7-inch iPad from Apple? Not likely

Apple CEO Steve Jobs made a surprise appearance at an earnings conference call today, and perhaps all CEOs would be giddy to talk about Apple's money take.

The Cupertino, CA, company did incredible business for the third quarter. It posted revenue of $20.34 billion and a net profit of $4 billion.

Apple shipped almost 4 million Mac computers, up 27 percent from a year ago.

Quarterly iPhone sales were up 91 percent from the same quarter a year ago (thanks iPhone 4). Apple sold 14.1 million iPhones, and sold 9.05 million iPods. That was an 11 percent decline for iPod.

Now, the iPad. Apple sold 4.19 million of those during the recent quarter and Jobs was asked if the company was readying a heavily rumored 7-inch version. Competitors, including Samsung, are about to release 7-inch tablets. Samsung's, which is due in a few weeks, will run the Android operating system.

Jobs said you can hold an iPad in portrait view and draw a horizontal line halfdown down.

"What's left," he said, "is a seven inch screen. That's too small. There are clear limits to how close elements can be on the screen before users can't touch accurately. We believe 10-inch screen is (the) minimum necessary."

And so, the 7-inch iPad thing should now go away.

RedBox to offer videogame rentals in Charlotte

Redbox announced today it will now feature video games in addition to new release DVDs and Blu-ray Discs at select redbox locations throughout the city starting today.

The video game rentals here is a test to gauge customer interest in videogame rentals. Games available here will include titles for Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Videogame rentals will be $2 per night plus tax.

Redbox says the videogames will be available at 245 Charlotte locations.

Charlotte, N.C., beginning October 18, 2010. The addition of video games to the popular redbox kiosks in the Charlotte area is a test designed to gauge consumer interest in video game rentals. Charlotte-area redbox consumers now can rent a variety of video games from the top platforms, including: Wii, PLAYSTATION 3, and Xbox 360, for $2 a night plus tax.

The number of video game titles and copies will vary by kiosk and location with new games being added each week. Local residents can visit www.redbox.com/games to see a current list of games offered. Then, once at the kiosk, users access the touch screen display to determine which titles and platforms are available at that particular location.

Time Warner cable launches Remote DVR Manager

Time Warner Cable has launched a new feature that will allow customers to set their DVRs remotely.

With the new feature, customers throughout the Carolinas can access their home DVR and set it to record shows and series. You can search for progamming and make necessary changes through any web-enabled computer or browser-enabled mobile device, like Android and iPhone.

Time Warner Cable recently launched My Services, a new online service that gives customers the ability to access their account information, as well as new features and tools. By going to https://myservices.timewarnercable.com, customers have the ability to manage their DVR in real time as if they were sitting in front of their television.

Satellite providers, like DirecTV, also offer a similar feature.

iPad to hit AT&T stores as well as Verizon

After this morning's announcement that iPad was coming to Verizon on Oct. 28, AT&T has also announced it will begin carrying the device on the same date.

It won't be hard to find iPad as Best Buy plans to expand available and Target, Amazon, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club will all be carrying the tablet computer soon.

AT&T will offer all three iPad Wi-Fi + 3G models at its 2,200 stores nationwide. The company will offer pre-paid 3G data plans that can be turned on or off on the machine itself. The plans are available without contract and come with access to the company's 23,000 domestic Wi-Fi hotspots.

Pricing you ask?

It's $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB, and $829 for 64GB. Domestic data plans for iPad are priced at $14.99 per month for 250MB and $25 per month for 2GB with no term contract.

Verizon Wireless will offer three bundles, all featuring an iPad Wi-Fi model and a Verizon MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, for a suggested retail price of $629.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 16GB + MiFi, $729.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 32GB + MiFi and $829.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 64GB + MiFi. Verizon Wireless is offering a monthly access plan to iPad customers of up to 1GB of data for just $20 a month. In addition, Verizon Wireless will also offer all three iPad Wi-Fi models on a stand-alone basis.

iPad is coming to Verizon

Get your iPhone rumors ready.

Verizon Wireless will carry Apple's WiFi iPad beginning Oct. 28.

Verizon Wireless will offer three bundles, all featuring an iPad Wi-Fi model and a Verizon MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, for a suggested retail price of $629.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 16GB + MiFi, $729.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 32GB + MiFi and $829.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 64GB + MiFi. Verizon Wireless is offering a monthly access plan to iPad customers of up to 1GB of data for just $20 a month. In addition, Verizon Wireless will also offer all three iPad Wi-Fi models on a stand-alone basis.

New Panther Devin Thomas in Fantasia's new video

New Carolina Panther wide reciever Devin Thomas has a strong cameo in Fantasia's steamy new video for her hit song "Bittersweet."

Where does Michael rank Kobe? Top 10?

Speaking to USA Today about the new NBA2K11 videogame that features his likeness, Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan was asked where he would rank Laker Kobe Bryant among the all-time greats.

Jordan said Bryant, one of the two best players on the planet right now along with the Miami Heat's LeBron James, belongs among the top 10, among a certain position.

"I think he is always going to be within the conversations of some of the greatest players who've played by the time he is finished," Jordan told USA Today. "Where does he rank among those, if you are talking about positions? If you are talking about guards, I would say he has got to be in the Top 10."

Jordan also talked about how today's NBA differs from when he played.

"It's less physical and the rules have changed, obviously," he said. "Based on these rules, if I had to play with my style of play, I'm pretty sure I would have fouled out or I would have been at the free throw line pretty often and I could have scored 100 points."

Jordan said he's played the new NBA 2K11 videogame, which I think is one of the best ever (click here for review)

He said his kids are better than him at it.

Me, too, Michael.

Sony unveils Google TV

Google TV is here.

At a big news conference in New York late Tuesday afternoon, Sony unveiled a line of TV sets featuring integrated Google TV, which will allow users to surf the internet on their TV as well as watch traditional TV programming.

Sets go on sale Oct. 16, with prices running from $600 to $1,400. Set sizes, for now, range from 24 to 46 inches. If you already have an HDTV, you can buy a Blu-Ray DVD enabled set top box for $399.

Sony is aiming this at people who are already watching TV programming on their computers, such as early broadcasts of sporting events and YouTube videos.

Google TV uses the same Android operating system that has become uber-popular among cell phone users. Google TV comes with a Chrome Web browser. Several partners are already on line to provide content including Amazon, Netflix, NBC Universal, the NBA, Time Warner and USA Today.

The Google TV comes with a remote that has a full QWERTY keyboard.

VIDEO: Microsoft Windows 7 phone keynote and demo

If you want to see what Steve Ballmer and Company have cooked up with the new phone, see the video below.

Click here

Whoa, Happy Meal doesn't decompose....after 171 days

Think about this the next time you want to give the kids a little Ronald McDonald love:

A British newspaper reports that a New York photographer named Sally Davies conducted a little experiment in the post "Supersize Me" world.

Unlike Morgan Spurlock, who ate McDonald's for days on end -- and risked his health -- in a popular feature film, Davies decided to take a picture of a McDonald's Happy Meal every day for months to see what would happen.

And not much happened.

Davies' "The Happy Meal Project" has gone viral.

"I bought the meal on April 10 of this year and brought it home with the express intention of leaving it out to see how it fared," she said. "I chose McDonald's because it was nearest to my house, but the project could have been about any other of the myriad of fast food joints in New York."

On day two, Davies said, the food lost its familiar smell of McDonald's goodness. Her dogs stopped circling near the shelf where she kept it.

Davies thought the food would mold. After two weeks, it still looked just as fresh as when the workers dropped it in that little white bag.

"It was then that I realised that something strange might be going on with this food that I had bought," she told the newspaper. "The fries shrivelled slightly as did the burger patty, but the overall appearance of the food did not change as the weeks turned to months."

After six months, she said the food is hard like plastic with an "acrylic sheen to it."

Anyone else ready for a Big Mac and fries?

Frustrated Panther fan makes song "Teach Me How To QB"

Tip of the hat to reader Carmen F., who sent me the link to "Teach Me How To QB," a song aimed at original Carolina Panthers star Matt Moore.

