Category: Electronics

Blockbuster Video adopts Blu-Ray exclusively, HD-DVD pouting currently

bluray.jpg

It looks like Sony got something right this generation after all. After dogging the HD-DVD format in sales during this year’s first quarter, Sony-backed Blu-ray has gained a powerful ally in the format wars. Blockbuster Video rental stores have announced that going forward they will carry Blu-ray DVD exclusively in-store, although they will continue carrying HD-DVD in 250 initial test stores and online. They report that Blu-ray accounted for 70% of rentals between the two formats. This may deal the killing stroke to HD-DVD in a valiantly fought, yet futile, battle. And if it isn’t, rumor has it Target plans to do the same soon. Oh Noes, HD-DVD!

The North American HD DVD Promotional Group (what a name) says Blockbuster is jumping the gun, and that their decision was skewed by the success of Blu-ray titles released the first 3 months of this year. That’s right, the “TNAHDDVDPG” says that Blockbuster’s decision was skewed by RATIONAL THINKING! Logic ftw!

Thank Science I didn’t buy that HD-DVD player for my Xbox 360!

XM Goes Split Screen

Add StuffWeLike.com Blog Videos to your page

These two new radios join the mid-tier Xpress receiver to create a full suite of Xpress plug-and-play products, manufactured by Audiovox.

“Depending on how, when and where you listen, the Xpress family of radios offers three different options designed to meet your needs for enjoying more than 170 channels of XM music, sports, talk and news,” said Blair Kutrow, XM senior vice president, product and campaign marketing. “Regardless of which model you choose, all Xpress radios are compact in size, yet big on entertainment.”

The XpressR features:
* The first ever split screen receiver for satellite radio, allowing XM listeners the ability maximize their XM Radio experience by viewing six different XM channels, simultaneously. When using this function, the device’s screen splits into two sections to display the current listening channel on the left side, and five additional XM channels on the right side. All six channels can be viewed by channel name, artist or song title.

* The radio also boasts a 30-minute buffer, which continuously and automatically saves the last 30 minutes of programming so users can replay what they just heard, even after they changed channels. XpressR users can also pause the XM programming they are listening to with the option to playback that program within 30 minutes.

* In addition, XpressR offers quick channel navigation with the option to program up to 30 favorite channels, or press number buttons to enter and move directly to the channel you want. The radio also features a remote control with pause, replay and direct channel entry buttons. The radio display automatically adjusts brightness from day to night while in the car and includes a customizable stock and sports ticker. It also includes a feature that will alert you whenever your favorite songs, artists, or sports teams are being played on another channel.

The XpressEZ features:
* A new sleek, entry-level radio for easy and affordable access to XM Radio’s 170 channels of music, sports and entertainment in the car or home. XpressEZ is compact and lightweight, and offers a bright, large three-line display for viewing XM channel, artist and song title.

* XpressEZ also offers the option to save up to 10 channels, for quick and easy access to your favorites. There is also a convenient tuner dial for simple navigation through XM’s variety of programming.

Both radios are compact and lightweight so they can easily be moved from home to car, and audio systems with compatible accessories. Optional accessories for the home include the Universal Xpress Home Kit, new Delphi Premium Sound System, and Belkin Boombox.

Manufactured by Audiovox, the new XpressEZ and XpressR receivers will be available for a suggested retail price of $69.99 and $129.99, respectively.

iPhone Gets More Battery Life!

Apple today announced that iPhone will deliver significantly longer battery life when it ships on June 29 than was originally estimated when iPhone was unveiled in January. iPhone will feature up to 8 hours of talk time, 6 hours of Internet use, 7 hours of video playback or 24 hours of audio playback.* In addition, iPhone will feature up to 250 hours-more than 10 days-of standby time. Apple also announced that the entire top surface of iPhone, including its stunning 3.5-inch display, has been upgraded from plastic to optical-quality glass to achieve a superior level of scratch resistance and optical clarity.

“With 8 hours of talk time, and 24 hours of audio playback, iPhone’s battery life is longer than any other ‘Smartphone’ and even longer than most MP3 players,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’ve also upgraded iPhone’s entire top surface from plastic to optical-quality glass for superior scratch resistance and clarity. There has never been a phone like iPhone, and we can’t wait to get this truly magical product into the hands of customers starting just 11 days from today.”

iPhone introduces an entirely new user interface based on a revolutionary multi-touch display and pioneering new software that allows users to control iPhone with just a tap, flick or pinch of their fingers. iPhone combines three products into one small and lightweight handheld device — a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod, and the Internet in your pocket with best-ever applications on a mobile phone for email, web browsing and maps. iPhone ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device, which completely redefines what users can do on their
mobile phones.

