11/16/2007
TowleTech v.81
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Please welcome Jon Barrett, with this week's tech news about HD in space, tattoo previews, green skyscrapers, the Android mobile phone platform from Google, and new Zunes.
The Japanese spacecraft Kaguya, which is currently orbiting the moon and preparing to map its surface later this month, recreated one of the most memorable images from space—an 'Earth-rise'. But this is the first time that photo has been taken with a high-definition camera. See a video of the 'Earth-rise' here.
Microsoft’s latest line up of Zunes, which hit stores this week, got a rave review from the Wall Street Journal’s Walter Mossberg: “They are smaller, lighter, and more attractive [than the first-generation Zunes], and they include three big improvements. First is a new controller, called a Zune Pad, that combines buttons with a touch pad for scrolling. Second is a completely overhauled, simpler PC-software program and online store, the Zune Marketplace. Third is expanded usability of the built-in Wi-Fi, which allows you to synchronize your Zune and your PC without plugging in a cable and makes sharing songs between Zunes — its only function last year — slightly better.
And if you’re looking to have your Zune stand out, check out Zune Originals (pictured), where you can customize your player by size, color, illustration, and with up to four optional lines of text—all for free (for now).
Chicago’s Merchandise Mart and the Sear’s Tower—the world’s largest retail space and the country’s tallest building, respectively—are going green. Both the tower (seen here towering over the green roof of a neighboring skyscraper) and the mart are being retrofitted to meet LEED certification. Chicago's city hall has been covered with greenery since 2001, a project that has saved the city tens of thousands in energy bills.
Barry Diller, CEO of IAC (parent company of sites such as Ask.com, Match.com, LendingTree, and Evite) told Advertising Age that he’s interested in buying the troubled AOL. “I’ve always said AOL is great opportunity for somebody,” he said. “When and if Warner doesn’t want it, I’ll certainly be at the door.”
Just in case you plan on buying holiday gifts for people you wish weren’t on your list, Wired.com’s Rob Beschizza has come up with 10 Mean Gadget Gifts for People You Hate.
Believe it or not, one in five students polled at New York University say they would give up their vote in the 2008 presidential election in exchange for an iPod Touch. The students were among 3,000 undergraduates surveyed by a journalism class last month. The iPod wasn't the biggest sell, though: 66 percent of the NYU students said they would give up their vote for a full-ride to the pricey private school.
Here’s a cool concept: a ceramic plate that sits on a steam radiator to keep your drinks and snacks warm. Alas, it’s only a concept and, therefore, not available for sale. But it’s at least something to think about as your radiator starts clanking again this winter.
And just in case an electrical blackout follows the ethical blackout in Greenwich Village, those New York University students can power their iPods (or Zunes, even) with as little as an onion and a bottle of Gatorade. While more entertaining than practical, this video shows you how to power your MP3 player with no electricity.
Wary of what a 2-D tattoo design would look like when it was actually on his 3-D body, CG artist Loic Zimmerman has created a program to show how a tattoo can be translated onto living flesh. If it catches on, Zimmerman's program could revolutionize the ink industry. But as tattoo blog Needled points out: Even in a 3-D rendering, the computer models don't wrinkle or age like real skin.
Google's Sergei Brin and Steve Horowitz show off prototypes of the Android mobile-phone platform in this video. The big news is at the end, though. The Google guys announce that they’ve got millions of dollars for anybody who can create the coolest Android applications. Feeling creative?
S P O N S O R ...Newegg.com
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Posted 6:07 PM EST by Jon Barrett in TowleTech | Permalink
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Microsoft’s latest line up of Zunes, which hit stores this week, got a rave review from the Wall Street Journal’s Walter Mossberg
Did you actually read his review? "notably better" and "Overall, we still don't think the Zune line beats the iPods and iTunes" does not equal "rave".
The Zunes have improved but they are still a t least a generation behind Apple's offerings and Mossberg did in no way give it a "rave" review".
Posted by: yoshi | Nov 16, 2007 7:27:06 PM
Looks nice!
http://www.spymac.com/details/?2292171
Posted by: Thomas | Nov 16, 2007 8:44:36 PM
I am one of those people that has, as one poster put it, "defiled [my] body with vile tattoos," and that rendering thing is f'n' cool.
I want that program!
Posted by: RP | Nov 17, 2007 12:31:04 PM
Is it me or is the google software program exactly like the iPhone... I have one and it is alsmot the same. The phone this guy uses is not as pretty.
Posted by: Michael Kossart | Nov 17, 2007 1:00:22 PM
Pesonally, I think the new Zunes destroy the new iPods Classic and iPod Nanos. I just purchased a new iPod Nano three days ago and am a little jealous at the Zunes full-screen album art, FM radio, customizable backgrounds and wifi. Zune has nothing to top the iPod Touch, though. But I can't go running with my iPod Touch.
Frankly, if Zunes offered Mac support, I'd jump on one in a heartbeat. Note to Apple: Wifi in ALL iPods next year. Copy Microsoft, for once.
;)
Posted by: damien | Nov 17, 2007 5:32:07 PM
At least Zune supports AAC, whereas Apple uses its firmware to disable WMA. And any device like that without integrated FM support is a waste of space.
Posted by: Mike | Nov 17, 2007 7:29:43 PM
At least Zune supports AAC, whereas Apple uses its firmware to disable WMA. And any device like that without integrated FM support is a waste of space.
Posted by: Mike | Nov 17, 2007 7:29:57 PM
Zunes are ugly, and the I hate the name. It seems like typical MS. Come up with some crappy product, and just expect people to buy it because it Microsoft. Only problem is, that doesn't work when you don't have a monopoly, like they do for operating systems and office software. Apple has it's problems, but I still think the I-pod is the best player out there, functionally as well as looks wise.
Posted by: north_star | Nov 17, 2007 10:51:49 PM
andy,
wtf did you do? this site has become harder to navigate than "pink is the new blog." explain why any of your fans should put up with this bother.
Posted by: nic | Nov 18, 2007 5:50:35 AM
i think the zune looks cool. however, i have the sansa e280r. i love the rhapsody subscription service (why buy all the tracks?).
Posted by: J | Nov 18, 2007 3:07:22 PM
NORTH_STAR: If Microsoft has a monopoly on operating systems, then Apple has one on music-delivery services, and we shouldn't just accept the way that Apple strongholds the market...not to mention its practices with shoddy hardware and firmware blocking of rivals.
I prefer iRiver's Clix to both the iPod and Zune.
Posted by: Mike | Nov 19, 2007 8:57:30 AM
The Android phone from Google seems anti-climatic. The iPhone already has these features. But maybe the best is yet to come from the developers.
The Zune aims to be the #2 in the portable music player industry. They are still a couple generations behind the iPods.
Posted by: dons888 | Nov 19, 2007 7:39:02 PM