Technology Wrap: May 2006

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

The Coolest MacMini PVR Setup Ever

Now I have seen some cool MacMini setups in my day including one that was mounted into a car but none of them have been as clean as this one. Jeff over at 123MacMini has a MacMini PVR setup that is not only hooked up to a great display but has a great use (unlike those car MacMinis).

Check out these guts:

AMD-ATI Merger in the Making

According to Forbes, AMD (the chip maker) and ATI (graphics card maker) are going to experience a merger of some sorts soon. Right now, the AMD-ATI Merger "looks likely." This could have drastic effects on AMD's and ATI's product line. If this occurs there could be some major ramifications including Intel taking an even bigger dive, better integrated graphics systems, bundles, and price effects.

Right now it is up in the air if the prices would go down or go up let alone if this thing even happens in the first place.

Nintendo DS Lite selling before release date?

The Nintendo DS Lite, originally slated for a June 11th release, is availabe for sale at Target and Walmart. There have been many different reports across the web so this isn't just a one-time incident. Check out this one guy who was able to buy one:

Originally, there was a post on the Nintendo forums but it looks like Nintendo has taken it down. Is this pre-release release a mistake on Nintendo's part?

ThePirateBay Servers Raided

In their native Sweden, ThePirateBay.org enjoyed a level of immunity from copyright prosecution rarely seen in the file-sharing world. Often defiant in the face of those wishing to enforce their intellectual property rights, ThePirateBay.org would go on to become one of the premier BitTorrent indexing and tracking sites.

As one of the largest trackers, ThePirateBay.org largely replaced the demise of the SuprNova.org search engine. SuprNova.org met its demise in late 2004, when it was under pressure from the entertainment industry to shut it operation down. Conversely, such pressure has been ineffective against ThePiratebay.org.

“…The police right now is taking all of our servers, to check if there is a crime there or not (they are actually not sure),” ThePirateBay.org spokesperson “brokep” told Slyck.com.

The seizure of ThePirateBay.org’s entire server farm will guarantee this BitTorrent tracker will remain offline until the police complete their investigation. Whether this will keep ThePirateBay.org offline indefinitely is another matter.

“We are not sure when it will return, but we are moving it to another country if necessary,” brokep said.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Video: SlingBox Mobile on Motorola Q

This video is of the SlingBox Mobile program designed for cell phones (duh). For those of you that don't know what the SlingBox, let me tell you. The SlingBox is a great device that hooks up to your TV and if you have one, your Tivo. From there you can watch your TV from any wirelessly-enabled device such as your laptop or your data-plan-enabled cell phone. It really is a brilliant device and looks a little something like this:

You can get

Here is a video that shows the SlingBox Mobile at work on the soon-to-come Motorola Q.

There is a free 30-day trial for SlingBox Mobile here. No credit card required. SlingBox Mobile requires Windows Smartphones or Pocket PC-enabled devices.

First Call of Duty 3 screenshots

This is the first Call of Duty 3 screenshot. There are no plans for a PC version. The image looks amazing, especially the smoke and glass flying everywhere. Overall, this should get many people excited about the next installment in the already-popular WWII FPS thriller.

I think today is just a day for wonderful screenshots.

*Note: To get the full effect of the picture make sure to click the image so you can see the full image resolution.

Funny Vid: Mario, Luigi, and Myspace

I found this video on YouTube and thought it was pretty funny. I don't use Myspace (please don't shun me) and I probably never will. If you do or don't you should still check out this funny parody of it.

Nintendo Zelda Twilight Princess Screenshots

These shots are from the highly-anticipated Zelda Twilight Princess. Most likely these are screenshots taken from a Gamecube. Enjoy.

Supermodel Gisele in Apple ads?

On model Gisele Bündchen's site there is a new news update that can be translated into:

Gisele has been photographed for an ad campaign on Apple's line of computers MAC (Macintosh), in the United States

I have no clue what this ad is about but we'll just have to wait and see.

