Just the other day here at the CNET N.Y. offices, a co-worker IMed me with a question from his uncle, who was shopping for an affordable laptop for his niece. Should he consider buying a laptop he saw on sale recently, which had a large screen and a DVD …
Would you pay $30 a month to watch TV via iTunes?
That’s the pitch Apple has been making to TV networks in recent weeks. The company is trying to round up support for a monthly subscription service that would deliver TV programs via its multimedia software, multiple sources tell me.
Apple isn’t tying the proposed service to a specific piece of hardware, like its underwhelming Apple TV box, or its long-rumored tablet/slate device. Instead, it is presenting the offer as an extension of its iTunes software, which already has a huge installed base: A year ago, Apple said it had 65 million iTunes customer accounts.
A so-called “over the top” service could theoretically rival the ones most consumers already buy from cable TV operators–if Apple is able to get enough buy-in from broadcast and cable TV programmers.
That’s a big if: Apple has told industry executives it wants to launch the service early next year, but I have yet to hear of a single programmer that has made a firm commitment to the company, which has tasked iTunes boss Eddy Cue with promoting the idea.
But industry executives believe that if anyone jumps first, it will be Disney, since CEO Bob Iger has shown a willingness to experiment with Apple and iTunes in the past: In 2005, Disney was the first player to sell its programming on iTunes, via a la carte downloads. And Apple CEO Steve Jobs is Disney’s largest single shareholder, a result of Disney’s 2006 acquisition of Jobs’ Pixar animation studio. Apple didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Network executives I’ve talked to are intrigued with the idea–they are eager to find new revenue streams–but are also wary, for multiple reasons.
…
Originally posted at News – Apple
Robotic fish. The phrase alone sends shivers of excitement down our collective spines here at Engadget. Undoubtedly, Michigan State University assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering Xiaobo Tan feels similarly, as he has designs on creating an army of them. The researcher has developed a prototype of a droid fish intended to be used to collect data from various bodies of water. The fish will be especially effective in monitoring conditions over long periods of time; swimming in a manner similar to that of their organic counterparts, thus giving scientists a clearer view of ecosystem changes. Elena Litchman, an assistant professor of zoology at MSU working with Tan says, “With these patrolling fish we will be able to obtain information at an unprecedentedly high spatial and temporal resolution.” To recreate realistic movement, Tan has constructed fins built from electro-active polymers, which bend when voltage is applied, mimicking muscle tissue. Tan also envisions a version of the robots with infrared sensors used as “eyes,” and other variations with small, deadly lasers mounted on their backs, to protect their waterways from careless, polluting humans, who have been deduced as illogical and must be wiped out. We might have made that last part up, but we’ll never tell. While you try and figure it out, enjoy a video of one of the protypes in action after the break.
[Via PhysOrg]
Continue reading Schools of robotic fish to collect data, stomp out human threat
Schools of robotic fish to collect data, stomp out human threat originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Due out later this month, the Voyager Pro UC lists for $199.99.
(Credit:
Planatronics)
Plantronics trotted out a new Bluetooth headset on Monday, the Voyager Pro UC headset, which adds a plug-and-play Bluetooth USB adapter “to deliver richer wideband audio on softphones along with Voyager Pro’s superior noise …
The new Rocket 622 and Rocket 620 SATA 3.0 controller cards from HighPoint.
(Credit:
HighPoint)
In September, Seagate made the first 6Mbps SATA hard drive available. The new Seagate Barracuda XT hard drive offers twice the throughput speed of existing popular 3Mbps SATA hard drives. Now you’re about …
According to Peter Kafka over at AllThingsD, he’s had “multiple sources” tell him that Apple is shopping around a subscription service to TV networks that would give iTunes users a catch-all subscription for $30 a month. As far as he’s heard, nobody’s jumped on board just yet, and of course networks have to work out their typical fears of such a service cutting into ratings and biting into cable revenue. However, at least one unnamed executive briefed on the plan says “I think they might get it right this time,” and with Disney’s cozy relationship with Apple there’s reason believe they’d be the first to sign up. Unfortunately, for people scrounging for a new evidence of an Apple tablet or something useful for their oft-dormant Apple TV to do, there’s no word on what role devices have to play in this deal, but we have to believe that Apple would be working to push the content to the rest of its iTunes-based ecosystem, whatever that might encompass if and when the service launches early next year as Apple has proposed.
