Monday, October 18, 2010

News Corp pulls its Hulu content from Cablevision customers, escalating carriage dispute (update)

By Ben Drawbaugh posted Oct 16th 2010 4:21PM No Fox Hulu noticeIf you were thinking that you'd just watch your favorite Fox shows on Hulu until Cablevision and News Corp worked out their differences, then think again. Not only can you not watch Fox on Cablevision's cable service at the moment, but if you get your internet from said company, you can't watch Fox content on Hulu either. This isn't too terribly surprising considering the networks see Hulu as a supplemental service to their traditional avenues, but that doesn't make cord cutters who don't even subscribe to cable feel any better. The good news is that these disputes don't tend to last long -- they usually never amount to an interruption in service -- so you shouldn't miss too many of your favorite shows before Cablevision gives in and pays Fox $1 per subscriber (vs $0) like the other providers have.

Update: Hulu PR told All Things D that it "remained neutral" by blocking only Fox content on Hulu, so it's not like the entire service was pulled. Either way, things may be resolved quite soon, as the publication reports that both Fox.com and Fox programming on Hulu have been switched back on.


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Peek experiences permanent outage for older devices, vows to replace with free Peek 9

By Sean Hollister posted Oct 16th 2010 9:54PM Thinking of upgrading your Peek or Peek Pronto to a shiny new Peek 9? You may no longer have a choice -- following an epic fail when migrating to a new network provider, loads of older devices were reportedly fried. Normally consumer outrage would run rampant at this news, but Peek CEO Amol Sarva has a plan -- he's offering brand-new Peek 9s to existing customers, free of charge. It's not clear what will happen to the older units at this point, but a Peek customer service rep says that while fried QWERTY candybars are no more, the unscathed Peeks might possibly be turned back on. "We are currently waiting on T-Mobile to decide our fate," the rep wrote, "There is still a CHANCE that the sky is not falling and older devices will continue to work." In the meantime, Sarva has an amusing instruction for affected customers looking to get in on the deal: "Just check your email."

[Thanks, standingup]

web coverage

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Garmin's $23 Chirp wireless beacon brings geocaching thrills to Oregon, Dakota GPS units

By Darren Murph posted Oct 15th 2010 10:27AM Looking for an avenue to join millions of others in geocaching, eh? We know, there's hardly a better way to spend a weekend than by playing a sophisticated game of hide-and-seek, and Garmin's right there with us. If you, like it, are stuck in Kansas with nary a Jayhawk game in sight, this here pebble is the answer to all of your boredom woes. The Chirp is a wireless beacon that's designed to work with any compatible wireless-enabled Garmin handheld (the Oregon, Dakota and the recently announced GPSMAP handhelds are mentioned by name), and once you've set it up to cooperate with your device, it'll automatically transmit program coordinates so other cachers can find each stage of your multicache -- it's touch-and-go in its simplest form. The whole thing measures just 1.3- x 0.9-inches, weighs under an ounce and can be had for just $22.99. So yeah, good luck sticking to Segway polo with an offer like that.

Update: Video after the break!

See more video at our hub!
Garmin® chirp™ Brings Geocachers Even More Creativity, Connectivity

OLATHE, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced chirp, a unique wireless beacon designed specifically for the outdoor adventures of geocaching. Affordable, durable and waterproof, chirp can communicate with, and be programmed by, any compatible wireless-enabled Garmin handheld for a more interactive and enjoyable geocaching experience. Cache creators and seekers alike will enjoy the benefits as chirp stores hints, transmits multicache coordinates, counts visitors and confirms the cache is nearby.

"In listening to and participating in the vibrant geocaching community, Garmin created a one-of-a-kind device that builds on popular innovations such as paperless geocaching and downloading cache details directly to the device."

"With chirp, geocachers have a new tool to enhance the joys of creating and finding caches around the globe," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales. "In listening to and participating in the vibrant geocaching community, Garmin created a one-of-a-kind device that builds on popular innovations such as paperless geocaching and downloading cache details directly to the device."

Geocaching is a high-tech version of hide-and-seek where participants of all ages explore the outdoors in search of hidden treasure and adventure, and chirp's wireless interactivity introduces a world of possibilities for creative caches. Experienced cachers will embrace the countless options now available in creating cutting-edge caches, and beginners will appreciate chirp's features that make those caches easier to find. Simple to use and password-protected, chirp can be programmed by any compatible wireless-enabled Garmin handheld to store geocaching hints and other information. When other geocachers arrive near your cache, they'll be alerted that the cache is nearby, and then they'll be able to access the hints you've loaded into chirp. And when you return, chirp will tell you how many visitors have been to your cache.

