All posts by Scott Meisner

Google CEO Eric Schmidt resigns from Apple’s board

August 4, 2009News, TechnologyApple, Board of Directors, Eric Schmidt, Google, PR, resignationScott Meisner

In a not-so-surprising move, Google CEO Eric Schmidt has resigned from Apple’s Board of Directors. A conflict of interest has come between the two corporate giants. In recent news, Google announced their new Chrome OS; they currently run the Android OS on many cell phones, and they are expanding their search and web applications. What it comes down to is this: Schmidt simply does not belong on the Apple BoD any longer. With Google services starting to overlap in areas that Apple has lived in for decades, this is a smart decision for Google. Although Google and Apple can be labeled competing companies, it would be wise for them to maintain a healthy relationship as many of Google’s services (namely, Maps & YouTube) come pre-loaded on all Apple iPhones. As of late, though, things have become stale between the two; Apple continues to reject Google applications that too closely resemble and function like Apple apps. The recent Google Voice rejection definitely left a bad taste in Schmidt’s mouth, I bet. Check out the full PR release after the break.

[Via Engadget; Apple]

Continue reading Google CEO Eric Schmidt resigns from Apple’s board →

“Music Painting”

August 2, 2009Art, Music, Videopainting, VimeoScott Meisner

By Jul & Matt. This is fantastic art. Keep it coming.

[Via KanyeBlog]

Analyst fondles new Apple tablet

August 2, 2009Article, News, Technologyanalyst, Apple, Apple tablet, rumor mill, rumors, tabletScott Meisner

macbooktouch5

Today Barrons is reporting that one lucky analyst has actually seen and handled the hyped and rumored forthcoming Apple tablet device. From the article…

One veteran analyst who has seen first-hand a prototype slate-style computer from Apple says the device could be announced in September for release in November.

Whatever the exact dates, the computer industry is so anxious to see what Apple introduces that it has held off on competing designs until Apple CEO Steve Jobs gives the device his final blessing. “It’s close enough now to a final design that in Asia, there’s no other product in the waiting room or in the bullpen,” said the analyst. “There are dozens of ODMs [original device makers] making products for Lenovo and other PC makers that are all waiting to see what the Apple product is.”

The new device, which may retail for $699 to $799, could fulfill a variety of multimedia functions currently taken up by a gaggle of individual consumer electronics devices. It could be a home media center, somewhat like the current Apple TV, and it could be a gaming machine, opines Jon Peddie, head of Jon Peddie Research in Tiburon, Calif. “Gaming will be a big part of what this is about,” he adds.

The machine impresses with its display of hi-def video content, says the veteran analyst, who asked not to be identified. “It’s better than the average movie experience, when you hold this thing in your hands.”

…

A second source confirmed to me that news of the new device “is all over the supply chain in Asia.” The biggest question at this point, and the least understood by anyone outside Apple, is whether the company’s App Store will be the exclusive distribution point for software for this device.

As Steve Jobs says, it’s the software that defines these things.

So, what do we gather from this? A September announcement, a November release, a $699-$799 price point, media center and gaming capabilities, and computer manufacturers have put production on hold until official specs and other information is released. More rumors added to the spinning, gigantic rumor mill. What do you have up your sleeve, Mr. Jobs? September cannot come any sooner.

[Via 9to5Mac; Barrons]

Radio Shack to become “The Shack?”

August 2, 2009Images, News, TechnologyRadio Shack, re-brand, The ShackScott Meisner

Today Engadget reported that all signs point to a Radio Shack re-branding on the horizon. They recovered an image that came from an in-store terminal, and a tipster informed them “that in-store signs will reflect the change this week, and storefront signage will begin to be reworked as “The Shack” sometime later this year.” Additional information was uncovered about this at the Radio Shack Wiki page: the switch will take place “in San Francisco and New York featuring ’14 foot tall laptops’ streaming the images from their webcams from one city to the other, live music in both locations, as well as television coverage of the event.” Concrete evidence can be found at this new Radio Shack webpagethat sports the new name. Hmm, Radio Shack to The Shack. I guess it makes sense they are changing the name; radios are definitely not the hot tech item of the day anymore. Still, I don’t know if I’d like to refer to a storefront as ‘The Shack;’ It just doesn’t sound right.

[Via Engadget]

Iron Man goes anime, looks amazing

August 2, 2009Television, Videoanime, Comics, Iron Man, Japan, Japanese, teaser, teaser trailer, trailerScott Meisner

Marvel superhero Iron Man has gone anime. With the popularity of Iron Man skyrocketing in the US (thanks to Mr. Robert Downey Jr. sucking the life back into the character in Iron Man), it looks like the Japanese market is looking to ride on the coattails of its recent success. Animation company Madhouse will be bringing this Iron Man anime show to a Japanese TV network. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this very cool teaser trailer for it, and keep your fingers crossed in hopes that it will make its way to the U.S. one day.

[Via Gizmodo]

Mom surprises kid with 98-inch TV in ceiling!

August 2, 2009Images, Style, TechnologyDesign, home, install, TVScott Meisner

Patti Deni, world’s coolest mom, decided she wanted to surprise her teenage son by installing a big-screen TV in the ceiling of her kid’s bedroom. When their new home was being built, Deni contacted company Stereo Advantage with design they had never been asked to complete: instead of having a TV installed on a wall across from a bed, she asked to have the TV built flush against the ceiling of the room! Stereo Advantage installed a 98-inch StarGlas60 display from Stewart Filmscreen into the ceiling without a hiccup. According to ElectronicHouse, “In order to support the weight of the display, plus the NEC video projector and the specialty Draper projection mirrors positioned behind it (a total weight of more than 300 pounds), the ceiling had to be reframed and reinforced.” They also wired the teen’s video games, computer, and cable box to the TV. Mom, my birthday is coming up soon now, isn’t it?

