11/07/2009
Nintendo and Sony Suffer Losses
Looks like the bad economy is now eating into the traditionally resilient home video game industry. So far this month, both Nintendo and Sony have announced losses.Sales of Nintendo's popular Wii console dropped down 43% during the 2nd and 3rd quarter this year. In an effort to help boost holiday sales, Nintendo has reduced the cost of the Wii from $249 to $199.
Nintendo's rival, Sony, is also feeling the bite of a bad economy. Sony reported a Q2 net loss of $292 million and their overall sales are down by 20%. However, Sony feels that sales of movies and TV shows on their new PSP Go personal WiFi gaming device will help grow revenues from both content and hardware sales.
methodshop
10/22/2009
It works! Ballmer Demos Windows 7 on the TODAY Show [video]
Fresh off the heels of Apple's new product announcements this week, Microsoft released their new operating system, Windows 7 today.
Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, even stopped by the American morning program, the TODAY Show, to show off the new OS to co-anchor Matt Lauer [video].
Ballmer took on some tough questions from Lauer including:
- Can consumers use the iPhone to satisfy all their computing needs?
- Will Windows 7 get the same lukewarm reaction to Microsoft's previous operating system, Vista?
- Is Ballmer envious of Apple's "cool" image?
methodshop
10/21/2009
Apple Stock Hits New Highs
Wow! Wall Street was obviously thrilled with Apple's new product announcements. Today Apple stock reached $208, it’s all time high.A lot of people are probably wishing they bought Apple stock earlier this year. So how much would you have made from Apple stock if you bought it for $12 in 1997? Sayam from CultOfMac.com did the math.
"...$1,000 invested in Apple stock in 1997 is worth more than $70,000 now. And $10,000 - the kind of sum that professional investors typically put into company stock — is worth a cool $700,000 — almost enough money to buy a house in posh Palo Alto where Steve Jobs lives."
By the way, Steve Jobs personally owns 5.4 mil shares of AAPL. So how much did he make today? You can do that math yourself.
methodshop
10/20/2009
Apple Store is Down. New Products Being Released Today.
Have you been to http://store.apple.com/ yet today? It's down. Apple usually only takes their online store down when they're adding new products.So what new stuff will Steve Jobs and Co. have ready for this holiday shopping season? There's a leaked list of new Apple product item numbers swirling around the tech blogs today. It looks like we might see redesigned plastic MacBooks, new powerful iMacs, a 3G SIM card compatible Airport Extreme, Mac mini updates (based on Mac OS X Server), a multi-touch "Magic Mouse", an 84 key keyboard and a multi-touch "trackpad gadget."
Here's the item list:
- MC207LL/A – K84 BEST BTR- USA
- MC238LL/A – MAC MINI 2.26/2×1GB/160/SD/AP/BT-USA
- MC239LL/A- MAC MINI 2.53/2×2GB/320GB/SD/AP/BT-USA
- MC340LL/A – AIRPORT EXTREME (SIM DUALBAND) – USA
- MC343LL/A – TIME CAPSULE 1TB (SIM DUALBAND) -USA
- MC344LL/A – TIME CAPSULE 2TB (SIM DUALBAND) – USA
- MC408LL/A – MAC MINI 2.53/2×2GB/1TB/NO ODD/AP-BT-USA
- MC413LL/A – IMAC 21.5″/3.06/2×2GB/1TB/4670-256MB-USA
- MC434LL/A – APPLE VESA MOUNT ADAPTER
- MC461LL/A – MACBOOK 60W MAGSAFE POWER ADAPTER – USA
methodshop
10/12/2009
Oops! Snow Leopard Bug Deletes All Mac OS X User Data
Haven't upgraded to Mac OS X Snow Leopard yet? Congrats! Your procrastination might have saved your butt. The Apple Support forums are full of users who are reporting that all their user data has disappeared.What's causing the bug? Apparently, all you have to do to accidentally erase all your data is to login into a 'guest' account. When you attempt to log back into your main user account, all your personal data will be gone.
If you are reading this now, and have Apple's latest operating system, OS X Snow Leopard installed, then disable the Guest account ASAP.
methodshop
9/14/2009
Steve Jobs: New iPods, iTunes and Liver
Last week, a still kind of recovering Steve Jobs, equipped with a new liver, unveiled new iPods with increased multimedia functionality and a new version of iTunes. iTunes 9: New Features
- Smarter "Genius" Feature: The new and improved iTunes now makes "Genius" recommendations for not just music but apps, movies and TV shows too.
- Improved Syncing and File Transfers: iTunes 9.0 also improves syncing functionality and makes it easier to transfer downloaded media from iTunes to multiple computers.
- iTunes LP: Looks like the project "cocktail" rumors we heard in July we're true. Apple and the 4 major record labels, Sony, Warner Music, EMI and Universal Music, have gotten together to invent a new digital album cover format called iTunes LP. These "digital album covers" include extra media such as photos, lyrics, videos and additional songs not available to users who only purchase singles.
- iTunes Extras: Another feature called iTunes Extras gives iTunes users access to extra content for movie and TV purchases typically only included with DVDs. including documentaries, deleted scenes and interviews.
New iPods
- iPod Touch: 50 percent faster than the older models, smoother game play, cheaper prices, and larger storage. Ability to purchase pre-made ringtones.
- iPod Classic: more storage.
- iPod Shuffle: more storage, available in new colors: black, silver, blue, green, pink and a special edition in polished stainless steel.
- iPod Nano: new colors, a larger screen, FM radio, and a built-in video camera.
methodshop
9/03/2009
AT&T Rolling Out MMS for iPhone Users on September 25th
It's been a long time coming, but today AT&T announced that MMS will finally be available to American iPhone users starting September 25. MMS messaging was probably the most hyped feature of the new iPhone OS 3.0 when it was released this past June.
AT&T confirmed the September 25th release date today in an e-mail to Wired.com.
AT&T had originally promised that MMS would be ready by "late summer." Technically, September 21st is the last day of summer, so a September 25th release means a broken promise.“We know many of our iPhone customers are eager for an update on our rollout schedule for Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS),” an AT&T spokesman said. “We’ve been working for the past several months to prepare our systems and network to ensure the best possible experience with MMS when it launches – and today we can announce that launch date: September 25 for iPhone 3G and 3GS customers. MMS will be enabled through a software update on that day.”
Several class-action lawsuits have already been filed against Apple and AT&T. Both companies aggressively promoted the not-yet-available MMS features of iPhone OS 3.0 and the iPhone 3GS using advertising on TV, radio, newspapers, direct mailers, and on the Internet. Failing to deliver on their MMS promise is a violation of the Unfair Trade Practices Act in several US states.
AT&T also told Wired that tethering is next. Tethering would allow iPhone owners to connect their computers to the Internet through their phones. But currently AT&T's mobile network doesn't have the bandwidth to support this increased traffic. AT&T still hasn't specified a release date or time line for tethering. AT&T just says that tethering will be offered "in the future."
We won't hold our breath for that one.
methodshop
9/01/2009
FTC Bans Robocalls
The era of telemarketing robocalls is over, at least for Americans. As of September 1 (hey, that's today!), the Federal Telecommunication Commission (FTC) is banning all prerecorded "robocalls" unless the telemarketer has written permission from customers opting in to receiving the automated calls. Violators will face penalties of up to $16,000 per call.FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said American consumers have made it "crystal clear that few things annoy them more than the billions of commercial telemarketing robocalls they receive every year."
But don't be too surprised if you still get a robocall every once in a while. There are exceptions. The following types of robocalls will not be banned by the FTC.
- school cancellations
- flight delays
- prescription notifications
- Politicial related messages
- Charity calls
- bank and insurance payment reminders
- survey calls
The robocall ban only leaves one option left for telemarketers: making a live call to someone not on the do-not-call registry. You can eliminate that option by taking yourself off the list here: https://www.donotcall.gov
[image via - How to Stop Annoying Ads And Advertisers]
methodshop
8/31/2009
Lighter and Faster - OS X Snow Leopard
Apple’s new operating system, Snow Leopard, hit stores last Friday. To encourage upgrading, Apple has slapped a super low $30 price tag on the upgrade.
But hold on Apple Fanboys. Snow Leopard isn't a major OS upgrade. Snow Leopard is mainly just a performance boost for Macs equipped with 64-bit Intel processors.So what should you expect to find in Snow Leopard? Here are the 5 most important things you need to know about Mac OS X 10.6:
- Performance Boost
- Lighter - Less OS Bloat
- Third-Party Software Compatibility Issues
- Minor Interface Improvements
- No PowerPC Support
Performance Boost
Snow Leopard was coded to take full advantage of the hardware in 64-bit Intel Macs. So all applications coded for 64-bit processors will be much faster.
Lighter
As operating systems add new features, they get bigger and bigger and take up more of your hard drive. But Snow Leopard is unlike most bloated OS upgrades. Snow Leopard will actually free up some space on year hard drive. We're read reports of users seeing anywhere from 2-7GBs of extra space after installing Snow Leopard.
Third-Party Software Compatibility Issues
One of the biggest drawbacks to Snow Leopard is the incompatibility of some third-party applications. If your livelihood depends on a third-party application, for example a cash register app, then you will want to wait to upgrade until the developer gives Snow Leopard the green light. Snow Leopard is still compatible with 32-bit applications, but Apple admits that some third party software will have issues.
Minor Interface Improvements
Apple made a few minor user interface and software improvements to SNow Leopard. For example, Expose was moved into the Dock, time stamps added to screenshots and QuickTime Player now has the playback controls from iTunes' full screen mode.
No PowerPC Mac Support
Still rocking an older Mac these days? If you own an older PowerPC Mac and have yet to upgrade sine Apple's switched to Intel, then Snow Leopard is not for you. Snow Leopard will only run on an Intel Mac equipped with at least 1GB of memory. You also need 5GB of free hard drive space and a DVD drive.
Final Thoughts
Snow Leopard isn't enough of an OS upgrade to knock your socks off, but the speed improvements alone are well worth the $30 price tag.
methodshop
8/26/2009
Microsoft Poland - Spot the Difference! [pic]
If you've ever played one of those photohunt video games in a bar before, then you'll love this picture. Here are two screen grabs from Microsoft's websites. The American version is on the left. Poland on the right. There's one major difference between the two photos. Do you see it yet?
Yep. The African American guy in the middle was swapped out for a Caucasian with a contorted neck. It's obviously a very sloppy Photoshop job. Not only are the shadows and light sources in the wrong places, but the guy's hand is still black. There are so many thing wrong with this picture. By the way the white laptop on the table isn't even a PC. It's a MacBook with the Apple logo airbrushed out.
UPDATE: Yesterday Microsoft issued a statement appolgizing for superimposing the image. "We apologize and are in the process of pulling down the image," Microsoft spokesperson Lou Gellos said in a statement. "We are looking into the details of this situation."
methodshop
8/12/2009
Toshiba To Make Blue-Ray Players
Toshiba announced this week that they will begin producing Blu-ray DVD players. Toshiba had developed the HD-DVD high-definition DVD format and competed and conceded defeat in a format war with Sony's competing Blu-ray in 2008. Details will be made available later this year, but this move should give some much needed momentum to the Blu-ray format. Blu-ray is losing traction competing against online services like Netflix, which stream movies through the Internet directly to consumers.
