Haven’t heard of SyncTV?

That’s okay, neither did I! However, The Home Theater Blog guy was invited to test it out and the results are really promising. To wit:

…Never one to shy away from new sources of content, media, entertainment what have you, I was pleased to get an invite into SyncTV’s beta program. Haven’t heard of SyncTV? I wasn’t overly familiar with it myself but it didn’t take long to grab my interest. In the weeks since installing the software I believe I’ve caught a glimpse of the future and its one where physical and digitally distributed media can happily coexist.

I suppose a more formal introduction is in order as we’re discussing a yet to be launched product. SyncTV grew out of the advanced research labs of Pioneer Electronics but according to President John Gildred, it soon became apparent the service was larger than any one platform and or parent company for that matter, and to grow into its full potential SyncTV would need to be its own entity.

In my perusing of Sync’s documentation and corporate philosophy I noticed repeated mention of their open platform standard. They really seem to be pushing this aspect to other consumer electronics manufacturers in hopes of broadening SyncTV’s reach to other segments of the market. Another example of this open platform mindset is the fact that even in beta stage SyncTV is already available for Windows, Macintosh and Linux, which to my knowledge marks the first time a premium video download service has been available on all three platforms (at least at launch)….MORE….

It’s a fascinating read. Here are some more resources:

• Is SyncTV a Viable Online Video Delivery Alternative or Just Another Fly-by-Night?
• Hdtv Online, is there a place???

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - looking for a good home theater in a box?

Please click here to continue your search.

More and more information

is coming about what really went into developing WiiFIT. Here’s some snippets that involve the actual developers themselves:

…And so, because your repeated attempts to discuss your ideas with scales manufacturers were going nowhere, you decided to make the accessory yourselves. But then the focus switched from ordinary bathroom scales to an accessory that could even measure your balance, which I imagine was a major turning point for the Wii Fit project. Sawano-san, the hardware planner, mentioned in the last interview that the idea for a machine that could measure balance was inspired by the fact that sumo wrestlers weigh themselves on two scales placed side-by-side. When did you software developers first hit on the idea of implementing balance measuring?…

… I was doing a lot of Internet research when I discovered a Seitai³ therapy method for maintaining good posture that involved the use of two scales. Soon afterwards, I discussed the idea of measuring balance with Miyamoto-san….

I knew by then that ordinary bathroom scales couldn’t offer us anything more than they already did, so I spent a lot of time just thinking about what would make an accessory similar to bathroom scales look new and interesting, and in the process ended up with the concept of measuring balance. Next, as Miyamoto-san talked about in the first part of this series, we tested a program that would calculate the balance of a person standing on two bathroom scales and display the figure as two percentages on-screen. Everybody was really enjoying this test. It was really difficult keeping the balance at 50-50, which would have of course required zen-like concentration to achieve. We decided that this was the ultimate challenge, and we’ve kept it alive in the final version of Wii Fit as an Easter egg….MORE….

Easter eggs? Did someone say, Easter Eggs? Love those things. Here are some Wii Easter Eggs sites:

• Nintendo Wii Easter Eeggs
• Twilight Easter Egg

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

PS - until the WiiFit hits these shores, you can enjoy:

FACEPLATE SKIN FITS GUITAR HERO 3 FOR NINTENDO WII HTPK

Guitar Hero Les Paul Skins(Fits Guitar Hero 3 Les Paul)

FACEPLATE SKIN FITS GUITAR HERO 3 FOR NINTENDO WII BC-O

Did you know:

…An iPhone will work in Canada, but it needs to be unlocked. You CANNOT just pop in your SIM card for it to work. It must be unlocked to be used with Rogers or Fido (the only GSM networks in Canada). It will NOT work with Telus or Bell. That’s right…it will NOT work with Telus or Bell (they are CDMA networks)! …MORE…

Canada has a much different playing field when it comes to iPhones. Thus, the great peoples at iPhoneInCanada have put together a superFAQ like so:

