This is how media viewing was supposed to be all along, local files and internet media living together in 1080i (mostly). I think that the Apple TV should be free, and Boxee should be $250; because the Apple TV is pretty much a doorstop until you install it. The ATV fulfills almost none of my media viewing needs until this beautiful application is introduced.
This makes me want to get rid of my cable service, but who knows what will happen if and when Apple releases a new update? Let’s not think about that now. This is indeed a major step forward in integrating all the media you would ever want into one place. And as far as installation and usability, I have no complaints. I mean it is still in alpha and it is this good! The install was not bad at all as long as you follow the instructions on the Giz, and make sure that you update all the components of Boxee before running it. So take a look at the video below, as I detail the install and the usage of Boxee on the Apple TV.
This music application Ocarina by Smule is amazing and only $0.99! It is so easy to play and it is linked to hundreds of other people playing around the world. A portable musical instrument and social networking tool in one!
Take a look at how easy it is, and how bad I am at it!
Now check out someone much better playing the score from Zelda
This is a great free application! (although the Sonos system comes at a price) If you have a Sonos and an iPhone this app is indispensable.
And think about this, a 1st generation iPod Touch is under $200 used, instead of one Sonos remote for $399, get 2 iPods and put this free application on them.
Update: I am finally blanking and restoring my firmware 1.1.1 iPhone 2G. Now that I have a 3G and the app store, I don’t need a jailbroken 2G. I will be using it as a Sonos remote from now on!
Today in the App Store I saw Air Mouse by R.P.A. Technology. You can control the mouse on your Mac or PC via the iPhone, and even type remotely? Surely a feat such as this could not be accomplished for a mere $5.99. Alas it is true, it controls your computer, and it does it well. Take a look.
Click to purchase in the App Store.
You know I just thought of another use for this. You can install the server software on multiple machines. Now you can hijack someone’s mouse and keyboard with your iPhone. That would be a great joke!
Where to start… Well let me start by saying that I went into this hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. I have been burned so many times in the past by no name electronics companies that promise greatness, and deliver weird dongles and incompatible codecs.
In this case I didn’t even trust my normally trustworthy Amazon ratings which gave it an average score of 4.5 stars out of 5; 234 people surveyed.
With that said, let’s get down to it. (FYI @ 5:10 I start filming with the Mino)
This thing is pretty cool. It shoots clear crisp video, and gets to the task quickly. The buttons and interface are fairly easy to navigate. It shoots 30 frames per second MPEG4, with each minute taking up about 25MB. The verdict: It is well worth the $150 if you have a need for on the go video.
Here are some pictures, and some video shot with it.
When I was growing up, man did I love that game Risk! I used to carry it around on a 5 1/4 floppy disk in the inside pocket of my jean jacket. You know, just in case I came across an Apple IIC, IIE or IIGS. Yes I was a nerd, yes I wore huge glasses and yes I will beat your ass in some Risk if given the chance.
Greyscale Goodness
Now here is your chance to relive your old days of greyscale global domination…except now in color on your iPhone. The game is Lux by SillySoft, and it is already poplular for the Mac and PC. They now have a free version for the iPhone, and I can’t get enough of it.
This version Lux Touch is what they are calling the free version for the iPhone. The company says that they will be coming out with Lux Dlx (deluxe) in the near future which will have more levels and better AI. I can’t even imagine Risk on any other playing field besides the continents, but it is on its way to the iPhone.
The Sonos music system is one of the coolest things ever made. It can play music from your archive, Sirius, Rhapsody, Napster or Pandora in any room of your house. Play the same song in all of the rooms or a different one in each. The Sonos is an amazing and versatile system, but one thing it isn’t is cheap. The remote alone is $399. I really want a second remote for upstairs, but don’t want to pay $399 right now. The solution? Zones.
Zones is a Sonos remote control application for the iPhone. Although it is not perfect yet, it is functional and only $14.99. Still that is priced on the high side for an iPhone application. But the idea of having a Sonos remote integrated into something I always have in my pocket made me take the plunge.
I am impressed with the functionality so far. It runs very smoothly, and like the Sonos, setup is effortless. It is missing a couple of core functions for now, but there are work arounds. Take a look at the video below to the see the rest of the review.
Click to purchase in the App Store
That was my first video review of anything. Future ones will surely suck less, surely.
This is how media viewing was supposed to be all along, local files and internet media living together in 1080i (mostly). I think that the Apple TV should be free, and Boxee should be $250; because the Apple TV is pretty much a doorstop until you install it. The ATV fulfills almost none of my media viewing needs until this beautiful application is introduced.
This music application 
Sonos has released it’s own remote control software for the iphone. 
Today in the App Store I saw Air Mouse by 
When I was growing up, man did I love that game Risk! I used to carry it around on a 5 1/4 floppy disk in the inside pocket of my jean jacket. You know, just in case I came across an Apple IIC, IIE or IIGS. Yes I was a nerd, yes I wore huge glasses and yes I will beat your ass in some Risk if given the chance.
