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June 2006

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Shure Sound Isolating Earphones: How Sweet It Is ...

June 30, 2006

What with MP3 players, iPods, CD players, cell phones and all kinds of other gadgets, it seems like just about everybody is wearing earphones these days!

It may seem like a weird analogy, but the same adage about treating your feet to the best goes the same (at least for me) with earphones (or headphones as they used to be called).

With that in mind, it's hard to beat Shure's i3c Integrated Sound Isolating Earphones + Mobile Headset (some name!).

What makes these earphones work so well is Shure's long heritage in audio, especially in the very demanding professional audio industry. Wideband Microdriver Technology provides an extended frequency soundstage, and the VoicePort microphone filters out background noise and minimizes wind, ensuring every call is loud and clear.

Designed for on-the-go audio purists, the i3c gives me the convenience of either listening to music or answering a call on my mobile phone (via the bug-like device below). Standard versions work with portable audio players and most cell phones. The dual connector versions allows me to plug into both a portable audio player and a mobile phone, while a single connector version is available for use with the Treo 650 and 700W.

Let's get into the technology a bit.

The i3c's in ear design works like an earplug to block background noise naturally.

Posted in MP3 Players & Digital Audio

Tagged: cd player, cell phone, earphones, ic3 sound isolating earphones + mobile headset, ipod, mp3 player, shure : Related Tags: isolating earphones, sound isolating, background noise, mobile phone, portable audio, earphones

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Millennials Rule!

June 30, 2006

Not too surprising to find out that no other group of consumers will have as profound an impact on the media business over the next 10 years as the "Millennial Generation," today's 9- to 28-year-olds. (This from Frank Magid, president and CEO of Frank M. Magid Associates, at the annual Promax conference in New York City.)

Today, this group numbers 79 million, one million more than the Baby Boomers in this country, and have grown up using multiple media platforms at the same time. Millennials consume 20 hours of media a day, but that is all done within 7 hours of clock time.

(As any parent who has seen their kids emailing, IMing, iPoding, watching TV and doing their homework at the same time will easy know.)

All of this will affect the future opportunities that we all will have to consume media (do we ever get too full?)

www.mediaweek.com

For more on Millennials, head to www.millennialsrising.com.

Posted in Home Entertainment

Tagged: baby boomers, frank magid, millennial generation, promax : Related Tags: media, millennials

Apple Delays; Too Much Secrecy?

June 29, 2006

Can't be too much joy in the land of Apple Computer with recent reports from PC Magazine and the Wall Street Journal.

Apparently, following a shift in suppliers, updated versions of Apple's iPod nano will ship in the fourth quarter instead of the third quarter, while the release of the wide-screen video iPod also may be pushed back from the fourth quarter into early 2007.

(Hate those product delays, especially at holiday shopping time.)

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal has a fascinating report about Apple's focus on product secrecy, even about its own employees and customers.

Reminds me of a Silicon Valley saying: "Only the paranoid survive."

(Now who said that?)

Posted in MP3 Players & Digital Audio

Tagged: apple, ipod nano, pc magazine, product delays, wall street journal, wide-screen video ipod : Related Tags: fourth quarter, third quarter, street journal, quarter, apple, fourth

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"Green Dell": Dell Trying To Get Recycling Right

June 29, 2006

Dell has announced plans to provide free recycling of any Dell-branded product for consumers around the world as part of its new global recycling policy. (Does Dell have a windmill farm, too? But I love this graphic.)

"We have a responsibility to our customers to recycle the products we make and sell," said Michael Dell, chairman of Dell. "Our direct relationships with consumers allow us to offer this easy and free service and we encourage others in our industry to do so as well."

Currently, Dell offers consumers no-charge recycling of any brand of used computer or printer with the purchase of a new Dell computer or printer. This service includes home pick-up of the used computer at no charge.

Under its new policy, Dell will provide consumers no-charge recycling of any Dell-branded product, regardless of whether a replacement product is purchased.

Plans call the service to become available in the U.S.

Posted in Computer Hardware

Tagged: dell, free computer recycling, michael dell : Related Tags: computer printer, consumers charge, charge recycling, branded product, global recycling, recycling

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Coke's New Twist on Vending Machines

June 28, 2006

Don't call me vending machine crazy, but now Coke is testing a new interactive vending machine called "Cokefridge," according to recent reports.

(You know I have been blogging about vending machines and interactive kiosks a bit -- much watch that!)

Shown at a recent conference in Paris, the machine is capable of delivering downloadable ringtones and games as well as taking digital photographs of customers framed against a Coke logo.

Do you think they might try to sell soda, too (like the "old school" machine at left), or is this a way to get around the new rule by many schools that only "healthy snacks" will be sold from on-school vending machines?

Posted in Mobile Phones

Tagged: coke, cokefridge, vending machines : Related Tags: vending machines, vending machine, water fruitopia, downloadable ringtones, fruitopia juice, vending

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Vonage V-Phone ho-hum

June 28, 2006

Vonage announced their oft-rumored USB "VoIP-on-a-stick" product today. Nothing new here, Mplat has a similar product called Mplat FlashPhone F2K that I wrote about. Unlike the Vonage V-Phone which is limited to Vonage, the Mplat device not only comes standard with Skype software but it's also compatible with MSN, Google Talk, and other VoIP services. Prices for the Mplat device start at about $40 for the 128MB unit and $80 for the 512MB model.

Posted in Vonage

Tagged: usb, v-phone, voip, vonage : Related Tags: softphone client, phone number, mplat device, month softphone, stick product, vonage

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Skype for Linux 1.3 beta news

June 28, 2006

There is a new release of Skype for Linux v1.3 (in beta) that was announced today. It's been awhile since Skype released a new version for the Linux operating system (last year in fact). One of the highlighted features includes support for the ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) sound system, which Jaanus points out is one of the most requested features by the Linux community. X11 API was added, and the "latest-greatest" emoticons as well as flags are supported in this release. Mood messages were also added. It doesn't appear the Linux Skype client supports videoconferencing still. Bummer.

Posted in Linux, Skype

Tagged: alsa, jaanus, linux, skype, x11 : Related Tags: skype linux, linux, skype, support

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EA Moves into MMORPGs in Big Way

June 27, 2006

Video game goliath Electronic Arts has recently announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Mythic Entertainment, which vaults it into developing Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs).

Mythic is recognized worldwide for revolutionizing the online gaming space with the awardwinning Dark Age of Camelot (pictured) and is currently developing Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning under a license agreement with Games Workshop.

The net net: The growing importance of online gaming as a revenue-producing space, as more and more companies look to monetize the Internet.

Is that a good thing?

Posted in Video Games & Gaming

Tagged: dark age of camelot, electronic arts, games workshop, mmorpgs, mythic entertainment, warhammer online: age of reckoning : Related Tags: online gaming, warhammer, online

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Digital Foci's Memory Card Travel Case: Good Idea!

June 27, 2006

Even if you don't do too much traveling, this a must-have digital camera accessory!

(Works with other gadgets, too.)

Digital Foci's Memory Card Travel Case organizes and protect your valuable flash memory cards with smart stackable slots that let you hold as many as eight memory cards of all different types: CompactFlash I/II, MD, SM, MMC, SD, miniSD, MS, MS Prod, MS Duo and xD card.

(Do we really need all of these formats?)

The stackable slots actually let you hold four memory cards of the same format and as many as eight memory cards of different formats in the pre-cut hard rubber lining.

The combination of the brushed aluminum casing and the molded hard rubber lining (that keeps the cards from sliding around once they're inside the case) provides maximum protection.

(And yes, I have dropped this case to test that the cards are actually protected ...)

Besides protecting your memory cards from damage, the case also helps protect you from misplacing or losing memory cards (pretty easy when they are all so small and in all sizes and shapes of cases).

Price: $19.95

www.digitalfoci.com

Posted in Digital Cameras

Tagged: digital cameras, digital foci, memory card travel case, memory cards : Related Tags: memory cards, rubber lining, cards different, stackable slots, memory, cards

Intel sells XScale processor to Maxell

June 27, 2006

Marvell Technology Group has acquired Intel's XScale processor division. As a gadget-lover this is absolutely shocking since the Intel XScale chips are used in PocketPCs, handhelds, mobile phones and other embedded devices and gadgets. The popular Treo and Blackberry devices also use the XScale chipset.

Intel has been one of the leading innovators of providing low-power consumption chipsets, continually pushing the edge of battery life and performance in small embedded devices. Intel has one of the largest R&D budgets in the IT world and some of the most sophisticated labs.

Posted in Gadgets, Mobile Phones, PDAs & Handhelds

Tagged: blackberry, intel, marvell, treo, xscale : Related Tags: xscale processor, processor division, xscale chipset, embedded devices, intel, xscale

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JAHJAH offers free calls globally

June 27, 2006

JAJAH today announced free phone-to-phone calls to almost anywhere. The JAJAH Free Global Calling Plan applies to both landline and mobile phones to many of the most-called places in the world.

JAHJAH uses a unique method of initiating the call. You go to a website, enter in your phone number and the number you wish to dial and JAHJAH dials both legs of the call and connects the two.

Posted in VoIP

Tagged: jahjah, voip : Related Tags: phone calls, phone number, global calling, thanx jajah, enter phone, jahjah

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Fun in the Sun (and Water?): Keeping That iPod Dry

June 26, 2006

Now here'a a really good idea for summer fun in the sun (and water) -- Allsop's Splash Pack DriPod!

(And the way it's been raining in the Northeast, this might work well ...)

I'm getting a bit ahead of myself.

Whether we’re talking cassette walkmans, CD players or iPods, portable music allows us to create a soundtrack for nearly every moment of our lives.