I won't make any commentary about being patient with a young team with young QBs. Enjoy

Nike's new Machspeed driver to hit stores next month

If you're a golfer who loves gadgets, you've got to love fall. That's when all the golf companies show off what their R&D departments have been cooking up all summer.

Nike today announced its new SQ MACHSPEED black driver, due Nov. 26. It is available with a round or square 460 cc head. It's designed to reduce air drag and has a deep face to still give golfers good distance on off center hits. It also has a lightweight shaft to increase swing speed.

Nike said it designed the head with a tall club face that tapers quickly, to increase forgiveness. All this results in a club with a slightly lower ballflight than last year's MACHSPEED model and one that spins less. That means your ball won't curve as much.

Men's lofts are available in 8.5 to 11.5. Women get an 11.5 and a high launch. MSRP is $359.99

Report: Apple won't support 4G with iPhone 5

Now things are getting interesting.

With Verizon's announcement last week that it's new 4G network would be deployed by year's end in nearly 40 markets, including Charlotte -- and media reports that the company would be getting an iPhone in January -- many assumed the iPhone would be Verizon's first 4G device.

To quote ESPN's Lee Courso, "Not so fast my friend."

Techcrunch, a popular and reputable blog, is reporting that Apple will not support 4G in 2011, much like it didn't initially support 3G when the original iPhone debuted on AT&T's Edge Network.

Techcrunch says the Verizon iPhone (or Veriphone as folks have begun to call it) will not support the 4G standard, and when a mid-2011 refresh is out, the iPhone 5, that the new model won't support it, either.

According to the blog, Apple will make a dual-mode phone that supports GSM (AT&T) and CDMA (Verizon) standards, but only on 3G. Apple won't support the 4G network until sometime in 2012.

Consider this Steve Jobs saying he doesn't want to have his users testing out a brand new service that may have some bugs. This, of course, will give Android momentum, even as Veriphone finally arrives, by saying it Droid Does 4G and iPhone won't.

Android actually supports 4G on Sprint's WiMAX networks right now and I've been able to use it around Charlotte with pretty good results. But 4G is spotty and I'd imagine that AT&T and Verizon will suffer some 4G growing pains next year, not to mention that the chips needed to power the 4G devices are a little power hungry. Anyone who has tried Sprint's otherwise cool 4G phone, the HTC Evo, knows you have to basically keep a charge cable in your pocket.

So it seems that you'll be able to get iPhone 5 for AT&T or Verizon (and I'm assuming Sprint and T-Mobile, too, if the multi-standard thing is true). AT&T is lighting up its new 3G mode, called HSPA+, which some feel can deliver speeds close to what we're seeing in early 4G devices.

Be interesting to see what happens moving forward when we get some official announcements, but considering there will likely be a premium charge for 4G, something like Sprint's $10 per month, I'm not sure how many folks will sign up for it anyway. At least initially.

Wilson to give away 11 free set of irons next month

Attention golfers, Wilson plans to give away 11 sets of its new Di11 irons on Nov. 11. The irons are made for distance and accuracy.

To enter, visit Wilson's web site Submissions will be accepted until Nov. 8. Winners will be announced Nov. 11

Wilson Staff Di irons have pushed the distance and accuracy envelope since the original first launched in 2005. Now, 11 is the magic number as Wilson has created a promotion that awards 11 lucky golfers a free set of Di11 irons on 11/11 (Nov. 11, 2010).

The new irons are the fifth generation of the Di in the super game improvement category. Wilson says they feature "modifications and updates in virtually every performance area, all designed to deliver added power and greater accuracy for players of all skill levels."


The changes include a wider sole and bigger sweet spot, meaning these will be easier for the average 100-shooter to hit, and hit far.

Microsoft launches Windows Phone 7, hopes to boost sales

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer introduced his company's latest offering into the smartphone industry, Windows Phone 7, Monday morning in New York.

Microsoft is going the Google/Android route by developing software and allowing hardware manufacturers to create the handsets. Customers will get touchscreen thin handsets as well as QWERTY keyboard devices.

Ballmer describes the new phones, which will be GSM only for now (read: no Verizon) as "different" and "more modern" in design and usage.

He said the new phone focuses on how real people want to use their handsets.

The device will use something called Windows Phone Hubs, which appear as large box-shaped tile displays on the phone. They react in real time. Get a new email or a voicemail or even Twitter or Facebook updates, and the "hub" changes on your home screen.

The phone ships with six hubs: People, Pictures, Music/Video, Games Hub, Office and the Market (for apps).

The phone also can connect to Xbox Live. And the hubs are totally customizable.

There's a hard button to snap a photo with the camera which also helps access on board photos. Microsoft said uploading photos to the cloud is a snap.

Microsoft Office is also included here with a mobile version of Outlook and office document support. Users can also edit Office files from the phone, but until early next year the phone cannot copy and paste (ugh).

This could be huge for business users.

Is this going to be the device to get Microsoft on the field with Apple and Google and RIM? The devices out so far look slick and more and more customers are trying smartphones. The market is expected to grow to nearly 300 million sold devices next year from about 190 million expected this year.

The phone will be available in several versions from AT&T and T-Mobile for $199 with a two-year contract.

"Halo Reach" a masterpiece, (possibly) a fitting goodbye

There have been few videogame series as good as Halo, and this is a fitting finale (at least for Bungie, the game's developers). It's a masterpiece, one of the best games of 2010, along with NBA2K11.

The game is set a few weeks before the start of the original Halo, when we were introduced to one of the most iconic heroes in videogame history, Master Chief. Only now, dialing back in time, we meet the Noble Team, a group of super soilders, taking control of one of them known as "Noble 6." You never get to see his face. This is Noble 6's story. Master Chief is not here.

The best thing here is you don't know the Halo mythology, you're OK. Everything is explained and makes sense, at least as much as videogame stories can.

The game is set on the lovingly drawn Planet Reach, which is where one of the biggest battles between humanity and an alien species known as the Covenant took place. The Covenant has long sought to eradicate the human race.

We are introduced to Planet Reach to start the game and find Noble 6's team stationed at the center of humanity's military operation. You'll work with other members of the team as you complete missions, getting to know -- and care -- about them. The other members show their faces under the helmets, and you quickly understand that this is a war the humans are not winning.

At times, the costs of war can get depressing.

Like the previous titles, this is a first person shooter and action comes fast. Something new is the ability to use powers you pick up permanently. You can use jetpacks when you want and even give yourself a brief amount of invincibility. I did find that it was hard to use some abilities concurrently.

I couldn't find much to quibble with this game. It will take large chunks of your life to play. It's immersive. It's hard. It's engaging.

It's fun.

I only wonder where Halo goes from here. The guys at Bungie, who have made all the Halo games, are pulling off to concentrate on a new game. Microsoft will handle the franchise's future, if there's to be one.

If we never see another Halo title, though, this is a great way to go out.

"Spider Man Shattered Dimensions" worth a try

This is like four mini-adventures in one, plus more Peter Parker one-line cracks than many fans will be able to take.

Really, it does kind of get old.

"I break pots," Peter says at one point. "It's what I do."

Really?

Luckily, the game just rocks.

The game begins with Spider Man battling with Mysterio when they break something called the Tablet of Order and Chaos.

This causes reality to split. To restore order, a clairvoyant named Madame Web reaches out to the Spider Man of each reality to help restore order. Along the way, you'll face off with famous Spidey villains like Green Goblin and Sandman. And you get to play as a future Spider in 2099, today's guy and two others.

Basically in each world, you have to work your way through a series of battles, while saving civilians along the way. It's kind of easy at first. Walk into a room and stop the enemy threat there, but when you get to the big enemies, the bosses, things get tougher.

Of course, how well you do is really about how well you learn the button-mashing combos that allow you to unleash your powers.

I enjoyed playing with Spider Man of today and tomorrow (with the flying cars and neon colors). But I enjoyed the "Noir" version

In the 1930s Depression era, Peter Parker kind of handles business like Batman, doing his work behind the scenes with a much higher degree of stealth than we're used to seeing from Your Friendly Neighborhood Web Slinger.

