What is That Thing?

I have a theory about the future of Cell Phones, Cable and Internet. I believe sometime in the very near future that they will be one and the same. Meaning there will be no difference between the internet and a cell phone, and cable will be delivered to you via your cell phone.
When i was working at AT&T a supervisor said to me we want to control all 3 of your screens cell, television, and computer. Which got me to thinking about where this whole bundling of services concept, that the telecoms and cable companies are pushing, is going.
Then i see these and I realize I'm right as usual. What I'm interested in is the how this technology will be implicated and distributed to common folk like you and me.

From Crave.cnet.com

We're still waiting built-in projectors to become standard fare for mobile phones but, until then, maybe something like this item will make projectors truly portable. The "Oio," described as "the first truly mobile and fully operational nano-projector," is made by Israeli company Explay.

MobileWhack didn't include specs but said the tiny device was displayed at an annual conference of the Society of Information Display in Long Beach, Calif. It's also scheduled for release next year, unless we all end up getting video glasses that turn us into Borgs first.

So you like the idea of watching TV or movies on your MP4 player or cell phone, but the screens are just too small for you to make an accurate call on instant replay, especially if your next paycheck is on the line with the game's outcome. All that could change with new technology from Microvision, which claims to have built the world's smallest projector.

The company's Pico Projector, which is planned for release at this week's Consumer Electronics Show, is designed to be embedded in handheld products to project "photos, videos, movies and TV from personal mobile devices onto virtually any surface." Microvision, which makes such products as handheld scanners and wearable displays, says the resulting images would be "extremely sharp and vivid" whether projected to be the size of a laptop screen or a large TV. That sounds a tad like company hype, but this technology would still be more practical than lugging around your 60-inch plasma TV.

News You Can (Maybe) Use

Agreement may mean end of cable set-top boxes

By JOHN DUNBAR, Associated Press Writer

The set-top box, a necessary appendage for millions of cable television customers for decades, is moving toward extinction.

A leading television manufacturer, Sony Electronics Inc., and the National Cable and Telecommunications Association said Tuesday they signed an agreement that will allow viewers to rid themselves of set-top boxes, yet still receive advanced "two-way" cable services, such as pay-per-view movies.

In most cases, cable viewers also could dispose of another remote control since they could use their TV's control rather than one tied to the set-top box.

The agreement marks a significant meeting of the minds between cable companies and one of the world's dominant makers of consumer electronics. The two industries have been feuding for a decade about how best to deliver cable service to customers while allowing them to buy equipment of their own choosing.

Sony agreed to use the cable industry's technology in its sets as soon as possible but could not say when the first such televisions might be appear in stores.

The agreement is between Sony and the nation's six largest cable companies: Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable Inc., Cox Communications Inc., Charter Communications Inc., Cablevision Systems Corp. and Bright House Networks. The six companies serve more than 82 percent of cable subscribers.

Cable subscribers are generally locked into renting a set-top box from their provider if they want more than the most basic cable TV service.

More than a decade ago, Congress ordered the cable industry to allow outside electronics makers to compete for the boxes. The industry responded by developing the "cable card." The cards are inserted into competing boxes, televisions or other devices and unscramble the cable signal.

The cards have been the source of frequent customer complaints and never proved popular. In addition, sets can only receive signals from their cable company, not vice versa. Subscribers were unable to enjoy "two-way" features such as video on demand, on-screen channel guides and cable company-provided digital video recorders.

Customers will still be able to attach their own devices — like TiVo digital video recorders, according to the NCTA.

Under the new system, customers will still need to get a cable card from their provider, but the agreement means, hopefully, technical glitches will be eliminated, "two-way" services will be available and there will be no need for the clunky boxes.

The cable association said it was hopeful other electronics manufacturers will also agree to use the same technology.

The industry hopes to head off action by the Federal Communications Commission to impose a two-way standard on the industry.

"Every member of the FCC has encouraged the parties to resolve these highly technical issues in private-sector negotiations," said Kyle McSlarrow, president of NCTA. Tuesday's announcement means they have done so, he added.

The FCC declined to comment on the agreement Tuesday.

HOTNESS OF THE DAY!!!

If your shopping for a new lamp to light up a room maybe you should consider this, Light-emitting wall paper. This nifty treat gets the HOTNESS OF THE DAY AWARD because of my hatred of cords. Cords are a necessary evil that we must have to power our gadgets.
This looks amazing and it is functional! No clue about price or availability but I'd love to have this in my home.

