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Blaq Friday — A BlackBerry Twitter App Review

derrich — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:19:11 +0000

When there are only 10,000 apps available for the BlackBerry, it’s easy to get excited about the ones on deck. The last time I was this excited about a new BlackBerry app, it was also for a Twitter app (I know…boooorrring).

The buzz around Blaq — a BlackBerry Twitter app — has been growing over the past few months. I only heard about it a few weeks ago…through Twitter, of course. But after getting acquainted with the app’s features on its website, I was hooked.

The user interface is to blame for my obsession. The attractive black background highlighted by bright greens and blues make it the most pleasing Twitter app so far. Not even the latest UberTwitter update (which I gawked at since its most recent facelift) can touch its beauty.

But what functionality sets it apart from other Twitter apps?

While viewing Twitter profiles with Blaq is aesthetically pleasing, there is one feature that the Blaq developers are “most excited to share with you”: BlaqOps.

On its blog, Blaq developers claim that “selecting the BlaqOps icon brings you to a pop-up menu…Blaq will pull the corresponding information from your device and send a direct message to the selected user with a special code (e.g. #blaqBBM) and your information (in this case, your device’s PIN).”

The Quick Tweet option stands out as the most appealing feature in my opinion. By opening the BlackBerry menu and selecting “Quick Tweet”, a status window appears giving you the ability to let the world know that you’re eating a sandwich. This can be done even when other apps are open. With the installation of a 10KB plug-in, you can set Quick Tweet to a convenience key for easier access to this feature.

Adding to the convenience factor is the ability to tweet from multiple accounts without having to toggle between accounts to do so. Blaq lets you choose which account to post from by selecting the respective box of the account(s).

One other feature worth mentioning is tucked away in the ‘Settings’ menu. With Blaq, you have the ability to customize your URL shortener. I’ve always stuck to bit.ly, but I know that others prefer to use an alternative shortener. There are a few other features that focus on integration, but this was my favorite since I’d likely use it regularly.

The app is expected to launch today in BlackBerry App World.

Today, we’ll be bringing you the 480 x 360 resolution (9700, 96xx and 89xx) and the 320 x 240 resolution (93xx, 85xx and 83xx) in both the full, paid version for $4.99, and also BlaqLite, our free version. Blaq updates and upgrades will be free…for life.

A Twitter update from Blaq claims that there will be a version for the Bold 9000 as well.

I plan to use Blaq exclusively for awhile longer before I can claim it the “Best BlackBerry Twitter app”. For the record, I’m still high on UberTwitter. But with innovative features that focus on convenience and a UI that’s easy on the eyes, Blaq is well on its way to the top.

No word yet on when this app will be available for the Torch 9800. For more information and updates, check out AllBlaqEverything.com. You can also follow them on Twitter at @Blaq.

Panasonic Announces The First 3D Camcorder For Consumers

derrich — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:48:26 +0000

When a friend of mine told me he broke down and bought a 3D TV, I couldn’t help but laugh. I’m definitely at the skeptical end of the 3D TV spectrum. But don’t get me wrong. I love the latest and greatest in technology, and I’m a huge fan of 3D movies. But if I have to buy a pair of $300 3D glasses (even $100 is too much) not to mention settle for a limited number of 3D channels and movies, you can count me out. For now.

Panasonic recently announced its HDC-SDT750 3D consumer camcorder, which will be available in October of this year for about $1,400.

The camcorder itself sounds impressive with enhancements to its noise reduction technology; it offers 1080/60p (1,920 x 1,080) recording ability; and, there are plenty of manual controls. The camera also features time lapse recording, which just sounds cool. Sound will come from a 5.1-channel audio system. With five built-in microphones, multi-directional recording should compliment the 3D viewing nicely.

Artificial visual disparity through left- & right-eye recording—

To record in 3D, the camera requires a conversion lens, which artificially reproduces visual disparity. Therefore to watch it, you’ll need a 3D TV that’s capable of side-by-side (SbS) 3D playback like one of Panasonic’s own VIERA sets.

