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TechCrunch interested in developing own web tablet — with your help

by Daniel Langendorf

July 21st, 2008 | Posted in Mobile, Other | No Comments

last100 editor Steve O’Hear has been a big advocate of the so-called ultra-portable Netbook computer from Day One. Now we see others are just as interested.

TechCrunch today announced interest in building its own Web tablet using open source everything. As TechCruch founder Michael Arrington wrote, the basic idea is the “machine is as thin as possible, runs low end hardware and has a single button for powering it on and off, headphone jacks, a built in camera for video, low end speakers, and a microphone.”

The specs continue: It will have Wi-Fi, maybe a USB port, a built-in battery, a half a gig of RAM, a 4 GB solid state hard drive. Its primary method of input is an iPhone-like touchscreen, it runs on the Linux operating system, and it uses Firefox as its browser.

Don't buy a Netbook pleads PC industry

by Steve O'Hear

July 21st, 2008 | Posted in Mobile, Other | 18 Comments

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of the Netbook, an emerging new product category of low-cost and ultra-portable notebooks. But it seems many in the PC industry aren’t.

Initially targeted at the education market or those wanting a third machine, Netbooks are resonating with a much broader market — and not just because of their lower price point compared to more traditional and higher specced sub-notebooks. Despite years of industry propaganda, consumers are wising up to the fact that they don’t have to step on to the processor upgrade treadmill. Instead, in an age where more and more of our applications and data resides in the cloud (on remote servers, rather than stored locally), a machine with Internet connectivity and one that is powerful enough to run a modern web browser – that’s a Netbook by the way – is often all that we need.

Nintendo seemingly plays it "safe" with "Wii Music" and other casual games

by Daniel Langendorf

July 15th, 2008 | Posted in Other | 2 Comments

wii music

By now we should expect this from Nintendo. The maker of the Wii and DS Lite underwhelmed at the annual E3 conference only to overwhelm during the following year of sales.

Gaming and tech pundits always seem to expect PlayStation and Xbox 360 games and cutting-edge hardware innovation from Nintendo at E3, which delivers this in its own casual, fun, mainstream sort of way.

Nintendo did it again Tuesday. The maker of the world’s best selling games console, the Wii, and the leading portable game device, the DS Lite, introduced even more products aimed at a wider audience, if that’s even possible. Nintendo’s announcements included a multiplayer community game “Animal Crossing: City Folk,” “Wii Sports Resort” (a sequel to the hit “Wii Sports”), and “Wii Music.”

“Animal Crossing: City Folk” is a game that features a new USB peripheral called Wii Speak, a microphone/camera that integrates into the sensor bar that usually sits atop TV sets. It will allow rooms of people to speak to each other while they do things — redecorate, hang out, fish. It may seem like standard “Animal Crossing” fare, but the ability to send messages and pictures to the Wii message board, cell phones, and computers is a nice community/social touch.

“Wii Music” plays off the popularity of games such as “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band” but in the usual Nintendo casual manner-of-play. “Wii Music” will let players simulate more than 60 instruments by moving their bodies with Wii remotes and pressing buttons. The game makes sure you play the right notes.

RWW Live: iPhonemania

by Steve O'Hear

July 15th, 2008 | Posted in Mobile, Other | No Comments

Yesterday, we recorded the latest episode of RWW Live, a new regular bi-weekly feature on Sean Ammirati’s ReadWriteTalk podcast show. The idea is to get together a number of writers from the ReadWriteWeb blog network (that includes last100!) for a live discussion on recent events in the technology world.

In episode 4, devoted almost entirely to the iPhone, I was joined by ReadWriteTalk host Sean Ammirati, ReadWriteWeb editor and founder Richard MacManus, ReadWriteWeb writers Bernard Lunn and Marshall Kirkpatrick.

You can listen to the podcast below (recorded using the TalkShoe platform) or subscribe here.

As Richard, over at ReadWriteWeb, notes:

We’re still experimenting with the format, but we’re hoping to get the RWW community involved as much as possible in future episodes – for example by doing a live post at the same time, twittering the chat URL, and so on. We’d love to hear any ideas you have on making this an interactive, read/write experience. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Xbox Live Video Marketplace gets content from NBC, Universal and other E3 tidbits

by Daniel Langendorf

July 15th, 2008 | Posted in Net TV, Other | 1 Comment

Microsoft’s deal with Netflix and the Xbox 360’s impending makeover wasn’t the only news from the E3 Media & Business Summit Monday. A few other tidbits include Microsoft, Universal, and NBC; hard drives; and a new Wii controller.

New partners for Video Marketplace

Microsoft has partnered with NBC and Universal to bring new content to the Video Marketplace, Microsoft’s online service. TV shows include “Battlestar Galactica,” “The Office,” and “30 Rock,” among others. Movies include “The Mummy” and “Bourne Supremacy.”

With more than 10,000 movies and TV shows in the Xbox Live Video Marketplace, Microsoft contends it is now the world’s largest provider of on-demand high-definition content.

