Image via Gizmodo

The document, dating back to August 2010, shows Microsoft’s shift in focus from gaming platform to the living rooms media and gaming hub. While the promise of PVR functionality, Kinect 2, low power modes, and increased hardware specs are all exciting, the most intriguing piece of information is regarding Fortaleza. Fortaleza is not just a pair of glasses that enable viewers to see 3D content. They also function as VR system to bring content into the user’s environment making a much more immersive experience. While the document shows that these are planned for 2014 (after the 720′s 2013 holiday release) and initially being powered over WIFI, future plans indicate power and functionality of 4G cellular connections. Could Microsoft be going after Google Glasses?

If you would like to check out the document, you can find it here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/92821757/XBox-720-9-24-Checkpoint-Draft-1

A settlement has been reached in the call-action lawsuit regarding the antenna issues of the iPhone 4. As many of you know, when the iPhone 4 was released many people had “issues” with their call reception and signal. This was due to the position of the antenna in the phone and the way the phone was held. Apple addressed this by suggesting users hold their phones differently and even gave away free Bumper cases to remove the hand from covering the antenna somewhat.

The lawsuit has resulted in either a $15 or a Bumper case for those effected.

I have a question though… How many people were genuinely effected by these antenna issues? Did you actually “suffer” from your phone not working or did you intentionally grip it to make the signal die?

I’m very curious about whether this was an actual issues or people exploiting something that was negligible.

“I just want to throw this out there for those who don’t know… It doesn’t matter what brand camera you put in my hands, Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony, whatever, I’m going to probably shoot the same photo. The technology that goes into these cameras now is amazing. Its very hard to distinguish one brand as a dominate leader in the DSLR world. I just happen to really like Nikon. From the controls, to the glass, all the way down to the way the camera feels in my hand, Nikon is the brand for me. I honestly could not care if you shoot a D3X or a 1DMKIV, at the end of the day it comes down to the photo. People scoff at my “old and outdated” D200 all the time but guess what? It gets the job done.

My advice to you, go out and shoot. You said something about owning a film SLR before. Welcome to the world of freedom. You can go click off an infinite number of photos and experiment all day now. I highly suggest getting a cheap 50mm. I think the Canon 50 f/1.8 (plastic?) runs about $100. It will be a great lens for most situations and it will force you to work with a fixed focal length. I believe doing so makes anyone a better photgrapher because you have to be creative with your shots at that length, especially in tight places.

Another suggestion is don’t be afraid to throw it into video mode. The T1i shoots great HD video and you can produce some awesome stuff with it.

Always remember, photography is all light. That is all you are doing, capturing light. Think of ways to utilize any light available to maintain or enhance an exposure.

Sorry for the rant but sometimes it just comes out. Just keep shooting (not in auto ).”

Want to feel like a real vandal while taking long exposure photos? Head over to Photojojo and grab the Light Paint Can. The can feature a high intensity UV light in the tip that is perfect for creating some awesome light painted graffiti with your camera. For the price of $39 you don’t have to run from security or cops anymore!

Kyle and I both are avid automotive enthusiasts. One thing we really love are sport bikes. What better way to combine our love for tech and bikes than something like this? The Energica has an all-electric powertrain with 100kW of power packed into a nice looking frame capable of speeds up to 220 km/h, 16kgm of torque, and 150km of range on a single charge, features OZ forged aluminum braking discs and a power train efficiency around 95 percent. It also features front double caliper radial mounts, a single rear fixed caliper, digital multifunction LCD dashboard and LED headlights. Pricing begins with a deposit of €1,500 ($2042 US) and doesn’t include VAT. Still in development, final pricing and specifications mayt change.

Photo via BostInnovation

While I normally try to not post too much, if at all, about Boston events, given our audience is across the world, I have to give a lot of credit to Microsoft and their New England Research and Development (NERD) establishment, along with the sponsors who made tonight possible, including Parallactic Consulting, McCarter & English and SoftLayer. Earlier this evening, they played host to BostonBeta, “an open-ended startup mixer for founders, VCs, developers, media, and students,” and was easily one of the most enjoyable and well-planned events I have attended since moving to the area over the summer.

Hailed as the Silicon Valley startup mixer, they made their debut just a few hours ago, and based upon the turnout, it was quite successful. The idea behind it was brilliant, and it was executed perfectly – each guest was given three poker chips, each representing 10k in investment. Given the task of choosing between 10 hand-picked startups, we could ‘invest’ our money into the ideas we liked best, based upon the elevator speech, the presentation given (including actual websites/demos), etc.

At the end of the night, the winners were announced, with ArtVenue ’making’ over 900k (910k, if I recall correctly). Pretty impressive, especially given the idea behind the startup (please check out the link, their support for the Boston art community is remarkable).

