Vestalife Limited Edition Ladybugs

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Music, Portable Audio / Video, USB,

Vestalife has teamed with Element Skateboards to release two Limited Edition Ladybugs. Similar to their original product, each dock has flip-down speaker wings, a digital amp and built-in 3-inch sub woofer. They also have LED volume indicators, full function remote, auto shut-off, and are compatible with any iPod with dock connection or iPhone. The USB connection makes for plug-and-play with your computer and an auxiliary-in jack can connect to other MP3 players. Each comes with a price of $124.95 with a portion of sales going to the MagicWater Project that supports children with pediatric cancer.

Read More | Vestalife

IMDb Offers Free Internet Movies, TV

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment, Internet, Movies,

Amazon has announced that its subsidiary, IMDb, will be offering free recent and classic films such as “Planet of the Apes” and “The Madness of King George.” There are also trailers and short films. They say that over 6,000 titles are available and include episodes of new season shows like “30 Rock.” We checked out an episode on the site and noticed that it is about as free as regular TV, so expect some commercials, although not to the extent that you find on network television.

Read More | IMDb via MSNBC

Incident in LHC Causes Shutdown

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Science,

It seems that things are not so cheery with the LHC after all. There was a problem in sector 34 Friday, resulting in a helium leak. They believe that the source was a faulty connection between two magnets which may have melted, with the result being that CERN has shut down the device. They expect a minimum of 2 months worth of cooling off and repair. They also mentioned that no humans were at risk at any time, except for the ones who fell into the black hole (just kidding.)

Read More | CERN

Verizon FiOS vs. Comcast: Feature-by-feature

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Broadband, Features, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Internet,

Ten days ago, Verizon FiOS TV officially launched here in Washington state. I was actually invited to speak at the launch event that took place that day, alongside Verizon representatives, and local government officials. I was specifically chosen as a case study of just how good FiOS is, since I literally moved specifically because Comcast was way too slow for the things we expected out of our Internet connection here at Gear Live HQ. It was an event meant to talk up the advantages of FiOS over cable (specifically, Comcast, in this area). Obviously, with FiOS looming over their territory, Comcast went into damage control mode to combat Verizon’s claims that they were the best option for Internet and television services. We were sent both the FiOS press release and the Comcast press release, and we figured we would respond to the claims of each, point-by-point.

For some background, we’ve been Comcast customers for over six years, for both Internet and television services. When we moved for FiOS 15 months ago, Comcast was still our cable television provider. As of today, I am a FiOS customer for both Internet and television, and as of 10 days ago, am no longer a Comcast customer. Now, on with the comparisons.

Click to continue reading Verizon FiOS vs. Comcast: Feature-by-feature

GE Animals Okayed by Government

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Science,

Watch out for Super Chickens arriving at a grocery store near you. The U.S. government will start considering proposals to use GE (genetically engineered) animals for food. This might include faster growing animals, cattle that resist Mad Cow Disease, or lower cholesterol eggs. The Food and Drug Administration has said that it is concerned with animals that will be used for food or produce medicine to be used on animals or humans, rather than those used in lab experiments. Many details still need to be worked out such as labeling. We get nervous enough thinking about genetically altered grains.

Read More | ABC News

CVSCL-8100 Shower Head Tells Temperature

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech,

How often do you start to get in the shower only to find out that the water is either boiling hot or ice cold? The CVSCL-8100 Lighted Shower Head changes color depending on the water temperature. The LED displays green for less than 32º C, blue for 33 to 41º C, red for 42 to 45º and flashing red for anything above 46º C (~114.8º F.) The LSH carries a price of $17.16 and comes with everything you need to install.

Read More | Chinavasion

Free MP3 to iPod Audio Book Converter

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Hot Deals, Portable Audio / Video, Software,

Who needs the expense of a Kindle if you can get a free application? The MP3 to iPod Audio Book Converter collects all your files into one big file. The open source shareware combines them for listening without search, and your iPod will remember your stopping place. The application runs on Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/Vista, with future plans for Mac and Linux. And, if you dig the app., a donation would certainly be welcomed.

Read More | Free iPod Software

Streetline Informs Drivers of Available Parking

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Transportation,

Streetline has gotten together with San Francisco, which is apparently willing to spend $95 million so that 25% of the city can find a place to park. Drivers will be notified via smartphone and signs and will be able to pay via their phones as well eventually. The city is hoping to cut down on traffic congestion.

Streetline claims that their service gives the status of curbside, lot and garage spaces 24 hours a day, every day. The system consists of a wireless sensor inside a 4 x 4-inch piece of plastic fastened to the pavement next to the space.

Read More | Chip Chick

iLuv iSP100 Mini Stereo Speaker

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Music, Portable Audio / Video,

iLuv has unveiled the iSP100 Mini Portable Stereo Speaker. It is compatible with iPods, iPhones, and MP3 players. Powered by 3 AAA batteries, the speaker has what the company calls “720° Surround Sound.” It comes with a retractable cable with 3.5mm jack for headphone or audio output and traveling case. Look for the speaker’s debut in the next few weeks with a price tag of $34.99.

Read More | crave

Microsoft Launches New Commercials

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Microsoft, PC / Laptop, Videos,

Thank goodness Microsoft realized how silly their latest Seinfeld/Gates TV ads are and have moved on to the next phase of “Life Without Walls” in new ads, billboards, and other media sources. The company will also be launching Web and TV ads called the “Real PC,” using both celebs and “little people” who declare “I’m a PC.” We certainly hope that this commercial blitz is more successful. By the way, we just caught one. No Seinfeld, just Gates. Take your last look.

Read More | I4U News