Sezmi looks to provide alternative for cable / satellite

 

 

Put simply (or, as simply as possible), the box will fetch content from a number of places: the built-in OTA receiver will grab locals, and it will use the owner's broadband internet connection to snag IPTV material and web-based content (YouTube, Hulu, etc.

 

In case you're not content with just keeping your current cable / satellite / fiber TV service and using the recently launched ZvBox to pull in content from the web, a new startup is aiming to satisfy your bizarre desires.

 

Sezmi plans to launch the product with "3G and DSL" telcos that don't currently have a way to offer a triple-play package, and while some sources say that monthly fees will be as low as "half" of a typical cable / satellite bill, we've also seen Phil Wiser, co-founder, chairman and president, quoted as saying that it will be "roughly comparable" to its rivals.

 

In what's potentially the most befuddling launch of the year, said firm is looking to introduce its 1TB set-top-box to consumers on a city-by-city basis.

 

Hit up the links below for loads more info, and join us as we sit back and wait for this entirely-too-complex endeavor to implode.

 

 

Qmotions bringing skate controllers to the 360

 

 

Qmotions has been hawking various specialty sports controllers for a while now, but it looks like the company is about to take the next-gen plunge with an upcoming skateboard controller called the Qmotions Big Air for the Xbox 360 -- and best of all, Microsoft is going to let the company build official wireless peripherals.

 

Amazing 1992-style animated GIF of Qmotions' PS2 XBoard controller, pictured above, after the break.

 

) No word on price or game compatibility other than "skateboard games currently on the market," but look for this one to ollie into your heart sometime later this year.

 

That's an honor Microsoft is pretty hesitant to dole out, but it seems like the ability to wirelessly rip up some Tony Hawk swayed J Allard and co.

 

(We hear Ballmer is a monster in the pipe.

 

 

Xbox 360 Blu-ray console

 

 

The Chinese language Economic Daily News is reporting that Pegatron, an OEM subsidiary of ASUS, has won the order from Microsoft to assemble the Xbox 360 with Blu-ray Disc ROM drive -- shipments are expected to being in Q3 of this year.

 

For all of Microsoft's denial, the Xbox 360 Blu-ray console rumors just will not die.

 

Now come on Microsoft, just come clean on the matter, we won't tell anyone.

 

In fact, they are getting more and more specific.

 

 

Nintendo's DS Lite doubles as MIDI sequencer

 

Nintendo's DS Lite tends to find itself intertwined in obscure MIDI projects fairly often, so it's no shock to see yet another enterprise linking the handheld to some fairly swank beats. By utilizing a homegrown DS MIDI apparatus along with dSTAR sequencer software, the DS Lite is able to transform into quite the potent little step sequencer. Of course, anything musically-related digests easier with video, so jump on past the break for a lengthy demonstration (and peep the read link if you're eager to replicate).

MEDIVista won't ease your pain, but will kill boredom

One of the things most people fail to realize about being sick is that sitting in a hospital bed all day can be really, really boring. Luckily, a company called Lincor Solutions has realized that people need something a little more engaging than plain-jane television these days, thus the MEDIVista was created. The basic premise is quite simple: a touchscreen, LCD display is mounted to the side of a hospital bed which the hospital staff can use to display x-rays or medical information, and the patient can use for entertainment. Users can watch IPTV, listen to the radio or audio books, make VoIP calls, surf the 'net, check email, as well as play web and network based games. The system also logs activity and allows users to view billing information, though at this point it doesn't look like it can play Doom, will blend, or is due to become our overlord.

LG's Rhapsody in Music (LG-LB3300) slider: an ode by Mark Levinson

 

 

The slider features an LED-lit touch-wheel for gettin' disco, 1GB of built-in memory (expandable with another 4GB), 2-inch LCD, 2 megapixel camera, a terrestrial DMB television tuner for Korea, and Bluetooth A2DP stereo audio with the ability to stream to two listeners in parallel.

Of course, there's only so much tweaking an audio wizard can do with compressed MP3 files sent over a compressed Bluetooth audio stream.

Probably not unless you're an up-market, audio consumer or Lexus driver with optional Mark Levinson sound system installed.

Mark Levinson -- heard of him?

We hear it makes phone calls too.

Now he's teamed up with LG on this, "The Rhapsody in Music Phone.

Known less hyperbolically as the LG-LB3300.

As such, we'll have to give these a listen before jumping onto the hype-wagon.

 

 

our Comes with Music service is not Universal's Total Music

 

The fact that there are some similarities shows how the industry is thinking about the future of digital music - but its not a sign of any direct linkage between the offerings.

Nokia further distances themselves by stating that, "Universal was simply the first of these to publicly sign on.

Perhaps the lack of detail is Nokia's way of farming public opinion before the details are announced.

Regardless, anything can happen between now and the launch in "mid 2008" -- an eternity on a digital music evolution timeline.

According to Nokia, Comes with Music is, "completely independent from the Universal music store.

