The Gadgetress ~ TV, mobile and Internet: Covering technology's monthly bill

Archive for September, 2007

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »

Tonight on TV: Two geek shows go head to head

September 24th, 2007, 12:31 am by

Geek TV 2007I won’t be shivering tonight waiting to buy my copy of Halo 3 at midnight.

You’ll find me on my couch watching the heavily promoted premieres of “Chuck,” the NBC show about a Geek Squad Nerd Herd employee; and CBS’s “Big Bang Theory,” about two physicists’ awkward attempts at living life.

Two shows featuring geeks and stereotypes — should be entertaining… But what is it with the networks that they must air these two shows at the same time? Good thing most geeks have a personal video recorder that will record two shows simultaneously.

Nerd HerdOf course, I could watch both shows right now if I wanted to on my computer. Amazon’s Unbox is offering the premiere of Chuck as a free download. Big Bang Theory is also on Unbox, but it’s not yet available for download. And it’s $1.89. AOL Video has the first episode of Big Bang Theory for free.

Each show has a few online extras. Chuck has a blog, wallpaper and a “secret site.” Big Bang has a “fan” site, though there’s no mention of who is behind it.

Hopefully, if both shows are good, the networks will give them a chance. I just hate it when promising shows get canceled after just a few episodes.

Has anyone already seen either show? Share your review so we know if they’re worth taking up hard drive space.

Posted in: Uncategorized • | 2 Comments »

Halo 3 fever strikes gadget sites

September 23rd, 2007, 12:58 pm by

More Halo 3 coverage
+ OC’s Halo 3 midnight openings

Does Microsoft really need to be bribing gadget sites with excessive Halo 3 swag bags? Gizmodo, Engadget, Gamesradar.com and others reported on the lavish care package provided by Microsoft & friends just days before Halo 3 goes on sale.

Halo 3 swag bag

Halo 3 XboxArriving in a giant army-green duffel bag, it included the $400 limited-edition Halo 3 Xbox 360 console, plus limited-edition controllers, figurines, gold subscription cards, a Halo 3 wireless headset and the game, which was covered by a Master Chief helmet, according to Gizmodo.

Interestingly, Brian Lam, the Gizmodo editor who posted the photos and created an ‘unbagging’ video decided to take the video downdiscussing this because people didn’t quite understand why he wasn’t thrilled to get the freebies. There are even forums discussing Brian’s actions.

Brian, like many gadget reviewers, knows what a pain it is for products to stack up. Plus, it sounds like he aspires to remain fair and unbiased, like any journalist. Now, is he sending the SWAG back to Microsoft?

If I kept all the products I tested, would you believe me when I said I liked something or would you suspect I was just being nice in exchange for free stuff?

Posted in: news • • | Comments Off

Reader review: Verizon’s FiOS TV service

September 21st, 2007, 4:55 pm by

Don’t miss: Halo 3 coverage + midnight openings

Submit your own review to theGadgetress@ocregister.com Steve from Huntington Beach first posted his thoughts on Verizon’s FiOS TV service when it launched in Orange County back in March 2007. Here’s his follow up:

This is in response to my post from May 15, 2007 10:57 AM where I compared Verizon FIOS TV to Time Warner. I promised I would reply about Verizon FIOS TV after Verizon’s new guide was released (which is called the IMG).

The new guide is much improved over the old one. I am happy to say I will be sticking with Verizon FIOS now—although there still are some major issues that Time Warner does not have.

If you are considering getting FiOS TV, I hope my reviews will help. Here is some updated information after having the new guide for a month (each number corresponds to the number in my previous post):

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Video & TV • | Comments Off

LRG unveils complete iPhone case line

September 21st, 2007, 3:19 am by

From earlier: Halo 3 coverage + midnight openings

LRG’s logoNow that iGirl is helping me out to cover all things Apple, iPhones are really her thang.LRG iPhone cases But she’s been tres busy covering events like Sunday’s NextFest and the Emmy’s, not to mention her usual job of covering Irvine.

So, I thought I’d step in and tackle the latest from urban clothing designer L-R-G: An assortment of iPhone cases co-branded with Monster Cable.

LRG, based in Lake Forest, caught my interest last year when it released a special SideKick phone for T-Mobile.

Later, it managed to get its fashion into Def Jam’s ICON video game.

The Monster L-R-G cases comes in nine designs, which happen to “coordinate with the current season” of LRG’s clothing line.

LRG’s iPhone case lineup

LRG iPhone cases include separate key chain

I like the funky names like Purple People Eater, Blue Lagoon, Slick Kid and Concrete Jungle.

All have detachable key chains (note the gold ring is shaped into LRG’s circular logo). They are made with an “ultra soft Kolon Chamude liner” that wipe dust and fingerprints from the iPhone screen when you take it out of the case. Fancy!

LRG’s “Slick Kid” iphone case LRG’s “Purple People Eater” iPhone case LRG’s “Patriot” iPhone case

At $49.95 a piece, they’re a bit on the high side, but hey, this is LRG and an iPhone fashion statement.

