October 27th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Got cash? Good for you, but you can’t use it to buy an iPhone. And you can’t buy more than two of them either, as Apple has instituted new purchase limits on iPhones.
Prior to Thursday, you could buy up to 5 iPhones at once, and you could use cash. But, according to Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris, “Customer response to the iPhone has been off the charts, and limiting iPhone sales to two per customer helps us ensure that there are enough iPhones for people who are shopping for themselves or buying a gift. We’re requiring a credit or debit card for payment to discourage unauthorized resellers.”
Looking at this with a suspicious eye, what are they really trying to do? Yeah, I wouldn’t expect most people to want more than two, but we all know, based on what happened on eBay after the release of the iPhone, that buyers aren’t going to flock there to pay premium prices — or are they?
We Say: As we know from my prior post, Apple believes up around 250,000 phones were sold to those looking to unlock the phones. Resellers who might want to unlock them — and sell them for a premium — they would want to buy multiple phones, yes. So that is most likely what Apple, who we know badly wants to keep this device under AT&T lock-and-key, is trying to stop.
October 26th, 2007
By Martin Regtien
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
CenOmax, a spin off company from Lite-On, enters the digital photo frame market with a line of 7 inch units. In an increasingly crowded market, do they have what it take to shine?
There are three products to the cenOmax initial foray, all being 7 inch units. Importantly, the actual screens are 7 inch across excluding the frames. Whilst they are not touch screens, a remote control is bundled. More on DigitalReviews.net
October 26th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
This is interesting, particularly since Bill Gates mocked the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Foundation’s XO-1 when the idea was first presented.
Some of what Gates said was,
“If you are going to go have people share the computer, get a broadband connection and have somebody there who can help support the user, geez, get a decent computer where you can actually read the text and you’re not sitting there cranking the thing while you’re trying to type.”
However, Thursday in an interview, Microsoft Corporate Vice President Will Poole said, “We’re spending a non-trivial amount of money on it. We’re working hard. But we’re still at least a few months away.”
It seems Microsoft has finally decided that there might be a threat in having millions of children exposed to Linux rather than Windows and has decided to take steps. The question is, how much will this increase the price of the already nearly 2x so-called “$100 laptop,” which now costs $188?
We Say: For those interested in getting one of these for themselves, don’t forget that the foundation will start taking orders for its Give 1, Get 1 Program on November 12 at http://www.laptopgiving.org.
October 25th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
It may not have an iPhone, but Microsoft still managed to report significant increases, basically a blowout quarter. Not only did revenue surge 27%, profits grew by 23%.
The software maker said it took in $4.29 billion in profits, or 45 cents per share, on revenue of $13.76 billion for the three months ending September 30. As for Vista, the company said it saw double-digit growth in multi-year agreements by businesses and saw “the vast majority” of consumers opting for a premium version of the operating system.
For the current quarter, Microsoft said that its revenue is expected to be in the range of $15.6 billion to $16.1 billion, with per-share earnings of 44 cents to 46 cents. For the full fiscal year, Microsoft said to expect revenue in the range of $58.8 billion to $59.7 billion, with per-share earnings of around $1.78 to $1.81. Source: News.com
We Say: Perhaps it was the “halo effect” of Halo 3? 
October 25th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
IMAP has been a long-requested feature for Gmail, and according to the official Gmail blog, Google is starting to roll it out to users. If you don’t know about IMAP, it keeps e-mail data synced across multiple devices. This means changes on your iPhone will show up on the Web, and on your Treo, or whatever.
Typical of such rollouts, the change, which will appear as a “Forwarding and POP/IMAP” tab, rather than just “Forwarding and POP” in your Gmail settings, once it rolls out to you — will roll out gradually to users.
Instructions to set up IMAP for your account can already be found here.
October 24th, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
On Monday Verizon unveiled a new symmetrical Verizon FiOS Internet service for consumers, featuring an upload and download speed of up to 20Mbps. Yes, you read that right, 20Mbps upload. The service went live in parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut on Monday.
Verizon indicated it will expand its service soon into the 13 other states where the company offers FiOS Internet service, and to introduce a similar small-business offer.
In a press release, Susan Retta, vice president, Broadband Solutions for Verizon said the obvious: “Verizon’s new 20/20 FiOS service blows cable away. Their upload speeds don’t even come close.”
The cost is pretty darned reasonable, $64.99 per month for those with a Verizon phone contract, and $69.99 for those without. The service includes a comprehensive Internet security suite plus 1 GB of network-based backup at no additional charge.
We Say: So, dang it Verizon, when are you expanding into my area?
October 24th, 2007
By Martin Regtien
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
The Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick is watching TV on your computer by just plugging in a USB stick.
Watch HDTV on your computer with the provided antenna and you are all set to watch TV using your notebook computer.
Here is a short review.
October 23rd, 2007
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
As it prepares to launch its own online video service, Hulu, next week, NBC has closed its promotional channel on YouTube and yanked all its videos.
NBC confirmed that the pulling of videos did not represent any potential hard-line stance it may be thinking of taking, but rather, a move to boost Hulu, which is a joint venture between NBC and News Corp.
A YouTube spokeperson also confirmed the move, and said that they were informed of it last Friday.
We Say: Of course, this doesn’t mean there are no NBC clips on YouTube — they are all over the place — and this move will probably, in the future, mean more policing of such clips by NBC.