Until now the only concern has been our electronics surviving the elements: the sand at the beach, the water out in the bay or the splashing by the pool. Well, now those moments in nature can have their soundtrack, too.

The Splash Pack is an air-tight case for your iPod. Protect it from water, sand, Jell-o or anything else nature can throw at you. And unlike those hard cases, the Splash Pack lets you adjust the volume, jump to the next song or browse your music catalog while keeping your iPod sealed and protected.

Price: $19.99 (large); $14.99 (small)

www.allsop.com

Posted in MP3 Players & Digital Audio

Tagged: allsop, ipod, mp3 player, splash pack dripod : Related Tags: sealed protected, browse music, cases splash, while keeping, throw those, splash

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Chance To Build a Community Game From the Ground Up

June 26, 2006

The Arcadia Project is calling itself the very first fully community-funded and community-assisted PC game ever attempted to be built from the ground up!

A company called Stormcloud Creations will build Arcadia: Guild of Heroes (aka The Arcadia Project), which will enable pre-order users to play actual builds of the game and suggest ideas as its being created.

The project is in the beginning stages now, with several builds already having been released.

The game itself is a management game with a role-playing game sensibility. You can recruit heroes, view detailed stats on their abilities, age, birthday, height and weight.

Build a party of adventurers and send them on dangerous quests in search of riches. Characters age, mature over time and retire.

More info for the game related aspects of the project and pre-order links are available at: http://www.stormcloudcreations.com/arcproject.htm

Entrance into the project is $19.95, and this gives any user a full version of the game when released and full access to the private forums during the complete development cycle.

Posted in Video Games & Gaming

Tagged: arcadia:guild of heroes, community pc game development, stormcloud creations, the arcadia project : Related Tags: arcadia project, project, build, community, arcadia

Jyve + Click&Buy + Skype + Expertise = Money

June 26, 2006

In 2004, I had a blog post titled Jive Talking (Bee Gees song), about a company called Jyve. Well, I haven't written about Jyve in quite some time (two years). It appears Jyve (Skype plugin) and Click&Buy enable experts in any field (techie, writer, web designer, etc) to charge for their expertise using the Skype network. This is similar to Ether, which was in closed beta until just a few days ago when it launched.

Using Jyve along with Click&Buy, entrepreneurs can make more money through Skype by charging customers in locations throughout the world for their expertise.

Posted in Skype

Tagged: click&buy, jyve, skype, voip : Related Tags: payment system, using skype, click, skype, system, payment

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IPEVO Xing Skype Conferencing unit

June 26, 2006

IPEVO plans to soon launch a conference system for Skype called IPEVO Xing. IPEVO Xing is a USB conference phone that is designed to work exclusively with Skype. Xing will be launched with a free trial of Skype-certified Convenos Meeting Center, a fee-based collaboration/sharing software solution, which will enhance the meeting experience.

Posted in Gadgets, Skype, VoIP

Tagged: ipevo, skype, voip, xing : Related Tags: ipevo, skype

Andy loves his in-flight wireless Internet access

June 26, 2006

Andy emailed me a link to a post where he is quite enthused over his experience of wireless Internet access experiences on intercontinental Lufthansa and SAS flights, and then scolds Boeing for possibly shelving their in-flight Internet access. Andy talks about his great experiences with Internet access while flying and of course Andy tests VoIP during the flight. He doesn't mention whether he used Skype, his client SightSpeed, or some other VoIP client.

I also just noticed Andy redesigned the look of his blog. Nicely done, Andy! It even looks like his blog now accepts trackbacks - about friggin' time! Andy used to allow trackbacks until he got flooded with trackback spam, so I'm guessing Andy is trusting TypePad to now block most trackback spam.

Posted in Skype, VoIP, Wireless

Tagged: airline, boeing, flight, lufthansa, sas, voip, wireless internet : Related Tags: internet access, wireless internet, flight, access, internet, different

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Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007

June 26, 2006

On May 30th 2006, I speculated that Windows Live Meeting 2006 was coming - the next version after Windows Live Meeting 2005. I was close -- Microsoft actually "skipped a year" and released Microsoft Office Communicator 2007, a unified communications client that works in tandem with Office Communications Server 2007, which was also announced today. This solution delivers a presence-based, enterprise VoIP “softphone” for secure, enterprise-grade instant messaging that allows for intercompany federation and connectivity to public instant messaging networks such as MSN, AOL and Yahoo! It also enables one-to-one and multiparty videoconferencing, audioconferencing, and webconferencing. Office Communicator 2007 will be available in desktop, browser-based and Windows Mobile-based versions.

Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 uses Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) standards-based protocol to enable presence-based VoIP call management, as well as VoIP communication.

Posted in Asterisk, Microsoft, Mobile Phones, Polycom, Reviews, VoIP, Wireless

Tagged: asterisk, microsoft, microsoft exchange server 2007, office communications server 2007, voip : Related Tags: microsoft office, communications server, office communications, office communicator, speech server, microsoft

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PacWest layoffs?

June 23, 2006

Greg Galitzine has a possible scoop on PacWest layoffs. Check it out.

Posted in News

Tagged: layoffs, pacwest : Related Tags: pacwest layoffs

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Your Personal Remote Control (Click) Arrives Today!

June 23, 2006

Don't know why I'm so excited about this movie, but Click finally opens today in a movie theater near you.

(Also don't believe I'm actually going to see it this afternoon as part of a birthday party celebration.)

Here's the plot summary (courtesy of Moviefone -- can't believe it's actually now AOL Moviefone ...):

Click focuses on a workaholic architect, Michael Newman, (Adam Sandler) who discovers a universal remote control which allows him to fast-forward and rewind through different parts of his life.

However, when the remote begins overriding his choices, life goes from calm to chaos overnight.

Will the funny scenes be:

Husband controlling wife Husband controlling kid/s Husband controlling pet (my guess is a dog) None of the above

In parting, two final thoughts:

If you see it too, please vote ... And if you had a remote control for your life, would you ever get off of the couch?

Posted in Home Entertainment

Tagged: adam sandler, click, moviefone, universal remote control : Related Tags: remote control, husband controlling, universal remote, remote, movie, controlling

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Nokia's U.S. First Retail Store Opens Tomorrow

June 23, 2006

Nokia is scheduled to open its first U.S. flagship store on Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile” tomorrow.

The store, which is only the second in the world (the first was in Moscow), will feature the mobile company’s standard equipment as well as Vertu Lounge, a luxury line that features devices embedded with sapphire crystals and gold.

Officials say the company-owned-and-operated store will also feature several interactive displays that guide consumers on how to operate various products.

In hopes of attracting experienced shoppers, Nokia has also unveiled plans to open a flagship store along New York’s Fifth Avenue in the fall of 2006.

Posted in Mobile Phones

Tagged: cell phone, nokia : Related Tags: flagship store, store, nokia

FCC approves new VoIP taxes

June 22, 2006

Well, we knew it was inevitable that the FCC would pass on USF (Universal Service Charges) taxes onto VoIP service providers and thereby unto VoIP subscribers. I griped about this pending tax just recently. Well, the FCC voted unanimously yesterday to require all voice over Internet Protocol services that connect to the public-switched telephone network (PSTN) to contribute to the Universal Service Fund. ZDNet has an excellent overview of this news, as does TMCnet's Robert Liu. Although the ZDNet article says peer-to-peer VoIP companies such as Skype are excluded.

Posted in Skype, VoIP, Vonage

Tagged: fcc, skype, tax, usf, voip, vonage : Related Tags: universal service, spanish american, skype, service, network, check

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"All Things Digital" Is Must Reading

June 22, 2006

Great must reading in the Wall Street Journal's Technology special report on "All Things Digital" from earlier this week.

Coverage is from "D4: All Things Digital -- The Wall Street Journal Executive Conference," hosted by Walt Mossberg (left) and Kara Swisher (right). Conference was held May 30-June 1.

Interviews, for example, with Bill Gates on Vista, MySpace and his competition; Robert Iger (Walt Disney Co.) on the future of entertainment; and director Barry Sonnenfeld (Get Shorty, Men in Black) on why the Internet is bad for movies.

Let me know if you agree with these folks ...

Posted in News

Tagged: barrry sonnenfeld, bill gates, d4, get shorty, kara swisher, men in black, myspace, robert iger, vista, wall street journal, walt disney, walt mossberg : Related Tags: things digital, street journal, digital, things

FIFA World Cup 2006 Online: Read (and See) All About It!

June 21, 2006

Just in case anybody has been too wrapped up in the NBA Finals to pay attention (did anyone really stay up late to watch all the games?) the real universal sporting event -- football aka soccer -- is taking place in Germany.

To catch up on all of the action of the FIFA World Cup 2006, don't miss the official site (from Yahoo!) at http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/splash.html.

You will be joining 5 million or so other fans who visited the site on opening day.

And don't forget tomorrow's crucial U.S. match! We need the points!

Posted in Home Entertainment

Tagged: fifa world cup 2006, nba finals, yahoo! : Related Tags:

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(Good) Fellowes Makes It Easy To Work & Play

June 21, 2006

We all spend too much time at the computer, whether at work or at home. (What did we ever do in our free time before that gadget was invented?)

With the idea of making that desktop experience as humanly comfortable as possible, Fellowes offers a full line of "workspace ergonomics" products that make it easy on the body. These include wrist supports, copyholders and both foot and back rests.

Fellowes' Office Suites Deluxe Keyboard Drawer (pictured) offers exceptional comfort and support whether you're working or playing. The keyboard tray is easy to customize and can be installed at three different heights to suit your preferred position.

The mouse tray mounts on either the rright or left side of keyboard tray and stows underneath it when not in use. Features include a wrist support on the keyboard tray (aah!).

