Dave Zatz

EchoStar Announces Agreement to Acquire Sling Media, Inc.

Combination Will Create Industry-Leading Digital Media Solutions Provider

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. and FOSTER CITY, Calif., September 24, 2007 – EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) announced today that it has agreed to acquire Sling Media, Inc., a privately-held digital lifestyle products company. EchoStar, through its DISH Network®, is the third largest pay-TV provider in the United States. The transaction values Sling Media at approximately $380 million and is payable in cash and EchoStar options. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2007.

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TiVo Rolls Out Fall Software Update

tivo-update1.jpg

Over on TiVo Lovers, I caught news that TiVo has begun rolling out their Fall 2007 software update (9.1). Other than the advanced Boolean Wishlist searches, most of the visible enhancements appear to be pretty minor. Guess TiVoToGo, Multi-Room Viewing, and eSATA storage support for Series3/HD will be part of the “Winter” update? November’s quickly approaching…

Since I’m on the road, I hadn’t spent any time looking at TiVo system messages – but I did check last night. And as you can see from the pics, our bedroom Series2 received the 9.1 update.

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Where’s Dave?

Sorry for the light posting, gang. I’ve been on the road 8 nights at this point, starting on Sunday watching football in our California office followed by a couple of 12-hour work days. Friday night I flew into New York City to pitch in behind the scenes on a Good Morning America segment and ventured … Read more

CNBC HD… Isn’t?

CNBC is going HD. Sort of. The channel will broadcast in 16:9 and they’ll show HD graphics, banners, and tickers on the sides. But the 4:3 talking heads will preside in all their (upscaled) SD glory. While I can sort of understand saving money by delaying the HD studio gear investment, it’s still somewhat baffling … Read more

The Gamefly Update: Improved

Back in July, Gamefly reached out to me after hearing of my first (subpar) stint as a customer. They offered me 90 days on the house (2 games out) to test their supposedly improved service. Having received about a dozen Xbox and PSP games the last two months, I can report that delivery times have … Read more

Nano “Fatty” Misaligned

crooked-ipod-nano.jpgBased on feedback in the Apple forums, Engadget reports that new iPod nano components are misaligned in some units:

the screen doesn’t appear to be completely level within the casing

Having played with several of these in the Apple Store, I encountered the defect on just one. The degree of tilt is pretty small, but it is noticeable (and surprised me). Assuming Apple hasn’t replaced the model I saw Saturday at Montgomery Mall (MD), you can see for yourself – in the front section, check out the silver Nano attached to the iMac furthest in on the far left.

Supposedly Apple is replacing these units. As they should.

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If Money Grew On Trees: FogScreen

If money grew on trees, I’d have a funkadelic living room. FogScreen “produces a thin curtain of fog that serves as a translucent projection screen, displaying images that literally float in the air.” It sounds like FogScreen has been available overseas for a bit (mostly appearing at trade shows), but is now making its way … Read more