Microsoft Windows Vista and Office 2007 System: Features and all the other details you wanted to know
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The Windows Vista and Office 2007 platform will be made available in several editions targeted at specific user groups and addressing all segments of the market. Specifically, Windows Vista, with its visual sophistication, and elements like enhanced connectivity, virus protection and secure-boot, is available in four consumer editions - Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Starter.
Here’s a little about the Windows Vista Consumer Editions.
The diverse consumer SKUs of Windows Vista include:
Windows Vista Ultimate: At the top end of the vista spectrum, Windows Vista Ultimate truly delivers on its promise. It is the first operating system to bring together the full array of entertainment, mobility and business-oriented features available in Windows Vista.
Here’s a little about the Windows Vista Consumer Editions.
The diverse consumer SKUs of Windows Vista include:
Windows Vista Ultimate: At the top end of the vista spectrum, Windows Vista Ultimate truly delivers on its promise. It is the first operating system to bring together the full array of entertainment, mobility and business-oriented features available in Windows Vista.
Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Centre): Windows Vista Home Premium will help consumers use mobile or desktop PC functionality more effectively while enabling the enjoyment of new, exciting digital entertainment experiences.Windows Vista Home Premium improves every aspect of digital entertainment experiences, including photos, video, TV, movies, music and games.
Click here to read more
Labels: microsoft, OS, system, vista, windows
posted by Sid @ 9:14 PM,
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Sony Ericsson to Launch Bravia Phone
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
After pretty much capturing the market with specialized phone series like the Walkmans and CyberShots, Sony Ericsson is all set to launch Bravia-branded phones with built-in TV tuners. The displays on these phones use Sony's Bravia technology.
The Sony Ericsson SO903iTV is intended to be used in a landscape orientation. It has a 3-inch screen, a 2 megapixel camera, microSD card support (huh? No Memory Stick Micro?) and, as mentioned before, a TV tuner with time-shift recording.The SO903iTV will only be available on NTT DoCoMo in Japan. Release of this phone in other parts of the world is probably not happening, but since other branded phones (Walkman, CyberShot) are available elsewhere, why chain the Bravia to the homeland?Via CNet.
The Sony Ericsson SO903iTV is intended to be used in a landscape orientation. It has a 3-inch screen, a 2 megapixel camera, microSD card support (huh? No Memory Stick Micro?) and, as mentioned before, a TV tuner with time-shift recording.The SO903iTV will only be available on NTT DoCoMo in Japan. Release of this phone in other parts of the world is probably not happening, but since other branded phones (Walkman, CyberShot) are available elsewhere, why chain the Bravia to the homeland?Via CNet.
Labels: Bravia, cell phone, mobile phone, sony
posted by Sid @ 11:40 AM,
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Next-Gen DVDs Hacked
Monday, January 29, 2007
Just when Hollywood wrinkle their spiffy heavier high-def movies on the budgeted gen Blu-Ray again HD-DVD formats were safe, hackers reckon on original them improper once again.
According to the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) Licensing Authority, the hackers regard illegally obtained the encryption keys, further used them to decrypt high-definition DVDs. The stolen keys liability in that copy feeble downloaded from HDKEYS
Hollywood is obviously blaming the credit of allowing users to flexibility the next-gen formats on their PC, which is a symmetrical pressing symmetry owing to proper about slab cordial of encryption.
Labels: blu-ray, dvd, hacking, keys
posted by Sid @ 5:16 PM,
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Chad Hurley, co-founder of YouTube, said Saturday that his wildly lucky dwelling bequeath implant sharing cut with its millions of users.
Hurley said by oneself of the main proposed innovations is a fashion to spare users to perform paid in that content. YouTube, which was struck to Google because $1.65 billion moment November, has metamorphose an Internet marvel considering original began to ferret out on ascendancy behindhand 2005. Some 70 million videos are viewed on the abode each day.
''We are recipient an confab lofty enough locale we res
t assured an range to support creativity, to maturate ingenuity seeing sharing holding with our users,'' Hurley said. ''So drag the passage months we are hoopla to reproduce square one that up.''Hurley, who at 30 is isolated of the youngest Internet multimillionaires, gave no details of how eminently users understanding receive, or what course would perform used.
In October 2005, Revver which funk YouTube offers video clips online announced plans to weave advertising to user-submitted videos also allot their creators a model of the profits. Revver has said bodily would breach the ad takings evenly with peaceful creators.