• Where can I buy an iPhone? I want one soooo bad! What features will work?
• How Do I Go Abouts Buying an iPhone in the USA? Will I have to sign a contract? What about firmware? Will I have to pay taxes/duties on my iPhone?
• I have my iPhone. Now what? (love the answer: Your iPhone needs to be “activated”, “jailbreaked”, and “unlocked” (check out what all this terminology means here). New iPhones are running 1.1.2 and 1.1.3. Follow the guide posted about using ZiPhone. Unlocking should take less than 3 minutes if you follow the instructions correctly!)
• What are these “SIM” solutions I keep hearing about?
• Should I update my iPhone’s firmware? I want to update to 1.1.1/1.1.2/1.1.3!
• How do I use my iPhone with Rogers or Fido?
• When is the iPhone being released in Canada?
• Will my iPhone be affected if/when Rogers/Fido comes out with the iPhone? Will anything change?
• How do I setup EDGE settings on my iPhone?
• I’ve unlocked my iPhone! Yes! I need a case to protect my new investment. Any suggestions?
• How do I download 3rd party applications to my iPhone?
• I want to become an iPhone “Yoda”…can you show me the ways?
• MORE!

Definitely the above is a good read.

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - want some more iPhone goodies?

iPhone 2G 8GB Unlocked & Jailbroken 2.2 Any GSM

If you’re going for a HDTV

you probably want to get the best deal possible. Here are some ideas that focus upon helping you get the best HDTV deal possible.

First off, of course, you can go to eBay for great discounts like:

Of course, make certain to check seller reputations! Here are some good guides for buying a HDTV on eBay you can read.
What if you’re confused as to what Samsung HDTV you should get? You can visit HDTV sites for ideas:

• HDTV Voice
• HDTV AVS

Next, you can check out what HDTV is the best and the reviews of them from Amazon.com, like:


Samsung LN40A630 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color

Feature: … Touch of Color design with narrow width bezel; HD-grade 1920 (H) x 1080 (V) pixel resolution; Auto Motion Plus 120Hz�; Widescreen aspect ratio; 40,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio …more
Customer Reviews — [1] Rating: 5 Date: 2009-01-02 Summary: Great TV … My wife remodel the living room and it looked great except for that tube 32 inch-Zenith (love the tV, but too big) that took up the whole living room. So my wife gave me permission to buy an LCD. I started out wanting the biggest, so I bought a Panasonic Plasma 50″ 1080P but it was too big for my living room and the picture did not appear all that clear. I paid $1499 for it. I was still unsatisfied so I returned it and bought this TV. This TV definitely is worth the hype, the pictures are so clear and the 120 hz is …more
[2] Rating: 4 Date: 2008-12-31 Summary: Picture quality is amazing … For years I didn’t understand the big deal regarding HD. I finally decided to get an HDTV in December. In 3 weeks time I had two 1080p LCDs without 120hz. The picture quality of those sets on HD were good but not worth shelling out $1K for a TV. And standard def was horrible. So after not being satisfied I decided to spend a little more since i figured I would be keeping this tv for 3-5 years. My choice was the Vizio 42″ with 120hz and Samsung A500. Both had similar picture quality and the price was the same. Luckily …more
[3] Rating: 5 Date: 2008-12-30 Summary: Novice Review … After a couple of months of research I finally made a decision and bought this TV. I was looking for the best technology for the money and for what I really need (not being an audiophile) this has impressed both my Wife and I tremendously.I was able to find it locally at national chain for $1099 on sale which was the lowest I had seen and I felt a good price given I purchased it before Xmas. I hooked up a Panasonic Blue Ray disk player,Panasonic DMP-BD35K 1080p Blu-ray Player and the picture quality floored me. It …more
Editorial Reviews — … Product Description | You’ll be amazed at how life-like images are on the Samsung LN40A630 LCD TV. The picture radiates with bold, brilliant color and sharp details. Exclusive Touch of Color incorporates one-of-a-kind beauty into the design and 1920 x 1080p resolution delivers crystal-clear images. And Auto Motion Plus 120Hz keeps the action real. Experience the high definition with the Samsung LN40A630 LCD TV.Enjoy outstanding clarity and resolution with the Samsung LN40A630 LCD TV. Images are crisper, sharper,…more

