Archive for the Gadgets Category

We just rented Pieces of April from iTunes Movie Rentals—a first for us on both accounts.

Verdict: it works! Initially we were worried when we saw the huge file start to download and the timer showing 30 minutes of download time. But we were able to start the movie immediately and watch as it downloaded.

As for the movie itself we both thought it got off to a shaky start but got better as it went along. “Sweet” is how we would describe the ending. It’s not for everybody. It’s “indie,” a little rough in the editing and cinematography, but there are some great moments. The actors were good. The characters were believable.

As for iTunes and the quality of the downloaded file we can’t say much. [noses up] We don’t own a TV [noses down] so we’re unable to make any comparisons. We watched the movie right on our little Macbook and it was fine.

We can say that iTunes needs more movies. The choices are pretty limited. However, when you consider that renting from Blockbuster costs the same, plus you have to drive, plus you might end up with late fees, we’re fine with the limits. For now.

This is definitely the future of movie-based entertainment, though. Hollywood, you need to get with the program. Get the picture? Good. It’s not a question of if, but when.

Lastly, considering the turn of events here, the debate over Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD is moot at this point. That’s a contest that should have happened five years ago. Next year, high definition DVD quality films will come streaming right into my house over the phone line. Why would I buy a DVD player, much less [snicker], DVDs? [snort]

[cackle]

Sally Allbright:

But I’d like the pie heated and I don’t want the ice cream on top, I want it on the side, and I’d like strawberry instead of vanilla if you have it, if not then no ice cream just whipped cream but only if it’s real; if it’s out of the can then nothing.

Here’s what I want. A Mac laptop. Better make that two. A small one for traveling and presentations, and a more powerful one with a large screen for development, programming, designing, and watching movies and shows. TVs are the next VCR; they’re on their way out.

Next, I want a GPS-enabled, wifi-enabled, bluetooth-enabled, 32 bit/96 KHz , high S/n sound recorder, digital in/out, analog in/out, AM/FM/short wave receiver, 7-megapixel camera, DV camera, lens-attachment-capable, tripod-attachment-capable, mobile phone with a 100+ Gb hard drive, a Linux OS, and a detachable remote control.

It should be about the size and weight of an iPod. The newer iPods, I mean, but not the Nano. And the screen should cover almost the whole of the surface area so I can make the most of my productivity software and also watch movies in widescreen mode.

It should come with a roll-up bluetooth keyboard and a bluetooth headset for using the phone and listening to MP3s and movies. No earbuds. If I want those I’ll buy them. But, really, they’re bad for the ears. I’m not an audiophile but I do know a little something about music and sound and I’d appreciate something with better sound quality. Don’t make it an afterthought.

The phone should send and receive phone calls, voice mail, and data (when I can’t connect to wifi). That’s it. No extra software, please. No SMS or email or calendars or organizers or to-do-lists. I’ll use the web browser to connect to my Joyent account, thank you. No IM. I’ll install one or use something over the web.  I prefer IRC, anyway.  Everything else is available over the web.  Everything that isn’t can be installed in Linux.

Every other gadget that does those things separately is on its way out.  Converge or die.