Hurley said that when YouTube started, he further the site's antithetic co-founders Steve Chen again Jawed Karim felt revenue-sharing would body a multitude of users motivated by structuring money, fairly than their frenzy of videos.
But that because the field has grown, the three, who live on to trek the company, presuppose come forth to toss around financial pay being a disposal of valuable content.
Hurley spoke on the keep up husky hour of the World Economic Forum, which brings astute the world's political, do further trip leaders whereas a five-day pack on the problems dissimilar the world.
Labels: earn, money, revenue, sharing, videw, yuotube
posted by Sid @ 5:06 PM,
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Google HACKED???
Google, the world's biggest web-search engine, had its German website cut off from the Internet on Tuesday, apparently after somebody hijacked the rights to its google.de address.
German surfers who tried to enter the Google site instead saw a web page hosted on the servers of a tiny German online provider, Goneo.
German surfers who tried to enter the Google site instead saw a web page hosted on the servers of a tiny German online provider, Goneo.
"The problem was fixed in a short space of time," said Stefan Keuchel, a spokesman for the German branch of the US company, which earns most of its revenues from online advertising.
It remained unclear how nobody had noticed the unidentified hijacker when the domain - the ownership of the Internet address was re-registered late on Monday.
Much of the process of registering web addresses is automated. Domains often expire and go to new owners.
As of Tuesday, Google and its officers were once again registered as owner and contacts with Denic, the German agency that distributes all domains ending with the letters - de.
An online news service, Heise, said the hijack lasted about 12 hours, beginning Monday evening, and resembled a 2004 attack in which an individual seized control of the Ebay domain.
Heise quoted Goneo's chief executive Marc Keilwerth saying one of his customers had used an automated ordering process and secured control of the google.de name as of 8:30 pm. He apologised and said all applications in future would be checked.
Goneo told Denic to undo the change, but someone else then secured the rights instead of Google until about 9:00 am on Tuesday, Heise said.
Labels: german, google, hacked, hackers, loop holes, security, server
posted by Sid @ 3:21 PM,
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New Motorola FLIP W375 Launched
Saturday, January 27, 2007
The new Motorola FLIP W75, the upgrade to the budget style king W220, is finally making its way to stores as you read this!The changes in the W375 include a larger 128x160 display, MP3 ringtones support a VGA camera and USB connectivity support. The tri-band GSM handset also supports GPRS and MMS. Strangely, the internal phonebook seems to have been reduced to 100, which has been a cause for concern for many. Also, the internal memory of the phone is a sissy 1.3MB, with no card slot to add more. The W375 retains the external LED status icons and FM radio, ensuring its success with the market. It may also come in multiple colors as in the picture.
Since we told you about the phone in October last year, there's been a surge in comments asking when the phone will be released. It's available now for Rs. 5,400 approximately.
Since we told you about the phone in October last year, there's been a surge in comments asking when the phone will be released. It's available now for Rs. 5,400 approximately.
Labels: flip.motoflipW375, motorola
posted by Sid @ 1:06 PM,
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SanDisk is more popular in our side of the world for memory cards that most of the budget conscious buyers avoid in favor of cheaper (and often fake) brands, but in the other parts of the world, their Sansa series of MP3 players have been getting a lot of attention and are more widely appreciated than Creative’s Zens. That makes the Sansa players the second most popular in the world, coming in right after the iPod.
Mostly making low-capacity players such as 512MB and 1GB models, the new e200 series sport a color display and higher capacities such as 2GB, 4GB, 6GB and 8GB, namely e250, e260, e270 and e280.
The e200 series are direct competitors to the iPod Nano, but the first thing anyone will spot is that it’s almost twice as thick, even though its roughly the same height and width. Those with eyes on the Nano will need a serious amount of feature benefit from the Sansa if they are to be impressed.
The rear of the player needs a special mention because its made out of a special Titanium alloy by Liquidmetal Technologies that’s supposed to be scratch resistant, but the piece we received already had a pretty large scar on the back. Interestingly, all attempts at trying to create our own scars failed.
The control scheme of the Sansa e200 series players is around about the same as the Nano. It has a wheel that rotates around one main center "ok" button and has four buttons around for directional navigation as well as playback action (i.e. play/pause, forward, rewind, etc.). The wheel is not a touch-sensitive wheel like the one on the iPods, but a real wheel that physically rotates. It also glows blue when you use it, which looks cool. The buttons around the wheel are a little small and may be uncomfortable to operate, requiring 'nail-typing' most of the time.
