4/29/2007
Latest posts on Coolest Gadgets
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4/26/2007
Top 10 Awkward TV Interviews
Maybe it's something in the air. Maybe they were just having a bad day. Or maybe it was the handful of painkillers they swallowed moments before going on air (right Paula?). But whatever the explanation, weird, awkward interviews seem to be occurring at an ever more frequent rate. The website Double Viking has gathered the top 10 most awkward interview moments of all time.The list includes such gems as Barbra Walters asking Katherine Hepburn what kind of tree she'd be and Tom Cruise attacking Matt Lauer about Scientology. But by far, my favorite moment is when Vanilla Ice grabs a baseball bat, destroys part of a TV set and makes Jon Stewart crap his pants.
Want to watch these YouTube clips on your iPod? Then check out this tutorial: How to Copy Files Off YouTube and Convert them for your Video iPod
BeSocial: digg story | flickr | methodshop
Labels: video
4/25/2007
Modest Mouse Music Video Contest
Want to make it big as a music video director/editor? The band Modest Mouse wants help making a video for their new song "Missed the Boat." With the help of Apple, Modest Mouse posted 12 high quality videos (each shot at a different angle) of them performing in front of a green screen.The public is encouraged to download these video clips and edit them together into one final music video. Feel free to use your own footage and experiment the green screen.
Why is Apple generously providing massive amounts of bandwidth for people to download these giant high resolution video clips? Apple would like you to use their new editing and sound mixing software Final Cut Studio and Logic, of course.
Once you're finished with your video, upload it to Apple for judging and cross your fingers. The contest ends May 22, 2007. Good luck. More info can be found on the official contest page.
BeSocial: digg story | flickr | methodshop
Labels: apple
4/24/2007
Outer Space Astronauts Survey
Sci Fi.com and Sci Fi Magazine are asking Internet users if they should pick up a new sci-fi comedy called Outer Space Astronauts.Visitors are given access to 5 vignettes from the show on the SCI FI Pulse Broadband Network and asked to fill out a survey explaining what they think. Sci Fi says it will also take traffic into account when deciding whether or not to pick up the show.
Think you know how to program the American Sci Fi Channel better than NBC Universal? After they started airing wrestling on the Sci Fi Channel... who doesn't.
You can watch the Outer Space Astronauts clips here.
BeSocial: digg story | flickr | methodshop
Labels: video
Bill Gates Hates Apple Ads
Recently Bob Garfield, from AdAge, got to interview Bill Gates during the Corbis Creativity 2.0 panel in Manhattan. Garfield asked Gates about a number of topics from Vista to IPTV. He also tried to get Gates to comment on a very sensitive topic... Apple's "Get a Mac" advertising campaign. The campaign features actor/author John Hodgman who looks like Bill Gates and personifies a PC.As you can imagine, Bill Gates is not amused by the ads. Here's the portion of the interview transcript where Garfield asks Gates about the ads. Enjoy:
GARFIELD: I want to ask you one more thing: Those Mac ads -- how do you feel about the John Hodgman character?
GATES: I can't comment on someone else's ad.
GARFIELD: OK ... but he's you.
GATES: Yeah, I'm not gonna comment on someone else's ad.
GARFIELD: OK, well, Bill Gates, thank you so much for joining us.
(Silence)
GARFIELD: Can I just have a clean goodbye?
(Silence)
GARFIELD: OK, can you just say goodbye? Thank you or goodbye or something like that?
GATES: Goodbye.
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4/19/2007
Apple Asks Video Podcasters to Increase Quality
Last week Apple sent out an email (screenshot courtesy of TechCrunch.com) to video podcasters asking them to increase the quality of their productions and start formatting their videos for the big screen. Since the launch of the Apple TV (full review here) in March, Apple TVs have been selling like hotcakes and video podcast subscription numbers have skyrocketed.
Apple TV owners, who don't necessarily want to spend lots of money in the iTunes Store, are gobbling up video podcasts like never before. Even though there currently isn't any HD quality videos for sale in the iTunes Store, the Apple TV is capable of HD video playback. So several popular video podcasters, including The Washington Post, TWIT (MacBreak), Revision3 (Diggnation) and Vintage Tooncast, have decided to fill the void of HD content by distributing their podcasts in HD or hi res quality.
