By Chief Gizmateer
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews

According to this Intel press release, Intel and DirecTV are working on the first Viiv Technology-Verified Digital Media Adapter (DMA) in a set-top box. Using the integrated DMA, the DirecTV digital set-top box will connect to Viiv-enabled computers providing access to digital media, such as photos and music, stored on the Intel-based computers.

The recently release DirecTV Plus HD DVR is currently in the final testing and verification stages needed for Intel Viiv compliancy.

“With a simple software download, DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR customers nationwide can enjoy on their TV favorite photos and music albums that have been tucked away on their PCs,” said Kevin Corbett, vice president of Intel’s Digital Home Group and general manager of the company’s Content Services Group. “Having the nation’s leading satellite television service provider with a 15 million and growing customer base introduce the world’s first Intel Viiv technology-verified set-top box is a significant milestone, accelerating the number of connected digital homes.”

The software download is expected to be available in December.

Source: DVR Playground

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews

I can’t decide if this reminds me more of the suits in Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers (the book or cartoon, not the movie) or Iron Man. Scientists in Japan are working on a power suit that amplifies human strength. Naturally at this point, it’s not sleek or powerful looking like Iron Man. Actually kinda frail looking.

At Wired Magazine’s NextFest new-technology forum here, researchers demonstrated walking [Image] and lifting weights [image] in the 66-pound suit, which was developed at the High-Tech Research Center of Japan’s Kanagawa Institute of Technology.

“When I wear it, I don’t feel that it’s heavy at all,” said project team member Hiroe Tsukui after stepping out of the power suit. “The sensors can tell the muscle power needed to lift an object.” Source: Yahoo! News

We Say: Cool. But even cooler is the news about the Iron Man movie. Robert Downey Jr. has been signed to play Tony Stark. Since he has a lot of experience with substance abuse, and Tony Stark is an alcoholic, this is perfect casting!

By Jimmy Daniels
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews

Looks like the Sony battery problems are continuing as Toshiba has decided to recall 830,000 batteries and Dell has added another 100,000 to recall as well.

Toshiba said it would recall 830,000 laptop computer batteries made by Sony as part of Sony’s newly launched global replacement program.

A Toshiba spokesman said the company does not think there any safety issues regarding its PCs using Sony-made batteries, but it will recall them anyway to alleviate customer concerns. He added that Toshiba is not likely to pick up the tab for the recall.

“In a longer term, Sony will remain one of the top-class battery suppliers, and it is unrealistic that PC makers halt procurement from Sony.” Source: Yahoo

We Say: Sony said the recall will cost them between 170 and 250 million dollars, but they will still show an increase in profit, 5% this year compared with 1.6% last year, and it should increase a lot next year as well, growing to 2% of Sony’s revenue. Dell has stated that they will continue using Sony batteries, and I would suspect other manufacturers to do the same.

By Jimmy Daniels
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews

I mentioned earlier about the challenge Wayne Porter had for Carolyn Hodge of TRUSTe, answer some in-depth questions on the Revenews blog about TRUSTe, it’s certification policies, delisting procedures, their policy on adware, spyware, malware, and many more hard questions.

What is the size and security / privacy knowledge qualifications of the TRUSTe certification and compliance staff?

When TRUSTe learns of a company with outrageously bad practices — like Webhancer becoming installed without users’ consent — why not just terminate the company’s certification right then? Why wait months or years?

Does TRUSTe feel the use of exploits, worms or malware to be justification for immediate revocation?

Check out the whole list of questions here, should make for an interesting post when they send back their replies.

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews

I must admit, when Dell bought Alienware earlier in the year I was taken aback. This one made my jaw drop. I have never equated H.P. with gaming, and here they go and buy Voodoo Computers.

Hewlett-Packard Co. said on Thursday it agreed to buy privately held Voodoo Computers Inc. at undisclosed terms to boost its presence in the market for high-end personal computers used by video game players.

HP said that Voodoo, whose computers can cost thousands of dollars, would be part of a new gaming business unit that HP is creating to help tap the multibillion-dollar market. Source: Reuters

We Say: Alienware is one thing, but Voodoo? Their PCs cost waaaay more than I’d ever be willing to spend and are famous for being well built on the inside and flashy on the outside. Heeeyy … could this be a way to distract us from what’s happening in Washington?

By Alice Hill
RealTechNews

Apple has Dashboard widgets, Windows Vista has Gadgets, and I personally love the formerly named Konfabulator (now known as Yahoo Widgets), but a new service from Widgetbox makes placing widgets on your blog or website a snap. The example I chose is a copy of Donkey Kong that I am now able to display here with a simple line of javascript code. There are also news widgets, a currency converter, and even a scary Cute Overload widget.
We Say: Free and easy to add to your site. Plus they auto update. Nice! Note sure about the Cute Overload one though…

By Jimmy Daniels
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews

More Sony laptop batteries have been recalled, this time 526,000 by IBM and Lenovo, citing a potential risk following the one confirmed report of a Sony battery overheating and causing one of their laptops to catch on fire. The following models, if purchased by February 2005 and September 2006, are affected, ThinkPad notebook computers: T Series (T43, T43p, T60); R Series (R51e, R52, R60, R60e); and X Series (X60, X60s).

Some 526,000 batteries used in ThinkPad notebook computers worldwide are being recalled in the latest problem with batteries made by Sony Corp., the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday.

IBM Corp., based in Armonk, N.Y., and Lenovo Inc. of Research Triangle Park, N.C., recalled the rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries used in ThinkPad computers because they may pose a fire hazard. About 168,500 of the batteries were sold in the U.S., while the rest were distributed worldwide, the CPSC said.

It was the fourth recall in recent months involving Sony batteries believed to be defective. In August, Dell asked customers to return 4.1 million faulty laptop batteries and Apple recalled 1.8 million batteries worldwide, warning they could catch fire. Last week, Toshiba said it was recalling 340,000 laptop batteries due to a problem that caused the laptops to sometimes run out of power. Source: Yahoo

We Say: We have reported about these Sony batteries many times, here, here, here, here, here, and here, and probably many others that I have missed, but it all started with a Dell notebook exploding in Japan. Wonder how many more we will have? And why did it take IBM so long to make their recall?

By Jimmy Daniels
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews

Microsoft announced the pricing on the Zune media player today, as well as how much the songs from their service will cost. They are going to take a loss on selling the device, saying we’re not going to be profitable this holiday season, but the Zune project is a multi-year strategy.

Microsoft’s 30-gigabyte Zune will retail for $249.99 — 99 cents higher than the iPod with the same amount of storage — when it goes on sale November 14. Songs available for download at the Zune Marketplace service will cost about 99 cents a song, on par with prices at Apple’s iTunes, Microsoft said.

The Zune aims to compete on features, not price, said an analyst. “They’re not getting into a pricing war,” said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at technology and media research firm JupiterKagan Inc.

“It will be a competition of features versus features, form factor versus form factor, winning the hearts and minds of consumers with something other than price,” Gartenberg said. Source: Yahoo

We Say: Sounds like they are taking the same approach that they do with the Xbox, get the consoles out there and make your money on the accessories and the games, or in this case, songs. But with recent reports coming out that Apple makes all of its money upfront on the iPod, and not many people actually purchase music from them, has to make you wonder exactly how many years they are going to give it.

Added More info available here and from the Microsoft press release.