The first Apple iPad commercial aired during the Oscars tonight. I can’t wait for the iPad to come out.

This also does explain why Steve Jobs was spotted by a spectator at the Oscars in the picture below. The iPad is getting closer, are you ready?

Source: http://waynesutton.net/

Technorati Tags: Apple, ipad, ipad commercial, oscars, steve jobs, Tech News

News released from Xbox on March 5th states that there is an update to the Xbox Live Code of Conduct. The new code of conduct has a distinct change that I feel needs to be mentioned. The new Code of Conduct allows a person to express their orientation in their profile or gamertag. Here is an excerpt from the Code of Conduct:

You may use the following terms to express your relation ship orientation in your profile or Gamertag:

• Lesbian
• Gay
• Bi
• Transgender
• Straight

CNET News was told by Stephen Toulouse, the head of policy and enforcement for Xbox Live that he felt the previous policy regarding members expressing their sexual orientation was “inelegent” and that though he and his team were working on improving the situation, they had no timetable. Xbox did this to alleviate discrimination concerns that may have been plaguing them in the past. I am sure these changes are welcomed by tons of Xbox Live members. I also applaud Xbox for making this change in support of their customers. Xbox needed this change to remain diverse in their 23 million member strong community.

Technorati Tags: code of conduct, microsoft, Tech News, xbox, xbox live

Steve Ballmer made a visit to the University of Washington on the 5th to talk about the importance of cloud computing. While he was there he hinted at a possible smaller form factor Xbox 360 and different pricing points for them. Here is a quote from Ballmer:

For that big screen device … there’s no diversity. You get exactly the Xboxes that we build for you. We may have more form factors in the future that are designed for various price points and options, but we think it’s going to [be] important. (Source: Engadget)

Now who would’nt want a smaller more slim Xbox 360, the Xbox can finally compete with the new PS3 Slim. Now, What would Microsoft charge for the new Xbox, who knows but I would pay it. Also don’t forget Microsoft has Project Natal comming soon to Xbox 360, could they include the hardware with the new system? That would be pretty sweet to be able to get an Xbox with the hardware integrated and not have to worry about the bar that the Wii has. I am excited to see the new Xbox 360, heres to hoping.

Technorati Tags: project natal, steve ballmer, xbox 360, xbox 360 slim

The Apple iPad has been announced for release on April 3rd by Apple. But if you visit the iPad page on Apple.com you notice at the bottom of the page it says “This device has not yet been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.” I can only assume that is why the iPad release date is set behind the announcement date.

None the less, the iPad release date, the date it will be in stores for purchasing is April 3rd and preorders start March 12th.

Technorati Tags: Apple, ipad, itablet, Tech News

Source – Engadget

The Microsoft Courier is supposed to be a device that will allow you to write in it like a notebook or a book. According to Gizmodo, the device will ship with dual 7-inch screens on each side. It appears that the functionality of the Courier is much like a blog or an online journal. The Courier seems to have Bing Maps integrated into it as well. The pictures of the drawings on the screen are stunning to say the least, but will it hold up when it is released in the fall (rumor)?

Technorati Tags: gadgets, microsoft, microsoft courier, Tech News

Netflix recently sent out a survey to select members that specifically asked if members would like to be able to stream Netflix from their iPhone. Netflix has been steadily expanding its business from DVD’s to instant streaming to a computer, to streaming on the Xbox, Playstation 3, and even the Wii. Now the rumors are that it will be unlikely that AT&T will let us use Netflix over 3G, so it will likely be over Wifi which I feel is fine for now.

Survey text as follows:

“Imagine that Netflix offers its subscribers the ability to instantly watch movies & TV episodes on their iPhone. The selection availability to instantly watch includes some new releases, lots of classics and TV episodes. There are no advertisements or trailers, and movies start in as little as 30 seconds. You can fast-forward, rewind, and pause or watch again. The movies & TV episodes you instantly watch are included in your Netflix membership for no additional fee.

Whenever you want to instantly watch content on your iPhone, your iPhone must be connected to a Wi-Fi network (such as one you might have at home or at work, or in public places like coffee shops, book stores, hotels, airports, etc.)

If this functionality were available, how likely would you or someone in your household be to instantly watch movies & TV episodes on your iPhone via a Wi-Fi network?” (Source: HackingNetflix.com)

According to HackingNetflix.com, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings told Reuters that an iPhone app would not be released in the near future. Heres hoping. Whats you opinion, would you like to see it?

Image Source: hackingnetflix.com

Technorati Tags: iPhone, netflix, netflix iphone, News, Tech News, technology

I have written a lot of reviews for various iPhone apps so I thought I would put together some of my favorite ones in a list of Top 5.