The 1.8" display is a lot larger than the Nano. When viewed in landscape mode, it is a proper 4:3 aspect screen (208x160 or 160x208 vertical). The screen is pretty bright and although it looks a little washed out at max brightness, you’ll be comfortable at even a 50% level.
The cost of the e250 (2GB) is around Rs. 7,500, e260 (4GB) is around Rs. 10,000 and the e270 (6GB) is around Rs. 12,000. When put right next to the Nano’s Rs. 9,800 (2GB) and Rs. 13,
Mostly making low-capacity players such as 512MB and 1GB models, the new e200 series sport a color display and higher capacities such as 2GB, 4GB, 6GB and 8GB, namely e250, e260, e270 and e280.
The e200 series are direct competitors to the iPod Nano, but the first thing anyone will spot is that it’s almost twice as thick, even though its roughly the same height and width. Those with eyes on the Nano will need a serious amount of feature benefit from the Sansa if they are to be impressed.
The rear of the player needs a special mention because its made out of a special Titanium alloy by Liquidmetal Technologies that’s supposed to be scratch resistant, but the piece we received already had a pretty large scar on the back. Interestingly, all attempts at trying to create our own scars failed.
The control scheme of the Sansa e200 series players is around about the same as the Nano. It has a wheel that rotates around one main center "ok" button and has four buttons around for directional navigation as well as playback action (i.e. play/pause, forward, rewind, etc.). The wheel is not a touch-sensitive wheel like the one on the iPods, but a real wheel that physically rotates. It also glows blue when you use it, which looks cool. The buttons around the wheel are a little small and may be uncomfortable to operate, requiring 'nail-typing' most of the time.
The 1.8" display is a lot larger than the Nano. When viewed in landscape mode, it is a proper 4:3 aspect screen (208x160 or 160x208 vertical). The screen is pretty bright and although it looks a little washed out at max brightness, you’ll be comfortable at even a 50% level.
The cost of the e250 (2GB) is around Rs. 7,500, e260 (4GB) is around Rs. 10,000 and the e270 (6GB) is around Rs. 12,000. When put right next to the Nano’s Rs. 9,800 (2GB) and Rs. 13,
200 (4GB), the Sansa offers a lot more value for money. Not only is it cheaper than the iPod, it also has FM, video playback and a larger screen. The only problem I can see with the Sansa is that… it’s not an iPodLabels: mp3, music, player, sansa, scandisc
posted by Sid @ 10:34 PM,
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imate SPL
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Phones have been getting slim and stylish and phones have been getting smart, but there aren’t too many smartphones out there that are really slim and stylish. i-mate’s Smartflip can come close, but it isn’t without its share of problems. The new SPL looks like it just might fit the bill.
Indeed, the SPL is very SLVR-like. It’s slim, and around 12mm, it may be one of the slimmest Windows Mobile smartphones out there, behind the Motorola Q. It has a glossy, piano black finish unlike the SLVR or the RAZRs. The glossy surface is quite a fingerprint magnet, but it can be wiped clean with your jeans or something, so personally I never have any problem with this kind of a finish. The device feels a little heavy at around 106gm. The keypad on the SPL is also very SLVR-like with a similar look, including the blue blacklight. It’s flat and offers good tactile feedback, but the demarcations on this keypad are a little too flat and flush with the surface. This makes it a little difficult to handle without looking at the phone, like while driving or so. The keys are wide enough, but they aren’t too high, and their close proximity to 
each other is also a problem. The navigation pad’s direction keys are small, and you might end up clicking the Internet Explorer or the '2' button instead of clicking up or down. Typing SMS was also not a very pleasant experience.
each other is also a problem. The navigation pad’s direction keys are small, and you might end up clicking the Internet Explorer or the '2' button instead of clicking up or down. Typing SMS was also not a very pleasant experience.The display is fairly large at around 2.2 inches. The 65k-color QVGA display makes the text looks extremely fine and crisp, but the icons still have jagged edges as if it’s a 176x220 display. It’s bright and vivid in closed environments, but in sunlight, the display goes dull and is almost unreadable.
A couple of years ago, the Sagem myS-7, a Windows Mobile 2003 phone, that I couldn’t stop raving about because of the speed of the UI. Windows Mobile 2005 on the SPL is the exact opposite. It’s slow. It’s old Series 60 slow.
Above the display, you’ll see the ear-piece of the SPL. It’s positioning to the extreme right of the phone will make you fiddle with the phone around the ear trying to look for the perfect position to get the best volume. In most cases, you won’t find it. Even the loudspeaker on the SPL isn’t loud enough.