I've jumped on the Netbook bandwagon (MSI Wind U100 / Advent 4211 review)

by Steve O'Hear

July 14th, 2008 | Posted in Mobile, Other, Review | 13 Comments

I've jumped on the Netbook bandwagon (MSI Wind / Advent 4211 review) Ever since Asus debuted its first Eee PC, I’ve been fascinated by this new category of mobile device, dubbed the Netbook by chip maker Intel.

The form-factor is a notebook but these devices are purposely cut-down in terms of price – the Eee PC 701 sells for under $300 – as well as size and weight, and to some extent features. While designed primarily as a way of accessing the Internet on-the-go, Netbooks don’t have any pretensions of putting the Internet in your pocket, and instead look to keep the screen size and keyboard small enough to still be extremely portable, yet large enough to be that bit more productive.

This typically translates into screen sizes between 7 and 10 inches, with keyboards that feature 95% full-size keys, albeit with a rather cramped layout. Also, don’t automatically expect a Netbook to come loaded with a Microsoft operating system, though many offer XP as an option. Instead, in order to keep the cost down, and in recognition that many applications now run in the browser, Netbooks commonly run a flavor of Linux and related open-source software. Another distinguishing feature of the majority of Netbooks is that they do away with a traditional hard drive in favor of solid state storage with less capacity – 4-8GB – again recognizing the move towards Cloud computing.

However, a couple of things about the original Eee PC stopped me from making a purchase – an 800 x 600 screen resolution and an aging and limited processor – both of which have now been addressed by more recent models from Asus itself, along with a host of competitors including MSI and Acer, all three of which run on Intel’s new and improved Atom “Diamondville” processor.

So which of the new Atom-based Netbooks did I go for?

Sony's PS3 firmware update adds nifty new features

by Daniel Langendorf

June 30th, 2008 | Posted in Other | No Comments

Sony’s next PlayStation 3 update, firmware 2.40, will deliver several features that owners have been wanting for a long time.

We’ll let the Sony dudes explain the new features in detail in the video following the jump. For the most part, the enhancements include:

the ability to access and move throughout most of the PlayStation’s interface, known as the XMB (or Xcross Media Bar), while in-game
to read or send messages while in-game
to change the music selection in-game, creating a custom soundtrack
and to keep track of your success with Trophies, which is a more elegant Achievement system than the Xbox 360’s.
Continue reading »

Sony's latest plans: more networked devices, video download service for PS3, maybe a phone

by Daniel Langendorf

June 26th, 2008 | Posted in Other | No Comments

Years ago, when product developers were thinking up what’s next, an obvious choice was electronic devices connected to each other, first through cables, then wirelessly as technology improved and the Internet became more important in our lives. At the center of this discussion was always Sony, the worldwide consumer electronics leader.

Sony invented the Walkman and portable music. It set the standard for high-quality television with the Trinitron and Wega. It popularized and legitimized gaming with the PlayStation. It seemed only natural that Sony would lead us into the brave new digital world.

Oddly, this never happened.

So the news today of Sony’s latest grand plan to rule digital entertainment rings hallow, even pathetic, as companies like Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, Amazon, and others forge ahead with innovative products and services. Sony, sadly, is left playing catch-up.

The highlights of Sony’s announcement include:

More networked devices

Sony Chief Executive Officer Howard Stringer outlined the company’s plan at a news conference in Tokyo. At the center of the initiative, Sony wants 90 percent of its electronic products to wirelessly connect to the Internet by 2011.

That seems a bit obvious. Shouldn’t every consumer electronics device connect to the Internet these days? Our refrigerators will. Our cars will.

Win a Roku Netflix set-top box!

by Steve O'Hear

June 24th, 2008 | Posted in Net TV, Other | 1 Comment

Win a Roku Netflix set-top-box! This isn’t a last100 give-away — we haven’t even got our hands on a review unit yet — but our friend Dan Rayburn over at Streaming Media is parting company with the new Netflix set-top box from Roku.

Also see: Roku delivers first Netflix set-top box

To be in with a chance to win it, all you have to do is leave one comment on Dan’s original post with a working e-mail address. He’ll pick a random winner this Thursday and ship it out at no cost. (Sorry, U.S. residents only). The unit comes with all of the original materials, box, remote and cables, but since it only works with Netflix’s service, you’ll either need to be a Netflix customer, or need to be willing to setup a Netflix account.

As an aside, Anthony Wood, the Founder and CEO of Roku will be one of the keynote speakers at the Streaming Media West show in September in San Jose.

Archive for the ‘Other’ Category

TechCrunch interested in developing own web tablet — with your help

Don't buy a Netbook pleads PC industry

Nintendo seemingly plays it "safe" with "Wii Music" and other casual games

RWW Live: iPhonemania

Xbox Live Video Marketplace gets content from NBC, Universal and other E3 tidbits

I've jumped on the Netbook bandwagon (MSI Wind U100 / Advent 4211 review)

Sony's PS3 firmware update adds nifty new features

Sony's latest plans: more networked devices, video download service for PS3, maybe a phone

Win a Roku Netflix set-top box!

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