Remember Nokia's utopian / not-so-free and crippled "free" Comes with Music offering?

We've been in contact with Nokia who'd like to clarify the service.

So, now we know what it isn't, but we still don't know exactly what it is.

Wouldn't be a first.

 

 

b2 miJam WassUp Dancing Speaker

It's shaped kind of like an egg with a speaker and sound sensor, bunny ears, two legs and a plate at the bottom that the WassUp uses to spin on.

In Sensor Mode, the WassUp will begin dancing to any sound it hears.

When the WassUp is exposed to music or sound, it goes into a full dancing frenzy, twisting, doing splits, and flapping its ears!

You can put a stereo in front of it, clap, sing, yell or make any kind of noise near the WassUp and it will start doing a dance.

In fact, its dancing will keep almost anyone entertained for a while, but after it loses its charm, the WassUp serves as a somewhat good speaker.

The b2 miJam WassUp is a dancing, somewhat rabbit-like speaker that's compatible with your iPod or other MP3 player.

In Music Mode, you simply hook up your iPod or MP3 player to the WassUp using the audio cable.

The WassUp comes with an audio cable to connect your player to it and a b2 logo sticker.

At first, the WassUp is fun to watch, but after a while, it can get old.

The WassUp seems pretty sturdy, but you might damage the speaker if you drop it too many times.

Disney Mix Stick

 

When it's loaded with 25 or more "Mix It-ready" songs (you can make songs Mix-It ready with the included software), press and hold the Mix It button for 2 or 3 seconds and Mix It Scan will start: Scan mode plays the first 8 seconds of all songs, and you can create a playlist based on the current song at any time by pressing the Mix It button.

When you press and release the Mix It button right away, it will create a Mix It playlist based on the song that is currently playing.

If the song playing isn't Mix It-ready, the created playlist will be based on the next available Mix It track found on your Mix Stick.

and if you don't want the radio playing in the house, then you can always have your kids listen to their Mix Sticks.

You can also use the software to set up playlists to put on your Mix Stick.

The Mix Stick's directions are easy enough for parents to understand, to set up the software on the computer (PCs only) for younger kids.

The controls for the Mix Stick are also easy to use.

The package contains the player, a Windows Media software CD, stereo earbuds, and a lanyard so you can wear the Mix Stick around your neck.

Now they can with the Disney Mix Stick (available at Disney's online store and many retail stores, $39.95) MP3 player.

There are also two other buttons, the Repeat All button and the Mix It button.

 

 

Haiku Review: RCA S2501 Jet Stream

Wireless earbuds,
You do not bring me the joy
I hoped for. Oh well.

 

—Tim Gideon

What's Up with Cable Tuners on PCs?

Well, it turns out that this technology has gone through some major hiccups during the past 10 months, as everyone has discovered that the problem is related to Digital Rights Management and is tightly controlled by Microsoft and Cable Labs, who license only certain manufacturers to use the CableCARD.

I know that ATI has updated the firmware on the Digital Cable tuners several times over the past year.

There are several TV tuners on the market that allow reception of HDTV, but these are only for Over-The-Air broadcasting, not cable.

After trying 6 Motorola CableCARDS, it was finally decided that there must be a problem with the ATI tuner, so Dell shipped me another one.

After the new tuner arrived, the same two Comcast techs came out again, and we hooked up with the same Dell technician so he could watch the process.

In the meantime, both the Comcast and Dell techs were going to research the problem.

I got Dell Tech Support on the phone, and [the rep] connected to my computer to watch the process.

I had the benefit of having a Velocity Micro technician and Verizon FIOS techs on hand for my review, and even then it took the better part of two days for them to get it working right.

I've since popped my CableCARDs into a TiVo HD, since I knew from talking to the Verizon FIOS Techs that they've never had a problem with TiVo Series 3 HD DVRs, or HDTVs with integrated CableCARD readers.

Now I see that Dell has replaced the XPS 410 with the XPS 420, which does not even offer a HDTV Cable Tuner.

 

 

Otterbox Level II Case for BlackBerry 8800

 

Here's a good idea for a gift for someone--or to put on your own wish list, if you own a BlackBerry 8800 series smartphone.

Especially if your loved one (or you) tends to drop the BlackBerry a lot, or plans to take it into a war zone.

Otterbox also makes cases for many other BlackBerry models, including the Curve and Pearl;

and for iPods, including the newest models, as well as for many other devices.

They may not be glamorous or artsy, but they will protect your pricy devices very well.

They are made of "high-impact polycarbonate" and have a silicon skin as well as a clear film to guard your screen and keyboard.

These cases ($49.95 at the company's site) are tough, tough, tough.

 

 

Movies, Music, and Books on Your DS

 

Still, I understand the appeal of Dai Nippon Printing and AM3's latest innovation, which will give you the ability to buy music, books, comics, and movies via the Web and transfer them to your DS for some handheld consumption.

The pack will be available in Japan this January, for roughly $37, and the content delivery system will go live two months later.

