2010 September | Gadgets & Technology

Tech Makes Fashion “Too Easy” Says French Vogue Editor

wwd Tech Makes Fashion Too Easy Says French Vogue Editor Ever since fashion-hungry fans from all the over the world crashed Alexander McQueen’s website a few seasons ago to watch a livestream of his runway show, a growing number of designers have also caught on to the concept.

Earlier this month, we told you about the growing number of designers opting to stream their shows during New York Fashion Week but according to an interview with the New York Times, that’s precisely what bothers French Vogue Editor-In-Chief Carine Roitfeld about fashion today.

Roitfeld explained:

Sometimes I think, Why do I have to go to a show? Half an hour driving, half an hour waiting, seeing the show, then half an hour back. And when I get back, I see the show on the Internet. Sometimes it goes too quick sometimes. I like the idea of what Tom Ford did in New York. No one saw one outfit, except the 100 people who were guests. It was smart, because it makes envy. It’s too easy that Prada makes a collection and two hours later its on the Net and everyone can copy it. It’s too quick now, but I don’t think we can do anything about that. It’s just the time.

Tom Ford is my favorite fashion designer OF ALL TIME and what I love so much about him is that he never forgot that fashion is a business, too. (In 1999, Gucci was almost bankrupt but thanks to Ford’s immense talent and business savvy, Gucci Group had grown in value – nearly $6 billion – by the time he left five years later.) His last shows with Gucci and Yves St. Laurent were in 2004, but I’d find it hard to believe that Ford wouldn’t stream his shows online, had it been a feasible option then. Making a runway show available online doesn’t necessarily dilute the prestige or exclusivity of a brand. Look at Christian Louboutin — once a secret among the fashion elite, nearly every shoe-wearing woman in the world covets a pair of his to-die-for red-soled heels thanks to increased exposure from a celebrity following and “Sex and the City.” Are Louboutins any less envious?

What do you think? Sound off in the comments section – we want to hear from you!

via Mashable

Forgo Productivity To Watch Live Zoo Animal Cams

mapview 208x300 Forgo Productivity To Watch Live Zoo Animal Cams Why should I spend my day working when there are silly penguins that require my utmost attention? Not since the Shiba Inu puppy cam have I been this captivated by the daily, albeit slightly mundane activities of our animal friends.

A virtual “critter cam” and interactive map, the Pocket Zoo features live video feeds of zoo animals from around the world, fun “teacher approved” facts, real photos and sounds, endangered species “survival status” and more.

Eleven of the 40 featured animals can be watched via regularly monitored live cams — to find video of panda bears, elephants, killer whales, tigers and more, simply navigate Pocket Zoo’s animated interface and tap on the animals of interest. A photo feature also lets you take live snapshots that can be saved to your album, or sent to friends via e-mail or Twitter… because spending your entire afternoon watching a panda cam just isn’t enough.

Pocket Zoo app for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad $1.99 at apple.com

Screenshot from a live penguin cam viewable using Pocket Zoo

Gloss How-To: Ditch Your Cable And Get TV From The Internet

Gloss How To: Ditch Your Cable And Get TV From The Internet Hi, my name is Jennifer and I’ve been cable-free since January 1, 2010.

Since cutting out cable nine months ago, I’ve not only been able to keep up with my favorite TV programs, but I’ve saved more than $1000 to boot, thanks to a number of the digital innovations now available. But even without the ol’ cable box stand-by, TV diet rich in streaming video and online content can still be just as satisfying, and necessary for anyone who wants to enjoy their favorite shows and movies anytime, anywhere.

Despite a long and colorful history of fighting to suppress new devices and technology in the consumer market (Congressional hearings about the “savagery and the ravages of” the VCR ring a bell?), TV and film studios have finally relented to allow users to watch their content online… but with a few restrictions, of course, until they decide whether streaming services are friends or foes. Case in point: The newest seasons of HBO shows like “True Blood” aren’t even made available on Amazon or iTunes until after the DVDs are released, and some programs like live awards shows are downright impossible to find streaming (legally) online.

As to be expected, few things in life are truly free (or at least without some strings attached), so after rental fees, new equipment and the aforementioned strings, is making the switch really worth it? Check out the breakdown below and decide for yourself — you might discover a whole new way to watch your favorite TV shows, and save a few bucks while you’re at it!