1. SoundHound

First on my list is an app by Melodis called SoundHound. With the Soundhound app you are able to identify any song that may be playing around you easily. SoundHound is not just limited to listening to a song already playing, SoundHound can also identify a song that you are humming or singing as well. SoundHound also features, speak a title or artist as well as search for a specific title or artist. Some new features to SoundHound include Pandora stations based on what kind of music you like.
Official Features:

• Just hold your iPhone up to a speaker, and SoundHound names the tune in as little as five seconds!
• It even works if you sing or hum the melody, or if you do it while an iPod song plays – no more title or artist confusion for your iPod songs.
• Instant lyrics and lyrics text search for most songs – whether you find the song with SoundHound or have it in your iPod.
• The world’s first ever combined “My Music” and online search: when your SoundHound search results match a song in your iPod library, you’ll see an iPod icon right there to play your own version.
• Charts of the hottest songs, just grabbed songs, and SoundHound’s much-anticipated “Underplayed” list.
• Groundbreaking new design with instant access to previews, bios, top songs and YouTube videos.
• Sharing on email, Facebook and Twitter.

• See lyrics for most songs
• Play the song right from your iPod if you already have it
• See lyrics, bios and more for any iPod song
• See top songs for the artist, and which ones you already own on your iPod
• Buy the song in iTunes
• Share it over email, Facebook, or Twitter
• Check out the whole album, or the artist – including a bio, photos, similar artists, and top songs
• Play a free preview or youTube videos without leaving SoundHound
• Instantly launch a Pandora station based on any song or artist. (US only)
• Tour Dates – See when and where your new favorite band is playing.

View original review here: http://www.tekgoblin.com/1241/apps/apple-apps/soundhound/

2. AirYell

My second most favorite and most used app would be the AirYell app by Avantar. The AirYell app for the iPhone allows you to search Yellowpages.com for the phone numbers and locations of businesses around your or what you are searching for. AirYell is a very handy app, I use it all the time to find the phone number to somewhere I am going or want to go.

Official Feature List:

• Auto-detects your current location
• Finds local businesses and services, giving you a distance reading from where you stand
• A robust national business directory search
• Single tap to driving directions
• Single tap to call option

Original Review: http://www.tekgoblin.com/490/apps/apple-apps/airyell-yellowpages-app/

3. RedLaser

My third most favorite app is RedLaser by Occipital. The RedLaser app for the iPhone allows you to scan barcodes where ever you are! Say if you are in the supermarket and want to see if you can get the same thing somewhere else cheaper, just scan it with RedLaser. RedLaser will then compare the prices to competitors online. This app comes in very handy when you are trying to save money.

RedLaser Official Feature list:

• Scans UPC, EAN, UPC-E, EAN-8
• US and UK Searches for prices with TheFind Product Search as well as Google Product Search
• Local search powered by TheFind (US Only)
• Email a list of products
• Send barcodes as email attachment
• Search ANY website using a custom URL
• Automatic search localization for USD, EUR, and GDP
• Multiple scan mode for quicker entry
• Search local libraries for books (US)
• Exclusively scans new Repo Men movie posters

Original Review: http://www.tekgoblin.com/1162/apps/apple-apps/redlaser/

4. Personal Assistant by Pageonce

My fourth app for the iPhone will be the Personal Assistant app by Pageonce. With the Personal Assistant app, you can virtually do anything! The Personal Assistant app allows you to access all of your bank accounts, shopping accounts like Costco, Netflix, etc, and more… The Personal Assistant app is just a really good choice if you want an app that makes everything easy.

Official Feature List:

• Monitor banking, credit card transactions and investment accounts
• Keep track of frequent flyer miles, travel itineraries and flight information in real-time
• Track cell phone minutes and get reminders when your bills are due
• Stay on top of bill due dates and expiration dates
• Guard against fraudulent activity
• View your Netflix queue, eBay bids, and view feeds from your social networking sites

Original Review: http://www.tekgoblin.com/2018/apps/apple-apps/personal-assistant-by-pageonce/

5. Eliminate

The Eliminate app from Ngmoco, is my final app for this list. Eliminate is what I believe to be the best FREE first person shooter on the iPhone to date. Eliminate has stunning graphics and awesome game play. Eliminate features global multiplayer competition over 3G or Wifi. Eliminate is relatively easy to use on your iPhone or iPod Touch, it may take some practice but soon you will be fragging with the best of them.

Original Review: http://www.tekgoblin.com/596/apps/apple-apps/eliminate/

I hoped you liked our first Top 5 list, please let us know what you think by posting a comment below or sharing this post with friends, Thanks from TekGoblin Reviews!

