Dave Zatz

Kodak Refreshes Playsport Vid Cam & Pulse Frame

While I imagine Kodak was hopeful of refreshing their semi-ruggedized Playsport Flip-style video camera prior to the holidays, I suppose it’s better late than never? Incidentally, I did exchange emails with Kodak this past fall wondering when/if there might be a new model… as I frequently recommend v1 (Zx3, ~$125) over the various Flip cams. … Read more

Microsoft Set To Take On AppleTV & Roku?

We’re still about 36 hours from Microsoft’s CES keynote. Yet the Seattle Times looks to have stolen a bit of CEO Steve Ballmer’s connected home thunder: Microsoft’s going to make a splash in this market with a stripped-down version of Windows tailored for set-top boxes and connected TVs. The software is a version of its … Read more

Vizio Dumps Yahoo For Google?

Vizio’s begun dropping details on their 2011 lineup, including what could be a defection from Yahoo connected services in favor of Google’s broader ecosystem… which corresponds nicely with a Vizio expansion into mobile gear. This year Vizio Internet Apps (VIA) will become or be augmented by VIA Plus, their take on Google TV. While the … Read more

CES 2011 – Where’s Dave?

For the first time since the blog really got rolling, I won’t be attending the Consumer Electronics Show. CES, of course, is the largest tech trade show in the US and where a wide array of companies preview their wares. As with most years, early on I debated attending. Last year, for example, we had record traffic … Read more

This Old House: Goodbye SDV, Hello FiOS

fios-install1

The backstory… We moved into our new (old) home about three weeks ago. And, to be efficient, merely transferred our Cox cable and Internet services. Unfortunately, the migration wasn’t quite as seamless as I had hoped – including blown scheduling by Cox and several days without service at both the old and new locations (without restitution). Additionally, regular readers should be familiar with my ongoing switched digital video pain and Cox’s restrictive CCI Byte implementation… leading to severely crippled TiVos. So no one should be surprised I’d want to give Verizon’s FiOS a try. Given reader encouragement in the comments and an upcoming siding project, we accelerated the plan.

My original goal had been to run both Cox and Verizon services simultaneously, reserving the right to terminate the install at any time, but within 10 minutes of the technician surveying the landscape he started severing legacy coax – which is when I realized there was no turning back. The installer (Matt W.) very patiently and expertly accommodated every request and performed outstanding, detailed work during his 6.5 hour visit. Not only that, he refused every offer of a beverage and a generous tip.

Now I did inform Verizon ahead of time that I’d ordered service, but I’m not sure I received any sort of special treatment. In fact, it could have worked against me…

fiostv-tweet

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Seeya, Rhapsody

As I’m wont to do, I regularly cycle through all sorts of content subscription services. And earlier this month, I returned to the Rhapsody fold. Unlike my Slacker and XM subs, Rhapsody provides more control; instead of listening to someone else’s playlists, I can create my own or even playback specific albums on demand. Indeed, … Read more

The Year in Review

As the year winds down, it’s only natural for us to reflect back. And I’d like to think my early thoughts from CES 2010, captured on video (above), mostly panned out.

Despite industry hopes, it seems that the majority of my peers aren’t that fired up over 3D TV. While many have acquired 3D capabilities through HDTV or Blu-ray player upgrades, I’m not aware of anyone buying in specifically for that reason. Nor am I aware of any catching 3D content on any sort of frequent or even regular basis. As for me, my interest level remains close to zero. We’ll be picking  up a new HDTV (50″ – 55″ range) in the next month or so and I’ll actively seek out non-3D models as a way to save a few bucks.

Tablet-esque products gained considerable momentum in 2010, led by the Amazon Kindle and Apple iPad. Of course, these sorts of devices aren’t new. But the lightweight OS-es and custom UIs combined with favorable pricing, are — and what pushed this product category into the mainstream.

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A Big 2011 for Jinni?

We’ve been following the Jinni content recommendation service for nearly two years, beginning with Davis’ glowing review. Based on their 2011 goals below, they obviously intend to break free of the web browser: JinniTV – a new guide which will enable online users to enjoy the Jinni experience through remote-control access to their connected living … Read more