UVerse customers to use Xbox 360 as a set-top DVR?

According to Engadget, AT&T UVerse customers will be able to use their Xbox 360 as a set-top box in November.

A wired software update will come out next week bringing a Dashboard app to the Xbox. To use Xbox with UVerse, however, customers will still need at least one other standard DVR to enjoy the four streams of HD programming available.

WSJ: Apple to produce Verizon iPhone by year's end

With news today that Verizon will deploy its 4G network to 38 cities, including Charlotte, by year's end, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple will begin to mass produce a Verizon iPhone by the end of the year.

The Journal writes that Verizon could sell the smartphone in early 2011, quoting sources who had been briefed by Apple.

Apple has long touted the iPhones ability to do voice and data at the same time, something that users of Verizon's current 3G network are unable to do. With 4G arriving soon, that would no longer be an issue. The initial Verizon iPhone apparently would be based on the company's current 3G network, however.

This news, if true, could be big for Apple and hurt AT&T, Apple's current provider which allowed current customers to get the new iPhone 4 in mid-contract without penalty this year.

Many speculated that was done to lock up those users in new two-year agreements with an increased termination fee.

AT&T chairman Randall Stephenson said last month that he felt that because so many iPhone customers were in family plans, he didn't think the company would be too hurt by a new carrier for the Apple phone. The thinking there is, say, if a family has three iPhones on AT&T, it would have to pay three termination fees and buy three new iPhones somewhere else. That would cost well over $1,000.

But what if Verizon is able to offer the buy-one-get-one-free specials it's been running with Android phones, or even offers to buy out the contract for AT&T customers switching over?

This is an important time in the cell phone wars for sure.

Also, a Morpace Omibus poll of 1,000 Americans showed that more than half of current Verizon customers intend to get an iPhone with Verizon.


A Deloitte study found that close to half of all U.S. iPhone customers on AT&T would be 'interested' in a Verizon iPhone.

The Wall Street Journal said the upcoming Verizon iPhone would be similar in design to the current iPhone 4 and is expected in the first quarter of 2011. The WSJ also said Apple is working on iPhone 5 and it will have a "different form factor" than those currently available (larger screen iPhone XL perhaps?).

I would expect that if iPhone is not compatible with Verizon's 4G network, iPhone 5 would be. But would you want to get a 3G iPhone on Verizon in February, knowing the faster version was coming in June?

Interesting days ahead. The next time Steve Jobs puts on the black turtleneck and hits the stage might be the biggest "And One More Thing" news conference that company has seen yet.

Charlotte one of 38 cities to get Verizon 4G coverage by December

Verizon plans to have its next-generation "4G" cellular network launched by the end of the year. At a news conference in San Francisco Wednesday, the company said that its 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) network would launch in 38 major metros, including Charlotte, and touch more than 110 million Americans by December.

Verizon is also putting its 4G network into 60 commercial airports in the U.S. -- in launch cities and other key areas.

The new network will allow much faster speed than the current 3G network provides, much closer to type speed customers see on at-home DSL or cable modem networks.

The launch areas include Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. as well as Rochester, New York in the Northeast.

The launch will also touch customers throughout Miami and south Florida, Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and New Orleans as well as Charlotte and Nashville, Tennessee.

Others are Chicagoland, St. Louis, the Twin Cities, Pittsburgh and major cities in Ohio, plus major population centers in California as well as Seattle, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas and West Lafayette, Ind., home of Purdue University.

The company said Purdue is using several software applications on its 3G network that improve student engagement and success, and Verizon Wireless is working with Purdue to explore the next phase of how 4G LTE technology can improve e-learning across the nation.

Apple makes Maiden couple nearly $2M richer

Bloomberg reports that Apple recently made millionaires out of Maiden's Donnie and Kathy Fulbright.

Turns out the Cupertino, California company needed some land that Fulbrights lived on to complete its new billion dollar data center there. The Fulbrights brought the land for about $6,000 and built a modest single-story home there.

After turning down an initial offer, the Fulbrights sold for $1.7 million.

With their winnings, the Fulbrights bought a new 4,200 square foot home with a jacuzzi in the master bedroom. It sits on a 49-acre lot.

Thanks a lot Steve Jobs.

The data center is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. Analysts believe it will herald the arrival of Apple's cloud-based computing, allowing users to stream and store videos and music on its servers instead of on user's computers. It could also be used to stream video content to Apple's just announced and recently released Apple TV set-top box.

2KSports in talks for NFL2K13, competiton for Madden

According to a published report from GoFanBoy, 2KSports has approached the NFL about a licensing deal to create a football simulation in 2013.

EA Sports' exclusive agreement with the league for its Madden franchise is set to expire, reportedly, in 2012.

2K hasn't made a football game since the critically acclaimed NFL2K5 five years ago and recently released its new NBA simulation, NBA2K11, which I think is one of the best videogames of its generation.

If nothing else, it would be interesting to see what type of football game 2KSports could produce and it would also push EA Sports to work harder on the Madden series, which I think has been consistently good.

Stay tuned.

The Age of Android: Android dominating smart phone sales

Two new press releases out today illustrate how hot the new Android smartphone service is.

According to a Nielsen study, Android was the most popular smartphone operating system purchased in America over the past six months.

The Google system accounted for 32 percent of new smartphone purchases. RIM, the BlackBerry folks, were second at 26 percent and Apple was third at 25 percent.

In overall market share, RIM still leads at 31 percent, Apple is second at 28 percent and Android is third at 19 percent.

Also today, Samsung announced that its Android-based Galaxy S series of phones have sold more than 5 million since launching in June. That figure includes more than 2 million U.S sales.

What to make of the numbers?

Android has gotten popular very fast. The operating system is available from a number of handset makers and on virtually every network. So, some of the growth is not surprising, and with a slew of new Android tablets due, including a promising one from Samsung, the format should only continue to expand, especially when many carriers are offering buy one get one free specials.

The Google plan seems to be to get its system into everyone's hands. It may prove to be a smart choice.

Apple, unlike Android and RIM, are only selling the iPhone on one carrier, AT&T. It speaks to how popular the device is that it still accounts for 25 percent of the market for most of this year when you can only get it from a provider that many feel is inferior.

Apple badly needs to get onto multiple U.S. providers, if it cares about these kinds of penetration numbers. Many potential Apple customers say they'll still buy iPhone if and when it comes to Verizon or Sprint or T-Mobile. But with the new Androids, they may get tired of waiting -- and that appears to be happening now.

RIM has just released a new BlackBerry model so it'll be interesting to see the numbers six months from now.

From a consumer standpoint, there have never been this many good smartphone choices on the market at the same time. No matter which carrier you use, chances are you can get a killer smartphone for it right now.

NBA 2K11 with Michael Jordan, "a love letter to basketball"

There’s been a lot of anticipation surrounding the new 2K Sports “NBA 2K11” videogame, which hits stores Tuesday (10/5).

That anticipation is more than warranted. This NBA basketball simulation looks more like the real thing than any other sports game ever created. There’s never been a Madden this good. In fact, there’s never been too many games better. Put this one up there with Halo and Mario and Guitar Hero.

This is one of the best video games in a generation.

It features Bobcats owner Michael Jordan on the cover and in the game. You can try to recreate 10 of Jordan’s greatest games. These are quite challenging. Those Lakers and Trail Blazer teams were pretty good, and it was neat to see some of the legends like Magic Johnson and Scottie Pippen recreated so vividly. Scottie even had his flat top.

And if you can get Michael and the Bulls over the top, you unlock a special mode where you can draft Jordan as a rookie and play out his career.

You can also pick many of Jordan's best Chicago Bulls teams and play against some of today’s best. If you choose one from early in his career, you get a thinner Jordan who wanted to drive and dunk. Choose one of his final three championship teams and you get the more crafty guy who liked to head-fake, spin, and fadeway.

The ShotStick control system is easy to learn and basically asks you to use two buttons to call plays or make sudden moves. It also allows for precise movements, allowing you to pull off the “oh-my-goodness” moves you see on TV. There are not very many animations that are predetermined like we’ve seen in many a sports game.

