Latest Gear Live Videos
Santa Swings for Charity
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Misc. Tech,
Somewhat similar to ScroogeYourself is Santa Swing. It was created by Oddcast for Everyclick to draw attention to its search engine that helps more than 170,000 charities each time it’s used. Use your own photos or theirs, then upload a message that will be translated to audio or add your own sound files. Pass them on to your blog, Facebook, or friends. Try it yourself and remember to use Everyclick as your new search engine if you can get over Googling.
Read More 
| Santa Swing
Advertisement
Freebie Ringtones and Wallpaper from MS Mobile
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Editorial, Hot Deals, Microsoft,
Microsoft Mobile is offering free holiday-themed ringtones and wallpaper for smartphones and pocket PCs if you are a part of their Owner’s Circle. There are 9 wallpapers to select from, and in addition to their recently added Halo ringtones, you can choose between Bells, Frosty’s Groove, More Merry, Sleigh Bells, Snowflakes (we had to preview that one,) Below Freezing, Charity ( which sounds like the Salvation Army bell,) Cookies and Milk, and more. If you are not a member, you can sign up for their newsletter to receive the “gifts,” even though it seems that MS is getting the better deal.
Read More | Smartphone Thoughts
USB Holiday Flash Cards - the New Hallmark?
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Accessories, USB, Misc. Tech, Storage,
You know we’re a technologically-obsessed society when even holiday greeting cards are getting the USB treatment. Well, sorta. The folks at Walletex—known for their flash drives the size of a credit card—have come out with their Hanukkah and Christmas versions. They’re available in a large variety of designs, from dreidels to Santa, and from 128mb ($27 USD) to a roomy 4GB ($106 USD). You can even have the recipient’s name printed on the card! A very unique gift, and you can make it even more special by loading it with photos and music your intended will love.
Read More | Walletex
Box Office Breakdown: Will Smith a Legend in December
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, New Line, Warner Bros, Yari Film Group Releasing, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Period, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
You have to wonder whether Tom Cruise is just a wee bit jealous of his friend’s success…
This weekend, Will Smith not only smashed the box office debut of Cruise’s Lions for Lambs, he pounded everything in his path. I Am Legend - the third adaptation of the 1954 Richard Matheson novel - nearly doubled the take of its nearest competitor while breaking the record for a December release. Legend’s $77 million debut surpassed the bar set by Oscar-winner The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The final installment in the Lords trilogy brought in $72.6 million back in 2003.
Although Alvin and the Chipmunks was far behind in second place, its $44 million weekend was nothing to sneeze at. The movie not only exceeded most expectations, it downright embarrassed third place finisher, The Golden Compass. How could anyone possibly explain freaky-looking chipmunks taking down a large polar bear? The latter film only added another $8.8 million to its total, putting it a smidge closer to its $180 million budget. (Granted, it has done better overseas.)
But let’s not be fooled by the large numbers at the top of the charts, the weekend’s most notable turnout was made by #11: Juno. The comedic charmer earned an impressive $35,686 per screen. Meanwhile, Legend (which opened in 3566 more theaters) averaged only $21,411. Take that, Fresh Prince!
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Will Smith a Legend in December
Yahoo!
Box Office Breakdown: The Golden Compass Lacks Luster
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, MGM, New Line, Paramount, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Music, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
A Narnia-esque adaptation partnered with a holiday release date and an A-list cast should have conjured box office magic for The Golden Compass. Surprisingly, this weekend’s release from New Line Cinema brought in barely enough money to cover the film’s catering budget.
Compass, based on Philip Pullman’s children’s series His Dark Materials, was Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig’s second disappointing collaboration this year (the first being The Invasion). While it was enough for a first place finish, the $25 million debut was hardly impressive given the film’s $180 million price tag.
In other news, holiday flick This Christmas remained in third place while the critically-panned Fred Claus bumped up two spaces from last week. Meanwhile, Juno and Atonement did well with their very limited releases.
Be looking for the highly-promoted I Am Legend (and Alvin and the Chipmunks) to enter next week’s charts.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: The Golden Compass Lacks Luster
E! Online
Tuesday Ratings: ‘Rudolph’ Lights the Way for CBS
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Drama, Kids, Prime Time, Reality, Specials, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The CW, Grey’s Anatomy, House, Ratings,
A repeat of House made way for Rudolph’s shiny red nose. CBS had the evening’s largest audience and shared the demos with NBC.
8pm
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer* (14.3 million, 5.1/14 in 18-49 demo) was the evening’s best performer.
- The Biggest Loser (3.2/8) averaged approximately 8.32 million.
- Bones (2.4/7) drew about 8.2 million fans.
- America’s Funniest Home Videos* (2.1/6) made 7.92 million laugh.
- The finale of Beauty and the Geek (1.1/3) rounded up 2.47 million.
9pm
- NCIS* (2.8/7 in 18-49) averaged 11.5 million for the hour’s win.