Technorati Tags: Apple, favorite, favorite apps, iPhone, iphone app, ipod, tech, Tech News, tekgoblin, top 5

Today, Apple announced that the iTunes store has hit 10 Billion Songs Sold. The 10 billionth song that was downloaded was “Guess Things Happen That Way” by Johnny Cash. The person that downloaded the 10 billionth song was awarded a $10,000 iTunes gift card for being soo darn lucky. The person that got the card was Louie Sulcer of Woodstock, Georgia. According to WikipediaWikipedia Louie got a call from Steve Jobs himself and got the surprise.

Eddie Crue, Apples vice president of internet affairs said:

“We’re grateful to all of our customers for helping us reach this amazing milestone,”

“We’re proud that iTunes has become the number one music retailer in the world, and selling 10 billion songs is truly staggering.”

The Apple iTunes music store opened on April 28, 2003.

History of the iTunes Music store (Source: Wikipedia)

• 100 million songs sold: Summer, 2004

(Kevin Britten of Hays, Kansas, bought the 100 millionth song, and the twenty-year-old was given a call from Steve Jobs congratulating him.)^[32]

• 125 million songs sold: September 1, 2004^[33]
• 150 million songs sold: October 14, 2004^[34]
• 200 million songs sold: December 16, 2004

(Ryan Alekman of Belchertown, Massachusetts, USA, bought the 200 millionth song, which was one of the tracks on U2’s digital box set The Complete U2.)^[35]

• 250 million songs sold: January 24, 2005^[36]
• 300 million songs sold: March 2, 2005^[37]
• 400 million songs sold: May 10, 2005^[38]

On July 5, 2005 Apple announced a promotion counting down to half a billion songs sold.^[39]

• 500 million songs sold: July 18, 2005

(Amy Greer of Lafayette, IndianaIndiana Jones reviews, USA, bought the 500 millionth song, “Mississippi Girl” by Faith Hill.)^[40]

• 850 million songs sold: January 10, 2006^[41]
• 1 billion songs sold: February 23, 2006

(Alex Ostrovsky of West Bloomfield, Michigan, bought the billionth song, “Speed of Sound” by Coldplay.^[42] He later got a call from Steve Jobs with the good news that the sixteen-year-old was getting ten iPods, an iMac, a $10,000 music gift certificate, and a scholarship established in his name at the Juilliard School.)^[32]

• 1.5 billion songs sold: September 12, 2006^[43]
• 2 billion songs sold: January 10, 2007^[43]
• 2.5 billion songs sold: April 9, 2007^[44]
• 3 billion songs sold: July 31, 2007^[45]
• 4 billion songs sold: January 15, 2008
• 5 billion songs sold: June 19, 2008^[46]
• 6 billion songs sold: January 6, 2009^[47]
• 8 billion songs sold: July 21, 2009
• 8.6 billion songs sold: September 9, 2009
• 10 billion songs sold: February 24, 2010^[48]

Technorati Tags: 10 billion, Apple, itunes, music, Tech News

Apple is going to release its next maintenance patch to Snow Leopard being 10.6.3 very soon. From my sources I have heard that 10.6.3 fixed the 802.1x authentication issue with WPA enterprise. The new update did not just cover the airport, but covered many other things as well. The airport actually was not mentioned in the notes, but developers were asked to test the airport. This will be a welcome fix if it does actually fix the airport issue discussed above we have been having this kind of trouble here at Purdue University since 10.5.8.

10.6.3 Feature List:

Features

• Performance improvements for 64-bit Logic
• Addresses compatibility issues with OpenGL-based applications
• Includes changes to QuickTime X that increase reliability, improve compatibility and enhance security.
• Improves printing reliability and compatibility with 3rd party printers
• Respects the DNS server ordering as specified in Network Preferences
• Addresses an issue that causes background message colors to display incorrectly in Mail when scrolling
• Resolves an issue that prevented files with the # or & in their names from opening in Rosetta
• Resolves an issue that prevented files from copying to Windows shares
• Resolves an issue that caused machines using BTMM and the Bonjour Sleep Proxy to wake unexpectedly

Technorati Tags: 802.1x, airport, Apple, macintosh, snow leopard, Tech News

Newegg is selling video games for the PC, PS3, Xbox360, Wii at Blowout prices. Visit THIS LINK to get your as fast as possible before they are all sold out. I don’t know about you but $8-$9 video games and FREE SHIPPING sounds pretty good. I don’t like paying $70 a video game so this is awesome, check it out!

Technorati Tags: newegg, PC, ps3, video games, xbox, xbox360

Some exciting stuff happening at Evernote, including new partners, and new Evernote versions. Evernote is an application that allows you to pretty much save everything from screen-shots, audio recordings, notes, etc… more info at Evernote. Below is an email I got from Evernote highlighting all of the upcoming changes.