But the thing that stands out here is the presentation. Sure, there’s all the important modes: career mode, create-a-player, draft-your-creation-and-earn-enough-skills-to-get-drafted. You can update your season in real-time with the real season, so if your star gets hurt in real life, he gets hurt in your game.




While always welcome, most titles have these type of features nowadays. They don’t have this attention to detail.

Other than Kobe Bryant, these guys look a lot like their real life counterpart. They also play like them. You won’t see Raymond Felton driving and dunking over a 7-footer. You’ll see the defensive help.

No longer can you just come down the floor, mash a few buttons and easily beat your defender for a dunk.

The game really looks and feels like a real TNT broadcast, down to the soundtrack and sound effects. The crowd sometimes will arrive late, and leave early if you’re at home and getting blown out. I noticed all kinds of fan animations, celebrating big baskets -- or berating you for giving up some. I even lost my place in the game a few times because I caught myself looking at all the “little things” going on around me.

The PlayStation 3 version is compatible with the new PS3 move controller. Using the wand controller, you can easily shoot, pass and block shots. It took awhile to get used to playing with the wand, but I enjoyed it.

And I enjoyed playing this game. There’s little to quibble with. It plays fast enough. It looks good enough. This is a love letter to basketball. It’s definitely worth a try.

Hilarious: Wayne Brady, Mike Tyson remake Bobby Brown hit

Tip of the cap to reader Dee F. who forwarded me the link to Wayne Brady and Mike Tyson remaking (uproariously) Bobby Brown's old hit "Every Little Step I Take."

Brown makes a cameo to do the rap from the song.

This is fun.

WSJ reports Verizon to offer tiered data soon; Verizon CEO talks Apple

A new Wall Street Journal article says Verizon plans to offer tiered data plans soon, much like rival AT&T.

AT&T sells 200 megabytes of data per month for $15. It sells 2 gigs of data for $25. Prior to the change this year, AT&T offered unlimited data for $29.99, a requirement for its most popular cellphone, Apple's iPhone.

At an investor conference Thursday, Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg said Verizon's plan might be different than AT&Ts.

I think AT&T's cheap plan doesn't offer enough. The $15 should be for at least 500 MB or even 1 gig, especially with more data hungry apps coming on board, like video conferencing and Netflix streaming. Customers who cross their thresholds will get hit with penalty bills.

We'll see what Verizon does, as I figure this will be tied to its next generation network, called LTE, that it plans to deploy later this year. The "Long Term Evolution" network should deliver faster speeds, better connectivity and a smoother experience, but require new hardware.

Also in the new WSJ article, it says Verizon hopes the new network spurs suppliers, including Apple, to build product for Verizon.

"At some point, Apple will get with the program," the WSJ quotes Seidenberg as saying at the conference, but when it pressed him to comment on whether Apple would come in 2011, Seidenberg said, "I can't speak for Apple."

Interestingly, Seidenberg seemed to back his company's strong selection of Android phones, but still expressed desire in iPhone, when he again talked about how the new LTE network would attract suppliers.

"We don't feel like we have an iPhone deficit," Seidenberg said in the WSJ artcile. "We would love to carry it, but we have to earn it."

QUEASY VIDEO ALERT: God bless the TV tower worker who climbs 1700 feet

This is a job I don't want.

When something goes wrong in a TV tower, someone has to climb way way up -- higher than the Empire State Building up -- to fix the darned thing.

If you can get through this video without making faces and turning away, well, you're better than me.

DirecTV offers free preview of NFL Sunday Ticket

DirecTV subscribers can get a free preview of the satellite provider's popular NFL Sunday Ticket package. The package, which costs $300 (payable in five $60 installments) delivers out-of-market NFL games each week throughout the season.

The free preview begins at 1 p.m. today on Channels 701-717 and includes the Red Zone Channel, which shows you when teams are about to score, plus the Mix Channel which shows eight games on one screen.

Best cell phone quality in the area? Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile, survey says

The latest JD Power Survey on Wireless Call Quality was released today and in our Southeast region, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint tied for the top spot.

The study measures wireless call quality, based on seven problem areas that impact overall carrier performance: dropped calls; static/interference; failed call connection on the first try; voice distortion; echoes; no immediate voicemail notification; and no immediate text message notification.

Verizon Wireless also won for the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and West regions. U.S. Cellular Corp. was No. 1 the North Central region. T-Mobile was no. 1 in the Southwest.

AT&T was the only carrier to not garner a top placing in any of the six regions.

AT&T released a letter to consumers earlier this week assuring them of quality upgrades in this region (click here to see it).

TaylorMade introduces new golf irons on live webcast

TaylorMade golf used a live webcast to introduce its new brand of golf irons Thursday.

Nice innovation from a company known for its innovation.

The new Burner 2.0 irons come about 18 months after the original model. The new ones are designed to help golfers hit the ball further, a problem for most of us, as well as making the golf clubs feel better when striking the ball, a problem with clubs that are designed for distance.

"We've succeeded at creating a better-performing iron with the Burner 2.0, which is just as long, easier to play and more refined in its feel and sound," said Bret Wahl, senior director of research and development for irons, wedges and putters. "Every Burner 2.0 iron is better than its predecessor and, when compared against the longest, best-selling iron we've ever made, that says something truly significant."

The Burner 2.0's two-toned "Burner Black" PVD finish is more durable and resists glare. TaylorMade claims its used improved weight distribution to help golfers launch the club higher easier, while still allowing golfers to be able to "work" the ball. That's golf speak for making it curve one direction or the other.

Each iron has a different face thickness, which allows for more control in shorter irons and ease with hitting longer irons. The top of the clubs are also of varying thickness. Shorter clubs will look thinner and longer clubs will be larger, making them easier to hit, and inspiring more confidence when looking down.

The new irons come with lightweight shafts to help increase swing speed. There's an 85-gram steel or 65-gram graphite shaft. A women's version is also available with a 55-gram shaft.

Multiple flexes are offered. Steel sets are $699, graphite $899. These go on sale Oct. 8.

We hope to test these and report back on what we find, but from the literature, they sound like a winner.

Click here for a demo video

TaylorMade golf to launch new product on the web at 3 p.m.

A few hours from when I write this, TaylorMade Golf Company, one of the industry tech leaders in product innovation, will introduce a new product via worldwide webcast. It will go live at 3 p.m. today

To see the new product, go to taylormadegolf and load the video presentation which should last 10 minutes. Be interesting if more companies did this.

ATT Wireless open letter of assurance to area customers

AT&T Wireless sent out a letter to Carolinas-area customers Wednesday night assuring them of coverage upgrades. The letter talks about AT&T's continuing plan to improve service.

If that sounds like a move to make sure you stick around once the iPhone gets gone, well, you thought what I thought.

Popular rumors, from credible news sources, have the iPhone going to Verizon in January. While that will surely hurt Android sales -- and I do believe many Verizon customers got tired of waiting for iPhone and found a decent alternative -- it could also hurt AT&T, which has experienced exponential growth thanks to the little handset from the guys in Cupertino, California.

Here's the text of the letter.

"I am writing to thank you for choosing AT&T for your wireless service, and to update you on exciting plans we have to make your wireless experience even better.

You already know that AT&T covers 97% of all Americans. And as an AT&T customer, you have access to the nation's fastest mobile broadband network; a mobile broadband network that allows you to talk and browse the web at the same time; and seamless access to over 20,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots - more than any other U.S. wireless provider.

But you may not know the extent of our plans to improve your experience. In 2010 alone, we plan to invest between $18 and $19 billion in our wireless and wireline networks across the country. In fact, we've invested more in our networks over the last three years than any of our U.S. competitors. We've already upgraded our cell sites to enable faster mobile broadband speeds when paired with expanded backhaul, and we plan a similar upgrade at the end of the year that will enable even faster speeds.

We're not stopping there. We are also adding thousands of new cell sites, expanding mobile broadband coverage to millions of customers, installing enhanced fiber backhaul, and increasing the capacity of our data network. Not only do these enhancements provide a better experience today, but they also enable a seamless migration to our next generation of mobile broadband - LTE.

