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If you want to stay on top of all of our video reviews of the latest tech, be sure to check out and subscribe to the Gear Live YouTube channel, hosted by Andru Edwards! It’s free!

TextPayMe Xbox 360s Being Delivered - Want One?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Internet, Video Games,

We have had quite a few people ask in asking us about the TextPayMe Xbox 360 giveaway we are doing on our site. It seems that the issue in question is, since Xbox 360s are so hard to find, how can TextPayMe have enough to give out? My friend Chris Pirillo has delivered the proof. He has posted a video of five Xbox 360 Core systems being delivered to his doorstep, along with an audio interview with CJ from TextPayMe. See? Don’t be so pessimistic. We still hope to give away a bunch of Xbox 360 units on The Bleeding Edge, so sign up for the service (it’s free) today to be eligible. Anyone that signs up using our link is automatically entered into our giveaway - plus, you can work towards your own 360.

Google Calendar Screenshots

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Google, Internet, Software,

The image above is a shot from Google CL2 Calender web application.

About CL2

CL2 makes it easy — even effortless — to keep track of all the events in your life and compare them to what your friends and family have going on in theirs. We’ve designed a calendar that works for you — helping you add events from email, friends, and other public calendars — so you don’t have to spend all your time maintaining your schedule. CL2 even helps you discover new events you might be interested in. We think it’s a great tool for managing your daily schedule, keeping track of what everyone in your family is doing, organizing events for a club or team, or creating public events that you can promote to the world.

Of course, this one is going to be tightly integrated with Gmail and Google Talk. The screenshots look smooth and familiar to anyone who has used any of Google applications. Do note that these shots were leaked, and may not necessarily reflect the final product, which he hear is nowhere near launch. Check the link below for more.

The Bleeding Edge 006: Scott-O Cherub Interview, Windows Live, Delphi Eye Tracking Software

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Home Entertainment, Internet, Mods / Hacks, Transportation, Videocasts,

Gear Live Bleeding Edge In this episode we chat with the director of Internet comedy ‘Cherub,’ check out technology that is meant to keep your eyes focused on the road, and much more:

THE WIRE
Windows Live Search
TiVos New Pricing Plan
Brain to PC Interface

GIZMATIC
Delphi Eye Tracking Software

WEB GEMS
Scott-O: Cherub Interview

HACK ATTACK
Wireless Motion Sensor

GIVEAWAYS
Don’t forget - in Episode 005, we told you about two giveaways we are doing on the show. If you didn’t see it, go download it to find out how you can enter to win your own OHSO and Xbox 360.

Here’s how to get the show:
Subscribe: iTunes iPod / H.264 | iTunes MPEG-4 | RSS iPod Feed | RSS MPEG-4 Feed

IMPORTANT: We are surveying the viewers of our show to see what it is that people like, and more importantly, what they don’t like. It is anonymous, and just takes a couple of minutes. If you have the time, we would appreciate it! As always, feel free to let us know what you think in the comments.

Here's how to get the show:
[Download] - iPod-formatted H.264
[Download] - 1080p MP4

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Microsoft Launches Windows Live Search Engine

Posted by John Goulden Categories: Corporate News, Google, Internet, Microsoft,

Microsoft, in their continuing quest to dominate Google, has made available the beta of their new search engine dubbed Windows Live. With functionality similar to that of its arch nemesis, Windows Live is able to search for images, news, RSS feeds, e-mail (Windows Live Mail and Hotmail) and more. For better or worse, some things have been spiced up a bit such as the Image search feature. When you hover your mouse pointer over a search result it increases in magnification and provides detailed information about the image. On the flip side for you minimalists, a nice feature is the ability to disable or hide just about everything on the page short of the search box.

What good would a search engine be anymore without a corresponding toolbar? Microsoft delivers on that angle as well with the Windows Live Toolbar. In addition to the standard search capabilities, it offers protection from phishing and pop-ups.