Despite my skepticism, this could be just the ~~toy~~ gadget to get me excited about 3D TV. Who wouldn’t want to create their own 3D masterpiece?

The largest obstacle still remains the price of entry into this technology. Factor in the cost of the TV, 3D programming packages and media, a pair of 3D glasses for each family member, and now this camera…it will be tough to justify 3D in the budget with the Mrs. But I’m interested.

No related posts.

Setup DIRECTV VOD On Your HD DVR

derrich — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:05:58 +0000

“Stream thousands of movies instantly to your TV.”

“Setup is a breeze.”

“Open the door to a whole new world of entertainment.”

DIRECTV’s video on demand service sounds great! Only one problem. My router is way over there, and I’m not crazy about running an ethernet cable across the room…or down the hall for that matter. No worries. Drop some cash on a wireless adapter…problem solved!

The Wireless-N adapter offered up by DIRECTV is a hundred bucks; and if you don’t have one of those money trees, then that’s another problem. There are a few less expensive options that offer the same quality and streaming capability as the one endorsed by DIRECTV. Of the choices I found while lurking around on the satellite forums, the best all-around option based on price and reviews appears to be the TRENDnet Wireless N Gaming Adapter (Model TEW-647GA).

SETTING UP YOUR ADAPTER. One of the common issues regardless of which adapter you use seems to be setup. But I found this process to be a breeze. My TRENDnet came with an AC power cord, ethernet cable, and a setup CD. I tried using the Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS) method; but after a couple of failed attempts, I used the setup CD. The directions that come with the adapter are perfect. Take your laptop with you to the room with your HD DVR. Setup involves plugging your adapter into the laptop via the ethernet cable, powering up the adapter, and following the TRENDnet setup menu.

Once setup completed, I removed the ethernet cable from the laptop and plugged it into the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR (I’m using model HR22). Next I pressed the MENU button on my DVR remote, chose “Parental, Fav’s & Setup”, and then “System Setup”. Go to “Network Setup” and choose “Connect Now”. This will prompt your DVR to begin accessing the VOD menu. You’ll get a message that says something about taking 24 hours to complete the process. Regardless, there should be VOD offerings to begin watching immediately.

So far, my experience has been great. Streaming quality is excellent although that’s helped by a buffer. It’s important to point out that I’m using a cable connection piped through a Wireless-N router; but if you have an opportunity to use dual-band wireless router (like the Linksys E3000), you’ll better off in the long run especially if you have simultaneous usage across your home network.

Now go watch something. I’ve got Hot Tub Time Machine queued up.

Flipboard For iPad Provides Pages Of Content…Literally

derrich — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:42:15 +0000

As a loyal BlackBerry user, it’s hard to turn my nose back down toward the Apple “light”. But Flipboard had me at “Hello”. Dare I admit that I’m considering an iPad?

The iPad app turns the ‘fancy tablet reader/website viewer’ into a more useful tool. Flipboard sorts content from your Facebook and Twitter feeds into a flipboard grid — articles, images, videos, links — and allows you to flip through that content like pages in a magazine. In addition to having the ability to like and comment on those items, the app aggregates others’ tweets and comments into view as well.

If I had to choose one significant feature that Flipboard lacks, it would be updates across multiple social networking sites…think HootSuite. However, I’d have to assume that they’ve already got some new features in the works. There’s just so much potential here. Nicely done, Flipboard.

Download the Flipboard app from iTunes.

Toddler iPad Test

Twitter For BlackBerry Beta Available To The Public

derrich — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:22:03 +0000

Back in February, I was given the opportunity to test Twitter For BlackBerry by the folks over at IntoMobile. In true beta style, it was buggy and was missing many of the essential functions we’ve become accustomed to using Twitter apps like UberTwitter, Seesmsic or SocialScope. Regardless, I took what it gave me and returned some of my own thoughts about the app.

Yesterday, the application was released to the public with some upgrades to the closed beta version. Many of the bug fixes were implemented with the update resulting in a smoother experience. And some functions — editing lists and updating profiles, instant DM and @ reply notification — were added as well.