Samsung LN46A530 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

Feature: … 5ms Response Time; 20,000:1 contrast ration, 5MS response time, Super Clear Panel Technology; 3 HDMI, 2 Component, + 1 PC Input; 10W x 2 audio output; Swivel Stand …more
Customer Reviews — [1] Rating: 5 Date: 2008-12-27 Summary: Really pleased with this TV … My review if based on a price of $1099.99, not sure if they’ll drop the price again. Keep a look out. Wonderful TV. Beautiful picture. Pretty good sound (better to use alternate sound, but not necessary) Great value at the price. Performs as well as the Sony equivalent but for several hundred dollars less. I have a Sony upscaling dvd player, an Xbox 360 and an indoor directional antenna for HD signal over air. All work great, especially the 360. Playing Mirror’s Edge and COD4 on it is fantastic. Plenty of inputs. The …more
[2] Rating: 5 Date: 2008-12-07 Summary: Satisfied With Samsung … This TV is one of the best investments I’ve ever made. I bought it as a gift to myself and I couldn’t be happier. I used to never watch TV. Now I can’t stop. Everything is perfect. I do feel sorry for the people who paid full price for this though. I got my at a local Circuit City for $1169 with their open box deals. That’s what I call a steal. Thanx Circuit City. Samsung is the Sh**! …more
[3] Rating: 5 Date: 2008-12-05 Summary: Great HD Clarity, Even better price … Amazons white glove delivery is just GREAT. They set it up, plug it in, any problems? give them or Amazon a call and they will ship it back. What I like: -Don’t let the 5 series foul you, the picture qualtiy is jaw dropping -Black levels are deep and distinguishable -ATSC/QAM tuner is great, got more Channels than I knew I had -The Plug and Play option makes it quick and simple to start. (programs channels, time, and pre-adjusted settings) -Sleek, simple, and sharp looking -The remote has a backlit feature -Comes with …more
Editorial Reviews — … Product Description | 46″ widescreen HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio) * high-gloss black finish * built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required) * built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required) * 1920 x 1080 pixels *…more

Shopping around will always net you a good deal. Oh! And don’t forget to visit ePinions.com - you’ll be able to read additional Samsung HDTV reviews as well.

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

It was too good

to be true, I tell you.

Kelly from Tiny Code admitted that he lied. To wit:

It’s finally time I just come out and say it; I lied.

Tiny-Code never had any relations with Apple, Inc. or any other division of Apple. Never had the new firmware or any pre-SDK pack. Certainly never signed any NDA.

I find it interesting that a simple joke on the front of a minor at best Installer.app repo can cause so many wakes.
It is equivocally funny that a simple re-enforcement of the page by me posted earlier stating I had been “reprimanded” by Apple could throw it even more into believability.
To top it all off, a simple redirection of the domain to Apple’s iPhone Developer center would cause so many theories as to why that is so when it was to just stop the “where did it go” questions.

All of it should teach everyone at these rumor sites WWWide to not trust anything that did NOT come from the mouth of Apple.
8 lines of text were published on Friday, by Sunday those lines of text are one of the biggest talked about and debated lines of text across Apple related internet sites.

This goes to prove anyone can register a domain one week and less than two later be believed, talked about, debated over, defended, ratted on, bashed, requested to be interviewed on DowJones Newswire and everything else under the sun. The power of the internet is amazing…MORE….

Did you catch the following:

This goes to prove anyone can register a domain one week and less than two later be believed, talked about, debated over, defended, ratted on, bashed, requested to be interviewed on DowJones Newswire and everything else under the sun.

How true, how true.

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - some current iPhone firmwares:

Now, let me be

the first to say, Guitar Hero and Owlbert are two separate, distinct non-intersecting entities. But hey, that’s me.

Well, if you can’t get enough finger exercise, there’s now Teeny Tiny Guitar Hero! First mentioned by Technabob, it reads:

…. Basic Fun’s pint-sized Guitar Hero Caribiner game offers up a variety of rock tunes from both Guitar Hero I and II, including Smoke on the Water, Rock this Town, Cherry Pie, Killer Queen, You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’, Miserlou, Heart Shaped Box, Message in a Bottle, Jessica, and Surrender. An LCD screen displays the notes required, and you simply tap on the color-coded buttons when you’re ready to jam. There’s even a miniature version of the all-important “whammy bar” so you can give your music some extra finesse….MORE….

