Video revolution

We have all done it and here in Cape Town even more so!  Stumbled across a music clip or video file that we have wanted to see for ages, and just as we excitedly click the play button, the damn thing refuses to be play because of streaming issues (or connection issues if you are over here).

This is one of the main reasons DVDs continue to be so popular, you can just kick back, crack open a beer and relax – without having to worry about compatibility issues.  This is where the new Netflix player comes in, this handy set top box allows you to watch movies on you television that have been transferred directly from the Internet. 

With the ongoing developments in bandwidth speeds, this latest advancement seems the most logical step in the evolution of video streaming.  It will be interesting to see how this affordable, diminutive black box fares in this highly competitive market – but the signs are good with the firms stock rising considerably since the launch.  However I can’t see it having too much of an affect on the trusty DVD market, well not just yet anyway.

Microsoft TouchWall

Deciding on what to put on that empty white wall in the office or boardroom? How about a painting, maybe something more high tech? How about a Digital Photo frame? No? Then how about turning that simple old white wall into a multi-touch interactive display? Sounds to good to be true, but yesterday Bill Gates demonstrated the new technology at the Microsoft CEO Summit in Redmond.

The new technology, known as TouchWall, refers to the touch screen hardware setup that will allow you to turn your wall into a user interface. The necessary software, known as Plex, is already built into the standard version of Vista.

At first, the technology might be confused with Microsoft Surface, which was introduced in 2007, but Microsoft made it clear that these two technologies are very different.

TouchWall is a fundamentally simpler mechanical system than Surface and while Microsoft Surface will costs close to £5,200, TouchWall will only cost you a couple of hundred Pounds.

TouchWall consists mainly out of three infrared lasers that scan the display surface. As soon as something breaks through the laser line, the information is captured by a camera which in turn feeds back the information to Plex.

The system allows for usual browsing, scrolling, basically everything you would do with a mouse pointer.

Only bad news though, Microsoft says it’s only a demo and that they don’t have any current plans to produce the hardware, so how about putting that painting back on the wall.

iPhone still a hit!

According to a report in the Telegraph today the base model of the iPhone has sold out in the UK, in under 6 months! The iPhone has proven itself to be a very popular accessory and it's not just the general public that prove this, but Google have also taken notice. 

I say this because Google has today announced on the Official Google Reader blog that they have just released a brand new version of their popular iPhone software.  The new beta version of the reader is available to the public here. (Visit the site on your iPhone or any other mobile with advanced browsing features)

I hope all of our readers that have an iPhone will let me know how they find the new software.

Windows XP SP3 finally released!

Windows XP SP3 was supposed be released on the 29th of April, but due to "unforeseen" bugs, Microsoft has had to extend the release date. Yesterday, XP SP3 officially hit the Release to Web (RTW) milestone, which in simple terms means, it's ready for download.

The final build of SP3 includes every single security update, out-of-band release and hotfix that has been released since SP2.

Those of you interested in downloading SP3 will have to do so through Windows Update. The current SP3 available on Microsoft Download Center is only for network administrators.

Before you do however rush off and download the new SP3, make sure that you read the updated release notes and that you know what to do with your current version of IE, as this could be affected by the installation.

Never too old to surf

Gone are the days where using a PC is only for the ~young 'n' happenin'~. Microsoft have established partnership with Age Concern in developing a computer with a simple interface aimed at the older generation. The plans were unveiled at a Digital Inclusion conference in London.

It is aimed for the use of managing prescriptions and perhaps simple photo organisation for the 17 million citizens that are described as "digitally excluded" in the UK.

I guess it is all about equality, but I think I might be slightly insulted if I was informed that 'prescription management' was the most likey reason why I would want to use a PC. What about a good game of GTA IV?

I suppose it could be quite useful for people who haven't used a computer before as it proposes to preload it  with a "digital literacy curriculum" - a step by step guide to how to get online, be safe and perform simple computer tasks.

I'll be fasinated to see the result if this ever comes about !