infinity

Between the legal drama playing out in the South Bay (Gizmodo raid! Dubious warrants! Potential counter-suits!) and the latest developments in the Infinity Ward/Activision internal drama (Involuntary labor! Withholding royalties and bonuses!), it's pretty much the Days of our Lives around here. Also, no Hulu in the UK, and Comcast gets a big, steaming pile of poo from its users. But at least it's Golden Poo.

Microsoft inks patent licensing deal with HTC http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2010/apr10/04-27mshtcpr.mspx… Read more

Music-finding app SoundHound has changed names and pricing structures throughout the course of its modest lifetime, but its philosophy and core functionality remain unchanged. Unlike competitors that require you to hold the app close to the source of recorded music before it can ID your song title, lyrics, and artist information, SoundHound Infinity (the premium version) works even when you sing, hum, speak, or type a request into the stylish interface. Though the app is now faster than before--returning results in as few as 4 seconds--ambient noise may still interfere with accurate results, and typing usually prevailed in the rare … Read more

The ongoing drama between ousted Infinity Ward heads Jason West and Vince Zampella and ex-employer Activision has taken another twist. Monday morning, Electronic Arts announced a deal with the pair to be the sole distributor for their newly formed studio, Respawn Entertainment. According to Zampella, the new studio will be based in the same part of Los Angeles as Infinity Ward, which created the $3 billion Call of Duty series, including last year's $1 billion hit, Modern Warfare 2.

While some studios search for years for a publishing partner, Respawn already has one lined up. Electronic Arts will be … Read more

NEW YORK--Several Asian brands plan world debuts at the New York auto show this week.

Kia will show a stylish redesign of the Optima sedan, Infiniti is rolling out a new QX56 luxury SUV, and Scion is expected to show either its new iQ minicar or the next version of the tC coupe.

Meanwhile, Acura, Subaru and Suzuki plan variants of models already on sale. Mercedes-Benz will unveil a freshened R-class crossover. And Cadillac, Chevrolet and Lincoln are expected to show derivatives of existing vehicles.

Press conferences are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, March 31 and April 1. … Read more

There are surprisingly few multinational audio companies.

I'm talking about big companies that just make speakers and audio electronics, so that leaves Sony and Panasonic out of the picture. Bose and D & M Holdings (Denon, Marantz, Boston Acoustics, etc) come to mind, but Harman International has a longer reach. Harman owns AKG (headphones, microphones), Harman/Becker Automotive Systems, Crown (professional audio), Harman Kardon (receivers), Infinity (speakers), JBL (speakers), Lexicon (high-end electronics), Mark Levinson (car and high-end audio electronics), Revel (speakers), Soundcraft (professional audio), and Studer (professional audio).

Some brands, like JBL and Lexicon, make consumer and pro gear, and in the case of JBL, speakers for every budget, from entry-level hi-fi and home theater all the way up to recording studios, movie theaters and stadium sound systems.

I was thinking about all that because the Harman Mobile Showroom was in NYC last week for the Architectural Digest Home Design Show. It may soon be in a town near you, or you can take a virtual tour and see and learn more about Harman's Mobile Showroom.

I liked the sound at the Mobile Showroom and chatted with Todd Packer, a technical product and project manager for Harman, about the gear. The company's intention, "To make a strong design statement," came through loud and very clear. … Read more

On today's show, Apple wants to wipe all HTC phones from the face of the earth, apparently because Steve Jobs is just grouchy about this whole business. Donald and Molly engage in a nice long talk about the validity of software patents, and then we wonder whether anyone would actually line up to buy a new 3D HDTV. Meanwhile, the well-meaning House of Lords is probably going to destroy the Internet.

Apple: HTC phones caused ‘irreparable injury’; asks for ban on … Read more

This week on preGAME, hosts Jeff Bakalar and Mark Licea take a sneak peek at both Major League Baseball games releasing today! Live on the show, we'll play a full inning from each title as well as talk to some of the developers behind the games. It's two games in one show for the first time ever!

Today's headlines start off with some breaking news from developer Infinity Ward (Modern Warfare 2) about two high-level employees. Also, we'll chat about the NES game that just went for a cool $41,000 on eBay and how we … Read more

Microsoft's latest security measure involves telling everyone not press F1. Well that's reasonable. If you read everything Microsoft says. Also the juiciest weirdest firing ever happens to the developers of the most successful video game ever.

Top Stories

WELCOME BACK JASON!!!!!

Picnik acquired by Google http://blog.picnik.com/2010/03/google-acquires-picnik/

Google wins patent for location-basedadvertising http://digital.venturebeat.com/2010/03/01/google-location-ads/

Apple Sues HTC For Stealing iPhone Technology http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-sues-htc-over-patent-infringement-2010-3

Top Infinity Ward … Read more

FRANKFURT--Continental AG is working on an accelerator pedal that helps drivers reduce fuel consumption and cut carbon dioxide emissions without requiring a distracting light or an annoying sound.

The German supplier's Accelerator Force Feedback Pedal already helps reduce rear-end collisions by applying back force to the accelerator or vibrating the pedal to encourage the driver to slow down if there is danger of an accident.

Now Continental is testing whether the so-called active pedal can do better than lights on the instrument panel or a noise to help people drive more economically.

"The first studies show that using … Read more