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If Firefox and iTunes hooked up, their hatchling could very well be Songbird. Basic usage bugs have gone the way of last season's molting, so this fun app that's part music player, part Web browser, and all about music discovery, management, and playback is ready for every day use.
During installation, it'll ask if you want to load your iTunes music directory or another media directory, or perform the task later. Processing 5,000 songs took about 3 minutes, which is not a bad pace. It then asks you which of the preinstalled Songbird extensions you want … Read more
Viacom, YouTube inch toward courtroom showdown
Google and Viacom are preparing to throw legal blows at each other as part of Viacom's $1 billion copyright lawsuit against YouTube, according to documents filed with a federal court last month.
Both parties have requested a meeting with the judge to discuss the individual motions for summary judgment that each plans to file. In summary judgment, a court decides enough evidence exists for for him or her to rule without sending the case to trial.
Viacom accuses YouTube of encouraging copyright and profiting when users upload unauthorized TV and movie clips. That the two sides are preparing for … Read more
Denon unveils AV receiver-Blu-ray player combo
LAS VEGAS--We don't see many home theater AV receivers at CES, with home audio manufacturers generally waiting for their own line shows to release new product lines. However, most AV receivers don't have Blu-ray players built-in.
Denon has announced the S-5BD AV receiver/Blu-ray Disc player combo unit at CES 2010, melding the two components into a sleek, glossy package. Here's the initial info from the news release.
Key features of the Denon S-5BD:
Blu-ray player and AV receiver combo unit 5.1 AV receiver 2-zone, 2 source capability 3 HDMI 1.4 inputs Dolby Pro Logic IIz … Read moreSound as a 'weapon'
Long-range acoustic devices (LRADs) were developed by American Technology Corporation, and are capable of emitting a maximum volume of 151 decibels (that's super loud), within 30 degrees of where the device is pointing. That sort of volume is loud enough to be painful and may cause permanent hearing damage. The LRAD's highly directional sound reduces the risk of exposing bystanders to harmful audio levels.
At lower volume, LRADs can be used as high-powered speakers, "to communicate effectively to large public gatherings, in search and rescue operations, and to defuse deadly SWAT situations." ATC claims LRADS are … Read more
Hands on with Lenovo's CES showstoppers: U1 Hybrid, Skylight, and S10-3t up close
LAS VEGAS--Lenovo has made an impressive splash at this year's CES and the main halls haven't even opened up yet: its bold new takes on ultramobile notebooks--the IdeaPad U1 Hybrid, Skylight, and IdeaPad S10-3t--have caused a big stir and bigger discussions as to whether each will perform as well as they look. In a one-on-one hands-on today, we got a chance to spend time with all three and their more buttoned-down IdeaPad S10-3, and our impressions are positive but mixed.
To start with, the Lenovo IdeaPad U1 Hybrid is a fascinating idea. The sleek round notebook has … Read more
Sony's BDP-S570 Blu-ray player has Wi-Fi, streams Netflix
LAS VEGAS--3D Blu-ray may be getting all the buzz at CES 2010, but standard Blu-ray players are still the meat-and-potatoes of the home theater market. Sony announced two new standard Blu-ray players at CES 2010--the BDP-S370 and BDP-S570--building on the streaming media features of the BDP-N460.
Key features of the Sony BDP-S370:
HDMI 1.4 output Access to the Bravia Internet Video platform, which includes Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker, and NPR streaming capability Ethernet jack DLNA compliant (with firmware update); capable of sharing photos, music and videos from a connected PC Front panel USB port Browse … Read moreSony's 3D Blu-ray player coming this summer
LAS VEGAS--3D Blu-ray is one of the big stories at CES 2010, and it's no surprise that Sony is a major player in Blu-ray's next incarnation. Sony announced its first standalone 3D Blu-ray player, the BDP-S770, which also manages to integrate the best features of its current Blu-ray players.
Key features of the Sony BDP-S770:
3D Blu-ray player HDMI 1.4 output Access to the Bravia Internet Video platform, which includes Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker, and NPR streaming capability Built-in Wi-Fi; Ethernet also available DLNA compliant; capable of sharing photos, music, and videos from … Read moreCould this be the world's heaviest drag race?
Having spent time behind the steering wheels of the BMW X6 M, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, the Infiniti FX50S, and the Range Rover Sport, I was fairly certain that I could predict the outcome of Autocar's drag race between the four sporty SUVs (is that a bit redundant?). And for the most part, I was right. I won't spoil the ending for you, but I can't help but to think that the outcome would be decidedly different and much more interesting if this race where held off-road! I mean, these are SUVs after all.
Place your bets … Read more
Pagani Zonda C12S spotted on streets in SoCal
This $350,000 Italian supercar is something you would expect to see in Need for Speed. However, a Pagani Zonda C12S was spotted in Southern California.
