Watch My Music Video!!

I made this music video a few years back for a class I was taking. My buddy Dom just let me know he posted it to youtube.com and it now has over 4000 views. I am awesome.

One BILLION Bluetooth devices worldwide

So, most people don't really understand bluetooth. Their RAZR might have it, but chances are they've never used it. I've used bluetooth in a few of my phones and since Apple has included bluetooth for a few years I've synced my address book and iCal with a few devices. It's been handy, but nothing fancy. One application only a few hundred thousand people will use, at least for the next few months, is Sony's PlayStation 3. SEC is using bluetooth for their wireless protocol in the controller of their new gaming console.

With the setbacks and limited use of bluetooth, bluetooth.com is claiming one billion devices worldwide. So, if you have it, but have never used it...check it out. If you don't have and have a new Dell, bummer you're missing a feature a billion other devices have.

CNN Ridicules the Zune

Quick 2 minute segment on CNN that points out what the Zune has to offer...anything?

Zune MP3 player opening is a dud

While this blog is mostly a "Grant Tailored" type of news and it just things I find interesting and not completely objective I do try to stick to places that are reputable. I don't know anything about the Middle East Times, but they did post an article from the AFP on the launch of Microsoft's Zune. Their "iPod Killer."

It's not pretty.

" SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA -- Microsoft's attack on the Apple iPod began with a whimper Tuesday as Zune players made a lackluster debut in US stores.

Two boxed Zune players sat ignored on the top shelf of a Plexiglas showcase packed with iPod accessories in a Virgin Megastore near Union Square in San Francisco's popular shopping district.

"I didn't even know they were there until a customer pointed them out," said sales clerk Jake Brooks. "I'm sure we have more in a closet in the back somewhere.""


By the way...this is post #100!

PlayStation 3 vs. Xbox 360 vs. Wii Size

Engadget posted this a few days ago, but I think it was staggering how small the Wii is. It looks about 1/2 maybe even 1/3 the size of the monster that is the PS3 in terms of volume. The PS3 makes the Xbox 360 look manageable, and it is anything but...mostly because of it's giant 2-lbs power brick.

Check it out!
http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/11/playstation-3-vs-xbox-360-vs-wii/

Xbox 360 IS more powerful than the PS3

So, there have been many articles going back and forth about how much power these have. It seems that in broad terms, the PS3 is more powerful, but when it comes to gaming the Xbox 360 has a good edge.

This article addresses some VERY technical details about the processors in each system, and while it may not make complete sense it is interesting for us gamers.

"CONCLUSION
When you break down the numbers, Xbox 360 has provably more performance than PS3. Keep in mind that Sony has a track record of over promising and under delivering on technical performance. The truth is that both systems pack a lot of power for high definition games and entertainment."

Bush's approval hits new low

NEWSWEEK is reporting the findings of a new poll showing W has hit the lowest approval rating of his presidency at just 31%.

"President Bush’s job approval rating has fallen to just 31 percent, according to the new NEWSWEEK Poll. Bill Clinton’s lowest rating during his presidency was 36 percent; Bush’s father’s was 29 percent, and Ronald Reagan’s was 35 percent. Jimmy Carter’s and Richard Nixon’s lows were 28 and 23 percent, respectively. (Just 24 approve of outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s job performance, and 31 percent approve of Vice President Dick Cheney’s.)"

Playstation 3 in short supply for launch

It's been widely rumored that Sony would drop the ball on the production of their newest console. When it went on sale today in Japan retailers were turning people away from the lines knowing they wouldn't be able to meet the demain.

The AP reported "Plagued with production problems, Sony Corp. has managed to ready only 100,000 PlayStation 3 machines in time for its debut in Japan. When it goes on sale in the United States on Nov. 17, some 400,000 PS3 consoles will be available there."

Let's hope that the Nintendo numbers are much more accurate. They are claiming over 6 million units available worldwide when it launches in the US on Nov. 19, 2006.

To top that off, the AP also is reported that Sony plans on losing $1.7 billion in its gaming division by March '07.

Losing money, low shipments, and delayed shipments have plagued the PS3's launch since March '06, its original launch date that was pushed to November. The European launch has been delayed another four months past that.

Microsoft paying off the music industry

So M$ is launching a player to compete with Apple's iPod (good luck!) and to get other big corporations onboard they are paying them money from the players sold. Not just the songs sold. Gizmodo had a good take on this.

From Gizmodo:
"It appears Microsoft has struck a deal with Universal Music giving them a portion of the sales from every Zune they sell. This undermines the traditional strategy created by Apple where music labels received money from song downloads, and not player sales. Microsoft has also said that similar offers are on the table for other labels as well. Way to go.

I can see why they wanted to sweeten the pot just to make sure they got Universal onboard (Universal controls 1/3 of all music sold), but why did they need to try and make this standard procedure by offering it to the rest of the industry. Once again Microsoft kills the party for everyone else. – Ben Longo"

The Gears of War are turning!

Well, today may not be Emergence Day, but Gears of War is hitting shelves all across the country. I'm hoping to nab my copy tonight after I'm done with election coverage. Until then I've been looking for reviews and they are good.

IGN: 9.4/10
Gamespot: 9.6/10
1UP.com: 10/10

Pronto Condoms...good design

Cool OS X Exposé feature

This is nothing important, but I thought it was neat. I guess it's been around for a while! This basically allows you to switch windows using Finder without touching your mouse. Very Niiice! :)

"But I bet you didn’t know about this one!

Expose has a built-in keyboard window switcher. Try this; open a few windows, activate Expose and then repeatedly hit the tab key. Watch your windows switching like the cards in a deck. Once you have the window you want to use, just hit enter and the window is all yours.

For those finding a similar thing in Windows Vista, I hate to say - this has been part of OS X since 10.3 (Panther) release in October 2003, when Vista was still called Longshot Longhorn."

Is Vista a dead end for Microsoft?

PC columnist John C Dvorak has posted an interesting column about the future of Microsoft. He points out how they are no longer innovating and improving, but trying to keep their operating system functional and up with the competition.

"While Microsoft, because of its sheer size, is no more doomed than IBM ever was, it's never going to be a leader again, if the Vista saga is any indication. What we are witnessing now is nothing more than upgrades and maintenance."

Apple offers $29 refurb iPod Shuffle

This took me by surprise. The miniature players used to be $99 and $149, and today the 512mb and 1gb iPod Shuffle (original) are $29 and $59 respectively. That's dirt cheap for a player that, while is a refurbished unit, comes with a full one-year warranty. Get 'em while they're hot!

Nintendo is promising 4 million Wii console by '07

Gamespot is reporting claims from Nintendo stating they will have over 4 million Wii consoles worldwide by 2007 to meet the high demand of non-traditional gamers. The Big N is rumored to have been in full production and ready for launch since mid-September. With this long of a production timeline they could easily be ready to launch a huge release. Last year's release of Microsoft's Xbox 360 was plagued with delays and low shipment numbers leaving many gamers empty-handed at Christmas time.