CNN recently released their first App to Apple's App Store for iPhones and iPod Touch. Boasting Live Video capabilities, push notifications and other features, CNN is showing that they really have planned out their new app for folks. However, at $1.99, many are complaining about the banner ads that appear in the app.
Most apps are free in the App Store, and also carry ads. People don't really mind the ads in the application, as they really don't get in the way of using the app. However, a lot of folks agree that paying for an app should allow you to get away from the ads. CNN has decided to go the opposite direction and users are not happy about it.
Personally, I agree with everyone else, since if you're paying for an app that should be your advertising dollars. But we do see advertising in other paid mainstream media so this might be something we're going to see in the future.
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So I thought I ruined my calibrated UN55B7100 today when I upgraded the software. Turns out it was simply accessing the service menu that would restore it working condition. Basically B series TV's like mine have the ability to input custom calibration modes for Day and Night viewing, and a reset hides them.
These calibration settings are not easily found, since you have to get into the service mode of the TV. This mode is HIGHLY NOT Recommended for users since editing some things in here can cause your TV not to work anymore, or what we like to call in the tech world, bricked. On the other hand there are some neat features that you might like. For instance I found the hotel mode which allows me to have the TV automatically tune to a specific source when it's turned on or for what it's worth a specific channel... Every wonder why in the hotel when you turn the TV on it's always on the Hotel's Info Channel? There's you're answer.
I've now got my Samsung 55" upgraded, calibrated, and sources updated for optimal viewing.
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DICE gave the community a first-look at Battlefield: Bad Company 2, DICE's next installment of its FPS with the new FrostBite engine. New vehicles with improved controls, more weapons and an adjustments to the gameplay. Some of the kits have been slightly altered also. I'm really anticipating the release of BF:BC2 and hope that it lives up to the hype and expectations of it's predecessor.
So far DICE has shown and spoken of the following vehicles:
UH-60 "BlackHawk" Helicopter (+4)
2-Man Quad (+1)
Jet Ski like Watercraft (+1)
BMD-AA Anti-Air Tank
Abrams M-1
I'm sure there are more vehicles to. I'd like to see what DICE has in store for us. Their latest blog talks about how BF:BC2 is going to be vehicaltacular in the up and coming sequel.
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With social network sites like Facebook and Twitter around, people are expressing every moment of themselves via these communication mediums. Call it micro-blogging if you will, I've even heard it called the new "chat room", social networking has become a big part of the internet culture. But what haven't we seen yet? As with past trends, MP3 file sharing, high-speed Internet, web browsers the was "the one" that started it all and then more stemmed from there. Where's the one stop shopping for social networking? Of course I'll stand corrected with users replying with their API program of choice (i.e. TweetDeck, Tweetie, etc.) but there isn't a piece of hardware out there yet that encompasses that. I'm looking at Apple, they did it with the iPod, they did it with iTunes, they did it with MacBook / Powerbook / iMac...
Of course the rumor mill has been churning, but I think the Social Networking culture will really take off once we start seeing big companies integrate status updates into their products. Of course these push notifications are going to get annoying to our friends but I think as we get more and more accustomed to being updated as to what others are doing a redefining of a "tweet" or "status update" will emerge.
To side track though - I really want to know when exactly did Twitter become so popular. Was it the Ashton Kutcher challenge vs. CNN..? I mean really - Twitter was established almost 4 years ago and was really to help users who don't have data cell phones, update others about what's up. Ever text message like 13 people...? Annoying right? Well why not have them subscribe to you via a service that will update them when you post a message. Of course that's changed and now Twitter is the "quick news trend" and "does somebody else think the same thing as me"? Even the idea itself dates back to 2000...
Whether it's Facebook or Twitter, I think social networking... 2.0 will be interesting, especially to see what people are willing to share.
With all the social networks paying tribute via people's personal memories of the late Michael Jackson (1958-2009), I figured it is only appropriate that I pay mine here.
My first exposure to MJ was when I was very young, around the age of 6. I heard his music through the radio, and liked the catchy tunes. "ABC" from the Jackson 5 was one of the more rememberable songs from then. But before the age of 12 I came across my Mom's VHS collection from the 80's and there I found Michael Jackson's Thriller. Which not only included the whole video, but also the making of the video with Jon Landis. That possibly began the magic for me,
Billie Jean was next and I was so amazed at the moonwalk, the way he made it look so easy, yet it was so difficult to replicate. The technique was locked in and it just looked way-2-cool.
Throughout the years, I owned albums, listened to his music, the most re-mememberable being, "Man In The Mirror". I remember listening so closely to those lyrics and it having a direct effect on me, realizing I need to be the best I can be and change starts with me. The same probably goes for a lot of people for many of the songs he wrote and had produced.
Every time I'm in the club, or at a party (weddings) and Michael Jackson comes on, I'm immediately inspired to start dancing and mimicking the moves and style that Michael Jackson put into the spotlight. Even when I went to the arcade, I always looked for "Moonwalker", that game was awesome. Stun 'em with dance moves just like in his music videos.
Not only the King of Pop, but an icon and someone whose legacy will echo through the ages.
Thanks for all you've done Michael.
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CNN recently released their first App to Apple's App Store for iPhones and iPod Touch. Boasting Live Video capabilities, push notifications and other features, CNN is showing that they really have planned out their new app for folks. However, at $1.99, many are complaining about the banner ads that appear in the app.
With social network sites like Facebook and Twitter around, people are expressing every moment of themselves via these communication mediums. Call it micro-blogging if you will, I've even heard it called the new "chat room", social networking has become a big part of the internet culture. But what haven't we seen yet? As with past trends, MP3 file sharing, high-speed Internet, web browsers the was "the one" that started it all and then more stemmed from there. Where's the one stop shopping for social 
networking? Of course I'll stand corrected with users replying with their API program of choice (i.e. TweetDeck, Tweetie, etc.) but there isn't a piece of hardware out there yet that encompasses that. I'm looking at Apple, they did it with the iPod, they did it with iTunes, they did it with MacBook / Powerbook / iMac...
With all the social networks paying tribute via people's personal memories of the late Michael Jackson (1958-2009), I figured it is only appropriate that I pay mine here.