Why hasn't everyone started distributing their video podcasts in HD? Money. Not only does producing an HD podcasts require extra hard drive space (roughly 4 times more), special cameras and editing software, but just hosting these giant video files on the Internet can be enough to bankrupt your entire production. For example, the iPod Video version of MacBreak episode 63 is 21 MBs. The HD version is 93 MBs. To help alleviate increased HD production costs, many podcasters have reached out to HD television manufacturers like Samsung and Panasonic to get them to sponsor their new HD podcasts.
For video podcasters who are still producing content at 320x240 but want to do something to increase quality, there is an intermediary step before going HD. Podcasters can start by migrating their productions to 640x480, or even 640x360 (letterbox). This way their video files will still be compatible with portable media players like the Zune and iPod, but will also work on the Apple TV. If the material is carefully encoded, it will look as good or better than typical TV.
Apple listed the following tips and recommendations in their email to all video podcasters:
BeSocial: digg it | linkcritics | methodshop
Apple TV owners, who don't necessarily want to spend lots of money in the iTunes Store, are gobbling up video podcasts like never before. Even though there currently isn't any HD quality videos for sale in the iTunes Store, the Apple TV is capable of HD video playback. So several popular video podcasters, including The Washington Post, TWIT (MacBreak), Revision3 (Diggnation) and Vintage Tooncast, have decided to fill the void of HD content by distributing their podcasts in HD or hi res quality.Why hasn't everyone started distributing their video podcasts in HD? Money. Not only does producing an HD podcasts require extra hard drive space (roughly 4 times more), special cameras and editing software, but just hosting these giant video files on the Internet can be enough to bankrupt your entire production. For example, the iPod Video version of MacBreak episode 63 is 21 MBs. The HD version is 93 MBs. To help alleviate increased HD production costs, many podcasters have reached out to HD television manufacturers like Samsung and Panasonic to get them to sponsor their new HD podcasts.
For video podcasters who are still producing content at 320x240 but want to do something to increase quality, there is an intermediary step before going HD. Podcasters can start by migrating their productions to 640x480, or even 640x360 (letterbox). This way their video files will still be compatible with portable media players like the Zune and iPod, but will also work on the Apple TV. If the material is carefully encoded, it will look as good or better than typical TV.
Apple listed the following tips and recommendations in their email to all video podcasters:
- Encode at 640×480 or 640×360. This will look much better than 320×240 on HDTV, and will still port to the iPod. While 720p looks great, they say, it won’t work on an iPod.
- Don’t make two formats for different resolutions - it dilutes the popularity of the podcast and reduces exposure in charts.
- Don’t add letterboxing to make videos to a 4:3 aspect ratio. Leave them at 16:9.
BeSocial: digg it | linkcritics | methodshop
Labels: apple tv, podcasting
Latest Gadgets on CG
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Garmin offers OSX Support (kind of)
Garmin has finally offered OSX support to users with USB GPS Devices that wish to update their units. The OSX application is called WebUpdater. I was able to plug in my GPS 60CS and for the first time since owning it (3 years), my mac recognized it.I had tried using the OSX application Parallels to connect my GPS to my mac before Garmin released WebUpdater, but I learned that the 60CS is not supported under Parallels. Therefore, I was at the mercy of Garmin. After they delayed their promised 2006 release of OSX support, I didn't know if I would ever see it...
Although I am happy to see this progress, I am still anxiously waiting for an OSX supported MapSource app that will allow me to install maps using my Mac. Without it, all I have is an GPS that is able to be updated, but not used effectively.
If you haven't used your GPS to Geocache yet, check out the tutorial!
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
4/18/2007
Top 5 TV Shows that Should be Canceled
Here is MSNBC.com's list of the top 5 American TV shows that should be canceled. I have a feeling that a lot of people aren't going to agree with the top three.Let the fireworks begin...
Disagree? Want to talk about it? You're not alone. Head over to the MSNBC.com Message Boards and join in the discussion.
