Major increase in the first quarter

Looks like that format war victory is starting to show real results. Home Media Magazine reports sales of Blu-Ray discs have shot up 351 percent from January to March of this year.

This in turn saw consumer spending on home entertainment increase by one percent since the same time last year. Seems small? Not really, that one percent is worth $5.5 billion. This is also the first real rise in two years.

Video sales rose 2.3 percent while rentals decreased by 1.6.

Bernstein Research predicts one quarter of US households will own a Blu-Ray player inside three years, and it notes the process is going slower than for that of DVD.

Sony's new device turns PS3 into DVR

Sony has released something called PlayTV, a new device that will allow PlayStation 3 users to watch and record digital TV or radio via the console. The device will run you about $155 USD. No worries about compatibility either, it works with all versions.

PlayTV utilises a USB tuner and some included software to play, record or stream free-to-air digital programming (up to two channels at once are available), and doesn't require an external power source. Also, there's no copy protection for what you record. Streams are recorded in their original MPEG-2 format, so there's no quality degradation, and audio streams are recorded in MP3 format.

You'll be able to pause at any time, but buffering will only occur during pausing so as to downplay the strain on the hard drive, unless the user chooses to change this in the settings. Also, while you can't set it up to record your favourite shows automatically as with many other devices, PlayTV does have the advantage of a search by keyword function. It can, however, record specific timeslots.

It's a little bigger than its PC counterparts, about the size as an original Nintendo DS.

For those who happen to have a PSP as well as a PS3, you can enable remote play on your PS3, and watch programming on your portable system via wireless or from anywhere that emits a Wi-Fi signal.

HD Dvd = Betamax V2.0

[image1 width=345 height=239]

In the kicking the dead horse department...

Paramount and Dreamworks have bit the bullet, and according to Engadget, we will see Blu-Ray and DVD releases of Paramount et al movies at the same time.

Personally, I hated the format war - and technically I liked Blu-Ray due to its higher capacity.

 

General consensus is that HD DVDs last days are on the horizon

We were all bracing for a years-long war between the infamous Blu-ray and HD DVD formats, but when Warner announced it was dropping HD DVD in favour of becoming exclusively Blu-ray, it became clear that the war would be over before it could really unfold into something monstrous.

[image1 width=345 height=188]

Now, thanks to Bill Hunt at The Digital Bits, we have a pretty pie chart of the devastation Warner's announcement has had on the suddenly eerily-quiet battlefield. The second chart represents hardware sales of Blu-ray and HD DVD (not including PS3/XBOX360 add-on drives) during the first week after the market had a chance to respond, and that small wedge could turn into a tiny sliver if the trend continues.

The obvious conclusion one can make is that HD DVD will not survive much longer, but keep in mind that there are still some very large corporations backing HD DVD, including Toshiba, which just recently cut prices on its HD DVD players shortly after the date the NPD Group data shows here. Presumably, this will raise the sales of HD DVD -- at least until mass consumers start hearing talk of HD DVD's void in studio support, if they haven't already.

I suppose the Best Buys of the world may need to staff up their Returns & Exchanges departments, not to mention get used to fielding angry phone calls from irate (though unfortunately ignorant) customers. My personal opinion is that buying HD DVD hardware now is just begging for a swift kick of obsolescence in the coming 6 months.

Guess what "consumer device" finally got official DivX decoding not too long ago?

After opening the doors for DivX-encoded playback on the PlayStation 3 console, Sony Pictures Television is forging a new agreement with DivX Inc. to begin distributing Sony Pictures titles for direct download in DivX format. Naturally the offerings will support playback on DivX certified consumer electronics devices, which most recently included the PS3 into its ranks.

While the announcement largely concerns online retailers who will be able to offer DivX-encoded film and television productions backed by Sony's studio, perhaps we can also expect them to appear for download over the PSN for PS3 playback in the near future.  Since the Xbox 360 can support DivX as well, is there a possibility the Xbox Live Marketplace too could play host to Sony Pictures productions?

"This milestone agreement lays the foundation for Sony to offer high quality video content in the DivX format to its retail partners for playback on next-generation DivX Certified devices," said Kevin Hell, CEO of DivX, Inc. "Consumers want the flexibility and choice to enjoy high-quality video content from a range of retailers across a variety of devices. We are very pleased Sony Pictures Television recognizes the value of the DivX digital media solution and look forward to working together to offer a great experience to consumers."

"We are dedicated to finding legitimate outlets for our content and to that end are excited to be working with DivX to provide retailers with an expanded ecosystem for the digital distribution and playback of our digital media," said Michael Arrieta, Executive Vice President, Digital Distribution & Mobile Entertainment, Sony Pictures Television.

In one fell swoop, the next-gen optical disc format battles just got a lot hotter

Time Warner made the surprising announcement late last week to drop support for HD-DVD in order to exclusively release its titles on Blu-ray beginning May this year. Until then the studio will continue to deliver HD-DVD releases, after the "standard" DVD and Blu-ray editions of course.

The HD-DVD format scored some exclusive partners back in August 2007 with Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation, inspiring director Michael Bay's eyebrow-raising rant against what he deemed was Microsoft's conspiracy to undermine next-gen optical disc format market altogether. Admittedly, Bay was a proponent of Blu-ray from the start.

It's interesting to note it was not until Time Warner made an exclusivity announcement of its own that analysts both professional and armchair alike began to foresee any sort of outcome in the next-gen optical disc format "war", saying much of the studio's clout:

"We expect HD DVD to 'die' a quick death, versus a prolonged format war," Pali Capital analyst Rich Greenfield told investors in a note.

