rdowns
Apr 21, 11:01 AM
I don't see this ending well. See ratings for front page articles.
rosalindavenue
Apr 16, 06:16 AM
already exists - Amazon Cloud/Music Player
Yep. I had an android phone for a year and a half before the Verizon iPhone came out and routinely bought tracks from Amazon; moved them over to itunes, etc. Android users are SOL for movies and TV shows, but Amazon fully covers music. I don't see why Google is bothering to negotiate.
Yep. I had an android phone for a year and a half before the Verizon iPhone came out and routinely bought tracks from Amazon; moved them over to itunes, etc. Android users are SOL for movies and TV shows, but Amazon fully covers music. I don't see why Google is bothering to negotiate.
longofest
Oct 17, 09:06 AM
I'd rather see Blu Ray win this. It's clearly the better product on paper.
However, as history shows us, this doesn't mean it will win :(
Apple supporting both? I think it's a good option to give the customers - it's us who'll decide... But a hybrid drive will be the best bet.
Bluray is clearly better, and TDK (I think) is definitely doing an incredible job of pushing disk capacities through the 200 GB roof (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/28/tdk_200gb_blu-ray_disc/) (with multiple layers, and increasing the single-layer capacity to 33 GB). But I heard in this forum that the content creators are still using MPEG-2, which while H.264 and WM9 is fully supported in both Bluray and HD-DVD, only HD-DVD is using the advanced codecs. So, the end result is the studios aren't using Bluray to its full capacity.
If true, I'd like to see studios stop being stupid and start using the better technology. But another BIG problem I see with bluray right now is that it is so darn expensive. There is a 2:1, and sometimes a 3:1 price difference between them and HD-DVD. I don't have over a grand to spend on a Bluray player, and I don't want to wait a decade to get one either...
No they won't.
If (I said IF) everyone can end up buying a player that plays both formats, why would they have to release both formats?
Maybe all Sony movies are on Blu-Ray and all Warner Brother's movies are on HDVD. Everyone can buy either and play them in their dual-player.
That's it. Easy.
I have lots of doubts that it will work out this way, but hey...that WOULD be best, wouldn't it?
Warner looks like they will put movies out on the hybrid disks, so if you have a blu-ray player, you can play it, and if you have an HD-DVD player you can play it. Same end game. The problem comes when you have a studio like Universal that only puts out stuff on HD-DVD or Fox that just puts out on Blu-ray. Then you need the universal player.
NEC has developed a chip that can decode both, as you have hinted at. The optical technology is coming along (I saw something on Digg a little bit ago that noted some progress in that arena), but still not there yet.
However, as history shows us, this doesn't mean it will win :(
Apple supporting both? I think it's a good option to give the customers - it's us who'll decide... But a hybrid drive will be the best bet.
Bluray is clearly better, and TDK (I think) is definitely doing an incredible job of pushing disk capacities through the 200 GB roof (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/28/tdk_200gb_blu-ray_disc/) (with multiple layers, and increasing the single-layer capacity to 33 GB). But I heard in this forum that the content creators are still using MPEG-2, which while H.264 and WM9 is fully supported in both Bluray and HD-DVD, only HD-DVD is using the advanced codecs. So, the end result is the studios aren't using Bluray to its full capacity.
If true, I'd like to see studios stop being stupid and start using the better technology. But another BIG problem I see with bluray right now is that it is so darn expensive. There is a 2:1, and sometimes a 3:1 price difference between them and HD-DVD. I don't have over a grand to spend on a Bluray player, and I don't want to wait a decade to get one either...
No they won't.
If (I said IF) everyone can end up buying a player that plays both formats, why would they have to release both formats?
Maybe all Sony movies are on Blu-Ray and all Warner Brother's movies are on HDVD. Everyone can buy either and play them in their dual-player.
That's it. Easy.
I have lots of doubts that it will work out this way, but hey...that WOULD be best, wouldn't it?