How about some specs:

Installation height: 2-1/2", 2-1/8" or 1-3/4" below desk H x W x D (inches) 2.5" x 30.875" x 14.0625" H x W x D (mm) 63.50 x 784.20 x 357.20

Don't settle when it comes to keyboard drawers -- this is the one to get.

Suggested Price: $55.00

www.fellowes.com

Posted in Computer Hardware

Tagged: fellowes, office suites deluxe keyboard drawer, workspace ergonomics : Related Tags: keyboard, fellowes

Skype supports U.S. Military and other news

June 21, 2006

Skype is having a busy news day putting out 3 announcements. First and foremost, Skype is working with both RadioShack Corporation and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States to provide U.S. military service members and their families with Skype starter packs, so they can make voice calls at no charge from one Skype account to another. They are are eligible for full purchase-price refunds after both instant and mail-in rebates with proof of their military status.

Posted in Skype

Tagged: military, packard bell, skype, skypeout, u.s., voip : Related Tags: skype users, skype edition, starter packs, easynote skype, skype starter, skype

T1/E1 plus Ethernet over HFC

June 21, 2006

First the cable MSOs went after the residential voice market using VoIP technology. Now, the cable MSOs are targetting the business T1/E1 voice market using a single-box solution that delivers T1/E1 plus Ethernet over HFC (hybrid fiber coax). Many businesses already have cable, so getting a T1/E1 dropped is as simple as connecting the Narad Broadband Interface Unit to the coax cable and the T1/E1 trunk(s) on the PBX.

Narad is integrating RAD's technology into their boxes. The joint RAD/Narad solution enables MSOs to deliver multiple commercial-grade T1/E1 circuits along with broadband Ethernet services displacing expensive T1/E1 lines leased from ILECs or CLECs.

Posted in VoIP

Tagged: e1, hfc, narad, rad, t1, voip : Related Tags: broadband ethernet, narad solution, ethernet services, cellular backhaul, voice market, narad

Windows Live Messenger Launches

June 20, 2006

Windows Live Messenger finally launched. I've been playing around with the "invite only" beta for awhile, but now it's available to everyone to download. Some in the media claim this is Microsoft's answer to the popular Skype VoIP client, but more on that later.

Posted in Microsoft, Skype, VoIP

Tagged: live messenger, microsoft, skype, voip, yahoo messenger : Related Tags: windows

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Power on the Go! APC's Mobile Power Pack

June 20, 2006

It's a very simple premise -- why not create a light-weight battery that allows you to charge any number of mobile devices, rather than having a dedicated battery for each device?

Simple, but apparently not that easy to do -- until now.

APC's new Mobile Power Pack (UPB10)allows you to simultaneously charge and power your mobile phone and handheld computer using USB charging cables (sold separately, but you probably have them already). It works both with USB and min-USB devices to charge via te USB cable.
Although it retails for $69.99, you can pick up one on Amazon for a steal price of around $29.99

There are three really beautiful design elements in this gadget -- its weight (only 105 g), its size (approximately 4 inches x 2.5 inches x 0.5 inches) and its ability to charge any number number of the gadgets you always have on you. It's incredibly easy to use.

Plus (a big plus!) look at these additional runtimes:

iPod Nano/Flash MP3 players (playing music) -- 55 hours iPod Video/HDD MP3 players (playing movies) -- 10 hours RazR V3/Mobile phones (talk time) -- 10 hours Blackberry/Treo (email and talk time) -- 9 hours Sony PSP (playing time) -- 5 hours

Price: $69.99.

Posted in MP3 Players & Digital Audio

Tagged: apc, blackberry, ipod nano, ipod video, mobile power pack, razr v3, sony psp, treo, upb10 : Related Tags: players playing, mobile power, mobile, hours, power, charge

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Microsoft iPod/iTune Killer Under Development?

June 20, 2006

All kind of noise yesterday about Microsoft developing a MP3 player to compete with Apple's iPod as well as a music download service to rival iTunes ...

Hard to imagine this is any kind of "iPod/iTunes slayer" -- anybody think any differently?

Posted in MP3 Players & Digital Audio

Tagged: apple, ipod, itunes, microsoft, mp3 player : Related Tags:

CableMatrix unified policy management solution

June 19, 2006

Tomorrow CableMatrix at SCTE will announce an interesting unified policy management solution that guarantees end-to-end service quality (QoS) for applications (e.g. VoIP) traversing converged IP networks - managing WiMAX, cable, wireless, and DSL access solutions. It even has IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) implications. Using QoS and centralized management, operators will have the ability to extend high-quality services no matter where and how the subscriber accesses the network.

YourLink, a broadband service provider will begin trials this summer.

Here's the news:

CableMatrix and VCom Showcase Unified Policy Management VoIP Solution
High Quality Cable-to-WiMAX Voice Demonstration Precedes Summer Field Trials

DENVER, CO – (June 20, 2006) - CableMatrix Technologies, a leading provider of Quality of Service (QoS) policy management solutions, will be demonstrating a unified policy management solution in conjunction with WiMAX designer and manufacturer VCom Inc. (TSX:VCM) that guarantees end-to-end service quality for VoIP calls traversing dissimilar networks, in this case cable-to-wireless.

Posted in VoIP, Wireless

Tagged: cablematrix, ims, voip, wimax : Related Tags: policy management, unified policy, cable wireless, service providers, broadband service, service

Be a VoIP DJ using Yahoo Messenger with Voice

June 19, 2006

Yahoo! Messenger with Voice on Tuesday will introduce custom plug-in features and will now allow developers to custom made applications. Some of the hghlighted plug-ins include plugin applications for Amazon.com, Yahoo! 360, and eBay. My guess is we'll also see integration with Flickr and other popular community (Web 2.0) sites as well through developer-created plugins.

There is a small VoIP component to the announcement The new soundboard feature allows people to add short sound effects into their voice conversations, including ‘audience booing’ and ‘birds chirping’ sound effects. Additionally, with the Soundtrack feature, people can drag and drop MP3 music files stored on their PC and they will play as background music while they are talking to their friends. So get your DJ groove on and VoIP it up all night long!

I actually have been "wishing" for the ability for VoIP softphones to stream mp3s (and videos) for years.

Posted in Reviews, VoIP

Tagged: amazon, voip, yahoo 360, yahoo messenger : Related Tags: yahoo messenger, messenger voice, friends family, sound effects, voice users, yahoo

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The Perfect VoIP Softphone and IM client

June 19, 2006

With more softphones on the market than you can shake a stick at, each with their own "island" of users that cannot bridge to other islands, I've become a bit disillussioned with the VoIP softphone market. Sure, there is talk about interoperability, support for SIP/SIMPLE, XMPP support, etc. but we still don't have a single unified client that can speak to Skype users, AOL/AIM users, ICQ, Google Talk, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, etc. Although, software such as GAIM is a multi-protocol client that aims to unify all of these IM/softphone clients, it too is incomplete.

Posted in VoIP

Tagged: google, im, messenger, microsoft, sip, skype, softphone, streaming, video, voip, yahoo : Related Tags: voice video, softphone clients, multi protocol, unified client, number features, softphone

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Big Sound/Small Footrprint: JVC UX-G50 Micro Component System

June 19, 2006

I like a good stereo system in my office, but have never wanted to get bogged down with "regular size" component systems (those are for chillin' out at home).

Looking at micro component systems that don't break the bank, JVC has always been a very good choice. And actually, very good value for the money.

(In audio, like so much of life, you get what you pay for ...)

JVC's new UX-G50 is a high-power 5-CD changer system with USB audio input and features Quick Portable Link with front audio input and two-way speakers.

Here's the skinny:

Power Output: 100 watts per channel Sources: CD, CD-R/RW, MP3 (CD-R/RW), Tuner MP3 playback with ID3 Tag (CD-R/RW) USB audio input for receiving signals from PCs Quick Portable Link — the unit detects analog signals from a connected player, then automatically turns on the power and switches the source to AUX Active Hyper-Bass PRO for dynamic bass response and clear vocals Sound Turbo boosts sound excitement at the touch of a button 2-Way Bass-Reflex: 4-3/4" (12cm) Woofer, 1-5/8" (4cm) Tweeter Front AUX Input COMPU PLAY Display Dimmer Clock/Timer with Sleep Wake-up Volume Electronic Bass/Treble Tone Controls Program (32 tracks) / Random / Repeat Play 1-bit D/A Converter Clock and 3-Preset Timer

Manufacturer's suggested retail price: $179.95 (big sound, small price)

www.jvc.com

Posted in MP3 Players & Digital Audio

Tagged: jvc, micro component system, ux-g50 : Related Tags: audio input, speakers speakers, quick portable, component systems, micro component, speakers

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Power To the People (Chicago Travelers At Least)

June 19, 2006

Interesting piece in today's Chicago Sun-Times about a plan to give traveler's free access to power up their laptops and other mobile devices at O'Hare and Midway airports. (No more looking for an open duplex -- maintenance -- outlet in any of the seating areas?)

Last month, 40,000 air travelers paid $6.95 daily for the right to access the Internet at O'Hare and Midway airports. But what good is wireless Internet access if passengers have no place to recharge their dying BlackBerries, PDAs and laptop computers?

Newly appointed Chicago Aviation Commissioner Nuria Fernandez has been asking herself that question after strolling through passenger terminals, only to find desperate travelers sitting on the floor hogging electrical outlets reserved for maintenance equipment.

The plan is to open 25 "Re-charge and Relax" stations -- 21 at O'Hare and four at Midway; eight stations at O'Hare and two at Midway are to open by September.