You can read Toshiba's official news release here.
methodshop
8/04/2009
Apple Tablet Rumors Intensify
Here we go again. The Internets are buzzing with Apple Tablet and MacBook Touch announcement rumors. Could the rumors finally be true?
According to an article in the Financial Times, Apple's long rumored tablet is reportedly going to be announced as early as September and in stores in time for Christmas.
The Financial Times is quoting people 'close' to the tablet project who say the device would have the same capabilities as an iPod Touch but with a bigger screen. A larger screen could make the rumored device a competitor with the popular Netbook market as well as Amazon's electronic book reader, the Kindle.
Analysts estimate that the gadget would sell between $600 and $1,000. Anything over $500 could make it difficult to compete with the Netbook market. Also, the Apple device must have a keyboard (unlike the iPhone) in order for it to be a viable alternative to similarly priced Netbooks, like the HP Mini.
Will we really see an Apple tablet in time for Christmas? Cross your fingers, but stay skeptical. MethodShop.com has been tracking the Apple tablet rumors since 2006. Here's a time line of our reports:
methodshop
According to an article in the Financial Times, Apple's long rumored tablet is reportedly going to be announced as early as September and in stores in time for Christmas.
The Financial Times is quoting people 'close' to the tablet project who say the device would have the same capabilities as an iPod Touch but with a bigger screen. A larger screen could make the rumored device a competitor with the popular Netbook market as well as Amazon's electronic book reader, the Kindle.
Analysts estimate that the gadget would sell between $600 and $1,000. Anything over $500 could make it difficult to compete with the Netbook market. Also, the Apple device must have a keyboard (unlike the iPhone) in order for it to be a viable alternative to similarly priced Netbooks, like the HP Mini.
Will we really see an Apple tablet in time for Christmas? Cross your fingers, but stay skeptical. MethodShop.com has been tracking the Apple tablet rumors since 2006. Here's a time line of our reports:
- iTunes Digital Album Covers and MacBook Tablet Rumors (July 2009)
http://www.methodshop.com/2009/07/itunes-digital-album-covers.shtml - Rumor: $800 Apple Tablet Due in October (July 2009)
http://www.methodshop.com/2009/07/apple-tablet-rumor.shtml - Apple Plans MacBook Event as $800 Laptop Rumors Clog the Blogosphere (Oct 2008)
http://www.methodshop.com/2008/10/apple-notebook-event.shtml - Rumor: MacBook Touch Coming in October (July 2008)
http://www.methodshop.com/2008/07/macbook-touch.shtml - What's Apple's Big Surprise? A Tablet? (Feb 2006)
http://www.methodshop.com/2006/02/what-is-apples-big-surprise.shtml - Touch Sensitive Apple Patent Pictures (Feb 2006)
http://www.methodshop.com/2006/02/touch-sensitive-ipod-patent-pictures.shtml
methodshop
7/30/2009
iTunes Digital Album Covers and MacBook Tablet Rumors
Apple's digital music store, iTunes, has a problem. iTunes users don't like to buy entire albums. iTunes is great for downloading singles, but there's not much incentive to purchase entire albums.
Sometimes Apple will restrict certain songs, especially longer tracks, to "Album Only" purchases. Apple also often includes music videos and special PDFs of album art with full album purchases. However, these incentives haven't really been a homerun with consumers.
In a effort to promote album sales in the iTunes Store, Apple and the 4 major record labels, Sony, Warner Music, EMI and Universal Music, have gotten together to invent a new digital album cover format. These "digital album covers" would include material such as photos, lyrics, videos and additional songs not available to users who only purchase singles.
The "digital album cover" project is code named "Cocktail," and is rumored to be part of Apple's new product announcement in October. Rumors say the big announcement is a MacBook touch-based tablet that would compete with the extremely popular Netbook market. Keep your fingers crossed.
methodshop
iTunes, has a problem. iTunes users don't like to buy entire albums. iTunes is great for downloading singles, but there's not much incentive to purchase entire albums.Sometimes Apple will restrict certain songs, especially longer tracks, to "Album Only" purchases. Apple also often includes music videos and special PDFs of album art with full album purchases. However, these incentives haven't really been a homerun with consumers.
In a effort to promote album sales in the iTunes Store, Apple and the 4 major record labels, Sony, Warner Music, EMI and Universal Music, have gotten together to invent a new digital album cover format. These "digital album covers" would include material such as photos, lyrics, videos and additional songs not available to users who only purchase singles.
The "digital album cover" project is code named "Cocktail," and is rumored to be part of Apple's new product announcement in October. Rumors say the big announcement is a MacBook touch-based tablet that would compete with the extremely popular Netbook market. Keep your fingers crossed.
methodshop
7/29/2009
Twitter Client for the C64 [video]
Get ready for some 1980's computing to meet Web 2.0. A guy named Johan Van den Brande has made a Twitter client for Commodore 64 (C64).The C64 was first introduced by Commodore in August 1982. It was a revolutionary computer and boosted the best graphics and sound capabilities of its time. The C64 had 64KB of RAM, a 985Khz processor and could display screen resolutions as high as 320×256. Compared to computers today, the processing power in your bedroom alarm clock could dance circles around the C64.
You don't see too many Commodore computers these days. After 25 years, most people have either thrown them away or they are buried in an attic or garage. So if you want to try using Breadbox, your best bet will probably be to install a C64 emulator on your Mac or PC. We have a methodshop.com tutorial that will walk you through the installation of a C64 emulator if you are interested.
In the video below, Johan Van den Brande shows off his Breadbox software and loads a screen from Twitter. Skip to 2:45 if you don't want to see the camera setup and the application loading from diskette.
If you're curious, Johan posted a more technical description on his website.
"It's a Commodore 128D running in C64 mode. All Commodore 128 and 128D systems could either run in C128, CP/M or C64 mode, so it's like having 3 computers in one. This isn't emulation as the C128 has the same core hardware as a C64. Whether you're running in 128 or 64 mode is just a matter of how fast the 8502 CPU is running, which ROM is active, and whether you have 128K or 64K of RAM available."
After watching the video you may be scratching your head wondering why someone would even bother making a C64 Twitter client. It's all just nerdy thrills ladies.
If you're still not sure what all this Twitter talk is all about, then this article might help: How to Explain Twitter to Your Grandma.
methodshop
Labels: games, social networking, tech news, tutorial
7/28/2009
Hitachi "Gesture" TV
Misplaced remote controls might soon become a thing of the past. Hitachi "Gesture" TV allows you to use your hands to do everything from change channels, navigate menus and even turn the TV on or off [video].How does it work? Hitachi's image sensor, already integrated at the bottom of its own flat-panel TV, captures the motion. By simply waving a hand in front of a TV, a user can turn on the TV. By moving a hand up and down, he activates a menu display. To adjust volume, the viewer makes circular movements.
Don't get too excited yet. Last September, Hitachi showed off something they call "Gesture" TV at CEATEC, the Japanese consumer electronics show. A more impressive and responsive prototype was then shown at CES this past January. The prototypes require you to be pretty close for the image sensor to work. Close enough to the TV in fact that it might just be faster to just push the power button rather than use a special choreographed hand motion. Hopefully in a few years we'll be able to wave goodbye to remote controls.
methodshop
7/13/2009
Rumor: $800 Apple Tablet Due in October
PC World is reporting that Apple will release its long-awaited tablet in October just in time for Christmas. Sourcing a translated report on the Taiwanese site InfoTimes, the PC World article follows Digital Daily’s John Paczkowski having written; "It’s about to go into production in advance of an October launch date." While continuing to play things close to the chest, apparently a few of Apple’s manufacturing partners are indicating that orders have been placed for tablets.
However... we’ve been teased like this before. Way back in May of 2008 (that’s 112 internet years?) Jason O'Grady wrote; "A little birdy tells me that Apple will announce a 12 or 13-inch tablet in the fall of this year... presumably [running] Intel’s Atom," and that "This particular birdy has been reliable in the past." That same ‘birdy’ is available for palm and tarot card readings. Zing! Admittedly, we jumped on the rumors too and posted this 2008 article Rumor: MacBook Touch Coming in October.Gizmodo also touched on the subject in May of this year when John Herman wrote a fact vs. fiction article with some cool visual mockups. And if you Google “apple tablet” you’ll find tons of conceptual images.
Come on, Apple! Give us what we want!
methodshop
British Royal Family Joins Twitter
Buckingham Palace announced last Friday that the royals now have their own Twitter account @BritishMonarchy. The purpose of the account is to inform royal watchers of what the family is up to on a daily basis. Don't expect Her Majesty to tweet or to get any dirt or juicy information from the account. A palace spokeswoman says the account won't be used to air personal opinions.Joining Twitter isn't the first time the royals have extended their kingdom into cyberspace. Buckingham Palace's website launched in 1997 and the Queen also has her own YouTube channel.
methodshop
Labels: social networking, tech news
7/01/2009
Pirate Bay - Sold!
The torrent community is in mourning today.Yesterday, The Pirate Bay, was sold to Global Gaming Factory (GGF), a Stockholm-based software developer and Internet/gaming cafe franchise. GGF plans to add a compensation model to the existing Pirate Bay infrastructure and turn it legal.
GGF will reportedly pay $60 million Swedish Kronor, or $7.8 million dollars, for the the notorious P2P file sharing service. GGF also acquired Peerialism, the technology company that originally developed The Pirate Bay's file sharing platform.
"We would like to introduce models which entail that content providers and copyright owners get paid for content that is downloaded via the site," said Hans Pandeya, CEO of GGF in a press release.
Last week The Pirate Bay lost their appeal in Swedish court for a retrial. In April, the site's 3 founders were found guilty of aiding copyright infringement, given a $3.9 million dollar fine and sentenced to a year in jail.
So what's next for the Pirate Bay founders? How are they going to spend their $60 million Swedish Kronor? After they pay off their fine, the founders plan on putting the money into a foundation to promote the "freedom of speech, freedom of information and the openness of the nets." Does that mean another torrent file-sharing service? We'll just have to wait and see.
If you are interested in learning how to download files using torrents, here's a BitTorrent tutorial.
methodshop
6/15/2009
iPhone Helps Apple Triple Total Number of Mac Users in Only 2 Years
Before announcing the new iPhone 3.0 S at WWDC last Monday, Apple's SVP of Marketing, Phil Schiller, presented some big news about the increasing number of Mac users."We’ve TRIPLED the number of users," he said to big applause. "It's astounding."
In the 5 years after Apple launched Mac OS X, the number of Mac users has grown steadily to 25 million. But between 2007 and 2009, the number of Mac users tripled and now surpasses 75 million.
According to statistics compiled by Net Applications, Mac OS X is the second most popular general-purpose operating system in use, after Microsoft Windows, with a 9.6% market share. It is also the most successful UNIX-based operating system ever released.
So what happened in 2007 that could have caused the spike in new Mac users? If you guessed the iPhone, then give yourself a pat on the back. Apple first announced the iPhone in January 2007.
methodshop
6/11/2009
iPhone 3GS Feature Roundup
In case you were hiding under a rock all week, Apple announced a new iPhone Monday at WWDC. It's called the iPhone 3GS and according to Phil Schiller, Apple CIO, the "S" stands for speed.