Warner looks like they will put movies out on the hybrid disks, so if you have a blu-ray player, you can play it, and if you have an HD-DVD player you can play it. Same end game. The problem comes when you have a studio like Universal that only puts out stuff on HD-DVD or Fox that just puts out on Blu-ray. Then you need the universal player.
NEC has developed a chip that can decode both, as you have hinted at. The optical technology is coming along (I saw something on Digg a little bit ago that noted some progress in that arena), but still not there yet.
thejadedmonkey
Oct 10, 05:11 PM
Perhaps Apple is selling less of the newly released iPods than they thought 'cos many people are holding off until the iPod Video is released...
They can't be bummed since they aren't advertising it. The average consumer probably couldn't even tell it's been upgraded (except for the screen brightness)
They can't be bummed since they aren't advertising it. The average consumer probably couldn't even tell it's been upgraded (except for the screen brightness)
kernkraft
Jul 30, 11:22 AM
I think the Volt is a success in terms of meeting its intended design parameters. However, I think the whole notion of the all-electric car and plug-in hybrids are flawed due to our current infrastructure.
As long as we burn fossil fuels to get the electricity, the electric car is just sweeping the fossil fuel/pollution problem under the rug by putting the "dirty" side of power consumption out of sight (back at the power plant). Also, there's no way our current power generation infrastructure could support even a fraction of the population switching to electric cars. California already has rolling blackouts - if people stopped burning gas and switched to electrics, the problem would get drastically worse.
I think electric cars are a dead end for the present...At least until our entire power grid makes large-scale switches to alternative energy, and there is no timeline for that currently. Also, there is currently no guarantee that practical fuel-cell systems will ever be truly affordable or mass-producable. The current offerings are all extremely expensive, proof-of-concept vehicles with short useful lives.
We'd be better off with diesels or diesel hybrids. People don't want to admit it, but those are currently our best options IMO.
I really wish I didn't sound so cynical, but that's the picture as I understand it.
Very valid points! My only point to add would be that BMW already makes diesel cars that use the company's EfficientDynamics technology to regenerate wasted energy. In the end, what might solve our energy crisis is the combination of alternative energy, frugality on the user end and trying to capture and re-use as much energy and energy-intensive (to make) products as possible. To me, there is no great difference between a hybrid and a BMW diesel that stops in stationary traffic. Of course, in city centres, using a purely electric drive helps to keep the air clean, which is something that diesel engines are not good at.
Well, they should research capacitors then, never wear out, and charge veeeeewy quick. Like EEstor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EEStor)
Very good point. And not without a bit of irony as Rudolf Diesel patented his engine in the U.S. (608,845), and we don't use it - though that's because of the Oil companies, not the car companies.
I agree we should use the diesel. After the apocalypse, you could make your own fuel from zombie bodies!
Used vegetable oil or quality diesel would be a start...
True on the economies of scale bit - although the batteries are always going to be pricey.
I keep hammering the same point here, but the Volt would see a quite significant fuel economy boost by switching to a diesel engine to charge the batteries and run the motors. Sort it out, US car companies...it's not like we don't sell diesel here.
I heard it that the reason why BMW stopped selling diesel cars in the US was that the engines failed, due to the very poor quality. In Europe, you can get quality fuel, but in the US, diesel is still the fuel of trucks, primarily.
Just one statistics: in continental Europe (not in the UK), new diesel cars have been outselling petrol ones for almost a decade, despite the premium.
That's the great thing about a platform like the Volt, or anything like it: you can easily change whatever gives the electricity. Gas not working right? The American public finally getting their asses out of their collective heads about diesel? Just get one the right size, and hook it up to the generator. It works for trains. Small fusion reactors finally a possibility? Bingo!
If GM hadn't ****ed up when they tried bringing diesel cars to the market, it wouldn't be anywhere near as bad. We still have some old M-B diesels kicking around, and probably a good bunch of them run on SVO by now.
