Zatz Not Funny!

Discovery Channel’s Recycling Program (Billboards!?)

It just so happens that Discovery Communications is based here the DC region. In fact, I used to live about two blocks from their previous HQ location (Bethesda, MD), which I’ve toured, and have known several employees over the years. In chatting with a work buddy, I learned about a wild and creative reuse of … Read more

The XM Sirius iPhone App Arrives (Do you care?)

Several months after crushing StarPlyr, XM Sirius has gotten around to launching their own streaming iPhone client. And, as you might expect, premium content such as Howard Stern and the NFL is not available. For long time subscribers, the app is probably a nice (free) bonus. But for newer subscribers, ‘Premium Online’ is bundled with … Read more

New Popcorn Hour C-200 Media Tank Announced

The guys over at networkmediatank’s forums have been waiting anxiously for more details on the newest version of the Popcorn Hour (C200) and Sybas finally delivered the specs and a few pics to feed the frenzy. Some things I noticed when browsing the specs and the forum Q&A include: It’s pretty big – much bigger … Read more

Media Center Digital Transition Issues

You’d think those using HTPCs for their TV recording and viewing would be the least likely to be affected by the Digital Transition last week, but you’d be wrong. Many HTPC users (mostly Microsoft Media Center users) that rely on over-the-air (OTA) TV broadcasts for their TV signal have been experiencing major issues with incorrect … Read more

Does DISH Have The TiVo Antidote?

I hate to admit it, but I’m feeling a little foolish right now. Last week, I raised the question of whether or not Dish was researching a hostile takeover of TiVo. In my article, I concluded that they might try, but that they’d never be able to afford the $7.5 billion poison pill that came with it.

Since then, I’ve spent more time researching the pill and realize that I made a terrible mistake. Not only is there an antidote, but Dish may already have it.

Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this pill, but could never figure a way around it. It wasn’t until I asked myself a simple question, that the solution became so obvious. What would Charlie do?

Love him or hate him Dish CEO Charlie Ergen has a special kind of brilliance. His reputation as a fearsome litigator is legendary and more than once he has demonstrated his mastery for the fine art of negotiation. Over the years, his decisions have created huge growth for Dish (albeit at great risks.) Unfortunately, his penchant for the legal system may have finally caught up with him and now he finds himself struggling in quicksand with the prospect of having to buy rope from TiVo.

Hello Sprint MiFi, Goodbye Cradlepoint

If blog comments are any indication, it seems that most folks take issue with the $50-$60/month fee wireless carriers charge for mobile broadband. However, for me, data freedom is priceless. In addition to my Starbuck’s WiFi and Melissa’s T-Mobile Hotspot access, I’ve been relying a USB Sprint Aircard these last few months for on-the-go computing … Read more

Digital Media Bytes: NewTeeVee Edition

Leaving comments across the blogosphere NewTeeVee… Why Netflix Doesn’t Offer Subtitles or Closed Captions Netflix’s Chief Product Officer, Neil Hunt, wrote an interesting blog post today about why his company doesn’t offer subtitles or closed captions on its streaming content. Evidently, adding subtitles and closed captions is harder than it looks. Dave’s response: If Hulu … Read more

Pre Impressions from a Palm Fanboy

After picking up Palm’s new Pre smartphone on launch day roughly a week ago (and spending over six hours to do so), I thought it’d be fun to run through some early thoughts on the device given my long history with Sprint and Palm products. (I worked on Sprint’s PR team for nearly a decade, leaving in 2004.)

I’ll unabashedly admit that I’m a Palm fanboy dating back to the standalone PDA days. Over the past eight or so years I have owned a Palm Pilot, a Handspring Visor, the Treo 600, Treo 650, Treo 700P and ending with the Treo 800w. I still remember how exciting my first Treo was, how cutting edge at the time. Over the years, however, it seemed that Palm simply was going through the motions as it sat back and produced me-too hardware while ceding real innovation to Apple, Google, RIM and others.

The Pre has certainly changed all that, and has brought sexy back to Palm, something they haven’t really had since the 600 or 650. Overall it’s a fantastic device, but there are some kinks that need to be worked out and some nits that I personally have – my hope is that Palm will take its cue from Apple and push out updates and fixes on a very, very regular basis.