What this means to you is simple: better coverage where it matters most, and fast access to information on the go.

Your satisfaction is always our number one goal. If you have any needs or questions about what AT&T can do for you, I invite you to stop by your local AT&T store, visit att.com, or come tell us what you think at www.facebook.com/ATT.

Again, thank you for being our customer.

Sincerely,

Alison Hall
Vice President and General Manager
AT&T - Carolinas Region"

Apple releases new iPhone software with features, bug fixes

Apple today has released its iOS 4.1 software for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Users can download the release by connecting their iPhone to their computer and visiting iTunes.

The new iPod Touch units, recently redesigned, are shipping with the new hardware.

iOS 4.1 fixes promixity sensor bugs, bluetooth issues and a problem where the old 3G iPhone slowed down with the new operating system. Users will be able to upload HD video over WiFI, rent TV shows and Apple's Game Center debuts for supported devices (no iPhone 3G here guys).

A new feature is High Dynamic Range Photos. Users tap a button and the camera takes three photos in rapid succession. One will be shot in normal exposure plus one that is underdeveloped and one over exposed. It then combines the three to produce an "HDR" photo. The normal and HDR photos are both kept in the camera roll.

GameCenter is used for multi-player games and allows you to challenge friends or auto-match you with players. Gamers can compare scores and see popular games.

Get ready for Google TV this fall

Speaking at a tech conference in Berlin today, Google CEO Eric Schmidt said consumers can expect Google TV this fall. This announcement comes less than a week after Apple introduced its new Apple TV, a $99 set-top box that will play rental movies and TV shows from the internet (as well as allow purchases through a computer).

Schmidt, who formerly sat on Apple's board of directors, said Google TV service will be free. He added the company was working with content providers as well as electronics manufacturers to put Google software into new TV products.

Sony already has announced it would work with Google, delivering a line of TVs with the software pre-installed, and Samsung is also studying the possibility.

So what is Google TV?

It is software, based on the popular technology in the Android phones, that integrates with your current TV offerings, from satellite or cable, and allows you, in theory, to search for channels, shows and actors. It also includes a web browser to allow you to check emails or surf the web on your 50-inch flat screen (which some PlayStation 3 owners with a keyboard know is kind of a cool thing).

You'll also be able to watch YouTube or watch programming from sites like Hulu, which delivers a lot of broadcast content on demand via the internet.

Samsung drops Galaxy tablet. Is it an iPad killer?

Samsung's new Galaxy Tablet was introduced at a news conference in Berlin Thursday. It's a 7-inch tablet running the latest Android OS, Froyo 2.2.

The machine has 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and does Flash, unlike the Apple iPad. The Galaxy Tab also, unlike iPad, comes with a 3-megapixel rear camera with autofocus and an LED flash. Up front there's a 1.3-megapixel camera to allow videochatting.

“Samsung recognizes the tremendou sgrowth potential in this newly created market and we believe that the Samsung Galaxy Tab brings a unique and open proposition to market," said JK Shin, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “The Tab has been designed to enable consumers to maximize their online experience wherever that may be.”

Samsung has its own books, movies and music apps, the Readers' Hub and the Media Hub and the Music Hub.

The tablet is expected in the U.S. "in the coming months," Samsung said. It will launch in Europe in a few weeks.

NBA2K11 footage with Michael Jordan in the game

If this 10 minute peek is any indication, 2KSports is putting together one of the best sports games, well, ever with its NBA 2K11 with Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan on the cover and in the game.

This clip is a recreation of the 92 NBA Finals between Jordan's Chicago Bulls and the Portland Trail Blazers. It's accurate even down to the shooting motions and Jordan's one-handed leg kicking slam.

Apple introduces Apple TV, new iPods, fixes iPhone issues

Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled a new line of iPods Wednesday and a new $99 Apple TV. He also introduced a new operating system for Apple's mobile devices that will correct issues with iPhone 4 and with older iPhones running slowly when using the new operating system.

The new iPod Touch will add all the popular features on iPhone 4, including the "Retina" display and FaceTime video conferencing. Apple TV will let users rent movies and TV shows and stream content from Netflix and YouTube.

Also a new version of iTunes will be launched with a Facebook-like social intergration app.

A quick rundown of the day.

New iPods Launched

Jobs said the company has sold 275 million iPods in its history.

Every iPod is being redesigned and will be available next week. Pre-orders will be taken today.

The new iPod Touch is now the most popular iPod.

"A lot of people call it an iPhone without the phone," Jobs said.

The new iPod Touch is even thinner than the old version, has the Retina Display and runs the Apple A4 chip, just like the iPhone 4. It has 3-axis Gyro plus a front facing camera with FaceTime over WiFi. A rear camera has also been added with HD video recording.

The new touch will have 40 hours of music playback. It's $229 for 8 gigs, $299 for 32 gigs and $399 for the 64 gig version.

More than 1.5 billion games and entertainment titles have been downloaded to the Touch.

-- The new iPod Shuffle is smaller than last year and has buttons, voiceover and playlists. It's about the size of the palm of your hand. It'll speak through your playlists, Genius mixes and the Voice over will tell you song and artist and even let you know when the battery needs charging. The shuffle is good for 15 hours per charge, Jobs said, and comes in five colors. Price is $49.

The new iPod Nano is 46 percent smaller and 42 percent lighter and loses its click wheel. It's square shaped instead of rectangular. It uses the same multi-touch as iPhone. It has a clip on it to attach to your clothes. It's got FM radio, the Nike pedometer and 24 hour audio battery life. This comes in six colors. Price is $149 for 8 gigs; $179 for gigs.

NEW ITUNES RELEASED

Jobs said 11.7 billion songs have been downloaded from iTunes, more than 100 million movies, 450 million TV episodes and 35 million books.

Jobs announced iTunes 10, the latest version, Wednesday with a new logo. It launches today.

What's new?

The interface has changed and Apple has added "Ping" to iTunes, a social network for music. Ping is available on computer, iPhone and iPod Touch.

"It's sort of like Facebook and Twitter meet iTunes," Jobs said. "It's a social network all about music and its' built right into iTunes."

Users can follow favorite artists and friends and find out what's popular. Simply click the Ping link in iTunes. A top 10 chart of songs and albums is customized for each user based on what their friends and favorites are downloading.

NEW APPLE TV LAUNCHES

The old Apple TV was $229. The new one is $99. It'll launch in four weeks with pre-ordering starting today.

Introduced in September 2006, Jobs said Apple has not sold a lot of its Apple TV hardware, but the users who use them tell Apple they love them. Jobs said users said they wanted Hollywood movies and TV shows.

"They don't want amateur hour," Jobs said. "And they want everything in HD."

Jobs said consumers don't want a computer attached to the TV or to have to manage storage. "Your hard disc starts to fill up, what are you gonna do?" Jobs said.

The new Apple TV is about 1/4th the size of the current Apple TV. You can hold it in your hand. It's a small black box. It has a power cord, HDMI, and an ethernet cable. WiFi is built-in. It comes with a remote.

Users will rent all their content and not purchase anything. The device will stream content from your computer with no synching required.

First run movies will cost $4.99, on the day and date they are released on DVD. Renting HD TV shows will be 99 cents. These shows will be commercial free. Only ABC and Fox are on board first. Jobs said he expected the other major studios to come on board soon.

Netflix subscribers can stream content on Apple TV, Flickr, mobileme or YouTube.

NOTES:

-- Apple released its new operating system, iOS 4.1 that fixes promixity sensor bugs, bluetooth issues and a problem where the old 3G iPhone slowed down with the new operating system. Users will be able to upload HD video over WiFI, rent TV shows and Apple's Game Center will debut. The new system debuts next week and is a free download via iTunes for iPod Touch and iPhone.

A new feature is High Dynamic Range Photos. Users tap a button and the camera takes three photos in rapid succession. One will be shot in normal exposure plus one that is underdeveloped and one over exposed. It then combines the three to produce an "HDR" photo. The normal and HDR photos are both kept in the camera roll.

