Gadgets

Moxi's own version of the Mini

Moxi is looking to break into the cable mainstream, and part of its effort is a little box that looks a whole lot like the Mac Mini.

At this week's cable industry trade show, Moxi showed off a new set-top box that will run Moxi's software and be built by Samsung. Moxi also showed off a second, smaller box that can either serve as a basic set-top box or work in conjunction with a bigger box in another room to offer features such as digital video recording.

While the box resembles Apple's small new desktop, it is, … Read more

A failed DirecTV acquisition of TiVo?

DirecTV at one time discussed acquiring TiVo, but TiVo turned DirecTV down, according to a Monday column by Phillip Swann in TVpredictions.com.

What's the saying about a satellite company scorned? DirecTV reacted by turning down TiVo, as well, according to Swann. DirecTV sold its stake in TiVo; the DirecTV executive on the TiVo board resigned and DirecTV began using the NDS DVR software.

TiVo representatives declined to comment on rumor and speculation.

At this point, a DirecTV acquisition of TiVo is water under the bridge, especially since TiVo signed a long-term licensing deal with DirecTV cable rival Comcast. … Read more

Controlling gadgets with a mere nod

Remember how Barbara Eden of "

Well, that's how the rest of us may be channel surfing and switching iPod tracks one day, Scottish researchers say.

According to a BBC News report, scientists at the University of Glasgow have been developing "audio clouds" to control gadgets using movement and sound (as opposed to the visually based machines of today, which, needless to say, can be a bit tough to navigate on the move).

"We hope to develop interfaces that are truly mobile, allowing users to concentrate on the real world while interacting with their mobile device … Read more

TiVo, Comcast work on ads for DVRs

News from the National Cable and Telecommunications Association conference in San Francisco, according to the Wall Street Journal (registration required): TiVo and Comcast to insert new commercials into already-recorded shows.

News to cable industry from consumers: DVR owners don't like commercials and will do everything they can to avoid them.

Al Gore jumps on video blogging

Former veep Al Gore, a noted champion of technology, is once again adding his own twist to up-and-coming trends: interactive TV and video blogging.

But the former senator, who once was derided for saying he "took the initiative in creating the Internet," won't be able to make such lofty claims this time: The television, after all, has been around for more than 50 years.

Gore and business partner Joel Hyatt announced a new 24-hour television network aimed at the 18- to 34-year-old audience. Viewers will contribute segments and have input on show programming. The network, formerly called … Read more

Don't flush the phone

OK, maybe you do need another reason not to carry on a business conversation while taking care of other business. How about the $100 an hour you'll have to pay the plumber to fish your phone out when it drops into the toilet? And the endless cans of Lysol you'll have to apply to ever feel good about using that phone again?

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, via Associated Press, reports on the phenomenon of cell phones in toilets, something that's become a growing problem as more and more clueless yutzes yack while they flush.

Fixing such problems … Read more

The windup to the $100 PC

If you want a $100 PC, you may have to move to the developing world. But don't call United Van Lines just yet--the low-cost computers with a social conscience are still a couple of years out.

Nicholas Negroponte has brought his quest for the $100 PC--and a way to "revolutionize how we educate the world's children"--to Cambodia. In places like that, the MIT Media Lab guru says, a laptop can be "the brightest light source in the home." It's too bad that electricity isn't included with the price, critics argue. But … Read more

Perpendicular recording to shake up drives

Perpendicular-recording hard drives are coming, and that could mean a big mix-up in the rankings in the industry. Today, hard drives record and store data in a longitudinal fashion, with the read/write heads scanning over a horizontal plane. In perpendicular recording, data bits are aligned vertically, allowing for more data to be squeezed into a finite area. With this, hard drive makers will continue to be able to add capacity to their drives without adding cost.

The "Mikey" microdrive and "Slim" notebook drives coming from Hitachi Global Systems later this year will feature the technique. … Read more

Gag gadgets galore

It's April Fools' Day, and the gadget weenies are having a ball.

Among our favorite faux product announcements today:

•  Mobile Music Blog offers a world exclusive sneak preview of Motorola's long-awaited iPod-phone hybrid. Hard drive and Shuffle models are available, and the rubber band is included!

• Not to be outdone, PhoneScoop has details on a competing Nokia music phone and an ultra-thin Motorola phone made of 55 percent recycled paper.

•  ThinkGeek has a little rubber gadget for getting two iPods to share data. Parents may want to keep their young 'uns away, unless they're … Read more