Is Apple really that cool enough for Gisel? Or is Gisele cool enough for Apple?

Sidekick III coming June 26th

Several reliable leads are pointing to a June 20th launch party for the Sidekick III and a June 26th launch to the general public. We previously reported in May that the Sidekick III was approved by the FCC and that the confirmed features were Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel camera, and a MiniSD expansion slot. As far as I know those features haven't changed but keep reading the TechWrap to find out more details.

Monday, May 29, 2006

Funny Vid: The History of Microsoft

PLEASE take this with a grain of salt. This is all just humor and please don't take it as nothing more. This video is made by some guys that really hate Microsoft and it is completely biased against them and shows none of the good things that Microsoft has done. However, it is still pretty funny in some parts.

CNET's Image Hosting Service = No ImageShack

CNET's has quietly released a new Image Hosting service that could be the downfall to such services like ImageShack and PhotoBucket. CNET's new service is called AllYouCanUpload and is a part of their Webshots subsidiary. Why is this such big news? Well first there are no ads on the uploading site unlike Imageshack and Photobucket. Also, there is no limit on the number of photos you can upload, the size of those photos, or the maximum bandwith allowed. Users can upload up to three photos at a time and there is no resizing done unless the users requests it.

However, you cannot have an account nor can you search for previously uploaded pictures or any pictures for that matter.

This service seem superb and well thought out. I hope Imageshack and Photobucket pick up the ball on this one and do something to match CNET if they wish to survive.

'Apple Mac OS' appears on Dell.com [Updated]

Under Dell's support page in Drivers and Downloads the words "Apple Mac OS" appeared. If you go under product model and pick something out and then hit go you should see the same screen like shown above. Then just select the drop-down menu 'Select an Operating System' and what do you see? Well, for me, I don't see 'Apple Mac OS' anywhere in sight so maybe it is just hiding. It looks like Dell must have taken it down or Engadget is playing some stupid joke.

Most likely, this was some type of prank or an error (doubt it) on Dell's part.

*Update: For product choose the Latitude and for type choose the X1 and it the next arrow. Then look at the OS drop-down menu and you should see Apple Mac OS.

The Office Webisodes in July

NBC's hit show, The Office, is going to have some IPTV content available in July. These IPTV shows nicknamed "webisodes," which are online-only episodes, will have The Office that everyone knows and loves. I have not been able to find any details as to whether these are full 20-min (30 min show with ads) or just short mini-clips. Of course, I, myself being a huge Office fan, would hope that it is much like ABC's current show service online. ABC currently allows you to stream full episodes of Desperate Housewives, Lost, Commander-In-Chief, and Alias. However, The Office "webisodes" are different in that they are created just for the world wide web.

Also, there aren't any details as to whether these shows can be downloaded or if they are stream-only. Most likely it will be stream-only so that NBC can utilize their current system of playing small, 1 min or less, clips.

Most likely this is a trial for NBC to see if there really is a market for shows on the web. Also, these webisodes will be free (hopefully). The Office is currently available on iTunes for $1.99 per episode. No details as to whether these webisodes will be available via iTunes.

A funny pic I found of Dwight below. If you haven't already seen The Office than you should immediately. It is just phenomenally hilarious.

Funny Pic: Bill Gates on Macs

This is a pic from when the original Macintosh was introduced. I wonder if he still thinks this? I know I sure do.

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Half-Life 2 on Xbox 360

Half-Life 2 will be coming to the Xbox 360 in February 2007. Well, sort of. According to EBGames and Gamestop Half-Life 2 will be coming to the Xbox 360 on February 5th, 2007. Valve has only recently anounced development for the Xbox 360 and has not mentioned any Half-Life 2 development for the Xbox 360. However, Half-Life 2 is available for the Xbox and I hope it will be available for the Xbox 360. Plus, let's face it. It only makes sense for Valve to make Half-Life 2 available for the Xbox 360. Surely, they will get some increased revenue and it could even be a big hit with the X360. One can only hope.

