Dave’s Last iPhone Post (For Real)

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I admit it… I just can’t stop touching the iPhone. It’s an engineering marvel on so many levels. However, like Kevin of jkOnThe Run, the iPhone isn’t for me (yet). But before I tell you what I need to make the “switch” I have more iPhone shenanigans to share…

I ran to Kinkos to send a fax ($2/page?!) and since the AT&T store was only a block away, I dropped in for my third 1/2 hour on the device. First off, my thumb typing skills have improved – even without applying Brian Lam’s (slowish) sliding technique. Second, the phone stores text message conversations. An earlier phone number was still on the device, so I took the liberty of texting them “iPhone!” About 30 seconds later, the phone vibrated and the mysterious person with a 202 area code responded, “Take me home!” I assume they wanted me to take the iPhone home. To them. OK, so if you didn’t find that as amusing as I did, go check out this video for a chuckle. Nice job, Mark! That woman’s lucky to only be out $800 and that pompous attitude… I wouldn’t recommend flashing $16k cash in any neighborhood.

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Netflix Still Contemplating Dedicated STB?

According to an Engadget tipster, Netflix has been conducting focus groups for two set-top box prototypes. The Watch Now-receiving hardware would reportedly clock in at $50 (composite & S-Video) or $100 (component & HDMI) — Which strikes me as extremely affordable… if they can pull it off. Though, I’d still prefer to have fewer boxes … Read more

A Few More Thoughts On iPhone

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Not only did I snap a line in NYC yesterday, I managed to make it home to DC before 6PM and on my walk home caught a few dozen people (above) lined up outside another AT&T store.

Surprisingly, I encountered the only American unaware of and unimpressed with this historical milestone. The teenager saw my camera and news crew across the street – and our conversation went something like this: “What happened?” “iPhone!” “Oh, that comes out today?” “6PM!” “Oh, hm.”

Later in the evening I headed back out to AT&T. They had sold their stock (a number they wouldn’t reveal) in under an hour and the store was pretty quiet… I only waited about 5 minutes for my turn on the iPhone.

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Jaman: First Commercial AppleTV Plugin?

Jaman is a digital movie download service (Mac and PC) focusing on international and indie content. Om Malik caught up with his Bay Area neighbor for a demo of their upcoming AppleTV integration: Jaman has done a great job of (unofficially) integrating their service with AppleTV, and the experience was as seamless as say YouTube. … Read more

Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of non-iPhone news… from our other blogs: Ten Things Only Industry Insiders Believe About CableCARD: Connected Home 2 Go Blockbuster <3 Blu-Ray or Shotgun Wedding: Davis Freeberg Intel on Board with OCAP: Connected Home 2 Go MySpaceTV to Compete With YouTube: Web TV Wire

Picture of the Day: Got iPhone?

I’m still in NYC, and on my one block walk to the Union Square Starbucks this AM I encountered about a dozen folks camping out for an iPhone. Despite all the hype, things seem much calmer than the PS3 and Wii campouts… Perhaps because no one knows (yet) how hard it will be to ebay … Read more

New GPL Due Today

As Todd reminded me (thanks!), the iPhone isn’t the only notable release expected today. An updated version (v3) of the GNU General Public License, which has been in draft form for some time, is expected. Among other modifications, GPLv3 is designed to keep open-source software (such as Linux) open by limiting digital rights management. Not … Read more

Intelliflix Drops Game Rentals

Intelliflix, a Netlix competitor, used to differentiate themselves by offering video games and “mature content” – in addition to standard movie rentals… Well, they’ll still offer the adult stuff. Intelliflix eliminated the game offering for new customers in June of 2007. Due to the continually changing market for games and game consoles, we made this … Read more