"It’s the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet. What’s inside is entirely new. It's a REALLY fast iPhone. Everything you do will have incredible speedups."Besides being fast, what else does both the new iPhone 3Gs and its 3.0 operating system have to offer? Let's take a look:
iPhone 3.0 OS:
- MMS - Unfortunately MMS won’t be available on AT&T right away. Americans will have to wait til late Summer. The rest of the world gets it right away. Why is MMS so hard for AT&T to figure out?
- Cut, Copy and Paste - Really? WTF. Why did "copy and paste" have to wait until version 3.0?
- In App Purchases, allowing developers sell content and services from within their apps
- Peer to Peer Connectivity, particularly useful for multi-player game apps
- Email Push Notification
- A new Map Kit framework integrating Google Mobile Maps
- iPod Library Access allowing users tap into their music, podcast or audio book libraries from third party apps
- The ability to search your iPhone
- Read and compose email and text messages in landscape orientation
- Find My iPhone - Did you lose your iPhone? Did you leave it at a restaurant, a friend's house, or maybe in a taxi? The Find My iPhone service will show you exactly where your iPhone is on a map. You can even make your phone emit a sound (even in Silent mode) to help you find it. You can also display a message on its screen like "$50 reward" or even remotly wipe the phone's data if you think it’s lost for good.
- Direct TV and Movie Downloads
- Turn-by-Navigation - GPS manufacturers like Tom Tom are producing navigation software for the iPhone. They are also planning on selling dashboard mounting kits with the app. Very smart.
iPhone 3GS:
- Video Camera - 3MP camera with 30 FPS video recording and editing capabilities. Upload by Email or to YouTube or MobileMe from the device.
- Voice commands - You can now use your voice to place calls or play songs. For example, "Call methodshop.com" or "Play a song by David Hasselhoff."
- Built-in Digital Compass
- Colors - Black or White
- $199 (16GB version) and $299 (32GB version) from 19th June.
Apple also reduced the cost of the original 8GB iPhone 3G to only $99.
methodshop
6/09/2009
Apple Pricing Snow Leopard To Sell
Looks like Apple is doing their part to help the struggling US economy... or at least give consumers a break. An upgrade to Apple’s next major operating system, called Snow Leopard, will only cost $29.
The announcement was made at the World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) on Monday morning. Apple usually charges over $100 for their operating systems, but they are heavily discounting Snow Leopard to help encourage users to upgrade quickly. Apple's discounted OS, slated for a September 2009 release, might also spark a price war with Redmond. Microsoft's next OS, Windows 7, is slated for release a month after Snow Leopard. Microsoft hasn't released any pricing information for Windows 7, but Microsoft's operating systems typically cost ~$100.
Snow Leopard will be compatible with all Intel-based Macintosh computers and features an onslaught of new speed improvements. Several of the new speed and interface enhancements were demonstrated for the audience at WWDC.
Snow Leopard isn't just fast, it's also a lot leaner. Compared to to Apple's current operating system, OS X Leopard, Snow Leopard will is 6 GBs lighter.
methodshop
5/28/2009
WTF - Printers As Hazardous to Your Health As Cigarettes
What's more dangerous to your health? A pack of cigarettes or the laser printer down the hall from your cubicle? The answer to that question might surprise you.A study published in the journal of Environmental Science and Technology has found that some printers can release almost as many ultra-fine particles as a burning cigarette.
The study analyzed particle emissions from 37 different office printers, including models manufactured by Toshiba, Canon, Ricoh and Hewlett-Packard.
According to the study's author, Lidia Morawska, regular inhalation of printer particles can cause a variety of health problems ranging from cardiovascular and respiratory problems to even cancer.
But not all printers are equally as hazardous. Some printers are safe and don't emit any particles including the HP LaserJet 4050 series and Ricoh Aficio models. But concerned consumers should stay away high particle emitting printers like the HP LaserJet 1320 and 4250. These models actually increased the air particle count more than tenfold.
Besides purchasing a low particle emitting printer, what else can you do to protect yourself from printer particles?
- Always place printers in well ventilated areas.
- Avoid close proximity to newer toner cartridges. They emit more particles than older cartridges.
- Keep your distance from printers printing photos and graphics. High ink documents cause the printer to emit an increased amount of particles compared to plain text documents and emails.
- If you work in the print industry or at a large copy center, you might want to start working on your resume.
methodshop
Labels: tech news
5/21/2009
Astronauts’ Drink of Choice: Urine
How to you celebrate the installation of a wastewater recycling system? How about with a bag of recycled urine water? This week 3 astronauts aboard the International Space Station drank their own urine [video], officially testing the facility’s Urine Processing Assembly.NASA has been working on a urine recycling system for years. The system is a vital part of NASA's plan to put astronaut outposts on the moon and Mars. The water recycler will also help budget strapped space mission budgets by reducing the amount of water shipped into space by Russian resupply ships.
While demonstrating the new system for the press, U.S. astronaut Michael Barratt joked "We have these highly attractive labels on our water bags that essentially say 'brought to you by ECLSS,' and 'drink when real water is over 200 miles away.'"
So how does this new $250 million dollar wastewater recycling system work? The system takes the crew's urine from the toilets and pumps it into a big tank where the water is boiled and water vapor collected.
Yummy!
methodshop
Palm Pre Release Date Confirmed
Good news iPhone haters, this week, Palm announced the release date for the Palm Pre. The much-anticipated touchscreen/keyboard hybrid will be available June 6th at several locations including Sprint stores, RadioShack, Best Buy and even Wal-Mart.
So why is everyone so excited for the Palm Pre anyway? The Palm Pre has several main advantages over the iPhone. They include:
The Pre was the darling gadget of CES 2009 and Palm has a lot of momentum right now. Palm is using this momentum by aggressively going after Apple. Not only are they matching the iPhone price of $200 with a 2-year commitment, but June 6th is only two days before Apple's WWDC keynote. Two days doesn't give Apple much time to calculate a response. The rumor mills have been pretty quiet, but who knows, maybe Apple has something clever up their sleeves for WWDC.
methodshop
So why is everyone so excited for the Palm Pre anyway? The Palm Pre has several main advantages over the iPhone. They include:
- Touchscreen / Keyboard Hybrid - One of the biggest complaints of iPhone users is the lack of keyboard. The Pre combines the QWERTY keyboard of the BlackBerry with the touchscreen easy of the iPhone.
- Synergy - Palm's new Synergy service allows you to group all your conversations by contact not service. This means all conversations with a contact - even if it's a mix of several services including phone, MMS, IM, email, or SMS - will all be grouped together on the same screen.
- Multi-App OS - Palm's new OS allows users to run more than one application at a time and quickly switch between them. In comparison, the iPhone has to shut down each app before opeing another.
The Pre was the darling gadget of CES 2009 and Palm has a lot of momentum right now. Palm is using this momentum by aggressively going after Apple. Not only are they matching the iPhone price of $200 with a 2-year commitment, but June 6th is only two days before Apple's WWDC keynote. Two days doesn't give Apple much time to calculate a response. The rumor mills have been pretty quiet, but who knows, maybe Apple has something clever up their sleeves for WWDC.
methodshop
3/18/2009
Apple Debuts Upcoming iPhone 3.0 Software
Yesterday, Apple disclosed some details about the new iPhone 3.0 operating system, due this summer. The beta release, now available to registered developers, will deliver 100 new features, including:- cut, copy and paste (was it really that hard?!)
- MMS (finally!)
- landscape view for Mail
- Text and Notes
- stereo Bluetooth
- Notes syncing
- shake to shuffle
- parental controls for TV shows
- movies and App Store apps
- a new Voice Memo app
- automatic login at Wi-Fi hot spots.
Apple also disclosed some stunning figures about the iPhone platform. There have been more than 800 million apps downloaded; there are now more than 25,000 apps to choose from at the App Store and over 50,000 companies have joined the developers program to date.
methodshop
3/12/2009
Apple Releases iTunes 8.1 Update
Last night Apple released iTunes 8.1. The new version of Apple's popular digital media player application features performance enhancements, support for CD imports to iTunes Plus, a smarter Genius function and iTunes DJ.One of the biggest enhancements of iTunes 8.1 is speed. As users' iTunes libraries continue to grow, the application has had trouble keeping up. But according to Apple, iTunes 8.1 is now "faster and more responsive," and users "will enjoy noticeable improvements when working with large libraries, browsing the iTunes Store, preparing to sync with iPod or iPhone, and optimizing photos for syncing." We definitely saw a major speed increase when backing up an iPod Touch.
Another update to iTunes 8.1 is the re-branding of "Party Shuffle" to "iTunes DJ." iPhone and iPod Touch users can now use the "Remote" app to request and rate songs to any computer on the same wireless network using iTunes. We can't wait to try this out at a party.
In addition, iTunes 8.1 provides several other improvements and bug fixes, including:
- Supports syncing with iPod shuffle (3rd generation).
- Allows friends to request songs for iTunes DJ.
- Adds Genius sidebar for your Movies and TV Shows.
- Improves performance when downloading iTunes Plus songs.
- Provides AutoFill for manually managed iPods.
- Allows CDs to be imported at the same sound quality as iTunes Plus.
- Includes many accessibility improvements.
- Allows iTunes U and the iTunes Store to be disabled separately using Parental Controls.
- New Visualizer
You can download iTunes 8.1 from Apple's website here.
methodshop
3/11/2009
Wolfram Alpha promises computing that answers questions
Computer scientist, Stephen Wolfram, feels that he has put together at least the initial version of a computer that actually answers factual questions, a la Star Trek’s fictional smart computers. And you don't have to go to outer space to use it... just cyberspace. Wolfram's version is a Web-based application called Wolfram Alpha.
What does this mean exactly? Well instead of returning links to pages that may (or may not) contain the answer to your questions, Wolfram will respond with the actual answer. Just imagine typing in ‘how many bones are in the human body?’ and getting the answer directly from this computer.
If this works well, this is going to revolutionize computing and in particular, the search engine market.
methodshop
What does this mean exactly? Well instead of returning links to pages that may (or may not) contain the answer to your questions, Wolfram will respond with the actual answer. Just imagine typing in ‘how many bones are in the human body?’ and getting the answer directly from this computer.
Continue Reading: Wolfram Alpha promises computing that answers questions
If this works well, this is going to revolutionize computing and in particular, the search engine market.
methodshop
3/10/2009
Hulu Blocks Boxee... Again
The streaming video site Hulu and the streaming-video-on-your-TV service Boxee spent all of last weekend fighting. Again. In late February, Hulu asked Boxee to remove the special Hulu browser from the Boxee software. Boxee complied with Hulu's request, but Boxee users were very upset.Then last weekend, Boxee figured out a way around the Hulu issue. Boxee was able to reintegrate Hulu videos back into Boxee's software by creating a video RSS reader. Basically Boxee was just browsing Hulu's public RSS feeds which any web browser or RSS reader can do. This solution wasn't as flashy as the special Hulu application that Boxee had made, but it was a good work around until a formal deal could be worked out with Hulu.
Over the weekend, news quickly spread on Twitter that Boxee had reintegrated Hulu back into the Boxee software. Boxee users rejoiced but their celebration was short lived. Even though Boxee was only importing Hulu's public video RSS feeds, Hulu promptly blocked the Boxee RSS browser and displayed the following message: "This video is not currently available at this site, but you can view this and other Hulu videos at Hulu.com."
