TEKBUG

Welcome Back to the 'Bug: TEKBUG 3.0

Remember TEKBUG? It was the plucky bi-weekly that covered news, tech and lifestyle in the Seattle area way back in 2001-2002. At our peak, TEKBUG's print run was 75,000 strong. I still see some of our stickers around the city. Anyhow, we're back in a new digilicious format to astound, amaze and entertain. Well, okay, that's a bit over the top, but we'll do our best to at least entertain.

To kick things off, let's start by looking back at an article that ran in the Business Journal on TEKBUG in January of 2002. There's also the appropriately smarmy article from The Stranger where I'm called "a 29-year-old, Nordstrom-outfitted former dot-commer." They followed-up with an obit at the end of 2002 after we originally killed it off; "Tekbug's chief legacy may be its unapologetic insistence that people who buy replacement hard drives do, indeed, have lifestyles."

Christmas Redux

So Christmas came and went in the Cypher household with a lot of joy and too much overspending. Normally we don't go wild in our house, but apparently this year was to be the exception to the rule. We had 9 people crammed into the house from all over the world, sort of. Most of us live near each other (within 2 hours) but my brother-in-law flew in from Scotland to rest from his PhD. studies. Anyways, so there I was with 8 people loaded with presents for me, little did I know this would be my best geek filled year to date when it comes to gadgets and such...

Fanbois rejoice: iPhone 1.1.3 Coming

Features for the new iPhone firmware have been confirmed by an anonymous leak. Update could ship "as early as next week." As expected it will break all previous jailbreaks.

Gizmodo & Gearlive sez:

    * The ability to send an SMS message to multiple people is now there
    * Google Maps application can now pinpoint your location using cell tower triangulation
    * Google Maps can now display the Hybrid map view
    * You can now drag and drop application icons on your home screen
    * The home screen supports pagination
    * You can now add web bookmarks to your home screen

Apple to launch iTunes Movie rentals?

Valleywag is reporting this morn that Apple and 20th Century Fox have inked a deal to bring movie rentals to Apple's stillborn Apple TV via iTunes (and to all other Apple devices, no doubt). A major announcement is pegged to MacWorld in January. If this is true, Disney is sure to follow.
Rentals through iTunes have been circulating as a rumor for a long time now. And now, with millions of small screens courtesy of the iPhone success, the desire to make even more money off consumers has to be a major draw to any studio. As an Apple TV owner, I for one hope those rentals come at a minimum of 720p. As a rental, I can see many more options for device-dependent resolutions, since the file is going to be deleted anyhow. We'll have to wait and see.

Sony Kicks Rear-Projection to the Curb

Consumer electronics website Twice reports Sony is exiting the rear-projection TV market as soon as inventory is depleted. Sony rear-projection TVs feature 3LCD and SXRD technology to achieve larger sizes while keeping costs down.

The company plans to dedicate more resources towards its LCD TV business, as that’s what consumers demand, a Sony spokesperson said. Despite the shift away from rear-projection TVs, Sony will continue to manufacturer and sell front-projection units for custom installers.

Sony joins Philips, Toshiba and Hitachi in the list of TV manufacturers that have abandoned rear-projection technologies. Those that want large TVs for low-costs will have to turn to the remaining rear-projection manufacturers such as Samsung, Mitsubishi, Panasonic and JVC.

Duke Nukem Forever Teaser

Today, without warning, 3D Realms released the first new teaser trailer for Duke Nukem Forever since the Clinton era. I'd LIKE to say it looks like it's going to be worth the wait, but unfortunately I can't. The trailer really doesn't show much, and what it does show could have been rendered by Caligari Truespace back when the original game was out. Pumping iron, chomping cigars and aliens screaming do not a game make.

Sonic the Hedgehog, now for iPods!

Apple iPod owners rejoice! Sega has released Sonic the Hedgehog for the iPod. The game is available via the iTunes store for $4.99 and compatible with third-generation iPod nano, iPod classic, fifth-generation iPod’s. Owners of iPhone and iPod touch devices will have to rely on web-based games or jailbreak their phone to play games.

The iTunes store has a preview video of the game, which appears to run smoothly. However, one has to wonder how playable the game is with a scroll wheel and center button. Nevertheless, if you want to give the game a shot, open up iTunes and browse the iPod games section and give us feedback on how it plays.

If you don’t have an iPod or simply have a distaste for Apple products, Sonic the Hedgehog is also available on various mobile phones.

Something's Up!

It's a privilege to be invited to be a guest author on TEKBUG. From time to time I will be writing reviews about cameras and related accessories. Since we are only a few days away from Christmas, I think my first "official" post will be after the new year. So keep on coming back for news, reviews, and more from this "PHOTOBUG."

Happy Holidays!
tba

The Hobbit coming to the big-screen in 2010

Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema have reconciled their differences and will be moving forward with producing J.R.R. Tolken's "Lord of the Rings" prequel, "The Hobbit." As with LOTR, Jackson and partner Fran Walsh will be working on adapting the novel. The first chapter will hit screens in 2010, with the sequal following in 2011. Both chapters will be filmed at the same time, however. We expect this is to allow for additional design and rendering time, to create a truly amazing Smaug for the climax.

A director has not yet been named, but having Jackson and Walsh on as executive producers essentially guarantees the film won't suck. Sam Raimi has been rumored as a possible candidate for the director's chair, but nothing official has been announced.

IPTV Insider: TVoIP is not IPTV

So I was sitting here at my desk over the weekend getting caught up on the latest IPTV news and information from some friends in the industry when I happen to look on the front page of our little home called Tekbug. Catching my eye on the front page is the somewhat beloved/hated product known as AppleTV and a mention of IPTV. My brain quickly shifts gears and I can no longer think about the AppleTV box or that Vudu thingy while I focus in on the letters IPTV.

"That's not IPTV, that's TVoIP!" my brain is trying to scream out loud...

Thus the mental tyrade begins...

Nintendo Prepares Wii Raincheck Program

Having troubles finding a Nintendo Wii to put under the Christmas tree? Nintendo has you covered with the Wii Raincheck program, which allows soon-to-be Wii owners to pay for the console in full and receive a certificate to place under the Christmas tree. The certificate is redeemable for a Wii in January when more units are available.

The program is ran through GameStop stores only. However, more adventurous people might want to pay close attention to retailers such as Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry’s, Target and Wal-Mart as the stores receive random Wii shipments.

Those that must have a Wii and want something to put under the tree in time for Christmas and want to play it safe might want to head down to GameStop when the program is officially announced soon.