Posted in Computer Hardware

Tagged: chicago sun-times, laptops, midway, o'hare, re-charge and relax : Related Tags: midway airports, midway, access, travelers, chicago

Unified Messaging supplants traditional voice mail?

June 19, 2006

I couldn't help but laugh at a prediction by In-Stat stating that "Unified Messaging poised to supplant traditional Voice Mail this decade". Didn't all the research groups make this prediction in the 1990's during the CTI hey day? Heck, I was one of the biggest advocates of unified messaging when I wrote for CTI Magazine in the 1990's - CTI was the precursor to VoIP and of course Internet Telephony Magazine. The prediction that unifed messaging (UM) would take the world by storm still hasn't happened. I will say that as more people use Blackberries and other devices to stay in "constant touch" and be able to work from home or on the road, has increased their expectations for increased connectivity and productivity.

Posted in Avaya, Mobile Phones, VoIP, Wireless

Tagged: in-stat, unified messaging : Related Tags: unified messaging, traditional voice, supplant traditional, messaging solution, phone voicemail, messaging

Nokia Siemens merger

June 19, 2006

Nokia based out of Finland and Germany's Siemens announced today plans to merge their telecommunication equipment divisions which would create the world's third-biggest equipment group worldwide.

Each company will hold exactly 50% of the new company called Nokia Siemens Networks. The merger still requires approval, but this is another trend towards reversing the phone company breakup (AT&T) and the formation of just a few monopolistic phone companies and phone manufacturers. Kind of reminds me of the bad guy (T-1000, Robert Patrick) in Terminator 2 that was broken into a million pieces in the warehouse only to reform back to its original shape. Can't find that exact scene, but here's the famous Terminator 2 Helicoptor scene where the T-1000 reforms in the cockpit.

Posted in Mobile Phones

Tagged: merger, nokia, robert patrick, siemens, terminator 2 : Related Tags: nokia siemens, merger, company, nokia, phone, siemens

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Vonage begs customers to stay

June 19, 2006

Last week, Russell Shaw reported on how Vonage is essentially "begging" customers to stay by offering discounts (down to $19.99/month) to their monthly service. As a Vonage customer myself, still looking to dump Vonage in the next few weeks (See: Time to Dump Vonage), maybe I can get a discount as well? Maybe if they offer me $10/month I'll stick with Vonage. Rich thinks offering discounts in a brilliant move. Brilliant for the customers wallet and perhaps brilliant for Vonage to retain customers, but not so brilliant for share holders since discounted pricing can only weaken Vonage's revenues.

Boy, Vonage is having a really bad month with customer lawsuits over the IPO, Verizon's lawsuit over patents, and my pending lawsuit against Vonage for my cold pizza.

Posted in Vonage

Tagged: vonage : Related Tags: offering discounts, vonage, customers, brilliant, offering, month

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Pace Micro Technology Miami DC757 HD set-top box

June 19, 2006

Pace Micro Technology, a leading digital set-top box provider specializing in the development of emerging technologies across all television platforms, today announced its latest all-digital set-top box - the Miami DC757 HD, which will be demonstrated at the upcoming Society of Cable Television Engineers (SCTE) Cable-Tec Expo in Denver, June 21-23, at Exhibit #1372.

According to their news release, this cost-effective, all-digital high definition (HD) box uses the latest generation integrated silicon, supports legacy applications, DSG (DOCSIS 2.0 Set-Top Gateway), CableCARD for conditional access by other devices (i.e. PC), and the latest in EPG and VOD applications. The Miami box has extensive connectivity options - including HDMI, RF and everything in between to provide secure, high-performance digital audio and video links.

Miami also supports 1394 5C protected interface, boasts best-in-class processing speed and memory capacity and comprehensive connectivity options for easy installation into even the most complex home theatre systems. Pace expects to present Miami to CableLabs for certification during the fourth quarter of this year.

Pace Micro Technology Americas' Director of Product Management Matt Grabham pointed out, "Our Miami box is a feature-rich, cost-effective, all-digital HD box. With its unsurpassed connectivity and high-definition picture quality, Miami is a perfect match for any HDTV within the home."

"Miami's latest-generation integrated silicon allows use of the internal cable modem for home Internet access as well as signaling to the box, giving operators and consumers more 'bang for the buck'," he added.

Pace is the leading second source cable set-top box provider in the U.S.

Posted in Home Entertainment

Tagged: hd, hdtv, pace micro technology, set-top box, tv : Related Tags: micro technology, generation integrated, conditional access, connectivity options, integrated silicon, miami

HUDLite for Asterisk Launches

June 19, 2006

Fonality today announced the immediate availability of HUDlite, a free application for Asterisk that provides businesses with a real-time call control and presence management platform, along with other features such as chat/IM and call recording. Based on HUDPro (paid version), HUDlite is available for download at www.hudlite.org, a web site that also provides a user forum and documentation. Fonality's CEO/founder Chris Lyman told me last week, "We have silently launched HUDlite (as you know) and already have almost 4,000 downloads." There is certainly a lot of "buzz" within the Asterisk community over the HUDLite application, which is probably the best call management, presence application (and other functionality) for the Asterisk platform.

"Free HUDlite helps bring Asterisk to the masses, making it much easier to use and even more powerful. Fonality has benefited so much from the Asterisk movement.

Posted in Asterisk

Tagged: asterisk, fonality, hudlite : Related Tags: hudlite, asterisk, calls, fonality, employees, provides

Verizon slaps Vonage with Lawsuit

June 19, 2006

Vonage said today that it has been served with a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Verizon. The lawsuit from Verizon Service Corp. and Verizon Laboratories Inc. alleges that Vonage infringed on seven patents related to VoIP technology. The timing of this lawsuit is more than suspicious.

Posted in Vonage

Tagged: lawsuit, verizon, vonage : Related Tags: another provider, vonage, verizon, lawsuit, service, contract

Comments

Gadgets Go Bye-Bye: Trade Them In!

June 16, 2006

Gadgets are hold to let go of -- even when they're just gathering dust.

Now it's possible to trade in your old electronics gear and gadgets in exchange for a Circuit City gift card.

EZTradeIn.com provides Circuit City customers with a way to trade in used (working) technology products in four easy steps:

Select a category to use the trade-in estimator and receive an instant estimate Register for a Trade-In account and log in to the Trade-In Program Print a prepaid shipping label and ship your items to the trade-in warehouse After receipt and verification, a gift card will be issued per the outlined terms and conditions

Trade-in categories include:

PC Desktop Apple Desktop PC Notebook Apple Notebook SLR & Professional Cameras Point & Shoot Cameras Servers MultiMedia Projectors Home Audio Receivers Mobile Phones Car Audio Receivers Computer Monitors Camcorders Game Systems PDAs or Hand Held Computers Apple iPod

www.circuitcity.com

Posted in Gadgets

Tagged: circuit city, eztradein.com, gift card, trade-in : Related Tags: audio receivers, trade, gadgets, apple

Nielsen wants to track everything you watch

June 16, 2006

Nielsen wants to expand upon their TV tracking into the Web realm and even your iPod to track what video content you watch. According to this MSNBC article, "Nielsen Media Research said Wednesday it plans to integrate TV with Internet ratings and to measure viewership for such portable devices as cell phones and iPods." It states that Nielsen is developing "meters" that track viewing on portable devices, and will by year's end have a 400-member iPod user panel in place.

While I applaud Nielsen for trying to expand their repertoire of user habits & tracking, which aids in reporting for content providers and gives advertisers an audited way of knowing readership, I am a bit skeptical over Nielsen tracking user's Web surfing habits or what videos they watch on their iPods. Isn't this known as "spyware"?

Posted in Home Entertainment, Satellite Radio

Tagged: fox news, ipod, nielsen, spyware, tv, video content, videos : Related Tags: nielsen wants, portable devices, nielsen, watch, tracking, track

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MINO Wireless uses VoIP for 2.2 cents per minute mobile calls to China

June 16, 2006

MINO Wireless, a Sunnyvale, CA-based mobile services company, today announced a campaign to promote its International Call from Mobile Phone service through Chinese media in the US. MINO service makes international calls easy and affordable by using Internet (or VoIP) call technology.

With MINO, users can call from the US to China from their mobile phones at 2.2 cents per minute. MINO’s ads are planned to appear in Chinese language print media Singtao and World Journal, on local TV station KTSF, which broadcasts ethnic programming, and on SVC and Singtao Radio.

Posted in Mobile Phones, VoIP

Tagged: blocking, china, mino wireless, voip : Related Tags: another company, better average, provide similar, similar service, china, wireless

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Dish Network Adding Dish Games

June 16, 2006

In another sign of the ever-growing importance and influence of video games, EchoStar and its DISH Network satellite television service have announced that it will offer a new interactive application called DishGAMES as part of its “DishHOME” interactive channel 100.

DishGAMES will feature 16 games from PixelPlay’s branded games including ASTEROIDS MEGA and CENTIPEDE MEGA. It will also include prizing, score submission, leader board and tournament capabilities.

To subscribe to DishGAMES, customers can select an on-screen “subscribe” button using their remote control which will connect them directly to the interactive TV customer service application.

DishGAMES is $4.99 per month or $49.99 annually. New customers will have access to all 16 games for the first five weeks, after which the games will rotate out weekly from an extensive library. All games will also be available for non-subscribers in demo mode.

www.dishnetwork.com

Posted in Video Games & Gaming

Tagged: asteroids mega, centipede mega, dish network, dishgames, echostar, pixelplay : Related Tags: games, please, month, dishgames, email, prizes

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FYI: World Cell Phone Sales Leaders

June 15, 2006

As one of the world's leading high-end cell phone case manufacturers, Krusell has a unique perspective into what's hot at the moment.

