Dave Zatz

Photo of the Day: The iPod Touch Camera

If you needed more proof, beyond the pre-release spy shots and post-release teardown, that the updated iPod Touch was intended to house a camera, perhaps this photo will do the trick. Above, you see a work buddy’s new iPod Touch connected to a Windows laptop without an iTunes install. And the OS seems to think … Read more

Not Impressed with the DirecTV App Store

My pal Tim has been mucking about in the newish DirecTV widget platform and, based on his video above, isn’t all that impressed. (Which may be partially attributed to DirecTV’s house brand of DVR which doesn’t function as smoothly his former DirecTiVo models. He’s just a little bitter.) While DirecTV’s “App Store” (Flickr, Twitter, weather, … Read more

Hava iPhone Client Submitted to Apple

Hava’s iPhone placeshifting client has been submitted to Apple for approval, according to email correspondence from customer service staff. Like their Slingbox competition, I suspect we’ll most likely end up with another crippled WiFi-only release due to AT&T’s non-net neutral policies. (Although, the FCC is expected to say something on this matter today.) I first took the Hava mobile software for a spin back at CES using an iPod Touch (pic above). At that time it wasn’t nearly as polished as their fine Nokia Maemo client. So I assume the intervening months have been put to good use in perfecting the experience.

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Are you sure you want that new Zune HD?

A former Sling Media colleague and current blogging ally picked up the Zune HD at launch, as that’s how us gadget fiends roll. I’ve been tracking Microsoft’s hardware refresh as well, but given the capabilities of current flagship smartphones, I just don’t have a place (or pocket) in my life for a portable media player … Read more

ZillionTV Gives Up on 2009

A Q4 2009 release has morphed into a second half of 2010 launch as, I assume, ZillionTV struggles to find distribution partners, perhaps feeling threatened by local broadcasters which don’t appreciate the studio-backed over-the-top video STB encroaching on their turf. I also assume their business plan of a free box streaming ad-supported content will be … Read more

Seagate Licenses the Pogoplug Personal Cloud

Seagate has licensed the Pogoplug personal cloud experience, to power a line of networked hard drive docks – presumably for use in conjunction with Seagate’s external drives. Pogoplug, in its original $99 form, is a wall wart power adapter that also happens to contain a tiny Linux computer capable of sharing any USB storage, both … Read more

Comment of the Day: Death to tru2way?

I’ve always held a somewhat skeptical view of the industry’s bold OCAP and tru2way proclamations. Which is why I find Glenn’s recent comment notable: Given how poorly this worked, I’d be starting to tone the death knell for OCAP/tru2way at this point. The cable industry missed the self-imposed July 1 deadline, and by quite a … Read more

DirecTV Is THE Service for NFL Fans

For NFL fans, DirecTV is the television provider you gotta have. I’m sure many appreciate the expansion of the Red Zone channel to other pay TV services, but mine (Cox) isn’t one of them. Not to mention, given the Twitter buzz, Comcast’s implementation was lacking in many markets. No HD?! DirecTV’s Sunday Ticket Super Fan … Read more