Archive for July, 2009
If you’re into the world of tech, gadgets, electronics, and politics, especially politics pertaining to technological issues, the ongoing battle the Associated Press is waging on pretty much the entire internet just goes to show you how terrible and outdate some businesses really are. Instead of embracing the internet for what it is and what it can help you achieve, companies such as AP are instead trying to make the internet conform to outdated business practices and policies used on older business models. Such mashups simply won’t work. It really is quite stupid and revolves around AP’s claims that everyone else steals their news. (In reality, news is not a single person’s property — heck it isn’t the “property” of anyone. We all know this. Except the AP seems to think they’re in their own little world where they rule all). One with even a sliver of intelligence would think that they would see how beneficial DRM has been to the music industry (extreme sarcasm) and learn from their mistakes. Obviously we assume too much. But I digress.
For the past several weeks, the AP has been hard at work pushing their DRM laced news services in hopes that they can get a cult started in which they’re the ring leader. In order to “help” us thieves, the AP has kindly provided us with the graph shown above (lightly altered by the oh so funny crew at Crunch Gear). The sooner that outdated and bass-akwards companies such as the AP either adapt or die the better off we will all be. Actually, if you look at the AP’s heavy lobbying for DRM, one could see the similarities between them and other crooked organizations such as the RIAA. Let’s hear it for the RIAA/Satan of the news industry: AP! *applause booooooooo* (Real image after the jump — bigger images also for those of you with less than stellar eyes *winky face*)
CrackBerry addicts, the hunt for the next Berry is heating up. The absolute latest in the BlackBerry front comes in the form of the BlackBerry 9700. So far there isn’t any cute code name to call it by. Instead all we have is the “9700″ moniker and a few specs which are as follows:
- 480×360 resolution display
One thing that bugs me is the lack of any mention of a touchscreen. I know that the Storm is the touchscreen venture and so far all other models have physical keyboards with the often talked about Magnum being the only touchscreen/keyboard combo that Crack addicts so desperately crave. The mention of only a keyboard here makes me feel slightly depressed in the sense that judging by early specs, this doesn’t really look different than the Onyx and spells out that it probably isn’t the Magnum. Sure the styling could be different, but what’s the point. It’s almost like RIM is getting so excited with pumping out new hardware every couple months that they’re leaving behind the software aspect. What’s your take? Excited? Let down? Ready for more?
Source: BGR
If anyone wanted to see the prime example of the rise and fall of a company, look no further than Sprint. Once a much greater force in the wireless world is now but a distant third (working their way to fourth) in terms of customer base and earnings. The Palm Pre was marketed as Sprint’s saving grace. It was the CDMA jesus phone if you will much the same as Apple’s iPhone has been classified for GSM carriers. However, the Pre never had as much hype and media attention as Apple’s devices meaning only the more hardcore Sprint/Palm users knew very much about it. If you thought that the Pre did in fact stop the customer/money bleeding over in Sprint land, after taking a gander at 2nd quarter earnings once can actually see that all the Pre did was merely put a solitary band-aid on a gaping amputation gone wrong. The exact numbers ring in at losses of $384m and 257,000 subscribers defecting to greener pastures. Definitely not the rosy outcome Sprint had hoped for. Still, many have said that it would take many “Pre” like devices to bring Sprint back up to par and it does appear that they were correct. Who wants to take bets on how much longer Sprint can continue giving away money and subscribers before closing their doors?
Source: Engadget, Sprint, Image Source
While not necessarily a gadget, many times we’ll look at things that are made from old gadgets as they are usually pretty cool and unique. This is one of those “gadgets”. Whether or not you have a thing for Superman, old phone booths, or even spandex in general, the Payphone Key Bracelet is one twist on old tech that will help you convert your better half into your geeky lover. Really there isn’t much to reveal as the bracelet is pretty self explanatory — old payphone keys are strung together into a bracelet form. Just be sure your sweetie can take the extra weight. These are old metal keys from phones that were built like tanks. Sizing is approximately M/L at 7 and 7/16″ long. Interested geeks can hit up the sellers Etsy shop for more info and lay down the required $62.
Source: Geeky-Gadgets, Gizmo Diva, Etsy
Mobile BlackBerry bloggers take note, if you haven’t upgraded your BlackBerry WordPress app, now is the time to do so. The new update, 0.9.0.140 brings with it several enhancements and new features including:
- Improved response time and UI navigation slugishness
- Removed photo manipulation options in app (already available in camera app)
- Prompt added when clicking back button after composing/editing post
- Fixed issue with private posts not being published correctly
While the aforementioned features are great and all, the best part is that the WordPress team is working with RIM to include BIS-B support. So far the team involved with this app is making steady headway. Hopefully in the final incarnation it turns out to be a very compelling and worthwhile app. For those of you who have already upgraded, how’s it going for you?
Source: Berry Review, Image Source
Smartphone users and data chuggers on AT&T’s network in the northeast and many parts of the midwest may just be waking up to a not so friendly AT&T experience. Tweets are flying in from many spots across the eastern half of the U.S. of data being completely down. Here in northern Indiana my data seems to be fine as I just loaded a few websites on my iPhone to test the network. However my neighbors next door in Chicago seem to be affected. I consider myself lucky. Many of you however are not so lucky. Whatever the cause is, an outage this large and just data related is ridiculous. #AT&T has to change their slogan now: “AT&T, The nations fastest, most unreliable 3G network”. Sounds catchy doesn’t it? Shout out below where you’re at and if you have data or not.
UpdateReports are now showing that service appears to be coming back up sporadically. How are you makin’ out?
Source: Alley Insider, Image Source
The Xbox 360 is a pretty decent looking piece of tech. Though the white box look isn’t for everyone. Some users may want more color or more flash for their visually driven lives. If that be the case, XCM has something you sweet eyed gamers may want to consider: their XCM Black Light Case. As the name and pictures imply, the Black Light Case adds a splash of color to your device by way of colored LED’s and a transparent window so you can see the light and your 360′s innards melting after hours of punishing gaming sessions. Buyers can select from either one permanent color or a “rainbow” option that will allow your 360 to cycle between pre-defined colors of red-purple-green-yellow-blue-apple green-orange. Besides the splash of color, an illuminated fan shroud replacement is also included as to kick up the custom look up a notch. If there had to be a “con” with a case as cool as this, it would definitely be the fact that it will only work on HDMI equipped boxes. Why? Not sure. But you find out how to get one of your own (priced at $89.99) and do the case swap out (which looks mighty easy by the way) right over here. Who’s ready to to have a rave in their basement compliments of their new XCM equipped Xbox 360? Anyone? Anyone?
Source: Geeky-Gadgets, Oh Gizmo
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