More details with at www.lrgisamonster.com

Posted in: Cell phones • iPhone • | Comments Off

Blaupunkt’s first car radio with SD slot

September 20th, 2007, 7:48 pm by

Just spotted this in my inbox: A car stereo with an SD slot. Seems new to me but I haven’t been keeping track of stereos (although remember JVC’s first stereo with a USB port?).

Blaupunkt Melbourne SD27 car stereo with SD card

Notice, the Blaupunkt Melbourne SD27 has no CD slot — that’s what the SD/MMC slot is for. Since many of us have switched over to digital music and iPods, who needs CDs, right?

However, there is a small input in the front to plug in a portable audio player (such as an iPod or CD player) in case you haven’t had time to reload the SD card. It also works with an optional Bluetooth adapter so your cell phone conversation will be broadcast over your car speakers.

This supports Mp3 and WMA files, so good luck trying to play songs purchased on iTunes. You’ll need to plug in your iPod for that. Other optional features: input for a navigation device and the previously mentioned Bluetooth/USB adapter. Price: $159.95.

Posted in: Car tech | Comments Off

Slimmer My Book storage from Western Digital

September 20th, 2007, 3:17 pm by

From earlier: Halo 3 coverage + midnight openings

Western Digital’s slimmer My BookI already liked the look of Western Digital’s clever My Book external storage drives, which look like books.

Now, the Lake Forest company has slimmed down the design so these take up even less room on a bookshelf.

The thinner My Books are available in Home Edition, Office Edition and Essential edition in sizes from 320 GB to 1 terabyte.

Other notable software/hardware features, according to WD:

  • Automatic, continuous backup that works in the background
  • Synchronization and encryption of data
  • Capacity gauge that shows how much space is available on the drive
  • Environmentally-friendly power-saving design that goes into standby mode after 10 minutes of inactivity and wakes up automatically when you’re ready to use the drive
  • SmartPower feature that powers the drive on and off with the computer
  • Triple interfaces (USB 2.0, FireWire 400, eSATA)
  • 3-year limited warranty
  • Kensington security slot that works with a Kensington lock kit to secure the drive to your desk
  • More details: www.wdmybook.com

Posted in: Storage • | Comments Off

7-Eleven gets in on “Halo” frenzy

September 20th, 2007, 1:09 pm by

From earlier: Halo 3 midnight openings in Orange County

The munchie triumverate

Readers, with this post, the Gadgetress blog welcomes another contributor. Matt Degen, who has helped me out with audio and video reviews, is an avid gamer and is helping me cover Tuesday’s Halo 3 launch. Bug him if you’re a gamer, maybe he’ll toss you a free game…

Gamers stocking up on Mountain Dew and chips now have even more reason to go to 7-Eleven for those all-night “Halo 3″ parties: The convenience store has rolled out a promotion for the game that offers “Halo 3″ memorabilia and over $300,000 in prizes.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: news • • • | Comments Off

Halo 3 midnight openings in OC

September 20th, 2007, 7:00 am by

::Added 11:30 a.m.:: Local Play N Trades opening at midnight. See below…Halo 3

One of the biggest video games ever is back The much-anticipated Halo 3 for the Xbox 360 goes on sale Monday night.

And the Best Buy store in Fullerton is one of only a handful of Best Buy stores that plan to open at midnight to sell the game to the most dedicated fans. Other OC midnight openings include GameStop and the Newport Beach Circuit City (see end of post).

Best Buy won’t say how many games each store is stocking. But a spokeswoman tells me, “We we will definitely be ready for the buying frenzy (both on Monday night and beyond)! As always, we try to maintain enough stock to make sure that anyone who wants to buy the game at anytime can do so.”

Will Halo 3 top Halo 2′s first-day sales record of $125 million?Halo’s Master Chief

Here’s the deal for Best Buy. Line up whenever you want, but pre-launch madness starts at 10:30 p.m. Best Buy is giving away lots of stuff, such as t-shirts, hats, glow balls and bam-bam sticks. The first 25 people in line get an “exclusive Halo blow-up game chair with built-in speakers.”

The Fullerton store is providing photo ops with Halo’s Master Chief.

Best Buy will have four versions of the game available: Halo 3, Halo 3 Limited Edition (left), and Halo 3 Legendary Edition (right) and the special edition Halo 3 Xbox 360, which I first spotted at E3 earlier this year.

All are available as pre-orders on Amazon for $59.99, $69.99 and $129.99 and $399.99.

Halo 3 Limited EditionHalo 3 Legendary edition

And kids, if you’re under 17, bring someone older with you because Best Buy says it’s sticking to its policy to only sell games rated M for mature.

UPDATE 11:30 a.m.: Play N Trade at The District at Tustin is hosting a Halo 2 tournament starting after 8 p.m.Prizes include Halo 3 (all editions), t-shirts and Halo 3 mouse pads. Tournament is $10 to enter, but free if you pre-order Halo 3 by Sept. 23.

  • Play N Trade Video Game Store, The District at Tustin Legacy, 2433 Park Avenue in Tustin. (714) 259-1176. More details HERE.

:: midnight launches in OC ::

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: news • • • | Comments Off

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »
SEO Powered by Platinum SEO from Techblissonline