I really have to see Palm’s Foleo before I begin ragging on it, but this new not-a-laptop just wasn’t doing it for me. The video above gives us a better idea of what’s up here, but come on, Palm. Amaze us this year.
Big fan of music videos? Of course you are. So you’ll be extremely pleased to know that Warner Music will be offering its entire catalog of music videos online for free. The label is working with digital services provider Premium TV to create online media hubs where viewers can watch clips and videos of their favorite artist. Warner is using video advertising as well so that they can cash in on your pageviews.
But it gets a little better. You’ll be able to download music videos after viewing them for a small fee. Now, if these videos are DRM-free and not encoded in some crappy Windows Media Player format, then Warner Music is basically taking on both iTunes and YouTube with its selection of videos. The possibilities are there. Let’s see if Warner makes the right move, which, chances are, it won’t.
Actually, they kind of like each other. Just listen to the gentle lilt of Steve’s voice and observe the shy smile on Bill’s face. Imagine being a fly on the wall back in the green room *wavy TV picture and music*
“Well, this is it, Bill?” Steve smooths out his turtleneck and rubs off some lint with an iRoller.
“PI!” says Bill, putting down his iPaq. He then reverse-engineers OS X and then includes WinFS into the core.
Read More
What’s cooler than lolcats? That’s actually a trick question since nothing is cooler than lolcats. But this will, at least, get you wetter than lolcats (presumably).
The Kohler WaterHaven is a $3,300 showering monstrosity. It features seven water outlets. Yes, seven holes from which it can blow its watery load all over you. The WaterHaven holds two shower heads, four body sprays and one hand shower.
Be careful though, accidents happen: Read More
Due to iPhone shortages, one unit will be shared amongst three users in rotating weekly blocks
According to a survey conducted by WR Hambrecht & Co, many AT&T stores have no firm idea as to when the retardedly anticipated iPhone will arrive in stores. Some locations place it on June 15, others on June 22 and many haven’t the foggiest notion.
In addition to the vague release date, the stores are also unsure as to how many units they’re going to have. The highest speculation was 40, but many were lower.
Who knows what the future will hold for the iPhone? I for one don’t rightly care.
Most AT&T stores expecting less than 40 iPhones at launch [AppleInsider]
This evening, I came home and loaded up Drudge Report. I found an interesting article on Google and how they’re about to challenge Microsoft even farther with offline web applications. Upon discovering the name Google Gears, I promptly typed “gears.google.com” into Firefox. Sure enough, a Mac OS X beta of Google Gears is available and of course, I downloaded it.
So what is Google Gears? It’s an open-source browser extension that enables web applications to provide offline functionality using JavaScript APIs. What that means is that you’ll be able to use Google’s Writely word processor offline and online, making it a direct competitor with Microsoft Office. This is huge stuff and Google is really going to stick it to Microsoft this year. Can Google overtake the biggest software company of the 1990s? Maybe. We’ll see soon enough.
Google Gears [Google]
Try as they might, Microsoft, just can’t beat the hackers. They pulled ahead for about a week, but we are a persistent bunch. A lot like 3-year olds when you tell them they can’t (fill in the blank) and then they throw a temper tantrum. The latest firmware hack only applies to units with the TS-H943 DVD drive and claims to repel current and some future Xbox Live detection attempts. Take that Microsoft!
Firmware Specs [via Xbox 360 Fanboy via Xbox Scene via Giz]
Frankly, I’m getting sick of all the new phone designs that are constantly being announced. I can’t handle it. I want all of them, but I don’t have the money or means to get my hands on the one’s that won’t ever show up on our shores. Samsung’s latest slider just might persuade me, but chances are it runs on WinMo and I just won’t go there. Nevertheless, the QWERTY slider comes packaged with a slew of enticing features such as WiFi, 2-megapixel camera, VGA camera, Bluetooth and a microSD slot. Most of the other features are ho-hum, but this sure looks better than the BlackJack that I loathe.
Samsung i620 QWERTY Slider Smartphone [Unwired View]
Today QiGO announced a new marketing tool that could revolutionize the way companies market their new products. OK, that could be a load of crock, but it could happen. The ultra unique USB devices will automatically launch any internet content the marketers want you to see. On top of that, the key grips can be morphed into any logo. The possibilities are endless, you just need to use your imagination.
For example, your favorite band could release these prior to a new CD launch with special backstage pictures, sample mp3’s or even ‘unplugged’ versions of your favorite hits. You can also have a batch made for all your crazy Vegas pictures and videos. Like I said, the possibilities are endless. You’ve got plenty of time to think about what you’ll throw on these keys because they won’t be available until the Fall.
