Archives For Portable Media Center

Zune HD Official, Vista SP2 released, new WHS “Sweet Spot”

June 1, 2009

zuneHD Quick notes before I’m off to work this AM:

  • Zune HD has been announced with capacitive touchscreen, 16:9 OLED display, built-in HD Radio tuner, HD video out (w/ dock), WiFi streaming from Zune Marketplace, and a built-in Web browser.  More at the teaser site.  What’s hard to communicate in pictures is that it just feels good in the hand.  More details next week. ;)
  • Acer has launched a $399 1TB Windows Home server setting a new sweet spot. Suddenly my homegrown system is a lot less cool. (eHomeUpgrade)
  • Vista SP2 was released yesterday.  Lots of updates but perhaps most notable is Windows Search 4.0 which will speed up searches on your computer.  Most consumers will get it via Windows Update but if you cannot wait and wish to download direct, get it here.
  • D7 Updates. Walt Mossberg’s The Wall Street Journal’s confab is off to a roaring start with, “The Guys from Twitter” talking from what looks like chairs taken off the Star Trek movie set. Too bad the online schedule doesn’t tell you who is speaking and when. :(

Ed. Note: We had a little hiccup on the Web server.  Should be all fixed now.

In Mobile, Portable Media Center , , , ,
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My Zunecard. Let the ridicule (and the roadtrip mix) begin

November 17, 2007
 
Back when I first met with the Zune community team, I was a little skeptical of the plans for Zune Social.  Now I’m a  believer – I’m having too good of a time discovering music through the tastes of my friends on Xbox Live.  Yes, you too can regale yourself in the suckiness of my musical tastes.  That’s okay, I have a thick flak jacket. The only wish I have is for the ability to share my playlists directly.
 
I’m in the process of building our road trip mix for next week’s trip to Grandma and Grandpa’s for Thanksgiving.  I’m searching for family friendly podcasts, music and more.  If you have suggestions, feel free to suggest your Top 5 or Top 10 list here, browse and make fun of my music here.
 
And in case you’re wondering, yes Virginia, the team is playing a lot with Silverlight right now ;)
 
Update: I’m starting to get suggestions via Zune which is pretty darn cool.  Thanks everyone for the friend invites and suggestions.  Here are some additional ones that came in through email:
 

Learn to Fly–Foo Fighters

Things Have Changed–Dylan

This Is How a Heart Breaks–Rob Thomas

Runnin’ Down a Dream–Petty

Someday Baby–Dylan

LA Woman–Doors

Locomotive Breath–Jethro Tull

Won’t Get Fooled Again–The Who

You Can’t Catch Me–Stones

Freebird–Skynard

China Grove–Doobie Bros.

Don’t Fear the Reaper–Blue Oyster Cult

We’re an American Band–Grand Funk Railroad

 
 
In Podcasting, Portable Media Center, Windows Media Player, Windows Vista, Xbox, XP Media Center , , , , , , ,
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Give your feedback on Microsoft's Connected Entertainment Scenarios

November 8, 2007

One of my favorite people in eHome, Charlie Owen notes, "I’m going to head up an effort here at Microsoft between the Media Center, XBox and Zune teams to give you a set of resources which help you put our products together and begin to realize the ‘Connected Home’ dream." 

An admirable start. As I’ve noted here, I would like to see the merging of Windows Home Server and Media Center, and perhaps a wireless home automation component, though I have yet to use it beyond my Logitech Harmony remote. 

I’d also like to see a, "Buy anywhere, Watch anywhere" merging of the Marketplaces in Xbox 360, Zune, and Media Center.

Give Charlie your feedback in comments on his blog here.

via eHomeUpgrade

In Podcasting, Portable Media Center, Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker, Windows Vista, XP Media Center , , , , , ,
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Wireless power: What's the Catch?

June 9, 2007

The meme is all gaga over an MIT project demonstrating the ability to power a 60W light bulb up to 6.5ft away from a wireless power coil using magnetic waves. Funny thing is this isn’t news – the announcement was made last November. Two other companies, Powercast and eCoupled are doing similar things. If it proves out, this is a very cool development but the real question I haven’t seen asked is: how efficient is it? Does it take 90W of power to support a 60W bulb? Can it scale to support multiple devices like a wireless power strip?

Wireless charging of your cell phone may be just the break the iPhone and other multi-function devices will need to avoid the Russian Roulette game of managing your power consumption between music, video, email, and voice calls so you’re not caught with a dead phone. Will it replace all your cables in your home? I’m highly skeptical.

In Portable Media Center, Windows Media Player , , , , ,
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Idea: ZuneFinder Gadget

May 24, 2007

I want to be more social. I really do. The problem is my trusty little Zune rarely has its WiFi radio turned on in order to save the battery when traveling. There’s nothing I like less than when my video ends abruptly for lack of juice. So it’s a personal sacrifice I make.

Here’s a simple idea that would turn the social aspects of my little Zune. It’s time for ZuneFinder. ZuneFinder would be a small Sidebar gadget or systray app that notifies me when a Zune is found in general vicinity I’m in. This would be great in airports, where I often camp out between flights near an AC plug. The big question is whether a Zune can be uniquely identified via your WiFi adapter. I have to imagine this is possible.

Then taking it a bit further, I could see ZuneFinder mashups- with a GPS, you could drive around and geomap all the Zunes you find in your area, automatically. Of course, the snarky will retort, “You won’t find any.” But being social should be passive, then active in nature. This is the appeal of Facebook.

Sadly, ZuneFinder doesn’t exist (that I know of). Has anyone been able to uniquely identify Zune devices from an app? Developers inquire within. :)

In Podcasting, Portable Media Center , , ,
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