Watch Your Favorite Shows Online

Free Service: Hulu

Has your roommate commandeered the TV to watch the “Rock of Love” marathon on VH1? Hulu’s got you covered. The streaming service offers same-day availability for your favorite NBC, FOX and ABC shows, as well as exclusives like behind-the-scenes clips and interviews, and even some original programming. Commercials are unavoidable but with Hulu, you at least have the option to watch a show with either limited commercial interruption, or a full-length 2-3 minute version beforehand. Click “yes” or “no” to tell Hulu whether a commercial is relevant to you or not – if you are forced

Only a handful of the most recent episodes are usually available for free, but for users who want access to the entire season, past and present, there’s Hulu Plus for only $10 a month.

One major caveat: While “30 Rock,” “Glee” and “Modern Family” fans will rejoice, “True Blood” and “Mad Men” addicts will be thoroughly disappointed.

Paid Services: Netflix, Apple iTunes, Amazon Video On Demand, Blockbuster On Demand

Screen shot 2010 09 28 at 7.57.14 AM Gloss How To: Ditch Your Cable And Get TV From The Internet To complement Hulu’s free albeit somewhat limited service, I love Netflix‘s “Watch Instantly” video streaming. For only $8.99 a month, Netflix subscribers enjoy DVD rentals-by-mail, as well as unlimited hours of commercial-free streaming media on your computer, smartphone or Apple iPad. The newest episodes may not be immediately available, but with a huge library of over 17,000 titles, ”Watch Instantly” is perfect for catching up on past seasons, or TV shows you’ve been meaning to check out for some time. Interestingly, the service also offers a sizable collection of British comedies like “Keeping Up Appearances,” “The I.T. Crowd,” and original “The Office.” Bonus: Netflix “Watch Instantly” is poised to take on HBO and other premium channels after making a deal last month to stream more than 3,000 films from three major studios.

Priced at $1.99 each, $2.99 for HD, episodes on Amazon and iTunes aren’t as cheap as Netflix but there are savings if you buy full seasons at a time instead of individual episodes. Even with the slightly higher cost, it may be worth it depending on how eager you are to watch the newest episodes. And since these are purchased to buy and not just to rent, fans of “Mad Men” and “Entourage” will be able to watch each episode over and over again.

If you need to catch up on Showtimes series like “Weeds,” “Dexter” and “The Tudors,” Blockbuster On Demand offers $1.99 rentals for the entire season – yup, that’s less than $2 for all 542 scandalous minutes of “The Tudors” Season 2, a bargain in any book.

Network Websites

In the past, networks have been notoriously uncool about their shows being available online, but nowadays, network Websites can be a surprisingly decent resource for free content. The price is right but these sites are at most, just a complement to another service as only a handful of shows from select shows are usually available in full. Another drawback: Web-exclusive interactive features. I applaud MTV.com’s efforts to encourage audience participation, but for those of us who just want to watch “Jersey Shore” in secret, the real-time chat windows and “Like” options that flank the screen are annoying distractions.

From the Internet To Your 90″ Flatscreen

Even if you lose the monthly cable subscription, that doesn’t mean you’ll watch to ditch the new LCD flatscreen you splurged on this summer. Instantly stream tons of entertainment on your TV including movies and shows, music playlists and more using any one of these Internet connected devices:

Game Consoles

Not only do they play games and DVDs, but the Playstation 3, Wii, and XBox 360 also stream thousands of HD movies and episodes from Netflix on your TV at the touch of a button.

Stand-Alone Boxes

Stand-alone boxes like the new Apple TV, Roku Streaming Player, TiVo Premiere, and the soon-to-be-released Google TV tap into specific services in order to stream content on your TV:

With the compact Apple TV, users can stream shows or movies from they’ve rented from iTunes and Netflix on their TV, iPad, the new iPod Touch, iPhone, and Mac computer.

By connecting wirelessly to your high-speed Internet connection, Roku does not require a computer for streaming and works with existing subscriptions like Netflix or free and on-demand content like Amazon VOD. Roku is available in a few models ($60 – $100), including the XDS, which works with any TV up to 1080p for the biggest streaming experience you can get.

The TiVO Premiere ($299) is an all-in-one cable box, movie box, web box, and music box that connects to your cable service and offers full HD support. Users have access to a massive content library from TiVO partners including Netflix, Amazon VOD and Blockbuster On Demand, as well as shows on cable channels and over-the-air digital TV. Schedule recordings online or your mobile phone and record up to 45 hours of content – or 150 hours with the Premiere XL ($499).

Not much about the Google TV has been confirmed but as we told you earlier, reports say it will stream video from Netflix, free online content like YouTube and DISH Network for current subscribers.

