Category: Tech News

Blu-ray in the News: High Prices & No Microsoft Love

March 13, 2008August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 6 Comments

Blu-ray Since Blu-ray became the next generation movie disc format of choice, the consumer supposedly has been better off. But Tom’s Hardware claims that prices of Blu-ray players are higher than ever and that now, in fact, is the worst time to buy.

Interesting. I’ve been tracking Blu-ray vs. HD DVD player pricing for the past year via Amazon and hadn’t noticed any recent increases. As of today, the Blu-ray players on Amazon are priced in the same range they’ve always been: the mid to high $300’s. Right now the cheapest Blu-ray player on Amazon is this Samsung for $357. I’ve seen it $20 cheaper, but I’ve also seen it more expensive.

Media, Microsoft, Sony, Tech News

The Economist Talks Digg Strategy and Adds Comments

March 12, 2008 Bob Caswell 6 Comments

Last week the Economist (subscription required) had an interesting article about researchers in an HP lab that have been comparing strategies for maximizing readership on Digg via the layout of the front page. They were trying to answer the following question: Should the most recent stories be on top? That’s the way Digg is now, but maybe it should be organized with the most popular on top?

Tech News, Web 2.0

YouTube Video Quality Soon Will Not Suck

March 11, 2008 Bob Caswell 10 Comments

Apparently YouTube is on the verge of making a big announcement since there seems to have been an announcement about the announcement (nice way to get double the press). And search engine Mahalo has already created a page dedicated to news on “YouTube High Quality” with a video (embedded below) showing an example of how it would work. All I can say is finally! Here’s hoping that’s the big announcement. I love YouTube, but man, can you think of a place online to watch lower quality video?

Media, Tech News, Web 2.0

My First MySpace Friend: SPAM

March 10, 2008August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 2 Comments

So I joined MySpace about a week ago and was already annoyed at the way they sent me my password over email. But then, just a few days later, I got an email with my first MySpace message / friend request from someone named Riley whose profile picture is a girl in a swimsuit. Originally, her (or his?) profile showed the same city and state that I live in, though now it’s been changed to Greenville, Ohio. Here’s the text of the message:

Privacy, Tech News, Web 2.0

Apple’s iTunes Now Number Two Music Retailer in the US

February 26, 2008August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 6 Comments

Apple has issued a press release about becoming the number two (behind Wal-Mart) music retailer in the U.S. Best Buy used to have that spot, but music downloads seem to be catching on. Well, that and CD sales are declining rapidly.

Apple claims that 50 million customers have bought over 4 billion songs with 20 million sold on Christmas day alone. That’s impressive even if digital music purchases have yet to offset the decline in CD sales.

Amazon, Apple, Music, Tech News

Amazon Drops Price of HD DVD Player to $99, Upconvert DVD w/ Free Movies?

February 21, 2008August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 21 Comments

HD DVD For anyone keeping score since Blu-ray won the next generation movie battle, HD DVD players are now $99. And that’s with 7 movies included. Considering these players also work well as upconvert DVD players (DVD players that convert and play regular DVDs at a slightly higher picture quality), in some ways, it’s actually the best deal on the market if you’re looking for a good DVD player.

Amazon, Gaming, Media, Sony, Tech News

It’s Official: Toshiba Announces Death of HD DVD

February 19, 2008August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 10 Comments

HD DVD vs. Blu-ray Toshiba today announced that, “it will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders.” March 2008 will be the month when the plug is pulled. Just in the last month, we’ve seen Warner Brothers become the latest Hollywood studio to go for Blu-ray while both Blockbuster and Netflix announced plans to phase out HD DVD.

Media, Sony, Tech News

Netflix Chooses Blu-ray, Big Blow to Any Chance of an HD DVD Comeback

February 11, 2008August 20, 2008 Bob Caswell 8 Comments

Netflix Notwithstanding the price slashing Toshiba has been doing (HD DVD player with 7 movies for $129 compared to Blu-ray players starting in the $300’s), Netflix choosing to drop HD DVD by year’s end in favor of Blu-ray exclusivity is quite the blow to the HD DVD crowd. Thanks a lot, Netflix. Give me an online streaming experience in HD by year’s end, and you’re forgiven. See below for full text of the email going out to any Netflix HD DVD users:

Media, Netflix, Tech News, Web 2.0