...more recent posts
Verizon set to broadcast TV shows to phones
CES 2007: Netgear and BitTorrent team up on high-definition content delivery -- IP-based media reciever. Competition to Akimbo?
CES 2007: 200 GB Blu-ray discs, 16.5 GB Mini discs in the works
Lessig: Dems to the Net: Go to hell
youtvpc
YouTube takes videos to mobile phones
An alternate view on cameras in phones ...
Lights, cell-phone camera, action
COLLEGE, CELLULAR FIRM PARTNER IN FILM PROJECT
Sometimes, what you really want is a just a fucking phone
My old mobile phone is starting to have problems with the power connector, after 3+ years of hard use. I can't replace it with the same model, because it lacks e911, a mandatory feature for my carrier, Verizon. Besides, I want to get bluetooth so I can do hands free without screwing around with wires while I'm driving.
So here's my wish list ...
required
- tri-mode: AMPS, CDMA 1900/800 (I need AMPS, the old analog service, so I can use the phone off the beaten track.)
- NO camera (Some companies don't allow cameras in their buildings. Connectivity is, by definition, sucky if the phone is stuck at a receptionist's desk. Besides, I have a bunch of cameras already. Further, Verizon requires the use of "picture messaging". WTF? Most decent phones have USB. Why would I want to pay extra to send the picture to myself over their network?)
- blue tooth and voice commands (So I can comply with the new "hands free" law when driving. It's a good idea anyway on windy mountain roads.)
nice to have
- 1xRTT or EV-DO modem capability
- GSM would be sweet, but I'm not travelling to Europe much these days, so it doesn't come up much. (It's not a feature of any phone that Verizon supports. And most GSM phones don't do AMPS, so it's an impass.)
- PDA functionality with POP3 & sync to MS Outlook calendar
The two high-end phone without a camera are Blackberrys, but no AMPS. The two low-end phones without a camera lack bluetooth.
So, I may settle for an LG VX5300 with a blob of opaque epoxy on the lens of the camera that I really don't need and don't want. It does have data capabilites, but weak ones. I've already got an EV-DO card for my lap top, so I can live with that.
NEC dual-mode chip can power both Blu-ray, HD DVD at no extra cost
Microsoft Zune's As Good As Dead On Arrival
Fluffy article about Cisco's streaming video play
HD settop box issues with IPTV, including some Broadcom v. MSTV sniping.
Sirius adds wifi and MP3 capabilities
Motorola Makes Video Buy
The Schaumburg, Ill., wireless titan said Monday it acquired Vertasent, a closely held video-application developer, for an undisclosed price.
The Colmar, Pa., tech shop designs software to support advanced digital services like video on demand and video over the Net.
Martin Geddes over at Telepocalypse has some interesting thoughts about how media delivery systems will evolve.
Do what you do best
DirecTV-Liberty Media Deal Still Many Weeks Away
LOS ANGELES, CA, Sept. 19, 2006/Satnews Daily/ — A proposed deal involving Rupert Murdoch’s sale of New Corp’s 38 percent stake in DirecTV to Liberty Media, which is controlled by fellow billionaire media mogul John Malone is still weeks and weeks away, according to an executive familiar with the talks.
Incompatibility dogs mobile TV
Interoperability a concern as the first rollouts test waters
YouTube inks deal with Warner
Microsoft enters online video fray
SOAPBOX SERVICE HAS CATCHING UP TO DO WITH SITES LIKE YOUTUBE
Sacre bleu, MS is supporting Apple's OS, Firefox and Adobe Flash.
AOL to offer video on Intel's Viiv PCs
Intel and AOL announced an alliance Monday in which AOL will make thousands of hours of video programming available on Intel's Viiv-branded home computers.
The AOL Video For Intel Viiv service will allow consumers to download movies, TV shows and other programs to their computers and watch them on the computer or TV set. The videos include recent DVD movie releases, 45 channels of on-demand video programs, and AOL's video search index that helps consumers find videos.
Much of the content will be free. Other features include 250 radio stations and AOL's online digital pictures service.
RealNetworks, SanDisk to take on iPod
New music pair-ups: SanDisk and RealNetworks; YouTube and Warner Music
Microsoft's Zune Won't Play Protected Windows Media
In yesterday's announcement of the new Zune media player and Zune Marketplace, Microsoft (and many press reports) glossed over a remarkable misfeature that should demonstrate once and for all how DRM and the DMCA harm legitimate customers.