Scottsdale, Arizona based iqzone has a solution for those seeking to sell items on the go: cell phone submitted classified listings. Iqzone’s “Snap Send Sell” feature allows users to take a photo or video clip of any product or service, text a description and send as a Multimedia (MMS) message to iqzone. Iqzone then categorizes and adds the listing on iqzone.com as well as 3rd party services including Edgeio. Buyers can connect with sellers in real-time by setting mobile or RSS alerts for items they are interested in. They can also share ads with their Facebook Friends and search iqzone using their mobile phone or the web. The company says that the product is the future of classified advertising. It’s certainly a different application and fits well into the “what will they think of next” category. Whilst the one-to-many distribution of classified listings has some appeal, I can’t help but think that it’s a solution looking for a problem. Others may think differently. → Read More
Sherman Oaks company fix8 brings the world of computer generated animation to the webcam with software being pitched as “User-Generated Reality”. fix8 combines video, animation and instant messaging that allows users to create their own partial or full custom avatars that mimic human movement. At the heart of fix8 is H.E.A.R.T. (Human Expression Analysis and Rendering Technology), which digitizes human expressions, gestures, and movements via webcam, enabling users to create, interact, and share their creations across the web, TV, and soon mobile phones. fix8 is easy to use and offers limitless creative options. fix8 users can broadcast their video creations over instant messaging services including MSN, Yahoo and Skype or save and post creations to YouTube, MySpace and FaceBook. It would be easy to trivialize fix8, yet this sort of technology would have cost millions to implement 10, 15 or even 20 years ago. The ability to turn cheap webcams into a hub of animation creation can and will spur a whole new wave of user generated creativity and content. fix8 is a little application with a wow factor to it, I’d even go as far as calling it pretty cool, even if I couldn’t get my webcam to play with Vista so I could trial it. For a full demonstration view the video on the fix8 index page. A sample is provided below. → Read More
Seriously, I can’t stop blogging about Apple’s goings-ons this week. And it’s not my fault, the company just keeps doing stuff. I can’t keep up. Take, for example, the quiet launch of a new store on Apple’s website. Gone is the “Hot Deals” section, being replaced by the Apple Outlet. It serves the same general purpose as the Hot Deals section of the store, but is now more easily navigable. We like it. The deals are still there, like a Refurbished iMac 24-inch with a 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB RAM, and a SuperDrive for $1,699, shipped. That’s tight. We’re a fan of refurb electronics. Having worked at a big-box retailer for years, I personally found out that refurbed products are tested more rigorously than new, and have the same warranty. So unless you’re sketched out by the idea of someone previously fondling your iPod, it’s a great place to get your gear. Apple Outlet [store.apple.com] → Read More
[Update, 05-31-07, 2:37PM PST] So some other famous bloggers and I were discussing this unlikely rumor, and we started to realize something: With core elements of Vista in place on Intel hardware, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to imagine OS X running Windows apps. Then, by chance, I ran across this article at Mac Daily News posits the very idea, and that this could be the way big secret Steve is keeping for WWDC. Bootcamp 2 isn’t in the current preview of Leopard, nor are many other expected toys. We still think the whole thing is a little suspicious, but what a possibility it creates, no? This is probably the most insane Apple rumor we’ve ever heard, and most likely crap. But in the interest of generating site traffic, and to secure bragging rights of being “first!” if it’s somehow real, and because we’re reckless, we bring it to you now. Our Trusted, Reliable Source™ at the WSJ’s D conference that fed us all the Foleo goodness was chatting with some other PR types who work for Apple during Steve’s chat yesterday. He/She said they were nervous over Mr. Jobs accidentally spilling Leopard secrets two weeks before its official unveiling at WWDC. The source said something jokingly about how it’s really a re-designed version of Vista, and, to their surprise, the PR type said, “No, Vista runs great on the new Macs by itself, and Bootcamp 2 lets us ship it as an add-on option for dual-boot.” Or something to that effect. We’re thinking the Apple PR person was messing with our source, the idea is to run ideas up the flagpole to see if they fly. We really don’t see any Macs shipping with dual-boot to Windows anytime soon, but Steve has surprised us before, so who knows? We mark the likelihood as very low, but stranger things have happened. Thanks for giving me something to post on a slow news day, Apple PR dude/lady! → Read More
