Please excuse me for Monday’s unexpected postponement of the Superheroine Battle Royale! There was a wardrobe malfunction – busted seams and everything. Not pretty. Actually, it was really pretty, but moving on … :-P
The match-up was epic, but as you can already tell – we’ve crowned us a winner!
Miss Quinn, Miss Quinn, do you have any comment for your fans?
‘Hehehe Never go against me or my baby, Mista Jay. That gun-toting walking bra needed a lesson that powerful things come in little packages – just like me and my explosives! Kablooie!’
… is what she would say if I were writing her dialogue :-) Thank you all so much for playing with me and distracting me from the monotony of the real March Madness. It might be sacrilege to some of you, but I really don’t ‘do’ basketball.
Anyway, let’s move on! Here’s a peek at what’s going on today:
--My love affair with all things G4 hasn’t come to an end yet: AOTS host Olivia Munn is branching out while keeping those roots firmly planted in her Leia gold bikini. PS – She posed for Playboy? Really? Huh.
--My non-love affair with iPad hasn’t moved either: Looks like it’s another Apple hit, but techies are holding back. Oh, and are you having connectivity issues with yours? The fix is here.
-Sister of mine, I found this iPad story for you. And, I mean it in the most non-snarky way possible. We only learn through being showed the facts, right?
--Only read this story on Facebook if you’re secure enough in your own browsing rationale. Otherwise, it could feel like a bucket of ice water tossed directly into your nice warm bed.
-How often have you wanted a 'dislike' button on Facebook? A French engineer has created an unofficial workaround for Firefox that lets you do just that. Of course, you have to install the add-on and have other people do the same ...
-Want Windows 7 but don't know much about it? CNet's ambiguous PC reporter has the answer to your FAQs.
-Apparently the Large Hadron Collider (oh, Hadron, you're at once the best and worst typo I've ever made on the LIVE Captivate Network) has been shut down again.
-Are you a tech-savvy novelist with a story to tell and no publisher? You can always self-publish your tome at any of these sites. But buyer beware: Real publishers don't really like buying books that have already been self-published. Just an FYI.
-And, finally, DigitalTrends is featuring a podcast today with the do's and don't's of texting and relationships -- probably worth your while before you change your Facebook relationship status after that last spat. Just saying.
See you all Monday, when hopefully I don't want to rip my own face off and suck out my sinuses with the pointy end of a vacuum cleaner :) Have a great weekend!
Good Friday afternoon, everyone! I've been dreadful about updating lately -- as was so nicely pointed out to me last night by a fan over a steak dinner -- so here's a fresh set of headlines for you all to look at while waiting for the weekend to begin!
** Before we get started, though, I had the pleasure of working off-site on assignment today covering the Ted Kennedy memorial service and public viewing in downtown Boston at the JFK Library. For a photo gallery of the Captivate screens on the event that we've been covering all day, visit us on Facebook! The album should be up soon ... And, I also tweeted the event while I was walking and talking, so follow us on Twitter to read the details!
On, now back to your regularly scheduled programming ...
- The folks at Twitter tried to have the word 'tweet' trademarked, but were turned down by the patent department because it could confusion with other usages. Yeah, I'm sure all those birds would have been *so* upset.
- People sure do idolize Apple -- so what's really hiding in the gadget-maker's closet? Here is a list of Apple's worst products that just makes me smile. :) See?
- OK, the headline on this story made me pause to take a look ... but now that I did, I'm not sure I like the idea of hacking elevators to go faster. Aside from the business aspect of it sort-a being what Captivate does, isn't that dangerous to mess with an elevator? Uhh ...
- It's that time of the year again -- so check here for all the tools CNET says you'll need to get the most out of your fantasy football season!
-In political news, a new bill is being considered that will give the president special powers in the the event of a cyber security emergency. I'm sure that bill means that it will give the president's white-hat-hackers and/or the White House's computer guy (think back to the SNL skit for a visual) -- because what the heck could Obama do in a cyber-emergency?
OK, be sure to check back here Monday for a new post and some new headlines! Have a great weekend!
Hiya! Things are sweet over here in geek land -- I'm working on a few surprises for you all, which you'll be hearing about in the coming weeks.
Next up on my agenda, though, is FINALLY heading up into the wild blue yonder as part of the 'Let's Go Flying' program! On Saturday, I'm stepping away from my precious navy blue Dell laptop for a few hours and piloting a 2-seater plane (with an instructor) for a few hours over my home town. But more on that next week!
