HTC
January 17, 2008 11:11 AM PST
Buzz Out Loud 642: Monkey see, robot do
This is why we like technology: You can now just think about your robot servant getting you a beer and it will happen. If you're a monkey. And this is why we don't like technology: It's hard. At least it is for some judges who don't understand DNS. Plus, you get to meet Christina Del Ponte?
--Molly
Listen now: Download today's podcast
--Molly
Listen now: Download today's podcast
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EPISODE 642 |
TODAY'S LINKS:
TODAY'S VOICE MAIL:
Tiger from Pennsylvania
Blame it on the S-OX.
Blame it on the S-OX.
Aneesh
Life imitates The Office.
Life imitates The Office.
Captain Kevin
Always keep paper maps around.
Always keep paper maps around.
Weird guy
What's up with Christina Del Ponte?
What's up with Christina Del Ponte?
TODAY'S E-MAIL:
Update on Macworld keynote
Hey gang,
Just a quick correction on the Macworld keynote on CNN. CNN replayed the keynote after the keynote was originally done. In other words, it was a replay, not live. Sorry I didn't add that in the original e-mail.
After watching a few minutes of the replay on CNN, the audio had an echo and the camera was always out of focus when they zoomed in on Steve Jobs. After watching five minutes, I'd rather read it or wait until Apple released the keynote.
Greg the Mass Comm student who moved from New Orleans to Baton Rouge,
Louisiana
Hey gang,
Just a quick correction on the Macworld keynote on CNN. CNN replayed the keynote after the keynote was originally done. In other words, it was a replay, not live. Sorry I didn't add that in the original e-mail.
After watching a few minutes of the replay on CNN, the audio had an echo and the camera was always out of focus when they zoomed in on Steve Jobs. After watching five minutes, I'd rather read it or wait until Apple released the keynote.
Greg the Mass Comm student who moved from New Orleans to Baton Rouge,
Louisiana
Macbook Air: Thin doesn't equal portable
This is Matt from Maine.
I have a comment about the MacBook Air. The MacBook air is thin, but that doesn't mean it's "ultraportable." Most people concerned with size feel that x and y dimensions (the footprint, if you will) are more important than z dimensions (thinness). While the Air is not huge in the x and y directions, it is certainly larger than most other ultraportables in that respect. And that's what counts most when trying to fit a laptop into a small bag or large purse. Additionally, by making it so thin, Apple really burnt a lot of customers who want Ethernet built-in, FireWire, and user-replaceable batteries. Expandability is very limited, the cost (with SSD and 1.8ghz) is very high, and it's larger (x and y) than most ultraportables. I have to admit though, the design is just gorgeous, and I can still see it selling well...just not to performance-only minded people like me!
This is Matt from Maine.
I have a comment about the MacBook Air. The MacBook air is thin, but that doesn't mean it's "ultraportable." Most people concerned with size feel that x and y dimensions (the footprint, if you will) are more important than z dimensions (thinness). While the Air is not huge in the x and y directions, it is certainly larger than most other ultraportables in that respect. And that's what counts most when trying to fit a laptop into a small bag or large purse. Additionally, by making it so thin, Apple really burnt a lot of customers who want Ethernet built-in, FireWire, and user-replaceable batteries. Expandability is very limited, the cost (with SSD and 1.8ghz) is very high, and it's larger (x and y) than most ultraportables. I have to admit though, the design is just gorgeous, and I can still see it selling well...just not to performance-only minded people like me!
Reinstalling MacBook Air
Hi Buzz team,
I was looking at the Macbook Air and since it has no built-in DVD drive, what do you do when it comes to reinstalling the operating system when it crashes so you can boot. I assume the 'over wireless disk' won't work without a working operating system.
Just a thought which no one seems to have covered.
Keep up the good work.
Dave, U.K.
Hi Buzz team,
I was looking at the Macbook Air and since it has no built-in DVD drive, what do you do when it comes to reinstalling the operating system when it crashes so you can boot. I assume the 'over wireless disk' won't work without a working operating system.
Just a thought which no one seems to have covered.
Keep up the good work.
Dave, U.K.
Apple Time Machine--really?
Tom, Molly,
I've been listening to the podcast for about a year and a half, and this is the first time I had to write you. You always answer my questions or extinguish my rants on the next podcast. You guys usually have the same questions/rants, or another listener corrects you and that usually satisfies all my problems.