GameCenter is used for multi-player games and allows you to challenge friends or auto-match you with players. Gamers can compare scores and see popular games.

-- Jobs offered a sneak peek at iOS 4.2 for iPad that will come out November, as a free update for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. "It's bringing everything to iPad," Jobs said including folders, GameCenter, HDR photos and wireless printing, a much requested app.

A new feature, AirPlay, will also debut. It'll allow users to stream audio, video and photo to other devices. Users with an iPad or iPhone can stream content to Apple TV.

You can watch a movie or look at photos on iPhone or iPad and watch the rest on your flatscreen via Apple TV.

-- Apple has shipped 120 million iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch products in four years, Jobs said. He said Apple is activating about 230,000 new iOS devices every day. That figure doesn't include upgrades.

-- There are 200 apps per second are being downloaded from Apple's App Store, and more than six billion total in its history. There are more than 250,000 apps currently in the store, 25,000 are iPad exclusive.

-- Jobs said Apple Stores draw more than one million visitors several days per month. He said more than half the people buying Mac computers are new users.


Link: Apple set to introduce new hardware Wednesday

Apple expected to introduce new iPod touch, iTV today

Apple, Inc, will hold its annual fall media conference Wednesday at 10 a.m. PST, and Steve Jobs is expected to announce a revamped Apple TV set-top box as well as introduce a new iPod Touch that will rival iPhone in screen resolution and other features.

The event will be streamed at apple.com and requires a Mac computer running the OSX 10.6 Snow Leopard operating system and the Safari web browser, an iPod Touch or iPhone running the iOS 3.0 operating system or higher or an iPad.

Businessweek has reported that Jobs will introduce a new $99 Apple TV product that will stream movies and other content from Netflix. The current Apple TV costs more than twice that and is basically a movie and TV rental service that allows users to get content from iTunes and watch on their TV.

Other published reports have speculated that the new Apple TV will also allow users to download TV series for 99 cents per episode shortly after they air.

I think we can expect to see a new iPod Touch that will look a lot like the squarish iPhone 4. I think the new Touch will feature Apple's "Retina" display, front and back cameras and include FaceTime video chat. It will be interesting to see if Apple allows 3G over the device, which may include a microphone and would then allow users to make calls via services like Skype.

A new smaller iPod nano with a touch screen is also expected to debut.

Speculation is running wild about Apple TV and a new iPad 4.0 operating system that will bring features like folders to iPad. Apple may also debut a new iLife suite, which includes Apple's photo software (iPhoto), website creation tool (iWeb) and DVD creator (iDVD).

The wildest rumors claim we'll hear about the white iPhone 4 and the Verizon iPhone at the conference. Meanwhile, a Mexican carrier is claiming that we'll see a new iPhone 4 released at the end of September that has been redesigned to thwart the antenna issue that has caused some users to lose signal.

We'll have a full report tomorrow on what Apple does -- and does not -- do. As usual, the guys in Cupertino sure do know how to get the tech masses into a lather.

TW Cable promises new cheap, fast plans

Time Warner Cable, trying to answer improvements from competing services, has launched "SignatureHome," a new bundle that delivers some pretty powerful features.

For $179.99 per month (plus tax) for the first 12 months, customers will get unlimited nationwide calling and voice mail, cable TV services plus a whole house DVR. The DVR will allow customers to record or watch a show in one room and finish in another. The base plan includes two HD DVRs, each one allowing you to store a massive 150 hours of HD content. You can record four HD shows at once using the two supplied HD DVRs. Add more and your recording options -- and storage capacity -- grow.

Of course, if you have more than two TVs, those extra boxes are $7.34 per box. More good news? The boxes appear to be higher quality than the standard issue TWC DVRs that have caused customers fits.

There's even a feature that allows customers to go backwards on the guide for up to three days to see shows you missed. I had to read that one twice, and then I had to call.

But it's true.

If it's Thursday and you missed American Idol on Tuesday and forgot to tape it, well, just click back a few days on the guide, and boom, you've got Ryan Seacrest.

But the best feature here is TWC's new "Wideband" internet that provides download speeds up to 50 megabits per second and upload speeds of up to 5 megabits per second. That's more than five times as fast as TWC's current speed king, Road Runner With Turbo Boost. A quick check of the local website shows 10 megabits download and 5 kbps up for that.

With so many new products and services being introduced that will use the internet, this kind of speed would be amazing.

Of course, the entry price goes up to $266 per month after 12 months, but the nice salesperson I talked to said you could sign up for another 12 months and get the original price.

Of course, real world pricing, by the time you added some extra boxes and movie services would probably top $200, but how many of you are paying that now for cable, phone and internet and not getting this much? Time Warner also promises priority customer services for Signature Home customers, including a two-hour technician window and 24/7 phone service.

TWC may have a winner here.

Verizon plans to allow live TV streaming to iPad

NewTeeVee has an interesting report today about Verizon allow its FiOS subscribers to watch live TV on their iPad.

Customers can expect the new App early next year, though subscribers with iPad will only be able to watch linear programming in their own home.

For you and me, this means you can have a mobile TV. If you need a TV in the bonus room, just take your iPad. Want one one on the front porch? Just take your iPad.

So let us pray that all cable and satellite companies come on board with something similar.

Other companies like Time Warner Cable and Comcast have demoed some iPad apps but they were more about using the tablet as a remote, not as a screen.

Google to give iPad some competition, launch tablet

According to the Download Squad, Google is planning to launch a tablet computer Nov. 26, just in time for prime Christmas shopping season.

The source claims the Chrome OS tablet will be built by HTC, the same folks who make those cool Android phones, like the EVO for Sprint.

It looks like the tablet will have 3G through Verizon. The Download Squad offers thoughts that the unit will be heavily subsidized (agreed) with a contract, and it might even be free with a data contract.

Think that might get Apple's attention?

Smaller, 7-inch iPads on the way by Christmas?

A Taiwanese newspaper is reporting that Apple is readying a smaller iPad with a 7-inch screen by Christmas.

The current model, featuring a 9.7-inch screen, has sold more than three million units since debuting in April.

A smaller iPad might sell for $100 cheaper than the current model, which begins at $499.

Subway and PlayStation team up to offer free gear with sandwiches

Next time you go to get your $5 dollar (five-dolla, five-dolla) footlong, you may be able to quench your gaming jones, too.

Turns out that Sony and Subway have announced a "marketing alliance" that will allow you to win PlayStation prizes, including some products before you can buy them in stores. Sony says the prizes will be worth more than $1 million in retail value and that it expects to award them at a rate of a prize per minute during the promotion period. Those prizes include a shot at the new PlayStation Move controller before they hit stores next month.

How to get some of that PS3 goodness you ask?

Buy specially marked items at Subway like chips, sandwiches and drinks and enter redeeming codes attached at subwayfreshbuzz.com or via mobile devices at subwayfreshbuzz.modi or via text to 87963. You'll learn instantly if you've won and how to redeem your prize.

And besides the anticipated Move controller, Sony plans to give away collector's edition boxes of Gran Turismo 5, LIttle Big Planet 2 and UNCHARTERED 2: Among Thieves Fortune Hunter Edition. It will give away 3D and HDTV entertainment packs and PSP entertainment packs that include a movie and game.

The promotion starts today.

DirecTV offers bonus coverage from PGA Championship

I'm starting to really like this bonus golf and tennis coverage we're getting from DirecTV. The sat-caster is again providing extra coverage from this week's PGA Golf Championship, the final major of the season.

Beginning at 1 p.m. today, DirecTV will offer the main broadcast feeds (TNT and CBS) plus a channel dedicated to a marquee group (think Phil and Tiger), another focusing on the day's most challenging hole and a channel featuring highlights and interviews.

These channels are offered in HD and standard definition for free to DirecTV subscribers beginning on channel 701.

PGA.com will also offer some additional coverage and there's a PGA Championship app available for iPhone and other smart phones that delivers live video, video highlights and instant scoreboard.

DirecTV will also offer an instant leaderboard option by pressing buttons on the remote control.

