October 27, 2009 8:38 AM PDT

Digital City Podcast 55: PS3's Netflix play; Sony's Vaio X; and Halloween horrors

by Dan Ackerman
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This week on the Digital City, we consider the PlayStation 3's awkward Netflix implementation; marvel over the super-thin Sony Vaio X laptop; debate the fate of FireWire in new MacBooks; and review some gamer-friendly Halloween costume ideas.

We also plug the first round of Windows 7 laptop and desktop reviews; mourn the death of Geocities; and find out why Julie and Dan have swapped seats for a week.

Plus -- take an early sneak peek at Dan's Halloween costume -- but it only makes sense if you're over, say, 30 and kind of a geek.

Related links:
>>Netflix streaming coming to PS3
>>Does anyone miss FireWire?
>>Windows 7: the first wave
>>Make your own Bayonetta Halloween costume

>>Watch the Digital City live every Monday at 3pm EST on CNET Live!
>>Subscribe to Digital City on iTunes
>>Join the Digital City Facebook fan page
>>Need more? Follow Dan on Twitter!

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New York native Dan Ackerman, a former radio DJ turned journalist, has written about technology and music for publications including Spin, Blender, The Hollywood Reporter, and USA Today. He hosts the weekly Digital City podcast and the New York edition of Editors' Office Hours. Dan's new album, Tales Out of Night School, is available now. E-mail Dan.

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by kdupuis77 October 27, 2009 10:27 AM PDT
Microsoft has an exclusive on console-based NetFlix streaming (unsure how long it lasts, possibly until 2010?). This isn't a stupid implementation, it's NetFlix using a workaround (BD-Live streaming) to get content to PS3 owners until an XMB app can be released (once MS no longer has the exclusive). It's not too smooth, but better than nothing for now... and it's FREE.
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by megustansalchichas October 27, 2009 10:57 AM PDT
as Letterman would say, is this anything? ... no, i guess it's not anything
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by Pacman33 October 27, 2009 12:28 PM PDT
The work around is pretty funny to me. I know it's not what Microsoft had in mind when they paid all that money for console exclusivity. I already get Netflix on my PS3 via PlayOn, but I'll probably order a disc anyway, especially since we're talking all free here folks.
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by lil-yankee October 27, 2009 1:42 PM PDT
As long as it's free, shouldn't make a burden on anybody. I thought it was very interresting why they would make such an ackward step to get streaming content given how xbox has it's own application for it untill I learned of the pattends etc.......
I guess it will integrate smoother later on, hopefully.
And way to go with that vaio Sony, that will make a pretty machine with windows 7 in it. Great price too!!!!
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by mgillespie2 October 28, 2009 6:30 AM PDT
"This week on the Digital City, we consider the Xbox360's expensive double dipping Netflix implementation;"

How comes we never read that? The fact remains, Xbox now costs $50 a year more for Netfix than the PS3, so I don't care if I have to put a disc in for the short-term until a full XMB implementation arrives.
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About Digital City Podcast

Live from New York, CNET's Dan Ackerman, Julie Rivera, Joseph Kaminski, and Scott Stein explore the impact of new technology on city life and urban environments, from municipal Wi-Fi to high-tech crime to tricks for cutting the line at the Apple Store.

Send us e-mail at digitalcity@cnet.com.


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Meet the Digital City hosts
Dan Ackerman Former radio DJ turned journalist Dan Ackerman grew up in the Bronx and now lives in Manhattan. He’s covered music, technology, and video games for more than 10 years. His latest album, Tales Out of Night School is available now. See profile
Joseph Kaminski Joseph Kaminski, when not juggling the dual demands of parenthood and HD gaming, is a life-long Manhattanite and can be found testing the latest tech in CNET’s Lab. See profile
Julie Rivera Julie Rivera grew up and currently resides in Brooklyn. When she's not deejaying, bartending, or fixing gadgets for friends on the outside, you'll find her testing, troubleshooting and developing benchmarks for laptops in the "fish bowl" known as CNET Labs. See profile
Scott Stein Scott Stein, CNET's newest laptops editor, was born in Queens and grew up a Long Islander - and is now raising a kid in NYC. In addition to covering games and tech, writing screenplays, and performing improv in seedy downtown establishments, he's also a die-hard, season-ticket-holding Jets fan. See profile
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