Mari Silbey

Mari’s tech career started when she became the default “IT guy” in her first job out of college. Since leaving help-desk duties to the experts, she’s focused on trends in technology as a consultant, writer, reporter, analyst and at-home gadget tinkerer. Her current paid gig is with the non-profit organization US Ignite where she focuses on how networks and digital technologies impact smart cities. All posts on ZNF represent her own opinions and not those of US Ignite. Mari is a sucker for anything in the digital media space and covers interesting happenings in cable, telecom, and whatever else she feels like. Find her on Twitter at @msilbey.

Squeezebox Review: On My X’mas List

I admit to feeling some trepidation when my Slim Devices Squeezebox review unit arrived. Since buying a house a year and a half ago, my stereo from early high school has sat unused in our basement. (Note the cheesy, Space-Invaders-like display on the screen and the layers of dust.)

I popped open one of the tape decks and look what I found:

So imagine my nervousness at trying to combine the archaic technology of my high school years with something as beautiful as the Squeezebox.

I’ve contemplated upgrading my music options for quite a while now, but frankly I’ve been pretty happy with my iPod and the kitchen radio for listening to NPR. Satellite radio has a monthly fee, which I’m not willing to pay, and my music collection isn’t stellar enough to warrant buying an iPod dock with speakers.

Looking at the Squeezebox, I wondered not only if I could make it work with my stereo, but if it would even be worthwhile given my decidedly low-key approach to music.

Here’s the answer: Yes, yes, unequivocally yes. Can I have it for Christmas, please? Pretty please with a cherry on top?

Every new thing I tried with the Squeezebox just made it better — Starting with streaming my own music, then accessing the SqueezeNetwork and finally going full out with Pandora. If you want to skip set-up and some of the more gory details, scroll to the end for a list of pros and (very few) cons.

Ad-ding It Up for VOD

It’s kind of like the war between spammers and anti-spammers. As soon as one side comes up with a new technological weapon, the other builds something for the arsenal to counter it. So it goes with television advertising. Charter is starting a trial in hometown St. Louis of dynamic, on-demand advertising. The reason this is … Read more

ZNF Does TechCrunch NYC, Part 2

Apparently Mike Arrington was at TechCrunch New York on Thursday night. Given that there were no introductions, no speeches or toasts, I had my doubts. I’m not one to stand on ceremony, but shouldn’t there at least have been a welcome to everyone? I did get some gratification, however. After announcing my status as official … Read more

ZNF Does TechCrunch NYC, Part 1

I spent a short and sweaty evening at TechCrunch New York tonight. (Which will be last night by the time this gets posted.) The venue was hot, loud and not at all ideal for showing off Web apps. Ever been to a bar in Manhattan? Add small tables with placards and laptop displays and you … Read more

Snickers? M&Ms? iPods?

I walked into Macy’s yesterday, and what did I stumble upon? Men’s suits on my left, and hey! It’s an iPod vending machine on my right! In truth I didn’t see the iPods until I was leaving the store, though I can’t imagine how I managed to miss them the first time around. Unfortunately I … Read more

CE Under the Tree (or Hanukkah Bush)

In the midst of today’s gadget-opia, you’d think it would be easy to pick out CE gifts for the holiday season. But the NPD Group suggests that consumers will be shunning electronics this year in favor of more �traditional� gifts like clothing and toys. And I’m not surprised. While there are plenty of new and … Read more

YouTube Goes for (More) Mass Distribution

Notice how indie and mass commercial distribution networks are merging? Well here’s one more example: Reuters and The Wall Street Journal report that YouTube (apparently we still call it that if even after Google’s buyout) and Verizon are in talks to distribute YouTube videos over cell phones and the FiOS TV network. I’m very curious … Read more

Happiness is a DVR in Election Season

I’m not the only one who’s noticed how nice it is to have a DVR during election season. Pennsylvania and neighboring New Jersey are battleground states for several Congressional seats, and I’ve never been happier to be able to skip through a series of ad campaigns. Personally, I know where my votes are going, and … Read more