Click here to Read More
posted by Sid @ 1:19 PM,
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Is IE 8 in the works??
Monday, January 22, 2007
You may get to have a look at the future of the Internet Explorer browser sooner than you might think. Although Microsoft is currently lagging behind Mozilla that has introduced Firefox 3.0 Gran Paradiso since early December 2006, third party sources confirm that the next version of Internet Explorer is already cooking in the Redmond labs. Internet Explorer 8.0 will be introduced at MIX 07, at the Venitian Hotel in Las Vegas between April 30 and May 2. One of the sessions at MIX 07 is addressed to designers and developers and is entitled: “First Look at the Future of IE.”
And if there is any doubt that the future of Internet Explorer is synonymous with IE 8.0, then here is the description of the session: “Hear what Microsoft's browser investments mean to you, and make sure you get a voice in shaping the next version of Internet Explorer. Hear about what features and layout issues are being worked on, and let us know what causes you the most problems.”
At the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Microsoft has confirmed that the development of Internet Explorer 8.0 has already debuted. Coincidentally, at MIX 06, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates promised that releases of Internet Explorer will be separated by 9 to 12 months maximum. In this context, Internet Explorer 8.0 should be launched towards the final quarter of 2008.
However, the Microsoft representative at CES 2007 pointed out to a period of 18 to 24 months until Internet Explorer 8.0 hits the market. Additionally, speculations reveal that Microsoft will not release an interim Internet Explorer version 7.x, but will rather concentrate its efforts on the development of IE8.
Another interesting supposition regarding IE 8 states that an alpha edition of Internet Explorer 8 has already been deployed in-house at Microsoft.
Labels: browser, ie, IE 8, intenet explorer, internet
posted by Sid @ 9:55 PM,
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Arctic cat atv dealer
Arctic cat atv dealer
Labels: Arctic cat atv dealer
posted by Sid @ 4:54 PM,
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Rubik’s Cube MP3 Player: A True Puzzle Undoubtedly
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Most of us have tried our hands on the renowned Rubik’s Cube, a mechanical puzzle invented in 1974 by the Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Ernő Rubik.
Now in the present day tech-gen there’s an MP3 player on the same lines.
Designer Hee Yong has developed a concept MP3 player on Rubik’s Cube puzzle, and like the original puzzle, the device too requires a bit of thinking to operate. To turn it on you simply need to start playing with the cube and each layer has a different function like getting it started, play, stop and turning it off. Perhaps you need to correctly align certain columns or rows to get it to do what you want and obviously the only way to turn the player off is to complete the puzzle.
Now what’s really puzzling (apart from the puzzle itself) is that how many of us would actually go ahead and carry a Rubik’s Cube-concept MP3 player in the pocket?
Labels: media player, mp3, music, rubik
posted by Sid @ 11:30 AM,
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Samsung 10 Mega Pixel Camera Phone
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Samsung's 10 megapixel camera phone is 6mm thinner and 10g lighter than the 7 megapixel camera phone (SCH-V770) and sets itself apart from its previous megapixel camera phones by combining mobile TV capability in Satellite standard.
The B600 offers the same level of picture-taking sophistication that a 10 megapixel digital camera offers. The camera function includes 3x optical zoom and 5x digital zoom.
It also has auto focus and a flash unit that performs optimally for 10 megapixel photographs.
Also, the B600 comes fitted with a LED autofocus feature which assists users to capture clear, crisp photos even in dark settings. Located next to the lens, the LED autofocus automatically determines the distance and utilizes the appropriate focus setting for optimal photo shooting.
The B600 also supports white balance, manual focus, continuous picture-taking, and interval picture-taking functions.
It also supports Bluetooth which enables users to send pictures wirelessly to other mobile phones, printers or to Bluetooth headsets.
The high color Reproduction TFT-LCD produces the highest possible display for its size. The photo-fine chromic LCD can reproduce 16 million colors, virtually any color found in nat
ure, earning it the True Color appellation. Moving pictures can be recorded in QVGA resolution at 15-30 frames per second.Users can watch live TV in crisp picture through Satellite DMB function.
It also supports external memory (MMCmicro) in addition to its internal memory. The mobile phone supports a TV-out function where users can connect their phones to view still or motion pictures.
The B600 comes with a design reminiscent of a real digital camera. The front is designed as a bar-type mobile phone, while the back side is used as the digital camera.
