ChatRoulette
Although I've never used it, I'm fascinated by the whole ChatRoulette phenomenon... And I don't think anyone has covered it better than The Daily Show.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Tech-Talch - Chatroulette | ||||
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The iSomething Announcement!
Because, You Know, Why Not?
Yup. I'll be live-blogging, hopefully based off a super-secret UStream feed like last time or, at the very least, from the 47 different websites I will be watching for coverage. Because that's just how I get down.
Genesis On My iPhone? Yes, Please!
Sega is releasing an official Genesis emulator for the iPhone either today or sometime in February (depending on which report you believe). It'll be free and come with Space Harrier II... A game I don't remember even a little bit... But will have in-app downloads of Sonic The Hedgehog for $5.99, Golden Axe for $4.99, and Eco The Dolphin and Shining Force for $2.99 each.
I'm currently nerding out over the idea of playing Sonic on my iPhone... Let's just hope it's better than Super Monkey Ball was, amirite?
Via Gizmodo.
Apple Event? Game On
Everyone in the tech blogging community has received an invite to the January 27th Apple event that is expected to introduce the Apple Tablet, iPhone OS 4.0, and maybe some new iLife/iWork awesomeness.
Added bonus? It happens on my day off! Score!
As most blogs are noting, the use of ink splatters and the word "creation" would imply that the Apple tablet would be more bent on creating content than necessarily delivering it, which would be a bit of a departure from the current concepts floating around, which basically claim the so-called iSlate (worst name since 'MacBook Air' and 'MobileMe') would be a super-swank iPhone/eReader hybrid, which I know would sell insanely well but would also be rather underwhelming. At least it would be for me... then again, when the MacBook Air was being bandied about, was hoping for a super-light computer that also made waffles, so maybe my expectations from MacDaddy Steve Jobs are a tad high.
Anyway, as the event happens on my day off (again: score!), you can expect to see my reactions to the announcement here, as if you really give a crap, and then you can expect me to go through my usual Apple announcement cycle: 1. Shock and amazement, 2. Decrying the announcement as the most overhyped thing ever, 3. Seeing the thing in real life and deciding that it isn't so bad, 4. Becoming willing to sell a kidney to have one, 5. Buying one, even though there are much better ways for me to spend my cash.
That’s Belly-Button Lint Levels Of Exciting!
"It's more powerful than a phone and almost as powerful as a PC," Steve Ballmer said of the slate computing devices he revealed at his CES keynote. Kinda sounds like a touchscreen netbook on steroids running Windows 7.
Boy, that's exciting. You can look at some photos of this thing over on Engadget.
The World Is About To Explode. Sorry, Gang.
Brandon "J. Is For Jackass" Mendelson writes on his blog on whether or not Microsoft can out-Apple Apple on Wednesday by revealing a tablet PC nearly 20 days before Apple is supposed to reveal their own highly-anticipated tablet offering. He says 'No.' I agree.
It's the end of the world as we know it, folks. I mean, I don't necessarily agree with why it won't work (he says it's because of the Apple Fandom, I say it's because Microsoft will likely not do anything revolutionary with the product whereas Apple will... Although, to be fair, I'm an admitted member of the Apple Fandom he talks about), but for us to agree on anything takes an act of Congress most times.
Also, should Microsoft and HP unveil a tablet tomorrow, expect all sorts of commentary here about it. 'Cause, you know, techno-nonsense is kinda my thing.
HP Computers Hate Black People
Wow. Here's hoping they're working on a software fix for this, and fast, 'cause (a) this is lame and (b) it could lead to some interesting conversations at customer service counters around the nation.
CUSTOMER: Hi, I'd like to return this HP computer, please. It seems to be defective.
CLERK: Let me guess, the face-tracking feature isn't working as you expected?
CUSTOMER: That's right, how did you know?
CLERK: Oh, it doesn't work on people who aren't white.
CUSTOMER: ...
CLERK: Yup. Just like face tracking and a multi-touch screen, this product also has 'hate' as a built-in feature.
CUSTOMER: Why do I doubt they listed that on the box?
UPDATE: HP responds!
Problems I Wish I Had, Volume 1
Via Mashable!:
Bloggers now have up to 11,000 reasons to disclose when they are being paid to review products.
The FTC has updated its Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising for the first time since 1980, and among the changes, a requirement that “bloggers who make an endorsement must disclose the material connections they share with the seller of the product or service.” Fines for violating the new rule will run up to $11,000 per post.
Some more details from the FTC’s announcement:
“The revised Guides also add new examples to illustrate the long standing principle that “material connections” (sometimes payments or free products) between advertisers and endorsers – connections that consumers would not expect – must be disclosed. These examples address what constitutes an endorsement when the message is conveyed by bloggers or other “word-of-mouth” marketers. The revised Guides specify that while decisions will be reached on a case-by-case basis, the post of a blogger who receives cash or in-kind payment to review a product is considered an endorsement.”
Beyond straight up pay-per-post systems like Izea, it the new rules would seemingly apply to any situation where something of value changes hands between advertiser and blogger. For example, General Mills and Ford Fiesta bloggers would have to disclose the relationship they have with the advertiser.
Certainly, it seems like this is an update that’s time has come. While most well-run social media programs already include appropriate disclosure, there’s still no shortage of unscrupulous marketers using deceptive practices to sell products. Now, with the threat of serious fines, those who look to push the boundaries of ethical blogging will be doing so at their own risk.
Semi-related, I'm totally for sale. In case you were wondering.