[Via Gizmodo; ElectronicHouse]

Music Video: Shakira – “She Wolf”

August 2, 2009Music, Videomusic video, Shakira, SingleScott Meisner

Shakira is back, and looks better than ever. “She Wolf,” her new single off her upcoming album (which shares the same name and is due out in October) is an ecclectic tune with a hint of soft techno. Shakira seems to be heading in a different direction with “She Wolf,” veering away from her pop-ish sound of the past and moving towards a Euro-pop techno vibe with the ever popular auto-tune enhancement (slight as they may be). She is a very talented musician; she’s got a great voice and still-hot dance moves. Let’s accept the new (and hopefully improved) Shakira and see what she can pull off, starting with this chart-climbing single. …And did I say she looks amazing in this video?

Funny People: laugh, live, and enjoy

August 1, 2009Movies, ReviewAdam Sandler, Funny People, Judd ApatowScott Meisner

Funny People is Judd Apatow’s third film as director. It is a detour from the hilarious “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Knocked Up.” Although Funny People is a comedy on the surface, this film is very much a drama at its core. So, let’s call it a ‘dramedy.’ Without giving much of the plot away I will scratch the comedic surface and touch upon the dramatic core. Funny People starts on a rather depressing note when we find out that Adam Sandler’s character is dying from a rare disease. The movie follows a young comedian (played by Seth Rogen) who is striving to find success and Sandler’s character, an aging yet still entertaining stand-up comedian. When the latter character finds out that he is dying, he enters a depressive state, one that follows him throughout almost the entire movie. His love interest is played by Leslie Mann (Judd Apatow’s real-life wife), who had left him ten years prior and now has a family with a husband (Eric Bana) and two children (who are played by Judd and Leslie’s real-life children). All of these characters are funny in their own ways, and their interactions with each other bring out the comedy. However, it will be the dramatic theme of the film that will be remembered when you leave the theatre. Sandler’s portrayal as an aging, sick, and dying comedian and person is superb, and the way he responds to a certain bit of news about half-way through the movie provides for a lesson to be learned about life. In the end, Funny People is a movie more about life than comedy. Still, though, it is very funny. Go out and enjoy it, and learn that life and the people that care about you should not be taken for granted.

Vortex cannon is explosive, dude!

August 1, 2009Technology, VideoBang Goes the Theory, BBC, fps, vortex cannonScott Meisner

Check out this clip from BBC’s “Bang Goes the Theory.” Host Jem Stansfield plays with a vortex cannon, and extremely powerful canon that is loaded with “one of the most dangerous gas mixes in the world.” In the video he aims to knock down three types of huts made of straw, sticks, and eventually bricks. Catch the ‘Three Little Pigs’ reference here anyone? The action is filmed at 1300 frames per second; that is VERY slow. You can actually see the ring of energy the vortex cannon emits when activated. Stansfield’s infectious British accent and over-the-top reactions make it all the more enjoyable to watch.

[Via Gizmodo]

Leica S2: A $26,000 DLSR

July 31, 2009Images, News, Technologydigital camera, DSLR, Leica, price, release dateScott Meisner

This is one expensive camera. Some specs include: 37.5 megapixels and 30 x 45 mm sensor built into a 35mm-sized body. At $26,000, this camera sits at the top of the digital camera food chain. That price only covers the body of the camera, mind you; a lens costs extra! And believe it or not, this is the “low-end” version of the camera. There will be another edition that includes a sapphire-glass LCD screen and “Platinum Service.” These upgrades add another $5,100 to the total price. What does a spare battery charger cost, you ask? You guessed it, $425! All you fervent digital camera aficionados, start salivating. The Leica S2 releases this October. Check out additional images of the S2 below.

[Via Gizmodo; Wired; DPReview]

Hands-on with the Taser X3

July 31, 2009Technology, VideoEngadget, tase, taser, taser gun, Taser X3Scott Meisner

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfbejw6dvU0

Engadget’s Paul Miller goes hands-on with the Taser X3 I posted about a few days ago. Although Paul does not get to tase anyone, the hands-on is an interesting watch. See a demonstration of the gun above.

Nickelodeon to unveil new logo

July 31, 2009Images, News, Televisionanniversary, logo, Nick, Nickelodeon, re-brand, splat, updateScott Meisner

Nickelodeon’s “splat” logo, first introduced in 1984, is going to be replaced this fall by a brand new logo that will provide a fresher look for the kids’ television network. The decision to give new life to the aging Nickelodeon logo came about after all the Nickelodeon channel logos were placed on a single business card. Other Nick channels include Nick at Nite, Nicktoons, Nick Jr. (formerly Noggin) and TeenNick (formerly the N). According to Cyma Zarghami, president of Nick and MTV Networks’ Kids and Family Group, “We wanted to clean it [the logo] up and allow Nick to be the stamp on all of these channels. In asking ourselves if everything could live under the splat, we decided that the splat was dated. It just couldn’t be done in a streamlined way.” With the celebration of Nickelodeon’s 30th anniversary this fall, the company “felt like this was the year (for an update).” Not only will the Nickelodeon logo be changed, but all Nickelodeon channels will for the very first time include the word ‘Nick’ in it. RIP, splat. What do you think the new Nickelodeon logo should look like?

[Via Variety]