Zatz Not Funny!

Amazon Launches “Free” Video Streaming (For $79/yr)

So Amazon’s accidentally leaked all-you-can-eat video streaming has come to pass. And the Hulu, Netflix competitor is free to all Prime members. Well, all full price Prime subscribers. As it looks like those of you on free or discounted subs have been left out. I’m an occasional, but current, Prime member — $79 a year gets me free 2 day shipping and discounted overnight or same-day shipping ($3.99) on physical goods.

So my first thought this AM was, I’m cancelling Netflix! Or Hulu Plus! But it’s not yet clear what sort of quality one can expect from Amazon’s catalog of commercial free video content. Indeed, Engadget took a quick look and wasn’t overly impressed with the picture. Additionally, while Amazon offers over 90,000 pieces of digital video content… only 5,000 are available for “free.” And who knows what determines the selection and rotation.

But I have to say I’m impressed with the wide variety of devices Amazon was able to launch the service with.

Tablet Problem Solved. I Got a Kindle.

I’ve been moaning for months about the state of the Android tablet market. I had planned to ask for one for Christmas, and then my birthday, but those dates have now slipped by, and there’s still not a suitable Android-based tablet for my wish list. I regularly borrow my husband’s iPad for playing games, but a significant problem has emerged that the occasional iPad appropriation doesn’t solve. I’m running out of books.

Since various family members have made the shift to e-readers, my sources for leisure-time reading material have seriously dried up. I’m too lazy and time-constrained to hunt for books I might like, so I rely on others to recommend and then lend me any good ones. Now that they all read their books digitally, it’s put a serious kink in this time-honored system. So much so that my husband finally went out and bought me a Kindle for my birthday. And you know what? It’s perfect.

What Might The Amazon Kindle 4 Look Like?

While many have fixated on the iPad 2, I’ve begun wondering what a Kindle 4 might look like. First off, I believe Amazon will continue to drive the price down on an entry level e-reader to increase uptake. Whether that’s existing $139 WiFi Kindle hardware, or a refreshed product remains to be seen. But I anticipate Amazon will hit the magical $99 price point in time for Christmas 2011. But what might a higher end Kindle look like?

Amazon could go the Barnes & Noble route by introducing a color LCD media-centric tablet. And that would actually make a whole lot of sense given the other digital media properties Amazon could leverage – MP3s, video on demand, and now free, instant streaming for Prime subscribers (!). Yet given the continued bashing of reflective screens in sunlight (screengrab from their latest television commercial below) and what looks to be a successful business relationship with e-Ink, 2011 may not be the year.

However, that’s not to say the Kindle platform will remain stagnant if Amazon sticks with e-Ink.

Amazon Forsakes Older Kindle Hardware?

It looks like Amazon continues to draw the line in the sand when it comes to (not) providing software updates for older Kindle hardware. While third generation Kindles have just been treated to true page numbers and improved periodical layouts, v2 owners are stuck at software that predates the Kindle 3 experience. And first gen Kindle … Read more

My Next Camera? (Canon Elph 500 HS)

Canon’s announced several new digital cameras, both of the dSLR and compact point & shoot varieties. Regulars are probably familiar with my portability prioritization at the expense of some quality. Which is why only models from the P&S lineup would appeal to me. If a camera doesn’t fit in my pocket, it’s not coming with … Read more

My Coolest New Household Gadget

After abandoning our gypsy lifestyle in favor of a return to home ownership, as you might imagine, I’ve been acquiring household gadgets at a furious clip. The right tool makes all the difference. (Thank you, Lowe’s and Amazon Prime.) By far, my favorite new addition is this Petzl Tikka 2 LED headlamp (~$30). It’s been a … Read more

XM Radio Online Comes To Sonos

Everybody’s favorite connected audio solution got a little bit better this week. Heck, from where you’re sitting, the latest Sonos music service might even represent a dramatic upgrade… as I know XM Radio Online has been one of their most requested channels. While Sonos has streamed Sirius forever, XM Online just never made an appearance – … Read more

Roku Releases Official Support for USB Drives

Roku has finally launched official support for accessing USB-housed media via the current XD|S model and discontinued HD-XR. The “Roku USB Media Player” builds upon what was essentially a public beta by slightly broadening file support and reworking the interface. Unfortunately, release notes are slim and it’s not clear what the exact file encoding requirements … Read more