Spam Cube

Posted by John Goulden Categories: Internet, Misc. Tech, PC / Laptop,

Laws have been passed, deadlines set (think Bill Gates), and ludicrous concepts conjured up (e-mail postage) - yet the scourge that is spam still marches on. One of the latest weapons in the war on spam is the Spam Cube. This diminutive little box provides spam protection for as many as four computers regardless of the operating system installed (although their website is a bit contradictory on the OS part). Unlike many other hardware/software solutions there’s no monthly fee for using the Spam Cube. Simply purchase one, jack it into your network per the instructions (assuming you read them), and away it goes. The company offers a virus protection service as well (Security OnDemand), and while it’s not free, it’s not terribly expensive either. Keep in mind that their virus protection only covers e-mail, so you’ll still need to retain your existing anti-virus software.

Pre-order yours now for $150 USD. An annual subscription to their Security OnDemand service is $52 USD.

Comcast Digital Voice Modem Is Frickin’ Huge

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Broadband, Internet,

So, here at the office we got rid of Vonage and added Comcast Digital Voice to our cable package. Aside from the hike on the Comcast bill, the biggest change we have noticed in this process is the insanely large telephony modem that they gave us to replace the little Motorola cable modem that we knew and loved. I mean, we understand that the new modem includes a battery backup that allows us to maintain phone service in the event of a power outage (although Internet drops out thoroughly in the same situation,) but what should we make of the two times the phone service did cut out? Oh, wait - that was due to Comcast performing “standard area upgrades.” Sweet.

We Are Giving Away All TextPayMe Xbox 360s To You

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Internet, Video Games,

Remember that TextPayMe service we wrote about a few days ago? We filled you in on the fact that they are giving away free Xbox 360s if you have enough people sign up for the service. We took a shot to see how far we would get, and it looks like we are 11 people away from earning an Xbox 360. What are we going to do with it if we win one? We will be giving it away here on Gear Live, of course! Here is how it will go down:

If you sign up for the TextPayMe service using this link, you are entered to win the Xbox 360. What’s more, there is no limit to the number of 360 units we can walk away with - so if we earn two, then both will be given away. If we get three, same deal. Only those who sign up for the service using this link will be entered to win. We will call up the winners live on The Bleeding Edge to tell them that they won.

So if you want a shot at winning the Xbox 360, sign up for TextPayMe. It’s free, and it’s a great service.

iPod Packaging Designed by Microsoft

Posted by John Goulden Categories: Apple, Internet, Microsoft, Movies, Portable Audio / Video,

There’s something peaceful and serene about Apple’s current iPod packaging. Their design works on the basis that less is more, and indeed it is. Now visualize in your mind just about any product from Microsoft, and the packaging it came in. Certainly a jarring contrast in styles isn’t it? The Microsoft packaging is a visual flurry of activity, bordering on a graphical trainwreck. This movie, certainly a parody, and rumored to be an internal Microsoft marketing movie (presumably to shake things up, if that’s possible), is quite humorous and sadly, very true.

An Early Look At Google Payments

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Google, Internet,

So, we have told you previously that Google Base just may be the eBay/Craigslist killer. All they needed was a good, homegrown payment system. Now it appears that the puzzle is coming together, with the appearance of Google Payments. Our friends over at TechCrunch have posted an in-depth look at Google Payments, and how it integrates seamlessly with Google Base. Very nifty, indeed. Our only hope is that Google comes up with a rock-solid method of rating your buying experience. eBay’s reputation model has a few flaws, and this is Google’s chance to capitalize on it.

Video Proves Widescreen iPod Image A Fake

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Internet, Portable Audio / Video, Rumors,

Not surprisingly, the widescreen iPod video device has quickly been debunked as a fake. We know the screen color and orientation look a bit off, and a video has been released showing how it was all done. Now, don’t get all glum - word is strong that Steve Jobs will be debuting a true video iPod this Tuesday - just not the one pictured above. Click on to check out the video showing how the above image was crafted.

(Thanks Yashar!)

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