Hasta La Gadget!

The Apple television rumors are heating up again, folks. Only this time, there’s some extra information that’s floating around. In what sounds like a completely ridiculous prediction, analyst Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets says that an Apple television will launch this year, and it will come with an “iRing” of sorts as the motion controller. However, will it ever see the light of day? Not likely.

White claims that Apple’s rumored television set will launch this year in 50- to 60-inch flavors and will come with a motion controller in the form of a ring that you wear on your finger. Furthermore, White claims that Apple will include an optional “mini iTV” with the television set — sort of like an iPad, where users can beam content from the tablet to the television.

Obviously, we can’t even begin to explain how crazy of a rumor this is. While Apple is a company that releases new products that we thought we’d never want, an iRing is probably one of the most ridiculous Apple rumors we’ve heard in a long time, especially since its main function would be to act as a motion controller, rather than just use a motion-detecting camera that’s built into the TV, which seems way more logical.

White also notes that the already heavily-rumored iWatch will play an “important role” in the new Apple television, but he provides little details how that would happen exactly, other than saying that the iWatch will provide more portability around the house. In the end, take this rumor with lots of salt — enough to put your heart into cardiac arrest.

[via BGR]

Apple TV with “iRing” controller added to baseless rumor collection is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Popular music-streaming service Rdio has launched a companion movie and TV show streaming service appropriately called Vdio. It’s been in private beta for some time now, but the company has officially launched it today. However, it’s only available for Rdio Unlimited members, but if you’re really interested in checking out Vdio, you can sign up for an Rdio Unlimited subscription and get going with Vdio right away.

Vdio is also only launching in the US and UK, so those living outside these two regions will unfortunately have to wait a bit longer. However, those who have a Rdio Unlimited subscription will get $25 of credit to use on the new service, and those who sign up within the next 60 days will also get $25 worth of credit to use on Vdio.

The streaming model of Vdio is slightly different than what Rdio’s subscription model is. Essentially, Vdio is more of a competitor to iTunes, where you purchase content individually. However, any movies you purchase, you’ll only be able to watch them on Vdio either through the web browser or through the iPad app, which are limitations not seen on other services.

The service also comes with plenty of social features, including making watch lists and sharing them with friends, as well as being able to collaborate on custom lists by having friends add movies and TV shows into one collective list for certain occasions like parties. The catalog of content currently available is fairly good for being such a new service, and prices seem competitive, with TV shows costing around $3, while movies sell for about $15. Currently, Rdio didn’t mention whether or not Vdio will be coming to more countries, but we’re guessing they’ll focus their efforts on the US and the UK for the foreseeable future.

Rdio launches Vdio movie streaming service is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Panasonic’s new LDC TV “Smart VIERA FT 60 series” with new IPS LC Display and fine remaster engine will be out in late April. 4 models (60, 55, 47, 42 inch sizes) will be available.

With built-in new IPS LC Display and fine remaster engine, the display is watchable at wider viewing angels than previous models, and colors, brightness, and contrast is good even when viewing from wide angles. Internet movies or letters that are deteriorated can be converted with its own algorithm to easily viewable movies or letters.

It comes with Panasonic’s new “MY HOME” function as well. You can combine and display some information you want to keep on the screen or you can set up several different home screens according to the needs of family members.

Sizes (Models): 60 inch (TH-L60FT60), 55 inch (TH-L55FT60), 47 inch (TH-L47FT60), 42 inch (TH-L42FT60)
Price: TBD

Something tells us the US Court of Appeals for the Second District has no intentions to kid around with its latest decision, despite it coming down on the 1st of April. In what can only be viewed as a monumental victory for Aereo, the aforesaid court has just rejected an appeal from a smattering of TV networks that are hellbent on stopping the web-streaming company from treading on their territory. For those unaware, Aereo allows users to stream OTA television networks over the web, but this here court found that the system did not infringe on the broadcasters’ copyrights. Of course, a battle at the Supreme Court level is a practical certainty, so it’s definitely not out of the proverbial woods just yet.

That said, a separate Wall Street Journal report sheds light on ongoing discussions between the startup and some very established players in the industry — if you can’t beat ’em, join’ em… right? As the story goes, AT&T, Dish Network and DirecTV have all spoken with Aereo as the company hopes to expand its footprint beyond New York City and the surrounding areas. On one hand, a mega-corp swallowing Aereo could lead to near-instant demise for its technologies, but given the right owner, it could provide the disruption the pay-TV sector so badly needs.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Comments

Via: TechCrunch, The Verge

Source: US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit [PDF], WSJ

Back when Apple’s first Macintosh computer was introduced, there was an explosion of interest from not just geeks and nerds, but “the rest of us” too – that’s what this television program explores. What you’re about to see is an episode of the legendary Computer Chronicles, a show here dug up from the archives by Wired for your enjoyment. This episode goes by the name “MACINTOSH”, was directed by NICHOLS, and is program number 210, and is approximately 29:03 in length – there’s even a countdown beeper before it begins!

Obviously when there’s a program this old all about computers, even when it’s all “retro” and funny because of it, there’s some level of understanding you must have so far as how excited everyone seems about now-ancient tools and features. What’s particularly interesting about this video is how simple the presenters make each of the terms included in the still relatively new concept of visual computing.

What you’re going to learn is how the Apple Macintosh computer made working with a computer at home – or at school, or in the office – a reality for those that otherwise would never have considered using a computer. While the difference between working only with lines of code and working with pictures and renderings of objects wasn’t brand new at the time, the solidification of that kind of thinking was certainly taking place.

You’ll find that the Macintosh they’re working with here in the program was launched with two applications – one for typing (MacWrite), the other for drawing with your mouse (MacPaint). By the time this program had been filmed, as they say “the number of Mac products has skyrocketed, and now numbers in the hundreds.”

So consider this your mission for this weekend – see if you or one of your friends or family members would like to learn how computers work at their most basic. The talks here are applicable even to our most advanced systems – see how they make the magic happen now! And make sure you grab your healthy helping of Easter ham or otherwise non-denominational feast with the future on your mind!

BONUS: Save a collection of episodes lost to time for whatever reason, there’s a massive amount of episodes of Computer Chronicles up in the Internet Archive for your perusal now as well. More computer knowledge from the 1980s than you’ll know what to do with!

Have a peek at a few more “Weekend Watching” posts below to see how they ring your bell!

Weekend Watching: 1985 “Computer Chronicles” discusses the all-new Macintosh is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.