Thursday, May 22, 2008

Show #82



[Download Show #82 as MP3]

Tech Headlines [Koby] (Computers, Cameras, Cell Phones, Big News)
  • Comcast Buys Plaxo
    • After several various acquisition rumors, Plaxo has entered into an agreement to be purchased by Comcast.
    • What is Plaxo?
      • Contact/Calendar management
      • Sync your contacts/calendars across computers
      • Backup your Contacts/Calendar
      • Sort, edit, and remove duplicate contacts
      • Windows Mobile device sync tool
      • Newly done "Life Streaming" tool call Pulse
    • Potential issues involve that fact that Plaxo has a really bad reputation that stems from it's days as a source of spam
    • Also the issue that a lot of personal data is stored by Plaxo users on Plaxo (as well as their friends, family, and business contacts info) will Comcast farm this data? Will comcast do something with it or just leave it be.
    • Several people on the internet are looking to close their Plaxo accounts due to this purchase
  • Microsoft/Yahoo Back at the Table (Stock Price Comparison)
    • Yep, that's right, the fat lady has indeed NOT sung a single note yet
    • Microsoft and Yahoo are back at the negotiation table for a partnership, not an acquisition
    • Current rumors have Microsoft purchasing Yahoo's search engine for implementation into Live Search
    • There are also rumors that Micr osoft will also buy Facebook do something with both companies to in essence, take over the internet.
    • Check out this article from Robert Scoble on Microsoft/Yahoo/Facebook (Why Microsoft Will Buy Facebook and Keep it Closed)
      • The basics of this talk about Facebook & Google and the lack of Facebook indexed results in Google searches
      • If Microsoft buys Yahoo's search and Facebook, then Microsoft/Yahoo's search has tons of relevancy because it can get to pages Google can't
      • excerpt: "Relevancy on Yahoo search will go through the roof when it has access to Facebook data and Google doesn’t. People will see that Yahoo has people search and Google doesn’t. That’ll turn the tide in advertising, and all that."
Tech Picks [Derek] (Software, Hardware, Websites, Reviews)
  • Google Docs - Improved presentation support
  • Google Calendar Sync
  • HelloTxt
  • Twistory.net
    • Shows your Twitter activity in a historical fashion
    • Allows you to sync up you or someone else's Twitter with Google Calendar, or any webcal compatible calendar, iCalendar
    • Check out my page @ Twistory
  • Netflix Roku
    • We have one on the way
    • Once activated, the Netflix Player can be used in any of the 50 United States.
    • Remembers where you stopped the movie or TV episode and will pick up at that point the next time you begin watching it.
    • You can also choose to re-start from the beginning by choosing “Play from Beginning” on the player, or by rewinding.
    • Video quality depends on your Internet connection speed: The faster your connection, the better the quality. Slower connections are comparable to watching a VHS tape, while faster connections can provide DVD-quality playback.
    • The Netflix Player by Roku is HD-ready. Netflix is working to make movies and TV episodes available in HD. When they are ready, your Netflix Player by Roku will also be ready.
  • YouTomb
  • iPhone 2.0 (June 9)
    • America, Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey, Italy, India, Austria, Philippines, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Canada, Singapore, Belgium, Jordan, Romania, Switzerland and Slovakia.
    • 3G Support!
    • To be announced by Steve Jobs at Apple's (WWDC) World Wide Developers Conference on June 9th
    • Gizmodo Article
Gamer's Corner [Steven] (Conferences, New Developments, Game Reviews)
  • Tactical Assassin 2
    • Free Browser Game
    • You are a sniper operative taking out roaming stick men
    • Great graphics, Fun and addicting
    • Don't leave or you will lose all your bought items
    • Codes do allow you to come back with preset equipment and levels
  • Modded Full Spectrum Warrior to treat PTSD
    • Virtual reality goggles, earphones and a scent-producing machine
    • Plans of controlled, prolonged contact to lessen the effects of Post-Traumatic Syndrome
  • XNA Games go 'LIVE' on Xbox for Indie Devs
    • Opened the doors for indie gamers and community content game downloads on Xbox Live
    • Only developers with "Premium" accounts can download the community packages currently
    • top-voted Community games will be available to John Q. Public
  • Guitar Hero IV to add mic, drums, and regular DLC
    • Guitar Hero: Aerosmith already in the pipeline (June)

No comments:

Post a Comment