"The Simpson's stopped being funny years ago." ~ Ghazi
"Lost needs to start getting down to business. It's losing it's appeal. Start answering questions outright already and get to the damn point." ~ primehifi
You can see the MSNBC.com list here: Top 5 TV Shows that Should be Canceled
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
Labels: tv
Fast Food: Ads vs Reality
Here's a photo comparison of fast food items and their advertising images. Each item was purchased, taken home, and photographed immediately. Nothing was tampered with, run over by a car, or anything of the sort. It is an accurate representation in every case. Shiny, neon-orange, liquefied pump-cheese, and all...
You can see more pictures from the article "Fast Food: Ads vs Reality" on http://www.thewvsr.com
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You can see more pictures from the article "Fast Food: Ads vs Reality" on http://www.thewvsr.com
methodshop
Labels: advertising, pics
4/17/2007
Latest Gadgets on CG
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Lonelygirl15 Creators Announce Spinoff
Lonelygirl15, the teenage video diary that became a huge hit on YouTube but turned out to be a fiction, is destined for a UK spin-off after its creators tied up with social networking website Bebo.Lonelygirl15 Presents... KateModern will debut in July with several weekly episodes available exclusively to Bebo users in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
The original series of webcam diary entries from teenage girl Bree generated some 50 million views via YouTube and other user-generated video sites like Revver.com.
The popularity of the property remained undented when it came to light that Bree was in fact a character being played by an actress. In fact, the controversy actually helped increase the buzz around Lonelygirl15 and even influenced a line of t-shirts. Now its creators, Miles Beckett, Greg Goodfried and Mesh Flinders, are turning their attentions to the UK.
KateModern will expand on the original Lonelygirl storyline, focusing on a university student in London and her "struggle to balance her complex social life with the dark forces that shadow her."
As with Lonelygirl15, KateModern promises to incorporate puzzles and mysteries into the plot, which will carry over into 'real life,' allowing viewers to participate in the storyline through the integrated alternate reality game.
BeSocial: digg it | Lonelygirl15 videos | methodshop
Labels: video
Pictures of Geek Culture
These pictures of "geek culture" will either amaze or disturb you. Enjoy.
Did anyone else want to kick over that arch of monitors?
BeSocial: digg it | via scribd.com | methodshop
Did anyone else want to kick over that arch of monitors?
BeSocial: digg it | via scribd.com | methodshop
Labels: geek
4/16/2007
Google Maps Darfur Atrocities
Google is using its popular online mapping service to draw attention to atrocities in the Darfur region of Sudan. In a joint effort with the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, Google has updated its Google Earth application (free download here) with high resolution satellite images and special icons to draw attention to destroyed villages, displaced people and refugee camps.Google Earth allows users to focus on satellite images and maps of most of the world.
When users scan over the Darfur region, where the United Nations estimates that more than 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million displaced in four years of carnage, Google Inc hopes to attract their gaze with icons. The icons represent destroyed villages with flames and refugee camps with tents. When users zoom in to a level of magnification that keeps most of Darfur on a computer screen, much of the region appears to be on fire.Google Earth works with Mac OS X 10.3.9+, Windows 2000/XP/Vista and Linux. Please visit HelpDarfurNow.org if you would like to raise awareness or make a donation to help the victims of Darfur.
BeSocial: digg it | via news.com.au | methodshop
Labels: internet
4/15/2007
Latest Gadget Images on CG
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4/12/2007
Remove Red Eye In Adobe Photoshop
Red eye. What a pain in the ass. I have so many great photos in my iPhoto Library which have been ruined because of red eye. Sometimes I use the red eye tools iPhoto or Adobe Photoshop to fix problematic images, but unfortunately they don't always do a good job.
Luckily red eye is very easy to fix manually in Adobe Photoshop (US, UK). You just need to know how. Here's a tutorial on how to remove red eye using Adobe Photoshop 7.0 or higher.