There are still some wishlist items that this app lacks in order for it to be a worthy switch from one of the apps above.

Multiple Accounts. Unless you log out of one account and then into another, there is no way to support multiple accounts on Twitter For BlackBerry. Yet. Hopefully, this is one of the features added in the next update. Considering all the mulitple personalities that are using Twitter, this is a must.

Editable Retweeting. I don’t know about you, but I love to add my 2 cents to RTs. Twitter For BlackBerry only retweets using the new format. And worse yet, it doesn’t appear in your timeline to confirm that your RT was RT’d.

URL Shortening. Doing this is a chore in this app. You have to visit your favorite URL shortener from your BlackBerry browser, paste your link into the appropriate field, shorten it, copy the shortened link, head over to the Twitter For BlackBerry app, and paste it into your tweet. Ouch.

Auto Refresh. Twitter For BlackBerry offers an option to periodically update your feed, but it would be nice if it offered to update each time you access the app as well. This eliminates the need for a shortcut key (but don’t get rid of that)…or worse yet accessing the menu, scrolling down to ‘refresh’ and clicking.

Bugs! While my Twitter For BlackBerry app runs much smoother, I’ve discovered a couple of bugs. Every now and then while typing a new tweet, the words sudddenly disappear. A screenshot of what I’m referring to would be great right here. But that’s a little annoying. To fix this, you have to close the app, which means losing your tweet and starting all over.

While I can’t prove that Twitter For BlackBerry is to blame, typing texts or BBMs can be a hassle. Like a ghostwriter, random symbols and letter variations start popping up in my messages. A reboot (alt+right shift+del) is necessary. However, when I deleted the app for a period of time, these issues disappeared as well.

Despite what appear to be gripes with Twitter For BlackBerry, this app certainly has potential to be a top consideration for Twitter users. Hopefully, these changes are addressed sooner than later. What are some of the things you want to see from the next version of this app?

Toddler iPad Test

derrich — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:07:16 +0000

Some of the most popular iPhone apps for kids are First Words series of apps by Learning Touch. My 14-month old is a huge fan.

“Pleh! Bpbpbpbpbpbp.” Translation: “P-L-A-N-E. Plane. (propeller sound effect)”

This 2 1/2 year old girl is obviously quite the Apple product expert. And it’s amazing how she becomes frustrated some of the user interface features. Perhaps Apple should begin letting toddlers beta test these things. Sign us up, Apple!

[Hat Tip: Laughing Squid, Todd Lappin]

DIRECTV DVR Scheduler App In Beta For BlackBerry

derrich — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:11:14 +0000

If you’ve been waiting around for this as long as I have, then you’ll be thrilled to know that DIRECTV has released its DVR Scheduler application for the BlackBerry. And, of course, it’s in Beta (v1.1.2). But it’s better than nothing.

Even in Beta form, it’s faster by design…making the same functionality from the “m” website a little quicker by placing all options front and center rather than having to click through a list of links thanks to the easy user interface.

The app allows you to search for any television show up to 14 days in advance; browse programs by channel or date & time; get program information instantly, including description, length and rating; record a single episode or an entire series; order DIRECTV Cinema™ right on your phone (only available for iPhone, Android, and Palm for now).

All of the menus are straightforward. Start your search as you would online: by show title, by channel, or by date & time. If searching by channel, you may use your BlackBerry keyboard to type the channel name once the list of channels has been listed, which of course is extremely helpful.

Arrange your results by date or by channel…

After you’ve selected your show, there’s the option to view show details. Assuming you’ve got one you want and are ready to schedule the recording…get confirmation after selecting the receiver, giving the recording a priority, and choosing how long to keep it.

To download the DIRECTV DVR Scheduler application, visit m.directv.com/mobileapps from your smartphone browser. DIRECTV has also setup a Mobile App Technical Forum for you to leave feedback and report any issues with your app.

For more information, check out the DIRECTV website.