Dell Streak Tablet pricing set: $549 unlocked, $249 with 2-year deal

Dell's highly anticipated "Streak" smartphone/tablet is scheduled to go on sale soon in the U.S. And we've finally got pricing.

The device is $549 for full retail or $249 with a two-year AT&T contract.

The device, which has a 5-inch screen, will run Android OS.

Dell calls the Streak "the perfectly-sized, go-anywhere entertainment, social connection and navigation device."

The device, according to Dell, features:

* Widescreen display optimally designed for mobile web, video and movies
* Integrated social networking widgets and apps, plus tons of apps through the Android Marketplace
* Crystal-clear damage-resistant Gorilla® glass screen
* Google MapsTM with navigation and text-to-voice, turn-by-turn directions with Street View
* Multitasking Google Android OS

Madden 11 demo now live

The new Madden 11 videogame demo is now up on Xbox Live and should hit PlayStation Store laster today. The game features full five minute quarters and only two teams, the Colts and Jets.

The game has:

· Teams: Colts vs. Jets (as voted by fans)
· Stadium: Jets Stadium, East Rutherford NJ – 1:00pm, clear
· Full 5 minute quarters
· All 4 skill levels selectable – Rookie, Pro, All-Pro, All-Madden
· Build both offensive and defensive gameplans
o Unlock “Master Strategist” achievement/trophy in the retail game
· GameFlow or Conventional play call is selectable
· CoachSpeak audio and text overlays – hear the coach via your headset or see the text overlay on-screen
· Coaching Tips – receive tips in-game to assist you in playing Madden NFL 11
· Audio presentation:
o Play-by-play (Gus Johnson), commentary (Cris Collinsworth)
o Stadium music – hear classic tracks like Crazy Train and more
o Team specific chants

Have you downloaded it yet? What do you think?

Rooting or jailbreaking your cellie is no legal?; and new Madden demo comes tomorrow

Couple interesting tidbits from the tech world today:

1. Cell phone users running the popular iOS (Apple) and Android operating systems may now legally run software applications not approved.

The new ruling will allow users to "jailbreak" or "root" their phones legally. The Library of Congress, which oversees the Copyright Office, reviews and authorizes exemptions every three years to ensure that the law does not prevent certain non-infringing uses of copyright-protected material.

Quoting from the Associated Press story: "Unless users unlock their devices, they can only download apps from Apple's iTunes store. Software developers must get such apps pre-approved by Apple, which sometimes demands changes or rejects programs for what the developers say are vague reasons.

"The new government rules, however, won't stop Apple from continuing its practice of disabling jailbroken phones with software upgrades. That means owners of such phones might not be able to take advantage of software improvements, and they still run the risk of voiding their warranty."

2. Tomorrow, Xbox Live and PlayStation network will host the new Madden 11 demo featuring a playoff game between the Jets and Colts. There will be five-minute quarters and four difficulty choices.

The new Madden debuts Aug. 10.

4 in 5 iPhone users say they'll buy another; Android? Only 1 in 5

Interesting bit of information unearthed by the Yankee Group, a national research firm.

It finds that 77 percent of iPhone users will buy another iPhone, compared to only 20 percent of Android customers.

The Yankee Group says iPhone users net AT&T $50 more per customer each year than other smartphone subscribers and that the iPhone will account for $1.8 billion in sales for AT&T and $9 billion in revenue for the company over the next five years.

That's $750 million more each year than AT&T would make if it had a different flagship smartphone.

Does Droid X suffer from antenna problems too?

Interesting video posted by Apple showing Verizon's new feature phone dropping signal when held a certain way. Thoughts here?

Rumor: Apple in "serious" talks to bring iPhone to T-Mobile this fall

Cult of Mac reports that Apple is in serious talks to bring iPhone to T-Mobile this fall, possibly as early as September.

Cult of Mac quotes a source saying the deal is 80 percent likely. This rumor is interesting because unlike Verizon -- the popular iPhone is coming rumor company -- T-Mobile uses a network chip similar to the one used at AT&T. Unlocked iPhones have run on T-Mobile's network, with slower data speeds, for a long time.

Rumors persist of Verizon and Apple joining forces in January, but a T-Mobile move might be easier.

For the consumer, a move would be good. T-Mobile has cheaper plans than AT&T and any iPhone carrier choice would make AT&T react with better pricing.

Flipboard: One incredible App for iPad (that changes everything)

I don't own an iPad, but I think this is one of the best apps I've seen for it yet. It takes content from your social apps and organizes them into a magazine style layout, and it updates constantly.

You'll never have a moment without fresh content, right?

Click the video below for a demo.

Bloomberg: iPhone 4 to Verizon in January

Bloomberg is quoting sources as saying the new iPhone 4 will come to Verizon in January.

That would bring an end to the iPhone's exclusive three-year run on AT&T's network and open up new revenue streams to Apple and CEO Steve Jobs. Recent surveys indicate more than 14 million Verizon customers would get the device if available on the network. Verizon has nearly 93 million U.S. customers.

Interestingly, Verizon plans to launch its new faster 4G network this fall and introduce wireless devices on it in 2011. At the January Consumer Electronics Show, the company is expected to debut devices that will compatible with the network.

AT&T recently increased fees it would charge customers who break contracts earlier to go to new carriers, moving from $175 to $325. This was done just before the new iPhone 4 debuted.

There have been lots of rumors that the iPhone might move, however, and it has been on AT&T exclusively. We'll see if this one pans out.

Countdown to iPhone 4: Apple's new OS makes old phone glimmer again

As most of you know, Apple will release its new cell phone, iPhone 4, on Thursday. Some shipments have been made to the more than half million people who ordered early. Some may get the new device on Wednesday.

Monday afternoon, Apple released the operating system that will run the new phone. It's called"iOS4," and users of most current Apple devices were able to upgrade. Apple says its adds more than 100 new features (click here for more info).

iPad owners will get the new operating system this fall.

The most current iPod Touches and iPhone 3GS users got almost all the new features, including multi-tasking, allowing you to have more than one app open at once. I have an older iPhone, the 3G, which is not powerful enough to support this feature, which is something I wanted. I like to go walking and would love to have AOL Radio or Pandora rolling at the same time as my iMapMyWalk app that tracks how far and how fast I'm going.

But the new OS includes a tap-to-focus camera and adds zoom. My 3G camera seems sharper and I like the 5x zoom. Email accounts now neatly appear together in one file (as some other phones already do), so you can choose to see all your email in one folder or in separate folders. Emails are now threaded, so you can much more easily follow one email conversation. Those of you who use Gmail are quite used to this neat addition.

I also liked the new folders add-on. If you have page after page of apps, you can now drop 12 apps into one folder. I have, um, a few games on my phone and now have them organized onto one page. I have news apps organized, utilities, music, etc. It's neat to have much quicker access.

Overall, I like the new OS, which also adds the new and popular iBooks reading store that was released with iPad a few months ago. I put the (free) King James Bible on mine and now when I go to church, I don't have to carry The Good Book with me.

We'll follow news on the iPhone 4 release in this space all week.

DirecTV offers bonus U.S. Open Golf Coverage this week

As it has done at recent golf and tennis major championships, DirecTV is broadcasting bonus U.S. Open golf coverage on Channels 701-705. The coverage is offered in standard and high-definition.

Viewers can watch the network broadcast, a featured group (think Phil and Tiger), coverage of play at holes 7 and 17 or play at hole No. 18

Mix Channel viewers will see the home network channel and three feature channels that will follow a group of golfers around the 7,040-yard course, focus on particular area of the course and provide an “in-depth” channel with live updates, highlights and interviews.

Customers with interactive receivers can view all four channels in the Mix and use their remote to listen to any channel’s audio or tune directly to the full-screen channel. The Mix also features a real-time leaderboard.

Apple sells more than 600K iPhone preorders, about 7 per second

It looks like Apple's upcoming iPhone 4 is going to be a big hit.

The new totally redesigned model goes on sale June 24, but Apple started taking preorders Tuesday. In the first 24 hours Apple announced it had sold more than 600,000 new iPhones worldwide.

That's slightly more than 7 per second.