Other advanced functions in the B600 include an MP3 player, business card reader, and 128 polyphonic sounds.
The price of B600 is around 900,000 won (about $ 900) in Korea.
Labels: 10megapixel, camera, cell, mobile, samsung
posted by Sid @ 5:08 PM,
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ZVUE 260 Media Player
Thursday, January 18, 2007
In the event that you want a white DAP, a wide screen, a circular dial for control, but you don’t want an iPod, then perhaps the ZVUE 260 would interest you.
Other than the above mentioned features, the ZVUE plays back MP3, WMA (with DRM), WMV on its 2.5-inch, 320x240 display, but it doesn’t have any internal hard drive and instead relys on SD cards to handle that.
The ZVUE 260 will be out for an affordable $99 (Rs, 4,500) around the third quarter of 2007.
Labels: media player, mp3, music, zvue
posted by Sid @ 11:53 AM,
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YouRipper is a small tool that enables you to download video clips from YouTube and Google Video. It automatically clings itself to the title bar of your browser and all you have to do is copy and paste (or drag and drop) the URL of the YouTube page that contains the video clip and YouRipper will automatically extract the correct file and save it as Flash video (.flv) file in a folder of your choice. You will need a FLV player (available from SnapFiles for free) to play the saved files. YouRipper also contains a handy RSS reader that shows the latest videos on YouTube.
you can download it from hereYouRipper 2.20
there are firefox extensions for this... it rips from not only you tube and google but many other sites too!!!
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/2390/
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/2390/
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/2390/
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/2390/
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/2390/
Labels: google, ripper, ripping, videos, youtube
posted by Sid @ 10:12 PM,
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Nokia - N800
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Nokia officially announced the new N800 internet tablet, an update to their internet tablet line. The new N800 is an improvement over the previous internet tablet. The Nokia N800 enables easy wireless connection, is backed by a super crisp high res display, and has support for a bevy of handy internet applications. The Nokia N800 is optimized for a true web experience, all on one sleek device.
When it comes to weight, you can compare the Nokia N800 to some larger cell phones. The total weight is 206 grams, not too heavy when you consider the wonderful 800 x 480 resolution touch screen display that the N800 supports.
The Nokia N800 keeps you connected with your friends and family just as easily as the Internet on your PC would. Use e-mail, instant messenger, or internet calling.
The Nokia N800 also features support for streaming media - download and enjoy multimedia (news, videos, songs) anytime, an
ywhere. Enjoy audio from stereo speakers.
The Nokia N800 is a strong improvement over the Nokia 770. The N800 is much faster, the design is much more attractive, and the full screen finger qwerty keyboard makes for a great web surfing device.
With the release of the N800 internet tablet, Nokia seems to think that the Internet is the way of the future (I’d have to agree) - the Nokia N800 is really spearheading this prediction.
The Nokia N800 will also allow Skype users to make calls via the Internet with their N800 - Nokia recently announced a strategic development coop with Skype.The N800 is based on a versatile Linux based OS - you’ll be able to get a wide variety of 3rd party applications on the unit.
Labels: cell, mobile, N800, nokia, Nseries, phone
posted by Sid @ 9:52 PM,
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Motorola RIZR Z6
The RIZR Z3 slider has only just come to India, but Moto is already readying its successor, the Z6, at CES 2007. Most of the features remain the same, but the display of the Z6 is of a higher resolution QVGA (240x320) and, as promised, they have dumped the traditional old Motorola UI in favor of a new one based on Linux and Java.
The Z6 will also be a part of the new MOTOMUSIC platform, featuring a dedicated music key. It will playback MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV, etc. The phone can be synced with Windows Media Player 11 and will also support Janus DRM.
Other features spill over: upto 2 GB of storage using a microSD/TransFlash memory card, USB 2.0 support, Bluetooth A2DP support for wireless stereo, 2 megapixel camera. The phone will be a quad-band GSM handset with support for GPRS and EDGE.
Features include a 1.9-inch 176x220 display, a 2 megapixel digital camera, MP3/AAC playback, Bluetooth with A2DP stereo, USB 2.0, Push-To-Talk and Push-To-View, 16mb of built-in memory and a microSD/TransFlash slot. The RIZR Z3 is a quad-band GSM handset with GPRS and EDGE network support.
Given the actual amount of changes, I think a 'Z3i' or 'Z4' model number would have been more appropriate. Anyway, the Z6 should be out before mid-2007, but the price isn't known yet.