In response, Boxee released a statement on the company's blog:
"To our users: if you choose to use Boxee as your media browser to view legal and publicly available content on the Internet, we will do everything we can to ensure that you can access it, no matter what the source... while some of the best things in life are free, sometimes you have to work hard to get them."
Why is Hulu is putting so much effort into blocking Boxee? The only difference between Boxee and your web browser is that Boxee's browser is on your TV screen, rather than your computer screen.
However, there is a silver lining to this story for Boxee users. The new video RSS reader functionality that Boxee developed to reintegrate Hulu can be used to access other public RSS feeds. The next version of Boxee will most likely include the new RSS reader and a feature called "App Box" that will help simplify the addition of new in-house and third party applications.
Boxee hopes to have a new release ready before their New York City Boxee meetup on March 24.
Not sure what all this Boxee talk is all about? Boxee is a free open source cross-platform media center and entertainment hub that can play movies, TV shows, music and photos, as well as streaming content from websites like
Tutorial: How to Install Boxee on Your Apple TV
All you need to install Boxee on your Apple TV is a USB stick. If you own an Apple TV, then you need Boxee. Install Boxee and set your Apple TV free.
methodshop
2/27/2009
Apple TV 2.3.1 Update Breaks @Boxee
This week Apple released a very minor firmware update for the Apple TV. The 2.3.1 update only adds a "Network Test" option to help users troubleshoot Internet connections. That's it. Seriously, it's hardly worth the trouble. But the update does do something we weren't expecting... it disables and deletes the Boxee software.Boxee is a free open source cross-platform media center application that enables your Apple TV to play streaming content from websites like
So if you've already hacked your Apple TV and installed the Boxee software, you should probably skip this 2.3.1 update and wait for a new version of the Apple TV firmware that actually adds some new features.
Unfortunately this has been a rough few weeks for Boxee. First they had to remove the ability to watch Hulu videos from their software because Hulu's content partners were complaining. And now Apple is releasing minor software updates that disable Boxee.
If you love Boxee, then you'll want to disable automatic Apple TV updates. Here's how:
- After you've hacked your Apple TV and installed Boxee, select "Settings" from the Launcher menu (Launcher > Settings).
- You should now see a screen with two options that say "Use Universal Mode" and "ATV OS Update enabled." Set "ATV OS Update Enabled" to "No."
- That's it. For now on, minor Apple TV firmware updates will no longer ruin your Boxee fun.
Tutorial: How to Install Boxee on Your Apple TV
All you need to hack your Apple TV so it can use Boxee is a USB stick. If you own an Apple TV, then you need Boxee. Install Boxee and set your Apple TV free.
methodshop
2/04/2009
World's First 240GB iPod
Apparently the R&D department at Rapid Repair has been busy. When they aren't repairing broken iPods from methodshop.com users (Rapid Repair is our repair partner), they are cramming insane amounts of storage into iPods. Their latest success is the creation of a 240GB iPod.
"The mod is actually very simple to do on a 5th gen iPod. And with a 240GB iPod you can finally carry your entire $57,667.50 iTunes library" Rapid Repair CEO Ben Levy said in an email to us today.
Ready to do the upgrade? What model iPod do you have? Unfortunately the Toshiba's MK2431GAH 240GB drive is only compatible with the iPod Video 5G and original iPod Video (30GB, 60GB and 80GB ONLY). Rapid Repair hopes to add the iPod Classic and Zune 2G to the compatible list very soon.
How much does all this cost? About $1 a GB. You can find out more on this page on the Rapid Repair website.
methodshop
1/28/2009
Power Poles - Coming to An Airport Near You
One of the biggest hassles about flying, is finding a spare wall outlet to recharge your gadgets. Empty wall outlets are almost never near gate seats and when you do find one, it's usually taken.However, the search for a power outlet to recharge your iPod, laptop or cellphone just got a whole lot easier. Major cities are slowing starting to add "Power Poles" outside of boarding gates. For example, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has added "power poles" to all major New York area airports including La Guardia, Kennedy and Newark. Newark International Airport has over 50 power poles alone.
In most cases, airport power poles are sponsored by advertisers, like Samsung, and provide free recharging services. And based the image below, power poles are also a great place to meet girls.
methodshop
Labels: tech news
1/22/2009
Duck Hunt for iPhone
If you grew up during the 1980's, then perhaps you might remember playing an 8-bit shooter called Duck Hunt. Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, Duck Hunt was one of the first games to use the "NES Zapper" or light gun.Finding a working NES, light gun and original Duck Hunt cartridge 25 years later can be a little tricky and require some time searching around on eBay. But if you're looking for a quick Duck Hunt fix, you can play an online version of Duck Hunt here, or buy an iPhone version from the iTunes Store.
The iPhone version of Duck Hunt isn't exactly legit, so buy it while you can. It's clearly a quick port of the original game. Because the iPhone version of Duck Hunt was done without Nintendo's blessing, it's missing some of the core elements that made the NES version such a classic. For example, 1) the iPhone version is missing the dog that picks up the ducks or laughs at you when you miss, 2) the Zapper gun and 3) sound.
A lawyer from Nintendo will probably pull the game from the iTunes App Store before the end of the month. And don't expect Nintendo to make an iPhone version of Duck Hunt anytime soon. Remember, Nintendo has their own portable gaming system, the Nintendo DS.
So if you really want to play Duck Hunt on your iPhone, buy it soon. The unofficial version of Duck Hunt sells for $0.99 in the iTunes App Store.
methodshop
1/15/2009
What If Steve Jobs Doesn't Come Back
Photo from datapanik
Yesterday Apple CEO Steve Jobs sent a letter to employees explaining that his health issues are more "complex" that he initially thought and that his medical leave will now likely extend until the end of June.
Tim Cook, Apple's COO, will step in to oversee day-to-day operations in his absence. This will be the second time Cook has taken over for Jobs. Cook is considered a Silicon Valley outsider. He's very low-key, but respected.
But what happens if Jobs doesn't come back? Many bloggers and Twitter users are speculating that this may be that time we will ever see Mr. Jobs.
WIRED and nytimes.com even published articles titled: "Steve Jobs Probably Won't Come Back to Apple" and "What If Steve Jobs Doesn't Come Back to Work?"Most people want Jobs to come back. Jobs has done amazing things while CEO of Apple. Jobs has even become a cult-like hero among techies and Apple fanboys. But Apple should have a plan B and the company should live on and flourish for decades to comes.
"Following the initial news around Macworld Expo that Jobs was going to forgo the keynote and had a hormonal imbalance, whispers grew to loud murmurs, saying that Apple needed a backup plan for CEO - and fast - but now that murmuring has become a roaring crescendo," said Louis Gray from LouisGray.com. "And while I put myself at significant risk at being labeled a fanboy who kneels at the multi-colored altar, I have to express how losing Jobs for more than a few months will be a significant blow, not just to Apple and its customers, but to Silicon Valley and the world at large."
Jobs has done wonders for not only Apple and the personal computer, but he also transformed digital media itself. The way music and videos are purchased and enjoyed is a direct result from the success of the iPod and iTunes. Love him or hate him, Jobs has used Apple's technology to revolutionize the world.
methodshop
1/05/2009
Apple Market Share Surpasses 10%
According to NetApplications and Computerworld, the total number of Windows users decreased in December 2008 by 0.94% to 88.7%. As a result of this Microsoft decline, Apple's total share of the operating system market is now over 10%. This is the first time Apple has breached the 10% mark in decades.
Comparing new Apple users is even more impresive. Mac OS X's 2008 market share grew by 31.7% compared to 2007.
Apparently a lot of people woke up Christmas morning to find a new Apple computer under the tree.
methodshop
12/12/2008
Migrating Pownce to Soup.io
Don't want all your Pownce messages to disappear when they shutdown on December 15, 2008? Don't worry! Soup.io is here to save the day.Soup.io built a handy little Pownce migration tool that will import all your Pownce messages, media and friends all in one shot. Just type in your Pownce username, password and email. Then the migration tool takes it from there.
Pownce gave users access to special export tool... but what are you going to do with your exported Pownce archive? The Soup.io Pownce migration tool was quick, painless and will keep your Pownces alive online. Overall, definitely worth checking out.
But hurry. You only have a few more days to migrate your Pownce account to Soup.io before Monday, December 15th.
You can find methodshop on Soup.io here: http://methodshop.soup.io/
methodshop
Labels: social networking, tech news
12/01/2008
Pownce R.I.P.
It's official. Pownce is dead. The micro-blogging service is shutting down in 2 weeks.In case you were unfamiliar with Pownce.com, it was a free social networking and micro-blogging site started by Internet entrepreneurs Kevin Rose (Digg.com), Leah Culver, and Daniel Burka.
Pownce was centered around sharing messages, files, events, and links with already-established friends.
The site launched on June 27, 2007, and was opened to the public on January 22, 2008.
Recently Six Apart, the makers of the blogging software Movable Type, purchased Pownce but then decided to shut it down. We're not sure if Six Apart plans to integrate Pownce-like features into a future version of Movable Type or if they purchased Pownce but then lacked the resources to do anything with it.
This letter was sent to Pownce users this evening:
We are sad to announce that Pownce is shutting down on December 15, 2008. As of today, Pownce will no longer be accepting new users or new pro accounts.
Pro Pownce users should visit http://www.sixapart.com/pownce/pro.html for additional information.
To help with your transition to another service, we have built an export tool so you can save your content. You can find the export tool at Settings > Export. Please export your content by December 15, 2008, as the site will not be accessible after this date.
Our thanks go out to everyone who contributed to the Pownce community,
The Pownce Crew
Unfortunately, despite having an abundance of features compared to competing services like Twitter, Pownce failed to really catch on.
If you were following MethodShop.com on Pownce, please switch over to our Twitter account.
methodshop
Labels: internet, social networking, tech news
11/25/2008
HandBrake 0.9.3 Now Converts Any Digital Video Format, Not Just DVDs
This past weekend, the amazing open-source DVD ripping program HandBrake was updated to version 0.9.3 and a lot of Handbrake users are now both excited and disappointed. Why? The Handbrake team has both added and taken away features.
The most exciting new Handbrake feature is called Universal Input. HandBrake is no longer limited to converting DVDs. Handbrake will now accept practically any type of video source and convert it to whatever video format you desire including Xbox, Apple TV, PS3, iPod and iPhone. This is great news considering VisualHub, one of the most loved video conversion applications in recent memory, shutdown a few months ago.
Some of the other improvements in Handbrake 0.9.3 include a Linux GUI enhancement, better audio controls, and increased video encoding quality.
So what has everyone so upset at the Handbrake team? For some reason they decided to remove the DVD decryption feature. That's right, Handbrake 0.9.3 will no longer natively rip DVDs. Weird right? I wonder if they were getting some pressure from the movie industry. But don't give up on Handbrake just yet. You can still use Handbrake 0.9.3 to rip DVDs, you just need to install VLC on your machine first.
Until you have time to install VLC, you might want to keep a copy of Handbrake 0.9.2 around for ripping DVDs and use the new Handbrake 0.9.3 for converting videos.
