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Apple’s interest in satellite HD content delivery has become more than obvious. Just a note to Phil Schiller and company: your (potential) competitors are taking notice!
The more we look into these developing rumors of Apple’s planned HDVN high-definition content delivery system, with each new report this is becoming one of the biggest stories in our 11 years dishing dirt—right up there with Mac OS X, the iMac, the iPod….yeah, that big. Seriously. - Mac OS Rumors
Just because Apple rebuffed Sirius is by no means an indication that Apple isn’t interested in satellite content delivery. Apple just doesn’t want to piggyback on someone else’s network—they’re interested in building their own on existing satellites and potentially launching more than one of their own in the next few years as well.
This “HDVN” will not just be through satellite however. The same service will be available over the Internet and as a “drop in, plug in, tune in” service at its retail stores.
Having learned the digital middle-man game with iTunes, Apple is eager to get a piece of the larger multimedia content pie but doesn’t want to go directly head-to-head with services like Blockbuster’s new flat-fee unlimited Internet rental system.
Apple believes that this network will drive sales of Macs, but also create a market for low-cost home devices which act as a sort of “video iPod” without actually handling display duties.
Read More 
| Mac OS Rumors
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Dividuum at blOrg has found a way to use RFID tags with a reader to store and play back music. SID-files are stored on RFID tags. When you put the tag near the reader, the music is played on the stereo. A stack of tags placed near the reader will act as a playlist. Remove one of the playing tag, and the program will play the next SID-File in the stack. This could be the most awkward way of listening to music ever… but a great use of technology.
Read More | bl0rg
Engineers from the University of Michigan have developed a snake-like robot that conquers obstacles. It is composed of 5 segments which are 8 inches in diameter and weigh 26 pounds. Piloted by a human operator, the OmniTread can maneuver in extremely rugged terrain, even climbing stairs and pipes. “It moves by rolling, log-style, or by lifting its head or tail, inchworm-like, and muscling itself forward.” This robot will be used for industrial inspection and surveillance in hazardous environments, and also for military and urban search and rescue operations. It’s actually pretty cool, which you can see for yourself in this video.
Read More | University of Michigan
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I hope with all my heart this is not an accurate representation of what the Playstation 3 is going to look like. It just looks cheap, and very breakable. I could see the next generation Playstation supporting the UMD movie format since Sony will be pushing that big time. However, if Sony wants to own our living rooms, they are gonna have to come up with something that might actually fit into our entertainment center. Can’t knock ‘em for trying though, nice mockup.
Read More | Gizmodo
IO Data has introduced a pen with a USB drive inside. The pen is available in five colors and in 32 MB and 128 MB versions. The pens are refillable using Pilot ink refills, and the USB connector is covered, when not in use, by a cap. While at first this seems like a great idea, I don’t know. How often do you misplace your pen? I’m looking for one now.
Read More | IO Data translated via Google
iAutomate’s HomeSeer RFID Starter Kit allows you to monitor anything in your home that’s marked with an RFID tag for only $479.95. HomeSeer software lets you “monitor and control your home from the internet, your home network, your PDA, telephone or voice” and supports both X-10 and Z-Wave devices which means you can integrate RFID tracking with hundreds of home automation products already available.
The Starter Kit includes the HA Edition R500 Long Range RFID Reader which tracks RFID tags at distances of up to 450 feet. iAutomate offers tags in a variety of form factors ranging from keyfobs to more esoteric products designed specifically for metallic assets and motion detection.
Read More | iAutomate via engadget
Looks like Yahoo! is finally conceding that Google is leading the pack. When Gmail first launched, Yahoo! bumped their free email inbox size from 4 MB to 250 MB. Now that Gmail has gotten more mainstream, even showing signs of going public soon, Yahoo! felt it was time to act. In April they will upgrade all free email accounts, giving them 1 GB of storage space. Yahoo! will also be adding some improvements to their desktop search tool, allowing users to search previous Yahoo! Messenger chats as well as email address books.
(Thanks falcoboy!)
Read More | Yahoo! News
Update: If you think the SLEEPTRACKER watch is cool, check out our video of the SLEEPPHASE Alarm Clock!
A few weeks ago we told you about a product called SLEEPTRACKER. The SLEEPTRACKER watch is unique in that while it tells you the time and has a built-in alarm like every other digital watch, this one actually monitors your sleep and wakes you at the moment that your body would best adjust from moving from a sleeping state to being awake. Does it live up to the hype? Find out after the jump.
Click to continue reading SLEEPTRACKER Watch Review
If you were thinking of buying an Xbox console, you have some hunting and waiting on your hands. Microsoft has made an announcement on Monday that their gaming console is in short supply due to an unexpected high demand. Stating also that the holiday sales of its Xbox gaming console exceeded expectations, Microsoft is working with its partners to get its console to its gaming public. With E3 approaching and the unveiling of the Xbox predecessor, seems as though Microsoft is placing priority on its next generation console instead of its current success.
Read More | Reuters
The NBA has announced a non-exclusive agreement with EA, Take-Two, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Midway and Atari. What this means is more video game choices for sports games fanatics and more competition. This comes as great news since EA has been snatching up exclusive deals with the NFL and the AFL. There is no doubt that NBA video games will be bigger and better thanks to this deal. One thing that sticks out to me, though, is that Sony is the only first party developer to get in on this. Full press release after the jump.
Click to continue reading NBA Sign Non-Exclusive Game Deals