Apple has announced that YouTube content will begin streaming to your Apple TV’s via a free software update in mid June. I just wet myself. LonelyGirl15 on my widescreen?! The Apple TV was also upgraded to a 160GB version for $399 that goes on sale tomorrow. I guess I’ll have to get an Apple TV now.
Back in the day, His Steveness mentioned that the iPhone wouldn’t have support for third-party apps. He said it was an issue of security and usability, but since the apps aped OS X’s built-in Widgets, which actively encourages third-party development, it seems like BS.
At the D Conference earlier today, Steve changed his tune, saying later in the year Apple would probably open up the iphone to third party developers. This is fantastic news, as it takes the iPhone from being a pretty Blackberry with an iPod inside to another level, that of a true smartphone.
Only now, after hearing the news, do I totally want an iPhone. Gimmit.
Official: Third Party iPhone Apps Later This Year [The Gizzah]
Photo stolen from courtesy of Greg Flurry.
With the news of Microsoft Surface announced, we found detail behind how the technology might work.
During the Popular Mechanics interview, Microsoft noted that the display uses a series of IR sensors to detect objects on the surface providing controls of objects. A recently published Microsoft patent application provides further insight (and images) on how these sensors work. Read More
With the launch of every new search engine or cell phone, there is inevitably a torrent of exclamation mark-filled press releases and boasts proclaiming the new release to be REVOLUTIONARY!!! and LIFE-CHANGING!!! The truth, of course, is that they almost never are.
Still, such pleas might have been at least a tad bit convincing only a few years ago, when certain aspects of the technology world, or at least the public (and media’s) understanding of it were still in their infancy. That is, back when we were young and innocent enough to believe that a few cool features and a lower price was all that was needed to take on the iPod.
Today we know better. Here are the new rules of the technology industry. That is, the ineffable truth and gospel that will shape the tech world for the next decade and beyond. Companies that try to circument or ignore these rules will meet certain failure (or at least profit losses.)
OK, OK, this isn’t really a big shocker, but it’s worth a mention for those of you have not yet considered it. Although iTunes is now offering DRM-free music, that doesn’t mean you can go distributing it willy-nilly.
You see, like previous iTunes tracks, the m4a file is embedded with your account information. TUAW’s Erica Sadun did writes:
Try this yourself.
1. Launch Terminal. You’ll need to be comfortable at the command line to perform this check.
2. Navigate to one of your iTunes plus downloads. If you have a US iTunes account, you can download the iTunes plus “Ooh La” single of the week.
3. Use the UNIX “strings” command to look at the text in your data and grep to search for your name. e.g.
strings 01\ Ooh\ La.m4a | grep name
Alternatively, open all the strings in TextEdit:
strings 01\ Ooh\ La.m4a | open -f.Bottom line: DRM-free doesn’t mean that Apple suddenly supports piracy.
Like I said, no shocker, but keep it in mind before you start uploading albums like crazy.
Don’t Torrent That Song… [TUAW]
We’re learning a few new things about the Foleo as we watch the webcast, and we’re relaying them here live.
Street View feature I talked about earlier today? Great service, but it turns out you can zoom all the way into someone’s living room window. In this case, enough to make out this chick’s cat.
So the big question becomes: where do you draw the line between convenience and privacy? Do you think it’s OK to have this woman’s home peaked into so that you can see what downtown San Francisco looks like? I think so. You can barely make out the cat and as long as the picture isn’t taken at nighttime when you’re partying naked with a handle of rum, then no harm done.
Google Maps is spying on my cat, says freaked out BB reader [BoingBoing]
Palm’s taking the wraps off its Foleo, and we’ve got some pics. The “smartphone companion” is actually fairly dope, featuring not just Bluetooth but also WiFi. It’s not meant to fully replace a laptop, but if you’re like me, you find lugging your Powerbook around all the time to be burdensome. If I’m just going to be checking email and browsing porn, I don’t need the full OS it offers. I like what they’re doing here. At least it’s not a table. Hit the jump for some sweet, hot Foleo photos direct from Palm.
In the iPod age, headphones have become a fundamental part of lives of practically everyone. While many individuals are complacent living in lo-fi, unaware of the depths their music holds, some intuitive listeners yearn for something better. For those select few, it is often necessary to own two sets of headphones: a pair of earbuds and a pair of muffs, such as the HD650s.
Released in 2004 the Sennheiser HD650 rig is a heavy favorite of audiophiles everywhere — and for good reason. The 650s combine unparalleled comfort with some of the lushest sound quality to be found on any setup.
Read More