Tutorial: Remove Red Eye In Adobe Photoshop
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Labels: tutorial
4/11/2007
Follow Matt Lauer Web Game
In 1998, the "Today" show started sending co-host Matt Lauer to far off locations like Mt. Everest and Machu Picchu, for a feature on the show called Where in the World Is Matt Lauer? But this week, American broadcasting network NBC decided to send Matt Lauer somewhere he'd never been before... a microsite. In a clever mashup of entertainment and promotion, Matt Lauer now has his own interactive Flash gaming site (followmatt.com). I blog for a site called Brand Appeal and thought this Matt Lauer microsite deserved a closer look.
Using a fun object-based interface, the site encourages users to explore Matt's possessions on his desk. You can watch clips on his video iPod, check out his car keys (sponsored by by Hyundai), download themed ringtones from his mobile phone, and see all of the places Matt has traveled to by opening up his passport. Visitors can even use his digital camera to upload a brief video clip explaining why they deserve a vacation. Apparently the best sob story wins a free vacation.
By far, the best part of the microsite is the "Where's Matt?" game. It's like an interactive version of the children's book "Where's Waldo?" Matt randomly gets inserted into different exotic locations and you have to find him. Do it fast enough and you'll get your name listed in the top 10. When I last played the game someone named "Imus Sucks" was in 10th place. Obviously a reference to the radio host who recently made racist comments about the Reuters University women's basketball team. Imus does suck by the way.
Overall, the online experience is great. However, the execution of this site's design feels a little disjointed. Several components of the site launch in separate windows making the experience feel less contained. Even though I feel a more controlled experience for visitors is needed (like on my blog called Brand Appeal), the site really does a nice job of pushing Matt Lauer's celebrity brand and attracting more interest in the Today show. Don't give a crap about a free vacation or ring tones? Me either. But at the very least check out the "Where's Matt?" game and try to get your name in the top 10. I did. Just once.
by CAM
BeSocial: digg story | vmix | brandappeal
Labels: games
4/09/2007
Worst Acting Ever - David Caruso
Here's a 7 minute YouTube montage of the worst acting ever printed on film. David Caruso is ridiculous. 9 out of 10 times he'll put on his dorky sunglasses right before he says one of his lame one liners on the US crime drama C.S.I. Miami. How sad is it when your character's dry charm and self-confident appeal are a direct result of a pair of sunglasses.Seriously, when did talking slow and putting on sunglasses become "acting."
David Caruso's bad acting and dorky 'Sunglasses of Justice' would probably make for a good drinking game. The only problem is, his acting is so bad that he makes C.S.I. Miami unwatchable.
If you want to download this clip and convert it for your iPod, then check out this tutorial: How to Copy Videos Off YouTube.
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Labels: video
4/06/2007
$1 Million Dollar Apple Remote Control For Sale on Amazon
Amazon.com is currently selling a $999,999.00 1/2 ounce plastic SiK rex remote control that works with the Apple MacBook Pro, iPod Universal Dock, Apple TV, Front Row, iPod Hi-Fi and is Front Row compatible.
No joke. A million dollar remote control. You can see the SiK rex Amazon page here.
Sound too expensive for a little piece of plastic? What if i told you that the remote can be stored in the ExpressCard/34 slot of your MacBook Pro...
Yeah, I'm not convinced it's worth it. But if Bill Gates is reading this.... hurry dude, there is only one left in stock!
This is obviously a just a typo. So I took a screenshot of the million dollar SiK rex remote page and posted it here on flickr in case Amazon takes the page down.
If you are still interested in the SiK rex remote control but not the million dollar price tag, you can also purchase one used or from a 3rd party on Amazon.com for only $25.
BeSocial: digg story | amazon | methodshop
No joke. A million dollar remote control. You can see the SiK rex Amazon page here.
Sound too expensive for a little piece of plastic? What if i told you that the remote can be stored in the ExpressCard/34 slot of your MacBook Pro...Yeah, I'm not convinced it's worth it. But if Bill Gates is reading this.... hurry dude, there is only one left in stock!
This is obviously a just a typo. So I took a screenshot of the million dollar SiK rex remote page and posted it here on flickr in case Amazon takes the page down.
If you are still interested in the SiK rex remote control but not the million dollar price tag, you can also purchase one used or from a 3rd party on Amazon.com for only $25.