Subaru still sells FWD cars, just not in the US or Europe.
You may easily change the source of electricity (actually, you cannot, it mainly comes from coal and oil in the US, I think), but so far, there is no decent technology available to solve the problem of storing electricity. Batteries suck and the Volt still uses ancient batteries that you would find in all sorts of consumer products. That is a car, running on laptop batteries (or AA's, if you prefer).
Why did you burst my bubble of Subarus awesomeness? :(
Don't forget the dealership markup. Some of the automotive blogs have people complaining that the dealerships are adding a $10k markup to the already expensive vehicle.
You shouldn't have any impression about Subarus. They really have the traction of a train (AWD ones, of course - why would you buy anything else?!), but everything else is just midrange quality at best.
I've had a 1998 Impreza estate several years ago and it was OK. Recently, I've had a 2007 Legacy Outback from work. Nice glass on the top and good traction, but I have no intention of trading a BMW or Mercedes for it the next time. The interior is low quality and Subaru has no understanding of fuel efficiency, it seems. OK, it's a 2.5L engine, automatic and AWD, but still... 25 imperial mpg?!
As long as we burn fossil fuels to get the electricity, the electric car is just sweeping the fossil fuel/pollution problem under the rug by putting the "dirty" side of power consumption out of sight (back at the power plant). Also, there's no way our current power generation infrastructure could support even a fraction of the population switching to electric cars. California already has rolling blackouts - if people stopped burning gas and switched to electrics, the problem would get drastically worse.
I think electric cars are a dead end for the present...At least until our entire power grid makes large-scale switches to alternative energy, and there is no timeline for that currently. Also, there is currently no guarantee that practical fuel-cell systems will ever be truly affordable or mass-producable. The current offerings are all extremely expensive, proof-of-concept vehicles with short useful lives.
We'd be better off with diesels or diesel hybrids. People don't want to admit it, but those are currently our best options IMO.
I really wish I didn't sound so cynical, but that's the picture as I understand it.
Very valid points! My only point to add would be that BMW already makes diesel cars that use the company's EfficientDynamics technology to regenerate wasted energy. In the end, what might solve our energy crisis is the combination of alternative energy, frugality on the user end and trying to capture and re-use as much energy and energy-intensive (to make) products as possible. To me, there is no great difference between a hybrid and a BMW diesel that stops in stationary traffic. Of course, in city centres, using a purely electric drive helps to keep the air clean, which is something that diesel engines are not good at.
Well, they should research capacitors then, never wear out, and charge veeeeewy quick. Like EEstor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EEStor)
Very good point. And not without a bit of irony as Rudolf Diesel patented his engine in the U.S. (608,845), and we don't use it - though that's because of the Oil companies, not the car companies.
I agree we should use the diesel. After the apocalypse, you could make your own fuel from zombie bodies!
Used vegetable oil or quality diesel would be a start...
True on the economies of scale bit - although the batteries are always going to be pricey.
I keep hammering the same point here, but the Volt would see a quite significant fuel economy boost by switching to a diesel engine to charge the batteries and run the motors. Sort it out, US car companies...it's not like we don't sell diesel here.
I heard it that the reason why BMW stopped selling diesel cars in the US was that the engines failed, due to the very poor quality. In Europe, you can get quality fuel, but in the US, diesel is still the fuel of trucks, primarily.
Just one statistics: in continental Europe (not in the UK), new diesel cars have been outselling petrol ones for almost a decade, despite the premium.
That's the great thing about a platform like the Volt, or anything like it: you can easily change whatever gives the electricity. Gas not working right? The American public finally getting their asses out of their collective heads about diesel? Just get one the right size, and hook it up to the generator. It works for trains. Small fusion reactors finally a possibility? Bingo!
If GM hadn't ****ed up when they tried bringing diesel cars to the market, it wouldn't be anywhere near as bad. We still have some old M-B diesels kicking around, and probably a good bunch of them run on SVO by now.
