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Roku opens TV app store for OTT channels

November 23rd, 2009 9:03pm
by Chris Nuttall

With streaming Netflix movies now available on TV screens through the Xbox, PlayStation 3, Tivo, several Blu-ray players and LG HDTVs, the little Roku set-top box, which became one of the first Netflix streamers 18 months ago, is in need of some differentiation.

That came today with the launch of 10 free channels on the box, which sells for as little as $80.
Pandora radio, Facebook and Flickr photos, FrameChannel feeds, MobileTribe social networking and video from Blip.TV, Mediafly, Motionbox, Revision 3 and TWiT make up the lineup. Continue reading "Roku opens TV app store for OTT channels"

November 23rd, 2009 9:03pm in Consumer Electronics, Digital media, Hardware, Internet | Permalink | Comment

Motorola takes 30 per cent Android share - AdMob

November 23rd, 2009 5:43pm
by Chris Nuttall

Embattled Motorola appears to be making an impression with its Android handsets, according to the latest figures issued by AdMob.

The ad network, bought by Google this month, analyses the handset-identifying ad requests it receives from more than 15,000 mobile Web sites and iPhone and Android applications.

Two weeks after its launch on November 6, the Motorola Droid represented 24 per cent of all Android requests worldwide, while its Cliq accounted for another 6 per cent. Continue reading "Motorola takes 30 per cent Android share - AdMob"

November 23rd, 2009 5:43pm in Hardware, Internet, Mobile | Permalink | Comment

2009 PC sales will rise after all, says Gartner

November 23rd, 2009 5:01pm
by Chris Nuttall

So Intel’s Paul Otellini was right after all - PC sales should rise this year, according to the Gartner research firm, despite the recession.

At the Intel Developer Forum in September, the chipmaker’s chief executive said he thought the market was poised for resurgence and PC units could be flat to slightly up in 2009.

Today Gartner changed its forecast from September’s 2 per cent decline in shipments to a 2.8 per cent increase on 2008. Continue reading "2009 PC sales will rise after all, says Gartner"

November 23rd, 2009 5:01pm in Hardware, Mobile | Permalink | Comment

Livescribe pen adds store and storage

November 22nd, 2009 9:19pm
by Chris Nuttall

Yet another “App Store” launched this week, but the new Livescribe Application Store is for a smart pen rather than smart phone.

The Livescribe Pulse has changed the way I make a record of interviews since I started using it 18 months ago. It’s a pen that records both my scratchy notes, with a built-in camera in the nib section, and the audio of interviews, with its microphone. Continue reading "Livescribe pen adds store and storage"

November 22nd, 2009 9:19pm in Digital media, Hardware, Software | Permalink | Comment

Prettier in pink Pogoplug eases file-sharing

November 20th, 2009 11:55pm
by Chris Nuttall

The photo and video sharing trend, coupled with the growing use of high-definition video and higher megapixel cameras, means big files and longer upload times for users.

One way to avoid time-consuming transfers is to allow others to view files securely on a local hard-drive at home.

Opera’s Unite, incorporated in its latest browser release last month, turns a home PC into a media server, providing one option.  Another is the latest version of San Francisco-based Cloud Engines’ Pogoplug, unveiled today. Continue reading "Prettier in pink Pogoplug eases file-sharing"

November 20th, 2009 11:55pm in Digital media, Hardware, Internet, Software | Permalink | Comment

LiMo grabs limelight from Android with Korea win

November 19th, 2009 8:20pm
by Chris Nuttall

LiMo could do with a little of the limelight.

The mobile Linux operating system has been almost forgotten as Google-led Android has become the open-source flavour of the year for handset makers and carriers.

But on Thursday, LiMo recorded some progress in its adoption, with SK Telecom and Samsung  announcing South Korea’s first LiMo-compliant phone. Continue reading "LiMo grabs limelight from Android with Korea win"

November 19th, 2009 8:20pm in Hardware, Mobile, Software | Permalink | Comment

Google Chrome OS - an Android in the making?

November 19th, 2009 7:05pm
by Chris Nuttall

Google gave us a good first look at its Chrome operating system today. It has some interesting features, but is far from finished - the first devices using it are still a year away.

Google’s ambitions for Chrome also seem modest at present - it will run on low-specification netbooks. But everyone seemed to have low expectations for Google’s other OS - Android - when it was launched last year, and look at it now. Continue reading "Google Chrome OS - an Android in the making?"

November 19th, 2009 7:05pm in Hardware, Internet, Mobile, Software | Permalink | Comment

Sony Daily Edition may miss Xmas deadline

November 18th, 2009 11:23pm
by Chris Nuttall

Sony appears to have been surprised by demand for its new Reader Daily Edition and may not be able to satisfy orders in time for Christmas.

Pre-sale orders opened today for the eReader and Sony is expected to announce newspaper and magazine content partners in about three weeks’ time. But Steve Haber, president of its digital reading division, told us Sony could not guarantee delivery by Christmas to those ordering early. Continue reading "Sony Daily Edition may miss Xmas deadline"

November 18th, 2009 11:23pm in Digital media, Hardware | Permalink | Comment

Where the internet lives

November 17th, 2009 5:09pm
by Chris Nuttall

Maija Palmer reports in today’s Business Life section on the growth of mega data centres:

In the middle of a scrubby business park on the outskirts of Dublin, a hulking grey building has recently sprung up. It is protected by high, spiked railings and two sets of steel security barriers that are thick enough to stop a tank.

There is no name above the door, but this 303,000 sq ft industrial building is Microsoft’s new mega data centre, its first large-scale computing facility in Europe, representing an investment of $500m (£300m, €335m).


Continue reading “Where the internet lives”…

November 17th, 2009 5:09pm in Hardware, Internet | Permalink | Comment

Elfin Pixi is a Palm for your palm

November 16th, 2009 11:49pm
by Chris Nuttall

Apparently robotic hamsters are the cute must-have gift this Christmas, but, as they’re in short supply, the Palm Pixi might make a good alternative.

Palm’s newest smartphone, made available on November 15 on the Sprint network in the US, has a cuddly form factor you can almost fit in your palm and an interface to coo over. Continue reading "Elfin Pixi is a Palm for your palm"

November 16th, 2009 11:49pm in Hardware, Internet, Mobile | Permalink | Comment

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