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Why Trustworthy Computing Is A Bad Idea
Posted by Sparky Categories: Corporate News, Features, Mods / Hacks, PC / Laptop,
A number of sites have picked up the story that Intel Developer kits from Apple include TCPA/TPM DRM in the Kernel. TCPA/TPM DRM is a technical term for a Trustworthy Computing solution that limits what fair use consumers can use with the media they own. Basically it lets an application control what other applications or pieces of hardware can access it’s files. For instance a file created in Quicktime could be signed with a quicktime flag meaning no 3rd party applications or other users could view that file. There has been no word on how Apple is going to implement TCPA/TPM DRM yet, but conceivably they could use it to say that no non-DRM’ed pieces of media could be played on a machine making the assumption that if a file does not include DRM then it must be pirated. TCPA/TPM DRM also features the ability to create a secure encrypted channel between a graphics card and a monitor that supports TCPA - this unfortunately not only would help “prevent” piracy by capturing the live stream from the computer to the monitor (something not really done in practice anyway) but would force you to buy a TCPA compliant monitor.
Of course Windows Vista will have TCPA/TPM DRM built in as well - it’s one of Microsoft’s big selling points. I’m not sure how they are spinning it as a benefit to consumers as this does nothing but hurt innocent users wishing to exercise fair use of their content - pirates will always find a method to getting around DRM solutions. TCPA is a technology that only hinders consumers, and benefits no-one but the MPAA, RIAA, and other large greedy organizations that don’t trust their paying customers. With both Apple and Microsoft playing into the media organizations wishes for TCPA to be widely adopted then the consumer loses choice, freedom, and the ability to exercise fair use of the media they both own and enjoy. Check out a possible solution and more information about TCPA after the jump.
Click to continue reading Why Trustworthy Computing Is A Bad Idea
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SCOTTeVEST Hidden Cargo Shorts Review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Wearables, Features, Product Reviews,
The folks over at SCOTTeVEST have come up with yet another piece of clothing aimed at making the tech life just a little bit easier to live. The TEC Hidden Cargo Shorts are perfect for the summer, but how well do they carry your gadgets? Find out in our review, after the jump.
Click to continue reading SCOTTeVEST Hidden Cargo Shorts Review
Gallery: SCOTTeVEST Hidden Cargo Shorts Review
Gear Live Podcast: Gear Live Gets Taken Down!
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Podcasts,
Yeah, last week we were not able to get a Gear Live Podcast - but that is because of the readers, not us! You guys took us down for a few days, causing us to have to migrate the site to stronger servers. I go it solo in this Podcast, giving you an idea of exactly what happened when Gear Live went down.
Click here to download the MP3, or you can just subscribe to the Gear Live Podcast feed. Conversely, you can now subscribe to us directly from iTunes.
Voices: Andru Edwards
Length: 10:17, 9.45 MB
Don’t forget to vote for us on Podcast Alley! Also, be sure to check out the Gear Live Odeo Channel, and subscribe there as well. You can even tag each episode with keywords.
Listen | Gear Live Podcast
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This week, The Final Cut takes a closer look at a romantic comedy about finding a date online, and an action film with “high flying” graphics. Also out this weekend is Sky High, a Disney movie starring Michael Angarano, Kurt Russell, and Kelly Preston; and The Aristocrats, a limited release movie that has one hundred comedians telling the same joke in their own way. As always, if you’ve seen any of this weeks releases, feel free to post your feelings of love or hate in the comments section.
Click to continue reading The Final Cut: A Closer Look At Stealth, Must Love Dogs
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This week The Final Cut takes a look at 2 of Friday’s most anticipated releases, The Island, with Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson, and Bad News Bears starring Billy Bob Thornton and Greg Kinnear. Also hitting theaters this Friday are The Devil’s Rejects, a sequel of sorts to House of 1,000 Corpses directed by Rob Zombie; and Hustle & Flow, a film that was the talk of Sundance, even winning an Audience Award. Check out The Final Cut’s recommendations after the jump, and feel free to leave your take on any of this weekends releases in the comments section.
Click to continue reading The Final Cut: A Closer Look At The Island, Bad News Bears
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How Google Maps Got Me Out Of A Traffic Ticket
Posted by Edwin Soto Categories: Features, Internet, Misc. Tech,
In January of this year, I was pulled over by a traffic officer for “disobeying a steady red”, a.k.a. running a red light. I pleaded “Not Guilty” to the charge, and today - nearly six months later – I went to court to find out the fate of my ticket violation. Check out how Google Maps saved me some serious cash - and points on my license!
Click to continue reading How Google Maps Got Me Out Of A Traffic Ticket
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Gear Live Podcast: Optimus OLED Keyboard, Xbox 360 Launch, MP3, And More
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Misc. Tech, Podcasts,
The Gear Live Editors are back to share the hottest stories of the past week on Gear Live. This week we cover:
- Optimus OLED Customizable Keyboard
- Xbox 360 November 4 Launch
- MP3 Turns 10 Years Old
- RK Launcher For Windows
- The Death of Analog TV
Click here to download the MP3, or you can just subscribe to the Gear Live Podcast feed. Conversely, you can now subscribe to us directly from iTunes.
Voices: Andru Edwards, Edwin Soto, Sparky, Oscar Cantu
Length: 41:57, 19.3 MB
Don’t forget to vote for us on Podcast Alley! Also, be sure to check out the Gear Live Odeo Channel, and subscribe there as well. You can even tag each episode with keywords.
Listen | Gear Live Podcast
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SCOTTeVEST TEC T-Shirt Review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Wearables, Features, Product Reviews,
We have generally really liked the products that SCOTTeVEST thinks up and puts out there for geek consumption. It’s great to have a simple, easy way to carry all of your gear without having to carry bags or clip-ons. Recently, they released their simplest item yet - The SCOTTeVEST TEC T-Shirt. Instead of having a multitude of hidden pockets like most of the rest of their line, the SeV T-Shirt has just one pocket. It is meant to provide a means to carry around one item while lounging around or being casual. Check out our impressions after the jump.
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The 2005 Emmy Award Nominations were announced early Thursday morning by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences from the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in Hollywood, California. A total of 434 separate nominations covering 88 categories and areas were announced, with HBO taking an astounding 93 nominations, followed by CBS (59), NBC (54), and ABC (51). Desperate Housewives and Will & Grace topped the list with 15 nominations each, including Outstanding Comedy Series. Take a look at the nominees in the top categories, and a couple other categories that might be of interest.
Click to continue reading The Final Cut: 2005 Emmy Nominations
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Recently VOIP technologies such as Skype, Vonage and Gizmo have really come to focus in the telecommunications marketplace. With this surge in VOIP traffic of course the question arises of how to get your voice into a computer in the clearest possible way. Companies like Vonage solve this problem by giving you a router which enables you to use a standard telephone with your VOIP service. Technologies like Skype and Gizmo get a bit more tricky. Most laptop computers come with built in speakers and a microphone, and most desktops feature the ability to plug in a microphone and speakers as well, but with that solution echo’s and poor sound quality can be a significant problem. Luckily headsets featuring high quality headphones and a boom mic such as the Sennheiser PC 150 enable you to get high quality audio for use in VOIP, Podcast creation, gaming, and other voice activated applications.
Unfortunately, upon purchasing my headset I discovered that my powerbook had only a line in,and lacked a microphone input - something a fair number of laptops suffer from. Enter the Griffin iMic USB sound card. The iMic is a great little accessory that enables you to use additional headsets and a variety of microphones or add an extra line in to your Mac or PC. Click through the jump for a full review.
Click to continue reading Griffin iMic Review
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