iSofa.tv Makes Watching Internet Videos More Like Watching TV

I stumbled across iSofa.tv because of a post on Digg that linked to a video on it.  Basically, this Reo de Janeiro-based website provides viewers with an interface for viewing internet videos that acts more like a TV channel than YouTube.  Instead of having to choose a new video after a video is completed, a related video automatically plays and related videos will continue to play until the user hits "pause" or closes the website. 

The site also allows users to create and share their own personal "channel" with content relating to a subject of their choosing.  Check it out, it's an interesting example of the remediation of the traditional television viewing experience.  Let me know what you think in the comments.

Best of YouTube in 4 Minutes

This is an excellent example of remixed media, enjoy!

Nintendo Wii's Price to Drop to $199

On September 27th, the price of the Nintendo's Wii Gaming Console will drop to $199.  The Wii has cost $249 since its 2006 launch.  I find this price drop a smart move on Nintendo's part and expect it to fuel Wii sales.

Source: Engadget

FCC Proposes New Net Neutrality Rules

The FCC issued yesterday its proposed plan for Net Neutrality in the United States, mandating that internet providers such as AT&T and Verizion are not allowed to filter content on their networks or use software that makes some websites or services slower than others on their networks.  A major part of the new rules are that they apply to wireless internet connections such as the iPhone's in addition to services such as Cable or DSL.  See the following video for Bloomberg's coverage:



I find it very important that the proposed rules or similar legislation gets passed in the United States because it gives power to consumers instead of the telecommunications companies.  Without regulations such as this, companies such as AT&T are able to do things like block using Skype on an iPhone over a 3G data connection as they currently do.  Acts such as this are anti-competitive and hurt the users of communication devices and services.  Thoughts?

Microsoft Releases "Virtual Search"

On Monday Microsoft released a beta of a portion of it's Bing search engine called "visual search," a new image-based approach to search aimed to compete with Google Image Search.  Unlike Google Image Search, Microsoft Visual Search combines images with information from search results.  Try it out with these sample search results here, and let me know what you think.

Source: AFP

New iPod Nano Includes FM Tuner

In addition to including a video camera, the new iPod Nano has a built-in FM radio tuner with the capabilities to pause live radio in a DVR-like fashion and to tag songs heard on the radio so that they can be later purchaced through the iTunes music store.  The iPod Nano is the first iPod to include a radio tuner.

I, personally was surprised by this announcement.  A FM radio tuner in the latest iPod seems like a strange blend of old media and new media.  Also, it seems to me like the previous iPod Nano had everything that most people wanted in a music player and that Apple might have been adding this feature simply for the sake of adding a new feature. 

I think that while the Nano's FM tuner could slightly increase radio's popularity, people will still mainly use their iPods to listen to songs that they have downloaded from the internet.  What are your thoughts?  If you had a new iPod Nano, would you use it to listen to the radio or mainly use it to listen to your own music?   Do you think this could spur a comeback in broadcast radio?

Source: Indianapolis Star

Apple Releases New iPods Including $149 Nano With Video Camera

As predicted, Apple released a new line of iPods today including a new iPod Nano with a larger screen and built-in video camera that is being sold for only $149 and is available immediately from Apple's online store. 

The new lineup of iPod Nanos perfectly demonstrates the pervasiveness not only of consuming media, but also producing it.  Anyone carrying a new iPod Nano can now make a video and upload it to YouTube within minutes.

In addition to new iPods, Apple also realeased iTunes 9, which I just installed and am loving so far.  I find iTunes 9's iPhone and iPod touch application management it's most enticing feature, which allows users to organize applications inside of iTunes rather than just on the iPhone or iPod Touch.

Twitter, Facebok Move to Set-Top Boxes

Apple's success with their wildly popular App Store has led television providers to develop a similar experience through the set-top boxes that are typically used to tune into digital TV channels and serve as an interactive guide. 

“The beauty of the iPhone is that there are a lot of applications that Apple would not have imagined people want,” said Sree Kotay, chief software architect for Comcast. “We want people engaged with television in ways we haven’t thought of yet.”

Verizion has already developed a Twitter and Facebook application for use through it's FiOS system, but has realized the limitations of current set-top box hardware coupled with those of a traditional remote control.  If these systems expect to take off, they need to include a remote that can be easily be used for typing as well as browsing through channels, and increase the power of set-top boxes.

I believe that if this is done right, it really has the potential of taking off, but that most, especially older TV viewers will stick to using their set-top boxes exclusively for flipping through the channels, no matter what the capabilities of their boxes may be.



Source: New York Times

Welcome

Hello!  My name is Will Petrovic, and this is my personal blog focusing on how the consumption and creation of media is becoming a greater part of all of our lives.  This blog is being created to fulfill a requirement for T101 Media Life at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana taught by Mark Deuze (http://deuze.blogspot.com/).