One of my parting gifts as Netgear’s CES Blogger In Residence was a WiFi Skype phone. But wait. There’s more! They also provided me with their new dual-mode Skype phone. Believe it or not, there’s only so many Skype phones I can use. So one lucky reader is taking the WiFi model home.
Quick summary… What I like: Wireless handset with Skype – no computer needed. What I don’t like: Battery life and lack of web browser (to sign on at Starbucks). I loaned Kevin Tofel of jkOnTheRun the phone who has written a more thorough review.
Here’s how ya win: Leave a comment linking to something we wrote in January, 2007 and tell us why you selected that as a notable topic. No two submissions can use the same post. ;) I’ll pick a random winner sometime next week.
Update: Good news for the winner who also connects at Starbucks… A beta firmware update allows T-Mobile Hotpost authentication.
I’ll pick https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/digital-media-bytes-macworld-edition/ . Just ’cause it’s about the iPhone and we’re now getting close to being able to actually buy one. Seems like the wait has been far longer than 5 months.
I’ll go with https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/why-i-wont-buy-apples-itv/ because you were one of the first people to hate on the AppleTV, a position I agree with
I relate to the article about eStarling Wireless Digital Photo Frame
https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/mari%e2%80%99s-gadget-giving-post-mortem-part-3/
It seems to me that the entire idea of e-picture frames is a technological dead end from the beginning. When we already have so many electronic appliences wiring and airing our dwellings there is no reason to create another one, that would sit on the bookshelf and malfunction.
Why not use TV sets for th same reason?! How easy it would be for our grandparents to flip on channel 699 and find videos and photos broadcasted from the web, YourTube, Flicker and plenty of other yet to come services via DSL line, cable broadband, WiFi or even dial-up. Technically it is doable, very easy for understanding, doesn’t require any shifting and learning in the heads of our poor grandparents who are left in this world with virtual laughs and virtual touch from their grandchildren.
I pick https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/tivo-sackpack-giveaway/ because I love giveaways :)
I’ll pick https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/stephen-colbert-documents-the-evolution-of-att/ because I love Stephen Colbert. Plus I hate big monopolies like AT&T, so I guess this is a two-for-one. :P
I liked this post about Tivo2Go for the mac and the Tivo theme for Toast which I use all the time.
Painfully I must choose… https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/tivo-v-echostar-continues/
Because, following yours or others coverage of the trial I made a decision to sink some money into tivo stock.
Sadly.. the rising tivo stock didn’t last for long.. so now the stock is back to way low, and I am out some money.. In the end I think “I’ve made a huge mistake”
https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-02/how-hd-dvd-protection-was-possibly-defeated/
HD can already be copied? Most people don’t even know about HD upconversion yet.
I’ll pick https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/mac-tivotogo-is-here-by-roxio/ because I’ve been using Tivo2Go for a long time on the PC (along with Nero to create and burn them onto DVDs) but since I use my Mac more and more, I like to see Windows-only apps ported over to OS X. Eventually I may do away with using two operating systems and switch exclusively to Mac. :)
I opt for https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/hands-on-with-palmos-slingplayer-and-slingcatcher/ because this post (and the subsequent news that the Palm OS Client for Sling was real), caused me to go out and purchase the Slingbox Pro – have been loving it ever since.
I think this was really good. https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/slingcatcher-is-real/
I hope we hear more about it soon. It would be much better than my ADS Tech Media Link or even an Apple TV.
I like your story on the slingcatcher.
https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/slingcatcher-is-real/
I really am looking forward to it over my ADSMediaLink.
https://zatznotfunny.com/2006-12/mac-tivo-fanboys-share-some-kool-aid/
Picked this one for a couple reasons, one the title is very appropriate. Both Apple and Tivo have rapid fanbases with delusions of granderu. Also, I agree with you, Apple won’t license anything from Tivo, as they are too scared to take on evil empires such as Comcast and will avoid the DVR business at all costs.