This list reflects the sales of phones on six continents and in more than 50 countries around the globe.

According to Krusell, the top 10 selling cell phones last month were:

Motorola RaZr V3/ V3i/ V3c Sony Ericsson K750i/D750i/W800i Nokia 6230/6230i Sony Ericsson W810i Nokia 6280/6282 Nokia N70 Qtek 9100/ I-mate K-Jam Motorola V1150/Razr V3X Motorola SLVR L7 Qtek S200/I-mate Jamin

Motorola RaZr V3/V3i/V3c is number one for the third consecutive month, but in the upcoming months watch out for big sellers such as LG Choclate, Qtek 8500 and, of course, Sony Ericsson K800i.

www.krusell.se

Posted in Mobile Phones

Tagged: cell phones, krusell, motorola, nokia, qtek, sony ericsson : Related Tags: light effects, handsfree speaker, integrated camera, camera phone, xhtml browser, nokia

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Nintendo Goes (DS) Lite in Time for Dads & Grads

June 15, 2006

Just in time for Father’s Day, graduation day and summer travel, Nintendo has introducesd its cool new hand-held gaming system, Nintendo DS Lite.

Available in a stylish Polar White, the Nintendo DS Lite is less than two-thirds the size of the original Nintendo DS and more than 20% lighter. It features a brighter screen with four adjustable brightness settings so you can see what you're doing in any light.

Retail price: $129.99 (available now at retailers throughout the United States).

www.nintendo.com

Posted in Video Games & Gaming

Tagged: ds lite, father's day, nintendo, www.nintendo.com : Related Tags: nintendo

Online Gaming Market Goes Crazy!

June 14, 2006

According to a recent report from BusinessWeek Magazine, the online gaming market will reach $13 billion by 2011. This would be a 400% increase from the $3.4 billion market last year.

Over that time period, North America could challenge longtime leader Asia as the top market, but only time will tell with that one.

The full 750-page report is from market research firm DFC Intelligence. That's a lot of reading!

Posted in Video Games & Gaming

Tagged: businessweek, dfc intelligence, online gaming market : Related Tags: online gaming, gaming market, market

Security Flaws In Asterix PBX, IAX VoIP Client

June 14, 2006

From Yahoo News:
Open source IP PBX application Asterisk PBX and the open source IAX VoIP client contain serious security vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to assault VoIP networks with denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, says Core Security Technologies, a security company that discovered the threat.

The good news is the open source Asterisk community has already released patches.

Posted in Asterisk

Tagged: asterisk, dos : Related Tags: security, source

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ATS DECT 6.0 cordless VoIP phones

June 13, 2006

Tomorrow, American Telecom Services, Inc. (ATS) will announce the release of its first DECT 6.0 cordless multi-handset Internet phone. The master units (E6501) are expected to retail at a sub $50 mark (likely $49.99) and the extensions (E6502) will each retail for sub $30 (likely $29.99).

The E6501 includes ATS’ patent-pending Digital Clear functionality and is expandable to up to five total handsets. ATS claims this is the first cordless phone to use DECT technology that integrates a router and a SIP VoIP platform in the charging base of the master cordless phone unit. Uniden makes a cordless phone system, which I recently reviewed - the UIP1869V, that supports SIP, but it's not DECT and its locked to Vonage, so the ATS phone system is the first cordless phone system (DECT or otherwise) that is an open SIP system to use with any VoIP provider that provides you with SIP credentials. Nice thing about that is if you change VoIP providers you aren't left with a "bricked" phone system.

The ATS E6501 and E6502 will be sold by American Telecom under the ATS brand bundled with service through major retailers (online and offline) in the U.S.

Posted in Gadgets, Mobile Phones, VoIP, Wireless

Tagged: american telecom services, cordless, dect, sip, voip : Related Tags: phone system, cordless phone, american telecom, service providers, technology integrates, phone

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ZVUE Can Show You the (Windows) Way

June 13, 2006

There is MP3 life beyond the world of iPod (yes, there is!) as HandHeld Entertainment has added a number of punk rock concert videos, hip hop, gospel and metal concert videos to its download store at ZVUE.com through a deal with Music Video Distributors.

The titles include video from legendary punk rockers as Bad Religion, Dead Kennedys, Iggy and the Stooges (Iggy Pop) and New York Dolls, in addition to comedy films from former Saturday Night Live comedian Jim Breuer (left) and cult indie films like Southlander.

This agreement follows HandHeld’s announcements of a music partnership with eMusic, the addition of Latin music videos from Sunflower Entertainment, the acquisition of 1,500 full-length films and television shows from Worldvision Cinema, comedic movies from Fun Little Movies, extreme sports videos from TotalVid, independent films from StoryPIPE.com and classic TV programs and cartoons from LikeTelevision.

Available at more than 1,800 Wal-Mart stores around the United States, the $99 ZVUE plays videos and MP3 files available from the ZVUE.com download store and also lets users view digital pictures from a digital camera or home video from a camcorder.

The ZVUE offers full-color video and clear audio sound that gives users a robust, on-the-go digital experience when coupled with downloadable content from the ZVUE Web site.

www.hheld.com

Posted in MP3 Players & Digital Audio

Tagged: handheld entertainment, iggy and the stooges, ipod, jim breuer, music video distributors, new york dolls, saturday night live, wal-mart, zvue : Related Tags: concert videos, download store, videos, video, films, digital

Click Opens Next Week -– Go Gadget Go!

June 13, 2006

Michael Newman (Adam Sandler) is a family man whose busy career as an architect does not leave much time for his wife Donna (Kate Beckinsale) and his two kids. (You already know something is wrong, terribly wrong, here.)

Unable one day to determine which of his many remotes turns on the television, he decides he needs a universal remote that does it all. On his search for the perfect device, he meets Morty (Christopher Walken -– always a scary guy) who gives him a one-of-a-kind remote that has magical powers.

With each click, Michael can control his career and personal life. But complications arise when the remote starts to overrule his choices.

(Just for the record, the film also stars David Hasselhoff as Newman’s boss, Henry Winkler and Julie Kavner as his parents.

Posted in Gadgets

Tagged: adam sandler, christopher walken, click, david hasselhoff, henry winkler, julie kavner, kate beckinsale, rachel dratch, sean astin : Related Tags: click opens, remote, click, control

Skype in eBay - Why wait?

June 13, 2006

As I mentioned yesterday, Andy speculated that eBay would announce Skype integrated into eBay auctions. I started thinking about this and remembered that eBay already supports HTML code within its auctions, so you could simply add your own Skype button with full presence yourself - without waiting for Skype and eBay to get their $4 billion act together!

Skype supports Javacript code buttons, such as this:
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://download.skype.com/share/skypebuttons/js/
skypeCheck.js"></script>
<a href="skype:tkeating?call"><img src="http://mystatus.skype.com/bigclassic/tkeating" style="border: none;" width="182" height="44" alt="My status" /></a>
Unfortunately, eBay doesn't allow Javascript to be embedded within auctions. Actually that is a good thing since someone could embed a virus into an auction.

Fortunately, Skype also supports direct image links to display your presence. So all you need to do is put this piece of code in your auction and change the bolded part to your Skype username.
<a href="skype:tkeating?call"><img src="http://mystatus.skype.com/bigclassic/tkeating" style="border: none;" width="182" height="44" alt="My status" /></a>
So I decided to create the very first eBay auction integrated with a Skype button.

Posted in Skype

Tagged: auction, ebay, presence, skype, voip : Related Tags: skype button, skype supports, bigclassic tkeating, charge extra, mystatus skype, skype

Comments

Blog and You'll get Fired

June 13, 2006

Proofpoint's survey has some interesting statistics including that 38% of large companies hire staff to read employee email. The survey also has a lot of stats on blogging, including a statistic that states 7.1% of companies have fired an employee for violating blog or message board policies. Uh oh... I hope I don't get fired for posting Hooters girls on top of a red Dodge Viper.

Posted in MovableType

Tagged: blogging, blogs, hooters : Related Tags: outbound email, message board, employee violating, board policies, companies disciplined, companies

Comments

Sony's New Gadget-Dispensing Vending Machines

June 12, 2006

Have you heard about Sony selling electronic products in automated kiosks?

Yes indeed! Reminds me of the amusement park game (or diner lobby game) where you put your buck into the machine and you get to operate a giant claw that tries to pick up a stuffed animal or some other goodie.

(Please, if you have ever won that this game, let me know. I am sure to be impressed.)

Actually, what Sony is doing is installing branded kiosks in three shopping malls this week that will allowing purchasers to see the selection of electronic items behind glass walls, touch the screen to read about product information or watch movie trailers and then make a purchase delivered by a robotic arm.

According to the New York Times, Sony hopes the vending machine-like kiosks, called "robotic stores," will help boost sales by offering consumers a way to combine the immediate gratification of a store purchase with the ease of buying products online.

Only time will tell ...

(Oh, and if you come across one of these things, please let me know.)

Posted in Gadgets

Tagged: branded kiosks, new york times, robotic stores, sony : Related Tags: machine, kiosks

Comments

2007 CES Registration Now Open; Go Gadget Crazy!

June 12, 2006

For 40 years, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has been the launch pad of technology and 2007 promises to be nothing short of spectacular. Registration for the 2007 show in Las Vegas (Jan. 8-11) opens today!

Don't miss a chance to experience the excitement of the newest technology in the CE industry!

The first CES took place in New York City in June, 1967 with 200 exhibitors and 17,500 attendees. Since then, CES has grown more than seven-fold.