Meanwhile, the Z3 sells in India for around Rs. 13,500.
Labels: cell, mobile phone, motorola, rizr, rizr A6
posted by Sid @ 9:33 PM,
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iPhone
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Great news at Macworld today. The Apple iPhone was finally released! The device is officially called the iPhone.
Looks very nice. Even nicer than what we expected. The device combines an iPod, a cell phone and internet connectivity (Wi-fi!!!). Google maps is also integrated in the product.
The interface: a touchscreen gives the user unlimited UI interface The runs on OS-X of course! There is an integrated version of Safari with tabs.Apple is also introducing widgets: Weather and stocks are available for now.
iPod connector: grea
t all those docking station will still be functional!
And Yes there is a 2megapixel camera!
You can watch pictures and play videos on it.
Price: no details now but the will be available at Cingular.
posted by Sid @ 1:03 PM,
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Apple to Launch Apple TV - Cable and Satellite TV Channel with Apple Programming
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
After Apple's success in the music business, with the iPod and iTunes, it's no surprise that Apple is planning to launch its own TV channel. Curiously, Apple has been testing this in Europe, rather than the US - probably to avoid having too many of the rumor sites spot the programming. Even more curiously, this channel is accessible from the most commonly-used satellite in Europe, Astra, without encryption. (At least it was for a while...)
I have satellite TV here in the Alps, since broadcast TV is very limited, and here in France, cable is virtually non-existant. When setting up a new satellite decoder a few days ago, I was browsing the many channels available on Astra. When I stumbled across a broadcast of Steve Jobs presenting Tiger at the Macworld San Francisco, I was stunned. At first I thought it was simply a news report showing an excerpt from the presentation, but I watched as it continued through to the end. After the keynote was ever, a test pattern came on: it said Apple TV, had a color Apple logo and a series of lines and stripes, and said, on the bottom, "For authorized users only".
Here's a picture of the test pattern screen:
[Image removed at the request of Apple's lawyers.]
My first thought was that this was simply a satellite feed of the keynote, which Apple has often broadcast by this means. But I turned on my VCR (it was already near midnight when I first spotted this channel) and let it run overnight. The next morning, I scanned the video: to my surprise, not only was the keynote broadcast again, but there were iPod commercials, a series of Apple TV commercials, music videos (each ending with a 3-second iTunes blurb), and an interesting video of the Apple campus.
The next day (yesterday) I taped this channel most of the day. To my surprise, it got even better. Some of the best-known Mac authors were there presenting tips and hints on using Mac OS X - and Tiger, no less. (Why didn't Apple invite me to do some of these programs?) Finally, I reached a point where there was a schedule on the screen. It showed a full range of programming on using Mac OS X, the iPod, iTunes and other software. There seems to be a wide range of product demos, instructional videos, and other information for all levels of users. There was even a documentary listed about the Virginia Tech super-computer, and several interviews with musicians, who would obviously be touting Apple products.
Alas, this was too good to continue. This morning, when I turned it on, the channel was scrambled. Clearly, someone had forgotten to press the Encryption button for the past few days, and noticed in the past 12 hours. Nevertheless, this is an interesting foray by Apple into the broadcast medium, and given the amount of programming that is available, it is possible that Apple will be announcing this when Tiger is released. Could this also be the sign that Apple will be announcing a tighter integration between the Mac and the television? It wouldn't take much to turn the Mac mini into a TiVo-like device for recording video; downloading movies and TV shows from iTunes would be a snap, with the right amount of bandwidth.
Whatever Apple is planning to do with Apple TV, it is a sign that the company is shedding its old skin of computer manufacturer and branching out even more into the lucrative consumer media arena.
posted by Sid @ 4:37 PM,
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Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD), is the name of a next-generation optical disc format jointly developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), a group of the world's leading consumer electronics, personal computer and media manufacturers (including Apple, Dell, Hitachi, HP, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, TDK and Thomson). The format was developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video (HD), as well as storing large amounts of data. The format offers more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs and can hold up to 25GB on a single-layer disc and 50GB on a dual-layer disc. This extra capacity combined with the use of advanced video and audio codecs will offer consumers an unprecedented HD experience.While current optical disc technologies such as DVD, DVD±R, DVD±RW, and DVD-RAM rely on a red laser to read and write data, the new format uses a blue-violet laser instead, hence the name Blu-ray. Despite the different type of lasers used, Blu-ray products can easily be made backwards compatible with CDs and DVDs through the use of a BD/DVD/CD compatible optical pickup unit. The benefit of using a blue-violet laser (405nm) is that it has a shorter wavelength than a red laser (650nm), which makes it possible to focus the laser spot with even greater precision. This allows data to be packed more tightly and stored in less space, so it's possible to fit more data on the disc even though it's the same size as a CD/DVD. This together with the change of numerical aperture to 0.85 is what enables Blu-ray Discs to hold 25GB/50GB.
