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BMW and Mercedes to Adopt Intel Atom Based Infotainment Systems

Ryan Whitwam — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:32:27 -0500

If you’re in the market for a luxury car in the next few years, they might try to upsell you an Atom-based “infotainment” system. BMW and Mercedes-Benz expect to get the units in cars sometime in 2012. Mercedes-Benz will make the systems available to buyers of its S-Class and C-Class vehicles. BMW will have them in the 7-series.

Intel’s Paul Otellini said these would be just the first of many in-vehicle entertainment systems based on the Atom platform. It’s possible this is the beginning of a trend. Maybe these carputers won’t be relegated to luxury models for long. This is yet another creative use for the Atom chip, but will anyone be interested?

EVO: The Unholy Hybrid of Open-Source Computing and Consoles

David Murphy — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:25:53 -0500

Xbox 360? PlayStation 3? OnLive? Psh. A company you've never heard of released the first-ever Linux-based gaming console today, and if this is the route that open-source is taking to your living room... count me out. Envizions Computer Entertainment's EVO Smart Console looks like the dark offspring of a PlayStation 2 and a home-theater PC -- only, instead of a baby, a penguin popped out.

Early adopters can pick up the Linux-based console starting today, with retail units expected to ship on April 10. The system will set you back anywhere from $280 to $350, with the price shooting up to $380 after April 17. Most games for the system will come shipped on SD cards at a cost of $20, although Envizions maintains that developers will be free to set whatever price they want for their offerings.

That's a pretty hefty price tag for a system, given the specifications of the machine. But I'll get to that in a second. The reason I approach this console release with a bit of mocking is because there is no way -- repeat, no way -- that this device is going to take off. The only console I can foresee it topping is Infinium Labs's Phantom, and if you know the story behind that, you'll know just how little a testament that is.

Face it -- this is an overpriced Linux box. It's overpriced as a PC, and it's complete insanity given that every single popular console on the market destroys the price-for-performance takeaway of the EVO Smart Console. Consider what you're getting in the package:

AMD Athlon 4850E 2.4 GHz processor
ATI HD 3200-based graphics
2GB DDR2 memory
120GB Hard Drive

That's not a very compelling offering versus the 3.2 GHz tri-core Xenons or 3.2 GHz Cell processors found in the console industry's big sluggers. And then there's the Nintendo Wii -- not quite as compelling, power-wise, but unmatched in its unique gesture-based offerings. But this is just the hardware; now consider the games. Awaiting you on the EVO Smart Console are thrilling titles like Big City Rigs: Garbage Truck Driver, Million Dollar Password 2009, and Fallout 3 -- the latter looking like total smoke-and-mirrors. Last I checked, there was no officially licensed version of Fallout 3 for Linux, nor would I ever believe that an ATI HD 3200-based Linux PC could output Fallout 3 in alleged 1080i/1080p resolutions.

I think it's amazing that the power of open source has helped a company create a fully-functional gaming console -- surely the ability to tap into inexpensive, working software as the foundation for the EVO Smart Console really helped Envizions Computer Entertainment pack as much hardware as it possibly could into this miniature PC. And I'm not picking on the company because I'm bitter and stingy. I only bring them up because I just know that someone, somewhere, is going to look at this machine and think it's the next big thing because it's based on the backbone of community-developed "free" software. As if, somehow, including Linux on a machine or tapping into open-source gaming makes a device the alternative music of the console market.

Well, it isn't. Linux and open source might fly in the PC space, where the power of open-source can actually do some good in the purposely inexpensive netbook market. But this just isn't going to work in the living room. Or at least, not as a gaming platform. I venture that Envizions Computer Entertainment would have found far greater success were it to have instead focused on creating an open-source all-in-one home theater device. You don't need superior graphical capabilities to stream movies. And I'm willing to bet that there are a lot more people who would be happy to purchase an inexpensive -- or even slightly more expensive -- home theater device, as your average consumer doesn't really understand the technical differences of that environment.

But when a company tries to push games like The Battle for freakin' Wesnoth over graphically superior titles like Halo Wars or Metal Gear Solid 4... I mean, come on. Consumers are pretty well-versed in the video game market. And even if they aren't, all they have to do is look at one TV to tell the difference between a beautiful current-generation console title and a bunch of overpriced Linux games. I'm glad open-source allowed Envizions Computer Entertainment to achieve their dreams in some minor capacity. But this is a wrong, wrong turn for living room Linux.

TED 2009: Maximum PC Takes You Behind "The Great Unveiling"

Norman Chan — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:14:15 -0600

If you check the list of hot topics on Twitter right now, you’ll fine #TED at the top of the list. That’s because today is the opening day of the annual TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference, a prestigious gathering of just over 1000 of the world’s most influential thinkers, entertainers, and futurists. This private event (registration costs $6,000, and that’s only after you’re invited) hosts a series a thought-provoking presentations aimed at stimulating the minds of attendees who are then encouraged to engage in an exchange of ideas throughout the week-long session.

