Zatz Not Funny!

Barnes & Noble launches iPad eReader

Barnes & Noble has launched a version of its eBook reader for the Apple iPad. The company already has an iPhone and iPod touch app, as well as the recently launched Nook dedicated eBook reader. But the iPad app is set to go head to head with Apple’s iBooks. There’s definitely room for more than one digital … Read more

No Netflix for Popbox At Launch? (Ever?)

Over the last week or so, I’ve received a few tips and inquiries regarding the Popbox folks removing all Netflix references and imagery from a redesigned website ahead of launch. While the Popbox brings along many of the powerful local playback capabilities found in Syabas’ precursor Popcorn Hour devices, the Popbox introduces a refreshed UI and apps. Indeed, Netflix … Read more

The TiVo Quarterly Call (No Surprises?)

Quarterly Subscriber Change, TVbytheNumbers

TiVo held their quarterly call yesterday and, at first glance, I’m not seeing any surprises. Subscriber count continues to decline, from 3.2 million a year ago to 2.5m as of 4/30. But TiVo’s got plenty of cash in the bank (~$250m) and zero debt, along with a number of lawsuits and partnerships in various stages of development. Speaking of which, Cox, Comcast, and DirecTV are merely sputtering along, whereas RCN is deploying the TiVo Premiere (with On Demand!) at a rapid pace. The relevant docs:

My writing partner Davis Freeberg follows TiVo closer than most, as a customer and an optimistic investor, and covered TiVo’s call on FriendFeed in real-time yesterday. His unedited stream:

I Don’t Need A Color Kindle

Even if Amazon’s got a Kindle 3 locked and loaded, it won’t be shipping with a color display. At a shareholder meeting today, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said that while he’s seen such technology “in the laboratory,” it’s “not ready for prime time production” and a color screen Kindle is “a long way out.” I’m perfectly … Read more

Best Buy & TiVo Developing Non-DVR HDTV(s)

For years, I’ve pined for a TiVo-fied television. In fact, Humax was set to deliver a TiVo solution way back in 2005. Unfortunately, the 26″ LCD TV with TiVo DVR capabilities and integrated DVD recorder never made it to market. Last summer, when TiVo and Best Buy hooked up with a pretty expansive dealio, it … Read more

Hands On with the Kodak Pulse WiFi Frame

I got pretty excited about the Kodak Pulse digital picture frame back at CES, but didn’t have a chance for any one-on-one time with the product until last weekend. Who needs a review unit when your parents buy the gadget outright? And that in itself says a lot. After years of searching, we finally have … Read more

End of the Road for Dash Express

It should come as no surprise Dash Express network service would ultimately be terminated. In fact, I’m impressed that it’s been active this long given hardware discontinuation (11/08) and the RIM acquisition (6/09) in years past. However, we’ve nearly reached the end of the road — June 30th will be the last day Dash GPS owners will be able to access online services including traffic, Yahoo Local Search, and Send2Car.

As a refresher, Dash was notable as the first Internet-connected PND (via GSM service). It may have been large and had kinks to be worked out, but the Express provided all sorts of new, innovative mobile functionality. And I admired their audacity in taking on the establishment. Yet the world has dramatically changed since Dash was first conceived. And many of us now navigate via our (connected) smartphones. Which is probably why RIM, the Blackberry people, picked up Dash (for a song).

The Dash story is also partially my own – having been employed about 6 months when the powers that be pulled the plug on hardware and a large percent of the staff. Obviously it wasn’t the outcome I had hoped for or anticipated. And not a decision I agreed with. Sadly, due to the nature of things, it’s not appropriate to elaborate any further. Unless we’re chatting in person over a beer. ;)

WiMAX Coming to Baltimore… Again

Poor Baltimore. It was one of the first cities to get Sprint’s 4G Xohm service, but it got the short end of the stick when it came to Clear rollouts. Now it appears the city is back on track for 4G service. According to Gus Sentementes on the BaltTech blog, Clearwire is hosting a blogger/tweeter … Read more