Posted in Gadgets

Tagged: ces, consumer electronics show : Related Tags: system digital, digital audio, digital, radio, technology

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Can you hear me now? Ringtones Age Discrimination

June 12, 2006

Interesting story from ABC News about a ringtone that only young people can hear:
Students are using a new ring tone to receive messages in class — and many teachers can't even hear the ring.

Some students are downloading a ring tone off the Internet that is too high-pitched to be heard by most adults. With it, high schoolers can receive text message alerts on their cell phones without the teacher knowing.

As people age, many develop what's known as aging ear — a loss of the ability to hear higher-frequency sounds.
While an interesting phenomenon on the aging ear and taking advantage of it - ever hear of "vibrate" mode? Although, some phones vibrate loudly which the teacher can probably pick up.

Posted in News

Tagged: ringtones : Related Tags:

Caller ID Act blocks Spoofing

June 12, 2006

On June 6th, House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) praised passage of H.R. 5126, The Truth in Caller I.D. Act, which would prohibit "spoofing" or intentional falsification of the name or number that appears on a consumer's caller identification (ID) display - which is very easy to do with an Asterisk server or any VoIP system.

Posted in Asterisk, VoIP

Tagged: caller id, nsa, spoofing : Related Tags: truth caller, caller, consumers, phone

Comments

Linksys WIP330 Wireless-G IP Phone Review

June 12, 2006

Ratings Score Installation Documentation Features Usability Value Performance Overall
The Linksys WIP330 Wireless-G IP Phone is one of the coolest gadgets I've tested in awhile. Linksys sent me a WIP330 for a product review two weeks ago and I played around with it quite a bit, but just never found the time to write the review. Well, here goes, an exclusive look at the Linksys WIP330 Wireless-G IP Phone...

The Linksys WIP330 Wireless-G IP Phone enables VoIP service through a Wireless-G network connected to the Internet to make low-cost VoIP calls through your Internet Telephony Service Provider (ITSP). The handset features peer-to-peer dialing, speed dial, 3-way conferencing, call waiting, call transfer, and call forward, mute, hold and selectable ringtones.

Posted in Gadgets, Microsoft, Mobile Phones, Reviews, VoIP, Wireless

Tagged: ip phone, linksys, review, sip, voip, wifi, wip330 : Related Tags: skype client, phone number, desktop charger, latest firmware, using https, phone

Comments

Lexmark JumpDrive Mercury USB 1GB memory stick

June 12, 2006

Lexmark JumpDrive Mercury USB 1GB memory stick was just reviewed by EverythingUSB.com. The story? Well, unlike other USB memory sticks, the Lexmark JumpDrive Mercury has a "meter" that displays how much memory if left on the device, so you aren't fumbling for another memory stick if you fill the memory up. According to EverythingUSB, "the 10-bar capacity meter shows a high level of contrast that is easily visible in direct sunlight and requires virtually no power to run." Check out the full review.

Posted in Gadgets

Tagged: jumpdrive, lexmark, memory stick, usb : Related Tags: jumpdrive mercury, lexmark jumpdrive, memory stick, memory, stick, jumpdrive

Skype finally integrated into eBay?

June 12, 2006

I just recently ranted about Skype not being integrated into eBay yet, especially considering the billions of dollars eBay spent on purchasing Skype. I wrote, "I think eBay would be smart to start offering Skype integration on the U.S. eBay site -- even if only in beta. They've owned Skype long enough to be able to do this, so why the long delay? You'd think several billion dollars in Skype's pockets would give them enough cash to hire developers to get the show on the road.

Posted in Skype

Tagged: auctions, ebay, skype, voip : Related Tags: developers conference, skype browser, skype, developers, integration

Anybody Squidoo?

June 9, 2006

Anybody out there Squidoo? Now that is the question.

Squidoo is a new online platform and community that makes it easy for anyone to build a single page -- called a lens -- on a topic, idea, product or cause he or she is passionate about. These lenses in turn help finders get unique, human perspectives instead of computer-selected and often irrelevant search results.

Not only can Lensmasters spread their ideas, get recognized for their knowledge and send more traffic to their Web sites and blogs — they could also earn royalties.

According to the company, Squidoo's goal as a platform is to bring the power of recommendation to search. Squidoo's goal as a co-op is to pay as much money as we can to its lensmasters and to charity.

Posted in Computer Software

Tagged: lensmasters, online platform and community, squidoo, www.squidoo.com : Related Tags: anybody squidoo, squidoo

Congress tells FCC, "We'll Handle e911"

June 9, 2006

In my previous post on H.R. 5252 legislation, I pasted some excerpts of the bill that pertained to e911. It would appear this bill which passed yesterday "trumps" the FCC's regulations as it pertains to providing e911 service. Although this bill has yet to pass the Senate, it's text pertaining to e911 is quite interesting.

[snippet]
(b) Non-Discriminatory Access to Capabilities-

(1) ACCESS- Each incumbent local exchange carrier (as such term is defined in section 251(h)) or government entity with ownership or control of the necessary E-911 infrastructure shall provide any requesting VOIP service provider with nondiscriminatory access to such infrastructure. Such carrier or entity shall provide access to the infrastructure at just and reasonable, nondiscriminatory rates, terms, and conditions.

Posted in VoIP

Tagged: 911, congress, e911, fcc, voip : Related Tags: service provider, industry standards, selective router, access infrastructure, shall provide, service

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U.S. Merchant Marine Academy uses VoIP for President Bush commencement speech

June 9, 2006

On June 19th, President George W. Bush will be delivering the commencement address at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. In my senior year of high school I actually considered going to the Merchant Marine Academy, but I did apply to the Air Force Academy and the Coast Guard Academy, both of which are very difficult to get into. I passed the physical and I was able to get a nomination bid from Senator Dodd - one of only 10 given out per member of Congress and the Vice President.

Posted in VoIP

Tagged: air force academy, al-zarqawi, coast guard academy, m5 networks, merchant marine academy, president bush, voip : Related Tags: merchant marine, marine academy, states merchant, united states, phone lines, academy

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Bigger Is Better Notebooks Are Coming

June 9, 2006

I thought notebook computers were supposed to be small (hence "notebook" in the first place).

Well, according to eWeek Magazine, Dell, Acer and Samsung are testing the waters for super-sized laptop computers that look more like briefcases than notebooks.

Driven as much by technology as demand, these new notebooks with 19- and 20-inch LCD monitors are looking for an audience -- high-end gamers, not mobile executives?

Acer was displaying its 20-inch mega-model this week in Taipei at Computex, the world's second largest computer show, while Dell was also targeting high-performance aficionados when it announced the release of its 20-inch laptop model last week (that's the one in the photo). Samsung's model comes with a detachable screen so that users can hook it up to their desktop monitors. Prices? Not cheap -- try $2,700 to more than $5,000

Posted in Computer Hardware

Tagged: acer, computex, dell, notebook computers, samsung : Related Tags: laptop, model, notebooks

Comments

Video Franchise Fee Reform Bill Passes - Good news, Bad News

June 9, 2006

The U.S. House of Representative yesterday approved the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006 (H.R. 5252). H.R. 5252 reforms the current video franchising regulations that have stifled competition in the video services market and have enabled cable companies to become monopolies.

Posted in Triple Play

Tagged: cable, e911, hr 5252, net neutrality, triple play, video : Related Tags: service provider, emergency response, provide service, selective router, shall provide, service

Comments

GlobalComm failure - Will Hooters Girls Help?

June 8, 2006

Rich Tehrani has always been one to call it like he sees it and he certainly has a keen eye to say whether a show is going to be successful simply by examining the first day of exhibit hall traffic. He should have a keen eye - both Rich and Nadji Tehrani have been in the tradeshow biz for over 25 years. You don't have successful tradeshows (such as ITEXPO) if you don't have good instincts. Well, Rich was the first to blog about GlobalComm's apparent failure after the show's opening day. This was soon followed by others who also chimed in to express disappointment in the show.

Here's what Rich wrote at 12:56am on June 6th, just hours after the first day closed.

Posted in ITEXPO, News

Tagged: globalcomm, hooters : Related Tags: internet telephony, hooters girls, unique visitors, supposed replace, enterprise event, event

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Creative Technology Sues Apple Over iPod

June 8, 2006

Who would ever think that the Wall Street Journal is must reading for real gadget guys and gals? (let's not use "gadget gurus" please)?

Well, today's edition has a very interesting article about how Creative Technology (best known for its Zen line of MP3 players) is suing Apple over violating its patent on the navigation technology and the method of organizing and accessing music.

Not to be outdone, Apple is countersuing in two separate instances -- the first alleges that Creative infringed on four patents on Apple's digital music players and the second that Creative infringed on three more patents. (A real "he said, she said" debate.)

Now what's really interesting is that apparently Apple's Steve Jobs approached Creative before Apple had the iPod to possibly license Creative's technology or with a suggestion that Creative spin off that division into a separate company in which Apple would invest.

But why go into all of the details here, when you can read all about it yourself at www.wsj.com?

Posted in MP3 Players & Digital Audio

Tagged: apple, creative technology, ipod, steve jobs, wall street journal, www.wsj.com, zen : Related Tags: creative infringed, infringed patents, creative technology, creative, apple, technology

Yes, DigitalLife (The Preview) Was Exciting!

June 8, 2006

Can't believe it's taken me a day to recover from the excitement and mob scene that was the DigitalLife preview!

I expected a lot -- and I wasn't disappointed as companies from A (Ageia) to Z (Zone Labs) exhibited their latest goodies prior to the actual DigitalLife show this fall in New York.

With that in mind, let's take a look at what Ageia and Zone Labs were showing.