My question here is about the new Apple Time Capsule. Is Steve really going to make us buy a hard drive and another wireless router to back up a Mac wirelessly? I just bought the Airport Extreme! And get this, it has a handy dandy little USB port on the back. I should be able to use Time Machine with my own external hard drive and the Airport. Do I really need to buy another overpriced wireless router from Apple just to get this wireless backup capability? Can't they just update the Time Machine or Airport software to allow this seemingly simple function. Uggh, Steve, where's the software update for this? Gosh, I might be willing to pay you $0.99 for this update, you know for accounting purposes.
I feel obligated to end with "Love the show!", but it's also true.
B-Mike
Jacksonville, Florida
Tom, Molly,
I've been listening to the podcast for about a year and a half, and this is the first time I had to write you. You always answer my questions or extinguish my rants on the next podcast. You guys usually have the same questions/rants, or another listener corrects you and that usually satisfies all my problems.
My question here is about the new Apple Time Capsule. Is Steve really going to make us buy a hard drive and another wireless router to back up a Mac wirelessly? I just bought the Airport Extreme! And get this, it has a handy dandy little USB port on the back. I should be able to use Time Machine with my own external hard drive and the Airport. Do I really need to buy another overpriced wireless router from Apple just to get this wireless backup capability? Can't they just update the Time Machine or Airport software to allow this seemingly simple function. Uggh, Steve, where's the software update for this? Gosh, I might be willing to pay you $0.99 for this update, you know for accounting purposes.
I feel obligated to end with "Love the show!", but it's also true.
B-Mike
Jacksonville, Florida
Tom Merritt appears on
CNET TV, specializing in help and how-to and the ever popular Top 5
lists. He also co-hosts CNET's The Real Deal podcast. 
Jason Howell can
often be found producing Buzz Out Loud from the audio studios at CNET,
updating XML feeds from the comfort of his cubicle, and saying "uh-oh"
from time to time. 
-Chuma
2nd. Let Natalie know she has a friend in New York.
3rd. Why did you guys make Apple's decision to charge 20 bucks for the iTouch software sound so complicated? The reason the software for the Apple TV was a free upgrade is simple. An Apple TV without the new software has limited potential for making additional revenue. With the added convenience given by the software upgrade, Apple is betting existing Apple TV owners will be very happy revenue, I mean renters. Now, the software for the iTouch, had they given it away, would not have added to Apple's revenue stream, except potentially for the good P.R., but Apple is not hurting for good P.R. right now.
Love the Show....
Did I hear you say you have a Kindle on the latest podcast? If so, can you talk a little about your experience with it and what you think about it. I'm kinda jonesin' for one, but wonder if I should wait for 'Kindle 2.0' (if there is such a thing).
Michelle from RTP
One of your female BuzzTown groupies (and I like Molly too!)
I don't know what the whole world is to you, and I would like to know whcih country your talking about when you mean the whole world does metered bandwidth.
Well yes its offered in Germany, but we also have unlimited bandwidth and most people use that.
I only have a DSL 3000 kbits/s line, but I have never been cut off or received any kind of warning.
And I have never heard that its an issue in Germany.
And I don't believe anybody wants to pay for their bandwidth, for exactly what they use.
People want a flat rate, with unlimited bandwidth.
You know exactly what you pay every month, and don't have to watch out for some bandwidth cap.
If companies don't make enough money when they offer unlimited they have to increase prices for the flatrate.
But I would be really, really annoyed if I would not be able to get an unlimited flatrate, and I definitely would not get that Warner offer, except of course if its cheaper than, the flatrate and has enough bandwidth for what I usually use.
Thanks a lot, Buzzcrew.
Monkeybots ... rofl!
Love the show.
-- Ken from Chicago
P.S. And with all due respect to Natali ... welcome aboard the Cnet ship!
P.P.S. What? I said "all due respect". What, did you expect some backhanded insult? No. Some people have respect without the need to insult--even online. =^>
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by bsbishop
January 23, 2008 9:39 AM PST
- People Don't Read Anymore -
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Like this
Reply to this comment
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(9 Comments)I think this is a case of looking at it the wrong way. I've never been a big book reader. Tech books, sure, but your epic novels - it's tough for me to get through them. On the other hand, I'm reading more now than I ever did before. All I do each day is read. I'm constantly looking at a screen reading something. When I go home I'll flip on the TV for an hour or two but, even then, I'll pop onto the internet to read something.
My guess is that this is how it is for most people. They aren't reading less, they're reading more but differently.