In the market for a new TV or Blu-Ray player? A growing number of Internet connected TVs and Blu-Ray players are now pre-loaded with software tap into services likes Netflix, Amazon VOD and more.

Get Your TV Listings Online

Updated 09/28/10 12:35p EST: Ditching the cable doesn’t mean you have to lose those handy-dandy TV listings, too. Online programming guide Clicker.com is easy to navigate, whether you’re looking for a new episode of “House” or browsing through Web-exclusive videos like Revision3′s “Totally Rad Show” (one of my favorites). Manage your “Clicker Playlist” or get your social networkin’ on by following friends to see what they’re watching. You can even check-in to favorite shows à la Foursquare to earn badges for show loyalty — that “Party Down” badge is so mine!

Turn Your Mac or PC Into a TV/DVR Combo

With a USB TV tuner like the EyeTV Hybrid by Elgato ($150), users can watch and record basic cable channels as well as free over-the-air digital TV on their Mac or PC — no fancy flatscreen TV required. Award-winning software lets you set up schedules to record favorite shows in HD, watch, pause or rewind live TV, edit out unwanted content like commercials, and even export to your iPod, iPhone or iPad. Score!

elgatoeyetv 300x177 Gloss How To: Ditch Your Cable And Get TV From The Internet The EyeTV Hybrid by Elgato

Cutting Cable, By The Numbers

According to the Time Warner website, a year of digital cable including Choice Tier channels, HBO and Showtime On Demand, Movies Pass, an HD DVR Box and monthly service would cost me $1151.76, before taxes. What do I pay now? By sticking to Hulu, Netflix ($8.99 a month, and an array of Websites, my yearly cost is somewhere around $107. Even the occasional Amazon VOD purchase (one $1.99 episode every week) only bumps my grand yearly total to $203.40. As I have no fancy TV or “Mad Men” addiction to speak of, my costs may be significantly lower but even taking into account equipment costs and nightly purchases on Amazon or iTunes, you may be surprised to find how much money you can save.

What do you think about a cable-free existence? Would you make the switch?

Gloss Find: Duracell Instant Charger For USB Devices

duracell 300x264 Gloss Find: Duracell Instant Charger For USB Devices No, it’s not just because of my major Droid envy – my BlackBerry just sucks. Near constant use has sucked its battery dry so I’m lucky if I can get an hour or two of use from a full charge. I tried to deal as best I could but when it died on me the day I had to find a colleague amidst a crowd of 125,000 costumed geeks at Comic-Con, I swore: Never. Again. Enter the Duracell Instant Charger.

Simple, brilliant – in terms of portable chargers, the Duracell’s streamlined, easy-to-use design is perfection. It’s compact, lightweight and unlike other chargers that cost three times as much, the Instant Charger works with any USB-compatible device, including Apple products like iPhones and iPods.

Smartphones, digital cameras, eReaders and more can be charged simply by connecting the Charger using the USB cable (included) or your device cable. (In a test using a G1 phone, the Instant Charger was able to charge it halfway from almost zero power in about an hour.)

With a lightweight and extremely portable design, this pocket-sized charger can be easily tossed into a purse, glovebox or desk drawer as a backup. An on/off switch helps to conserve power and an indicator light lets users know if the Instant Charger needs to be recharged.

Aside from phones with a lousy battery life, the Duracell Instant Charger is a smart solution for anyone who travels, needs a handy backup just in case, drains their iPod Touch batteries watching videos or playing games, and of course, who can’t get through a workday without needing to recharge.

Oh, and it’s only $26! Like I said — perfection!

Duracell Instant Charger, $26 at walmart.com

Droid X Users: So How Does Froyo Taste?

kims kone 296x300 Droid X Users: So How Does Froyo Taste? Yesterday was a big day for Droid X users – Verizon finally released the anxiously awaited Android 2.2 Froyo update! But now that users have had a taste of Froyo’s new enhancements including improved Web browsing capabilities and the much-hyped Adobe’s Flash support, the rest of us want to know: Was it worth the wait?

Depends who you ask… Two commentors reported that their devices crashed to the point where Verizon is sending replacements but for the most part, the Froyo updates went relatively smoothly. Some users experienced a slowdown in the system, either during the download or as the phone rebooted, but the lag was only temporary.

It’s still too early for a final verdict but GLOSS’ own Lolita Carrico says she’s thrilled with the Android 2.2. update thus far. While Froyo has improved her phone’s efficiency and overall performance, the battery life has been worse since the update. “But,” she says, ”I’m willing to sacrifice battery life for speed and function.”

