Now that Apple TV has its fancy new software upgrades, what better way to welcome it into our lives then with a guided video tour? Yes, as you'll see, for $229 you can now directly rent movies for your computer, iPod, iPhone, or TV; listen to podcasts; watch YouTube videos; or display your personal photos from your Flickr account or .Mac galleries. Just as with every other Apple guided tour, I can't help but get mesmerized by the features — they make it look so seamless! Check it out below!
For the last installment of the Geeks We Love V-Day series, I would like to introduce you to the multi-talented, fascinating Adam Frucci. Adam's home base is in Brooklyn and he currently works as a contributing editor for Gizmodo. Why do we love Adam you ask? Well he doesn't exactly fit the "guy in the tech industry" average mold. Adam doesn't own an iPhone, would be the first to admit that digital photo frames are tacky pieces of garbage, and actually discusses the environmental impact of packaging from crappy gadget knock-offs and useless accessories—We're in love! And that's just the beginning (trust me). . . Keep reading to check out the full interview with Adam below and be sure to stay tuned tomorrow for a round-up of all our Geeks We Love interviews! GS: You write for various websites and do improv comedy performances. How do you manage to squeeze so many things into your busy schedule and what other "hidden talents" can you share with us?
AF: Since I work from home, it's really important for me to get out of the house most nights, otherwise I'd go completely crazy. Improv is great because it keeps me busy two to five nights a week and lets me be creative in a way that's completely different than my writing, which is important to me. As for other talents, I'm not sure. I really love writing fiction, but it's tough to sit down and write for pleasure after writing nine hours for work, so I haven't dedicated as much time to that lately as I would like. It's something I always tell myself I'm going to get back into, but haven't yet found the time or energy to dive full-on into it as I'd like.
GS: What are some gadgets you can't seem to live without and why?
AF: I'm actually not a huge collector of gadgets. Since I deal with them all day for work they don't give me a huge rush in my free time — I think I'm the only Gizmodo editor without an iPhone and I don't have cable. But I would go completely crazy on the subway without my iPod and obviously no one can survive without a cell phone these days. So that's my really boring and predictable answer: My iPod and my cell phone.
To learn more about the infamous Mr.Frucci, read more
If you do most of your legally questionable (or totally legal and legit!) file sharing at night you're not alone. According to a recent article from the Times Online most file sharing — which commonly takes the form of downloading movies, music and TV shows via peer-to-peer programs like Limewire, BitTorrent and KaZaA — happens at night. In fact about eight million people are on file-sharing networks at any one time. Here's more:
There are more than 900 million illegal music files available for download on file-sharing networks. File-sharing was the most used service on the internet last year. The heaviest usage was observed during the night, when the percentage of file-sharing traffic rose to up to 95 percent of total internet traffic.
The numbers shocked me a bit. I'd assume more than eight million people are on networks at any given time and I certainly thought more people downloaded documents, programs, music and movies during the day while at work. I guess managers can stop worrying all their employees are downloading and watching movies instead of working. When do you do most of your file sharing?
Is it sort of sad how much we love our cell phones? I don't think so, because cell phones represent the communication bridge we have to each other, the ephemeral connection we can have when we can't have a physical one. So I salute the cell phone this Valentine's Day, and to do that I've gathered up the cell phones that have been released in the color of the heart: Red! Check 'em out!
Source
CNET News reports that robotic surgery is gaining in use and popularity, which frightens and excites me. Intuitive Surgical makes the Da Vinci machines that provide robot-assisted surgical technology and number over 650 in hospitals around the country. Human surgeons direct the machines, which have been cleared for chest, cardiac, urological, and gynecological procedures.
It had to happen sooner or later, but the thought of having a robot work on me like in this picture gives me goosebumps. Then again, a real-live surgeon performing surgery on me gives me goosebumps too. Malpractice and mistakes made by hospitals are so common these days that maybe trusting a robot is the way to go. What do you think?
As much as I love the fellas that have been featured in our Geeks We Love V-Day showdown, I can't help but give some love to one of the coolest "Cats" in the industry. This versatile gadget guru gal is not only eBay's Gadget and Toy Director, but she is also the founder of HiTechMommy, a site which caters to all things tech for gadget-loving parents. The woman I am referring to is the fabulous Cat Schwartz! Cat is most commonly known for her appearances on shows like Live With Regis and Kelly, MSNBC's Hot List and The Today Show, and can be found making fun videos like eBay's Granny gadget makeover holiday video. With a resume that's so long and diverse, you can't help but admire how she's paving the way for the rest of us in this otherwise male-dominated field. To learn more about Cat, check out our interview below! GS: If someone were to describe a typical day in the life of Cat Schwartz, what would they say?
CS: First off they would say, baby Jack needs to sleep in his own bed and not in mamma's because to start off the day with footprints all over your back is no way to live. Also, not eating until noon is bad for your health, and working from your couch with the TV and radio on can't be very productive.
GS: Who is someone in the tech industry you admire, and why?
CS: I'd say my fellow chick tech reporters like yourself, Veronica Belmont from Engadget and Mahalo, Kara Rowland from The Washington Times and Natali Del Conte of CNET. I'm really happy to see all of us busting out great content and being kind to each other along the way. Rock on, ladies.
To continue reading Cat's fun-filled interview, read more
The new and improved Prada phone by LG was recently unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Unlike the previous Prada handset, this new model is entirely silver, with a silver-user interface, earphones, and packaging to match. It also includes a slick, new qwerty keyboard on its touchscreen. I may be swayed by the fancy packaging, but I honestly like this phone! To see more pics as well as check out a video with the LG portfolio manager of Europe, head on over to Aving News. The new Prada handheld is set to launch in 18 European countries including UK, France, Germany, and Spain.
Now that Apple TV has its fancy new software upgrades, what better way to welcome it into our lives then with a guided video tour? Yes, as you'll see, for $229 you can now directly rent movies for your computer, iPod, iPhone, or TV; listen to podcasts; watch YouTube videos; or display your personal photos from your Flickr account or .Mac galleries. Just as with every other Apple guided tour, I can't help but get mesmerized by the features — they make it look so seamless! Check it out below!
Triumph
Zoppini
Laura Scott