Roku Set-Top Box adds Amazon Video-on-Demand

Amazon today announced that it will offer customers the ability to instantly purchase, rent and watch digital movies and TV episodes from its popular video service, Amazon Video On Demand, via the Roku Digital Video Player. Beginning in early 2009, the Roku Player, which currently supports only the Netflix service, will offer access to Amazon Video On Demand’s more than 40,000 commercial-free movies and television shows, enabling Roku customers for the first time to watch new release movie titles instantly.

With an easy-to-use interface that customers can enjoy from their couch, Amazon Video On Demand and the Roku Player will enable customers to:

• Access and add to their virtual library of purchases via Amazon Video On Demand’s Your Video Library, and re-watch them anytime on the Roku Player or online with a PC, MAC or other compatible device.
• Watch new release movies the same day that they are released on DVD. Hit titles such as "The Dark Knight," "Hancock," "Pineapple Express," "Tropic Thunder" and hundreds more that are not currently available on the Roku Player.
• Enjoy instant playback, no downloading, no waiting and no subscription fee.
• Browse Amazon.com’s huge selection of over 40,000 movies and TV shows for rent or purchase.
• Enjoy Amazon Video On Demand’s high-quality video through its use of the advanced h.264 codec and an automatic bandwidth detection feature that seamlessly plays back the best quality file at either 300, 600, 900 or 1200 kbps.
• Easily setup their Roku Player using its built-in Wi-Fi connection and begin watching videos within minutes.
• Connect their Roku Player to any television set using HDMI, Component Video, Composite Video, S-Video, Stereo Audio or Optical Audio connections.

"With the subscription-free $99 Roku Player that connects to any TV, customers can now choose and watch their favorite new-release movie instantly and access all of their titles from their video library," said Roy Price, director Amazon Video On Demand. "Amazon Video On Demand’s large selection makes the Roku Player the perfect choice for hassle-free on demand movie and TV entertainment."

"We are excited to add Amazon’s massive catalog to our player including new-releases and top movie and TV titles," said Anthony Wood, Roku CEO and Founder. "This makes the Roku Player the ideal player for watching internet content directly on the TV."

NR-10i earphones to enhance the iPhone experience

The hands-free iPhone experience is taken to the next level thanks to Hearing Components’ new Comply(TM) NR-10i High Tech Noise Reduction Earphones.
Designed with iPhone users in mind, the Comply(TM) NR-10i earphones utilize the same patented technology used by U.S. Army helicopter crews and Special Forces to offer amazing noise reduction, superior comfort and secure in-ear fit, providing clear conversations and music experiences in noisy environments.

The Comply(TM) Foam Tips included with the earphones provide superior noise reduction in both communications and music-listening situations. Made of high-tech, viscoelastic polyurethane foam, the tips conform to the individual shape of each ear canal, expanding to comfortably stay in place. The foam creates passive noise reduction by sending sound directly into the ear canal while sealing out unwanted noise. The Comply(TM) NR-10i earphones also have an integrated microphone/function switch on the earphone cord, which allows users to answer and end calls, and change songs with the touch of a button.

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iPhone Users can access to International Media sources

NuageProduction today released four applications for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch that help users customize access to thousands of international media sources.

The NuageProduction solutions enable users to personalize content index from ever-expanding directories of TV networks, radio stations, print media, RSS feeds, and Web pages. The applications work on 3G, Edge and Wi-Fi networks, and in Airplane Mode with unique streaming and downloading options. Video access requires a Wi-Fi connection.

Three of the four applications — NuagePapers, NuageTV and NuageRadio — are free on the Apple App store.  A fourth application — NuagePlayer — combines the other three applications, includes added features, and is available for $3.99. More after the jump!

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HDTV With Netflix Built-in

This spring, LG and Netflix will release the first HDTV set that will have the rental movie streaming Netflix built-in.  Until now, this capability requires an additional hardware such the Xbox360, the $99 Roku set top box. We should hear more about this TV set at the next Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

While I agree with LG Electronics USA President Teddy Hwang in his statement "Embedding the Netflix streaming software in the television is a natural progression of our partnership with Netflix and our innovative product line.", I am, however concerned about the proprietary aspect of this solution. In general, consumer would keep their TV set for 5 years or more and being tied-up with the same rental service for that length of time might not be realistic. But in another hand, the increase in price for such solution should not be that big (most likely Netflix would pay the implementation cost to LG) and user can always use the same TV set without this feature turned on, should they decide to go with other services.