I particularly enjoyed this story about the comcast/tivo DVR software. It brought me to the site. I work for one of these companies, and your story is the best info I’ve yet find.
https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/2006-in-review-higher-definition/
A winner – a Nostradus-lite title, timely 2007 DTV reminder, nice hardware overlook, and a CES teaser to boot! Kudos…
Picture of the Day: I Want My HDTV
I’m going with this one because, even an FCC deadline and nearly half a year later, it is still just as relevant an issue. I think it will be for the foreseeable future. Not that it matters a great deal because people are more interested in the bragging rights that go with the spec, anyway… Not to mention the minimal extra detail you can actually recognize over 720p in your average home theater setup.
The fact remains that there are very few devices on the horizon that will be able to output true 1080p. I wonder if this is an issue of supply or demand? Do not enough people have 1080p sets yet, are the differences vs. 720p too insignificant, or is the technology just simply not there?
https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/storing-stuff-part-1/
i am still waiting to part part 2
I picked the post on Movie Maker being DRM-free in Vista at https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-02/windows-vista-edit-dvr-ms-with-movie-maker/
It lead me to make the Vista jump!
https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/january-skype-updates/ because this is the article that got my on Skype. $15? So easy! Now the pizza guy can call me to tell me he can’t find my apartment!
For me it’s gotta be https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/hands-on-with-netgear-dual-mode-skype-phone/ I would love to get rid of my home phone. I pickup the skype deal of $15 for the first year.
https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/windows-vista-stream-media-pc-to-pc/
I still haven’t installed Vista, but since reading the article have added streaming video on my “features to try” list.
https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/pvrwire-shutting-down/
Without this post, I’d never have found TVSquad. It was a useful reminder that all of the great technology I see on this blog is nothing without content. :-)
This was SOOO easy for me because I had this page bookmarked.https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/question-of-the-day-repair-or-replace-ipod/ Your article blog entry titled Question of the Day: Repair or Replace IPOD? from Jamuary 23rd 2007 saved me from the hassle of sending my IPOD in for warranty. I followed your instructions and brought my Gen 3- 20 GB back to life. I have sent this excerpt out to at least 4 people and they in turn have resent to their friends. Who knows how many IPOD’s have been saved by Dave. Maybe in the MILLIONS!!! A well written tutorial that saved the day. Thats why I have liked this blog, always a nice mix of the Whats New?, The Hands On and the How To… makes for a continual good read.
Thanks again, Barb
https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/hands-on-with-netgear-dual-mode-skype-phone/
Because it’s the give away :)
This post…
https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/2007-in-preview-the-cablecard-cometh/
I’m glad to see someone staying abreast of a topic that’s important to me. Like having my own personal researcher. I have the series 3 and cable cards are vital to my HDTV watching experience.
https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/2007-in-preview-the-cablecard-cometh/
not sure if my comment took but this article because i have 3 cable cards and I need to be in the know, vis a vis cable card goings on.
https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/dave-gets-netflix-downloads/
I had Netflix and Blockbuster DVD accounts at the time was trying both of them The article made me decide on Netflix over BB because I wanted to watch TV shows when I wasnt at home (traveling).
https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/hands-on-with-palmos-slingplayer-and-slingcatcher/
I have to go with the Slingcatcher story, as it is one of my most highly anticipated devices shown at CES. The Slingplayer is basically what is keeping my PC in my living room right now. Once I get the Slingcatcher, the PC can go elsewhere. I will have my Xbox 360 for MCE Extender, and SlingCatcher for my Slingbox!
My pick:
https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/pvrwire-shutting-down/
I love reading about great technologies so I’m sorry to see another resource disappear.
Random.org has declared David B the winner. Congrats!
https://zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/comcast-and-cablecard-sittin-in-a-tree/
I’m in the comcast market and also, I need to be informed about what happens with regard to these cable cards. Especially when they get that 2 way card ready for prime time.
Good reporting Dave!
Hey, thanks for the phone! It has a couple quirks, but nothing I can’t deal with. I use it as my main phone, using skype in and unlimited skype out calling, and it works great. I even carry it with me and am able to make and receive calls at my friends’ places. The user interface is, in my opinion, better than any cell phone I’ve used.