"I have not seen anyone give up in this fight. Every time one shoe drops and you think 'Oh, it's over,' the other side comes up with something else," said Stephanie Prange, Home Media Magazine editor in chief.

The battle has confused consumers, she confirmed, but many people don't see the need for high-definition anyway, she added.

The studio's decision certainly caught the HD-DVD consortium off guard, as the format's group of backers suddenly canceled any meetings and press conferences previously scheduled for this weekend's Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Meanwhile, HD-DVD developer Toshiba stands firm behind its format. Though it was as surprised as anybody with Time Warner's decision, the company reminds supporters and naysayers that its solution still has majority (year-to-date) market share:

"We were very disappointed with Warner Brothers' announcement," [Toshiba America Consumer Products president Akiyo Ozaka] said. "Sales of HD DVD were very good last year, especially in October to December."

"It's difficult for me to believe when all the pundits declare that HD DVD is dead," [Toshiba marketing executive Jodi Sally] said. "Clearly, the events of the last few days have led many of you to that conclusion. We have been declared dead before. The reality is we ended 2007 with a majority of the year-to-date market share."

"PlaysForSure" devices to become "Certified For Windows Vista" instead

Microsoft will be dropping the "PlaysForSure" logo, currently awarded to digital media devices tested for compatability with Windows platform PCs, in favor of a new one which brands products as "Certified For Windows Vista". According to the Microsoft's PlaysForSure information site, the testing requirements for devices are not expected to change as a result of the new branding.

The PlaysForSure device requirements began in 2004 as a Microsoft program to help consumers identify digital media devices that work with their favorite online stores and with Windows Media Player. The PlaysForSure device requirements are now part of the Windows Logo Program and receive all the marketing benefits of the wide Windows Logo Program efforts.

The move towards official device certification under a specific operating system (as opposed to the general Windows Media multimedia framework) could be a sign of Microsoft wanting to make Windows Vista more attractive/necessary as an upgrade path for WinXP stalwarts. Nevertheless it has already raised some eyebrows, according to feedback from developers and analysts alike:

On Microsoft's Channel 9 developers' forum this afternoon, one member called the development, "the most nonsensical thing I've ever seen coming out of Microsoft."

"How on earth do I as a consumer with an older device understand how this new branding maps to what I own? Who at Microsoft looked at this and thought this was a good idea and was something that would help partners sell more devices?" queried JupiterResearch analyst Michael Gartenberg. "As opposed to this message which has been clear and consistent from day one. Gotta believe the folks in Cupertino are having a good chuckle over this one."

Guess it's time for the greener Mario brother to take center stage

Daydreamers have mused over what sweet music Nintendo and Apple could be making together, but according to Greenpeace the two companies already share something in common, and it's their apparent lack of environmental friendliness. The environmental watchdog releases its latest quarterly "Guide to Greener Electronics", ranking companies on their commitment to reducing e-waste and use of "harmful chemicals" in products, and the newest report marks the first time Greenpeace has factored television and video game console makers into their evaluation of consumer electronics. Unfortunately, Greenpeace's report card for Nintendo is none too favorable, granting the Mario Factory a zero out of ten so big it can roll it home.

Greenpeace claims Nintendo has no discernible policies over use of chemicals like vinyl plastic (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs), though the company's website does note its manufacturing partners are required to steer clear of any banned substances for consoles and any of their components. Greenpeace could not find any plans on Nintendo's part to phase out their use in console hardware, and Nintendo had no known programs in place for electronics recycling.

Console competitor Microsoft is also new to the list, but makes a poor debut with a score of 2.7. Microsoft does intend to eliminate use of PVCs and BFRs before 2011, but Greenpeace believes the company fails to be forward with information on identifying future substances. Microsoft does not provide voluntary takeback as of yet, though the company last year did fund recovery and recycling of "over 1.3 million kgs of consumer electrical and electronic goods" in Europe. Greenpeace explains that Microsoft does not actively support its existing "producer-funded" recycling.

Both Sony and Sony Ericsson have the most experience with Greenpeace, being present in all their evaluations since August 2006. Sony has yet to rank over 8, but the company fared far better than either Nintendo or Microsoft this time around with a score of 7.3. Sony has since eliminated much of its use of PVCs and BFRs in its electronics, and the company intends to phase out use of PVC by 2010. The company also explicitly provides information on chemical management regulations and their implementation. Sony provides nationwide recycling in the US, and supports trade-in programs for notebook computers. Finally, Sony actively recovered and recycled resources from e-waste in Japan during the previous fiscal year.

Sony (7.3/10) - More products free of toxic PVC and improved reporting on recycling and takeback especially in the US. (PDF report) 

Microsoft (2.7/10) - New to the guide - long timeline for toxic chemicals elimination (2011) and poor takeback policy and practice. (PDF report)

Nintendo (0/10) - New to the guide - first global brand to score zero across all criteria! (PDF report)

Will Nintendo and Microsoft see their negative marks according to Greenpeace as enough of a blow to their reputation that official commentary will be in order? E-waste is certainly becoming an active topic what with the proliferation of digital audio players, cameras, etc., and there is still concern over how obsolete electronics are essentially being dumped into countries like India and China through clandestine arteries.

Copying music in away way constitutes piracy according to the lawyers from Sony.