Subaru still sells FWD cars, just not in the US or Europe.
You may easily change the source of electricity (actually, you cannot, it mainly comes from coal and oil in the US, I think), but so far, there is no decent technology available to solve the problem of storing electricity. Batteries suck and the Volt still uses ancient batteries that you would find in all sorts of consumer products. That is a car, running on laptop batteries (or AA's, if you prefer).
Why did you burst my bubble of Subarus awesomeness? :(
Don't forget the dealership markup. Some of the automotive blogs have people complaining that the dealerships are adding a $10k markup to the already expensive vehicle.
You shouldn't have any impression about Subarus. They really have the traction of a train (AWD ones, of course - why would you buy anything else?!), but everything else is just midrange quality at best.
I've had a 1998 Impreza estate several years ago and it was OK. Recently, I've had a 2007 Legacy Outback from work. Nice glass on the top and good traction, but I have no intention of trading a BMW or Mercedes for it the next time. The interior is low quality and Subaru has no understanding of fuel efficiency, it seems. OK, it's a 2.5L engine, automatic and AWD, but still... 25 imperial mpg?!
err404
May 2, 12:15 PM
If you cant show the date your full of BS, then again your also free to be naive and excused if crimes where committed by apple.
The opt-out has been around since at least last summer. I believe it was introduced with iOS4.
Also what crime are you referring to? Or are you just assuming a crime was commited?
The opt-out has been around since at least last summer. I believe it was introduced with iOS4.
Also what crime are you referring to? Or are you just assuming a crime was commited?
FriarNurgle
Apr 8, 01:24 PM
Bet they are lowering the price and want to avoid refunding money to so many people.
mab920
Apr 5, 03:20 PM
orrrrrrrr maybe this is a good way for those looking to develop iAds to look at some of the ways other companies are using this new platform for marketing.
Puppies
Nov 23, 05:24 PM
We'll see if Macbook/Pro discounts are enough to sway me towards one :)
In any event, it gives me an excuse to click on Apple.com tomorrow.
In any event, it gives me an excuse to click on Apple.com tomorrow.
rstansby
Apr 15, 05:27 PM
Is it just me, or is the writing on the 3rd photo a bit skewed, or rotated in an odd way?
I agree.
I agree.
peharri
Oct 3, 07:46 AM
More people have heard of the 'DeCSS' programs, but, again, how many have actually used them? I'd say less than 1% of the computer-using public. And most of these people, like me, would only use it to exercise 'fair use' rights (i.e. I'm going on a plane trip, and I rip a DVD I own to my HD to save battery power, then I delete the files after watching it).
You'll be surprised at the number of people who use VLC, as it's an excellent DVD player that usually has some advantages over {Whatever DVD player came with your computer}, notably that you don't always get {Whatever DVD player came with your computer} to begin with, it's free, it works, it's reliable, and if you have a good DVD drive, it's multi-region.
VLC uses various libraries that were derived from DeCSS.
I wonder how many people would suddenly notice the DMCA if we started seeing thousands of people arrested and thrown in jail, as is theoretically possible, because they downloaded and used an unauthorized DVD player, like one of the Free Software programs such as VLC, to watch DVDs they own?
You'll be surprised at the number of people who use VLC, as it's an excellent DVD player that usually has some advantages over {Whatever DVD player came with your computer}, notably that you don't always get {Whatever DVD player came with your computer} to begin with, it's free, it works, it's reliable, and if you have a good DVD drive, it's multi-region.
VLC uses various libraries that were derived from DeCSS.
I wonder how many people would suddenly notice the DMCA if we started seeing thousands of people arrested and thrown in jail, as is theoretically possible, because they downloaded and used an unauthorized DVD player, like one of the Free Software programs such as VLC, to watch DVDs they own?
ktappe
May 3, 04:56 PM
why do they care for how you use it?Because you then sign a contract that says how you agree to use it. This is outside of that agreement. If you want to sign an agreement to use the data in a different way, I'm sure the carrier will accommodate you.
