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George Ou over on Zdnet wrote an excellent piece outlining why those too-good-to-be-true HD downloads we see in Xbox 360, ABC.com and even Apple TV are a bit bogus. He points out that while these services deliver on their 720p resolution promises, the encoded bitrates are so low, compressing the data to such small proportions, that the image within the said resolution has inadequate fidelity. And though we have some major reservations regarding Ou’s theory, it’s tough to entirely disagree when you see the cold, hard numbers:
480i DVD movies: 5 to 8 mbps
HD Steaming: 1.5 to 4 mbps
XBOX360 Dloads: 6.8 mbps
HD DVD: 28 mbps (max)
Blu-ray: 40 mbps (max)
Uncompressed 1080p video at 60fps: 3000 mbps
Note: Apple reports HD movies will be about 5GB, which would represent a bitrate more on par with DVD standards.
What’s missing from this data, of course, is that DVD is based upon the older, less efficient MPEG2 codec, rather than modern, sexier H.264 and VC-1 codecs. But Ou argues that the bottom line is still the bitrates, and that companies offering HD downloads have compromised too much in their compression to claim HD resolutions. (Then again, it should be noted that you can rip a ton of color information out of an image to cut bitrates while maintaining resolution).
It reminds us of all those new bajillion megapixel point-and-shoots that take craptastic pictures…and we haven’t even started on issues of sound. Don’t expect Blu-ray’s successful fallback of classic, uncompressed PCM to make its way into streaming HD.
So just how much will we see from that extra $1 in Apple TV download, anyway? A dollar’s worth? [zdnet via engadgethd]
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Nearly 13 months ago was when Palm originally mentioned they were working on Desktop for Windows Vista, and they’re just now pumping out the full release. If you haven’t jumped ship from Palm yet for not supporting your now aging Vista PC, Palm Desktop 6.2 for Vista is awaiting your download. The application will work for you 32-bit Vista users, but 64-bitters aren’t so fortunate. Here’s the note on Palm’s site.
Not compatible with 64-bit editions of Windows Vista or Windows XP. Not compatible with Server or Tablet PC editions of Windows.
Download [Palm Desktop 6.2]
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The new Microsoft shopping cart promises turn your next mundane shopping trip into an adventure! Four years in the making, collaborating with Texas-based MediaCart Holdings Inc, Bill Gates has launched a grocery cart-mounted console that does everything but remove money from wallets to pay for items! It helps shoppers find products, then scan and pay for them without having to wait in line at the checkout counter (a blessing in itself).
But Bill Gates is not completely altruistic. (Indeed, no mogul ever really is.) Microsoft’s acquisition of Quantive, an online advertising company, last year for $6 billion increased the company’s capacity to serve video ads onto these grocery cart screens. MediaCart will begin testing in the second half of 2008, focusing on Wakefern Food Corporation’s ShopRite supermarkets on the East Coast. The way it will work is customers with a ShopRite loyalty card will be able to log into a Web site at home and type in their grocery lists. The list will appear, like magic, when they get to the store and swipe their card on the MediaCart console. As items are scanned and placed in the cart, the console gives a running price tally and checks items off the list.
As if this isn’t rendering the shopper and his or her judgment and abilities enough, this system also utilizes radio-frequency identification (RFID) to sense the location of the shopper’s cart. The rationale behind this aspect concerns understanding consumer shopping patterns and recognizing strategic points to send ads to shoppers for products living on the shelves in those aisles they are either in or about to enter. Presenting coupons and commercials are still in the works.
Is there no escape from ads in this world? Or do we all represent just one giant coupon to be clipped and redeemed for software companies who don’t need the money in the first place?
Read [New Launches]
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If you thought those lightsaber bedside lamps were a bit too over the top, these pocket-sized sabers are a bit easier to handle. Designed to look like the ones donned by Star Wars villains Darth Vader and Darth Maul, these mini lightsabers are actually laser pointers.
They slip onto any keychain, and project a tiny red laser beam. While they definitely won’t destroy your enemies, you probably shouldn’t aim them into their eyeballs either.