Until then ... today's a summery day, so get a bottle of lemonade from the office caf and let's browse some headlines!
Facebook's pint-sized gajillionaire CEO, 25-year-old Mark Zuckerberg, says the social networking site is open to partnerships and investments, but is not going to take the company public for a few more years.
Please indulge me while we visit my bachelor of arts degree in physical anthropology (I so rarely get to use it) ... An early skeleton found in Germany is shedding light on the evolution of primates. OK fine, so I'm the only person that finds this interesting...
Good afternoon, all! Tonight is LOST night -- can I be more excited?! Although recent events have left my theories and arguments of the nature of time travel hanging in the precarious balance -- can't wait to see what the show will come up with next!
Now, as I get my feet wet in the wild world of the web over here in Captivate land, take a peek at these top headlines:
It's embarrassing but true: I, who blasts everyone for not being literate of computer security measures, caught a virus last week. Thank goodness it wasn't Conficker, which is still terrorizing computers everywhere. Watch out. Constantvigilance. And no online computer games. Sigh.
A new CT scan has revealed a different face lives under the ancient bust of Nefertiti -- a prized piece of ancient artwork. Apparently, underneath the stucco exterior is a highly detailed stone carving of the queen. How cool! And how weird that scientists though to look!
The Supreme Court has freed a spammerby not re-instating a Virginia antispam law, saying in its decision that the law was too broad and denied spammers their First Amendment right to free speech. Yeah, right. Thanks, Supreme Court. I mean, the guy didn't deserve to be jailed, but that really sends the wrong message to other spammers, doesn't it?
Fictionwise, bought by Barnes and Nobles late last year, has announced an eReader application for the BlackBerry! I can smell some competition for my darling Kindle... and you know what competition brings? Cheaper prices and better devices! Yay!
Is Facebook going public? After the social networking site's CFO left, rumors are running rampant the company will take over Wall Street.
Finally -- my wonderful wizard of Woz has been put to sleep. And, he took a Playmate with him. Hehe ... It'll be a long season in the Chemerkovski/Smirnoff household, though.
PlayStation2 is getting a price cut -- sorry for all those who thought it was PS3. That's still the most expensive Blu-Ray player you'll find -- oh, and it apparently plays games too. Who knew.
Want to embrace Twitter? USAToday's story can tell you how to use the service (cough) to promote yourself and your business.
OK, that's all for me today -- check back here Friday for a recap of the week's top stories and maybe even some LOST theories!
I'm sure it's been a good week for at least some of you out there! For me -- I've been embarrassingly working off a loaner computer as mine has come down with a delightful virus that keeps pitching some stupid anti-virus software at me. I downloaded it while playing the 'Temple of Mahjong 2' that I recomended last time ... stupid computer games ...
So, as it gets its memory wiped completely clean and reinstalled, let's browse these headlines together ...
Be careful if you are Google-ing 'March Madness' -- a virus has been poisoning would-be fans in the search results.
The judges are getting tired of him, but Steve Wozniak is still alive on 'Dancing with the Stars'! I do have to admit -- he is thoroughly ridiculous. But, who would've though that Maks and his weaselly, dumb, strangely visaged Barbie doll would get voted off before Karina and her awkward, uncomfortable gnome of a dance partner? I bet it was a funny night last night in that love nest -- you did know Maksim and Karina are engaged, right?
Ah, reliving that moment did make my day a little better... chuckle... Send me your thoughts on 'Dancing' and we'll make predictions for next week's show!
See you all Friday, when I will (hopefully) be offering up a review of 3 fantastically fun karaoke machines!
Brrrr ... spend your spare time with me and a big glass of hot coffee on this freezing day. If it's not freezing for you, I suppose you can read along anyways...
Facebook has officially killed that really funny Whopper story I told you about Monday. The site cites privacy issues over how the application informed your friends that you dumped them because they weren't worth their weight in beef, or something similarly clever. This story links the decision to pressure by Microsoft -- will the anger over them never cease?
Want to watch the inauguration? Worried you'll get bored and turn it off before Obama gets to the good stuff? Well, have no fear, Forbes has created 'Obama Bingo' -- complete with four printable cards -- to play at the office while every gathers around the flatscreen. The game is based on what the new president will say during his inaugural address, and you mark off the phrases as they are spoken.