That's not why.
But get your wallet open.
THAT is why.
That's not why.
But get your wallet open.
THAT is why.
R.R.Mac
Jan 13, 05:12 AM
i am going to get an iphone and i think Jobs has done a great job of apple. I believe that the iPhone is going to be a great hit and as someone said will once again steal some (or most) of the market for phones. Apple have used their brains once more and will be a success. All they need to do now is get some game designers and design a PSP like game machine. IF apple can make this game machine and make the computers sync and stuff like that apple will have it in the bag!
Manderby
Apr 30, 03:48 AM
I mean, sure. Cool that Apple listens, and nice to see they are looking into the look and feel. But hey, can't imagine a more minor change :D
It's true, it is a minor change in programming but a major change in identifying itself with an interface. Besides, we hardly hear any news about Mac OS X and there is not much to find from the official side. Any news is welcome and for example this news made me more comfortable with Lion. I still have no idea what is going on behind the GUI, speaking: Things that make a huge difference to the existing system.
Some more news like this would make me wondering if maybe I should take a look. Because right now, I really am not interested in Lion at all and I believe, I am not the only one. And I'm not speaking about my personal little Laptop at home, I'm speaking about the main operating system of dozends of office-computers which I decide what to put on. Snow Leopard gave much more useful information away in advance. Lion does not.
It's true, it is a minor change in programming but a major change in identifying itself with an interface. Besides, we hardly hear any news about Mac OS X and there is not much to find from the official side. Any news is welcome and for example this news made me more comfortable with Lion. I still have no idea what is going on behind the GUI, speaking: Things that make a huge difference to the existing system.
Some more news like this would make me wondering if maybe I should take a look. Because right now, I really am not interested in Lion at all and I believe, I am not the only one. And I'm not speaking about my personal little Laptop at home, I'm speaking about the main operating system of dozends of office-computers which I decide what to put on. Snow Leopard gave much more useful information away in advance. Lion does not.
Flowbee
Jan 12, 03:52 PM
Equating destruction of physical property to turning off tv sets is a stretch.
Obviously.:rolleyes: I was responding to the idea that is was somehow ironic (and funny) that such a low-tech device could disrupt such a high-tech show. There are many other low-tech ways to cause problems for exhibitors. You can't have an open, accessible show floor and protect against everyone's idea of a "prank." Exhibitors have to be able to trust that attendees, especially press credentialed attendees, won't make them look foolish in order to drive traffic to their blogs.
Anyway, I hope you took notice of the real point of my comment:
If pranks like these become more common, companies and trade shows will start to put severe restrictions on who's allowed to attend their events.
That's nothing to laugh about.
Obviously.:rolleyes: I was responding to the idea that is was somehow ironic (and funny) that such a low-tech device could disrupt such a high-tech show. There are many other low-tech ways to cause problems for exhibitors. You can't have an open, accessible show floor and protect against everyone's idea of a "prank." Exhibitors have to be able to trust that attendees, especially press credentialed attendees, won't make them look foolish in order to drive traffic to their blogs.
Anyway, I hope you took notice of the real point of my comment:
If pranks like these become more common, companies and trade shows will start to put severe restrictions on who's allowed to attend their events.
That's nothing to laugh about.
LagunaSol
Apr 6, 08:16 AM
This smells like Google. :(
xrockislife3016
Sep 30, 03:00 PM
Bloggers often struggle to gain acceptance as a valid and legitimate source of news, and with this stunt (see link) Gizmodo have helped to undermine those who have worked so hard to gain credibility within an elitist industry.