With chirp, setting up and maintaining a multicache has never been easier. Using your compatible Garmin handheld device (such as Oregon, Dakota and the recently announced GPSMAP handhelds), chirp automatically transmits program coordinates so other cachers can find each stage of your multicache. Or if you're on a multicache, chirp lets you download coordinates. So there's no need to manually enter numerous sets of complex coordinates – there's just one simple touch and you're on your way to the next stage.

Designed and tested by geocachers, chirp is built to take the rigors of the outdoors. And because chirp is password-protected, the owner is the only one with programming powers. With a battery life of up to a year and a battery that's easy to replace, chirp is long-lasting and user-friendly. Measuring 1.3" by 0.9" (slightly bigger than a quarter) and weighing less than an ounce, chirp is small enough to incorporate easily into your favorite caches – whether they're already placed or still being planned.

The helpful hints provided by chirp are brought to life through paperless geocaching, which allows geocachers to help the environment and be more efficient by having cache information downloaded and displayed directly on the device. Compatible Garmin models store and display details such as location, terrain, difficulty, hints and description, so that you don't have to carry around printouts. Learn about geocaching, getting started and going paperless at www.garmin.com/geocaching.

Available now for a suggested retail price of $22.99, chirp represents the latest breakthrough from Garmin, which has spent more than 20 years developing technologies and innovations to enhance users' lives, making Garmin a household name in the automotive, aviation, marine, wireless, outdoor and fitness industries. For more about features and product compatibility, as well as information about Garmin's other products and services, go to www.garmin.com, www.garmin.blogs.com and http://twitter.com/garmin.


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Nintendo patent application describes a grocery list app, takes the DS shopping

By Tim Stevens posted Oct 15th 2010 9:34AM Nintendo patent application describes a shopping list app, could finally domesticate the DSIf your pocket or purse makes room for a smartphone there's a good chance you've started managing your shopping lists digitally. Nintendo, however, is trying to make an ever-greater case for taking your DS with you instead, and if instant trading of content with strangers isn't enough incentive, maybe tracking groceries is. Nintendo of America has applied for a patent describing an "in-store wireless shopping network using hand-held devices." Those devices are, of course, game systems, and the images with the patent app all show a DS being used to track needed quantities of such exciting items as milk, eggs, and salsa. The picture below gives an idea of what the interface might look like, talking to a database of items and their locations to give shoppers an idea of where to find things in the store. Net result? Planning your route becomes a thrilling strategy game -- or at least keeps you from getting lost in the supermarket, ensuring you can continue to shop happily. Nintendo patent application describes a shopping list app, could finally domesticate the DS

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Sunday, October 17, 2010

Is this the new MacBook Air?

By Paul Miller posted Oct 16th 2010 1:48AM We just received this shot of what is purportedly the inside of the new MacBook Air. Contrary to popular belief, the machine appears to be another 13.3-incher, with the primary modification being extra room for battery cells and apparently no room for a hard drive. Of course, this is only one SKU, so who knows what else Apple has in store. From what we can tell from the photo, Apple is taking its unibody styling and construction and running with it here, not that the MacBook Air was too far off from the MacBook Pro to begin with. The telltale sign is the black hinge, though it also appears Apple has done away with the drop-down side ports.

Based on our own professional squinting ability, there are USB plugs on the left and right sides, Mini DisplayPort and an SD card reader on the left, and a power plug on the right. Of course, since the screw holes are facing us, we're probably looking at this from the bottom, so flip all of those around if you want to imagine using this thing (because, of course, the power plug will be on the Apple-standard left side). We also have it on good authority that the rest of the machine has been restyled in modern unibody style, including the large single mouse button, but that the screen is still like the current MacBook Air, instead of the edge-to-edge glass with black edges. Also, it's apparently running the same Core 2 Duo SL9400 processor of the current generation MacBook Air -- possibly further proof that this is a very early prototype (our source says the model dates back to at least April). We're working on getting more images and information, but for now at least two things seem (relatively) clear: Apple hasn't forgotten about the MacBook Air, and 13.3-inches isn't going out of style just yet. Hopefully we'll know for certain next week!

[Thanks, anonymous]


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