Please check out our methodshop.com Handbrake tutorial for download links and step-by-step directions.
methodshop
The most exciting new Handbrake feature is called Universal Input. HandBrake is no longer limited to converting DVDs. Handbrake will now accept practically any type of video source and convert it to whatever video format you desire including Xbox, Apple TV, PS3, iPod and iPhone. This is great news considering VisualHub, one of the most loved video conversion applications in recent memory, shutdown a few months ago.
Some of the other improvements in Handbrake 0.9.3 include a Linux GUI enhancement, better audio controls, and increased video encoding quality.
So what has everyone so upset at the Handbrake team? For some reason they decided to remove the DVD decryption feature. That's right, Handbrake 0.9.3 will no longer natively rip DVDs. Weird right? I wonder if they were getting some pressure from the movie industry. But don't give up on Handbrake just yet. You can still use Handbrake 0.9.3 to rip DVDs, you just need to install VLC on your machine first.
"We're not about to stop you from choosing to decrypt DVDs. If you're on a Mac, and you have VLC 0.9.x installed, you won't even notice the internal capability's gone. If you're on Linux, all you have to do is install a library." ~ Handbrake News page; Nov 23, 2008
Until you have time to install VLC, you might want to keep a copy of Handbrake 0.9.2 around for ripping DVDs and use the new Handbrake 0.9.3 for converting videos.
Please check out our methodshop.com Handbrake tutorial for download links and step-by-step directions.
Tutorial: How to Rip DVD's for Your iPod, Apple TV or iPhone
methodshop
11/21/2008
iTunes 8.0.2 Fixes Internet Proxy Issues
If you've been using iTunes from behind a corporate proxy, then get ready to do a swivel chair dance in your cubicle. The latest iTunes update, iTunes 8.0.2, fixes a proxy connectivity issue when communicating with the iTunes Store.
Until now, corprorate users behind a proxy server were unable to install iPod / iPhone firmware updates and frequently got errors when trying to use the iTunes Store while at work.
In addition to the proxy fix, iTunes 8.0.2 improves stability and performance and provides a number of important bug fixes, including:
methodshop
Until now, corprorate users behind a proxy server were unable to install iPod / iPhone firmware updates and frequently got errors when trying to use the iTunes Store while at work.
In addition to the proxy fix, iTunes 8.0.2 improves stability and performance and provides a number of important bug fixes, including:
- Addresses a quality issue creating MP3s on some computers.
- Improves accessibility with VoiceOver.
methodshop
11/19/2008
iPhone Update Expected Nov. 21
According to Greek blog post on iPhone Hellas (translated), another software update for the iPhone is expected on Nov. 21. iPhone 2.2 will supposedly...
Let’s hope iPhone 2.2 also gets Google's new Compass View feature that debuted with Android. Compass View automatically senses your orientation and will rotate the Google Street View panorama to match the direction you are facing.
methodshop
- add Google Street View and Google Maps transit directions
- offer the ability to download podcasts directly to the iPhone
- prompt users to rate their favorite apps to help users prioritize applications
Let’s hope iPhone 2.2 also gets Google's new Compass View feature that debuted with Android. Compass View automatically senses your orientation and will rotate the Google Street View panorama to match the direction you are facing.
methodshop
11/17/2008
Play Your iPhone like a Flute with the Smule Ocarina [video]
Do songs like "Bungle In the Jungle," "Stairway to Heaven" and the Zelda theme song have 5 stars ratings on your iPhone? Then perhaps you should check out an iPhone App called the Smule Ocarina.An innovative company called Smule has written an iPhone App that utilizes both the iPhone's touch screen and microphone and created the first true iPhone wind instrument - The Smule Ocarina.
An ocarina is an ancient flute-like wind instrument, and one of the easiest instruments to learn. To use the Smule Ocarina, just blow into your iPhone's microphone and control the pitch with different fingerings on the touch screen.
VIDEO: Smule Ocarina version of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven"
The Smule Ocarina's advanced options allow you to choose between diatonic, minor and harmonic scales. There's also another option called Zeldarian mode which will make your iPhone sound like it was used to compose The Legend of Zelda theme song.
VIDEO: The Smule Ocarina's Zeldarian mode
methodshop
11/11/2008
Blogrush Shuts Downs
Was Blogrush a Traffic Generator or Pyramid Scheme? While the bloggersphere continues to debate it, this month the company shut down. Here's a portion of the white flag email that was sent to BlogRush users by CEO John Reese:
We installed the BlogRush widget on Methodshop.com when they first launched and really didn't see any traffic increase or benefit from it at all. One of our biggest issues with the widget was it was fugly. We had to exile the ugly thing to the bottom most corner of our website.
If you currently have the Blog Rush widget installed on your blog, you will need to remove it ASAP. It doesn't work anymore and will slow down the loading of your web pages.
If you want to continue to follow the drama behind the death of BlogRush and see what else CEO John Reese is up to, follow him on Twitter: http://twitter.com/johnreese. Even though BlogRush didn't work out, he's a smart guy and will land on his feet. John if you are reading this, good luck!
methodshop
"Our team worked very hard to try and build a service that would truly help bloggers of all sizes get free traffic to their blogs. This was our primary focus. Not once did we ever try to monetize the service with ads or anything else. BlogRush never made a single penny in revenue. We wanted to be able to help our users FIRST and then worry about monetizing the service later. Unfortunately, the service didn’t work out like we had hoped."
We installed the BlogRush widget on Methodshop.com when they first launched and really didn't see any traffic increase or benefit from it at all. One of our biggest issues with the widget was it was fugly. We had to exile the ugly thing to the bottom most corner of our website.If you currently have the Blog Rush widget installed on your blog, you will need to remove it ASAP. It doesn't work anymore and will slow down the loading of your web pages.
If you want to continue to follow the drama behind the death of BlogRush and see what else CEO John Reese is up to, follow him on Twitter: http://twitter.com/johnreese. Even though BlogRush didn't work out, he's a smart guy and will land on his feet. John if you are reading this, good luck!
methodshop
Labels: tech news
11/04/2008
CNN's Hologram Reporters
Every election, the news networks will try to dazzle viewers with new technologies and graphics that add a little eye candy to hours of dry election coverage. From the Microsoft Surface to some other proprietary software platform, this year, touchscreens were all the rage.
Admittedly, watching MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell awkwardly fumble around with a Microsoft Surface was pretty entertaining. But as far as technology this election, CNN was the clear winner with hologram correspondents!? Seeing hologram reporters in the CNN Election Center was like watching Princess Leia tell Luke Skywalker that Virginia's electoral votes were McCain's only hope.
CNN debuts hologram @ Yahoo! Video
methodshop
Admittedly, watching MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell awkwardly fumble around with a Microsoft Surface was pretty entertaining. But as far as technology this election, CNN was the clear winner with hologram correspondents!? Seeing hologram reporters in the CNN Election Center was like watching Princess Leia tell Luke Skywalker that Virginia's electoral votes were McCain's only hope.
CNN debuts hologram @ Yahoo! Video
methodshop
Labels: tech news
Twitter's Election Coverage
Which Twitter account will belong to the next President of the United States? Will it be Twitter's CEO, Biz Stone, anticipates record-breaking activity on Twitter all day on election day. Barack Obama is currently the #1 person on Twitter with over 110,000 followers, so expect a heavy turnout of his Twitter supporters. John McCain's supporters tend to be less online savvy. His Twitter account has a little over 4k.
After you vote (don't forget), you can monitor live US Election activity on Twitter here: http://election.twitter.com/
If you're still not sure what Twitter ius all about, here's a 101 primer on Twitter and tips on how to explain it. Tutorial: How to Explain Twitter to Your Grandma
And if you are feeling wild, you can follow @methodshop on Twitter here.
methodshop
10/21/2008
Ping.fm Goes Down
If you tried to use Ping.fm today, you might have noticed some... major problems. For the record, Ping.fm wasn't shut down due to the recent financial problems on Wall Street. It's looks like a simple domain registration and hosting company communication issue.Ping.fm CEO Sean McCullough, posted this note on GetSatisfaction.com to try to put Ping.fm users at ease:
"Just to set everyone at ease, we are simply waiting on GoDaddy to update their end so that this mess becomes history. I've been in direct contact with them. Actually, the office of the President of GoDaddy called me personally ensuring that they are working on this with a high priority. Everyone can do us a favor by just spreading the word that everything in power is being done to correct this. And be known that we aren't going anywhere. This isn't us leaving, nor shutting down. This is a problem that has come between service provider and client. It's unfortunate, but it happens."
Twitter users have been very confused about Ping.fm's status. The Twitterverse has been full of comments like the following:
- ZoeConnolly: Does anyone know what happened to ping.fm? I'm getting a GoDaddy generic page now :(
- urn: Ping.fm is being dumb. Keeps returning my mail.
- dudenhofer: looks like ping.fm forgot to pay their hosting fee... oops!
- lnewcomer: wonders if ping.fm is really dead?
methodshop
Labels: internet, social networking, tech news
10/15/2008
Blog Action Day
Happy Blog Action Day. Today, October 15th, bloggers everywhere will publish posts that discuss poverty in some way. By all posting on the same day we aim to change the conversation for the day, to raise awareness, start a global discussion and add momentum to an important cause.So how are a bunch of bloggers, sitting behind computers, talking about poverty, going to make a real difference in anyone's life? Good question. Typing words won't end poverty, but we can at least raise awareness and encourage action.
Here's a list of 88 things you can do to fight poverty. And no, giving a dime to the homeless guy by the subway isn't on the list.
World Poverty Map [click to enlarge]
methodshop
10/14/2008
#Apple Announces New Notebooks and LED Display
Moments ago, Steve Jobs announced new super slim models of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air and a LED-backlit cinema display at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, CA.Sorry kids. A MacBook Touch was NOT announced. Rumors Apple would announce a touchscreen laptop have been swirling around the Internet since July. But in the Q&A session after the announcements, Jobs and company were asked if they planned on adding touchscreens to laptops. This was their response: "So far it hasn’t been a lot of sense to us, but we may see it in the future. We’ve experimented with it before."
Blu-ray support and HDMI connectivity were also NOT announced. Hope you didn't have your fingers crossed for those.
But let's go over the new laptops and display.
MacBooks
The next generation MacBook and MacBook Pro features a LED-backlit display, new NVIDIA graphics card technology, a multi-touch glass trackpad (a la the iPhone), Mini DisplayPort connector and a new unibody enclosure manufactured using an environmentally responsible process.
By using a new manufacturing process where the body of the laptops are cut from a single piece of aluminum, Apple was able to not only make the new laptops thinner but more eco friendly. On stage, Steve Jobs proudly proclaimed "This is the most eco friendly MacBook ever in the history of human existence."
Another amazing feature of the new MacBooks is the inclusion of the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M and 9600M GT graphics cards. NVIDIA's new advanced integrated graphics cards provide more responsive gameplay and more realistic 3D environments. Under the 9400, you get 5 hours of battery life vs. 4 hours on the 9600 GT. Apple is the first company to bring these new NVIDIA cards to market.
The MacBook Pro connectors are, in order from the left, Magsafe, Gigabit Ethernet, Firewire 800, two USB 2.0 ports, a Mini DisplayPort, Audio In/Out (analog and optical digital), ExpressCard/34, and a battery indicator lights. The MacBook no longer has a Firewire port.