There's a really big court case going on right now in Duluth, Minnesota. That trial by jury involves a fellow by the name of Jammie Thomas who has been accused of uploading 1,700 songs to the KaZaA P2P network, songs that he obviously didn't own the copyrights to. And as expected, Capitol Records decided to sue the pants off Thomas.

So a jury was pulled together and the case heard its opening statements yesterday. Once the opening statements were concluded, the record label plantifs called their first witness; Jennifer Pariser, the head of litigation for Sony BMG. Imagine what she said.

She said quite bluntly that when an individual makes a copy of a song for himself, Sony can say he stole a song. "Making "a copy" of a purchased song is just "a nice way of saying 'steals just one copy'.
 
Jennifer has apparently never heard of 'Fair Use' and the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act'. Both of those American doctrines tell us that people do have the right to back-up and or copy their CD's for personal use. The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) agrees, having told the US Supreme Court last year that it is perfectly lawful to rip a CD (that you've legally purchased and own) to your computer and or portable music player. The line becomes blurred when users are forced to crack their way through the root kits (courtesy of Sony) and DRM that infects many of the CD's available for purchase.

Unfortunately, the RIAA is hoping to have portions of the DMCA re-written to forbid the backing-up of audio CD's and (and movies DVD's if the MPAA gets involved).

It's still a crime to upload that music to the Internet or P2P for all to share. Unless you live in Canada where the Supreme Court has said that sharing music on-line is not a crime.

Continuing her testimony she called file-sharing a "tremendous problem affecting the music industry" that "causes several billions of dollars of harm" to the labels (every year I suppose). "It's important to combat," and "If we don't, we have no business." Oddly enough, some recent studies (conducted outside of the RIAA) suggesting that music piracy only costs (collectively) the music labels $7 to $15 million per year, and perhaps up to $30 million, not billions. In fact, counterfeit CD's (the knock-off's sold on street corners) account for a higher piracy figure since they are mass produced and tend to displace the legitimate CD's sold in stores.

Though the case of Capitol Records versus Jammie Thomas has just gotten started, the future of fair use may hinge upon the jury's final decision, a decision that could be weeks or months away.

Perhaps Thomas could simply testify that he had uploaded his music to KaAzA as a means of backing it up. Guaranteed, those songs will be there forever, or at least until KaZaA, the Internet or humanity dies.  Which will happen first?

iTunes will be getting a run for its money...

Competition is a good thing; and I am quite happy to see Amazon launch the beta of its DRM-free MP3 store.

Songs go from $0.89, albums can be <$1 to >$9; and did I mention no DRM?

This is really going to hurt CD sales; at $8.99 without DRM for Top 100 albums, a lot of people are going to buy the 256kbps MP3 albums and burn their own CD's - not to mention load up their iPod's etc.

Well done, Amazon.

Microsoft does it with less than genuine copies of Windows, and now Apple is going to do the same with hacked iPhones.

It's quite alright for a company or service provider to protect their product, but to try and maintain a strangle hold over their own monopoly is a little excessive.

A statement from give by Apple this afternoon hints that their next iPhone software update could render all hacked iPhones useless. To put it bluntly; your $400 buck iPhone becomes a paper weight if it was hacked to run on any network other than AT&T.

As most will have heard, early adopter of the iPhone became quite interested in unlocking the iPhone so they could use their own service provider and no be locked into the AT&T network woes. Many people of course suspected that Apple would issue some software update to prevent this unlocking, but disabling the phone completely seems a little excessive.

"Apple has discovered that many of the unauthorized iPhone unlocking programs available on the Internet cause irreparable damage to the iPhone's software, which will likely result in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed," Apple had said in a statement. "Apple strongly discourages users from installing unauthorized unlocking programs on their iPhones. Users who make unauthorized modifications to the software on their iPhone violate their iPhone software license agreement and void their warranty. The permanent inability to use an iPhone due to installing unlocking software is not covered under the iPhone's warranty."

There is of course ways to restore the iPhone to its 'Factory Default Settings' should Apple's supposed update cause any damage, then allowing the iPhone to be flashed to the latest software version. This latest version of the the iPhone OS allows users to access the iPhone Wi-Fi Music Store which was launched earlier this month. Look for (or avoid) this update which is scheduled for sometime later this week.

But of course, it is quite certain that hackers will find some way around this implied software nightmare. And Apple will likely respond by disabling hacked iPhones with every subsequent software update for the next couple of years, or at least until their partnership will AT&T is over.

A tasty tid-bit from the Intel Developers Forum hints to a stronger future in the mobile market for Intel.

Practically any mobile device with Wi-Fi is a MID (Mobile Internet Device). Even some big and klunky gaming laptop with next to no battery life is a MID. But with the recent launch of the Apple iPhone and its integrated Wi-Fi, the demand for mobile Internet browsing has surged. Say good-bye to that lame browser on your cell and tune into this.



It's basically bragging rights for Intel with the customary attached verbiage of "next quarter" and "coming-soon" tossed in. This futuristic looking iPhone like cell does look tempting. Though there's no real specs to be had it appears that this prototype could be a (very small) threat to the iPhone. Or perhaps it could become the 'Gotta Have it!' remote control.

But what's even more tempting is the McCaslin chip inside.



Based on a 45nm process, the McCaslin chips are intended solely for the mobile market. With two iterations thus far (600MHz and 800MHz) of the upcoming Stealey chip, low power consumption seems to be the name of the game. Supposedly, the above prototype phone will run for 24 hours straight on a single charge. Is that at idle or under load? Intel didn't say.