I'm not without a sense of humour, but when Giz started screwing with a live presentation they crossed a line. This type of behaviour shouldn't be condoned in my opinion and a strong signal should be sent out to those responsible. Who's to say that they wouldn't interfere with an Apple event? What do you make of their actions?
http://gizmodo.com/343348/confessions-the-meanest-thing-gizmodo-did-at-ces
When i found that gizmodo did this i lmao. But dude i guess its a little childish. But hey not like a remote is gonna do much with a laptop
I'm not without a sense of humour, but when Giz started screwing with a live presentation they crossed a line. This type of behaviour shouldn't be condoned in my opinion and a strong signal should be sent out to those responsible. Who's to say that they wouldn't interfere with an Apple event? What do you make of their actions?
http://gizmodo.com/343348/confessions-the-meanest-thing-gizmodo-did-at-ces
When i found that gizmodo did this i lmao. But dude i guess its a little childish. But hey not like a remote is gonna do much with a laptop
Matt-M
Apr 15, 02:33 PM
...or integrate it into the aluminum enclosure on the back. Not knowing metallurgy, I am not sure if there is a way to turn aluminum to a receptive material or could the case be of an aluminum alloy to allow reception?
Actually, Aluminum is a good conductor and makes an excellent antenna material. Almost all television and amateur radio antennas are aluminum.
Why is it a poor idea on a phone? As soon as you touch the case, you ground the antenna and get no reception!
Actually, Aluminum is a good conductor and makes an excellent antenna material. Almost all television and amateur radio antennas are aluminum.
Why is it a poor idea on a phone? As soon as you touch the case, you ground the antenna and get no reception!
iaymnu
Apr 7, 08:07 PM
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac5/iaymnu/IMG_1003-1.jpg
shartypants
Apr 25, 06:00 PM
Looks nice, I'd buy one :)
SthrnCmfrtr
Jan 9, 12:03 PM
really? do you have one or is this from a distance opinion? Asking, because I am on the verge...
I wouldn't put much faith in the opinions of a person demonstrably unable to coherently express himself.
I wouldn't put much faith in the opinions of a person demonstrably unable to coherently express himself.
jonutarr
Apr 13, 08:44 PM
If i still lived in the city i would buy a TV-B-Gone
they obviously work well :p
they obviously work well :p
cyclotron451
May 4, 03:17 AM
but this was 2 decades ago, just as Mobile Telecoms was taking-off. We had the situation that we were profitable (enormously profitable) with just 100 customers - the other 50 million customers were an annoyance. Any expensive hardware that we introduced - transatlantic fibre cables, digital cross-connect switches etcetera paid for themselves very quickly and after that the revenue was just pure profit. The 'phone companies seem to have developed a liking for this 'free money' business model?
I have iPhones and Android, I chose Nexus One for the *real* open Google philosophy. It does WiFi tethering under 2.3.3, my operator Italian Vodafone seems to allow tethering under my 500MB/week for 3 Euros (2Gig for $17US/mo), although if I signed up today for the same deal I'd only be offered 250MB/week for 3 Euros - and my colleagues who have put an I-Vodafone GSM sim in an iPad report that it refuses to connect and demands an individual iPad exclusive data contract. $$$
I think in a few years internet connectivity will be seen as an essential worldwide civil right, and hopefully there will be a balanced debate about access costs and pluralistic supply options?
I have iPhones and Android, I chose Nexus One for the *real* open Google philosophy. It does WiFi tethering under 2.3.3, my operator Italian Vodafone seems to allow tethering under my 500MB/week for 3 Euros (2Gig for $17US/mo), although if I signed up today for the same deal I'd only be offered 250MB/week for 3 Euros - and my colleagues who have put an I-Vodafone GSM sim in an iPad report that it refuses to connect and demands an individual iPad exclusive data contract. $$$
I think in a few years internet connectivity will be seen as an essential worldwide civil right, and hopefully there will be a balanced debate about access costs and pluralistic supply options?
Markleshark
Sep 12, 07:58 AM
Not only is iTMS down... I just tried to get into my local Apple Store... and it was locked. Just has 'It's Showtime' in the window. Strange.