Stream Netflix and Hulu Videos With PlayOn

derrich — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:52:22 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, my DVR decided not to record one of my shows (I refuse to admit user error…ok, it was user error). Since Jack Bauer on my 15.1″ screen just isn’t the same, I booted up the PS3 with the hopes of pulling up Hulu on the PlayStation browser. Apparently I’ve been under a rock.

Back in November, Netflix brought streaming video to the PS3 making it the only Netflix-friendly device that allows for gaming, streaming video on demand, and Blu-Ray capability. But the ability to stream Hulu to my HDTV from my PS3 all of a sudden became more important.

Then I found PlayOn — developed by MediaMall Technologies — which allows you to watch all your favorite, shows, movies and sports with a networked PC and a Wii, PS3, XBOX 360, or other compliant device.

I downloaded the 14-day free trial, which was the hardest part…because it took the longest. With my PS3 on the “Video” category, the PlayOn icon suddenly appears in the menu of options. If it doesn’t appear after a several seconds, choose “Search for Media Servers”. Now you have the ability to watch videos from Hulu, Netflix, CBS, ESPN, CNN, YouTube, and Amazon VOD in full screen (and in most cases) HD-like goodness. Thankfully Hulu videos don’t look artificially zoomed. And YouTube videos vary greatly depending upon the quality at which they were uploaded. I found the same result for CBS videos as well.

PlayOn settings allow you to personalize your channels

The “Channels” option in the PlayOn settings allows you to personalize your channels for Netflix, Hulu and Amazon VOD. And it allows for multiple YouTube channels…add your subscriptions here. While I have not yet explored that realm, additional content is available through a handful of third-party apps (channels) that can be downloaded to your PC.

PlayOn minimum requirements are limited to PC for now — sorry Mac users — but my 2 year old laptop just passes the test. My other hardware includes the PS3, a Sony BRAVIA HDTV, and a Linksys WRT610N Dual-N Band wireless router.

Buffering is pretty consistent, but expect some short pauses and choppiness on occasion. After fiddling with the PlayOn settings, I found that unchecking the “Always Process Entire Video” in the General Settings tab helped my setup run much smoother. Most of the PS3 control options are available including 1 minute interval scene search, rewind, fast forward, and super duper fast forward. I found the latter to be less of a control…more of a nuisance.

If after your 14-day free trial you want to continue using PlayOn, you can purchase the software for $39.99. The video below sums it all up nicely.

Kindle For BlackBerry App Now Available For Free

derrich — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:36:59 +0000

It’s here! Today, Amazon released it’s Kindle For BlackBerry application giving smartphone users access to over 442,000 Kindle books. Kindle not necessary.

For now, the free BlackBerry app is available for download on the Bold 9000 & 9700, Curve 8520 & 8900, Storm 9530 & 9550, and on the Tour 9630.

If you already have a Kindle, you can access your Kindle books from your BlackBerry smartphone even if you don’t have your Kindle with you. With the Whispersync technology, the app automatically synchronizes your last page read and annotations across all devices registered to the same Amazon.com account. Amazon help has more information on how to do things like sync across Kindle devices and applications, download content, and delete books.

It appears that most titles are $9.99 with a “decide to buy” first chapter preview. Unfortunately, Kindle newspapers, magazines and blogs are not a BlackBerry feature…yet.

To download the Kindle For BlackBerry app, visit amazon.com/kindlebb from your BlackBerry browser.

DIRECTV Multi-Room HD DVR Viewing Is Getting Closer

derrich — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:22:25 +0000

DIRECTV’s multi-room HD DVR service isn’t new news, but it is coming to a living room…bedroom…media room (you get the idea) near you. The service is currently available to the public in a beta testing phase for those with HD DVR receivers that are already networked.

DIRECTV.com

According to the DIRECTV website, multi-room viewing (MRV) provides a single, combined playlist of all your recorded programs on any connected TV. You can also record and delete shows from any TV connected to an HD receiver, not just the one connected to the HD DVR.

The folks over at DBStalk.com have been testing the service for several months now, and provided their readers with a First Look (pdf link) of the service with some details of their findings and some tips and tricks for future beta testers.