All this in response to VIA (the former chipset manufacturer) and their C7M small form factor chip. That mobile processor has become quite popular with the likes of Samsung. In fact, the VIA C7M runs faster (1.0GHz to 1.5GHz) that what Intel is hinting at for McCaslin. But it's been said that the McCaslin chips also boast some impressive I/O's such as GPS, 3G, and DTV with Wi-Fi and WiMAX integrated.

So, don't expect any new Intel McCaslin toys just yet, their not due out until around 2010. Still, heaps of potential to be had for smaller, more fuel efficient mobile processors.

Someone actually received a patent for the concept of music play lists and is suing everyone who uses one.

Ever heard of Premier International Associates? Neither have I.

But they do hold two U.S. patents (applied for 6,243,725 in 1997 and received as 6,763,345 in 2001) for what they filed as a 'List Building System'. I could take a moment to dissect the details of their two identical patents filed on two different dates, but the abstract definition within is quite simple to understand.

A system implementable using a programmable processor includes a plurality of pre-stored commands for building an inventory of audio, musical, works or audio/visual works, such as music videos. A plurality of works can be collected together in a list for purposes of establishing a play or a presentation sequence. The list can be visually displayed and edited. A plurality of lists can be stored for subsequent retrieval. A selected list can be retrieved and executed. Upon execution, the works of the list are presented sequentially either audibly or visually. The works can be read locally from a source, such as a CD, or can be obtained, via wireless transmission, from a remote inventory. If desired, establishment of a predetermined credit can be a pre-condition to being able to add items to the list for presentation.  

That's the definition of a playlist allright. Just like the ones developed by Microsoft, Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba, Viacom, Real, Napster, Samsung, LG, Motorola, Nokia, and Sandisk, all of whom are named in one of the two law suits filed for patent infringement. Hewlett-Packard, Acer, Gateway, and Yahoo are named in the second, somewhat more absurd suit. The second suit accuses the defendants (Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba, HP, Acer, and Gateway) of building computers that are capable of running Windows XP and or Windows Vista which is capable of running Windows Media Player (and other media players) that infringe upon the patent. I guess you could call it involuntary patent infringement in some distorted sense.

It quite has me sighing in disbelief. But what follows is leaving a bad taste in my mouth so to speak.

Premier International Associates doesn't have any notable company history other than that of filing lawsuits for patent infringement. Furthermore they don't manufacturer or produce any product(s) that are threatened by the infringement of their patent.

If it seems odd that Apple wasn't named in the suit(s), they've been down that raod before. Premier International sued Apple back in 2005 for patent infringement with regards to the playlists in their iTunes software and playlists for Apple iPod hardware. Oddly enough, Premier filled for a motion of dismissal in their suit against Apple around the same time they decided to sue everybody else. They said that the issue with Apple has been resolved and that "the matter has settled in its entirety and all necessary costs and expenses have been paid."

Steve Jobs cut 'em a deal on the iPhone, $200 dollars off.

In both of the cases filed, Premier has asked for a permanent injunctions against the companies involved to have them stop their continued infringement upon the patents. Premier would also like to have a trial by jury with all attorney fees and damages paid in full.

It's difficult to say what will happen. Previous patent infringement cases like this have been in some cases upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court while others have been tossed out. Premier International Associates may get nothing or may get something, or the companies involved will settle out of court and Premier will be able to continue their long standing business model of suing everybody to make a buck.

Hey, what about my play lists in Linux?

A new patent application submitted by Microsoft may see our digital tunes tagged with irremovable watermarks.

Hands up if you hate DRM. Okay, that's everybody except for RIAA.

Digital Rights Management has been that thorn in our side for some years now; the inclusion of root kits with CD's, limits upon digital music usage and the inability to buy said digital music without any DRM attached. Yes, some providers are starting to strip the DRM from their content, but a new patent application from Microsoft may mark DRM for deletion.

Patent number 7,266,697 begins with the statement "Since the earliest days of human civilization," says the patent, "music has existed at the crossroads of creativity and technology." As I do recall, Beethoven didn't allow for any recording devices during his concerts, and Shakespeare sued everyone when the premire Othello was filmed and cast out onto the web.

But as for the patent, Darko Kirovski and Henrique Malvar of Microsoft have said that their new watermarking process is tougher than anything ever conceived before. In fact, it's said that it lives up and exceed the stringent guidelines that our friends at the RIAA have placed upon digital music security.

• Two successive D/A and A/D conversions
• Data reduction coding techniques such as MP3
• Adaptive transform coding (ATRAC), adaptive subband coding
• Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB)
• Dolby AC2 and AC3 systems
• Applying additive or multiplicative noise
• Applying a second Embedded Signal, using the same system, to a single program fragment,
• Frequency response distortion corresponding to normal analogue frequency response controls such as bass, mid and treble controls, with maximum variation of 15 dB with respect to the original signal
• Applying frequency notches with possible frequency hopping

There could of course still be that ball and chain of DRM, but the watermarking could be applied in such a manner to allow the tracking of ones digital music purchases. Jon Doe buys a song watermarked with his user profile for the music store he frequents. Jon Doe uploads his song to a torrent portal site. RIAA see's the song and looks at the watermark. RIAA sues Jon Doe.

But at least there's no more DRM.

Hmmm, all those digital augmentations to try and obscure the watermark have to be preformed on ones home PC. Couldn't I just play the music file over some really good speakers whilst recording to another PC with a high quality dynamic microphone?