It's been said before -- but you know times are bad when Google axes some jobs. It's not company-wide and is only affecting recruiters and certain engineering offices, but jobs are jobs. In addition to axing workers, Google is also dropping some apps. Click here to read more.
OK, all, have a safe and warm weekend, and I'll catch you on the flip side, where we'll have some cool inauguration coverage and more!
We've got a boatload of stories for you today -- and no, none of them contain New Kids on the Block. So, let's get started!
You'd better not unfriend me for a Whopper... some McDonald's Chicken Selects, perhaps; a salty batch of Wendy's fries with a Spicy Chicken sandwich, getting closer... but a soupy, sloppy whopper? For all you Facebookers with bloated friends lists, you can download a new application that prompts you to unfriend 10 people in exchange for a coupon for Burger King's new Angry Whopper. Seriously. Ugh, why am I now totally craving fast food?! Damn it...
A 13-year-old girl sent 14,528 text messages last month, according to her monthly statement. Her dad, thinking this wasn't actually possible, did some quick math and found this equates to "484 text messages a day, or one every two minutes of every waking hour." Seriously, you didn't notice your daughter texting that much? Something is very wrong at this home ... I don't think I send 1 a week, but then again I only have a number pad on my pink Razr and texts aren't my thing. Well, except for the one night I texted until roughly 3 a.m. with a friend while simultaneously reading Breaking Dawn. That was fun, but at what point do you just call them?
This 'net series is totally rad, or so I'm told. Called "The Rad Show," it was filmed before a live studio audience and highlights some of the best of 2008 -- including The Wrestler, Left 4 Dead and LOST. Give them a look and tell me what you think!
New Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz is a hot-$%&# kind of lady -- and I like her! Here is a great story and quote about her reaction to being named CEO and her plans for the company: According to today's Captivate screen (made by yours truly from an AP story), "An hour after Yahoo announced her hiring Tues., new CEO Carol Bartz vowed to make sure Yahoo gets some ‘friggin’ breathing room’ so it can ‘kick some butt.’" Go, girlfriend!
Lots going on today, so let's not waste any time! To the headlines...
Macworld begins today in San Francisco. Woo. OK, I know I don't preach from the gospel of Mac, but even as a tech reporter it's hard to get excited about a conference that isn't even supported by its namesake. Though, I am human, so Steve Jobs' health is a greater concern than the new products leech-companies are pumping out.
Uh oh... are there cuts ahead for Microsoft? All good companies need to slice away the excess fat once in a while, especially in a bad economy, but the possibility of Microsoft announcing global layoffs has my blood frozen in my veins. It's a scary thing when the 800-lb. gorilla (does anyone even like that saying?) has to lose some weight.
Yay! More Kindle news ... OK, i know you're getting tired of it by now, but this is actually pretty big on the Kindle front: Amazon.com has *finally* released sales figures on the unbelievably popular e-reader, showing that it was the site's top-selling electronic in 2008 and showed up on more 'wish lists' than any other item. Pretty cool -- it got a big boost from Oprah, and I can promise that if I get nothing else in '09, it will be a second-gen Kindle!
Chock this up to a unsubstantiated rumor, but media outlets in Japan are reporting that Toyota is planning to unveil a solar-powered Prius. Since this is the first I've heard of this, I'm flabbergasted, intrigued and delighted! I can't believe no one has thought of this before. Of, course, it will need plenty of energy storage, esp. in places like Forks, Wash., where the sun doesn't freely shine 360-ish days of the year. Although, that is the anomaly. Great thinking, Japan -- can we import some of your scientists with you cars?
OK, so I admit it, I updated my Facebook status Christmas Eve to wish all 25 of my friends a happy holiday. Well, it turns out I was not alone in my cheesy, ultimately faceless effort to rain down some necessary winter cheer: Facebook recorded a record spike in traffic on Christmas Eve as people chose a solid status update over an in-person visit, according to our friends at CNet, who attribute it to the awful weather seen across the US in the days leading up to Christmas Eve.
And, finally, I'd like to give a shout out to the folks at RedOrbit.com, who recently named Byte-Sized its *Hot Blog of the Day*! Thanks so much for the recognition, and a big thanks to all my readers!
** I have decided that I feel it necessary to try to add in at least one pop-culture reference in every post -- did you spot the inaugural entry? Think of it like a puzzle waiting to be solved :) Some will be harder to spot than others...