Blu-ray is currently supported by more than 170 of the world's leading consumer electronics, personal computer, recording media, video game and music companies. The format also has broad support from the major movie studios as a successor to today's DVD format. Seven of the eight major movie studios have already announced titles for Blu-ray, including Warner, Paramount, Fox, Disney, Sony, MGM and Lionsgate. The initial line-up is expected to consist of over 100 titles and include recent hits as well as classics such as Batman Begins, Desperado, Fantastic Four, Fifth Element, Hero, Ice Age, Kill Bill, Lethal Weapon, Mission Impossible, Ocean's Twelve, Pirates of the Caribbean, Reservoir Dogs, Robocop, and The Matrix. Many studios have also announced that they will begin releasing new feature films on Blu-ray Disc day-and-date with DVD, as well as a continuous slate of catalog titles every month.
For more information about Blu-ray, please see our Blu-ray FAQ.
posted by Sid @ 9:04 PM,
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Zune
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Myth 1: The Zune has a larger screen that's better for movies.
The iPod's 2.5” display is smaller, but the 3” Zune and last year's iPod both offer the same resolution. The Zune's slightly larger display is still showing the same number of dots; they'll just be more obviously pixelated because each dot is larger. The lower pixel density of the Zune's screen means its display can only be less sharp.
This flaw is exaggerated by Microsoft's Vista-esque choice of using soft alpha transparency throughout the Zune interface. This makes for nice marketing photos, but makes it harder to navigate through screens when focusing on other things: walking, driving, exercising, riding a bike, or other things iPod users do.
While neither the iPod nor the Zune provide a cinematic movie experience, there is no benefit to having a slightly larger screen at the same resolution in a handheld device, apart from possibly lower battery life.
Viewed comfortably in the hand, the tiny iPod screen is the same relative size as a 27" TV viewed from across a small room. The difference between the tiny iPod screen and the small Zune screen is relatively equivalent to viewing the iPod an inch or two closer--hardly the big deal Microsoft is trying to make it out to be.
In comparison, the display resolution of the 15" MacBook Pro is the same as the first 17" Powerbook. The same resolution on a smaller screen simply looks better. For a competing handheld display to offer a better viewing experience, it wou
ld have to provide a higher resolution display. The Zune doesn't.Myth 2: The Zune screen has a horizontal display mode for viewing movies in a wide aspect ratio.
Widescreen movies do look better when presented on a wide screen, but the Zune doesn't offer a wide aspect display; it has to stretch or letterbox the screen to show wide aspect movies just the same as an iPod or standard definition TV would.
It doesn't gain magic dots of new resolution by being held sideways! It just distorts the display to show it in a stretched 3x4 aspect ratio, at the very same resolution. Microsoft carefully avoids calling it a wide aspect display because it isn't.
A wide aspect ratio screen might not even be a great idea for a handheld device, because a wide display would be wasted when watching content designed for TV, which is probably a more likely and practical use for a portable device than watching cinematic movies designed for presentation in a palatial 70 mm Cinerama theater. What's next, a handheld IMAX? Handheld cinema lacks a certain je ne sais quoi.
I've watched a number of movies on my iPod in airplanes, and I find the size of the screen isn't as important as its brightness or annoyances with reflective glare, particularly since I've scratched up the screen and haven't gotten around to polishing the nicks out yet.
I'd rather watch a movie on my iPod than pull out a laptop, simply because it affords more privacy and is less obtrusive. I also rip content to my iPod to watch on TV, which I find a more practical use than watching movies or TV on its small screen, unless I'm stuck on a plane.
Lately, I've gotten hooked on playing iPod games, which make more sense as a handheld diversion when stuck waiting a few minutes or during a subway commute than trying to watch a movie or even a TV length program.
Myth 3: The Zune will do most everything else the iPod does at the same price
Well no, Microsoft isn't supporting Audible audiobooks, nor providing any support for podcasting, nor has it announced any support for notes, tasks, calendars, contacts, or games. So all it does is play music.
