Netflix, iTunes, K Mart?

     Most are aware of the popular video streaming and downloading services. These include Netflix, iTunes, Amazon's Video on Demand, and more. These are all services that let you either buy individual movies or TV shows, or, in Netflix's case, stream an unlimited number of movies and TV shows for a monthly fee.
     Apparently the idea of getting content online as opposed to walking into a shop such as the slowly falling Blockbuster, which has also started getting into the on demand market, became very popular. Popular enough that Sears and K Mart partnered up with a digital media software company called Sonic to create an online movie and TV show download site called Alphaline Entertainment.

Alphaline Entertainment Homepage

     Alphaline Entertainment may have some catch-up to do, because, although this is not a giant difference, movie buying prices are a few dollars more on Alphaline. The rental prices are the same at $2.99, but iTunes has TV rentals for 99 cents, while Alphaline only has TV purchasing.
     When watching a trailer on Alphaline vs. Amazon, Alphaline's video quality was noticeably better, but took longer to load. On Amazon, the trailer played fine in my Google Chrome browser, but on Alphaline, I had to open Internet Explorer (Which crashed on me. Again). Also, to log in, and pretty much to do anything else on Alphaline, you must be using Internet Explorer or Firefox.
      I then purchased an episode of the 1962 show The Jetsons. When I tried downloading it, the Alphaline Website told me to download the RoxioNow Media Player, which is free. After I got the RoxioNow software, I tried to find a way to download the TV episode. I still have not been able to find a way to download the media.
     Until I can get either 1. My download, or 2. My $1.99 back, I don't plan on using Alphaline again, and I don't recommend it for you. Also, how much do you trust Sears and K Mart to know about downloads, web sites, and software programs?
     For now, Alphaline Entertainment seems like a big red flag. Unless you want to watch high quality movie trailers online.

UPDATE: The problem I had with downloading the video was something with Google Chrome. To download the episode, I needed to be using Firefox, not Internet Explorer or Google Chrome. To watch a trailer on the site, I needed to be using Internet Explorer. Strange, huh?

Well, I did get my $1.99 worth of video, but iTunes: better, cheaper, and easier.

Read More

Apple Mac App Store

     Over the past few years the idea of apps became very popular. You can now get iPhone apps from the iOS App Store, or Android apps from the Android Market (although you have to download them from your phone), you can even get apps for your Windows netbook with Intel's AppUp.

Mac App Store Running on a MacBook Air

     Apple, who kind of started the the app thing with it's iPhone and iPod Touch, is doing it again with a app store for the Mac. According to the Apple website, the Mac app store will be available for download on January 6th. It seems almost exactly like the iTunes app store for iOS, but the apps here are a lot more expensive.
     It seems that almost all of the Mac programs you can buy on the shelf at a computer store will be available for  download here. Some programs include iPhoto, GarageBand, Color Studio, and Home Watch.
     A similar program to the Mac App store exists already, called Bodega. Bodega can probably do almost everything the Mac app store can do, but must have a smaller selection.

Bodega 

     So what will the Mac app store give me that something like Bodega won't, and what benefit do I have by using this rather than going to the store and taking the software off the shelf? Why would I want to use the Mac app store?

Mac App Store Logo

     Firstly, coming from Apple, it will be a clean interface, a lot easier than surfing around the web for a download that might not even be there. Also, it will be a great place to find reviews, both good and bad, for the software.
    It seems good so far, but there a few reasons why you may want to stay away. If you have a slow internet connection, this is a bad idea. You don't want to spend hours waiting for a 1GB program to download. Also, Apple will probably have the same approval process here as they do in iOS. Apps may get pulled, and you might not be able to find the apps you want.
    So is this a good thing? For most, yes. But some may find themselves going back to the brick and mortar shops, and pulling that same old software off of those great metal shelves.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Want Gadgetator to write about a topic of your choice? Just leave a comment with a suggestion for a new post.

                                                                      

Read More

Apple iPad MB292LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi)

 Apple iPad MB292LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi)

This little Godsend will not only keep you connected with the world at large, but will delight you with its many features. You can access the Internet; watch movies; enjoy music; photographs and even read whole books. It is vastly superior to the Kindle.

Reading on this screen is fluid and easy. The backlit display is excellent for night time reading. You can read all you want without the reading light from this iPad disturbing anyone else who might be in the same room. It's also ideal for travel, such as if you are on a night flight or an evening train.

Unlike Kindle, which is just the book, this handly little co-pilot will show you details and clear, sharp images.

Another major advantage is this product's portability. You can tote this around much more easily than a standard laptop. You can access pretty much all the information you would normally seek on your computer. Your e-mail, the Internet, weather, finances and sports are all there. That is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.

Although this tends to be more expensive than the Kindle, you are buying quality and greater communications functions. Kindle is good as a reader, but if you want to travel further and you want something more that includes the reading, then you want this iPad.

As others have noted, Amazon is the clear winner in presenting and providing available and new titles at much better prices. What I like about Apple is that their graphics/images are sharper and clearer and you get much more detailed imagery and information.

Read More

Best Sound for your iPod or iPhone

     I was recently asked in a comment on an earlier post what the best or very good sound system would be for an iPod or iPhone. After doing some research, I found out a few things. One of them: sound is expensive. For good sound and features, you'll have to pay somewhere around $200.

Soundfreaq Sound Flatform

    You can get a basic iPod dock player with some moderate features for about $30, but you won't get the same great sound quality and more advanced features that you might get with the more expensive products. Before you read any further, you should probably answer this one question: Am I willing to spend for sound? If you aren't, you'll probably just pay $30-$40 for something that will play your music, probably has a radio, and maybe even has an alarm clock.
     If you want great sound quality, some sound changing effects, and maybe Bluetooth capability, you'll have to be willing to pay for it.
     For a great looking device with great sound quality, I would recommend the Soundfreaq Sound Platform. It has Bluetooth capabilities, a cool boxy design, and an FM radio. It features a cool cabinet in the side for storing the remote. You can buy it on Amazon.com for $199.99, although it is currently "temporarily out of stock". CNET did a good video review which you can see below.

  

Soundfreaq Side View

    
     For more portability, great sound, but less extra features, the Logitech S715i is a good choice. It can easily fit into a backpack for bringing it with you, and can last about 8 hours on a charge. It is available on many sites, but Amazon.com has it for the cheapest of all, $99.99. CNET also did a video review on this, which you can view below.

Logitech S715i

     More good names to look into are Bose, which is known for great sound quality, Altec Lansing, also known for good sound quality, and Sony, which has some good looking devices for about $70.
    So if all you wan't your music to play aloud, pay $30 for a cheap device that does that fine. But if you care about high sound quality, spent a couple hundred dollars on something nice.

Read More

Victorinox 47520 Fibrox 8-Inch Chef's Knife

This knife, also known as Forschner, is consistently sharp. The Forschner 40520 was rated as "best overall" in Cooks magazine in Fall 2004. Pretty good report card from "the" chefs magazine. It took top honors over several high end ($80 -$100+) Wusthofs and Henckel models. This knife is such a value. Just a few swipes of the sharpening steel and its good as new again. The handles are comfortable and do not get slippery when wet. They are practically the only knives I use. I wash and wipe dry after each use (NEVER put in the dishwasher). I think you'll be as pleased as I if you try this knife.

Read More