Author: Jeff Morgan (Page 150 of 168)

      Scosche tapSTICK Gives The New Shuffle Some Buttons

      June 7, 2009 /

      Scosche tapSTICK.When I first saw Apple’s new iPod Shuffle, I knew it would just be a matter of time before someone found a way to put actual buttons on the device. Scosche has done just that with their new tapSTICK.

      The tapSTICK doubles as a case for the 3rd generation shuffle, adding protection and a few buttons to make control more…well…natural. Apple’s new VoiceOver control strikes me as less slick and more stupid, particularly on a device targeted at an active population. The last thing I want while I’m cycling is to listen to a computerized voice read track names, and then fiddle with a single press control dongle.

      The tapSTICK runs a beefy $39.99 (available for preorder), a solid 50% upcharge on the price of the shuffle itself. At least you’ll have buttons, right?

      Uncategorized

      Nintendo Rejected New Technologies From Microsoft And Sony

      June 6, 2009 /

      Satoru Iwata.According to a Financial Times report this week, Nintendo toyed with technologies similar to Project Natal and the Sony wand announced at E3 and rejected them, citing better results from Nintendo’s own accelerometers. Nintendo apparently made experimental games using hardware rigs that were similar to those from Sony and Microsoft.

      Financial Times says this is Nintendo’s way of throwing the gauntlet at the feet of it’s two competitors. I say it’s more like a schoolyard insult from a company that sees its highly successful strategy adapted to fit the more hardcore consoles. Nintendo has sold some 50 million units worldwide, compared to 30 million 360s and just 23 million PS3s. As Nintendo president, Satoru Iwata, says, “Companies whose people said that motion-sensing wouldn’t work are now proposing motion sensors.” Will they be able to top the Wii?

      Despite what FT says, Mr. Iwata seems nervous, and a little confused “Until they say when they’re releasing it, how much it costs and what software it comes with, we won’t know whether that is the route we should have taken.” So Nintendo rejected the technologies because the Wii had a better solution, but it’s still potentially a route Nintendo should have taken? Sounds like Nintendo dumped a hot girl, found out about her incredible new boyfriend and stands waiting for the wedding vows to make an objection.

      Source: Financial Times

      Gaming, microsoft

      It’s Palm Pre Launch Day!

      June 6, 2009 /

      Palm Pre Exploded.Happy Palm Pre launch day – no seriously, I know I’ve been a little bit harsh on the phone, and critical of Palm’s strategy going forward here, but everyone should be happy when they get a sweet new gadget. And early impressions do suggest the phone is sweet.

      So for you early adopters, palm enthusiasts, technoporn addicts, what have you, Rapid Repair’s got the first look inside your new Pre. From the looks of things, taking apart the Pre is not for the faint of heart, so I hope you have steady hands. With a little persistence, though, you can get down to the pretty internals.

      According to the guys at RR, the Pre’s components come in just over $170 – pretty shocking when you consider the out-of-contract prices we’ve seen. Could this mean early price cuts when Verizon and AT&T pick up the phone early next year? Component costs can only go down, right?

      For now, a contracted $200 seems much more in line, since you are paying to be on the cutting edge, and those designers and former Apple engineers deserve a decent meal from time to time.

      Mobile

      Microsoft Confirms Xbox 360’s 10-Year Life Cycle

      June 5, 2009 /

      I’ve had a hunch, ever since Sony announced the 10-year life cycle for the PS3, that the Xbox 360 would take the same route. After all, who wants to launch a console months or years in front of a competitor, giving them plenty of time to get their hands on your stuff and gain some serious advantage.

      While talking to Venturebeat, Microsoft VP in charge of strategy and business for interactive entertainment, Shane Kim, has confirmed the 10-year plan as official policy. This is no surprise whatsoever coming on the heels of the Project Natal announcement, but it’s nice to hear you won’t have to give up on the big investment you’ve likely already made into your console.

      Kim also took to the interview like a victor in battle, claiming Microsoft “won” E3 with their keynote address. “We had a lot of content for a normal E3 briefing. But Project Natal doesn’t come along every year, and it is very difficult to match,” Kim said. True, and with Sony’s new wand device, Microsoft is sitting just where Nintendo was before E3, the the pioneer trying to get more people playing games, instead of getting gamers to play more games.

      Kim said Natal is a mid-cycle release for the 360, so we’ll have at least another 5 years to see how Sony and Nintendo plan to answer.

      Source: Venturebeat

      Gaming, microsoft

      What Does Walt Mossberg Know?

      June 5, 2009 /

      Walt.Probably a lot more than you or I, to be frank. Mossberg, famed author of the weekly WSJ column Personal Technology, has recently put together a review of the Palm Pre, shedding some of his tech angel dust on what could be a lackluster launch.

      Mossberg seems to truly like the Pre, like most of the of the other reviews we’ve seen. And why not? The phone is solid, if a bit small, and the OS is robust. Give developers a few months and the Pre could become a very handy device, if it can sell enough units to remain afloat. But there is some thinly veiled (sometimes just plain direct) iPhone news within Mossberg’s review.

      “Unfortunately for Palm, Apple has both a new iPhone operating system and new iPhone hardware coming, likely available within a month, that could obviate [copy and paste, MMS, universal search],” writes Mossberg. I hate to say this man’s word is law, but if there’s anyone mainlining tech news, it’s Walt. Mossberg has historically let little things like release dates slip, always without enough specificity to say he’s violated his press embargoes. If Walt’s right, Monday could bring the announcement we’ve all been waiting for, with hands-on access to the next-gen iPhone in just a few weeks.

      Apple, iPhone, Mobile, News

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