I wonder if there’s some Barry Manilow tunes?

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - some cool Guitar Hero goodies include:

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PlayStation 2)

Guitar Hero II (game only) (Xbox 360)

Brain wave interfaces!

It’s the latest in the technological developments of virtual gaming. To wit:

…The breakaway success of Nintendo’s Wii and games like Guitar Hero has game developers exploring new interfaces and inputs that incorporate full body motion, balance - and even thoughts.

A new generation of peripherals - including brain-activated headsets, 3-D cameras and a balance board from Nintendo - offer the potential to create new gaming experiences while broadening the industry’s appeal to mainstream consumers.

Many of the latest offerings will be on display this week at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, the largest industry-focused gathering for game professionals….

…In that vein, San Francisco’s Emotiv is expected to announce a new headset Tuesday that measures brain activity and turns it into game play. The headset, which features 16 sensors, allows players to levitate and turn objects and make them disappear. The headset is expected to go on sale this year bundled with a game, but can also be made to work with existing PC titles.

Users “train” the headset by leading it through a series of exercises. As it understands how you think about manipulating an object or executing a move, it remembers those brain wave patterns and allows you to call upon the same thoughts in the game….MORE….

Sounds great to me! And if you’d like to see what the 2008 Game Developers Conference has in store for you, check out:

• 2008 Game Developers Program Guide

• 2008 Game Developers Events Guide
• 2008 Game Developers Exhibitors

Something not to be missed, indeed.

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - want some great game programming resources?

COMMODORE 64 GAMES BOOK PROGRAMMING 30 GAMES 1983

NEW ActionScript 3.0 Game Programming University - R…

Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus by Andr…

Introduction to 3d Game Programming With Directx 9 0

Beginning Direct3D Game Programming w CD (Prima Tech’s

Professional Game programming instructional CD

NEW Introduction to Linear Programming and Game Theo…

Who can forget
Please click here to continue your search.

those wondrous nostalgic times in which we’d take our dates out to the local sock hop and dance the night away to the melodious songs from the iconic jukebox?

Well, technology and taste and iPodiness have been married together with this unique testimony to digital ingenuity! To wit:

…Featuring original-style percolating bubbles tubes, dual-toned neon lighting, high gloss furniture-grade wood and wood veneers, the look is sure to amaze. Encased within this charismatic cabinet is a fully functioning video and music server capable of storing up to 1500 hours of content. In addition, the unit is designed to rip CD music content direct to the hard drive, burn CDs with music or video content and allows the user to connect to the internet to access music and video downloads as well as internet radio for maximum entertainment possibilities. In addition to its functionality, what also sets the Crosley Digital Jukebox apart is its timeless design complete with the Touch Screen Interface…..MORE…..

Talk about a conversation piece! Now, if only there was a life-size Elvis too….

And if you’re a Jukebox collector (confess!), have you checked out:

• Jukebox Collector Magazine
• The inComplete JukeBox
  
• JukeBox Gallery

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert.

ps - other Jukebox goodies include:

AMI ROWE SEEBURG WURLITZER JUKEBOX PINBALL REPAIR TOOLS

WURLITZER JUKEBOX SCHEMATIC

Wurlitzer Model 600 Jukebox Front Metal Fancy Grill NR

Wurlitzer Jukebox Store Porcelain LightedSign

Wurlitzer Jukebox Exhibit Genco Bally 1950 catalogue

Wurlitzer 2800 Series Jukebox Service & Parts Manual

JUKEBOX WURLITZER 1015 1080 OR 1100 FREE PLAY PLUG

So! You’ve heard about Wiis

and you want a Wii and you crave a Wii and yet….you just can’t find the darn Wii!