Toshiba has developed something called DTR which could increase HDD capacity ever further.

Apple may have added a few extra colors and some extra storage to their iPod lineup yesterday (read bout it here), but the a max of 160GB of capacity for the iPod Classic still seems kinda small, especially when half terabyte hard drive can be had for about $100 bucks and some change.

Toshiba, the exact same folks who developed the first 1.8" iPod hard drives have been playing around with perpendicular recording in the hopes of expanding drive capacities. The new method still uses the perpendicular approach (standing magnetic bits on end to increase aerial density of the hard drive platters), but uses something they've called Discrete Track Recording (DTR).

The method is simple; separating the parallel magnetic data-storing domains that are written upon the drive platter medium. To put that into plain English; leaving a small gap between the parallel tracks to prevent magnetic migration between stored bits.

The old technology on the left looks like a hammer and chisel when compared to the new.

It is quite likely that DTR will require higher density read/write drive heads, and an improvement of the magnetic medium that is electro-plated/electro-magnetically layered onto the platter (it's actually a big industry secret how they do it).



The DTR rainbow effect is totally worth putting a window in your hard drive.

So does this mean extra room for that already obscene collection of MP3's and movies pulled from the World Wide Web? According to Toshiba, DTR could yield a 50% increase in the available storage space for 1.8" portable media drives (like the iPod) and increased capacities for laptop hard drives. The extra storage space will also allow for added information that is never seen by the user, but still integral to drive function. That could encompass additional data to facilitate enhanced performance of the drive appature arm which moves the read/write head. There could also be larger sectors available for the FAT (File Allocation Table). Perhaps Toshiba could even integrate ECC (Error Checking and Correction) tools into the drives firmware. Such a tool could continuously monitor for dead or dying sectors and remap the drive structure to prevent data loss. An integrated defragmentation tool could be useful too.

Toshiba has said that this new drive technology is best suited for small storage uses. The DTR 1.8" portable media drives should be in mass production by 2009, with laptop drives following near there after.

But the desktop, that's what I'm waiting for! The 500GB drives are undoubtedly the best deal right now. There's a growing collection of 750GB drives available, and even a couple 1TB drive on the market. But can you even begin to imagine 2TB drives? Try 8 in a RAID0 array for 16TB worth of whatever you want. Music, movies, games, and to beat someone to the punch, I'll be the first to mention the XXX side of the Internet.

We all saw it coming; an updated iPod Nano, iPod Classic and the new iPod Touch.

With the recent June release of the Apple iPhone, followers of all things Apple have been expecting some of those iPhone features to make their way to some of the iPod line up. Well, in what was certainly an assembly of reporter, distributors and technofiles hanging upon the scripted words of Steve Jobs with baited breath, they got their wish. The iPods have undergone a bit of a face lift and a little surgery within. Here's what was announced today.

iPod Shuffle

Relatively unchanged within, but now available in some new colors, the iPod shuffle now comes in red with its standard 1GB of flash memory. Still quite affordable at $79 USD.

iPod Nano

This was one of the expected changes for Apple and their iPod lineup. The iPod Nano now sports a color 2-inch, 320x240 LCD display. The available memory configurations have been doubled as well with 4GB and 8GB of flash as the new standard. In a surprise move, the the nanos are now made made entirely of metal and will be available in black, red, silver, blue, and green. They will be shipping sometime today and should hit store shelves by the weekend. As for storage, the 4GB silver model retails for $149 USD. The larger (and more desirable) 8GB model comes in all of those afore mentioned colors and retails at $199 USD.

iPod Classic

Not much of a change here, simply a revamp and slight redesign of the iPods we're all accustomed to. The new al metal design is nice, as is the 80GB and 160GB storage options. They're thinner too. The 80GB iPod Classic will sell for $249 USD while the larger capacity 160GB version will fly off the shelves for $349 USD.

iPod Touch

And this is the one we've all been waiting for, an iPhone without the phone. At only 8mm thick, the iPod Touch touts nearly all of the features that as made the iPhone so popular. The screen is still the same size as the iPhone. One notable extra that is a first for any iPod is the WiFi integration within. It comes with its own flavor of Safari and support for YouTube videos. Users will be able to surf the web, listen to music and so forth. Battery life has been indicated to be 22 hours of audio playback and 5 hours of video playback, according to Jobs.

The iPod Touch comes in two versions; 8GB for $299 and 16GB for $399 USD. On an added note, Jobs took a moment to detail the Apple iTunes WiFi Music Store. Users will now be able to preview a sample of the music they are interested in and purchase it with a single tap of the display. The song is immediately downloaded to their music library and with sync with their desktop system the next time their iPod touch is docked.

That ties in further with the promotional deal Apple has brewed up with Starbucks. iPod touch (and presumably iPhine users too) will now have a Starbucks logo appear on their display when they are in proximity of one of the 6 trillion Starbucks throughout the known universe. If they like the song they've just heard over the hissing steam of the cappuccino machine, they can buy it instantly. The last ten songs played will also appear for purchase. The new marketing will roll out in New York and Seattle first at a few select Starbucks locations.

And to top it all off, Jobs also announced a change to the iPhone lineup. The 4GB model is now dead while the 8GB model will see increased production and a massive price cut from $599 down to $399 USD.

All these new toys and lower prices has me wanting to buy more Apple.  

They haven't said anything about it, but Steve Jobs of Apple did talk with Volkswagen Chairman Marin Winkerkorn about something. Maybe Winkerkorn just wanted an iPhone.

