How To Improve Sportscasting In Video Games

As a casual video gamer, sports has always been one of my favorite genres. I like being able to play an entire game from start to finish, without devoting a month of my life to beat the title. My natural love for sports probably also contributes to this preference, but whatever the case, it’s safe … Read more

AVerMedia USB HD DVR and The Analog Hole

A few days ago I hooked up with the fine folks at AVerMedia to learn a little more about their upcoming USB HD DVR ($199).  This device, like the Hauppauge HD-PVR (~$200), captures HD video (up to 1080i) via component input — therefore allowing you to utilize the “analog hole” for cable and satellite television … Read more

Logitech’s Touch Mouse App is Cute, But…

Logitech’s new Touch Mouse iPhone app (above left) is a cute bit of marketing, but power users can do better. Touch Mouse, in conjunction with PC or Mac server software, allows you to use your iPhone as a remote touchpad (à la GlideTV) and keyboard. For basic control and a cost of zero dollars, it’ll … Read more

20 Minutes with the Nook

2010 is shaping up to be the year that media consumption tablets go mainstream. In fact, according to Amazon, the Kindle already has. Obviously, most of our current attention is focused on the iPad… and Macmillan jacking eBook prices by 50%. (Which is probably unsustainable, despite their hopes.) But a co-worker received a Nook ($259) … Read more

Verizon Preps Widescreen FiOS TV UI?

Over at the Verizon at Home blog, I stumbled upon what may be the future of the FiOS TV UI. And it’s (finally) widescreen! Ben Drawbaugh will be pleased. A variety of under-the-hood modifications and development strategies have resulted in a more modular Interactive Media Platform (IMG) for Verizon – who should be able to … Read more

New Powermat Gear at Mobile World Congress

Fabulous parties and celebrity appearances aside, the Powermat booth tour may have been my best blogger experience at CES this year. And while I won’t make it out to Mobile World Congress later this month, I do have a few educated guesses on what the wireless-power company will be launching there. The Powermat folks graciously … Read more

Roku’s New Channels: SmugMug, DreamTV

Roku ($99) may or may not hit 100 channels this year, but we’re +2 with the addition of SmugMug photos and DreamTV (who?) video. Speaking of channels, I’m about to cave to the studios and pick up a Blu-ray player for new movies, sooner. In addition to physical media, the Sony BDP-N460 (~$200) also claims … Read more

Unboxing the Nao Symphony

You may have caught Cignias’ Nao Symphony Wireless Music Station CES press release, announcing broad device availability and the requisite iPhone app. But I caught the actual unit. The Nao Symphony Wireless Music Station ($299) provides a slightly different take on the pedestrian iPhone speaker dock. In fact, it’s far more sophisticated. So while you … Read more