We have some really exciting stuff to tell you about in this update. First, we released a completely new version of Evernote for Windows–make sure to read about it below. Then, we flew past the 2 million user mark (it’s closer to 2.4 now!). On top of all that, February is Partner Month, so we have lots of new partners and an exciting upcoming partner event in San Francisco. Wow. Onward to the updates.

- The all new Evernote 3.5 for Windows released! This is BIG.
- New partnerships and integrations
- Sony VAIO
- Nokia N900
- TimeBridge
- Cliqset
- New partner section on our website
- Evernote Notable Tech in San Francisco on Feb 25th
- Apple iPad plans

The all new Evernote 3.5 for Windows
Evernote 3.5 for Windows is completely new. We rewrote it from the ground up to make it faster, more reliable, and just plain better than Evernote for Windows has ever been. Our goal was to use everything we’ve learned since our launch to make a great Evernote experience on Windows. If you’re interested in trying Evernote 3.5, install it from our downloads page ( http://s.evernote.com/windows ). There’s a ton more to say, so please read our blog post(s): http://s.evernote.com/win35blog

New partnerships and integrations
- Sony VAIO: Every new Sony VAIO laptop comes with Evernote pre-installed. Neat! http://s.evernote.com/vaio
- Nokia N900: The Evernote Sharing Plugin makes Evernote a native sharing option on the N900 smartphone: http://s.evernote.com/nokia
- TimeBridge: TimeBridge helps you organize better meetings. Now, save all your meeting notes into Evernote: http://s.evernote.com/timebridge
- Cliqset: Evernote and Cliqset create a permanent memory for your social streams and activity: http://s.evernote.com/cliqset

New partner section
See all of the products that work with Evernote in one place: http://s.evernote.com/partnerpage

Evernote Notable Tech event
To close out Partner Month, we’re hosting our first Evernote Notable Tech event. Come out and see great partner demos, hear interesting discussions, and geek the night away. The event will be on February 25th in San Francisco. Hope to see you there. We want to give a very special thanks to our sponsors: Sony, Launchsquad, Fujitsu, TimeBridge, and mDigger. Get your free tickets here: http://s.evernote.com/notabletech

Apple iPad
We know you’re wondering. Rest assured, we have big plans for Apple’s amazing new device. Read our CEO’s blog post about Evernote’s history with tablets and plans for the iPad and other devices. Read the post: http://s.evernote.com/ipad

Tips to help you stay organized
6 Ways Evernote Can Boost Your Productivity – Guest Post By Joshua Zerkel: http://s.evernote.com/productivitytips

Evernote T-shirts
Did you get your Evernote T-shirt yet? Check out the Evernote Store for great men’s and women’s T-shirts: http://s.evernote.com/store

Get the latest Evernote news
Follow Evernote’s every move by reading our blog ( http://blog.evernote.com ), following us on Twitter ( http://www.twitter.com/evernote ), joining our Facebook fan page ( http://www.facebook.com/evernote ), listening to our podcasts ( http://s.evernote.com/podcast ), and checking out our tips blog (http://s.evernote.com/tips ).

 

 

CrunchBase Information

EvernoteEvernote

Information provided by CrunchBase

Technorati Tags: evernote, evernote news, evernote update, technology

I just received an email that Cisco Systems is closing their affiliate program with Linkshare. Cisco states that they have changed their business strategy and have made the decision to suspend the affiliate program on Linkshare effective March 27, 2010. Below is the original email with contacts removed.

Dear Cisco Systems Affiliate,

Cisco Systems would like to thank you for your participation in our affiliate program. Given some recent changes in our business strategy, we have made a decision to suspend our Affiliate Program with LinkShare effective March 17, 2010. We understand that you have contributed time and valuable resources to support our business and we are deeply grateful.

Pursuant to our Affiliate Agreement between Cisco Systems Inc. and you, this shall serve as our formal written notice to shut down our Cisco Systems Inc Affiliate Agreement. You will be paid for all commissions earned on Net Orders received through an affiliate link based on the terms of our Agreement, plus any earned outstanding payments currently owed to affiliates. Affiliates sales commissions will not accrue after March 17th 2010. If you have changed your contact information, please update your profile at LinkShare so you can receive your final commission check in a timely manner.

Per our Agreement, you are required to remove any and all banners, buttons, text links, product images and store fronts that link to Cisco Systems Inc. by End of Business Day March 17th 2010. If you have any questions regarding this manner, please contact (email removed).

Once again, we thank you for supporting our business and appreciate your compliance with these provisions. We will be sure to keep you informed of some exciting, new opportunities for our affiliates in the second half of the year.

Sincerely,

(Removed)

Hopefully they will return to Linkshare in the near future.

Technorati Tags: affiliate, cisco, linkshare