Experiencing an error during your update? According to Verizon, just remove and re-insert the battery and power the device back on. The device will power back on with original software and will prompt you again to install the system update.

Commentors Mitch and Daniel P. had their phones freeze or go black but after a battery pull (or four), their Droids were up and running again – and faster than before. But if you’re still having problems, you can contact Verizon support at 1-800-922-0204.

Motorola’s Droid X isn’t the first smartphone on the market that runs Android 2.2. With the update, Droid X is finally on par with the bestselling Droid 2, which was shipped with version 2.2. Froyo comes with a slew of features and enhancements but here are a few highlights:

Adobe Flash Player - The iPhone’s loss was the Android’s gain. With Flash 10.1, you can watch videos, play games and view multimedia Websites just as you would on a computer.

Automatic App Updates While my BlackBerry treats me to a “updated version now available!” message every time I open Twitter, Droid X users won’t miss a beat thanks to automatic app updates through the Android Market.

App Storage on Memory Cards A common (albeit minor) complaint I’ve heard about Droids is that users are required to store apps on the phone’s memory, which can slow its performance down. But with Froyo, you’ll have the option to store them on a memory card instead.

Droid X users, we’d love to hear you weigh in on! What are your thoughts so far about Froyo?

T-Mobile Gets Sued For Censoring Text Messages

t mobile vairy text 11 300x300 T Mobile Gets Sued For Censoring Text Messages Reefer madness! T-Mobile is being sued for preventing its customers from receiving text updates from a California medical marijuana dispensary. In a court filing on Wednesday, the wireless carrier maintained that it may pick and choose which text messages to deliver on its network.

EZ Texting, the New York-based texting service behind the lawsuit, offers a ‘short code’ service that allows clients to send mass text message advertisements to mobile phone users who opt-in. For example, a pizzeria that sends special offers to any customer who texts “PIZZA” to a 29292. According toe EZ Texting, texts sent to T-Mobile users from its client WeedMaps, an opt-in service that points users to their nearest legal medical marijuana dispensary, were blocked by the wireless carrier and has filed suit on WeedMaps behalf.

Citing the right to pre-approve any marketing campaigns conducted on its network, T-Mobile says EZ Texting neglected to submit WeedMaps for approval, and therefore, the carrier terminated the program. T-Mobile, which accounts for 15 percent of the nation’s wireless subscribers, says such approval is necessary to protect against shady or offensive marketing campaigns. However, EZ Texting alleges that even after it had stopped providing service to WeedMaps, T-Mobile pulled the plug anyway. According to the suit, EZ Texting also claims that if a judge does not promptly order T-Mobile to transmit its texts, the company will go out of business.

The Federal Communications Commission prohibits telephone providers from blocking calls placed on their networks, yet such laws don’t apply to text messages. While this the first federal case testing whether a wireless provider may block texts it finds objectionable, it’s certainly not the first time a similar flap has made headlines. In 2007, Verizon caught flack for blocking political messages from a pro-choice group, and earlier this year, Sprint blocked Catholic Relief Services’ attempt to raise money for the the Haitian earthquake relief efforts.

Froyo, Finally: Download Android 2.2 For The Droid X Today!

droid x froyo 2.3.15 Froyo, Finally: Download Android 2.2 For The Droid X Today! You would almost think it was Christmas morning for Droid X owners, considering all the excitement surrounding the latest Android update but the wait is finally over — the Android 2.2 Froyo update is officially available today!

MORE on GLOSS: Move Over iPhone 4 – Meet the Droid X

Packed with a ton of cool features like Flash 10.1, the highly anticipated Android 2.2 update has me suffering from a major case of Droid envy. Other enhancements include:

- Improved web browsing, thanks to pre-installed Adobe Flash 10.1 and faster JavaScript engine

- 720p video recording

- Easy switch between the eight most recently used applications

- Automatic application updates through the Android Market

- New and improved Google Maps

- Improved connectivity to Exchange server and Exchange ActivSync e-mail notifications

- Transition from 3G to WiFi without losing data connection

- Option to install apps on the SD card

- Improved 3G Mobile hotspot support, allowing users to connect laptops or any other Wi-Fi enabled devices.

- Visual Voicemail updates, including simple set-up, improved notifications, and updated display features

- Not part of the update itself, Droid X users running Froyo can download the new Gmail app from the Android Market. Unveiled on Tuesday, the standalone version of Google’s Gmail app is not tied to the Android OS and includes a limited version of its new Priority Inbox feature.

