New Google things and new NBC news

This was first broken in on the podcast and here is the news for today:

1. Gmail Group Contacts just released
2. Gmail vacation reply feature up
3. Google Music Searches, If you search for a band then you can click the first link and find info about the band, places to buy, and lyrics
4. NBC is planning to offer a couple of new shows on iTunes in the coming weeks (no clue what).

DivX Codec 6.1 released!!

Quote from DivX Labs:

Single CPU will run anywhere from 14 to 80% faster than the 6.0 codec depending on the quality mode selected. At the same time, brand new support for HT, SMP, Dual Core, and Dual Core + HT CPUs allows for gains of up to 300%!

For any of you that do not have DivX then GET IT NOW!!! It is an amazing video format and it is better then anything you could ever get (I can't really say the other good things...for...lagel (backwards) reasons).

300,000 XBOX 360s to come to U.S. in next week!!

That's right folks the X360 is coming to the U.S. again. About 300,000 of them. All within the next week. Need I say more??

Ok I will, basically this is about the same number that was available here for the launch so this is great for all the people that have been waiting forever for new shipments (includes me).

Also, another thing expected is for video game publishers are expected to slash prices/have sales so that they can get games moving more. So just wait for the sale until you get the game you are dying for.

Microsoft is aiming to sell 2.75-3 million Xbox 360s in the first 90 days of its release and supposedly they are "on track." We'll see...

(*Note: Pic is Peter Moore handing a Japanese woman an xbox 360)

Update in gaming news: Dreamcast relaunch, and xbox 360 fails in Japan

About 40% of the xbox 360s were sold in Japan. Of course there is good reason with only about 6 launch titles and not one of them is a RPG. C'mon microsoft,
Japan + RPGs = GOOD

I hope this shows Microsoft that multi-tiered nation launches aren't a good idea. The U.S. NEEDS xbox 360s NOW!!

Also, in the gaming world...

SEGA Direct will be selling Dreamcasts in Japan (all refurbished). Ahh, I could so see all the little Japanese men from the Godzilla film running towards Dreamcasts...

TechWrap podcast unveiled!!

Ok, the podcast is officially up here:

http://www.TechWPodcast.blogspot.com

the RSS feed is here:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/TechWPodcast

Currently, it is on Yahoo! and it is now on iTunes!!Just search for Technology Wrap and you should be good!!

UPDATE: It is now on iTunes just search for Technology Wrap!

New Website for Google Talk Users

This website was made to allow people using Googles free Instant messenger tool with VoIP to make profiles and store them at this site so people can meet other Google Talk users. It includes the ability to make your own profile, upload a picture, have a friends list, and a blog service.


Check it out.

TechWrap podcast coming soon....

A TechWrap podcast will be coming soon!! For the first episode I just did a little bit about each article. Basically, from here on out though I will be making one FOR EACH of the articles and you can hear my voice, my opinions, and just basic in depth nature about EVERYTHING in the Tech World!!!!

After we get some reviews going I will be sure to add those as well!

It will be on Yahoo, iTunes, and ODEO (possibly this one, not sure yet). Also, beyond all this I will be sure to provide the basic feed link for anyone that has a podcast program beyond what is already named.

Stay tuned guys!!!

NBC, SciFi, and USA hop onto iTunes, ESPN next?

Basically folks, NBC, SciFi, and USA are now offering some programs on iTunes (check pic for some shows from NBC). Shows that I know of will include the Office and the tonight and late night shows with Jay Leno and Connan O'Brien repectively.

This hopefully means that more and more channels will be providing content. FOX has recently said that they are open to talks about such a thing and I think this will help push it along. Furthermore, the ESPN CEO (whats his name) has said that he would "mull" over such an idea about adding content onto iTunes.

I think this will get the ball rolling even more and may eventually lead to a REAL video iPod. :D

New Mac Mini in January? DVR included?

ThinkSecret reports, via one of their sources:

Apple's Mac mini will be reborn as the digital hub centerpiece it was originally conceived to be, Think Secret sources have disclosed. The new Mac mini project, code-named Kaleidoscope, will feature an Intel processor and include both Front Row 2.0 and TiVo-like DVR functionality.

Also, ThinkSecret says that it will be released in January at MacWorld.

ThinkSecret is the group that was wrong about the new iPod but they were also right about the Mac Mini originally being released. So take this with a grain of salt.

Skype 2.0 out. Has VIDEO support

Skype 2.0 is now officially out. Like always click the title and it'll take you to the product site.

Skype, for those of you that do not know, is a way of talking to your friends on the web. It was recently bought by eBay so I'm guessing this is the main reason for the big upgrade. Skype uses Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to allow you to talk with other Skype users for free.

Also, Skype has a service, that for a small charge, you can call "regular" phones and talk to them.

It is a pretty good service. I've tried it and liked it but I didn't really have a use for it. This is probably going to be the best service for video communication in the PC World (haha, Apple iChat AV owns all).