Posted 01/08/2009 at 09:31:44am

thinks it's funny, that this high-end example of video tech is encased in something that looks like a VHS cassette?

Posted 01/07/2009 at 03:40:08am

how does it feel? Some of us actually care about typing on these things and would like to see at least some brief comment in a "hands on" article.

In fact for me that's the most important part of a KEYBOARD. All these comments about how you an get cheaper keyboard that does the same basic thing are missing the point as well. Cheap keyboards feel like spongy crap and have little tactile response. I will happily pay more for a keyboard that actually feels good to use.The media stuff is just a fun extra in that case.

Posted 01/05/2009 at 05:46:35pm

the only thing this list proves is that Neilsen households are behind the curve again and don't represent the most discerning user base.

Just like TV households.

Posted 12/26/2008 at 08:04:25pm

Maximum PC should also start running those "why HDTV won't take off" articles too. Those were pretty popular back in 2000 and I haven't seen one of those for a while.

 edit: here's one to get you started from 1999.

High definition television (HDTV) will fail to offer broadcasters, cable operators and TV manufacturers new revenue sources, according to a new report by Massachusetts-based Forrester Research. The report, titled "HDTV Dreams, SDTV Realities," concludes that standard definition television (SDTV) will turn out to be the better alternative when it comes to digital television.

The report, which was based on information gathered from networks, station groups, cable and satellite operators, programmers, manufacturers and retailers, suggests that HDTV won't be affordable ...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb6675/is_/ai_n26452549

I've been watching HD broadcasts since 2001. So all these so-called "Blu-ray experts" should save their article ideas for ten years and then think about writing something when they actually gain some perspective. Clearly their skill at prediction isn't their strong suit, because they said the same with DVD, CD, VHS etc. etc. etc

There's one attention-seeking pundit born every minute. And then someone to jump on the topic to try and get some hits the minute after.

Posted 12/26/2008 at 05:02:40pm

Can you just repeat this every three months? That way you won't have to keep trying to find different ways to write another "the inevitable demise of Blu-ray" article. It's getting old, tired and lazy now.

Posted 11/04/2008 at 03:23:39pm

after being content to sit on their hands for a decade as they reaped the profits of those willing to pay exhorbitant fees for broadband access, the majority of companies have now found that they should have been actually investing that in ugrading the system. Instead the majority chose to try and wring a few more dollars out of the consumer by trying to steal phone customers as soon as they had the capability to offer the same.

This is why the US is losing it's position in the technology world. You need to invest in the technology to be competitive with other countries and not just invest in marketing to try and screw the consumer for the last cent. The future of IPTV and a fully wired country is a joke now. It's going to take years and years before the US can make up the initiative it's lost thanks to greedy telecoms and cablecos. And the consumers pay. Not just financially but in the loss of education and information as well. Welcome to the future of 10 years ago.

Posted 10/12/2008 at 07:13:32pm

Wilson, NC built their own fiber network because TWC cannot be bothered to upgrade their infrastructure because they have no competition in NC to force them to do so. They basically suck.

They now have full fiber TV service with more HD than TW can dream of in our area and broadband speeds up to 100Mbps. Their cheapest deal is $35 and offers 10Mbps AND down!

http://www.greenlightnc.com/home/internet/

Posted 10/01/2008 at 10:07:11pm

Since the music industry seems pretty intent on burying every internet medium dedicated to music I don't see this as a suprise. I don't think they will go through with it and it's just an empty threat to Apple. It's easy for groups like the RIAA, NMPA etc. to bully small groups like Pandora, but going up against the number one digital outlet is probably a stupid thing to do. Force closure on one and they'll just be increasing piracy again. Every other service is still awkwardly designed compared to the iTunes interface with an iPod, and when you make things more difficult legally, people will just choose the easiest way even if it's illegal.

Either way I don't care. I buy CDs and rip them to my iPod.

Posted 09/26/2008 at 06:39:48pm

Hulu is is part owned by NBC Universal. This article should clarify that UMG is launching a Hulu rival and not just "Universal" which infers that the NBC content will be vanishing from Hulu.

Posted 09/11/2008 at 12:26:21am

The Pronto series is so far ahead of the Harmony it's not even funny. The fact you think they are the same means you have no clue what you are talking about.

While the Harmony series is still crippled by the programming interface from an 8 year old design, the Pronto series offers a blank slate to do anything. Create your graphical style and layout any way you wish, drag and drop IR programming, javascript programming, internet connectivity, two-way control with visual feedback, unlimited macros ... Want to see the weather or news on your remote? You can. Want to watch videos on your remote screen? That too. The list is endless.

If you want a touch screen remote that offers almost zero customization and forces you to have your hand held through pages of Harmony screens just to add an IR command to a sequence, then Harmony is for you. if you want a remote that allows you to basically do anything, any way you like using dedicated software that allows you to make complex adjustments in a snap, then the Pronto is the way to go.