- Approximately 10.37 million watched a repeat of House* (3.7/9).
- A special Tuesday night Grey’s Anatomy* (2.3/6) scored 6.08 million.
- Reaper (2.63 million, 1.2/3) was slightly down from last week.
10pm
- Law and Order: SVU (3.9/10 in 18-49) led the competition with 11.7 million.
- Boston Legal (2.1/6) came in second with 8.5 million.
- About 7.4 million gawked at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (2.6/7).
*denotes repeat
(You can review last Tuesday’s ratings here.)
Programming Insider
Box Office Breakdown: Jessica Alba Can’t Keep Audiences Awake
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, MGM, Paramount, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
There’s nothing like a good snub to restore your faith in moviegoers.
Although Awake was the only new wide release this past weekend, discerning audiences kept it from succeeding by default. (NOTE: Cute squirrels will always trump Jessica Alba.) The movie, also co-starring Star Wars’ Hayden Christensen, opened with a dismal $6 million - less than half of what Alba’s last stellar film, Good Luck Chuck, did. (The latter opened at $13.7 million.) I wonder if this currently makes Jessica Biel the most successful Jessica out there.
Aside from Awake’s entry, the rest of the Top Ten changed very little from last week. Enchanted refused to budge from its perch and earned another $16 million over the past three days. Meanwhile, Beowulf surged back up a notch, trading spots with holiday flick, This Christmas.
Although the box office numbers were unspectacular overall, we can expect big changes in just a few days; that’s when New Line’s The Golden Compass makes its debut.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Jessica Alba Can’t Keep Audiences Awake
This Week on TV (12/3-12/9)
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Action, Animation, Comedy, Drama, Food & Home, Kids, Music, Prime Time, Reality, Sci-Fi/Horror, Specials, ABC, Bravo, Cable, CBS, FX, FOX, NBC, The CW, ER, Heroes, My Name Is Earl, Nip/Tuck, Top Chef,
MONDAY (12/3)
- The Closer (TNT, 8pm): The special two-hour holiday episode brings Brenda’s parents into the investigative fold. Nothing says Christmas like talking blood with your blood.
- Heroes (NBC, 9pm): (NOTE: This is the last new episode left.) ‘Peter squares off against former friends thanks to Adam’s confusing story about the Shanti virus.’ He shouldn’t fault Adam; the confusing storyline is to blame.
- K-Ville (FOX, 9pm): ‘Boulet and Cobb investigate an insurance adjuster’s murder.’ As if there weren’t enough people in New Orleans with a motive.
- Life (NBC, 10pm): (First half of the two-parter; 2nd half airs Wednesday). ‘Evidence points to Reese’s father in the murders that sent Crews to prison.’ I’m guessing this won’t be resolved anytime soon…otherwise, we wouldn’t have a show.
Click to continue reading This Week on TV (12/3-12/9)
Tuesday Ratings: ABC Wins the Disco Ball
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Action, Animation, Drama, Prime Time, Reality, Sci-Fi/Horror, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The CW, Dancing With The Stars, House, Ratings,
Dancing With the Stars’ two-hour finale was last night’s big ticket. The show helped ABC nudge past FOX in both viewers and demos.
8pm
- NCIS (3.3/9 in 18-49 demo) topped the hour with 17 million.
- About 13.6 million welcomed A Charlie Brown Christmas (4.6/12).
- Bones (9.6 million, 3.4/9) was up about 1 million from last week.
- The Biggest Loser (7.2 million, 3.1/8) lost about 300,000 lbs.
- Beauty and the Geek (2.52 million, 1.3/3) remained about even.
9pm
- A whopping 24.9 million watched Helio win on Dancing With The Stars (6.4/15 in 18-49 demo).
- House (16.9 million, 7.0/16) still had control of the hour’s demos.
- The Unit (10.48 million, 2.9/7) was steady with last week.
- Reaper (2.26 million, 1.1/2) was up about 400,000.
10pm
- Law and Order: SVU (4.6/12) closed the night with 12.3 million.
- Cane (6.5 million, 1.6/4) was only 1/2 as successful as its NBC competitor.
Hollywood Reporter
iYule TV, a Fireplace in Your Pocket
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Handhelds, Internet, Misc. Tech, Portable Audio / Video, Video Games,
‘Tis the season for a holiday Yule Log and this year you can download 30 minutes worth of a crackling fire with accompanying music for handhelds, PMPs, and MP3 players. Created by GeekBrief TV during a nostalgic moment, a portion of the proceeds from the originators and score composer of the iYule TV go to charitable orginizations. Prices are $5.00 for iPods and $7.00 for Macs, PCs, Apple TVs, or Xbox 360s. Order all three for $7.00 without the music if you are into the natural sounds of fire.
Read More | iYule TV Product Page
Advertisement
© Gear Live Inc. {year} – User-posted content, unless source is quoted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain License. Gear Live graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, videos, articles, blogs, forums, scripts and other service names are the trademarks of Gear Live Inc.