Nintendo registers multiple Wii domains

Nintendo has registered multiple domains; all of which are centralled around the Nintendo Wii. WiiKaraoke.com lends credence to the rumor that the Nintendo Wii will have a built-microphone. One obvious domain is WiiSports but all the rest seem out there. I tried to add some of my own ideas as to what these domains would mean in the list below.

WiiSports.com - sports (duh)

WiiKaraoke.com - Wiimote will have mic?

WiiCooking.com - what in the world

WiiPower.com - NintendoPower magazine's sister?

WiiLove.com - aww: No, seriously what in the world?

WiiVC.com - we will see

WiiWorld.com - community and online

WiiFamily.com - community

WiiFun.com - fun?

WiiMusic.com - downloadable music or perhaps just music you can stream while playing

WiiLife.com

WiiConnect24.com - online connection?

WiiHistory.com - no idea

WiiStory.com - stories of each of nintendo's games

Wiiareone.com - corny

WiiSchool.com - help with your Wii

WiiNews.com - new news with your Wii

WiiMagazine.com - Exclusive Wii-only magazine

WiiPuzzle.com - little mini puzzles you can play through your Wii

WiiChannel.com - something to do with TV

WiiExecutive.com - ?

WiiGeneration.com - ?

WiiActive24.com - like WiiConnect24.com

WiiAnimation.com - watch anime from your Wii?

WiiChallenger.com - something with space or maybe tips & tricks for your games

WiiGetTogether.com - corny

WiiManagement.com - ?

WiiBreeding.com - get your mind out of the gutter

WiiCountry.com - We country in the South

WiiLanguages.com - different languages that you can have on your Wii

WiiScenario.com - different scenarios etc on your games

WiiParents.com - parental control

WiiCreator.com - game development

WiiAlive24.com - like WiiActive24.com

WiiJourney.com - RPG games

WiiStudent.com - student games?

WiiVenture.com - no idea

WiiFitness.com - work out with your Wii

WiiScience.com - no idea

WiiBeauty.com - how to apply makeup with your Wii. I hope not

ShallWii.com - dancing? (corny)

WiiGirls.com - girl-specific games

WiiBoys.com - guy-specific games

WiiEarth.com - ?

WiiMoney.com - ?

Google Checkout

For what seems like years Google has been rumored to introduce a Paypal killer. Google Checkout could be it. Google Checkout, according to Garret Rogers, may be a simple solution for purchasing stuff online; something that could be integrated into Google Analytics as well as allow businesses to track purchases via easy-to-use web stats.

This is all rumors and speculation at this point but it does seem like the name implies some type of business-oriented product. However, if this is the concept behind Google Checkout than this only half competes with Paypal. Paypal is mostly used for purchasing through its parent-company eBay but it is also used to send money across the web. Based on these rumors, Checkout does not seem to compete with this area of Paypal's market.

For quite some time (possibly 2 or more years; I can't remember), it has been rumored that Google would come out with a Paypal-killer called Google Wallet that would be almost the same as Paypal. I don't know whether the Google Wallet concept still exists or if Google Checkout is the replacement (can there be a replacement for something that has never existed?) for Google Wallet; or possibly that Google Checkout and Google Wallet will someday coexist in the same online-money world.

Right now both Google Wallet and Google Checkout is all rumors and speculation so take this with a grain of salt.

Friday, May 26, 2006

Apple developing new educational Mac?

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple is currently developing a new educational Mac. The previous eMac was discontinued for consumers in 2005 and Apple is trying to revitalize their educational market offerings with the new Intel chips. Apple has fared well recently in the educational markets but they are facing some stiff competition from low-priced PC offerings.

AppleInsider was not able to find out whether the eMac brand will still be used. Personally, I'm at odds to whether they wish to revitalize a brand that they basically killed just a year earlier. The old eMac had the old-technology CRT monitors and Apple will be looking to the newer, better LCD displays. However, Apple is looking to keep costs down and match up with its competitors.