Myth 4: The Zune has excited a lot of users already
Could there be more bad news? Of course! Even Paul Thurrott isn't impressed with the Zune, calling its pricing strategy the “makings of a disaster.” Misery! Not only has the Zune suffered a horrific wreck of a product introduction, but Annie Wilkes is at the foot of the bed saying she doesn't approve of how things are going.
If your number one fan is sending you hate mail, you have a problem. So what's with all the Zune related web sites carefully repeating the same talking points? It's called astroturfing.
Instead of inspiring actual interest in a grassroots fashion, Microsoft has resorted to spreading fake grass, crafting each site to suggest the appearance of something other than the advertisement it is.
This is similar to the scam Microsoft pulled with its own imitation of Apple's Switchers ad campaign. Titled “Confessions of a Mac to PC Convert,” the ad portrayed a professionally dressed woman complaining about her Mac, but ended up being a canned picture pulled from stock photography and voiced by a professional writer.
Similarly, Greenpeace staffers have assigned to post “I’m a Mac user and gosh darn it I think that Greenpeace is alright with all their concern about the ecology!”
One would expect a certain level of interest and excitement out of Microsoft's own users, but that isn't really happening. Nearly every Zune site on the web is carefully stepping around the piles of problems to spend a lot of time on Microsoft supplied bullet points, including the "celebration of music," the slightly larger or at least stretched display, and how wireless DRM sharing is such a brilliant idea.
posted by Sid @ 5:13 PM,
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The Tidy Tippist
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Isn’t this one lovely? The keyboard is hidden inside a decorative, washable tablecloth. The electronic is woven into a fabric, which finds itself between layers of water resistant felt as sandwich material. The soft felt surface makes it a pleasure for fingers to tip - a cosy keyboard. Awesome, hehe.
posted by Sid @ 4:45 PM,
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Maintenance Pack 2 Beta for Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0, Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0 Supporting Vista announced
Monday, January 01, 2007
Kaspersky Lab has released the beta version of Maintenance Pack 2 for both Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0 (KAV) and Kaspersky Internet Security (KIS) 6.0, a key component that incorporates full support for the Vista operating system.
Kaspersky Maintenance Pack 2 for both Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0 (KAV) and Kaspersky Internet Security (KIS) 6.0 adds Vista support to the pair of programs, which debuted in May 2006.
Steve Orenberg, president, Kaspersky Lab Inc said, “Many of our users have expressed interest in Vista, and we are providing a clear path for them to do so securely with Kaspersky. Customers can confidently continue to enjoy the market’s leading response time and protection from Kaspersky regardless of which operating system they choose.”
Kaspersky AntiVirus 6.0 combines reactive anti-virus detection with the latest proactive technologies to offer solid and dependable protection against all malicious programs. Kaspersky AntiVirus 6.0 is a fully integrated solution that protects against most common Internet threats, including viruses, hacker attacks, adware, spam and spyware. The beta version of the Kaspersky Maintenance Pack 2 for KAV 6.0 and KIS 6.0 is provided for familiarization and testing purposes only.
Free Kaspersky Maintenance Pack 2 beta download can be found at any of the following ftp locations:
# Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0 of Vista
Kasper06.0mp2
Kasper06.0mp2
Kasper06.0mp2
Kasper06.0mp2
# Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0 for Vista
Kasper06.0mp2
Kasper06.0mp2
Kasper06.0mp2
Kasper06.0mp2
posted by Sid @ 10:09 PM,
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Eseries
Looks like Nokia's announced their new E60, E61, and E70 3G (WCDMA) phones with WiFi and mobile mail targeting mobile business users (yes, it's got GoodLink, Nokia Business Center, Seven Always-On, Visto Mobile, and BlackBerry Connect support). All the Series 60 Es run on Symbian OS 9.1 and will support advanced voice services such as Push-To-Talk and SIP allowing companies to integrate these phones into their Avaya or Cisco IP PBX (think 4-digit dialing and assisted call answering). The E60 candybar is optimized for voice and targets GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 and WCDMA2100 networks while the E61 take
s a shot off the Motorola Q's bow and includes all the IP telephony functions but is optimized for mobile email and operates in quad-band GSM and WCDMA 2100 networks. The E70 is their enterprise all-in-one messaging device and will be released in two flavas: one for Europe and Asia and another for the Americas. Available in the first quarter of 2006 worldwide priced between €350 and €450. This is a big deal for Nokia
posted by Sid @ 11:00 AM,
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