Zatz Not Funny!

Immigration: The Human Cost This is what Web video was made for. Forget real news, video blogs and gadget demos, turn your browser to the Onion News Network. In case you missed it, the Onion debuted its online video broadcasts late last month. And if you’re a fan of the print version, the short-form videos … Read more

CBS Streams The Masters

Don’t have a Slingbox? (Tsk, tsk.) As they did with March Madness, CBS has you covered by streaming The Masters online. Kevin tells me he’s enjoyed it full screen on his UMPC and that the quality is good. Why anyone would want to watch golf is beyond me… Though some probably wonder why Jeremy and … Read more

My Vonage Line Is Safe For Now (Bummer)

To recap… Verizon went after Vonage, claiming patent infringement. The jury agreed that Vonage infringed on three of Verizon’s patents, ordering $56 million in repayment plus future royalties. The court seemed to move towards a total injunction, but yesterday GigaOm reported on Verizon’s propsal: Judge Claude Hilton has issued an injunction that bars Vonage from … Read more

When Unlimited… Isn’t

Sounds like our “unlimited” data plans may not be so unlimited after all… In two separate revelations this week, both Verizon and Comcast appear to have very specific limits in place (though Comcast isn’t disclosing a number). CybernetNews documents Verizon’s mobile broadband service agreement: We reserve the right to limit throughput or amount of data … Read more

Comcast DVR Ads Spread to Bay Area

Jeremy was disappointed to discover Comcast dropped banner ads onto his DVR this week:

I noticed I’d lost about 1/8th of my overall screen space to a new “advertisement slot.” Worse yet, I’ve lost 2 (of 6) lines of the visible grid area, meaning I have to spend roughly 1/3 longer than before just to scroll through channels.

Assuming he’s stuck with them, JT provides several interesting suggestions on how Comast (or is it Motorola?) might improve their ad-serving implementation. Until then, he wonders where that Comcast-Motorola-TiVo is… While he’ll get a better interface (one day), the ads won’t be going away:

make the TiVo(R) service and advertising capability widely available to Comcast customers

combine TiVo’s unmatched DVR features and innovative advertising capabilities with the power of Comcast’s advanced digital television services

TiVo and Comcast will make TiVo’s interactive advertising platform available across Comcast’s customer base

Patch WinDVD… Or Else

I can’t imagine there are gazillions of people currently watching HD-DVD or Blu-ray discs via PC… But the dozen of you who both watch AND use WinDVD better upgrade before InterVideo shuts you down. Their press release blames “hackers” though InterVideo forgot to mention they left the keys unprotected. WinDVD customers who are currently using … Read more

Gamefly Opening East Coast Distribution Center

Looks like Gamefly is phasing in an east coast distribution center next week. Given my prior mail rental experiences with these guys, I’ll probably continue to pass. Davis recently gave them a second chance, though he tells me: “Hard to believe that their service has gotten worse.” Doh! Starting next week, you may notice that … Read more

Punk’d by Borat

How my buddy Tim was punk’d… and Netflix wasn’t surprised:

I got the movie Borat via Netflix and it I was a little bitter that it was a bootleg copy. Looked like a consumer purchased DVD with the title inked on the surface with a Sharpie. So I report it to Netflix, being the good citizen that I am and this is the response.

We appreciate this opportunity to assist you with “Borat.” “Borat”, is a comedic social satire. In keeping with the tone of the movie itself, the movie packaging was intentionally designed by the studio to look like a “bootlegged” or pirated movie. We hope you enjoyed “Borat” and appreciate your inquiry!