Ageia is dedicated to delivering dynamic interactive realism to the ever demanding complexity of next-generation games. Its flagship solution, Ageia PhysX, is the world's first dedicated physics engine and physics processor to bridge the gap between static virtual worlds and responsive unscripted physical reality. In other words, Ageia PhysX allows game developers to use active physics-based environments for a truly realistic entertainment experience.

www.ageia.com

Zone Labs, on the other hand, offers an Internet security solution called ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite. This includes its Triple Defense Firewall technology and integrated antivirus and anti-spyware capabilities to protect PCs from hackers, spyware, worms, identity thieves, spam and other evil nasties.

www.zonelabs.com

Posted in Gadgets

Tagged: ageia, ageia physx, digitallife, zone labs, zonealarm internet security suite : Related Tags: internet security, ageia physx, digitallife preview, ageia, physics, digitallife

John McCain pushes a la carte TV channels bill

June 7, 2006

Legislation was introduced today by Senator McCain to push forward a la carte TV programming. Personally, I'd like to have a la carte satellite TV programming, naked DSL or naked broadband cable, and a reliable VoIP service provider.

Alas, I am still overpaying for cable TV and only get like 4 HDTV channels. I'd love to switch to satellite TV, but would still need to keep at least basic cable in order to keep my high-speed broadband cable connection. It is not very cost effective to switch to basic cable plus pay for satellite channels.

Posted in Triple Play

Tagged: a la carte programming, cable tv, hdtv, john mccain, net neutrality : Related Tags: phone service, legislation introduced, basic cable, broadband cable, satellite internet, cable

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Trixbox founder responds

June 7, 2006

Both Chris Lyman, CEO of Fonality, and Andrew Gillis, the founder of Asterisk@Home - now Trixbox, responded to my previous post pondering the relationship between Trixbox and Fonality. Long story short, it looks like the open-source Trixbox project is safe from any commercial intentions. Just a case of one Linux-based commercial company helping out a Linux hobbyist. You just gotta love the Linux community!

Also, interesting to read how the name "trixbox" came about:

Tom: So what’s the deal with Trixbox.

Posted in Asterisk, Reviews

Tagged: asterisk, fonality, trixbox, voip : Related Tags: hudlite trixbox, source community, asterisk trademark, chris andrew, hosting bandwidth, trixbox

Trixbox 1.0 replaces Asterisk@Home

June 7, 2006

Apparently, development on Asterisk@Home, the "turnkey" Asterisk solution with many third-party add-ons pre-installed has ended. However, the developers have created a new product called Trixbox. Just like Asterisk@Home, Trixbox is a complete Asterisk PBX including, a Linux OS, Asterisk PBX software, a Web GUI, and many other useful add-ons. As with Asterisk@Home, Trixbox can be quickly installed in less than an hour.

Besides being reminded of that wacky Trix rabbit character, I'd be curious why the need for the name change, especially since Trixbox is based on the same exact source code as Asterisk@Home.

Posted in Asterisk, Linux

Tagged: asterisk@home, fonality, linux, open source, trixbox 1.0, voip : Related Tags: protect brand, asterisk, trixbox, fonality, trademark, linux

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Skype Klonies Avatars

June 7, 2006

Skype now offers cartoonish avatars.

Some of the avatars remind me of the banner ads I saw all over the web of "cartoonist young girl avatars" where they made the young girls all "dolled" up with makeup (fake eyelashes, lipstick, etc.) to look like a sexy woman - kinda like the Bratz dolls, but not the Bratz dolls. I can't seem to recall the name of the avatar website. If you know, post a comment.

In any event, here's the news:
Skype announced today Skype Klonies™, an innovative avatar that lets users personalize Skype with special characters to reflect their personalities, moods and interests.
- Using the new Klonies Studio in the Personalize Skype Web store, users can create and frequently update their unique Klonie image — changing hairstyles, clothing and accessories, expressions, locations, animated activities and more.

Posted in Skype

Tagged: avatars, klonies, skype : Related Tags: clothing accessories, personalize skype, skype klonies, football mania, users dress, skype

My DigitalLife Starts Now

June 6, 2006

I'll be busy this evening at the DigitalLife press preview in New York, with 40 or so companies showing off their latest and greatest gadgets (or at least telling me they wil be ready for the fall show.

Should have lots of interesting posts coming up after this soiree ...

Nothing like the object pictured above however; anybody got a guess what that gadget is?

Posted in Gadgets

Tagged: digitallife, gadgets : Related Tags:

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Packet8 adds CallerID with Name feature

June 6, 2006

Packet8 told me that they just added CallerID with Name. I'm surprised it took them this long to offer it. My Vonage account (which I have yet to switch) has had CallerID with name for quite some time now.

Posted in Packet8

Tagged: callerid, packet8 : Related Tags: packet vonage, basic cable, broadband cable, charter voice, still overpaying, cable

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Moto? No, Muto, As in Mutoscopes (Old Is New Again)

June 5, 2006

Now get ready for this!

The American Mutoscope and Biograph Company, the oldest movie company in America (established in 1895), has signed a distribution deal with Strom Magellan to release “Mutoscopes” worldwide.

In case you didn't know (and I bet you didnt'), "Mutoscopes" are short films originally produced 100 years ago by the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company. Now, the oldest is the newest popular form of wireless entertainment.

The initial lineup includes films that are far from anyone's first-run list.

Posted in Mobile Phones

Tagged: american mutoscope and biograph company, cell phone, mutoscopes, strom magellan, wireless entertainment : Related Tags: american mutoscope, mutoscope biograph, biograph company, originally produced, company oldest, mutoscope

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Asterisk Business Edition B.1 Released

June 5, 2006

Digium today announced a major upgrade of its Asterisk Business Edition, the professional-grade version of Asterisk. Called Asterisk Business Edition B.1, the upgraded release includes enhanced security and scalability provided by Ranch Network's Asterisk security code, speech recognition capabilities through the LumenVox Speech Engine, text-to-speech applications through the Cepstral Text-to-Speech System and a customized Linux distribution to simplify installation. Asterisk Business Edition B.1 will also feature built-in support for Intel Dialogic Products and Aculab Prosody X cards.

Posted in Asterisk, Linux

Tagged: asterisk, digium, linux, voip : Related Tags: asterisk business, business edition, asterisk, speech, business, edition

Ask.com gets into blog search

June 5, 2006

Ask.com introduced Blog & Feed Search, a new web search designed for searching blog posts, finding feeds and news published to the "blogosphere," while leveraging Ask.com search technology and subscription data. I did a search on "voip blog" as well as "gadget blog" and this blog was listed as the #1 RSS feed. Sweet!

I can also see my blog posts from within Ask.com. When I roll the binoculars icon over one of the search results I can see a preview of the site without leaving the page.

Posted in MovableType, News, Reviews

Tagged: ask.com, blog search engine, feeds, rss : Related Tags: search

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WWE On-Demand

June 5, 2006

Looks like the WWE is going to soon allow you "pay on-demand" (pay-per-view) access to over 75,000 hours of wrestling programs. Could a full-time "Wrestling Classic Channel" be far behind? Hey, ESPN has ESPN Classic, so why not a Wrestling Classic channel? Relatedly, I hope the FCC gets its act together on ala carte channel purchasing.

WWE also purchased libraries dating back to the 1950's from WCW, ECW, AWA, WCCW, CWF, CSW, OVW, and SMW. Watching old wrestling events certain has a lot of nostalgia. So now you can bring back the memories of past pay-per-view events like WrestleMania, or wrestling shows like RAW, Saturday Night Main Event, etc.

Posted in News

Tagged: on-demand, pay-per-view, tv, wrestling, wwe : Related Tags: video library, wrestling classic, wrestling entertainment, classic channel, purchased libraries, wrestling

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Vonage IPO Lawsuit and my Lawsuit over my Cold Pizza

June 5, 2006

Sure, all the hubbub is over Vonage users suing Vonage over their failed IPO and refusing to pay for their Vonage shares, but I have my own pending lawsuit against Vonage - and it's over my cold pizza.

Last night, I ordered a large sausage pizza from La Familia in Brookfield. I gave them my address and home phone number, which was a Norwalk exchange since I kept my Norwalk phone number when I moved to Brookfield. Apparently, the driver looked at the phone number (854-XXXX) and knew it wasn't a Brookfield exchange, so he thought it was a Newtown phone number, which coincidentally also has the exact street name as my house. So he drove on I-84 to exit 10 (20 min away from my house) and knocked on the door of some unsuspecting residents who told them they didn't order a pizza.

The delivery guy then called my house and asked where I lived.

Posted in Personal and Humor, Vonage

Tagged: ipo, pizza, vonage : Related Tags: phone number, apparently driver, pizza caught, pizza vonage, because pizza, pizza

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Sporty Electric Cars

June 5, 2006

I looked at a hybrid-electric SUV several months ago, but decided it wasn't worth the premium you pay and got a Jeep Grand Cherokee instead. I also considered electric cars such as the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight (right), but they are just butt-ugly. In fact, most electric cars are plain ugly with the worst design imaginable. Only a tree-hugger hippie blinded by the environmental benefits of these cars, could love some of these electric car designs.

Posted in Technology and Science

Tagged: dodge, electric cars, hybrid vehicles, tesla motors, viper : Related Tags: evenly distribute, distribute weight, alternatively perhaps, weight though, fender bender, electric

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Quest, Level 3, Sprint/Nextel incest

June 5, 2006

Skibare has the goods on a potential incestuous relationship between Quest, Level 3, and Sprint/Nextel. Aren't Quest and Sprint/Nextel rival competitors? Looks like the carriers and major backbone providers have to get along much more than the 1990s if they want to survive the impact of wireless and VoIP technology. But with the major carriers doing deals with each other, AT&T now part of SBC, and other consolidation in the carrier arena, I wonder if won't have to break up the carriers in the near future (like we did Ma Bell) to prevent just 4-6 major carriers from dominating the U.S. telecom sector.

