Blackberry News: The Blackberry PlayBook

At Research in Motions Development Event, RIM announced their new tablet and iPad competitor, Playbook. This full 1080p out device is scheduled to be released in early 2011. The new device is thinner than an iPad, has both a back facing and a front facing HD camera, offers flash, java, html 5 with a dual core processor and 1 GB of ram.

RIM has recently been in the news as Blackberry Bans were being discussed in Saudia Arabia and Dubai since the RIM network is encrypted.

Rim Stock - Over the Past Month [Google Finance]

When looking at the RIM stock over the past month, two things are clear. In the month of September 2010 the Rim stock reached a 1 year low. But as news of the devices launch has surfaced, the RIM stock  has been improving after its Playbook release.

Specs From Gizmodo:
— 7" LCD, 1024 x 600, WSVGA, capacitive touch screen with full multi-touch and gesture support
— BlackBerry Tablet OS with support for symmetric multiprocessing
— 1 GHz dual-core processor
— 1 GB RAM

— Dual HD cameras (3 MP front facing, 5 MP rear facing), supports 1080p HD video recording
— Video playback: 1080p HD Video, H.264, MPEG, DivX, WMV
— Audio playback: MP3, AAC, WMA
— HDMI video output
— Wi-Fi - 802.11 a/b/g/n
— Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
— Connectors: microHDMI, microUSB, charging contacts
— Open, flexible application platform with support for WebKit/HTML-5, Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Adobe Mobile AIR, Adobe Reader, POSIX, OpenGL,Java
— Ultra thin and portable:
— Measures 5.1"x7.6"x0.4" (130mm x 193mm x 10mm)
— Weighs less than a pound (approximately 0.9 lb or 400g)
— Additional features and specifications of the BlackBerry PlayBook will be shared on or before the date this product is launched in retail outlets.
— RIM intends to also offer 3G and 4G models in the future.

The Blackberry Playbook also an open product, as the Blackberry Tablet OS is completely Open Source, allowing companies like Netflix and other major app companies to create software for the tablet.

Sources: [Business Insider] [Gizmodo] [Blackberry - North America] [Google - Finance]

Your Home Outlets Do More Than You Think

HomePlug - is a company that specializes in connecting every piece of media equipment in your house and integrating them together via your existing electrical outlets. WHHHAATTTT???

This means that there is no need for usb cables, hdmi cables, firewire, or any other connecting cord, as everything is connected through your home's outlets. This means that by simply plugging your computer into a power socket in your wall you can immediately have internet access, access files on from different rooms, so on and so forth.

I think everyone can appreciate how amazing a working product like that is. I have a few questions though. As a New Yorker who lives in an apartment building, what if my electrical system is not as contained as a person who owns there whole house. What I mean by this is if I use the HomePlug internet outlet adapter, will i be giving my next door neighbors free internet as well, and possibly access to all my files?

Safety Plug

This plug design concept, originally by Luofang Jun wraps wraps rubber around the electrical plug to protect you from a possible shock. This design would currently not be legal in the US as there are laws forbidding anything from touching the metal legs of electrical cords. Still an amazing concept though.

Sources: [PC World] [HomePlug] [Crunch Gear]

Warpia: Wirelessly Stream your Comp on your TV

The Warpia allows you to wirelessly steam your computer/laptop on to a large HD TV for the low cost of $170. So far the product is only available for PC, but should be coming out for Mac in the near future.



Sources: [New York Times] Publish Post

Google TV vs. Apple's New iTV

Four years ago I asked the best web and graphics designer I know to help create a box that only had three external plugs [a power outlet, an ethernet cord, and VGA/DVI out port]. This box, once plugged in, would allow people to access the many movies stored on the Wesleyan University movie hub, as well as some of my personal collection. At the time, while only a freshman in college, I had nor the capital or resources to invest in such a project. Nor were there any legal digital movie files or streaming files that I could use that would not break copyright protection laws.

With the success of Netflix, Google offering pay-per-view movies via YouTube this fall, and the failure of Apple TV have all made the net top box game very interesting. Now most new flatscreen TV's come with ethernet ports for instant access to photos, YouTube, Netflix, Facebook, and many other online items, these TV's do not allow you to play your personal movies [itunes movies, wma, m4a, avi, or mkv].


Google TV

Google TV seems to be a more advanced version of TiVo with close web integration allowing you to record tv programs, watch our favorite tv shows off broadcasting company websites, as well as eventually the option to order clothing, books, and every other item in your favorite tv show right from your screen.

The box also includes integration with MLB.com, NBA.com, and other major sports networks giving you full sports package access and up to date scores.


Apple  -  iTV

Most of the interface and software features of iTV have remained hidden from the public, though iTV is expected to launch this September, 2010. The product will not support 1080p movies, will have a price tag of around $99, and it will not have an internal hard drive.

This device will feature TV based apps that have close integration with iPhones and iPads. So I am assuming if you download the Slingbox app you would be able to watch tv on your iTV. The loss of 1080p and and lack of TiVo like integration makes this item seem like another Apple TV failure, but we will see in the middle of this month.

If you like Apple's interface I would recommend buying a new MacMini [$699+] and downloading the free program called Plex. This will allow you to download most of the NBA.com and MLB.com programs Google TV offers, while allowing you to play any movie file you want with your mac remote [including 1080p mkv files]. The price is 7 times greater, but the iTV seems at first glance like a waste of money. We'll see in a few months.


Source: [Silicon Alley Insider] [Engadget]

The New Crestron iPad

A HOME ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM MUST

If there is one reason to buy an iPad, it is to make it a part of your home entertainment system. 

Sources: [Gizmodo]

Play HD Video Games on your iMac

Kenex XD

Finally, play HD Video Games or hook up your blu-ray player to your iMac. Why did it take so many years to come out with this product. The worst part is, it cost $150 and it doesn't come out until April 2010.

Sources: [Engadget] [Kanex]

Connect Everything to Everything: HSTi Wireless Media Stick

This usb media sick allows you to connect anything with a usb port to another usb port device, such as controlling a digital picture frame from your computer, or accessing your movies on you computer from your Xbox 360 or PS3. The media stick also includes smooth 720p media streaming and is available Jan. 15th for $119.99.

Once the software is installed on your computer, you can plug the usb stick into anything on the same Wifi router, allowing you instant access to everything in your house.