I have signed up for a pair of Twitter accounts for myself and for Inside the Magic.
I haven’t entirely figured out what I’m supposed to do with them, but I suppose that will come over time. For now, I’ll be posting things there that won’t be anywhere else… day-to-day, hour-to-hour, and minute-to-minute type things.
Let me know if there’s anything cool I’m missing about Twitter.
add to del.icio.usI can’t believe how well this thing not only walks on its own but also recovers from being pushed over and slipping on ice. It can seemingly navigate even the most complicated terrain. I’d love to see something like this walking around theme parks! It’s only a matter of time…
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I’ve been using a DVR (digital video recorder… like Tivo) for a couple of years now and love it. The model I have been using is an 8300HD, provided to me by my able company, BrightHouse Networks. While it may have a few quirks, it reliably does everything I want it to do with little difficulty. I can view TV listings, record single shows, set up series recordings, all in both standard definition and HD.
So, when I purchased a second HDTV and moved my old one to the bedroom, I felt like it was time to get a second DVR for the house. What I got, however, was a nightmare. Instead of giving me the 8300HD, a BrightHouse rep handed me the 8300HDC, a newer model. At first, I thought this was a good thing… new version, must be upgraded. No. Definitely not. In fact, it’s a major downgrade.
The new model is slow, unresponsive, randomly freezes, takes over 10 minutes to reboot, and often does not record what I want it to. It also is MISSING features that were previously available… features that are vital to a successful DVR.
One such feature is the complete lack of priority when it comes to setting up series recordings. Both boxes have 2 tuners and can record 2 programs at the same time. If I have it set up to record three different shows that are all on at the same time, the 8300HD would choose which 2 to record based on its priority list, which is set by me. The 8300HDC, however, has no priority list, so it seems to randomly select which 2 of the 3 to record. I have no control over it. So, I’ve had to cancel all conflicting shows to ensure that only the ones I absolutely want are recorded.
Occasionally, I’ll turn on the TV in the bedroom and find that the 8300HDC has completely forgotten how to tune in to channels and thus has not recorded anything since the last time I turned it on. Somehow I feel like that defeats the point of having a DVR.
So.. what’s my point here? First, if you have an 8300HD with BrightHouse, hang onto it. Guard it with your life. You won’t get another one if something happens to it. Second, if anyone out there works for BrightHouse or knows how I can replace my terrible 8300HDC with an 8300HD, please let me know. I’d love to get rid of this terrible piece of technology.
And please, don’t tell me to switch to DirecTV, Tivo, or Dish Network. Trust me, I’m already considering it.
add to del.icio.usFrom engadget.com:
Ah, finally, video of the production Optimus Maximus keyboard in real world use with our machine running the Configurator software. We wont spoil all the fun, hit up the video after the break to see it in action.
For those who haven’t heard of it before, the Optimus Maximus keyboard began as a concept rendering quite some time ago, featuring tiny OLED video screens in each key. Now, the team behind the concept is working hard for the keyboard to become a reality (albeit an expensive one). A functional prototype now exists, as used and video-recorded by Engadget (see the link below).
Link (Thanks, Reid!)
add to del.icio.usFrom spreadfirefox.com:
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Firefox 3 T-Shirt Contest – Join the Launch
Show off your creativity and promote the many benefits of your favorite browser as part of the Firefox 3 T-Shirt Design Contest. The winning design will be featured as the official Firefox 3 T-Shirt in the Mozilla Store. You will receive worldwide recognition for your work, and an opportunity to win prizes
Are you up for the challenge? We want to see your designs
From macworld.com:
add to del.icio.usThere’s a new iPod game available for purchase and download from the iTunes Store this week. It’s called Pirates of the Caribbean: Aegir’s Fire, and it costs $4.99.
Based on Disney’s popular movie trilogy, this game puts you in pursuit of Aegir’s Fire — a mythical flame that drags ships to the ocean floor. You captain the Black Pearl as you search the world for treasure, sink your enemies, battle sea monsters and outwit the Royal Navy.
The game features more than 30 missions; you acquire a crew that has varied abilities which can help you fulfill your quests, featuring characters you’ll remember from the movies. You can plunder hidden treasures and loot, unlock secret bonus levels and replay previous missions.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Aegir’s Fire works with third-generation iPod nanos, iPod classics and fifth-generation (video) iPods.
From reuters.com:
Toshiba Corp is planning to give up on its HD DVD format for high-definition video, conceding defeat to the competing Blu-Ray technology backed by Sony Corp, a company source said on Saturday.
Now how long will it be before a reasonably-priced Blu-Ray player hits the market? Years? No more pressure from HD-DVD for them to drop their prices.
I’m still waiting for a $5 blowout HD-DVD sale. Anyone find one yet?
add to del.icio.usFrom yahoo.com:
Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) has decided to exclusively sell high-definition DVDs in the Blu-Ray format, dealing what could be a crippling blow to the rival HD DVD technology backed by Toshiba Corp (6502.T).
The move by the world’s largest retailer, announced on Friday, caps a disappointing week for HD DVD supporters, who also saw consumer electronics chain Best Buy Co Inc (BBY.N) and online video rental company Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) defect to the Blu-ray camp.
Yep, I sure am glad I bought that $98 HD-DVD player from Wal-Mart just a few months ago… ugh. Someone point me in the direction of the $5 blow-out HD-DVD sales when they show up, please. I don’t want this thing to turn into a $98 paperweight.
add to del.icio.usFrom attractionsmagazine.com:
The Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom recently received several major updates. However, despite being open for over 4 months since the refurbishment, tweaks are still being made inside. The latest update is a significant improvement to the singing busts in the graveyard scene.
No longer do their faces glow, clearly revealing the secret behind the effect. Now, the busts are wonderfully evenly lit, full of detail, and are quite realistic:
As you can see from these before and after video stills, the “old” busts had bright faces with dark stone surroundings, while the “new” busts don’t obviously separate the moving face from the non-moving stone parts. In order to make the busts more evenly lit, the area surrounding them is not as bright as it once was. However, it is a bit lighter than what you can see in the above “after” still image.
Be sure to check out the video of the “new” singing busts below.
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From wtopnews.com:
Millions of Disneyland visitors lined up a half-century ago to catch a glimpse of the future: a home teeming with mind-blowing gadgets such as handsfree phones, wall-sized televisions, plastic chairs, and electric razors and toothbrushes.
The “House of the Future,” a pod-shaped, all-plastic dwelling that quickly seemed quaint closed its doors a decade later. Now Disney is set to open a new abode in Tomorrowland - this time in partnership with 21st century technology giants.The 5,000-square-foot home scheduled to open in May will look like a normal suburban home outside, but inside it will feature hardware, software and touch-screen systems that could simplify everyday living.
Lights and thermostats will automatically adjust when people walk into a room. Closets will help pick out the right dress for a party. Countertops will be able to identify groceries set on them and make menu suggestions.
The $15 million home is a collaboration of The Walt Disney Co., Microsoft Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., software maker LifeWare and homebuilder Taylor Morrison.
Visitors will experience the look of tomorrow by watching Disney actors playing a family of four preparing for a trip to China.
Unfortunately, it’s not going to be quite the same as the old attraction. This new “house of the future” will take up the bottom floor of Tomorrowland’s Innoventions and will be packed with Microsoft products. I’m not sure I want to envision a future powered by Microsoft.
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