From Engadget.com

Looking for a fanciful way to dress up your room even more after tossing in a set of ASCII Curtains? Fret not, as designer Jonas Samson has crafted light-emitting wallpaper that's sure to go over better than that solar iteration you tried years ago. Currently, the technology behind the invention has yet to be divulged, but all those tidbits should get clarified when it goes on display at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan. We do know, however, that it removes the need for bulbs in areas that just require basic lighting, and judging by the shots on the creator's own website, designs could be lit in part, in whole or not at all. Still, don't write those fixtures off just yet -- you do care about resale value, right?

So It's Simple You Want...

So you're looking for a phone with no 'bells and whistles'? this phone doesn't even have a screen. Just goes to show how much the actual phone costs, the rest of the cost is the screen, camera, operating system (clock, calculator, phone book) , and advertising. I wouldn't mind using something like this for going out or when I'm at summer fest or state fair. If i loose it I'm only out $10.00 instead 350.00 for my Nokia.

From engadget.com

Don't worry if you've never heard of 'em, but Hop-On's got a new $10 disposable cellphone that goes by the name of HOP1800. Dual-band on 850/1900 or 900/1800, featuring totally rad vibrating or polyphonic MIDI ringing, Hop-On's billing this one as the "anti-iPhone"; we're not exactly sure what makes this the anti-iPhone other than the fact that it, um, doesn't actually do anything (except make calls), but hey, sounds like an easy way to sell some throwaway handsets.

Space Ship or the Mouse For My Next Computer?

Yeah this will go perfectly with my new computer. Apparently it works kind of like the Nintendo Wii using gestures and movements to control the on screen mouse pointer works perfectly with media center computers (Vista). I'm excited about the product, curious about how it works with basic web surfing and other non media applications.

MX Air™ Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse

Performance

• Laser performance: On your desk, enjoy laser-precise tracking and instant response.
• Freespace™ motion sensing: In the air, use MX Air™ to browse and play your favorite media. The sensor transforms hand motions into natural, responsive cursor controls. Adjust volume by waving to the right or left; skip tracks with a flip of the wrist.
• Scroll panel: Experience hyper-fast scrolling at the touch of a finger—on your desk or in the air.

Control

• Easy control of PC-based entertainment: Take command of your PC-based media with intuitive wave-and-click control—an easier and more natural way to enjoy your favorite media.
• Gesture controls: Control playback and volume with hand motions. Adjust volume by waving to the right or left; skip tracks with a flip of the wrist.

Convenience

• Li-ion battery: Recharges faster, lasts longer.
• 2.4 GHz wireless: An operating range of 30 feet lets you navigate media from anywhere in the room.

Check it out: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/mice/devices/3443&cl=us,en

Breezy fo Sheezy

Finally someone listens to their customers. Pantech and at&t team up for the Pantech Breeze marketed toward older customers. With the population getting older everyday consumers are looking for mobile devices without 'bells and whistles'. Pantech delivers with the Breeze.

sidenote: I find it interesting that phone manufactures have gone away from giving phones model numbers and naming the phones ie. Breeze, razr.

Apparently the phone has big buttons and it's loud. Duh who wouldn't want these features, the onscreen font is also large. This phone isn't too expensive at $49.99 with a 2 year contract. I believe the could charge twice as much with the demand for an attractive easy to use phone such as this.

From Phonescoop.com

AT&T has started selling the Pantech Breeze, a basic clamshell phone created with older users in mind. The phone features a "simplified" user interface with large text, plus big buttons, a large display, and one-touch keys for speakerphone, camera, and three specific contacts. Web and email features are also included. The BreEZe is very similar to the Coupe / 8630 model that Pantech launched via UTStarcom with CDMA carriers Verizon and Alltel last year.

From Crave.cnet.com

Today AT&T and Pantech announced the Pantech Breeze, an entry-level handset designed for an older audience.
Not only does it have a clean and simple interface, it has three dedicated speed dial/quick-call keys right underneath the display, a bright screen with big fonts, oversized buttons with tactile clicks, an option to have audible keystrokes, a loud speakerphone, and even a basic and easy-to-use camera.
And at $49.99, it's a deal even for us young whippersnappers.