See you all Wednesday, where we take a look at the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas this weekend!
Twilight obviously dropped this weekend -- and how fabulous was it? I haven't ever seen a film adaptation more respectful of it's book material -- well, perhaps LOTR -- but Twilight was a lot of squealing fun :)
Alas, this is not a movie blog but a tech blog, so let's hit the top headlines of the day, shall we?
- Internet access at 25,000 feet used to be a dream. No more, as airlines worldwide are testing programs to allow inflight WiFi. Virgin America opens it fledgling program today, charging users up to $13 per flight, depending on the route. Others plan to follow suit next year if the program is a success.
- Let's say you wanted to see the visual equivalent of location of Facebook users. Like, actual activity and where in the world it is condensed at that precise minute, like lightening strikes. OK, now let's say that you wanted to see it in realtime from space. Welcome to a cool new project from the Facebook hackathon -- a visual representation of what Facebook looks like from space. Microsoft offers something like this with its XBox Live -- and I love it there too.
Happy Friday! Munch on these headlines with your break-time snacks.
A new clothing line offers wearers the ability to recharge mobile devices using built-in solar panels and control them with armband touchpads. Simply taking an mp3 player out of your pocket and being conscious enough to charge either at home, at the office or in your car? How totally passe!
A Mass. company announced that rocker-wannabes can order their Rock Band 2 avatars in the form of 6-inch figurines starting this week -- because who doesn't want their Rock Band alter-ego jamming on a shelf in a work cubicle? Count me and Galena in! Also available through the Rock Band site is merch from your customized rock band -- but is it too uncool to wear your own band's shirt while rocking out?
Microsoft and social network Facebook announced this week that Facebook has intergrated Microsoft's Live Search into its site. It's not clear whether this will increase Microsoft's traffic, but brand awareness of the Live Search is sure to rise. It's good to be the king.
Microsoft has announced a new XBox Live Experience for its users, due Nov. 19 in a downloadable update. Upgrades to the system include a social environment with Wii-esque animated avatars that serve to represent gamers in party games and comminucations -- punctuating te growing seperation from reality and the gaming world.
Best Buy is launching an in-store brand of electronics it says were developed form big-name manufactures using customer input. So, basically, a store brand. Says a company insider, 'Heck, it works for cereal, why not mp3 players?'
Have a great weekend, and I'll catch you on the flip side!
Hello! Here are the links to tech stories you may have seen today on the Captivate Network:
Finding Spies on Facebook The U.K.’s Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6, has declared it is using Facebook to find new devotees as part of an ‘open recruitment campaign.’
Google takes a stand Flexing political muscle, Google has taken an official corporate position against Prop. 8, a ballot measure to amend the Calif. constitution to ban gay marriage.
Collider still warming up CERN physicists will have to wait 3 weeks for the damaged section of the LCH to be warmed up to room temp so they can get inside to see what went wrong.
Happy Friday, my fellow geeks. Let's get to this week's headlines...
Market share of Blu-ray DVDs has unexpectedly shrunk this week to 8% as consumers look more toward high-def TV content options. When asked about the numbers, HD-DVD proponents laughed so hard coffee came out their noses.
Computer co. Dell announced that it has created the first laptop with a built-in privacy screen that whites out content viewed at anything greater than a 15-degree angle. Take that, nosy airplane-seat neighbor!
In the battle between Facebook and MySpace, Facebook is gaining ground fast, but MySpace still owns upwards of 70% of the market share. I'm such a hardcore hypocrite now, but you'll never make me switch from Facebook.
Almost 100,000 gamers voted in an XBox Live presidential poll, and 55,000 gamers registered to vote using the Microsoft service. The results? "43% voted for the Obama-Biden ticket vs. 31% for McCain-Palin. The rest were undecided or voted for obscure candidates." Very cool -- now we just have to get them to get out and actually vote.
With not one but two compact camcorders gathering dust in a closet and my kids getting bigger by the minute, something needed to motivate me or all these precious moments would be lost to the dustbins of memory.
Enter the fabulous Flip Mino (pronounced minnow), a tiny white camcorder that offers users the portability of a digital camera with the basic ease-of-use of a remote control. It’s a sleek, sexy little camcorder with a not-quite-flush lens on the front, an iPod-esque circular control panel on the back and a wrist strap for portability. Made for direct uploading of videos to online social networks and video-sharing sites like YouTube, it’s smaller than my pink Razr at 3.3 oz., but its small stature belies an exciting feeling of liberation.
