Last week I found myself in a San Francisco hotel that offered free 802.11b connectivity. However, the signal strength in my room was very, very marginal — my laptop could stay connected only when positioned on the side of the bathtub. So I figured this was a great time to try Belkin’s F5D8010 “Pre-N” wireless card. MORE »

Popularity: 3% [?]

Onkyo looks to be extending their push into the computer and network entertainment arena with the MHP-UW1 wireless headphones. The headphones use a bus-powered USB adapter to transmit audio using the 2.4GHz RF band. The approximately $100 headphones promise up to six hours of use between charges of their (included) NiMH AA batteries. MORE »

Popularity: 3% [?]

The Affordable Green Development Corporation and CleverHomes, in partnership with CNET Digital Living, is now showcasing the ultimate high-tech, environmentally friendly home of the future that people can buy or build for themselves at San Francisco’s SBC Park through December 20th. The model home, dubbed the NowHouse, is made of advanced green materials and is equipped with the latests in home networking, automation, and security technology for home buyers interested in the digital lifestyle. MORE »

Popularity: 4% [?]

Reporter Leslie Walker, of the Washington Post, takes a look at current Internet TV (aka Internet Protocol TV – IPTV) providers and finds the whole host of companies – Akimbo, DaveTV (more info), RipeTV and TimeshifTV – lacking. In an overly harsh statement, she states, “Internet TV is a mirage, seeming so close yet turning out to be far away or downright unreal when you try to watch it. At least that’s my take on the many past plans for zapping motion pictures over the Internet.” MORE »

Popularity: 2% [?]

I was reading Jim Louderback’s review of the Hughes DirecTV DVR on ExtremeTech and got to thinking… You’ve got to be crazy to spend upwards of $1000 for a DVR. I know the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8000HD system I have is far from perfect, but it’s integrated with my cable service and the box is free! MORE »

Popularity: 3% [?]

For those who have been considering the Linksys NSLU2 network storage device, Buffalo Tech has made available the fully hackable, Linux-based, Kuro Box here in the U.S. (MSRP $160). What sets this NAS (network attached storage) solution apart from the rest is that it is not a complete NAS server, but an intelligent shell that accommodates a 3.5-inch hard drive of your choosing, and can be configured to run as Samba-based Windows file server, AppleTalk file server, telnet server, ftp server, and others! MORE »

Popularity: 6% [?]

iVideo 2.5, the developer claims, is the equivalent of iPhoto or iTunes for your video files where users can manage video clips by thumbnails, user created rules for “smart” playlists (searches meta data), or organized playlists. But the one feature that sets this application apart from the other video clip managers is that it can stream video on a home network to other Macs running iVideo. “Shared movies show up just like playlists in your source list, and movies simply stream when you watch them. No need to wait for them to fully transfer! You can even password protect your shared movies to make sure other people on your network can’t get in.” MORE »

Popularity: 2% [?]

SBC is slashing introductory pricing on its DSL service to about $19.95 per month. I get a feeling this is something other bells will follow-up on as well, and would be slashing prices as they feel the heat of resurgent cable companies’ and their discount plans. Only yesterday, we saw that both Cox and Comcast had super broadband quarters. Reuters reports that SBC added 402,000 residential high-speed Internet lines last quarter, bringing its total to 4.7 million and generating $578 million in consumer broadband revenues. This dial-up’s alamo? MORE »

Popularity: 2% [?]

Microsoft has just released for download Photo Story 3, a freeware application that lets users take a series of photos and turn them into an animated slideshow, arrange and edit them in a timeline, add narration, music, motion animation and transitions, and then save and share the finished product. Originally part of Plus! Digital Media Edition, Photo Story has evolved and separated into a standalone application, which some are calling “the greatest tool ever made for digital photography enthusiasts.” MORE »

Popularity: 3% [?]

Great news for Blockbuster Online subscribers today. Blockbuster plans to use its brick-and-mortar rental outlets to deliver movies by mail sometime next year. The action is another body blow to competitor Netflix and others to steal away market share by offering subscribers next day delivery. MORE »

Popularity: 3% [?]