Past speakers include Al Gore, JJ Abrams, and Jeff Bezos, who each gave provocative talks about their passions and innovations. This year’s lineup includes Green Auto Pioneer Shai Agassi, web pioneer Tim Berners-Lee, and one Bill Gates. The public typically has to wait several months before videos of these 18-minute long TED talks get uploaded, but we’ve received special access to the live stream of the main stage. Over the next three days, we’ll be posting recaps of tech-related talks to give you some insight into what goes on in this exclusive and enlightening forum. Keep tabs on our TED coverage by clicking this link!

(image via Flickr)

Netflix to Stream Premium Content from Starz Network, Wins My Heart

Paul Lilly — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:00:03 -0500

Let me just say it: I love Netflix. Sometimes I feel like we don't even deserve to be together. Tempted by Blockbuster's in-store exchange policy, I left Netflix behind for a steamy, yet ultimately short lived affair. It all came to a screeching halt when Blockbuster changed the rules of our relationship, demanding more of my money for less of its features.

Since then, I've rekindled my relationship with Neflix, who welcomed me back with open arms, and the thrill of unlimited in-store DVD exchanges on the cheap is nothing more than a memory of broken promises. I'm fully committed to Netflix now, and by all accounts, it appears Netflix is fully committed to me.

The online rental service made a strong bid for the hearts of movie watchers like myself first by keeping prices reasonable and, for the most part, stagnant. But that hasn't stopped Netflix from offering more of itself, making me fall even more in love. Every plan, save for the bottom of the barrel $4.99 subscription, now comes with unlimited time for watching streaming movies, and it's not even restricted to my PC. Rather than nickel and dime me with a 'nominal' monthly fee, I can slap an affordable $99 Roku player into my home theater and stream content to my HDTV.

But it gets even better. Netflix tells me that if I'm willing to wait until late fall, I won't even have to buy a third-party player. Instead, my favorite online rental site has cozied up to my favorite gaming console, and I'll soon be able to stream content with my Xbox 360. Does Netflix know me or what?

Like all relationships, I'm not without complaints. I often long for the excitement of an expanded catalog and Netflix just can't give that to me. Downloadable movies and TV shows are often dated ,and if I want to watch something current, I've learned to keep my queue updated.

Netflix knows this, and rather than convince me to love it for who it is, my beloved rental service has promised to change (again), for the better. More than lip service, Netflix has went and teamed with Starz, instantly adding about 2,500 movies and concerts, including first run "premium" content!

"Beginning today, Netflix and Starz Play will offer a sneak preview of the first full episode of “Crash” in advance of the Starz primetime premiere on October 17 at 10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific. “Crash” will remain a staple in the Starz Play programming mix and new episodes will debut day-and-date with new episode premieres."

Anyone else in love with Netflix the way I am?

New Reality TV Show Asks Contestants to Pick Between a Playboy Bunny or Playstation 3

Paul Lilly — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:18:54 -0500

Go on a weekend getaway with a Playboy model, or take the 60-inch plasma TV and go home alone? A new reality TV show will put contestants in a position to answer this and other similar questions to find out what guys find more important - high tech gadgets or hot women.

It's part of a new series to air on Playboy TV called Gadget or the Girl in which one lucky bachelor will be introduced to three women, one of which he'll eliminate right off the bat. After going on a date with the other two, the guy will choose just one to spend the evening with, and then decide whether to continue the one-on-one time during a weekend getaway, or opt for a high tech prize instead. Gadgets will range from high-definition big-screen TVs to arcade machines and everything in between, but the bachelor won't know what he stands to get (or lose) until after he makes a decision. If he does choose the girl, she'll score a mystery prize instead.

The new show will premier on Playboy TV on September 1 at 7:30 PM, which might not be a problem if you're single. But for those of you that are married, you might be better off opting for HBO rather than trying to convince your missis that you need a subscription to Playboy TV.

No BS Podcast #7

Maximum PC — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 16:22:58 -0600

Welcome to a special GDC edition of the Maximum PC Podcast! This week, Will, Gordon, Mike, and Jeremy discuss:

GDC Happenings - Crytek 2 Engine, DirectX 10 gaming, and Intel's hardware plans
Update on Vista Activation Cracks
Microsoft WGA updates phone home without saying anything
The new HD Photo spec from Microsoft
Gears of War official for the PC
Will's HDR Photos

All that, plus Ask the Doctor, a live update on what everyone's testing in the Maximum PC Lab, a desperate plea for reader questions, and Gordon's Rant of the Week, in the Maximum PC Podcast!

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