These little rarities are a little difficult to come by, but I managed to find both models through third-party sellers on Amazon (here and here) and on eBay.
read more about:
keychain, laser, led, light, lightsaber, star wars
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Orange has unveiled a gesture based interaction screen that has been produced by a UK agency on their behalf. The agency, known as The Alternative, said it was the first time such a display had been on show to the general public. The purpose of the technology is mainly as an advertising opportunity for Orange, but selecting your favorite music clips have never been so fun. Check out the clip to see what all the fuss is about.
The futuristic device makes the touch UI revolution look like something from the era of the Flinstones. The gesture controls work by implementing a large projection screen and a “highly advanced piece of motion capture technology.” What exactly is going on behind the scenes is not clear, but you can be assured I shall be going along for a hands-on waiving session soon. With tiny projectors in the making, it can’t be too long before the gesture controlled iPhone comes out. Steve, that would be the best keynote, ever…you can’t stop us from dreaming. [New Launches]
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Sony Ericsson has sold over 100 million handsets during 2007, which by itself is an impressive feat, however that also means an 18% increase over sales from the previous year.
Admittedly a good amount of the sales comes from the “lower priced” end of the spectrum. Sony Ericsson has already introduced a few new models in 2008 and most likely will have many more to come in the remainder of the year.
Read [Sony Ericsson]
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The Korean company, XRoad, creates a lot of nice GPS units and this new one, dubbed the XRoad MO1000, is no exception.
It begins with a RMI Alchemy Au1250 processor, and it runs at a very nice 600MHz. It displays maps in 3D and shows buildings as well as other structures. It runs on WinCE 5.0 OS, and comes with a hot 7-inch TFT-LCD touchscreen. It even comes with 30GB internal memory for all your audio and video. Additionally, it comes with a DMB Receiver, to broadcast live TV shows, live traffic information, and picture-in-picture.
No word on availability or pricing at this time, but don’t expect this to leave the Korean market.
Via [NaviGadget]
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Posted Jan 19th 2008 9:06AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Laptops, Tablet PCs
Fujitsu’s marvelously light LOOX U50XN — better known as the U810 here in the States — just keeps getting better. Apparently, to-be owners in Japan can now snag one with an oh-so-coveted 64GB SSD, though all the other specs look to remain identical to what we’ve already seen. ‘Course, adding such a fine piece of hardware won’t come cheap — as a matter of fact, you’ll be forced to cough up an extra ¥95,000 ($887) for the privilege. Oh, and the unconfirmed word on the street has the new drive option coming stateside in March, but don’t bet the farm on that just yet, alright?
[Thanks, Paul P.]
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We all do embarrassing things when we are young, but at least for my generation they tended to stay in the past and away from the eyes of prospective employers, but for todays social networking generation I wonder how much of what seems like a good idea now may come back to haunt them in the future as more and more employers turn to social networking sites to find out more about potential employees.
But as ever with the Internet a new business trend is emerging to resolve this problem. Companies like ReuptationDefender will charge £20 to provide a monthly report about every piece of information about you on the Internet.
“If they find anything inaccurate, inappropriate, hurtful or slanderous, they say they can use a series of techniques to have the unwanted material removed.”
Other firms such as Naymz will manipulate the data so that favorable information is presented first.
If you want to create a positive online profile here are 10 tips on how you may achieve that:
- Write a blog.
- Comment on blogs.
- Create your own social network.
- Set up a Squidoo page.
- Get a Naymz account.
- Use a “proper” email address.
- Security-check outgoing emails.
- Use Google Alerts.
- Get your credit references.
- Destroy the negatives.
Ah, it was so much simpler in my day!!
Via [Telegraph]
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Verizon has recently begun selling the Venture Mini, a wireless FM transmitter with A2DP Bluetooth support. This means when the Venture Mini is in use, you will be able to be listen to music from your phone and have the music silence automatically when a call comes in. The unit features a built-in noise-reducing microphone along with call end/receive buttons, play/pause buttons along with music and cell phone buttons. There is also a scroll wheel in the center, but its unclear as to what that will control, possibly the volume. The Venture Mini plugs directly into the 12v outlet in your car which depending on the placement could make it difficult to use. The Venture Mini is currently available and retailing for $129.99.
Via [SlashGear]