Its point-and-shoot usability is so easy and intuitive that a 2-year-old could – and did, in my case – record his own clips. Previous models battled with charge issues, but the Mino has an internal rechargeable lithium battery that powered up automatically when connected to my computer’s USB and retained that charge through an entire weekend of testing and video reviews without worry.
Picture quality is better than you would expect from such a small device. The anti-glare LCD on the back is small at only 1.5 inches, but it’s bright and clear, and the touch buttons help you navigate with minimal effort. HD it is not, but for the money and the portability, you couldn’t ask for better than the slightly grainy look of the video when viewed in a large online format, typical of standard camcorders anyway. Take care to use the Mino in good lighting, as dark looks black once transferred to the computer.
Uploading to a social networking site – in my case, Facebook and YouTube – was just a few clicks, and having the videos online was not only convenient for editing and DVD-burning purposes, but it gave my mother hours of online cooing at my little munchkins. It’s important to remember that the Mino is not a long-range camcorder. It has an internal 2GB memory, a run-time of 60 minutes and a slight zoom capability better ignored for the sake of just walking closer to your target. So, not necessarily something to take to a parade or a wedding, but perfect for those looking to capture and share memories at half the cost of an average larger unit.
Alas, it would be wrong of me not to voice a few concerns. The unit has a retractable USB that plugs directly into your computer, which leads to the frankly dangerous picture of the Flip hanging off the front of the upright tower, just waiting for my leg to crack it sideways and break it off. But the download process was simple and the install was quick after a few minutes of floundering for the install app.
The Flip comes in 3 varieties, including the multi-colored Ultra, which differs form the Mino in its click-button interface, slightly boxier appearance and camera-ish raised front lens. Fellow Captivate editor Dee Murray is currently testing the Ultra and will report on it in a later post.
With the holiday season fast approaching (oh, don’t whine, you know it is), I predict this will be a top gadget of the year, and if you are going to take the plunge, get the Mino. Selling for around $170 at BestBuy.com, Amazon.com and TheFlip.com, it’s a fabulous camcording solution for both the gadget-oriented and tech-challenged.
This week’s Byte-Sized sweet spot is one most of you already know – Facebook.com.
OK, I know. I’m sorry for being the last person on planet Earth to figure out that this site is pretty f***ing cool – like a sour lemon drop you just can’t get enough of. After resisting every social networking site since the rise of MySpace (which I still think is a silly high school popularity contest not worth my time), I was pulled kicking, screaming and rolling my eyes to my computer chair and forcibly given an account by a friend. Well, to that friend, I want to say thank you, even if it is begrudgingly.
This site can and will make you late for meetings and bleary-eyed with exhaustion, but, best of all, it is also totally laid back and doesn’t have to be something you update 20 times a day and obsess over like an immature bopper looking for validation.
That’s where the appeal is for me – you sign up, do your thing and, voila, the site does the hard stuff – like updating your friends on your current news and keeping you in tune with their goings-on – like whether they plan on attending this weekend’s play or if they are going to skip it and head for the movies. It really can work with minimal effort. It’s added applications are hard to find, but they only add to your enjoyment once you do.
Facebook has been in the news recently for the scandalous Scrabulous lawsuit and, as of yesterday, pulled the application off its site in favor of name-brand game Scrabble, at which I am totally awesome. Go ahead, challenge me.
Anyway, if you’ve decided that now is the time, after years of ridiculing and mistrusting social networking sites (like I did), Facebook.com is the one that I suggest you try out.
Amber Plante is your guide through the geektastic worlds of science, technology and pop culture -- the Q to your James Bond, the Cortana to your Master Chief and the McGonagall to your Harry Potter, so to speak. She makes the technobabble make sense and shows you the fantastic wired world of the Internet in a whole new light. Are you a geek, too? Don't worry, you're in good company.
Miss Quinn, Miss Quinn, do you have any comment for your fans?
Miss Quinn, Miss Quinn, do you have any comment for your fans?
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Amber Plante is your guide through the geektastic worlds of science, technology and pop culture -- the Q to your James Bond, the Cortana to your Master Chief and the McGonagall to your Harry Potter, so to speak. She makes the technobabble make sense and shows you the fantastic wired world of the Internet in a whole new light. Are you a geek, too? Don't worry, you're in good company.