Filed under: Portable Video
Apple pitching $30 a month TV service for iTunes to the networks? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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"What's so important? What's he carrying?" The newest Podcast from the 404, of course!
(Credit:
Props Guy Jim)
Jeff didn’t get the memo about daylight-saving time and misses today’s episode of The 404 Podcast, but luckily our good buddy Mark Licea of The Green Show set his clock back and helps us out with today’s Halloween recap, as well as a few stories from around the Internet.
Wilson stayed out partying with a group of hotties, per usual, Mark hung out in the city, and Justin downed a couple of 40s of Arizona Iced Tea and passed out early, but not before seeing two very disturbing things on the walk home.
Many thanks to all the listeners who sent in pictures of their costumes! Be sure to check out the photo slideshow below and send yours in to the404(at)cnet(dot)com to be included!
The first story of the day is about the iPhone finally arriving in Wilson and Justin’s motherland, but with a catch: no Wi-Fi! Since Wi-Fi is banned in the country, Apple’s local Chinese partner Unicom (not Unicorn) decided to release a version to the eager Chinese without the wireless Internet services.
Unicom is asking 6,999 yuan, or a whopping $1,025 for the 32GB iPhone 3GS. Fortunately, Chinese technophiles can get their iPhone fix at a cheaper price on the black market who are currently offering the 3GS WITH Wi-Fi at only $835.
We all know Apple is not without a cruel sense of humor, but this Halloween the company played a hilarious trick on unsuspecting mall-goers in Bellevue, Wash.
Shoppers flooded their local Apple Store when they caught a glimpse of employees giving away what they thought were iPod Nanos, which actually turned out to be iPod Nano-shaped BOOKMARKS. Well, at least they weren’t giving out copies of Windows 7.
Speaking of grouches, we also have a bizarre story in the today’s rundown about a study in the U.K. that claims grumpiness can actually improve memory and sharpen your senses! Whereas positive moods promote the imagination, cooperation, and flexibility, these flights of fancy often distract a person from paying attention to their surroundings.
The study concludes that sadness can actually promote information-processing strategies and force you to be more critical of the world around you! Maybe Jeff is onto something after all…
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Video coming soon, check back later today!
…
Originally posted at The 404
It’s obvious (to me, anyway) that online radio services such as Slacker and Pandora will kill satellite radio, but that’s no reason for Sirius XM to stop plugging away. I mean, clearly the Yankees will win the World Series, but the Phillies are going to give it a shot anyway.
Sirius XM’s latest attempt is the XM SkyDock. In an effort to get in with the hip young iPhone crowd, the satellite company has released an iPhone/iPod Touch dock that lets you listen to satellite radio in your car using your favorite player.
Sound good? Let’s count the problems: It has an FM transmitter, which usually delivers poor sound. You can connect an auxiliary cord for better sound, but then it looks messy. The press picture doesn’t show the required antenna attachment, another messy wire. You can’t get Sirius content by itself; you need to subscribe to XM and get the “Best of Sirius” package as an add-on. It lists for $119.
Management at the merged Sirius XM hasn’t been making it easy on its customers. It already offers an iPhone app for program streaming, but that one requires a premium subscription and doesn’t include some of the most popular channels. The best alternative is still to download the free Pandora or Slacker apps and connect your iPhone or iPod Touch to your car radio with an inexpensive audio cable. Keep trying, Sirius XM!
[Via Electronista]
Continue reading Soyea’s MID Z5 features an Atom CPU, 3G, and a significant price tag
Filed under: Handhelds
Soyea’s MID Z5 features an Atom CPU, 3G, and a significant price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Motorola Cliq
(Credit:
Josh Miller/CNET)
It’s shaping up to be another big week in the Google Android universe, starting with the official release of the Motorola Cliq and the Samsung Moment.
T-Mobile’s Cliq went on sale Monday for its promised price of $199 with a two-year contract. …
Originally posted at Android Atlas
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