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How Netflix’s Queue Works
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment, Movies,
Ever wonder how Netflix selects who gets the newest releases first? Apparently Sound and Vision Mag did. They contacted the company and although they wouldn’t reveal any trade secrets, they did divulge how the queues basically work. Here are some of their results:
- Ordering a movie first does not necessarily mean you will be the first recipient.
- The more popular the movie, the longer the wait.
- The more films you watch, the less likely you are to receive new releases. (We hate that one.)
- The more new releases you watch, the less likely you will receive other new movies. (Okay, that one is awful, too.)
Irregardless of our queue status and the algorithms used in them, we have to admit we are still Netflix advocates. It’s amazing how many obscure/old/cult films we have been able to screen with our subscription. And that makes it greatest thing since unsliced bread for us.
Read More 
| Sound & Vision
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Hallmark Interactive Greeting Cards
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Smart Home, Music,
Hallmark’s new line of greeting cards sounds like too much interaction for us. The company has had those with music and spoken lines out for a while now, and has added to the audio cards with small handles that you turn to automate them. These cards are going to set you back $7.99 each and are obviously going to cost you some extra postage if you want to mail them. Still, we admit we do have some affection for hoops and yoyo.
Read More | Hallmark
Plug the Darth Vader 4-port hub in to your USB Hub and he is more than just a common device. His eyes glow, he moves his head, and he breathes in that nasty way. The animated Star Wars baddie will be coming out in August and you can pre-order at Geek Stuff 4U for $67.72. An R2-D2 version will also available for those who don’t like consorting with the Dark Side for the same price. You can also order the pair of them for $119.68.
Read More | Akihibara News
Latest Gear Live Videos
Amazon has begun to take orders for their MSI Wind. Available in black, they announced that shipping will begin July 7. The MSI Mini-laptop features a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Processor, 1 GB RAM, 80 GB hard drive, and Windows XP Home. Also standard with the laptop is a 1.3M webcam, Bluetooth capabilities, 3 USB ports, and a 4-in-1 card reader. At a size of 10.2 x 7.1 x 0.8-inches and a weight of 2.3 pounds, the Wind is available for $499.99.
Read More | Amazon
Rockers Helped Launch Guitar Hero: Aerosmith
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Music, Video Games,
In honor of Activision’s launch of “Guitar Hero: Aerosmith” last Friday, the band made a personal appearance at Times Square in NYC. After the press conference was held, the Hard Rock Cafe housed a game lounge where fans could try before they bought the game. While we know that Activision will sell a ton of them, it remains to be seen what effect the old rockers and their album sales will have on a younger generation.
Read More | I4U News
Garmin has redesigned a tracker for the pooch in your life. The main housing of the unit sits below the collar while a GPS antenna is located on the top of the strap. The weight of the DC30 is a mere 8.7 oz., which means that all but the minutest of pups can wear it. Checking out the Garmin site, we notice their main target is hunting dogs, but we are hoping that more of those who are concerned with their dog’s welfare will opt for the collar. The DC30 will set you back $199.99 when it arrives this fall, while their entire Astro 220 Tracking System goes for $649.95.
Read More | PR Newswire
Watch Mario marathon for Child’s Play charity live
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Culture, Nintendo, Nintendo Gamecube, Wii,
You’ve gotta love the ideas that spawn from the gaming community. Piggybacking off the wonderful Child’s Play charity which was started by Penny Arcade, a trio of gamers have decided to band together and play through all Super Mario games over the course of the weekend to raise money for the worthy cause. Not only that, but they are doing it live. You can just hit the play button above to check out their live Super Mario Marathon stream. You get to see John, Dan, and Brian sitting around and chatting, and the game video and audio are even present as well. They started with Super Mario Bros., and will be playing right through to Super Mario Galaxy. That’s seven games in fifty-five hours. Epic.
We’ve already donated, and we think you should too. It’s a fun and creative way to bring attention to Child’s Play.
Good job, guys.
Super Mario Marathon
How could we not pay homage to our newest and favest bot? Wall-E debuted today and although we couldn’t make the premiere, we did notice that there are already a truckload of toys and other tie-ins, like this Interaction Wall-E. The little guy’s eyes light up, he moves his head and arms, and has the original movie voice and sound effects. If that isn’t enough, when you talk to him, he responds and, if you are too busy, can communicate with Interaction Eve. At a size of 6.5 x 10.5 x 8.5-inches and a weight of 2.1 pounds, we found one on Amazon for $43.99.
Read More | Amazon
Here’s another double-duty hub. The 2.0 USB 3-Port Hub comes with a calculator. It also has a built-in thermometer, a 12/24 hour World Clock, a calendar, an alarm, timer, and time announce. The device supports Windows 2000/XP/Vista and, at a size of 180 x 99 x 22mm and a weight of 149g, the hub comes with its own cable at a price of $19.00. Now that we think about it, it is more like quadruple-duty.
Read More | brando
If you working on a fine-looking home entertainment center, you should also consider an appropriate piece of furniture house your movies. Michael Singer designs one of a kind pieces such as this DVD Storage Cabinet. At a size of 80 x 25 x 16-inches, it is built of mahogany, maple, and wenge, with inlays of copper and ritzy abalone. That makes for a lot of video storage. It’s easy to see why the man wins awards for his craftsmanship. Contact Michael to acquire this or another of his fine pieces.
Read More | Custom Made