TO DOWNLOAD: The Froyo update will be pushed out over the air but users can also download it manually by going to Menu > Settings > About > System Updates.

This update finally brings the Droid X up to par with the Droid 2, which arrived a few weeks ago pre-loaded with Froyo, making it the only phone on the market (at the time) with usable Flash available. Both the Droid X and Droid 1 follow-up, Droid 2, caused a frenzy when they were launched earlier this summer, selling out almost instantly and quickly becoming Verizon’s two bestsellers. The next hotly anticipated Droid is the limited edition R2-D2 Droid, scheduled to go on sale September 30.

It’s only been an hour or so since the update was made available so it’s too soon to say whether or not there are any major issues. Are you a Droid X user? Have you downloaded Froyo yet? Let us know in the comments!

Jennifer Latkiewicz has been online sharing geeky insight for over fifteen years. As Technology Editor, she strives to show women that the world of tech can be uncomplicated, fun, exciting and definitely not dude-exclusive.

A lifelong geek and technology enthusiast, Jennifer remains a reluctant but thus far unrepentant überfan of Apple and Rickrolling. E-mail her at geekgloss@gmail.com.

Michael Jackson To Moonwalk (Shamon!) Into His Own MMOG

Planet Michael 300x173 Michael Jackson To Moonwalk (Shamon!) Into His Own MMOG From the King of Pop to the King of Avatars! “Planet Michael,” a massively-multiplayer online (MMO) game based on the life and work of Michael Jackson is set to launch on PC in 2011.

As CrunchGear put it: “This news is literally bat-sh*t crazy. There’s simply no other way to describe it.”

Well, the press release describes it as “an immersive virtual space themed after iconic visuals drawn from Michael’s music, his life, and the global issues that concerned him,” but Planet Michael will also offer a “massive social gaming experience that will allow everyone, from the hardcore fan to the novice, to connect and engage in collaborative in-game activities with people worldwide.”

I’m definitely a novice Michael Jackson fan. I have all his hit singles on my iPod, I liked “The Wiz” and I admit, whenever I hear ‘P.Y.T.’ in public, it takes everything I have to not spontaneously break out into dance “West Side Story” style. But I probably couldn’t even name albums past “Bad” and I’m definitely not holding vigils at Neverland Ranch. Will a novice like myself really be interested in a full-on MJ immersion?

So what might an online world devoted to all things MJ mean? In addition to “continents” based on songs like ‘Thriller’ and ‘Beat It,’ players (ages 13 and up) will be able to collect and trade virtual Jackson merchandise, and customize their avatars, possibly with iconic MJ items like sequined gloves. (Captain EO jacket, fingers crossed.)

Planet Michael will be free to play, but as with most other virtual worlds, players can purchase credits within the game using real money, trade or sell virtual objects earned within the game for real money, and even make donations to a charitable cause.

But unlike other MMOs like World of Warcraft, Planet Michael will not emphasize fighting and violence. Instead, players will employ more peaceful means of settling disputes, such as song and dance, which should make questing pretty interesting.

MORE on GLOSS: [STUDY] Americans Spend $1 Billion… on Nothing?

In addition to Planet Michael, a hotly anticipated Michael Jackson dancing video game is on the horizon. While both the Sony Move and Microsoft Kinect singing-and-dancing versions of “Michael Jackson The Experience“ have been delayed until early next year, the Wii, DS and PSP dance versions are still slated to ship on November 23.

Interested users can sign-up on the Planet Michael website now but according to reports, we’re looking at late 2011 before the world of MJ goes live. But if you’re skeptical about the moonwalk being an effective form of self-defense, the proof is in this video. Novice or not, if this new MMO is even half as awesome as ‘Moonwalker,’ I’m so there!

Will you be channeling your inner Gloved One to sign up for Planet Michael?

Planet Michael – massively multiplayer online moonwalking 300x165 Michael Jackson To Moonwalk (Shamon!) Into His Own MMOG

Michael Jackson To Moonwalk (Shamon!) Into His Own MMOG “Thriller”-land, based on the music video. Credit: SEE Virtual Worlds

geek gloss logo1 Michael Jackson To Moonwalk (Shamon!) Into His Own MMOG geekGLOSS’ Jennifer Latkiewicz is a lifelong geek and unrepentant Apple fangirl. She currently resides in Los Angeles where she remains undecided about the Singularity. Reach her via e-mail at geekgloss@mygloss.com or on Twitter at @gloss and @geekgloss.