The eMac was originally available for education markets only but that stance changed when consumer demand was extremely high and recently changed back in 2005. It is unclear if this new Intel educational Mac will be education-only and exclude regular consumers.

Nintendo Wii will win Japan; Not PS3

73% of Famitsu Magazine readers in Japan say they believe the Nintendo Wii will "win" the console war in Japan. 70% said that they were most looking forward to the Wii while only 21% say they are most looking forward to the Sony PS3. Another blow to Sony: 88.4% say that they think the PS3 price is too high and only 10% think it is about right.

Although the market is different in the United States if you just look at the Wii vs. PS3 in the U.S. I think the results will be pretty similar. The excitement around the Wii has been phenomenal since E3 and it should do very well both in Japan and in the U.S. I think it will be a huge hit in Japan and an overwhelming success. In the U.S. the results won't be as dramatic but it will far exceed expectations.

*Pic taken from engadget

Xbox 360 to get Dashboard Update

Microsoft has announced plans to release the first major Dashboard update to the xbox 360 since the November launch.

There will be a hoarde of new features and the list includes:

Better organization of Xbox Live Market place. It will focus content into specific sections with new releases being at the top.
New Background download manager: Now you can do other things while downloading whatever. There will also be a queue of up to 6 downloads so you can set the queue and do whatever else you want to and not have to worry about the downloads. If you happen to access xbox live than the downloads will pause until you exit xbox live.

Previously when watching game trailers (now going to be called Game Videos) you couldn't play/pause/rewind/fastforward. Now you can.
There has been increased music player and DVD playback usability.
You will be able to set your console to away much like in IM clients after inactivity.
There will be USB keyboard support so you can get your type on.
Last but not least, you may now launch Dashboard instead of the game when a game disc is in the tray. For this feature it is a default setting (that you change to select the Dashboard option) so you will have to switch it back if you ever want the game disc to load first.

As for the release of the update it is up in the air although Microsoft has said that it will be in "in about a week." Hopefully, it'll be next week but possibly expect some time in early June.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

DivX 6.5 for Mac

DivX has released DivX 6.5 for Mac. The download is a Universal Binary which means it runs native in a PowerPC Mac and an Intel Mac. The download includes the DivX converter which costs $19.99 but comes with a free 15-day free trial. DivX for Mac also includes the DivX codec which allows you to convert movies via Quicktime's export (convert) feature. Furthermore, DivX for Mac includes a plugin that will allow you to watch DivX files in Quicktime. Last but not least, DivX for Mac will also include the DivX web players so you can watch DivX files via the web.

You can download it here. Just hit the Free Trial button. Your ability to play DivX files never costs anything. Only the DivX converter does so if you don't need it then don't buy it.

Simple solution for MacBook Heat issues

Of our fellow blogspot blogs has noticed a simple solution for solving MacBook heat problems. Basically, where the vent is (as shown below) there is a little plastic cover there that blocks the vent.

Most likely, it is only to prevent dust from getting in there but it does cause some major problems. As shown below you can take out the plastic covering and it should significantly reduce some heating problems.

One thing to note is that this seems to only be for the MacBook. I checked my MacBook Pro and can't seem to find any type of plastic covering so I'm pretty sure this is a MacBook-only fix. Personally, I don't have too many heat problems but I don't have a Revision A MacBook Pro.

NBC News on iTunes

NBC has now added 8 new NBC News-oriented shows to the iTunes Music Store. The shows (click the show to go to the iTunes Music Store Link) include:

If you are addicted to the news, now you can get your fix.

Nintendo Wii price to be $220

Nintendo Wii will not cost more than 25,000 Japanese Yen said Nintendo's senior managing director, Yoshihiro Mori. Converted using xe.com I was able to find out that this will roughly be $220. This does not seem like that spectacular of a price point so most likely I suspect it to be at $200. If the Nintendo Wii is really this expensive than expect them to sell a ton of Wii's and expect to sell even more games.