Engadget has a big mockup of the DSvision device, which comes with a 512MB microSD card, a DS cartridge adapter, and a USB adapter.

Here's a cool little piece of hardware coming to a Nintendo DS near you.

I've always been a bit stone-age in my DS usage, preferring to stick to the good,old-fashioned offline Gameboy experience.

 

 

USB Penguin Flash Drives

 

Who doesn't love penguins? Store your important data and documents on your favorite aquatic birds this holiday, thanks to the USB Penguin Flash Drive.

Available in 1GB or 2GB capacities ($60.97 or $89.33, respectively), these cute drives work on both Windows and Mac machines. Choose from black or grey at GeekStuff4U.com.

 

World's First Platinum Apple iPod Nano

 

The very idea of customers demanding platinum studded gadgets clicked the company's senses and they end-up experimenting with this precious metal.

Lately, the company has made an effort and designed the first third-generation Apple iPod Nano coated with Platinum.

Platinum suits perfectly on the iPod nano.

Goldstriker has plans to release the much-in-demand Platinum iPod nano 8GB by early January 2008.

UK-based Goldstriker has unveiled their platinum-encrusted gadgets on the very request of their savvy audience.

What do you think about the creation?

It can be yours on a mere drop of mere $822.

And personally speaking, I find platinum far more appealing than gold.

 

Any plans to buy one?

 

 

Most Expensive Speakers

 

Edge of the Art award and the 2004 Ultra Audio Product of the Year, the X-2 is the most expensive speaker system in the world.

So how much do the most expensive speakers in the world cost?

Wilson Audio, makers of high end audio systems such as MAXX, the WATT/Puppy System and Sophia, have combined and perfected the technologies utilized during the development of these systems into their flagship speaker system, the Alexandria X-2.

The X-2 may look like the X-1, but the similarity ends there.

Winner of the 2005 Soundstage!

They run on a minimum of 20 watts with 8-Ohms of impedance.

With Aspherical Group Delay and tracks with over 30 indents for each driver module, these expensive loudspeakers can deliver optimal performance to any position in any room.

This expensive speaker system includes a 13" woofer, a 15" woofer, 2 midrange 7" speakers, a tweeter and a rear-firing super tweeter.

This price includes installation, a process which every Wilson dealer has been specially trained to perform.

They come in four colors, with eleven "upgrade" colors available to those willing to spend a little extra.

 

 

Siemens rolls out ultrasound-equipped MacBook Pro

 

Apparently designed specifically for cardiology and vascular applications, this one boasts an "array of transducers," along with an integrated stress echo function and a range of cardiology application packages which, Siemens says, "considerably simplifies and accelerates the workflow in echocardiography and vascular diagnosis.

We've seen MacBooks re-purposed for various uses in the past, but never quite like Siemens new "P50" laptop, which takes a standard issue (if slightly outdated) MacBook Pro and outfits it with some ultrasound equipment to accomodate doctors that just can't be tied down.

Mac fans may not want to boast too much about this one, however, as it seems that Siemens has opted to use Windows as a basis for the platform.

 

 

AT&T and Samsung quietly recalling Blackjacks?

 

 

We're still hunting down hard info on this one, but according to users on AT&T's official support forums, Samsung Blackjacks manufactured between November 2006 and February 2007 are the subject of a quiet recall due to an antenna issue.

Like we said, it's all i607 Blackjacks manufactured between November 2006 and February 2007 -- the date is printed on a label under the battery in YY MM format.

A service advisory has apparently gone out to warranty centers, so if your Blackjack is acting a little flaky, now's the time to get on the horn.

Update: Okay, we've gotten our hands on the service advisory.

Apparently certain internal components are wearing oddly over time and causing the antenna to loosen and disengage, causing dropped calls and poor signal strength.

 

 

Asus posts more Eee source code to comply with the GPL

 

 

While we're certain Linux fans will continue to pore over every aspect of the Eee's Xandros distro to make sure Asus remains in compliance with the GPL, it looks like the company is doing its best to make amends by posting the source to the Asus_ACPI module that kicked off the controversy in the first place.

The module's code was not originally included in the 1.8GB source .zip Asus had made available, but it's now chilling out on Asus' public FTP server -- we're certain three of you are absolutely thrilled.

 

 

AT&T and Samsung quietly recalling Blackjacks?

 

 

We're still hunting down hard info on this one, but according to users on AT&T's official support forums, Samsung Blackjacks manufactured between November 2006 and February 2007 are the subject of a quiet recall due to an antenna issue.

Like we said, it's all i607 Blackjacks manufactured between November 2006 and February 2007 -- the date is printed on a label under the battery in YY MM format.

A service advisory has apparently gone out to warranty centers, so if your Blackjack is acting a little flaky, now's the time to get on the horn.

Update: Okay, we've gotten our hands on the service advisory.

Apparently certain internal components are wearing oddly over time and causing the antenna to loosen and disengage, causing dropped calls and poor signal strength.