[Via ArsTechnica]

Got Ideas on Mobile Products, Google wants to hear them

Google announced the release of Product Ideas Page to solicit user ideas for Mobile products as well as to provide the voting capability to other ideas.

“While we do read your comments on the mobile blog and help forum, we’re happy to announce our new Product Ideas page that will give you a more collaborative way to get your product ideas heard not only by us, but by others as well. The new page, built on Google Moderator, allows you to submit ideas that others can view and rate so you can see what other Google mobile users think about it, too. This way some ideas will be voted up and others will be voted down.”     [Product Ideas page via Google Mobile Blog]

Pocket Player 4.0 for Windows Mobile Released

Conduits announced today the release of Pocket Player 4.0 for Windows Mobile 6 Pro and Standard. Pocket Player aims to satisfy consumers who demand more from a dynamic media player on a mobile device, and recently won Best Audio at the 2008 Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine Best Software Awards

Pocket Player 4.0 introduces AAC and M4A playback and podcast subscriptions, as
well as enhanced MP3 support and other improvements. Pocket Player 4.0 is fully
compatible with all Windows Mobile 6.1, Windows Mobile 6, and Windows Mobile 5.0
devices.

Highlights after the jump!

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Wirelessly Transfers PC Content to TVs, Monitors and Projectors with USB

Wisair Extends Wireless USB Offerings With New Display Adapter Set Solution That Product, based on WSR601 single chip, to be available through Cables Unlimited in the U.S., will be demonstrated at CES 
Wisair, the provider of single-chip based Wireless USB solutions, today announced the availability of a Wireless USB Display Adapter Set solution that wirelessly transfers PC content to TVs, monitors and projectors. Featuring Wisair’s WSR601 Wireless USB single chip, the adapter set allows users to wirelessly extend their visual workspace from a PC to a large screen or projector for the purpose of displaying movies, Internet content, pictures and presentations. The Wireless Display Adapter Set will be available this quarter by Cables Unlimited in the U.S., and through European retailers.

The Wireless USB Display Adapter Set is delivered with a pre-paired PC adapter to provide a complete, easy-to-install product.  The Display Adapter Set features VGA and HDMI connectivity options, capable of transferring HD movies, supports up to 1400×1050 screen resolution, and is a fully-standard USB-IF certified solution. The set is expected to be available in the US at an MSRP of $129USD.

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Steve, We Wish You a Speedy Recovery!

Letter from Steve Jobs:

Dear Apple Community,

For the first time in a decade, I’m getting to spend the holiday season with my family, rather than intensely preparing for a Macworld keynote.

Unfortunately, my decision to have Phil deliver the Macworld keynote set off another flurry of rumors about my health, with some even publishing stories of me on my deathbed.

I’ve decided to share something very personal with the Apple community so that we can all relax and enjoy the show tomorrow.

As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors. A few weeks ago, I decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed to become my #1 priority.

Fortunately, after further testing, my doctors think they have found the cause — a hormone imbalance that has been "robbing" me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis.

The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I’ve already begun treatment. But, just like I didn’t lose this much weight and body mass in a week or a month, my doctors expect it will take me until late this Spring to regain it. I will continue as Apple’s CEO during my recovery.

I have given more than my all to Apple for the past 11 years now. I will be the first one to step up and tell our Board of Directors if I can no longer continue to fulfill my duties as Apple’s CEO. I hope the Apple community will support me in my recovery and know that I will always put what is best for Apple first.

So now I’ve said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this.

Steve

Eye-Fi Goes Beyond the Digital Camera With a New iPhone Application

 Eye-Fi, the maker of the world’s first wireless memory card for digital cameras, today announced it is developing a new iPhone application that will allow Eye-Fi card owners to send photos taken on an iPhone directly to their computer and the Web. The application will be previewed at Macworld in San Francisco, January 6-9, in booth #3315 in the North Hall.

The new application will let users aggregate all of their photos — from both an iPhone and a digital camera — into organized folders on a computer and to one of 25 online photo sharing and social networking Web sites.  iPhone users who own an Eye-Fi card can download the free application from Apple’s App Store upon release.

"Whether you’re snapping pictures on-the-go with an iPhone or capturing life’s important moments with a digital camera, Eye-Fi will offer one easy way to manage and share all your photos — without docking a gadget or fussing with software," said Jef Holove, CEO for Eye-Fi.  "We are solving another real-world frustration for anyone who takes photos with both devices."