The kicker is that DIRECTV plans to charge for the service. Hey. It’s a great service, but not one worth paying for in my opinion. Regardless of what I think, keep the enhancements coming, DIRECTV. Especially to Video On Demand.

[Hat Tip: DBStalk.com]

Fix The CaptureIt White Screen On Your BlackBerry

derrich — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:09:09 +0000

After I picked up my BlackBerry Bold 9700, I immediately began adding back my must have BlackBerry apps…one of which was CaptureIt.

Once I got it on my phone, it didn’t work properly. CaptureIt was saving the screenshot as a blank white screen. Here’s how you fix it:

Go to Settings > Options > Applications.

Select the CaptureIt application and then select Edit Permissions.

Make sure all permissions are set to “Allow”. In this case, my Interactions permission was set to “Custom”. Click the return button, and your BlackBerry will prompt you to Save your changes. Once you’ve made and saved these changes, you can produce screenshots for days.

You can download the CaptureIt app for BlackBerry. Just go to m.thetechmogul.com from your BlackBerry browser.

Deliver Presentations Wirelessly With BlackBerry Presenter

derrich — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:57:31 +0000

Got a PowerPoint® presentation coming up? Imagine having the ability to leave your laptop at home, and delivering the entire thing from your BlackBerry. That will soon be a reality.

Sometime this year, Research In Motion will deliver its BlackBerry Presenter, which will allow you to do just that…present…wirelessly. Plug it in to a monitor or projector, and slides come out of the magic box. It will also offer a variety of features including a loop mode and a freeze mode. What would be even better is the ability to ‘present’ a slideshow of photos or videos, which it does not currently do. Looks like it’s only PowerPoint® slides for now. According to shopblackberry.com, it will cost $199.99 when it is released (go there to sign up for updates on availability).

Compatibility includes most BlackBerry smartphones with at least v4.6 of the OS to include the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520, 8530 and 8900; BlackBerry® Bold™ 9000 and 9700; BlackBerry® Storm™ 9500, 9530 and 9550 (Storm2); and BlackBerry® Tour™ 9630.

It’s no pico projector, but it’ll do.

Kindle For BlackBerry Coming Soon

derrich — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:10:22 +0000

It’s certainly not old news, but the release of Kindle For BlackBerry is close.

Kindle For BlackBerry Coming Soon

Amazon has finally added a page dedicated to the BlackBerry app’s release. By adding your email address to the “Notify Me” field, you’ll be notified when it is ready to download. The app is already available for the iPhone via Apple’s App Store.

Quick Facts About Kindle For BlackBerry:
– Search and browse more than 390,000 books
– Books you purchase can also be read on a Kindle, computer, or other Kindle-compatible mobile device
– Kindle newspapers, magazines, and blogs are not currently available for Kindle for BlackBerry

So while Sony & Amazon try to decide who’s best and a rumored iSlate Apple reader tries to find its way to fruition, why not use your existing device to fulfill your reading needs…until, of course, you can decide on a proper reader.

A Review: Kodak Zi8 HD Pocket Video Camera

derrich — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:24:15 +0000

When Kodak announced the release of its Zi8 pocket video camera, the features alone created excitement in the pocket cam community. For so long, a Flip cam was eponymous with pocket camcorders. Kodak set out to change the minds of consumers by offering a superior product.

Kodak was kind enough to send me a Zi8 to tinker with. While I prefer black or silver — simple colors — my review unit was an impressive aqua blue. Regardless of anyone’s color preferences, the Zi8 isn’t ugly. But at first glance, it isn’t as striking as its Flip competitor. But it’s certainly an improvement over the Zi6. The Zi8′s big personality is what sets it apart.

It’s easy to differentiate the Zi8 from its competition based on its features alone: it films in 1080p at 30 frames per second (fps) and at 720p at 60 fps, electronic image stabilization eliminates fidgety filming, it shoots 5.0 megapixel stills, and it provides support for both Facebook and YouTube. There are a handful of other important features including help with low-light filming, face tracking, and compatibility with both Mac & PC operating systems.

