Archive for March 20th, 2008

DirecTV looks to start up their on-demand service

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

DirecTV has announced that they’re going to release their latest feature – some sort of video-on-demand which they had been testing out through the years. DirecTV stated that, although they have had been some trouble setting up a video-on-demand system on their satellite-TV, this time, it’ll be different. This feature will be release as a beta version for subscribers to try it out around this June or July.

The system works like this: DirecTV uses the technology of digital video recording and broadband internet connections as the satellite have its limit, as satellite TVs broadcast using a one way transmission to users. DirecTV plan to let user’s record movies that they had transmitted through their satellites. The movies are recorded inside a video recorder, so that users can watch those movies anytime they want. Other than downloading from the satellite, DirecTV also provides a set-top box. With this, users can purchase TV programs and stream them via broadband connections from the web.

These new features offered by DirecTV might be a powerful weapon to increase their opportunity to invite more customers to purchase their satellite TV.

Read [Wall Street Journal]

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10 Good Tips For Better Digital Photos

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

Filed in archive Tip by jim on March 20, 2008

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There are plenty of "tips" for taking better digital photographs; but this list is one of the most complete and useful I've ever seen.

In fact, this entire website, "Talkrocket", is well worth exploring for other useful information related to digital photography.

Check out these useful digital photography tips and take consistently better pictures.

Bear in mind too that many of the tips given there and pretty much anywhere else will rely to some extent on your familiarity with your digital camera's features and controls.

The best way to master your camera is to study your owner's manual carefully and frequently.

If you lost your manual check out my posting on how to obtain a free copy of most digital camera manuals immediately, over the Internet, directly from the manufacturer.

Take a camera with you whenever possible, and look around, you'll find a picture somewhere.

Source:www.jimippolito.com

USB Duplicator

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

Nexcopy announced earlier this week their USB200PC USB Duplicator is available for purchase providing an economical and easy way to allow companies to dupe their own flash memory sticks. Copying from a master location, you can make quick work of 20 dupes of a flash drive allowing small and large companies to provide sales staff with literature on a flash drive for sales calls or a trade show or provide engineering staff and consultants the ability to bring the latest version of the product to upgrade on site (this seems to be the preferred method as several products I deal with send a consultant with USB in hand for upgrades).

The software used with the Nexcopy USB200PC USB duplicator not only dupes flash drives but has an option to duplicate only new and newer data meaning you don’t have to over-write current data on the flash drive. This function also updates an old file with the newer version. This feature in itself makes USB drive flash management extremely easy and convenient.

Gimmie!

Suggested Price: $1,299

Plush Mario Sound Bops get updated

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

Everyone recognizes the sounds from Super Mario Bros. if they grew up through the videogame era, so why not invite these Mario Sound Bops into your home and office for some stress relief?

With these Plush Mario Sound Bops peppering the course when we squint our eyes we can almost envision being in a real video game. Hit the plush Brick Block on the bottom and you get a coin sound from the game. Jump on the plush Goomba (or simply bop him on the head) and he makes the defeated Goomba sound… unless you bop him one too many and you get the “game over” noise.

Each of these retail for $24.99, but think about it. The Brick Block ought to be the best return-on-investment product considering the fact that it spits out gold coins.

AMD missteps result in 5% work force reduction?

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

Posted Mar 20th 2008 3:01AM by Thomas Ricker
Filed under: Misc. gadgetsRumors are rampant this morning that AMD is in the throes of a silent slash in global head-count. An estimated 800 or so employees are expected to hit the soup lines — a number which reflects about 5% of its total work force. Not a surprise given the global downturn in the economy coupled with AMDs recent missteps in its epic battle with Intel. AMD has not made the layoffs official yet. However, the bad news is expected when their Q1 results are announced, if not sooner.

[Via The Inquirer]

Google goes Non-Profit

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

Google has recently introduced a new site Google For Non-Profits, described as a one-stop shop for tools. This new section from the search engine giant is aimed at advancing companies and organizations’ mission by presenting Google tools like Gmail, Docs, Checkout, Calendar, Analytics, YouTube, Blogger and Maps & Earth among others.