In semi-secretive fashion, Apple co-founder and president Steve Jobs met with Volkswagen Chairman Marin Winterkorn a few day ago in California. Presumably over lunch, the two discussed was has been rumored that the two pondered over a "plan an intensive co-operation with the building of vehicles."

Hark! Doth this spell the birth of an iCar?

Most likely not, but more likely just another integration of the iPod and iPhone into those other technological devices that have become the staples of modern life. This has been done already, as was with the BMW 7 series of automobiles. The was also an integration of the iPod into a run of Honda Civic Hybrids not too long ago, but with less than stellar results.

But the possibilities are great for Apple and any perspective auto manufacturer who is looking to digitize their line-up a bit. What could be done?

• iPod dock (done to death, but still nice)
• Wi-Fi integration (easy to do)
• Hands Free Cellular with the iPhone (even better)
• GPS with the iPhone (the best)

It's all just speculation at this point however. Maybe something will happen, like a simple iVW promotion. Buy this limited edition car, get a free iPod, use it in your Volkswagen. Perhaps there's more in store for Apple and VW.

But in the end it's just another distraction for drivers who insist that they and only they should be allowed to chat on their cell phone, send text messages and watch DVDs whilst driving.

Unveils digital TV tuner and PVR features for PS3

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today officially announces personal video recording functionality for the PlayStation 3 at the Games Convention in Leipzig. The "PlayTV" external peripheral combines a dual-channel digital TV tuner and personal video recorder (PVR) and will launch "early 2008" in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, with other PAL territories receiving the device later next year.

PlayTV will operate on the Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial format (DVB-T), and features a seven day electronic programme guide, called EPG2. Digital television can be recorded directly onto the PS3 hard drive, or transferred to the PlayStation Portable handheld console.

• PlayTV’s two TV tuners are High Definition ready and are able to view, record and play back High Definition signals in full HD1080P to fully complement PS3’s already impressive High Definition credentials.
• Unlike the electronic programme guides found on conventional satellite and cable services, PlayTV’s EPG is lightning fast, and simple to use with either PS3’s SIXAXIS wireless controller or the BD remote control to really enhance viewing pleasure.
• Intuitive controls, single button help features, tutorial videos and simple navigation make PlayTV a positive joy to use compared with the complexity of some standalone PVR models
• Seamless connectivity with PSP allows you to set recordings, watch Live TV and recorded TV programmes remotely on PSP via a Wi-Fi connection (using Remote Play feature). Alternatively, quickly transcode recorded TV shows for high quality viewing to PSP by USB cable for remote viewing away from the home.
• Optional on-screen graphical display provides a wealth of information about the status of PlayTV and provides quick access to programme information, stored TV programmes and the controls to pause or record live TV. PlayTV will also set the correct interface for either Standard Definition or High Definition displays, maximising the viewing experience.
• PlayTV will evolve with time, with great added value functionality being updated via PLAYSTATION Network; a feature that sets it above all other set top boxes. PlayTV will never be out of date.

"The introduction of PlayTV really will extend the already broad entertainment credentials of PS3, and makes it an exceptionally attractive proposition for the whole family," said David Reeves, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. "PS3 already provides High Definition gaming, Blu-ray Disc movies, music, video, photo album, web browsing and PLAYSTATION Network support. With the introduction of PlayTV’s state of the art TV tuner and PVR functionality, PS3 is now the best choice of home entertainment hub for the whole family."

DirecTV is set to offer broadband over power lines sometime this year.

Though it may seem a step in the wrong direction, it has been possible for some years now to transmit data over power lines. Case in point; South American cities power theft runs rampant with people will commonly wire into live electrical feeds to tap some of their neighbors power to juice the entire neighborhood. The power companies down there have been using devices that allow for data to be transmitted through the power grid to their monitoring station where they can determine if there is an illegal hook-up.

With some basis upon that technology, DirectTV has announced that they will begin to offer service bundles that include braoband-over-power lines sometime this year. DirecTV had hinted at this back in spring, and has plans to roll out the service starting with their Dallas and Fort Wroth Texas BPL network by years end.

This is another attempt by the satellite company to gain some added market share in the realm of high-speed Internet access. It will allow them to further compete with the cable and telecoms providers who already offer package deals bundled with both TV and Net access.

The development also follows DirecTV's failure to secure any of its own spectrum in the FCC's auction this year. They had hoped by acquiring some extra air bandwidth that they could introduce their WiMax high-speed Internet service, a type of high range wireless net access.

AT&T uses Windows XP on their display stands that advertise the Apple iPhone. Ironic or just plain sad?

Got your iPhone yet? Me neither.

But it appears that AT&T has pulled out the old tried and tested OS of Windows XP to help flog the iPhone.

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Crash baby, crash! Twenty on the Blue Screen of Death!

I can hear it now; every Windows fanboy in laughing their Microsoft heads off whilst every Apple loyalist is fuming.

By the way, my local bank machines run Windows XP Professional too. Seems that they like to crash when I use them. Now if I could only figure out which buttons constituted Ctrl+Alt+Delete, there's a few extra zeroes missing from my bank account.

Take one iPod, add one bolt of lightning, and you've got a recipe for disaster.

Certainly, most of use have heard those suggestions of not playing golf, climbing a tree, or standing next to metal objects during an electrical storm. Case in point; my father will quite often disconnect his amateur radio gear during lightning storm. The 8 meter wire antenna on our roof makes a pretty good electron magnet. The copper J-Pole antenna (copper pipe rigged up to look like the letter 'J') gets great electrical reception.