Included on the list of “may or may not annoy you” is the Zi8′s built-in rechargable battery, which “may or may not” depending upon the frequency with which you use the cam. And the small red light signaling the camera’s recording status is a tad annoying, but nothing a little electrical tape can’t fix…and something that can be turned off on the Flip UltraHD. Add to the cost of the cam your choice of memory — the Zi8 has an expandable SD/SDHC card slot that can hold up to 32 GB. Personally I’m a huge fan of the built-in battery and the expandable memory option.

The Macro setting on the Kodak Zi8 is one of the features that sets it apart from the competition.

The Macro setting on the Zi8 is very impressive for a camera of this size. The stills above were taken at the same distance and using low light.

The external microphone jack is also a refreshing feature, which means a notable improvement in sound quality for your videos with the use of a shotgun microphone or wireless lapel microphone. The video below was filmed with my review unit for wine review site, 1337wine, using a tripod and an external mic.

You’ll also notice that the camera is constantly adjusting its lighting levels…probably a result of the whiteboard in the background. So, not the typical result of filming with the Zi8.

My only real gripe is with regard to shooting distance. There seems to be a fine line between just right and too far. For example, while filming a performance by my son’s class from the 2nd row, I realized that I could have afforded to move back another 2 or 3 rows. I was constantly panning back and forth to include the entire stage. But move too far, and the already average sound would have decreased in quality without the use of an external mic.

The digital zoom is only an advantage if you set the zoom prior to filming, otherwise you get a pulsing zoom-in action. And while the video above was filmed using the 1080p setting (with a tripod), I would argue that the ideal setting for handheld filming is definitely at 720p @ 60 fps.

There is no doubt that Kodak has succeeded in raising the bar with this pocket HD cam. And at $179, the Kodak Zi8 is certainly the ‘bang for the buck’ choice.

Streaming Netflix VOD On Sony PS3 Game Consoles

derrich — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:56:16 +0000

It slices! It dices! It plays DVDs & Blu-Ray discs! It streams TV shows & movies from Netflix! Beginning in November, you can add Sony PS3 to the list of devices that jive with the Netflix Video On Demand (VOD) service. However, it’s the only one that allows for gaming, streaming VOD and Blu-Ray capability. The service is available to Netflix members at no additional cost to the monthly fee of $8.99 (more information on Netflix membership).

Initially, watching movies instantly streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system will be enabled by a free, instant streaming Blu-ray disc that is being made available to all Netflix members. The free instant streaming disc leverages Blu-ray’s BD-Live™ technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system, which must be online via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Netflix members simply slide the disc into their PS3 systems to reveal movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. These titles are conveniently organized into a variety of categories based on members’ personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and members’ individual instant Queues. Members can use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on their PS3 systems to add movies and TV shows to their Queues. They also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream via the Wireless Controller.

Netflix VOD service is also compatible with the XBOX 360, the Roku HD player, one of a few LG Blu-ray Disc Players (including the BD 370 or BD 390, several Samsung Blu-Ray Disc Players (including the BD-P2500, BD-P3600 and BD-P4600) and internet-connected HD TVs from LG (with NetCast Broadband).

For more information and to get notified when Netflix is available for use on the PS3, visit netflix.com/ps3.

It’s Official: RIM Introduces The BlackBerry Bold 9700

derrich — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:21:04 +0000

BlackBerry users…rejoice! You knew it was coming, and now it is official. Today RIM introduced the BlackBerry Bold 9700 to the world. In addition to its great new looks, the new and improved Bold will feature a 624 MHz processor, 256 MB Flash memory, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi® and a 3.2MP camera.

The high-resolution display features over 65,000 colors. The new trackpad will undoubtedly be a refreshing upgrade to the trackball, which has a tendency to get stuck.

AT&T and T-Mobile were among the few carriers that also announced they would be carrying the phone sometime in November. For more information and a list of features on the 9700, visit blackberry.com/bold9700.