The MacBooks are shipping today. The entry model MacBook starts at $1299. MacBook Pro $1999.
MacBook Air
Although a little overshadowed today, the MacBook Air is also getting an update. The new MacBook Air will also include the new NVIDIA 9400M graphics cards, as well as a 120GB hard drive and a 128GB SSD option (solid state drive). The MacBook Air will also migrate away from microDVI and switch to a Mini DisplayPort.
The new MacBook Air starts at $1799 and you’ll start seeing these in stores starting in November.
LED Cinema Display
The new 24-inch LED Cinema Display has 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution, a built-in iSight (with mic), stereo speakers, Mag Safe connector and a 3 port USB hub ($899).
The new MacBook Air and LED Cinema Display don’t start shipping until November.
methodshop
Apple Notebook Event - Twitter Coverage
Want to instantly know what #Apple announces later today at their "Notebook Event"? We'll be posting live via Twitter (twitter.com/methodshop) or you can follow the entire Twitterverse using Twitter's search tool:
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=apple
methodshop
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=apple
methodshop
Labels: apple, social networking, tech news
10/09/2008
Apple Plans MacBook Event as $800 Laptop Rumors Clog the Blogosphere
According to an Apple email sent to the press Thursday afternoon, on October 14th "The spotlight turns to notebooks."
What does this cryptic message mean? According to Ed Sutherland from CultOfMac.com, information coming from several sources including a Taiwanese blog (most Apple products are made in Taiwan and they often have inside scoops) and financial analysts, suggests that Apple might be releasing a sub $800 laptop.
This past July, the Apple rumor de jour was Apple was releasing a touchscreen laptop nicknamed the MacBook Touch. Besides having a touchscreen, the MacBook Touch is also rumored to have built-in GPS and same rotating screen accelerometer technology used in the iPod Touch and iPhone.
During an earnings call this past summer, Apple promised a product transition by the end of September with "technologies and features that others can't match."
Is the MacBook Touch or the $800 laptop the "product transition" Apple was talking about? Guess we'll find out next week.
methodshop
What does this cryptic message mean? According to Ed Sutherland from CultOfMac.com, information coming from several sources including a Taiwanese blog (most Apple products are made in Taiwan and they often have inside scoops) and financial analysts, suggests that Apple might be releasing a sub $800 laptop.
This past July, the Apple rumor de jour was Apple was releasing a touchscreen laptop nicknamed the MacBook Touch. Besides having a touchscreen, the MacBook Touch is also rumored to have built-in GPS and same rotating screen accelerometer technology used in the iPod Touch and iPhone.
During an earnings call this past summer, Apple promised a product transition by the end of September with "technologies and features that others can't match."
Is the MacBook Touch or the $800 laptop the "product transition" Apple was talking about? Guess we'll find out next week.
methodshop
CodeWeavers Ports Google Chrome to Mac
Is Firefox getting slower or is my frustration that Google still hasn't released a Mac/Linux version of their Chrome web browser just increasing? Like many Mac users, I'm dying to try out Google Chrome. Google released their Chrome browser in early September 2008 and sent the tech community a buzz.But for all the eager first adopters, there's a hitch... Google Chrome is currently PC-only. According to Google, a Mac/Linux version is "coming soon." I hate PC only software. The PCs I have access to at home and work are almost 10 years old, are full of spyware and suck. I could install Chrome using Boot Camp or Parallels on my Mac, but that’s a lot of hassle just to try out Chrome.
But there is another solution. The evil geniuses at CodeWeavers have taken the open source code of Google Chrome and ported it to run on Intel-based Macs and Linux.
The ported version of Mac Chrome looks and feels like a Windows app, but at least Mac users can check out Chrome.
Google Chrome: Mac/Linux Port [download]
methodshop
10/07/2008
Amtrak iPhone App
When someone says "trains," you probably think of non-modern things like the Wild West, Jesse James and drunken boxcar hobos, not the iPhone right? Well, not if Amtrak can help it.
According to an Amtrak press release, the company now has an "iPhone App." After unsuccessfully searching for the Amtrak App in the iTunes App Store, we quickly realized that the Amtrak App isn't an "App," like an iTunes App Store "App," but a "Web App" (aka an iPhone compatible web page). The Amtrak press release probably should have said they made an "iPhone optimized mobile site" and not an "App" for the iTunes App Store, but you have to at least give Amtrak credit for trying.
The Amtrak iPhone "Web App" enables mobile customers to buy, change and manage ticket reservations, check train statuses, review schedules and sign up to receive email alerts to find out when their train is delayed (which with Amtrak is quite often).
Amtrak iPhone Site: http://www.amtrak.mobi/
With the soaring price of gas and plane tickets, you might find yourself taking the rails sooner than later.
methodshop
According to an Amtrak press release, the company now has an "iPhone App." After unsuccessfully searching for the Amtrak App in the iTunes App Store, we quickly realized that the Amtrak App isn't an "App," like an iTunes App Store "App," but a "Web App" (aka an iPhone compatible web page). The Amtrak press release probably should have said they made an "iPhone optimized mobile site" and not an "App" for the iTunes App Store, but you have to at least give Amtrak credit for trying.
The Amtrak iPhone "Web App" enables mobile customers to buy, change and manage ticket reservations, check train statuses, review schedules and sign up to receive email alerts to find out when their train is delayed (which with Amtrak is quite often).
Amtrak iPhone Site: http://www.amtrak.mobi/
With the soaring price of gas and plane tickets, you might find yourself taking the rails sooner than later.
methodshop
10/06/2008
iPhone 2.2 Firmware Beta Includes Google Street View Feature
Is the Street View feature from Google Maps finally making its way over to the iPhone?
For the past few years Google has been sending out special cars mounted with 360º 11-lens cameras that take street level panorama photos for Google Maps.
The Street View feature is available online, but it hasn't made the transition over to mobile devices until just recently. Google has slowly enabled the Street View feature for a few mobile phones and Android, Google’s own mobile platform, but not for the iPhone... at least not just yet.
But according to Mac Rumors, a developer version of the upcoming iPhone 2.2 firmware update includes Google Street View. Let’s hope Google also gives the iPhone their new Compass View feature that debuted with Android. Compass View automatically senses your orientation and will rotate the Google Street View panorama to match the direction you are facing.
Here’s a video of the Compass feature being shown on stage at an Android demo:
methodshop
For the past few years Google has been sending out special cars mounted with 360º 11-lens cameras that take street level panorama photos for Google Maps.The Street View feature is available online, but it hasn't made the transition over to mobile devices until just recently. Google has slowly enabled the Street View feature for a few mobile phones and Android, Google’s own mobile platform, but not for the iPhone... at least not just yet.
But according to Mac Rumors, a developer version of the upcoming iPhone 2.2 firmware update includes Google Street View. Let’s hope Google also gives the iPhone their new Compass View feature that debuted with Android. Compass View automatically senses your orientation and will rotate the Google Street View panorama to match the direction you are facing.
Here’s a video of the Compass feature being shown on stage at an Android demo:
methodshop
10/02/2008
Bejeweled add-on coming to World of Warcraft
Michael Fromwiller, an admitted World of Warcraft (Twitter tag #WoW) addict, was bored. The San Jose State undergrad student and amateur game programmer loves the massive multipler online game World of Warcraft, but hates the downtime before and during long battles. For example, sometimes it will take other players in your team up to an hour to trade weapons and decide on a strategy before going into battle.So in an effort to relieve his own bordom, Fromwiller created a clone of the popular puzzle game Bejeweled called Besharded that can be played within the World of Warcraft game interface. Fromwiller shared his Bejeweled clone with a few friends, then they shared it with a few friends and the next thing he knew, Besharded was the talk of the World of Warcraft community. What started as a personal pet project became a huge hit.
A screen shot of Besharded
PopCap Games, the company that publishes Bejeweled eventually found out about Besharded. But thier reaction has surprised a lot of people. Instead of acting like the RIAA and gathering hordes of lawyers to write a barrage of cease and desist letters and prepare billions of lawsuits, PopCap Games gave Fromwiller a job.
The official Bejeweled version
On Thursday, October 2nd, Bejeweled will appear as a free downloadable add-on for World of Warcraft. PopCap Games has even made a few improvements to Fromwiller's Besharded version. The World of Warcraft version of Bejeweled has a high score list and if you happen to stumble into combat while playing Bejeweled, mini game screen will disappear and let you return to the battle.
So how does Blizzard, the makers of World of Warcraft feel about this? Not much. They haven't enthusiastically endorced the Bejeweled add-on. Doing so would be an admission that World of Warcraft is boring. But they aren't trying to stop it either.
methodshop
9/30/2008
Wal-Mart Music Store Kills DRM
Did you purchase any music online from Wal-Mart?Following in the footsteps of Yahoo a few months ago, and in the spirit of Steve Jobs' "open letter" last February, Wal-Mart announced that on October 9, 2008 it will stop supporting tracks sold with DRM (Digital Rights Management). After that, users will be unable to transfer or listen to digital Wal-Mart music on a new computer.
The good news is that Wal-Mart's new DRM free mp3 music downloads will be iPod and iPhone compatible.
The record companies had originally forced DRM onto all online music retailers in an effort to curb piracy via file sharing services like Hotline, BitTorrent and LimeWire. But with the speed and frequency that consumers purchase new computers and mp3 players like the iPod, DRM restrictions by online music retailers like Yahoo, iTunes and Wal-Mart gave users even more of a reason to seek DRM free pirated music. In the long run, DRM helped promote digital music piracy and not prevent it.
Wal-Mart didn't have very many online music customers (especially compared to iTunes), but if this affects you, hurry up and burn the tracks to a CD then rip them back to non-DRM MP3 tracks. October 9th is only a couple weeks away and you don't want to lose that John Tesh box set you secretly bought online from Wal-Mart... or maybe you should?
methodshop
9/24/2008
Twitter and #Current Team Up for Hack the Debate
Current.com and Twitter are teaming up for a U.S. Presidential Debate mash-up called "Hack The Debate."Current is streaming Friday night's debate online and will display Twitter messages (aka "tweets") over the live broadcast of the debate between John McCain and Barack Obama in real-time. This will allow viewers to comment live on what's being said during the debate and even fact check questionable statements made by the candidates.
How exactly will "Hack the Debate" work? Twitter users who add the #current hash tag to their tweets will see their comments displayed as a "lower 3rd" graphic on the bottom on the screen. For example:
"This discussion about universal healthcare makes me want to pop some pills! #current"
Current says it will only edit out comments that fail to meet standards and practices thresholds. (ie: no 4 letter words.)
This is an excellent idea. People love seeing their Twitter tweets on-air (CNN's Rick Sanchez proved that during the hurricanes).
Barack Obama is currently the #1 person on Twitter with over 80,000 followers, so expect a heavy turnout of his Twitter supporters. John McCain's Twitter account has a little over 2k.
If you don't understand what all this Twitter and "tweet" stuff is all about, check out this tutorial: How to Explain Twitter to Your Grandma.
methodshop
Labels: social networking, tech news, video
9/23/2008
How to fix iTunes 8 BSOD error on Microsoft Vista
Many Microsoft Vista users were paid an unfortunate visit by the dreaded "blue screen of death" when attempting to sync an iPod or iPhone using Apple's new iTunes 8.0.Apple assures Microsoft Vista users that they have fixed the problem with a subsequent release. Vista users who downloaded the initial version of iTunes 8, need to uninstall iTunes, then re-download the updated iTunes installer and reinstall iTunes 8. Got it? Don't worry, step-by-step instructions are below.