But add a new one to the list. Doctors are warning people of the risks involved with stereo equipment zapped by lightening. Published in this week's New England Journal of medicine (under the title of 'Thunderstorms and iPods — Not a Good iDea') are the medical accountings of a 37 year old Vancouver, B.C. man who was shocked senseless by a bolt from the blue whilst jogging. Eric Heffernan, Peter Munk, and Luck Louis from Vancouver General Hospital report in the journal that the jogger in question was a meer 2.4 meters from a tree during his jog when a bolt had hit the tree and arced over to him.

Though it did happen in the summer of 2005, both of the joggers eardrums were ruptured and his jaw fractured by the blow. Apparently, the massive electrical surge was enough to have the ear buds explode under the force of the electrical pressure. He also suffered first and second degree burns on his chest, right beneath where his iPod was located. And with electricities nasty habit of wanting to return to ground, he also suffered burns upon his legs and feet. His jogging shoes were blown to pieces. To detail somewhat further, perforated tympanic membranes (eardrums) was only part of the injury to his ears. The man suffered dislocation of the tiny bones in the middle ear known as the ossicles, which conduct sound to the cochlea of the inner ear.

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"I knew it! Steve Jobs is God! Betcha Microsoft can't do that."

Subsequent surgical procedures were required to patch his eardrums with small tissue grafts. His jaw also needed to be reset as it was dislocated from both joints by the force of the blast and broken in four places. Unfortunately, due to the extent of damage to his jaw, it is quite likely the man will develop some form of arthritis in it at a earlier than normal age.

The man now has about 50 per cent hearing loss in both ears and wears two hearing aids to assist. Heffernan said. He no longer plays in the church orchestra because of his hearing loss. It's quite likely too that he either cranks up to volume one his iPod, doesn't have one any more, or caved in and bought a Zune.

"There are probably many notes he can't hear," Heffernan added.  

But not to blame the iPod fr this, as it in no way attracted the lightning strike. It did make hi injuries worse though. 

"Although the use of a device such as an iPod may not increase the chances of being struck by lightning, in this case, the combination of sweat and metal earphones directed the current to, and through, the patient's head," the doctors wrote.

Heffernan, one of the doctors who attended, had said in an interview noted that this man's experience should provide a cautionary tale for anyone wearing earphones outdoors during a thunderstorm.

"Using things like this, a mobile phone or an iPod, there isn't actually an increased risk (of incurring a lightning injury)," he said from Vancouver. "But we just suggest that if you are unlucky enough to be hit by lightning while listening to anything with earphones, you may be more likely to do yourself some damage." 

And expert in the field lightning strikes and their effects upon people chimed in on the subject. "Metal doesn't attract lightning and there is very little metal in iPods anyway," said Dr. Mary Ann Cooper, an emergency-room physician and medical professor at the University of Illinois in Chicago. "But once electricity contacts the iPod, then the metal will conduct the electricity and can cause secondary burns, as this gentleman had to his chest underneath where the iPod was and up where the wires went up into his ears, and possibly even cause enough muscle contraction that either caused the jaw fracture or perhaps he fell forward onto his jaw."

What ever the case for this fellows injuries, he's one lucky guy, living to tell the tale. Perhaps Steve Jobs would read this and be moved to the point to give this fellow a brand new iPod, or maybe an iPhone. Just make sure it's one with a big surge protector built in. 

When is enough enough?

This is getting ridiculous.

I think we should ban the DVD CCA.

In its latest brainstorm, the DVD Copy Control association wants to completely ban all backups. Kiss fair use goodbye. No more place shifting.

You know, I could almost understand this if it was only the MPAA behind it... but its not only them.

Shame on you Intel, HP, Toshiba and Pioneer.

Don't you realize that you are shooting yourself in the foot?

Wake up and smell the coffee... the consumer electronics industry is much bigger than Hollywood.

Oh and if by some miracle this passes... DVD CCA members ought to be required by law to provide replacement DVD's for any scratched, laser-rotted or otherwise damaged or unreadable DVD's at no cost (including no shipping costs) to consumers in perpetuity.

 

Bit Torrent announces its new SDK for HTPC's and NAS storage.

Bit Torrent is without a doubt, perhaps the best way to share files. As it grows in popularity each and every day, it whats always been suspected it would take on a more integrated role in the realm of file transfers and downloaded content.

Yesterday, Bit Torrent announced their deal with Buffalo Technology (a well known manufacturer of wireless gear) and how they will be working together to provide an integrated Bit Torrent client for NAS (Network Attached Storage). This announcement comes in addition to the release of a new Bit Torrent client and accompanied SDK (Software Development Kit) for HTPC (Home Theater PC) systems. It would seem that we're on the fringe of a P2P Bit Torrent revolution.

Bit Torrent president and co-founder Ashwin Navin and director of communications Lily Lin had recently said Bit Torrent currently aims to narrow that gap between the Internet and the television by "focusing on devices that allow people to enjoy media in their living rooms." Bit Torrent obviously hopes that consumer electronics manufacturers will embrace the new SDK to offer embed Bit Torrent software on "set-top boxes, digital media players, routers, and NAS storage devices" and that they "expect one or all of those [devices] to merge with televisions in the future." However, Navin was quick to note that they don't have any plans to break into the mobile market at this time. I guess that means wait a year for a Bit Torrent Lite client to be loaded onto your cell phone.