Live Scores — Score Mobile BlackBerry App

derrich — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:15:07 +0000

Looking for a great smartphone application to provide live box scores and stats (perfect for fantasy football)? Look no further. TheScore.com offers such an app for free. The app is available for most BlackBerry smartphones including the Tour, and, of course, it is available for download on the iPhone.

As a sports fan, this should definitely be included on my list of must have BlackBerry apps. I also use it to stay current on college football scores.

To download this app to your smartphone, visit thescore.com from your phone’s browser. It is also available in BlackBerry App World.

UPDATE — September 10, 2010: Score Mobile has been updated to v1.5. The app is only available for download in BlackBerry App World.

Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera — 1080p for $180

derrich — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:33:56 +0000

Kodak recently announced its new Zi8 pocket video camera. It not only offers more features than its predecessor, but appears to be heavy competition for the Flip UltraHD camcorder. It’s greatest feature isn’t even the fact that it shoots video in 1080p (1920 x 1080 at 30fps). It boasts an electronic image stabilizer, an expandable SD/SDHC card slot that can hold up to 32 GB, and support for both Facebook and YouTube.

There are a handful of other important features including help with low-light filming, face tracking, and compatibility with both Mac & PC operating systems.

The Zi8 will be available in three colors (aqua, raspberry and black) and will go on sale in September. MSRP is $179.95. You can pre-order your Zi8 now.

A Review: Kodak Zi8 HD Pocket Video Camera

Ultimate Fantasy Football Tool — DIRECTV SUPERCAST

derrich — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:53:42 +0000

WARNING: Players will not leap out of your screen—–

Fantasy Football magazine. Check.

Player list. Check.

Ron Mexico jersey. Check.

DIRECTV SUPERCAST. If you have DIRECTV NFL Sunday Ticket, you’re halfway there. Just make sure you have Flash Player 9 and Adobe AIR for the full effect. Both PC & Mac users can access SUPERCAST. The concept simple: if the game is on DIRECTV Sunday Ticket, then it’s available to watch on SUPERCAST. However, according to the FAQ, blackouts are enforced based on your billing zip code.

SUPERCAST FEATURES INCLUDE:

Live Streaming Video. Enjoy every NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ game, plus the Red Zone Channel. You can switch from game to game at any time.
Highlights. Relive the big moments. See up to 12 significant plays from every game, either individually or consecutively.
Scores & Game Status. See scores and game status for the current week’s completed and in-progress games. Check the schedule for the upcoming games.
Instant Stats. An indispensable feature for fantasy footballers. Track your favorite players’ performance with a touch. Get game and player stats instantly for each game.

Whether or not your favorite bar or restaurant has DIRECTV Sunday Ticket is now the least of your worries. If they have WiFi, you’re all set.

The SUPERCAST mobile app is available on iPhone, Palm Pre and Windows Mobile and BlackBerry (Storm, Tour, Bold and Curve 8900). To download this app to your smartphone, visit m.directv.com/supercast from your phone’s browser.

If you still have cable, it’s time to now. If you’re already a customer, check out the DIRECTV SUPERCAST page for more details.

MyBlackBerry — RIM’s Online Rant Board

derrich — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:59:57 +0000

Tomorrow RIM will launch MyBlackBerry. It’s a community in which BlackBerry owners can build a unique profile around their specific device…perfect timing for early BlackBerry Tour adopters who may currently be unclear about their selection of apps. Users can share and rate their favorite apps, ask and answer questions regarding accessories and functionality as well as tips and tricks to make using your device much easier and more efficient.

As you can tell from the screen shot below, a list of “Top Apps” and “Top Tags” among other things will be part of the “Applications” tab…and likely static throughout.

RIM’s efforts may be thought of by some as a waste of time and money considering the existence of other established social networks (Twitter, Facebook). But I think it’s a good idea considering BlackBerry App World is clunky and has been known to cause problems for some.

I tried registering today. Apparently I’m not on the “BlackBerry VIP” list…yet *strut*smug* (invitation code required). For more information, check out the short intro video.