by Chris Ullrich, May 9 2011 // 1:30 PM
When cool new things come out like Amazon’s recent Cloud Player service you pretty much assume these things will work with your iPhone, iPad or other iOS device. They are, after all pretty darn popular with the kids who also happen to love music. Sadly, at least at launch, that wasn’t the case with Amazon’s new offerings.
That was then. Now, things are a bit different. Amazon has decide that IOS users have suffered enough and has flipped the switch that allows Cloud Player to work with Mobile Safari. You will still get the ominous “Your browser isn’t supported” warning, but once you get past that you can experience the service in all its glory, complete with background playback and control.
In case you’re not familiar with Amazon’s Cloud Player service, you get 5 GB of free storage once you sign up. Anything purchased from the Amazon MP3 store can be automatically added to your Cloud Drive without counting against your storage quota.
In addition, Amazon will give you an extra 15 GB of free storage when you purchase at least one MP3 album, bringing your storage limit up to 20 GB. You can also upload and stream any tracks you already have with it.
All in all, its a pretty cool service. Sure, it would be nice to have a native IOS app instead of having to use Safari, but one thing at a time. This is progress and you can probably expect a new IOS app soon enough.
Posted in: Apple · Mobile · News · Software · Tech
Tagged: Amazon, Amazon Cloud Drive, Amazon Cloud Player, Internets, iOS, iPad, iPhone, Mobile Safari, Safari, Software
by Joe Gillis, Dec 30 2010 // 12:15 PM
Who says you can never find a bargain these days? Well, our friends at Marvel are providing one at least in the form of a ‘Super Sale’ featuring comics starring many of your favorite characters.
Here’s all the info from Marvel’s official press release:
The Holidays may be over, but that doesn’t mean Marvel can’t stop giving because today begins the red-hot 99 Cent Super Sale on the Marvel Comics App! Running through January 4th, this Super Sale spotlights a different character or series every 24 hours, offering readers a brand new set of sale titles each day…and each issue is only 99 cents!
From some of the biggest Marvel creators, featuring fan favorite Marvel characters, Marvel fans young and old, can not miss out on this great opportunity! Today, experience a “Brand New day” with the Amazing Spider-Man, as a new era begins for everyone’s favorite wall-crawler…and each issue is only 99 cents each!
Sounds pretty good to us. To download the Marvel Comics app go here.
Posted in: Comics · Marvel · News · Software
Tagged: Captain America, Comics, Internets, Iron Man, Marvel, Marvel Comics App, Press Release, Software, Spider-Man, Thor
by Joe Gillis, Dec 22 2010 // 11:30 AM
We’ve been following the development of DC Univserse Online for some time and at points, it looked like it may never see the light of day. Fortunately, those fears proved unfounded as Sony has announced it will debut the new MMOG worldwide on January 11, 2011.
The game has reached gold status and is ready for primetime. It will be available on the Sony PS3 and PC at launch. In truth, we’ve been playing it for a little while now and so far it’s pretty darn cool. Expect a full review soon.
In the meantime, get ready for some great gameplay in January. Check out the full release from Sony and DC after the break.
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Posted in: DC · DC Entertainment · Games · News · Sony · Video Games
Tagged: Batman, DC, DC Entertainment, DC Universe Online, Games, Internets, MMOG, Online, PC, PS3, Sony, Superman, The Joker
by Erik Jensen, Dec 16 2010 // 8:00 AM
Rumors swirling over a possible round of layoffs at web-giant Yahoo, turned out to be true and exhibited the worst-possible timing for employees cut-loose just prior to the holidays. Today, Yahoo confirmed that roughly 600 employees would be let-go as the company continues to attempt a turnaround under the leadership of CEO Carol Bartz.
In an official statement released today, Yahoo attempted to explain their recent decision.
“Today’s personnel changes are part of our ongoing strategy to best position Yahoo for revenue growth and margin expansion and to support our strategy to deliver differentiated products to the marketplace. We’ll continue to hire on a global basis to support our key priorities. Yahoo is grateful for the important contributions made by the employees affected by this reduction. We are offering severance packages and outplacement services to these employees.”
The layoffs affect roughly 4 percent of its total workforce of 14,100 employees, but underscore the one-time pioneering Internet company’s recent misfortunes. Most industry-watchers seem to pin Yahoo’s rough performance on general mismanagement and a series of unsuccessful merger opportunities. As you may recall, Yahoo turned a cold shoulder to Microsoft’s 2008 offer to purchase the company for an excess of $30-per-share, a roughly $45 billion offer.
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Posted in: News · Tech · The Internets
Tagged: Internets, Search, Software, Yahoo, Yahoo layoffs
by Erik Jensen, Sep 9 2010 // 8:00 AM
For such a short week, Google is really on a roll. Yesterday, on Google’s main search property, a strange yet fun and kinetic new Google logo appeared prompting users to wonder exactly what the search giant was up to.
In the recent past, the Google “Doodles” as the company refers to its fun and different company logos, were typically used to celebrate a birthday or an important milestone in history and would always link to search results relevant to the event or at minimum, an official blog post would explain what the company was up to.