Pricing and Availability
iPhone will be available in the US on June 29, 2007 in a 4GB model for $499 (US) and an 8GB model for $599 (US), and will work with either a PC or
Mac. iPhone will be sold in the US through Apple’s retail and online stores, and through AT&T’s select retail stores.

*All Battery claims are dependent upon network configuration and many other factors; actual results may vary. See http://www.apple.com/batteries for more information. Music capacity is based on four minutes per song and 128-Kbps AAC encoding; actual capacity varies by content.

Apple iTunes: Privacy Issues

7logo.jpg

So we all know that iTunes, Ipods, well let’s face it Mac products seem to be taking over the earth. However, how safe is it? Well iTunes now has iTunes plus to let you download music well, better…so they say. Apparently when you download songs from iTunes plus it leave information embedded in the song, and that information is not encrypted. So basically your information if you were to lose your ipod or shuffle or even a notebook is out there for the open. Now if you think about it, this is kind of huge your information personal stuff that’s not supposed to be out there is well out there.

Now iTunes the regular one well that’s supposed to also leave information in the song but the difference is that that information is encrypted well so they say.

The only person who is really talking about this right now is a radio show host on Am 1070 Jeff Levy and Apple is refusing to comment on this whole situation, odd enough?

Help spread the word if you know anymore information comment why don’t you- c’mon people this is huge!

I guess this time PC > Mac

Moto Q: Crap never looked so good

motorola-q-500×350.jpg

So as anyone knows getting a new phone can bring some excitement. Well for me it gave me a reason to have that in your face, boasting, gloatiful attitude well for a while at least. For any technological geek like myself the Moto Q was the perfect answer. Big, bulky, and a full qwerty keyboard well I was in heaven, right up until I turned it on and realized that Moto Q’s Windows Mobile Os had the look of a pc, and also the crashing rate of one.

It seems that this phone while it looks nice was really a piece of crap, even my LG phone which was certifiable crap was less crapier then this phone. Let’s say in a situation where I needed to make an important phone call or text message I would be better off with two paper cups with a string and a telegraph machine. After a couple months of use I realized this phone was a huge pain in the a**, however I did like the attention I’d get from just simply pulling it out, trust me the reactions were great.

Other then the constant freezing issues easy to use features, storing numbers, calling people houses or cells or texting, well simple features really aren’t even so simple. It’s to complicated for it’s own good almost like the complex watch where you go, “Yea but can it tell time?”

Overall this phone needs to improve, and it will through time and through better understanding of what needs to be done, primarily the freezing and some features. The look is great…yea I love it even though my fat fingers hit all sorts of small buttons all the time almost but it really is a cool looking phone.

 It’s cool yea…but give it time it’ll be less crappy.

-David Corwin

iTunes U

Apple today announced the launch of iTunes U, a dedicated area within the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com) featuring free content such as course lectures, language lessons, lab demonstrations, sports highlights and campus tours provided by top US colleges and universities including Stanford University, UC Berkeley, Duke University and MIT.

“iTunes U makes it easy for anyone to access amazing educational material from many of the country’s most respected colleges and universities,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. “Education is a lifelong pursuit and we’re pleased to give everyone the ability to download lectures, speeches and other academic content for free.”

“From its earliest days, Stanford has sought to serve the public by sharing the knowledge generated by our faculty and students,” said Stanford Provost John Etchemendy. “Our partnership with Apple and iTunes U provides a creative and innovative way to engage millions of people with our teaching, learning and research and share the experience of intellectual exploration and discovery that defines our university.”

Created in collaboration with colleges and universities, iTunes U makes it
easier than ever to extend learning, explore interests, learn more about a school and stay connected with an alma mater. Content from iTunes can be loaded onto an iPod with just one click and experienced on-the-go, anytime, making learning from a lecture just as simple as enjoying music.

The iTunes Store features the world’s largest catalog, adding new education content to over five million songs, 350 television shows and over 500 movies. The iTunes Store has sold over 2.5 billion songs, 50 million TV shows and over two million movies, making it the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store.