RealNetworks have annonuced a new version of RealPlayer that includes one-click video ripping. The free downloadable video player will allows users to save and organize video files in all major formats including Flash, QuickTime, RealMedia and Window Media and will support video ripping from sites such as YouTube, Google, Yahoo!, Brightcove, AOL and The New York Times. The ability to rip online videos is not new. A number of programs are already available that provide a similar service yet this is the first time this level of functionailty has been offered in a high user base product. The new RealPlayer will not download or record video that is DRM infected but will download everything else, placing it somewhere between headache and law suit for a bevy of content creators. Every content creator will now be challenged by the real possibility that if their product is DRM free, it’s likely to be ripped from the original source site and even burned to CD. I may be exagerating the problem, and a true anti-DRM advocate would argue that consumers should be free to use content how and where they see fit. Yet content creators can impose copyright restrictions without the use of DRM and should be able to control the context of how and when a video is played back; the offer of free viewing does not automatically extend to an offer of free and unlimited use, take free to air TV or Radio as an example. The new version of RealPlayer will be released in June. Sorry Mac users, no Real enabled ripping for you until later in the year, Windows only at this stage with support for Internet Explorer and Firefox. (video via Beet.tv) → Read More
If someone could explain why or how this is funny, on some level other than a base one, I’d be thankful. It’s one of those exploding golf balls, but at its center, it’s got a condom. Not a wrapped up one, which you could later use to avoid getting The Herp from the course hooker in the pro shop, but rather, ya know, just a condom. Supposedly it just flies out when the ball ‘splodes. There’s some pun in there somewhere, but I won’t be the one to make it. No, really, I don’t get it. Explain this to me, and you win my eternal respect for a month. Eternal, friends. Oh, and it comes with a “sexy tee”, which means a piece of plastic roughly shaped like a girl. Sexy! Exploding! Golf ball (with condom inside!) [product page, via Nerd Approved] → Read More
You may recall awhile back I reviewed M-Audio’s Torq Mixlab setup for DJs. I love it and think it’s great software, but I only spent so much initial time using it then took a break. This past week, I’ve been playing with it for hours on end and have started to really get mixing well down again. To showcase how well Torq Mixlab works, I’ve made a decent 45-minute house/electro mix for ya’ll. If you enjoy 4/4 beats, electronic noises, and getting high, you’ll probably dig it. Those of you who don’t want to stream it can download the MP3 directly here. Enjoy the music and if you feel inspired yourself, check out Torq Mixlab from M-Audio. → Read More
The man in purple has announced that his first new single, “Guitar” from the upcoming “Planet Earth” album, has arrived. Fans can get the single starting today when they use Verizon Wireless’ free new V CAST Song ID to identify the single. To get the track you’ll have to download the Song ID app to a V CAST Music-enable phones, then from your PC go to the Verizon Wireless music site where you play the interactive video and hold the phone to the speaker. This will identify the song, which you can then download for free. Yes, this sounds like a lot of work… but it’s music fit for a king, make that from Prince. Verizon Wireless Music → Read More
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to many of you, but if it does then you really need to get out of your parent’s basement and get some. Sure, the kids these days use SMS to cheat on tests and see what their homies are up to for the night, but texting for sex is bigger than we thought. Why do you think I have the Sidekick3? To keep up on my CG e-mails? No. I make use of the cheap unlimited data plan to booty call my shorties when I need to get a piece. OK, not really, but I do drunk-text quite a bit. I know you do too, so don’t act like you don’t. A recent poll conducted by About.com tells us that 17 percent use text messages to ‘arrange sex encounters,’ while 28 percent used it to communicate with family members. I’d hate to mix up a text there. Keeping in touch with your friends takes the cake with 32 percent while non-sex related texts between lovers was limited to 15 percent. I think texting for sex is a lot bigger than this poll might lead you to believe. A quick search for a funny image for this story on Google led me to this interesting article that was in NY Mag. It’s bigger than you think. What say ye? Poll Results: 17% Use Text Messaging Mostly To Arrange Sex Encounters → Read More
If you frequently use the excuse “my battery died” to get out of working, don’t buy the new Lenovo ThinkPad X61 or X61s notebooks or the X61 Tablet. According to the company’s details on the three systems, the ThinkPad X61s will keep you up and running for more than 12 hours and the ThinkPad X61 and X61 Tablet will run approximately up to 11 and 10 hours respectively. Of course, this is with the combination of an eight-cell standard battery and optional extended life battery, but still, that’s a crazy amount of productivity from just two batteries. Along with the extended battery life comes an improved design for broadband wireless, called Ultra Connect II, so you can get a signal anywhere. Lenovo claims up to a 30 percent improvement above previous models. (And you thought that was just a regular, old antenna.) → Read More
Apple’s latest blow to other online music download services is iTunes Plus — tracks encoded at 256Kbps in AAC format with no copy protection restricting usage. Big deal? Maybe not as big as many people hoped, thanks to some glitches and limitations, but it’s still a huge step in the right direction for downloaded music. But is Steve Jobs following the right path by shunning the subscription model in favor of a deceptively open download model? → Read More
Holy disingenuousness, Batman. Check out this “next generation” VoIP provider called iPhone2. Now, I’ve never used any of the company’s products. In fact, they may be the best VoIP guys out there. But naming your company iPhone2? Isn’t that some sort of trademark issue? Any lawyers in the house? Home Page [iPhone2] → Read More