It's up to you on who should get the blame on this one. Did Apple write sloppy code for iTunes 8.0 and not properly test it? Or is Windows Vista just a lemon with a Microsoft logo on it? Regardless on who you choose to blame, you will still need to fix the bad version of iTunes 8.0 for Microsoft Vista. Here's how...
How to Uninstall and Reinstall iTunes 8 (Vista)
- Disconnect your iPhone or iPod from Windows Vista. Pull the plug damn it!
- Uninstall iTunes and Apple Mobile Device Support
- For Classic View
- Choose Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features.
- First select Apple Mobile Device Support, click Uninstall.
- Select iTunes, click Uninstall.
- For Control Panel Home View
- Choose Start > Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.
- First select Apple Mobile Device Support, click Uninstall.
- Select iTunes and click Uninstall.
- For Classic View
- Restart the computer.
- Re-download and install the updated iTunes 8 installer from apple.com/itunes/download.
And for the love of God... Do NOT use the iTunes8Setup or iTunes864Setup file you previously downloaded. If you do, go back to step #1 and repeatably bash your brain deeper into your skull using the nearest iPod/iPhone.
methodshop
9/22/2008
iPhone 3G Power Adapter Recall
Did you recently buy an iPhone 3G? Do you have an ultracompact Apple USB power adapter like the one pictured on the right? If so, stop using it immediately.
According to an Apple press release issued last Friday, there's a design flaw with the metal prongs that can cause them to break off and get stuck in the electrical outlet. Users may receive a shock when trying to remove the metal pieces, but so far no injuries have been reported.
It's estimated that Apple sold more than 4 million 3G iPhones since it was introduced in July. The defective power supplies were supplied to the following regions: United States, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and Latin America.
If you do own an ultracompact Apple USB power, there are 2 ways you can exchange it for a new, redesigned adapter.
Product recalls are not unusual in the computer industry, but Apple usually manages to avoid them. The last Apple recall was in August 2006, when Apple had to recall 1.8 million Sony laptop batteries because they had a tendency to overheat and catch on fire.
methodshop
According to an Apple press release issued last Friday, there's a design flaw with the metal prongs that can cause them to break off and get stuck in the electrical outlet. Users may receive a shock when trying to remove the metal pieces, but so far no injuries have been reported.It's estimated that Apple sold more than 4 million 3G iPhones since it was introduced in July. The defective power supplies were supplied to the following regions: United States, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and Latin America.
If you do own an ultracompact Apple USB power, there are 2 ways you can exchange it for a new, redesigned adapter.
- Order a replacement adapter via Apple's website. These replacement adapters will ship within 3 weeks, starting on Friday, October 10.
- Exchange your adapter at an Apple Retail Store starting on October 10.
Product recalls are not unusual in the computer industry, but Apple usually manages to avoid them. The last Apple recall was in August 2006, when Apple had to recall 1.8 million Sony laptop batteries because they had a tendency to overheat and catch on fire.
methodshop
9/18/2008
Sara Palin's Yahoo Email Account Gets Hacked
Allegations that American VP hopeful, Sara Palin, uses her Yahoo! email account (gov.palin@yahoo.com) to conduct Alaska state business was just too tempting for hackers.A team of hackers dubbed "Anonymous" breached Gov. Palin's Yahoo e-mail account, and posted a number of announcements and screenshots to several sites on the Internet including Wikileaks.org and Gawker.com. The hackers were able to mask their tracks by using a CTunnel.com proxy server, but the released screenshots include some partial IP data which authorities might be able to use to catch them.
Palin's personal email account(s) isn't just coming under fire from hackers, but also government watchdogs. It's believed that Governor Palin was using this Yahoo email account to avoid government transparency mechanisms. Also, after recovering the password from Yahoo, Palin's people deleted the Yahoo email account. Isn't that a destruction of evidence?
A satirical poster naming the Palin email incident "Emailgate."
The John McCain campaign released this statement about the Yahoo the incident:
"This is a shocking invasion of the governor's privacy and a violation of law. The matter has been turned over to the appropriate authorities and we hope that anyone in possession of these e-mails will destroy them."
John McCain has nothing to worry about. McCain doesn't even know how to use a email (we're not joking).
methodshop
Labels: tech news
Wireless Households on the Rise
According to a recent Nielson study, 1 in 5 U.S. phone households will rely on solely on their mobile phones for telecommunications by the end of 2008. Cord Cutting or getting rid of a hard wired phone line is just one way consumers are cutting back to make ends meet in this troubled economy.
Who are most likely to be "cord cutters?" The study says that the average U.S. cord cutter tends to have a lower income, live in apartment or condo (1 or 2 residents) and tends to make the transition to living without a landline after a move or a job change.
Do you still have a landline?
Who are most likely to be "cord cutters?" The study says that the average U.S. cord cutter tends to have a lower income, live in apartment or condo (1 or 2 residents) and tends to make the transition to living without a landline after a move or a job change.
Do you still have a landline?
Labels: tech news
9/17/2008
iPhone 2.1 Update
If you own an iPhone, don't forget to update your software to 2.1. To update, just sync your iPhone with iTunes. You will also need an Internet connection (duh).
The new 2.1 software will decrease dropped calls and call errors, reduce iTunes backup time and increase battery life.
To begin, just plug your iPhone into your computer and click on this link to launch iTunes.
methodshop
The new 2.1 software will decrease dropped calls and call errors, reduce iTunes backup time and increase battery life.
To begin, just plug your iPhone into your computer and click on this link to launch iTunes.
methodshop
9/15/2008
How to Explain Twitter to Your Grandma
As Twitter continues to gain in popularity and users, those of us already on Twitter might find ourselves in a position where we have to explain Twitter to a non-techie type person like Grandma (or John McCain).So what do you say when someone asks you something silly like "What is the Twitter?" or "Are you taking the Twitter?"
Here's a "how to" article full of images and videos that help explain some of the functionally and uses of Twitter.
methodshop
Labels: social networking, tech news
9/11/2008
Large Hadron Collider Didn't End The World - Yet
Whew! If you are reading this, then the world didn't end... yet.Yesterday the Europeans fired up the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and started shooting protons down a 17 mile-long tunnel at the speed of light in a massive underground laboratory near Geneva, Switzerland.
Many people were outraged and understandably worried about the LHC tests. Any miscalculations or mistakes by the LHC scientists could hypothetically result in a doomsday scenario. What happens if the LHC rearranges the atomic nuclei of all matter on Earth? And a side-effect of the LHC is micro-sized black holes. What would happen if these tiny black holes slowly sucked away all matter on Earth over the next few hundred years? What happens if they make a big black hole? Opening up a black hole in the middle of the Earth would end life as we know it.
There are plenty of doomsday scenarios connected to the LHC and a lot of people are questioning if anyone has the right to conduct these potentially catastrophic tests. Former nuclear safety officer Walter Wagner has taken his concerns to U.S. court and is asking the U.S. Department of Energy, CERN, Fermilab, and the National Science Foundation "to ease up on their LHC preparations for several months while the collider's safety was reassessed."
There are a lot of unknowns and risks connected to the LHC. So why exactly are these scientists playing with proton beams? What does humanity stand to gain by their risks? The experiments taking place at the Large Hadron Collider hope to answer some of the biggest questions of modern science:
- Is the foundation of modern physics right or wrong?
- Are there extra dimensions of space out there that we haven't yet detected?
- What existed during the very first moment of the universe's existence?
- Why do some particles have mass while others don't?
- What is the nature of dark matter?
Just turning on the LHC yesterday didn't end the world, but don't rest easy just yet. The big Large Hadron Collider experiment takes place October 21st when scientists will aim 2 proton beams at each other and "see what happens" when they collide.
There are a couple live webcams at the LHC if you also want "to see what happens." Seriously, watch them for at least 30 seconds. These aren't your everyday webcams. ;)
These #LHC pricks better not destroy the planet. Switzerland, fine. Earth, no way. Can't the Euros travel to an abandoned galaxy before they start hosing each other down with doomsday proton guns?
methodshop
9/10/2008
Apple Unveils iPod and iTunes Upgrades
Apple CEO, Steve Jobs was thin, but the new iPods were thinner at Apple's "Let's Rock" press conference yesterday. In addition to new versions of the iPod Nano and iPod Touch, Jobs also announced iTunes 8.0 and a "Genius" feature.
Apple is revamping its iPod line up. The thicker iPod classic is history. It will be replaced with a slimmer 120 GB model for $249. The new iPod Nano promises to be the thinnest iPod yet and ships with the "Genius" ability to create intuitive playlists without having to connect to iTunes. A new version of the iPod Touch, which will be out in time for the holidays, is also thinner and comes with integrated speakers for listening to music and online radio on the go. Both new models will also ship with new headphones that include a remote control and a microphone.
iTunes 8.0 gets a new "Genius" feature that automatically generating playlists of songs that "go great together." The Genius Sidebar can be set to upload your library contents to the iTunes Store so that it's better equipped to recommend songs you might like. If you've ever used the streaming music service Pandora, then you probably have a good idea of what the Genius Sidebar is capible of.
It looks like Kevin Rose's blog post that predicted Apple would release new iPods and an iTunes update this month was correct. The raw image mockup was even right.
methodshop
Apple is revamping its iPod line up. The thicker iPod classic is history. It will be replaced with a slimmer 120 GB model for $249. The new iPod Nano promises to be the thinnest iPod yet and ships with the "Genius" ability to create intuitive playlists without having to connect to iTunes. A new version of the iPod Touch, which will be out in time for the holidays, is also thinner and comes with integrated speakers for listening to music and online radio on the go. Both new models will also ship with new headphones that include a remote control and a microphone.
iTunes 8.0 gets a new "Genius" feature that automatically generating playlists of songs that "go great together." The Genius Sidebar can be set to upload your library contents to the iTunes Store so that it's better equipped to recommend songs you might like. If you've ever used the streaming music service Pandora, then you probably have a good idea of what the Genius Sidebar is capible of.
It looks like Kevin Rose's blog post that predicted Apple would release new iPods and an iTunes update this month was correct. The raw image mockup was even right.
methodshop
9/02/2008
CNN's Rick Sanchez uses Twitter to Spread Gustav Conversations
This past weekend, as Hurricane Gustav was threatening New Orleans, CNN reporter Rick Sanchez was using social media while broadcasting via traditional media.Rick setup his own Twitter page @ricksanchezcnn (here's a 101 tutorial on Twitter if you are unfamiliar with the service) and was on the air reporting on Gustav and answering "tweets" from viewers in the hurricane zone during the weekend primetime edition of CNN Newsroom.
Rick's efforts have been so successful, CNN decided to give him his own Twitter focused show called Rick Sanchez Direct. According to one of Rick's recent tweets, the show will "play off" what he's been doing online with social media sites like Twitter and Facebook.
Snachez used Twitter on both the Saturday and Sunday episodes of CNN Newsroom last weekend. Here are the ratings:
- The Saturday CNN Newsroom episode where Snachez first used Twitter on the air was the most watched and highest rated of all newscasts on all networks during that time period.