Think of it this way. If the console and one controller costs $200 then you could probably buy an extra controller and one extra game for $100 more. Sounds like a pretty good deal for $300. The lines will be long on launch day and I can't wait.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

TechWrap Widget [updated]

With the new Dashcode program from Apple I was able to test out the new product and in the meantime create a TechWrap widget. The widget will be a RSS widget that will update you for all the Technology Wrap news that you need to know. You will always be up-to-date on the latest Tech News.

Update: The widget is now available for download here. This will only work for Macs with Mac OS X 10.4 of later. The widget takes almost no CPU usage or RAM use at all so check it out. As far as I know the widget does not work with Yahoo Widgets (formerly Konfabulator) which means no PC support as far as I know but you can give it a try.

Apple accidently releases Dashcode

Apple seems to have accidently released Dashcode, a tool that will help you create Dashboard widgets. Here is the link to download Dashcode.

There are a few bugs but it still seems ok enough.

Cool MacBook Pro Motion Sensor Hack

I guess this could be useful but I'm not sure in which way. Still, it is a pretty cool hack.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Chappelle's Show on iTunes

This really isn't that big a deal in the tech world because it seems like shows are being added every week to iTunes. I just wanted to note that the famous Chappelle's Show is now on iTunes for $1.99 a pop.

Looks like Season 1 is what is up on iTunes right now so check it out and if you never got into it than here is your chance right now.

Now, please add some Sportscenter and Family Guy and I will be a happy camper.

Nike and Apple team up for iPod Sport Kit [updated]

Nike and Apple have teamed up to create a $29 iPod sport kit. With certain Nike shoes your iPod will be able to "talk" to your shoes and your iPod will be able to display certain workout statistics such as distance, time, speed, and calories. . This new iPod Sport Kit will only be available for certain Nike shoes named Nike+ Air Zoom Moire.

The Nike+iPod Sport Kit requires a Nike+ shoe and an iPod nano with a Mac® with a USB 2.0 ports and Mac OS® X version 10.3.9 or later and iTunes 6.0.5; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional (SP2) and iTunes 6.0.5.

[update] Here is an ad for this new Nike product:

Sunday, May 21, 2006

iSight use: See guy who stole your MacBook (Pro)

Say your MacBook or MacBook Pro gets stolen. You are out 1-2 Gs. Sucks don't it? Well, now you can not only catch the guy who did it but also see a picture of him via iSight. Orbicule has a great security program for your MacBook or MacBook Pro. Basically, after you install it you will have an Undercover ID. Every six minutes the program Undercover will access the internet and check to see if the Undercover ID is in its database.

For example: Your brand new MacBook gets stolen. You take your Undercover ID and contact Orbicule. Then the next time your thief accesses the web so will the Undercover program. Undercover will check its database and see that your ID is in it. It will cooperate with law enforcement to get your laptop back and will also take a picture via your laptop's iSight. Furthermore, it will contact the ISP and get the identity of your thief.

If none of that works than Undercover will slowly make the display seem to be unusable. Then when the thief tries to repair it or tries to sell it the technician or buyer will be notified and you will be able to get your MacBook (Pro) back. One of the best parts is that it doesn't even take up that much memory. It only takes up about 1/2 of what a widget does.

Pretty sweet stuff. It does cost some money but it is worth it if your MacBook (Pro) is stolen.

Pricing:

Single user license Covers 1 Mac	$ 29.99
Household license Covers up to 5 Macs	$ 44
Site license Covers up to 25 Macs	$ 199
Student license Proof of full-time student status will be required	$ 25
Volume education license When ordering 100 copies or more	100 copies ($ 6 / Mac)
Volume reseller license When ordering 10 copies or more	$ 250

Check it out here.

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Monday, May 29, 2006

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Friday, May 26, 2006

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Sunday, May 21, 2006

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