July 29th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
I scoffed a little at the HD-DVD group’s damage control in my earlier post about Target and Blu-ray exclusivity, but that may have been premature. Although it does appear that Target will only sell Sony’s BDP-S300 in its stores, they haven’t given up on HD-DVD.
The HD DVD PR team sent us a statement from Universal Studios VP Ken Graffeo stating the deal amounted only to an “end cap” purchased by Sony putting its BDP-S300 in stores. Meanwhile Toshiba’s HD DVD player will remain in Target’s website, just as the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on and HD DVD movies will stay in Target stores. Source: enGadget HD
We Say: A post at MajorNelson.com had more detail. Although Sony seems to have been overzealous in their press release, it still seems to me that if Target is only selling Blu-ray players, no HD-DVD players, in-stiore, that makes a statement.
July 28th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
The reason I say confirms (?) is because the only evidence of this is an image posted to the web … and it’s not a huge picture either … but the $349 price is clear … so it’s either been Photoshopped or we’re seeing another console price drop (hope exists after the PS3 Price Drop that turned out to not be a Price Drop).
The teensy picture above purports to depict a new Wal-mart ad with that oft-rumored new $349 price point for the Xbox 360 Premium. The EXIF data checks out, so if it is a prank at least they took the time to do it right. Source: enGadget
We Say: As with the PS3, time will tell …
July 28th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Shades of the nano screen problem, except that was physical scratching / cracking. In this case, iPhone users have posted problems to Apple support forum and elsewhere, including side-by-side comparisons (above) which show many screens identified by “LCD panel ID” number 7 (left in the picture) showing a discernable grid of dots, and being dimmer than those with a panel ID of 5.
On the Apple forum, several messages spelled out how to determine the iPhone’s screen information. Tapping in *3001#12345#* (including the asterisks) on the phone keypad and hitting the Call button puts the device into Field Test Mode, which offers detailed information about the iPhone’s hardware, including the firmware version and “LCD panel ID” number. Panel IDs that start with a 7 are those being bashed by users; screens identified with a number that beings with a 5, on the other hand, are characterized as brighter and sharper because they don’t seem to have the grid pattern. Source: ComputerWorld
We Say: I’ve seen a few posts indicate users with the “7″ screen having no issues, while others do indicate they have the perceived issue. Some have been successful exchanging their devices, but others have not. Meanwhile, opinions on this differ from simply being an actual problem to being imagined and in the users’ minds. It’s hard to dispute the visual evidence, though … and, if I spent $599 for something and was not satisfied, I’d complain, too.
July 28th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
No kidding. Putting his commute time to and from work to good use, while risking ‘Blackberry Thumb’, an Italian writer wrote a full-length novel.
Robert Bernocco, an IT professional took advantage of his travel time by writing a 384-page science fiction novel, Compagni di Viaggo (Fellow Travellers), on his Nokia using the phone’s T9 typing system.
“It really was a time management issue. He had a book in him and really wanted to write it but found he just didn’t have the time to sit and do it on a computer,” said Gail Jordan, PR director at the book’s publishers, Lulu.com. Source: New Zealand Herald
We Say: Not only that, he wrote it on a Nokia 6630, which is a 12-key phone, not one with a QWERTY keyboard. And he used T9 predictive text, not text message shorthand.
July 27th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Oh, come on. Yes, the iPhone does not have a swappable battery like most cell phones, and yes, the replacement plan isn’t the best (mostly because you have to send your device in), but still … suing because of it?
Jose Trujillo of Melrose Park, Ill., claimed that Apple and AT&T did not notify him or other customers about potential battery limitations neither before the phone’s launch nor before it was purchased. Source: ABC News
We Say: Surprisingly (well, to me), Enderle, in the article, thought the case might have some merit. I mean, the fact that the battery was not swappable was a subject of much discussion for months. On the other hand, as he indicated, the battery replacement plan wasn’t revealed for a couple of days after the phone went on sale, and if you purchased it before then, and add in the two-year contract … of course, to me, this is just another senseless lawsuit.
July 27th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Ever find an issue, need a fix, only to find it’s available only in hotfix form … meaning you have to call Microsoft and struggle 
to convince them you really, really need the fix? Well, now you can email, instead of calling, side-stepping the issue of waiting on hold, etc. etc.
In a blog post, Steve Patrick, who works in a Microsoft group within support services, provided a link to an online form where customers can enter their e-mail address and the desired hot fix by referencing its associated Knowledge Base article number. Microsoft’s support will e-mail a download link for the hot fix within eight business hours, the form notes. Source: ComputerWorld
We Say: In the past, rather than calling, I actually relied on TheHotfix.net to get hotfixes I needed … for example, there was a hotfix I wanted for Windows Vista after I installed, and I got it there. Still, it’s nice to be able to get it direct from the source … assuming, of course, they deliver in the advertised 8 hour timeframe.
July 27th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Another blow to HD-DVD? Earlier, we reported that Blockbuster had decided to rent Blu-ray only … now it seems that Target, at least through the Christmas shopping season, they will only sell Blu-ray standalone players, no HD-DVD ones.
In a statement on Thursday, Sony Corp. said that Target will exclusively carry Blu-ray players “at least through the holiday season” and will also expand its inventory of Blu-ray discs. Source: Reuters
We Say: The HD-DVD group worked some quick damage control, stating: “Target will continue to carry the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive as well as HD DVD titles so we don’t see much of a change in their plans to carry both formats.” Uh, huh. Please look up Betamax … 
July 27th, 2007
By Martin Regtien
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
It looks like a melted keyboard as a couple of new products from Logitech incorporate the new Wave in ergonomic design: more comfort for your tirelessly typing fingers.
Logitech pundits at Harvard University figured we type some two million characters a year so we’ve got to do that as comfortable as possible.
Haven’t they discovered the best way to do your typing is to make use of dictation technologies?
I use the Vista speech technology all the time now. At the same time I can see the logic and sense behind this move to create an even better keyboard.
It still doesn’t have all the features that I got so used to on my G15…
Anyways, here’s the link to the full review.