However, this time around, only a mysterious tweet from Google’s official Twitter account offered any clue whatsoever.
“Boisterous doodle today. Maybe it’s excited about the week ahead…”
Indeed, and one can only imagine the countless hours of lost productivity as Google Search users reported being captivated by the interactive animated logo that bounced kinetically-charged balls across the screen as the user moused-over the Google logo. A Google rep went on record yesterday with Search Engine Roundtable to explain things a bit further.
“Today’s doodle is not related to a birthday but is fast, fun and interactive, just the way we think search should be.”
Hit the jump for all of the details from Google’s press event this morning.
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Posted in: Google · News · Tech · The Internets
Tagged: Google, Google Doodles, Google Instant, Google press event, Google real-time search results, Internets, Software
by Chris Ullrich, Sep 7 2010 // 1:00 PM
With Apple’s recent announcement of the new Apple TV, the competition for your living room is heating up once again with Google set to soon jump fully into the fray. Announced in May, Google TV has officially been given a launch date here in the US.
According to the report, Google will launch its TV service in the United States this autumn and worldwide next year. CEO Eric Schmidt said the service, which will allow users to browse the Internets via their televisions, would be free, and Google will work with a diverse group of content providers and electronics manufacturers to bring it to consumers.
Companies such as Sony and Samsung are already looking at including the service in their devices. More are sure to follow suit, if only to try and secure a better deal for themselves then Apple has traditionally provided.
The real question is do people want to use the Internet on their TV’s? I suppose they do considering I do it every day by watching something like Hulu or Instant Netflix on my TV via the XBox 360 or PS3.
Although, I wouldn’t exactly call me a “typical consumer” so what I do with technology might be more than most people are willing, or able, to do. That said, if Google TV does end up having those features, I might be more interested.
Want to know more about Google TV? If so, check out the official video explaining it after the jump.
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Posted in: Apple · News · Tech · TV
Tagged: Android, Apple, Apple TV, Chrome, Eric Schmidt, Google, Google TV, Hulu, Internets, Netflix, Samsung, Sony, Tech, TV, Web TV, YouTube
by Joe Gillis, Jul 6 2010 // 10:00 AM
In news that will most likely be met with meh by the major cable outlets, production company Relativity Media announced that it will make a deal with movie rental giant Netflix to stream its content via the service. While that may not sound impressive, the other part of this deal will see Relativity bypassing traditional home video routs and cable stations like HBO or Showtime and going directly to Neflix’s streaming movie service.
With the backing of backing larger companies like Lions Gate Entertainment, Sony Pictures, and Universal Studios, Relativity will grant Netflix first rights to stream popular movies that are typically sent to premium cable channels like Starz, HBO, and Showtime following the movie’s DVD release. This arrangement is seen as a major development because it’s the first time a major movie producer has turned to online distribution for its movies and not gone the traditional route.
Could this be the start of a trend? We’ll see. It would probably seem like more of a big deal (at least to me) if the movies were a bit more impressive and if HBO and Showtime didn’t seem more concerned with creating original programming than showing movies. Still, it is an interesting development to be sure. Time will tell if it has an impact on other companies and if they join in.
The deal is set to launch with movies Skyline and The Fighter, featuring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale, with more titles to follow soon.
Posted in: HBO · Movies · New Media · News · Showtime · Tech
Tagged: Christian Bale, HBO, Internets, Mark Wahlberg, Movies, Netflix, Netflix Streaming, New Media, Relativity Media, Showtime, Tech, The Fighter, TV
by Joe Gillis, Jun 29 2010 // 11:02 AM
Today, as anticipated and as we reported previously, online content provider Hulu introduced its Hulu Plus paid subscription service. It is currently in the preview stages, offering sneak peeks at the service to select users who request an invitation.
The service costs $9.99 a month and offers an big ibrary of current NBC, ABC, and FOX shows, as well as episodes from previous seasons and shows that are off the air. Hulu Plus will offer support for several devices, including Apple products like the iPad and iPhone, Internet-enabled Samsung TVs, game consoles such as the XBox 360 and PS3, and more. Videos will be presented in high definition.
So, I guess the days of free content on the Internet have been shortened once again. I wonder, though, who will actually take advantage of this service? Will you?
For more on this service, check out the full walkthrough after the break.
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Posted in: Movies · News · TV · Web
Tagged: Hulu, Internets, Movies, NBC, Tech, TV, Web
by Chris Ullrich, May 5 2010 // 2:00 PM
Have you been looking for a way to keep track of all the important news and info for Marvel’s upcoming blockbuster release of Iron Man 2? Do you also happen to be an iPhone or iPod Touch user? If so, then this is your lucky day. Why? Well, read on.
Today, Marvel has released the Iron Man Central application into the wild and its available on the Apple iTunes Store for iPhone and iPod Touch. Here’s all the info for this new app directly from the Marvel press release:
Suit up with the world’s most popular super hero in anticipation of Marvel Studios’ Iron Man 2 feature film, and learn everything about Iron Man with this totally free app!