Such Google Tools help people to be more efficient in their work, and sometimes even play. But really, not all Internet users are tech-savvy and know how to use these tools so tutorials and recommendations by Google itself is good. 

Google presents some examples with links to tutorials:

  • When you’re writing a grant application, don’t get stuck emailing drafts back and forth. Try Google Docs to collaborate on documents with your colleagues.
  • Cut costs and save time with Google-hosted email at your own domain. Access your e-mail from any computer with an Internet connection.
  • Accept online donations without hassle and with no transaction fees until 2009 with Google Checkout.
  • Apply for free online advertising through our Google Grants program to raise awareness and drive traffic to your website.
  • Start a blog to keep your supporters informed and engaged.

Aside from teaching people how to use the free Google tools, Google For Non-Profits will also teach users how to promote their work, raise money, and operate more efficiently.

Via [Official Google Blog]

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Time Machine now works with AirPort Extreme’s AirDisk feature

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

Posted Mar 19th 2008 7:17PM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: Wireless, Storage
Who knows why it took so long, but the latest AirPort Extreme firmware update (7.3.1, out today) finally brings Time Machine compatibility to AirDisk. In typical Apple fashion, there’s no mention of it on the release notes, but the crew over at TUAW says it’s working, and commenters are confirming. We’re still holding out for Time Machine to work with any NAS we want, but for now, it looks like all you Airport Extreme owners who felt like you were getting played by the release of Time Capsule are finally in the game — get those USB drives ready for some hot backup nights.

Red Zune 80 now available… but only with Zune Originals engraving

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

Posted Mar 19th 2008 9:16PM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video
Good news for all of you who missed the red Zune 80 during its short-lived (and somewhat delayed) Valentine’s Day cameo — Microsoft has decided to take your money after all. Yep, the red 80 is back, and it looks like it’s a permanent engagement this time. The only catch is that you’ve got to do it up Zune Original style, which’ll set you back another $10 - $15 on top of the usual $249, but that’s the price you pay to have your player match your kicks, Dr. Hipster McHip.

Update: Apparently the Zune Originals site will sell you a custom Zune without any customizations (who knew?), so it looks like you can get crimson on the cheap if that’s what you’re after. Dollar dollar bill, y’all. [Thanks Micheal and Mark.]

Guitar Grip gives DS owners the means to rock out

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

Posted Mar 19th 2008 4:06PM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds
Good news, DS owners! You too will soon be able to shred just like those kids with stay-at-home consoles — sort of, at least. According to a first look over at Video Games Zone, the summer-bound Guitar Hero on Tour title can be really enjoyed with the aptly-named Guitar Grip. As you can see above, it is limited to just four buttons, but nevertheless, it allows users to hold the DS upright and tap the buttons of the peripheral — which is suitably fitted into the GBA slot — and strum the touchscreen to take care of the pickin’. Sure, it’s a far cry from wielding a full-fledged axe, but it’s not too shabby for shredding on the run. Check out a smorgasbord of pictures and a promo video in the read link below.

[Via NeoGAF]

Some Vista SP1 early adopters reporting problems, how about you?

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

Posted Mar 19th 2008 2:42PM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: Desktops, LaptopsAlright folks, it’s been a whole day with Vista SP1, and like any OS release, reaction is mixed — although we’re certain the people with problems are being more vocal than the rest. As you’d expect, major complaints seem to center around driver issues, that perpetual thorn in Vista’s side — sound cards seem to be the major problem, although there are also reports that NVIDIA drivers are being finicky. For what it’s worth, Windows Update won’t offer SP1 to anyone running what Microsoft calls “problematic drivers,” until they’re updated, but that includes several machines sold with Vista pre-installed, which is causing some confusion. In addition, older versions of security software like BitDefender AV and Zone Alarm are flat-out blocked from running on SP1, but updates are apparently available. Obviously that’s a lot of chatter, so we figured we’d ask the experts — how’d it go? Any speed-ups or slow-downs to report? All your drivers and apps still working? Let us know in comments!

[Via Pocket-lint]

Read - Official Windows Team Blog entry on getting SP1 to appear in Windows Update
Read - List of problematic drivers
Read - PC Pro article on Vista SP1 problems

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