Saturday, June 18, 2011

Netflix's day: Sony pulls movies, new bandwidth options, no more DVD API access and a lawsuit

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/17/netflixs-day-sony-pulls-movies-new-bandwidth-options-no-more/

In an apparent ode to Rebecca Black, Ice Cube and any number of body switch movies, Netflix has had an incredibly active Friday, so sit back while we get you up to speed. Sony Pictures movies from Starz Play are no longer available (on any device, not just the Xbox 360 this time) due to a "temporary contract issue" according to the official blog. According to NewTeeVee, the problem is an "IP distribution cap" that was reached due to Netflix's explosive growth, but with no word on when the movies will be back, you'll be missing The Other Guys. Up next was the National Association of the Deaf, which has filed a lawsuit in Springfield, MA against Netflix, claiming that its failure to provide closed captions on all streaming content puts it in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Netflix last claimed 30 percent of titles were subbed with plans to reach 80 percent by the end of the year, but the press release (and captioned YouTube video) make the case that as a leader in streaming video, it should do better.

Netflix also quietly gave US subscribers access to the same bandwidth management options provided to Canadians a few months ago. The new Manage Video Quality settings (shown above) can be found in the Your Account section, and if you're trying to stay under bandwidth caps or just keep seeing buffering, they should help you out at the cost of a few pixels. As if that wasn't enough, the Netflix Tech Blog squeezed in news that it was ending access to "DVD-related features" for apps using its Open API later this year. The move is apparently preparation for expanded international streaming, so if you're trying to manage discs through a third party things may change soon.

Netflix's day: Sony pulls movies, new bandwidth options, no more DVD API access and a lawsuit originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 23:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Hacking Netflix, (2)  |  sourceNetflix Blog, Netflix Tech Blog, NAD  | Email this | Comments

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Friday, June 17, 2011

Griffin's DJ Cable Makes iPad DJing Significantly Easier [Music]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5812649/griffins-dj-cable-makes-ipad-djing-significantly-better

Griffin's DJ Cable Makes iPad DJing Significantly EasierDJing on an iPad is an interesting, if gimmicky, concept. But unless you're just using an iPad as a MIDI controller, simultaneously outputting sound while cueing up the next track isn't possible. Except now it is.

The Griffin DJ Cable is simple. It splits the audio signal of your iPad (or iPhone, or iPod touch) in two. One signal carrying the master out goes to your speakers, while the other goes to your headphones with the cueing track in tow. The only bummer is that to pull off the feat, the DJ Cable takes converts each signal to mono and spits them out through the L and R channels of the iPad's audio output. Still, it will make mixing on the virtual 1s and 2s easier. What it won't do, however, is magically turn you into a competent DJ. That's on you.

Griffin Technology Partners with algoriddim to Unveil DJ Cable for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
Available at Apple stores worldwide, the DJ Cable combined with algoriddim's djay app enables Split Output mode for pre-cueing, giving DJs full audio control on-the-go

Nashville, Tenn. and Munich, Germany – June 16, 2011 – Griffin Technology Inc., makers of innovations for everyday life, and algoriddim, makers of the line of djay products for Mac and iOS devices, are excited to announce DJ Cable for iOS devices is now available. Designed specifically to work with algoriddim's for djay for iPad, winner of a 2011 Apple Design Award, and djay for iPhone and iPod touch, the DJ Cable allows users to have the ultimate mobile DJ experience in the palm of their hands.

Users can take full advantage of the Split Output mode, which cues upcoming songs through headphones, independently of the live mix that is sent through the speakers. This is the perfect solution for DJs on-the-go using headphones to preview and prepare the next song to ensure the audience can groove seamlessly to the playlist. The DJ Cable offers a unique experience for beginners and professionals alike turning any social event into the ultimate dance party.

"We are delighted to team up with algoriddim to bring DJs a portable solution for their art," said Mark Rowan,

President of Griffin Technology. "With DJ Cable, DJs can now easily spin music using their favorite iOS device with advanced functionality of pre-cuing the next song."

"djay has fundamentally changed the DJ landscape, and with the introduction of DJ Cable, professional song stylists now have the ability to go completely mobile without sacrificing audio functionality or quality," said Karim Morsy, CEO of algoriddim.

Using djay, users can mix songs directly from the iTunes library on a hyper-realistic, dual-turntable interface. Perform live, record mixes on-the-go or enable Automix mode to let djay mix a favorite playlist automatically. With unprecedented ease-of-use and innovative multi-touch mixing features, djay takes DJing to the next level.

Compatible with iPad , iPhone and iPod touch, the DJ Cable is available for $19.99 at The Apple Store or at www.griffintechnology.com. To purchase algoriddim's djay app, please visit the App Store at http://itunes.com/appstore.

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Nanogenerators Could Power a Bluetooth Headset With Your Pulse [Science]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5812865/nanogenerators-could-power-a-bluetooth-headset-with-your-pulse

Nanogenerators Could Power a Bluetooth Headset With Your Pulse Scientists have developed the first self-powered nanogenerators that scavenge energy from their surroundings. They could someday replace conventional batteries in small electronics.

Even the slightest movement or vibration, such as a light breeze or the thump of your pulse, can provide enough energy for these nanogenerators. The energy is stored in a capacitor and used to power sensors or even a small wireless radio like those found in Bluetooth headsets. Signals from these wireless radios can be detected up to 30 feet away.

These technology could be used in tiny spy cameras, small wearable electronics or even medical implants. [Science Daily via Inhabitat]

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What Does a 268MP Image Sensor Look Like? [Cameras]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5812877/what-does-268mp-image-sensor-look-like

What Does a 268MP Image Sensor Look Like? Space photography requires a camera—a really big camera. One with 32 CCD sensors that snaps pictures at a mind-bending 268-megapixel resolution. Go ahead, you can call it the OmegaCam.

You may want to take this one home with you, but you can't. It weighs a whopping 1700lbs and produces about 30TBs of data per year. It's also the camera portion of the VLT Survey Telescope (VST), which is the world's largest telescope designed to operate in visible light. It resides in the northern Chile and is part of the European Southern Observatory. [ESO via PetaPixel and PhotoRadar]

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Galaxy S II coming to SaskTel next month, we embark on northward migration

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/17/galaxy-s-ii-coming-to-sasktel-next-month-we-embark-on-northward/

The Samsung Galaxy S II has yet to make its US debut, but it looks like our neighbors to the north will be getting it as early as next month. Yesterday, Canada's SaskTel announced via Twitter that it would launch the phone "within the next month," making it the first North American carrier to confirm the S II. Earlier this month, it looked as if Verizon would be the first to bring the device to the New World, but our hopes were crushed when the carrier debunked rumors of a July launch. It remains to be seen whether Sasktel's announcement will pave the way for a wider North American release, but we'll let you know as soon as we hear more.

Galaxy S II coming to SaskTel next month, we embark on northward migration originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 07:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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