Using the Eye-Fi application, users can select which iPhone photos to upload and where to share them.  As with the Eye-Fi Explore card, photos taken on an iPhone can be automatically tagged with information about where the picture was taken. Users can then view geotagged photos on a digital map and organize photos by location.

To receive an email alert when the application is available from the App Store, please visit http://www.eye.fi/macworld, where visitors can also view a demonstration of the application in action.

The Sub-$1000 Wonder: Lenovo IdeaCenter A600

Granted in 2009, you will be roaming around with the cool cheap netbook but when you go back home, you might need a more serious computer but still keep your coolness at affordable budget. Lenovo has what you need next Spring.

The all-in-one IdeaCentre A600 will be your new obsession (well unless you opt for whatever Apple comes up next week!). The IdeaCenter sports a 21.5” HD widescreen panel. 4GB of RAM, Intel Core 2 Duo, ATI Radeon graphic card, Blu-ray player, an ATSC/HDTV tuner and 1TB storage. All that will fit in just 27 mm thick frame.

The unit comes with a sleek looking set of wireless keyboard, mouse and a remote control dubbed as VoIP phone, Game controller and for your multi-media remote control. The A600’s webcam can also be used as a biometric login device with the included VeriFace security software.

.[Source Lenovo Via Engadget]

Get the “Bold” Look on your Windows Mobile

It is easier than you think to change the look of your landscape screen Windows Mobile Smartphone to the Blackberry Bold.

Just get the rlToday plug-in and get this beautiful skin made by Hotboxx for it.

Top row icons:
Camera-Calculator-File explorer-GPS-Mediaplayer

Bottom row icons:
Messaging-Contacts-Phone-Calendar-Bluetooth switch

Make Magazine on Public TV

The famous DIY magazine just launched half-hour episode on public television (broadcast / cable tv).

Each episode can be viewed or downloaded DRM-free, in HD on makezine.tv - the show is also available on Vimeo, YouTube, blip.tv and iTunes .

Here are all 4 parts of the premiere, in HD, on YouTube!

• Maker Profile - Bicycle Rodeo (YouTube HD).
• Maker Workshop VCR Cat Feeder (YouTube HD).
• Maker to Maker - Nibbler (YouTube HD).
• Maker Channel 101 Screambody, Laser Harp, Cupcake Carts, TV-B-Gone (YouTube HD).

Microfi Nitrogen: A speedy Finger Friendly MP3 Player for Windows Mobile

If you decide to give up the album art display to a fast, responsive player and finger friendly interface (try to rotate. the cool ring to browse the files!) Nitrogen is the player for you.

Microfi Nitrogen is a native free Windows Mobile application  that allows you to play only MP3 files stored on your Windows Mobile device (QVGA, VGA, WM5,WM6). It features a file browser, full skin support, "Shuffle" and "Repeat" modes, a built-in sleep mode and a command to blank screen to prevent energy waste while playing music.

Nitrogen uses the MAD decoder, which is opensource. Nitrogen uses the libraries from an opensource player (GSPlayer).

Nitrogen was build due to the lack of finger-friendly players for Windows Mobile device you have to use stylus even for simple tasks). It features large buttons and you can browse among your playlist by drawing circles on the screen (tapping in the appropriate space). In future releases the program will be expected to have an equalizer and other extensions support, but such things are still being tested to ensure stability and efficiency.

You have to install the Cab file in memory and it does not play .asx playlist.

Download HERE!        [Via msmobiles]

Your New Year Resolution #10: Learning a Foreign Language with Podcast!

Get a yearly subscription to your local gym is…too 2008.

How about learning a foreign language for change?…It is easy than you think. Especially with the Podcast era….Just visit OpenCulture’s Foreign Languages page to get all the Podcast lessons. The list provided will probably keep you busy for a good long while…And I forgot to mention it is free!

Of course if learning a foreign language is not exciting enough for you. Just get these free Guitar lessons Podcast we posted before!

Tip: New Year Resolution #9: Four Laws of Simplicity

Most geeks (including myself) share the common characteristics such the love of new gadgets (the more the merrier!). Unfortunately, gadgets don’t come alone but with its own chargers, cords, documentation, boxes, etc..

When our workspace becomes overwhelmingly cluttered. Where the procrastination kicks in and you know the rest..Your well Fen-Shui

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