But not to fear! Thanks to Tekeeze, there are several tricks you can use to better your chances. To wit:

…

Use a Wii tracker. Websites like WiiTracker, Outastock, and Weebly track inventories at hundreds of retailers, such as Circuit City, WalMart, and Dell, and post notices as soon as new Nintendo Wiis become available at any of them.

Get cozy with store owners. Once they trust you, they’ll tell you when new shipments are expected in. I suggest subtle flattery, and bribes if you’re feeling confident. Also, check out smaller, less popular stores. There’s a lot more competition to find a Wii at Wal-Mart than at Randy’s Video Game Shack….MORE….

I’d also like to add, you can post at your local Freecycle.org in the off-chance your millionaire neighbors are cleaning their house and want to reduce their clutter.

And don’t forget the Wii Finder Widget! Add it to your MacOS dashboard.

Want some reviews?
Wii Remote Controller

Feature: … Used as a remote, operates up to 15 feet away; Built-in speaker; Rumble; Features expansion port for additional input devices, such as the Nunchuk controller …more
Customer Reviews — [1] Rating: 5 Date: 2008-12-27 Summary: Wii Remote … The remotes were exactly as described. Works great. Fast service. Would purchase from this buyer again. …more
[2] Rating: 4 Date: 2008-12-27 Summary: Great price, pleased with purchase … Best price I could find on the controller. Even better with free shipping and no sales tax. Controller is the same as the one that came with the Wii. Definately worth having extras. We ended up getting three extras and one extra nunchuck. …more
Editorial Reviews — [1] … Product Description | To make gaming as accessible to people of all ages and all abilities, Nintendo wanted to create a controller that was as inviting as it was sophisticated. The outcome is the Wii Remote. Nintendo fused the familiarity of a remote control with the sophistication of motion-sensing technology to come up with an input device for the ages!Sporting the size of a traditional remote control, the wireless Wii Remote is a multifunctional device that is limited only by the game designer’s imagination.…more
[2] … Amazon.com | To make gaming as accessible to people of all ages and all abilities, Nintendo wanted to create a controller that was as inviting as it was sophisticated- the result is the Wii Remote. Nintendo fused the global familiarity of a remote control with the sophistication of motion-sensing technology to come up with an input device that differentiates the Wii from any other console that has come before it. Revolutionary control Sporting the dimensions of a small traditional remote control, the wireless…more

Nintendo Wii Console with Starter Kit Bundle

Feature: … Complete Your Gaming Arsenal; Includes A/V Cable for Standard TV Connections, Wii Sports, Wii Nunchuk Controller, Wii Wireless Sen; Bundle Includes Component Video Cable, Sports Kit; Features Wireless Gaming Capabilities, Slim, Lightweight Design …more
Customer Reviews — [1] Rating: 5 Date: 2008-12-27 Summary: Nintendo Wii Console - thanks for making this game … I bought this game for my nephews 3 and 5 y.o. girls, but when I started playing with them - I just could not stop :-))) …more
[2] Rating: 5 Date: 2008-12-16 Summary: excellent … WII is one of the best video games I ever played. It is a very unique experience. I like the fitness test and training. …more
Editorial Reviews — … Product Description | Featuring a remarkable wireless controller experience, the Nintendo Wii console invites players into game worlds and activities like never before. Whether theyre young or old, expert gamers or beginners, Wii players can express themselves with intuitive motion control using the Wii Remote: a flick of the wrist to swing a baseball bat or tennis racket, a backswing and follow-through to send a golf ball flying over a pristine fairway. Wii Sports, packaged with the Wii console, introduces…more

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - and of course, don’t forget about:

Morning,

Ever want to be the envy of your strategic meeting or after-hours lounging by evoking sighs of envy regarding your soup-ed up iPhone?

Here’s one way to amaze the unwashed masses - check these babies out.

And you can download them for free at the ModMyiFone.com forums! Just register and then visit the download link right over here. It’s easy to do and voila, you can catapult your hardware into the 23rd century.

And do you need a tutorial on how to change the icons? Check out this YouTube video to see how it’s done.

ThankYouVeryMuch!

Owlbert

ps - want to protect your iPhone?

iPhone 3G Silicone Cover Nightmare Before Christmas