The best part about the event was the location, though – the view was breathtaking (overlooking the Charles, downtown well-lit), and the architecture inside was artwork within itself. There was plenty of room to spare, too, allowing visitors to mingle with the assistance of a great selection of drinks and a solid selection of music.

I have quickly become obsessed with the startup community (it was one of the biggest reasons why I came up here, after all), and this event did not disappoint. I hope it becomes a regular occurrence (something tells me it will), and I hope the west coast is continuing to take notes of how us over here on the east can not only keep up, but hold our own and continue down the path of innovation.

P.S. – Thanks again to SoftLayer for the quality gear I brought home, really nice T-shirt and a reversible ball that I couldn’t stop playing with on the T…it’s the little things in life that must be enjoyed the most.

Photo via AppChronicles

Before you read this, do me a favor – step back for a second and think about how much you used your smartphone or computer this weekend. A lot, right? Now how much of that time was spent making plans? A little less, sure, but still a lot.

Not to mention it’s Sunday night (at least it is for another 20 or so minutes here on the east coast), which translates into everyone uploading pictures from said smartphones, digitally displaying their weekend shenanigans.

As I sit here and reflect on the past two days, something rather interesting dawned on me – how critical my phone was in the process. More specifically, how much social networking played a enormous part in it – what happened, what I did, keeping track of when I was working, keeping track of what I was doing in general, etc. Using iMessage to contact my fellow iPhoners, texting the rest, Facebook to handle that crowd, tweeting at people about meetups and anything else, emailing constantly…you name it, I did it (and I’m sure you did, too). Talking about the games online, getting my drink on, writing, networking, it all revolved around technology.

Which, after some time, made me draw this conclusion – it is impossible to make plans without technology. Or almost do anything, for that matter.

For example, I accidentally left my computer at my girlfriend’s place for a few hours by accident (and in the process, locking myself out since her friends are in town and they have my key), and those few hours were hell. Even though I had my 4S on me and could handle things on that, it just wasn’t the same – I couldn’t write this article, I couldn’t generate a newsletter for an internship I’m working for, I felt completely useless and unproductive. Sure, it sounds pathetic, but test yourself – turn your computer off for 3 hours and see how much it bothers you.

I hate to admit it, but I feel disconnected without it. I take it just about everywhere with me, and most certainly take having it for granted, so when it’s unavailable, things become ten times more difficult.

Anyway, this is a topic I definitely want to explore at a later time, but I was curious to hear what you guys thought more than anything. How much of your weekend was planned in your palm?

As we all know, tech is about what gets done. Startups, new programs, new apps, new OS’s, you know the drill. It’s usually the physical, not always the verbal. But, every once in awhile, something gets said that shakes it up. I have to give credit to Joe for sending me this article, which was rather interesting within itself:

( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/20/steve-jobs-biography-obama_n_1022786.html?ref=tw ).

Photo via Huff Post & Getty Images

Definitely worth a read, as it gives a little insight as to what to expect from the upcoming Steve Jobs biography. But the bit that got me the most was the quote from Jobs at the end, which reads as follows (referring to him predicting his early death, oddly enough) -

“We all have a short period of time on this earth,” he told the Sculleys. “We probably only have the opportunity to do a few things really great and do them well. None of us has any idea how long we’re going to be here nor do I, but my feeling is I’ve got to accomplish a lot of these things while I’m young.”

 

Love or hate the guy, this quote gave me chills. And it makes an even bigger point – we don’t know what’s going to happen in 10 years, let alone tomorrow. Make everyday your best, capitalize on every opportunity you can, because you’ll never know if it’ll be that oh-so-important one.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

I happened to catch a show tonight about people are super obsessive about using coupons. We’ve all heard about it lately, people going to the stores with stacks and stacks of coupons getting insane deals. Some people even MAKE money on these transactions. There is a flaw in all of this though… It is time consuming! Not only time consuming for the would-be “couponeer” who has to clip out these things but also the cashier who has to scan each individual coupon after scanning a plethora of items. This is where this week’s app idea would come in handy.

1. The app would have the ability to scan the barcodes of coupons (or even a QR code).
2. The application would verify the validity of each coupon via the barcode.
3. Users would “bank” their coupons to a central user account for the app.
4. Users could generate a single coupon or code associated with their account that code be scanned, entered manually, or even transmitted via NFC by the sales associate of the store.
5. The stores computers would then run through the coupons stored in the users account and apply all eligible discounts to their purchase.
6. Savings would be deducted from the users’ central account.

It is a simple concept that I’m sure has flaws but could be refined to work effectively. What do you guys think? Would it work? What would need to be changed? Give us some feedback.