With nearly 160 million installs on PC's around the world (Windows, Mac, Linux, you name it), Bit Torrent is quickly becoming the new P2P choice. Bit Torrent has also announced future partnerships with the likes of Netgear, Planex, Asus, and QNAP, in addition to chip manufacturers IAdea/Star Semiconductors and Marvel Semiconductors. And with the finalized Bit Torrent SDK, the list will begin to grow.

While discussing their dealings with Buffalo, Navin ( our friendly afore mentioned Bit Torrent rep) said "[the] NAS product line is one that has tons of storage, shipping terabytes. Running Bit Torrent means an always-on Bit Torrent that can be remotely configured to queue up downloads from Bit Torrent.com or any other place."

But perhaps the greatest advantage that can be forecast for new and improved Bit Torrent systems is the number of seeds they will provide. Anyone familiar with Bit Torrent will know the difference between 'Seeders' and 'Leeches', or supply versus demand. With terabyte capable NAS storage, Bot Torrent users probably wouldn't have any problem leaving their network storage drive on 24/7, seeding those files to the masses. And if Bit Torrent becomes popular in the realm of HTPC's and set-top boxes, then we'll be in for a real treat.

And if any of you budding software developers out there what to take it for a whirl, more information on the Bit Torrent SDK can be found right here. Go ahead, develop your little hearts out.

Blu-ray +1, HD DVD -1

A significant battle in the format wars was fought today.

Blockbuster -- the largest chain of video game and DVD rental shops in the world -- has decided to chose the Blu-ray format, over HD DVD, for their future stock choices. This decision might prove to be a decisive blow against HD DVD.

Since late last year, Blockbuster has been offering both formats to its customers. Blockbuster has stated that customers chose Blu-ray movies over HD DVD titles more than 70% of the time. Matthew Smith, Blockbuster's senior vice president of merchandising told the Associated Press: "The consumers are sending us a message. I can't ignore what I'm seeing."

Similar to the Beta versus VHS format war from 20 years ago, both formats are wrestling each other to become the new marketplace standard for optical media. Since the beginning of the year, Blu-ray has been outselling HD DVD titles, as well as offering a larger selection of titles.

Ken Graffeo, the co-president of the North American HD DVD Promotional Group, was not pleased with Blockbuster's change of position. He said that "trying to make a format decision using such a short time period is really not measuring what the consumer is saying."

At least for now, Blockbuster will continue to offer HD DVD titles at 250 stores. But for exactly how long the HD DVDs will be available for rent has not been publicly determined.

Steve Jobs anyone can write applications for the iPhone, providing they all run through Safari.

Since its star studded preview back in January of this year, the collective masses ave eagerly awaited the launch of Apples new iPhone. With that launch now just 18 short days away, one lingering question has been disappointedly answered by Steve 'Call me God' Jobs himself.

Can users write their own applications to run on the iPhone?

Yes and no.

It's a bit of an odd answer. Many had hoped that Apple would have released an SDK (Software Developers Kit) for the iPhone. Such a kit would include all the documentation and library's that any capable programmer could use to code their own iPhone based applications. Unfortunately, Steve Jobs recently announced to those in attendance at a Worldwide Developers Conference that Apple had found a "sweet" way of supporting third party development for the iPhone.

As it has been for years with OSX and Safari, those third party developers can write their own applications using Ajax and CSS to run under Safari. This will be the case for the iPhone as well. But it would seem that Apple is keeping iPhone software development to themselves.

Certainly, anyone (with some measure of programming skill) can build an application to run within a web browser, wither it be for Safari, FireFox, Internet Explorer, or Mozillia. But stand alone iPhone applications are being kept proprietary for the time being.

Having Safari based applications does complicate things for the end user somewhat. In order to launch Safari, you need net access. If you're on a plane, 30,000 feet up in the air, the chances of having a stable Internet connection are slim to none. Additionally, no one yet knows how much the data plans will cost. Most every cellular provider offers Internet surfing and e-mail over their networks, but at a cost of a few cents per kilobyte. If an iPhone user has to connect to the fire up Safari, connect to the net, access the URL for that third party app, and download that data every single time they want to run said program, then most folks are going to have an aching pocket book after a little while.

It seems frustrating of course. Just look at the iPod for reference. It's been a flood upon the market place, yet Apple still hasn't released an SDK for it. Of course, one could always drop Linux onto their iPod and run all the third party apps they want. But if Apple were to open up the OS for both the iPod and the iPhone, then they would most likely see a considerable boost to their market share, simply for the sake of all those software developers out there that would start creating nifty little apps for those devices.

But in a odd twist of quotation, Steve Jobs had said some two weeks ago “I think some time later this year we will find a way to let third parties write apps and still preserve security.… We would like to solve this problem, if you could be just a little more patient with us, I think everyone can get what they want.”  

Its been six months since the iPhone was first announced, and probably a couple of years since Apple first started to develop it, and they still haven't addressed the issue of third party apps? On the one hand, perhaps Apple wants to keep those iPhone apps exclusively Apple for the time being, and will eventually release an SDK. Another speculation is that Apple is beginning to develop games for the iPhone, to compete with the PSP and GameBoy. A little more than a year ago, I had reported on how Apple had been snatching up some very notable game developers, and with little hint of what they were tasking those new developers with (read that story here). I had thought that perhaps Apple was going to start releasing some more advanced games for the iPod. Perhaps they're building some games for the iPhone.

Could the iPhone hold more in store for us than we ever thought?