again with a great new partnership with BenQ. In a press release dated July 20, 2005, BenQ, one of the world's top manufacturers of LCD displays, and Mediabolic, a leading provider of end-to-end software solutions for connected entertainment products, on July 20th, introduced a family of high-definition LCD televisions with built-in network media player capabilities.

So, what does this mean to the consumer? It means awesome prices on LCD monitors with amazing technology advantages from the built-in media playing capabilities! Sure, I can re-write a sentence from a press release, but I think it's obvious that this is cool!

The manufactured product has been designed as a turn-key solution for OEMs. The BenQ Network LCD TV product line includes 11 different models ranging in size from 14 to 46 inches and will have on-board Ethernet ports with optional wireless (802.11 a/b/g) connectivity. With this functionality, consumers have the same types of abilities they would if they were to add products like the Windows Media PC, or D-Link's DSM-320. Imagine having the full functionality of your LCD TV with included abilities to view photos, videos, and audio - all streaming from your networked computers, or NAS devices in your home or business. In addition, the new product line is designed to give users the ability to access remoted applications on the PC and Internet applications so they can view premium content.

I think this is going to start a trend of great wins for this industry and is finally converging the technologies that have been disparate for a few years. I can imagine this type of technology starting to become more mainstream, and people will start to see the benefits and convenience in accessing their home libraries.

Via: [Mediabolic/BenQ press release] - Thanks Bill!

| Comments [2] | #Technology

Tuesday, 2 Aug 2005

Playin' It, Ol' Skool

With all of the great games out there, on systems that totally rock, you have to wonder whether or not the game-play is better than games of yore. ...and by yore, I mean, like 10 or 15 years ago.

Sure, we've all seen the classics, re-runs turned out to us via small single handheld units, Nintendo gameboy/DS carts, and the disks and disks that show up with Centipede, Tempest, and Dig-dug. But what about those wonderful forgotten and abandoned games that were just great games to play? That's where ABANDONIA steps in.

Abandonia is a site that has a searchable list of cool games we used to play. For me, it was games like Darkseed, or Gods. Man, I loved those games when they came out. Not because they were especially great overall, but because they used neat technology and looked amazing for the time. Looking at them, now, I have to kind of laugh, but the gameplay on Gods is still just - as Paris Hilton might say - Hot. Sure, it's a sidescroller, but so what?

Check out Abandonia for some neat Ol' Skool goodies. Oh, and make a donation, they don't run those sites for free, ya know! But, the games are...

Check out Abandonia.

| Comments [25] | #Software