Iron Man Central is perfect for Iron Man fans new and old, providing access to all things Iron Man including news, exclusive wallpapers, video content, direct links to Iron Man content on iTunes and more. This brand-new app also seamlessly integrates with users’ e-mail, Twitter and Facebook accounts, allowing them to share exciting new Iron Man content with friends and family.
Head on over to iTunes to get this app. Also, be sure to check out some screenshots from it after the jump. Oh, and as if you didn’t already know, Iron Man 2 hits theaters this Friday.
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Posted in: Apple · Comics · Iron Man 2 · Marvel · Marvel Studios · Movies · News · Prequels and Sequels · Social Networking · Software · The Internets
Tagged: Apple, Applications, Facebook, Internets, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, iTunes, iTunes App Store, Marvel, Social Networking, Software, Twitter
by Joe Gillis, Apr 30 2010 // 1:00 PM
If you thought it was just a matter of time before Steve Jobs would come around, see the error of his ways and embrace The Flash (no, not the superhero) well, to put it nicely, you were wrong. Not gonna happen. . . ever. How do we know? Simple, Steve told us so.
In a statement signed off on by Jobs himself, Apple has posted their “Thoughts on Flash” which highlights most of what has been said in the past about why Apple won’t be supporting Flash on iPhone OS devices like the iPhone and iPad. They will also be blocking programs that attempt to recompile and be used as iPhone OS applications, especially games.
Still not convinced? Think it’s all just a misunderstanding at that Steve’s resolve will weaken? Well, take a look at what Apple said and tell us there’s room for doubt that Steve Jobs hates Flash:
Apple has a long relationship with Adobe. In fact, we met Adobe’s founders when they were in their proverbial garage. Apple was their first big customer, adopting their Postscript language for our new Laserwriter printer. Apple invested in Adobe and owned around 20% of the company for many years.
The two companies worked closely together to pioneer desktop publishing and there were many good times. Since that golden era, the companies have grown apart. Apple went through its near death experience, and Adobe was drawn to the corporate market with their Acrobat products. Today the two companies still work together to serve their joint creative customers – Mac users buy around half of Adobe’s Creative Suite products – but beyond that there are few joint interests.
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Posted in: Announcements · Apple · News · Tech · The Internets · Web
Tagged: Adobe, Apple, Flash, HTML5, Internets, iPad, iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch, Safari, Steve Jobs, Web
by Erik Jensen, Apr 8 2010 // 10:00 AM
It’s not just Hollywood that seems obsessed with 3D technology lately. It’s also video game makers Sony and Microsoft, who have both talked up their forthcoming 3D gaming strategies, as well as flat-panel makers like Samsung, Sony and Vizio, who are poised to flood the market with 3D-capable TV’s as soon as this summer. And now, Google is getting in on this much-hyped technology.
Despite criticisms of 3D as yet another cheap marketing gimmick, it seems a veritable wave of 3D products and content are poised to crash down on us consumers like it or not, and Google is getting their feet wet with a shiny new 3D feature of their Google Street View. Available via Google Maps, zoom into a particular location and you are likely to find a “street view” which allows you to tilt and pan your way around a photographic representation of the neighborhood you are exploring.
Launched recently and without much fan-fare, Google’s street view now features a new icon of a little guy wearing the iconic green and red 3D glasses. Known internally to Google as the “Pegman,” click that little guy and he’ll transform your standard street view into a fully stereoscopic image of the neighborhood. Pardon me, while I go find my 3D glasses. If you’ve got your glasses strapped on as well, check out the 3D screenshot of the Arclight Theater in L.A. after the jump.
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Posted in: 3-D · Google · News · Tech · Web
Tagged: 3-D, Google, Internets, Maps, Software, Tech
by Erik Jensen, Apr 1 2010 // 4:00 PM

It’s got to be tough being the odd man out. The PlayStation 3, the Wii, even the portables like the PSP and DS have fairly robust browsers built-in that allow you to surf the web as you wish, but Xbox 360 owners who dream of watching video via Hulu or YouTube on their 360 just had those dreams dashed.
Aaron Greenberg, director of product management for Xbox, put the kibosh on such extracurricular activities. Chalking the 360’s browser omission up to, “…the web browsing experience on TV is a poor one,” Greenberg clarified Microsoft’s Xbox online strategy just a little further. Despite recently adding support for specific properties like Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and perhaps most importantly, the Netflix streaming service, Xbox seemed to be moving towards opening up the web experience for their console gamers.
And yet, what these latest comments signal instead, is a move towards built-in support for specific web properties wherein the experience can be optimized and managed by Microsoft, versus opening the console’s masses up to the web at-large. This seems contrary to the consensus of PS3 users, who seem to feel that while browsing the web on a console is by no means perfect, they value the utility in having the capability to do so.
In his interview with CVG’s sister magazine ‘Edge’, Greenberg commented on the PS3’s browser specifically. “No disrespect, there’s things I love about the PS3, but that’s not one of them. We want the online experience to be fun and optimized for the living room, and we’ll continue to add more applications to get more richness.”
Posted in: Games · Microsoft · Playstation 3 · Video Games · Wii · Xbox 360
Tagged: Consoles, Internets, Microsoft, Nintendo, PS3, Sony, Video Games, Web, Wii, Xbox 360