Finally – users will be able to see music videos on YouTube. Ok, well, now at least it’s more legal. EMI Music just announced they have reached terms with Google’s YouTube both to distribute music videos from EMI artists on YouTube and to enable consumers to leverage the EMI music library in their own YouTube video creations. Eric Nicoli, CEO of EMI Group, said the deal “meets EMI’s objectives to offer consumers the best possible entertainment experiences, to create new ways to connect our artists to fans and to enter into innovative business models that will generate revenues for our business and our creators.” EMI will use YouTube’s content identification and reporting system to track and monetize its content and compensate artists. The tools also give EMI Music the ability to request the removal of EMI’s copyrighted content from YouTube. Google has now secured music-license rights with the world’s four largest music labels: Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment and EMI Group. In April EMI announced a deal with Apple to start selling its artist content without copyright protection on iTunes. Of course, just about every music video you care to see is already on YouTube. There’s even a search engine that only indexes YouTube music videos, almost all of which are posted in violation of copyright laws. CrunchBase Information YouTube Information provided by CrunchBase → Read More
Lumosity is a brain fitness program from Lumos Labs which is designed to improve cognitive function through a series of web-based games and exercises. In developing Lumosity, Lumos Labs worked closely with leading neuroscientists from Stanford and UCSF to design and experimentally test the program. In a randomized, controlled study, the exercises were shown to have statistically significant effects in improving memory and attention. Brain games are wildly popular in Japan and Europe, the Ninentendo DS Brain Age has sold millions of copies. The delivery of similar functionality online is the logical next step and although they might not be the most engaging games, that’s not the goal here. Details of the research and methodology behind Lumosity can be viewd here. → Read More
The new street view feature that appears in Google Maps is pretty righteous, but how the f*ck are they doing it? It gives me the creeps and if it ever shows up around me I’ll be kicking and screaming. It’s zooming into people’s homes and everything. It’s a clear violation of my privacy. So who is doing all this? Immersive Media is the culprit and the means by which they’re doing it is quite laughable. A VW Beetle? Seriously. Anyways, the Beetle is cruising around with an 11-sided camera catching you in the act of whatever it is that you do. Creepy and cool at the same time. Don’t you think? Google Maps zoom: here’s the device and vehicle behind it [BoingBoing] → Read More
http://us.i1.yimg.com/cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/player/media/swf/FLVVideoSolo.swf The same team that created a site on Yahoo about war zones is behind the new People of the Web, a Yahoo property that covers people doing interesting things online. It was announced on the Yahoo corporate blog. An introductory video is above. Stories include text and video elements and allows reader comments. They’ve also integrated MyBlogLog into the site. Example: here’s a story called “Brokeback Hill” about some guy that is “outing” secretly gay politicians. The site is intersting, but Yahoo’s forays into content creation continue to baffle me. They should get serious about it, or drop the effort. → Read More
Listen up, Zune users. Word has come down to my ears that a new firmware update for your handy PMP will be available for download at 10:00 PST today. It’s not a major upgrade, but it does improve the Zune’s shuffling action, which some users have hated on. (Not me, I don’t drink the Haterade.) No word on what other changes are included, but we’re doubting there’s anything surprising. Or is there!? Zune Update 1.4 Out Today [Cesar's Zune Insider] → Read More
Readers: after posting a wee story about the iPhone, we received this most excellent comment. Mad commenter — Who are you? Tell us your story. I promise to give you a fair shake. Email us at tips @ crunchgear dot com. I ordinarily wouldn’t put a comment in a stupid blog but your behaviour is so infuriating Steve Jobs, I have to. Steve: This is a promise. I will do everything possible to see that justice prevails and that you face criminal prosecution for robbing me. You, Larry and if she was complicit, Gina. You dirty f*cking assholes. I guarantee you: you will face Federal charges for filing perjured patent applications with the USPTO, and Matt Powers and his crooked sh*thead partners at WG&M who have been conspiring with you will face prosecution under the RICO statutes. → Read More
According to a recent patent filing Apple has made, the iPhone will have crystal clear reception with absolute minimal interference. This technology is designed to keep interference away from the iPhone that other gadgets and devices might cause. Just a small detector chip is all it takes. Apple plans on alerting you also when your signal becomes fuzzy or interrupted via audio or text. Here’s the kicker, though. Although the patent doesn’t mention the iPhone at all, it clearly states that the technology is designed for a cellphone with media capabilities. Sounds like an iPhone to me! Perhaps for once, I’ll be able to have a cellphone unaffected by the dreaded speaker buzz. Apple patent keeps iPhone signals clean [MacNN] → Read More
Like gadgets? Games? Witty banter? Not working at the pizzeria this summer? Know a little PHP? Drop me a line at john at crunchgear dot com along with one post in CrunchGear style and a few paragraphs about yourself. Don’t send me resumes, but PHP/programming experience is a plus. Pay dependent on skill set and how cool you seem in your email. Applicants must have majority of day free, so you cubicle rats are going to have to suffer. Act now! → Read More
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