BeSocial: digg story | amazon | methodshop
Labels: review
4/05/2007
Heroes: Zeroes Auditions
It looks like more ordinary people with ordinary abilities have been discovered. Here's a clip from the open auditions for the American Sci-Fi series Heroes on NBC.
The clip features some guy pulling a chain out of his nose (burn out), a woman playing the flute with her nose (don't laugh, that's someones mom), a guy who can pop beans out of his eye (that's sexy), an Indian woman who can talk with a perfect Indian dialect (amazing!), a psycho who can stab a potato with a straw (very scary), and more...
I'm pretty sure no one from these open auditions will be saving the world with their "special" talents.
BeSocial: vmix | digg story | methodshop | flickr
The clip features some guy pulling a chain out of his nose (burn out), a woman playing the flute with her nose (don't laugh, that's someones mom), a guy who can pop beans out of his eye (that's sexy), an Indian woman who can talk with a perfect Indian dialect (amazing!), a psycho who can stab a potato with a straw (very scary), and more...I'm pretty sure no one from these open auditions will be saving the world with their "special" talents.
BeSocial: vmix | digg story | methodshop | flickr
Labels: video
4/04/2007
Alanis Morissette Covers My Humps
In this clip from YouTube, Alanis Morissette covers the Black Eyed Peas song "My Humps". Seem like a strange paring? It is. But it's on purpose. I think dcmjzero put it best when he posted this comment on Digg.com: "Who would have thought the best way to make fun of a song would be to sing it seriously?"You may not have realized how poorly written "My Humps" was before watching this clip. Honestly, Fergie isn't known for crafting thoughtful lyrics. I think there's a line in her new song Glamorous that goes like this: "Taco Bell. Raw as hell". Actually I take it all back. Fergie is the Shakespeare of modern times.
BeSocial: youtube | digg story | methodshop
4/03/2007
Apple TV Review
You may have heard of that new Apple product, I believe it's called the, uhh, Apple TV. Newspapers, other blogs, and your Aunt have already reviewed this thing, but Al from Coolest-Gadgets.com thought he'd add his two cents.
You can read the full Apple TV review here: Apple TV Review
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
You can read the full Apple TV review here: Apple TV Review
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
Labels: apple tv
4/01/2007
Rembrants Sing Thundercats Theme
Remember a band called The Rembrants? If not, don't feel bad. The Rembrants were pretty much just a one hit wonder from the 1990's. Their only hit song was "I'll Be There For You" (aka the Friends TV show theme song).
Well, if you happen to be a fan of the classic cartoon Thundercats (1985), you might suffer a slight Rembrants flashback. Part of the DVD extras for Thundercats - Season Two, Vol. 1 is music video of the Thundercats theme song sung by The Rembrants. In case you are curious, here's a behind the scenes promotional video of the music video I found on Vmix.
Where's Mumm-Ra when you need him?
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Well, if you happen to be a fan of the classic cartoon Thundercats (1985), you might suffer a slight Rembrants flashback. Part of the DVD extras for Thundercats - Season Two, Vol. 1 is music video of the Thundercats theme song sung by The Rembrants. In case you are curious, here's a behind the scenes promotional video of the music video I found on Vmix.Where's Mumm-Ra when you need him?
BeSocial: linkcritics | methodshop
Labels: dvd
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Turkey Bowl is a 3D perspective target game where you celebrate the fall harvest by knocking over turkeys with bowling apples. Here's a hint, the turkeys further away are worth more points. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Has a virus or hard
drive crash wiped out your entire music collection on your computer? No
problem. Here's how to copy music off your iPod or iPhone and back onto your computer.
Bugs tend to freak us out. Mosquitoes, spiders, wasps, centipedes... you name it. If it crawls, bites or buzzes anywhere near our faces, then we squirm, swat and run. But what's worse than a little bug crawling on or biting you? How about a really, really big one? Here are some of the biggest bugs on Earth. Enjoy!. 
Need
something to watch on your iPod or iPhone? Here's a tutorial that
explains how to use a program called Handbrake to rip DVD's
into iPod compatible MPEG-4 video files.
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