Dave Zatz, Author at Zatz Not Funny!

CBS Launches TV.com iPhone App

CBS may have recently lost out on Hulu content, but they’re pressing forward with their re-imagined TV.com initiative. And, yesterday, they introduced a free TV.com iPhone app.

What caught my eye in the press release was the mention of “full episodes” – So I immediately rushed out to the parking lot, where I have AT&T reception, to download the software. While many CBS properties are represented (CBS, Showtime, CNET), the “full episodes” are few and far between… other than plenty of original Star Trek installments. In fact, I couldn’t figure out how to filter specifically for the good stuff. As it turns out, “full episodes” are broken up into multiple video clips. Which bugged me at first, but now I see the wisdom in it – should you lose your connection, you won’t have to scrub through 50 minutes of content to find your spot. Speaking of connections, CBS says the video streaming will work over EDGE, 3G, or WiFi. TV.com doesn’t seem as snappy as the Joost app, but I’m hopeful of seeing more mainstream, current content going forward.

Dumping Gear the Green Way

If you collect as many gadgets as I do, it’s inevitable a percentage will outlive their usefulness. In the past, I’ve purchased Office Depot’s tech recycling boxes ($5) to unload that broken and limited-value gear. In fact, I’ve got an overflowing box ready go. Which is why LifeHacker’s recent coverage of Best Buy’s expanded recycling … Read more

Get Your OS X Hulu Fix via Plex

When one door closes, bust through a window? OS X users still seeking a Hulu fix after the Boxee run-in should download the new version of Plex. Both Boxee and Plex share the same XBMC (Xbox Media Center) DNA. However, as a community project, Plex will continue to have more freedom in what they can … Read more

Verizon Hub gets Internet Radio (plus ads?)

I swung by the Verizon mall kiosk today to play a bit with the Verizon Hub ($200). Unfortunately, I only had my iPhone with me and wasn’t able to take stellar photographs. But it should be clear (enough) that the promised streaming Internet radio has arrived. Verizon’s initial music source/partner is iheartradio.com, a Clear Channel … Read more

Digital Media Bytes: Last100 Edition

A periodic roundup of relevant news… from our friends at Last100: Hulu blocks Boxee, could Firefox, IE and Safari be next? Its only crime is that Boxee has made it more convenient to view television content on a PC connected to a TV. Oh the irony. Technically speaking Boxee might just be a web browser … Read more

Verizon Home Products land on Mobile Portal

I’ve seen several demos of pre-release Verizon FiOS TV remote DVR scheduling via dedicated mobile applications. But tonight an anonymous Lakers fan tipped me off to a live, handset-agnostic mobile web portal… that will support a variety of Verizon home services. Despite the “beta” designation, Kobe our tipster was able to successfully log into FiOS … Read more

WiFi Logs (& Continued Comcast Cap Silliness)

Again, Twitter proves to be a useful blogging tool… Paul Alfieri, formerly of Motorola and now with Limelight Networks, directed followers this morning to CNET’s coverage of a proposed sweeping network bill: politicians on Thursday called for a sweeping new federal law that would require all Internet providers and operators of millions of Wi-Fi access … Read more

Being Efficient With RSS

As most of us probably know, RSS is set of XML-based protocols intended to make web content a bit more portable. The most common usage is aggregating blog/news content into feed readers. While RSS itself has made me more efficient in consuming information, it hasn’t been enough. And as I ponder a return to time consuming highway commute, I’m looking for ways to get things done (GTD) faster. (Which, ironically, is time consuming.)

A few months back, I migrated away from Google Reader when they refreshed the UI. I’m not quite sure what all the problems are, but the very white/bright look isn’t pleasant. Since then, I’ve been pleased with NewsGator’s free NetNewsWire (OS X) desktop software. Two features in particular are very useful, when used together: full screen mode and the built-in web rendering engine. The typical folders, post flagging, and keyboard shortcuts are present and appreciated. Subscription status is also synced back to m.NewsGator.com for mobile access, although my experience hasn’t been flawless. (There’s also a NetNewsWire iPhone app… which I don’t care for.)