- CNN Newsroom (Saturday) was also the most-watched CNN program of the day for the P25-54 segment with 602,000 average viewers.
- CNN Newsroom (Sunday, 11pm) was the #1 cable program in its time period.
The first episode of Rick Sanchez Direct airs Sept 8th at 3pm on CNN.
methodshop.com
Labels: social networking, tech news
WIRED NextFest 2008
Every year, the evil geniuses at WIRED Magazine put together a high-tech expo that showcases the global innovations that are transforming our world. They call it NextFest.Now in its 5th year, this modern day World's Fair includes unique and bold exhibits, interactive art, games, robotics, and more. If you are into gadgets and geekery, then the 30-40 exhibits WIRED has planned will knock your Underoos off.
2008 is the 5th year of WIRED NextFest and the the city of Chicago is hosting again.Over the past 5 five years, WIRED NextFest has drawn over 150,000 visitors combined in San Francisco (2004), Chicago (2005), New York (2006), and Los Angeles (2007).
Here are a few of the most anticipated WIRED NextFest 2008 exhibits that everyone is talking about:
Hoverit Lounger
Don't just sit - Hoverit. That's the slogan of this 2-person British design-oriented furniture startup. In what they promise is the first in a series of magnetic hover furniture, the experience is (according to the company) more like floating than sitting. The lounger's etheral appearance is accentuated by the designers choice of material, a clear acrylic plastic.
The acrylic is not a cushion, but the give of the magnetic forces acting beneath a persons body weight, is probably makes the experience quite different from a normal, earth-bound, rigid plastic chair.HumanCar
The HumanCar just might be an eco-loving carpooler's dream come true. Four seats provide and a roof provide a measure of comfort, and four rowing handles (for human-powered battery charging) provide the power. HumanCar's first commercial vehicle, the Imagine, features an exoskeletal safety cage chassis with advanced steering built in, dual electric motors, and variable human power input. HumanCars will be manufactured in central Oregon.Interactive Kiosk Prototype - EA Sports
Camera-based interaction with near photo-realistic animation of Dwayne Wade, NBA basketball star. The concept of interactive installations and kiosks based on this prototype is work for an upcoming Gillette corporate promotion that will include Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Derek Jeter, and Thierry Henry, and offer a platform for playing 1-on-1 interactive mini-games with sports stars. Overall, the platform uses a display, interactive camera, and digital animation hardware and software that are state of the art.
NextFest is free and open to the public. It's like a annual high-tech museum trade show exhibit.
WIRED NextFest: CHICAGO * Sept. 27 - Oct. 12, 2008 * MILLENNIUM PARK
To learn more about WIRED NextFest, summon the Internets to bring forth WiredNextFest.com.
methodshop
8/26/2008
The Big Tent Makes a Big Splash at the DNC
For the past few months, bloggers have been buzzing about the "Big Tent" at the #DNC08. Well, now that America's Democratic National Convention is underway, we finally got to see the Big Tent in action. The Big Tent is a facility for the alternative media hosted by DailyKos, the Sustainability Alliance and ProgressNow, with Digg, YouTube, and Google as corporate sponsors.The two-story tent was made available for alternative and indy journalists and bloggers who didn't have a home base to report from for the political conventions. Everyone from small town soccer moms to Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist, is blogging from the Big Tent in Denver.
The Big Tent is very luxurious compared to dirty cramp press rooms frequented by traditional press. Journalists and bloggers who signed up for a slot in the 8,000 square-foot facility get unlimited access to WiFi, phone/iPod/laptop charging stations, yoga classes, 10 minute massages, smoothies, comfy couches, a baby changing area and live entertainment. Oh yeah, food and drinks are included as well and the free beer starts at 1pm. The Big Tent is even handicapped accessible. I wouldn't be surprised if some traditional journalists decided to work "off site" in the Big Tent and avoid the skanky press rooms all together.
Flickr photos by socalmom and Steve Rhodes
At only $100 a pop, the Big Tent won't make back their total investment, let alone profit off of the 500 bloggers who booked time in the facility. So what do sponsors like Google gain by providing Big Tent services to bloggers? First of all, Google is getting a lot of exposure and press (this article included). Google also gets to promote their software and services, like Google Docs, Picasa and Blogger, to influential journalists and bloggers. Google has even included a kiosk in the public area of the tent where anyone can post videos on YouTube. Google will also have a major presence at next week's #RNC08 and demo some real time video search tools.
Flickr photo by socalmom
This year, the Democratic National Convention has credentialed more than 120 blogs but that's not nearly enough. People aren't content being spectators anymore, they want to participate using Internet tools like Twitter, blogs and YouTube. The privately funded Big Tent is meant to handle the overflow but it's already overflowing.
With MSNBC's facility down the street from the Big Tent, it will be interesting to compare mainstream versus alternative journalism's location facilities.
*MethodShop.com is powered by Blogger.
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Yahoo Introduces New iPhone Optimized Search Tools
Earlier this week, Yahoo introduced a useful mobile search site optimized for the iPhone. The new mobile site comes with some goodies, too: SearchAssist, to auto-complete inquiries; compatibility with Yahoo's SearchMonkey widgetized results (if you're logged in), and search shortcuts like weather, movie times, and local information.
You can check out the site here: http://search.yahoo.com/i
methodshop
You can check out the site here: http://search.yahoo.com/i
methodshop
8/20/2008
CinemaNow Adds Mac Support
CinemaNow, one of the oldest movie and TV show download sites, has inked a deal that will make its movie and TV show downloads playable on both PCs and Macs.
CinemaNow will now utilize Widevine Technologies' multi-format DRM solution to make their download-to-own movies viewable on Windows, Mac and Linux machines. Pay-per-view titles will also be streamable using Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox or Opera browsers.
CinemaNow's decision to go cross-platform could help the company wrestle market share away from Apple iTunes, which dominates the paid digital video business. Up to now, iTunes has been the only download service to sell major studio movie downloads playable on Apple computers and PCs.
methodshop
CinemaNow will now utilize Widevine Technologies' multi-format DRM solution to make their download-to-own movies viewable on Windows, Mac and Linux machines. Pay-per-view titles will also be streamable using Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox or Opera browsers.
CinemaNow's decision to go cross-platform could help the company wrestle market share away from Apple iTunes, which dominates the paid digital video business. Up to now, iTunes has been the only download service to sell major studio movie downloads playable on Apple computers and PCs.
methodshop
8/18/2008
Meredith Vieira Doesn't Own an iPod
For the past couple weeks, NBC has been “tweeting” Olympic related messages via Twitter for NBC's morning news program the Today Show (twitter.com/todayshow).Everyday the Today Show "tweets" about everything from the weather in Beijing, to behind the scenes tidbits and how NBC’s employees are spending their days in China. But this morning we learned something new about co-host Meredith Vieira. You might want to sit down or brace yourself.... she doesn't own an iPod (gasp!).
Why is her admission so weird to me? I can't tell if it's the fact that she doesn't own an iPod or that she felt the need to confess it.
methodshop
Labels: social networking, tech news
8/15/2008
Barack Obama Takes Top Spot on Twitter
While John McCain is still learning how to use email (we're not kidding), his U.S. Presidential competition has completely mastered the micro-blogging service Twitter.This month, American presidential candidate Barack Obama dethroned Kevin Rose from Digg.com and became the most popular person on Twitter. According to Twitterholic, a website that measures the "followers" of Twitter accounts, Barack Obama has over 58,000 followers.
Obama's closest Twitter competitor is still Kevin Rose with 56k followers. Robert Scoble, CNN Breaking News and Leo Laporte help round out the top 10.
Someone not in the Twitterholic top 10... John McCain. In fact McCain isn't even in the top 100. The only serious McCain Twitter account we found has a little over 1,000 followers. A truly pitiful showing for someone who is running for president of the United States.
Here's a 101 primer on Twitter and tips on how to explain it. If someone who personally knows John McCain is reading this, please print the article out for him (because you can't email it to him yet).
And if you are feeling wild, you can follow @methodshop on Twitter here.
methodshop
Labels: social networking, tech news
8/08/2008
Olympic Athletes Combat Beijing Smog with Red Contact Lenses
Smog is becoming a major headache for the Chinese. Pollution around the Olympic stadium in Beijing is 5 times worse than levels deemed safe by the World Health Organization. And Chinese officials admit they can no longer guarantee that the air quality will match international standards for the 2008 Olympic Games.
As you can imagine, the smog has a lot of athletes seeing red. Besides causing breathing problems, Beijing's smog also causes another issue for athletes... vision.
Visibility has been so bad in Beijing that Great Britain's women's hockey team is training with special red contact lenses. The performance-enhancing contact lenses assist with visibility in smog filled conditions. Several companies make these special red lenses, but Nike's Maxsight is probably the most popular.
But looking like Darth Maul from Star Wars is a small price to pay for clear vision, especially during Olympic competition.
The Chinese government is doing all they can to reduce smog during the Olympics including closing factories, banning cars and seeding clouds to create rain. But all these efforts may not be enough. From what we hear, Beijing air quality is still the pits.
methodshop
As you can imagine, the smog has a lot of athletes seeing red. Besides causing breathing problems, Beijing's smog also causes another issue for athletes... vision.Visibility has been so bad in Beijing that Great Britain's women's hockey team is training with special red contact lenses. The performance-enhancing contact lenses assist with visibility in smog filled conditions. Several companies make these special red lenses, but Nike's Maxsight is probably the most popular.
But looking like Darth Maul from Star Wars is a small price to pay for clear vision, especially during Olympic competition.
The Chinese government is doing all they can to reduce smog during the Olympics including closing factories, banning cars and seeding clouds to create rain. But all these efforts may not be enough. From what we hear, Beijing air quality is still the pits.
methodshop
8/04/2008
Vista Can't Win
Microsoft's Vista operating system is just a public relations dog. Users don't want it. Large companies don't want to support it. And reviewers panned it.
Microsoft is desperately trying to repair Vista's reputation. Last week Microsoft posted videos at MojaveExperiment.com of a test involving about 140 randomly chosen computer users who had low opinions of Vista. These users had no experience with it, so they were shown what was said to be the company's new operating system, called "Mojave."
In nearly all the cases, they liked what they saw.
So what does this mean? Is Vista a decent operating system after all? Perhaps, but Microsoft unfortunately released Vista around the same time as Apple's Leopard operating system. Reviewers couldn't help themselves from comparing the two systems and Microsoft quickly took the 2nd place position.
The next Microsoft operating system is still years away. Will users eventually switch over to Vista or jump ship and buy a Mac?
methodshop
Microsoft is desperately trying to repair Vista's reputation. Last week Microsoft posted videos at MojaveExperiment.com of a test involving about 140 randomly chosen computer users who had low opinions of Vista. These users had no experience with it, so they were shown what was said to be the company's new operating system, called "Mojave."
In nearly all the cases, they liked what they saw.
So what does this mean? Is Vista a decent operating system after all? Perhaps, but Microsoft unfortunately released Vista around the same time as Apple's Leopard operating system. Reviewers couldn't help themselves from comparing the two systems and Microsoft quickly took the 2nd place position.
The next Microsoft operating system is still years away. Will users eventually switch over to Vista or jump ship and buy a Mac?
methodshop
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