Posted in VoIP

Tagged: level 3, nextel, quest, sprint : Related Tags: sprint nextel, level sprint, quest level, major carriers, eventual winners, carriers

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GlobalComm Party like it's 1999

June 5, 2006

TMC is hosting a party at GlobalComm, the third such party hosted by TMC at GlobalComm (formerly Supercomm). According to Rich Tehrani, "it will now be an IMS party co-sponsored by the IMS Forum –formerly the IPCC. It will also be sponsored by TMC's new IMS Magazine and IMS Expo. The entire IMS market will be represented." I'm sure lots of VoIP players will be attending, so will be a great chance to meet important people in the industry in an informal setting.

Alas, I won't be there, but I'm not important in the VoIP industry anyway, right?

The party is tonight, so this is a bit of last minute notice.

Posted in News

Tagged: globalcomm : Related Tags: party globalcomm, party, globalcomm

Earn Delta SkyMiles with VoIP

June 5, 2006

Delta's SkyMiles customers now can now "dial for miles", announcing today its partnership with Proximiti Communications, Inc. that will allow SkyMiles members to earn miles when switching their home, home office or small business phone service to Proximiti's broadband VoIP service.

SkyMiles members will earn miles when they replace their traditional phone service with Proximiti's VoIP service. I read the press release and it looks like you earn 7,000 miles when you sign up with one of their residential plans and 35,000 for one of their business plans.

Here's where this promotion went wrong.

Posted in VoIP

Tagged: delta, proximiti, skymiles : Related Tags: skymiles members, phone service, service proximiti, skymiles, miles, proximiti

Free Conferencing Recording

June 5, 2006

Last week, my boss asked MIS and me about being able to record his calls from his cell phone since he was doing an important interview. How ironic that just a few days later, Free Conferencing Corp. was announcing their plans for free recording capabilities that would work from his cellphone or any phone for that matter.

If you go to www.freeconferencecall.com you can check out what they claim is the "industry’s first FREE conference recording service." Callers can utilize the in-conference recording option for:

• Free unlimited dial-in playback
• File download
• Web streaming
• RSS and podcast conversion
• 24/7 availability

FreeConferenceCall.com does not require a teleconference connection charge. Users simply call a dial-in number to participate in a teleconference. It's too bad they don't publish a SIP address to avoid even the toll charges using VoIP.

Posted in News

Tagged: conferencing, free, free conferencing : Related Tags: freeconferencecall offers, recording service, conference recording, recording, freeconferencecall, offers

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Get A (Digital)Life: Yes, Next Week I Will

June 2, 2006

Celebrating all things digital, more than 40 companies will showcase the latest HD-DVDs, high-performance gaming devices, digital cameras, movie download services, ultimate mobile workstations, iPod accessories, universal remote controls and digital music keyboards at DigitalLife in New York at the Javits Center from October 12-15. (Love this show.)

Next week, we will be able to take a sneak peak at some of the products that will be shown in the fall. Participating companies include Alienware, Altec Lansing, HP, Humax USA, ITVN, Kodak, Logitech, Pepper Computer, Seagate, Toshiba, United Online, Vongo, WowWee, Zone Labs and many more.

Should have some interesting new gadgets to blog about after that in the weeks ahead.

It's a great show to attend if you're in NYC (or planning to travel to the Big Apple) in the fall.

www.digitallife.com

Posted in Gadgets

Tagged: alienware, altec lansing, digitallife, hp, humax usa, itvn, kodak, logitech, pepper computer, seagate, toshiba, united online, vongo, wowwee, zone labs : Related Tags: digital

Gates: The Dawning of the Age of Friction-Free Innovation

June 2, 2006

Love or hate Microsoft, there's no doubt about that it's always interesting to hear what Bill Gates has to say about the future or technology and science. You may not agree with him, but he does have way of shaping what all of us are doing -- and how we do it.

Here's an excerpt from his recent speech at the Microsoft CEO Summit in Redmond, WA (for the complete speech, visit his personal home page at http://www.microsoft.com/billgates/default.asp):

The theme of this year's CEO Summit is "The Next 10 Years." So where will we be 10 years from now? As I said back in 1997, there's a tendency to overestimate how much things will change in two years and underestimate how much change will occur over 10 years. But I think there are some things we can say with a reasonable degree of certainty.

During the next 10 years, networks will get faster, computer processing will continue to increase in accordance with Moore's Law, and data storage will continue to fall in price. Meanwhile, high-definition screens will be cheaper, lighter and more portable. Mobile phones will rival today's desktop PCs for power and storage. Most important, the software that ties it all together will become increasingly sophisticated in its ability to understand the way you work, and increasingly streamlined and intuitive in the ways you use it.

During the next 10 years, the idea of "search" will give way to a notion of seamless access to knowledge as people begin to utilize tools that let them interact with their computers using plain English—or plain Spanish, French, Chinese or Russian—to instantly link to the information or people they need.

Posted in Technology and Science

Tagged: bill gates, microsoft : Related Tags: years, world, friction, microsoft, people, summit

Tax VoIP to fund USF? Bah!

June 2, 2006

So now the U.S. government wants to tax VoIP to help fund the USF. Rich discusses this in a post today worth checking out. eWeek also has a story on this.

Posted in VoIP

Tagged: fcc, kevin martin, skype, tax, usf, voip : Related Tags: kevin martin, rural areas, broadband internet, internet access, chairman kevin, broadband

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Office 2007: Some Hands-On Comments

June 2, 2006

Happened to have the opportunity to get a firsthand preview of Microsoft Office 2007 -- and while I didn't get to see everything under the hood, there were a number of very useful redesigns, tweaks and improvements to Microsoft Word and Excel (didn't get to see much about Outlook and PowerPoint).

Much ado on the Microsoft site about the new Office user interface -- "The Ribbon" (below).

And it does work better for me once you begin the get the hang of it.

The traditional menus and toolbars have been replaced by the Ribbon, a new device that presents commands organized into a set of tabs. The tabs on the Ribbon display the commands that are most relevant for each of the task areas in Word 2007, PowerPoint 2007, Excel 2007 or Access 2007.

For example, Word 2007 has tabs for writing, inserting, page layout, working with references, doing mailings, and reviewing documents. In addition, Word has a number of innovations that makes working with text much easier, such as pop-up boxes to change fonts (size, type, etc.), that results in more time spent writing, rather than formattting. In addition, tabs have seemedn to replace drop-downs menus throughout.

Excel 2007 has a similar set of tabs that make sense for spreadsheet work: creating worksheets, inserting objects like charts and graphics, page layout, working with formulas, managing data, and reviewing. These tabs simplify accessing application features because they organize the commands in a way that corresponds directly to the tasks people perform in these applications.

Posted in Computer Software, Reviews

Tagged: buy, microsoft excel, microsoft office 2007, microsoft outlook, microsoft powerpoint, microsoft word : Related Tags: running office, layout working, office, microsoft, excel, documents

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Baby Pictures

June 1, 2006

Below are two professional baby pictures taken of Megan Lyn Keating, along with Jessie on the left and Darby on the right, that I thought I'd share. Both Darby and Jessie are like a "rock" when either my wife or I tell them to "stay", so they were very good during the lengthy picture taking process.

At one point Megan started to cry and Jessie turned her head to try and console her. Technically, she broke her "stay" since she moved, but I'd rather have Jessie express her concern for Megan. Besides her butt was still planted to the floor, so on second thought she did stay.

Posted in Personal and Humor

Tagged: baby, dogs, pictures : Related Tags: jessie, megan, pictures

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X-Lite 3.0 launches

June 1, 2006

X-Lite 3.0, a new version of Counterpath's popular free VoIP softphone launched today and can be downloaded from www.counterpath.com.

Tagged: counterpath, softphone, voip, x-lite 3.0 : Related Tags:

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How About A Truly Connected World: Do I Hear Global Village?

June 1, 2006

Great article in USA Today earlier this week about how a potent combination of computer companies, tech entrepreneurs and philanthropic folk are working together to bring the digital age to the Third World (and the rest of the world).

Here's an excerpt from Kevin Maney's article:

It's a mini-movement. There's former Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab chief Nicholas Negroponte with his $100 laptops [that's one in the photo], funded in part by Google. There's chipmaker AMD with its 50x15 program — funding projects that can get 50% of the world's population on the Internet by 2015. There's Intel, trying to keep up with feisty rival AMD, announcing in early May that it will invest $1 billion to make technology for people in developing nations.

Click here to read the full article -- required reading!

Posted in Technology and Science

Tagged: $100 laptop, amd, google, intel, kevin maney, massachusetts institute of technology media lab, nicholas negroponte, usa today : Related Tags: world, article

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Free Conferencing using Skype

June 1, 2006

Today, Skype and Vapps, a VoIP conference calling provider, will be announcing that they will be offering unlimited conference calls, with up to 500 participants, for free to Skype users. Launching on the Highspeedconferencing.com website, this announcement follows on the heels of Skype making SkypeOut calls free to U.S. and Canadian phone numbers untlil the end of 2006.

Highspeedconferencing.com supports inbound Skype calls as well as regular PSTN callers into the conference bridge. While conference call participants using a landline or mobile phone may be subject to long-distance charges or other fees, Skype participants can join the conference free of charge. It looks like Vapps is borrowing one from Skype's playbook by giving something away for free to attract users to their conferencing solution.

Posted in Skype

Tagged: conferencing, skype, vapps, voip, vonage : Related Tags: skype, conference, conferencing, calls, participants

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