Demand for the new phone crashed servers at Apple's cellular partner and the company, too. Only the black model was available for preorder. A new white model will be available later.

Apple is already saying new preorders won't ship until mid-July, so looks like the best way to get one of these new phones is to stand in line at Wal-Mart or Best Buy or Radio Shack or AT&T or the Apple store at launch.

iPhone preorders cause hysteria; ATT CEO talks cell service

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson did an interview with CNBC today to talk about his company's relationship with Apple and the new iPhone 4. Apple began taking preorders today for the device which launches in about 10 days and demand has caused network problems for AT&T and Apple. Lines at retail outlets have been impressive.

In the interview, Stephenson talks about the strength of iPad for business use and about his company's oft-maligned wireless network.

He said AT&T is working to make things better. Rumor has it the new iPhone 4 antenna system will improve reception. We'll see

EA Sports' new game controllers add zip to Wii titles

I'm very impressed with EA Sports' new solo shot game controllers. The game controllers are replicas of tennis rackets and a baseball bat, which I tried. There's also a golf club available.

The controllers include a wireless Wii remote and a rubberized grip that is easy to hold. The controllers are compatible with many popular Wii golf and tennis games and take the realism to a new level.

It's one thing to play tennis holding the "Wii-mote" like a tennis racquet. It's entirely another to actually hold a tennis racket.

I didn't get to try the golf club, but I think that could be the best of all, especially considering how good the Wii version of the Tiger Woods videogame already is.

I'd highly recommend these for any sports game lover.



Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/06/14/1501154/jordan-back-on-court-with-nba.html#ixzz0qsRVCfOd

Big changes ahead for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3

The big news out of the E3 electronics and entertainment convention so far has been from Sony and Microsoft, which are giving their popular console game machines two big face lifts.

Microsoft announced that it's new Xbox 360 slim has launched today. It comes with integrated 802.11n WiFi (the fast stuff). It comes with a 250-gig hard drive and will cost $299. Reports say the new model is quieter (thankfully) and much thinner that the current model.

Microsoft also officially gave its Project Natal hands-free control system a name. It's called "Kinect" and it will launch Nov. 4 with 15 titles. The Xbox 360 add-on uses advanced camera and whiz-back computer tech to allow you to interact with the console and play games by just moving your arms and legs. No more Wii-mote. Journalists who saw the technology in a demo this week came away impressed.

EA Sports is already developing "EA Sports Active 2" ($99.99) for the Kinect system. The company promises the exercise game will track full body moment. On Kinect, users will be ability to go through workouts using voice and gesture recognition. PS3 and Wii players will use leg and arm straps with motion sensors built in.

As for Sony, there are big rumors about the company's presentation tomorrow that involve two new PS3 bundles. One will have a 250 gig hard drive and the other will get 500. Both machines will also get updated to the wireless N standard and may ship with Sony's new Wii-mote like motion controller called "Move."

Also look for 3D PS3 games. So get your glasses ready.

And speaking of 3D, Nintendo promises its new 3DS handheld console delivers 3D without the glasses.

Uh oh.

The Electronic Entertainment Expo runs runs until Thursday in Los Angeles.

Time Warner cable vs. Windstream DSL Part II

On Thursday, I wrote about beginning to change from years and years of solid service from Time Warner Cable's Road Runner broadband internet service to Windstream DSL. You can click here to read that blog.

My initial Windstream order was not done correctly, and I was only getting download speeds of 3 megabits per second yesterday, which was much slower than the 13 I was getting from Time Warner.

At 13 megabits, you can download a good sized movie in about eight minutes or an iTunes song in four seconds. At 3 megabits, the speeds I was getting, it's 14 seconds for the song download and 35 minutes for the movie.

But more than that, the internet was just slow. And after Road Running for a long, long time, it felt like I was back on the old AOL dial up connection waiting for that infernal blue bar to move all the way to the right.

That wasn't going to work.

Long story short, I was making the change due to Windstream's new bundle offer -- $49.99 for internet and phone with unlimited long distance for life. The $49.99 offer is good for 3 megabit speed, so I upgraded to 12 megabits, as fast as Windstream offers. That pumped up my bill to $59.99 (or $66.49 after taxes).

Well, it took three calls to customer service and about an hour of total time to get things fixed, but a Windstream tech made a switch to my service this morning, which involved changing a PIN number. That opened up the broadband pipe to my home. I am now getting speeds of 12.63 megabits per second, not far off the 13.31 I was getting from Road Runner yesterday. My upload speeds are twice as fast (0.64 to 0.35) as I got from Time Warner.

Best of all, I'm getting a home phone again plus speedy internet for about the same price as I was paying Time Warner Cable for Road Runner alone.

Late last year, I dropped my home phone service and just went cellular. It trimmed my bills, but giving the kids your cellphone to use whenever they needed to make a call -- or giving it to guests -- got a little bit old.

So next week, I will cancel my Road Runner service, turn in my modem and move on.

Am I making the right call?

The Broadband Wars Part I: Windstream vs. Time Warner Cable

I have had Time Warner Cable's Road Runner high-speed internet service since it debuted in Charlotte. The installer who put it in my house told me I was one of the first 10 people in Charlotte to get it.

It's always been great. I've never had a problem with it. This morning, I did a speed test and got download rate of 13.3 megabits per second. That's fast enough to download a song in four seconds or a good sized movie in about eight minutes.

But I may be leaving all that Time Warner goodness.

I've been getting these letters, like I'm sure many of you are, about a fabulous bundle offer from Windstream. The telephone company is offering DSL plus phone for $49.99 -- a price the company said will last as long as you remain in your home and don't change the service.

The $49.99 includes download speeds up to 3 megabits per second, which after using Road Runner from TWC is like crawling. With 3 megabits, you're talking 35 minutes to download that same movie I was talking about earlier, or 14 seconds to download that same song.

In real life, it just means having to wait for things to load that you're not used to waiting to load.

I signed up for 12 megabits down, which raised my monthly price to $59.99 (or $66.49 after taxes). That's about what I was paying for Road Runner. I figured it was a good deal.

Installation today went fast. I got a new modem and everything runs through the existing phone jack. You use a splitter, sending one phone cord to your phone and the other to your modem.

The only bad part was Windstream messed up my order. They signed me up for 3 megabits, so as I write this, things are, um, rather deliberate.

I couldn't live with these speeds.

Tomorrow, a technician will come back out and flip some magical switch and raise my speeds (I hope). I'll report back with what I get and let you know how it goes.

Have any of you tried DSL and gone back to cable? Or vice versa? Would love to hear your stories.

God Of War III: Incredible, bloody, unforgettable

I've been playing Sony's highly anticipated "God of War III" for a few weeks now and I'm just amazed.

I'm amazed at the graphics, the violence, the blood, and the depth of the story and characters here. Like God Of War II, this is a real candidate for the game of the year. And like GOW II, this is not a game for anyone younger than 18. Beyond the violence, there is nudity and rather graphic depictions of sex, both group and same sex.

GOWII ended with a big cliffhanger, a man turned greek god, Kratos is ascending Mount Olympus on the back of a giant creature, a Titan called Gaia. His mission: kill all the gods, including Zeus himself. Kratos, a former captain of Sparta's army, believes Zeus has betrayed him. He intends to destroy the most powerful Greek god of them all.

If it sounds a little like a Hollywood blockbuster, well, it is, and it's got just as much violence as "300" ever did. We're talking heads ripped arms, arms cut away, blood spewing in all directions; some really violent stuff. And, yet, this game is breathtaking. There are characters here, called Giants, that are immensely large, and they are drawn superbly to scale. The worlds themselves are huge and you can interact with virtually anything in them.

Some of the animation scenes -- parts of the game where you see action but cannot do anything -- are as impressive as anything you'd see on the big screen. I'd go so far as to say this is the best action adventure game of all time. Ever. I didn't see any animations in portions of the game that were open for play that didn't appear to be happening in real time (as opposed to a character made to run to a certain point automatically or climb a wall without you controlling him).

You can gain addition weapons as Kratos by taking down your prey, best achieved by mastering button combos to allow him to make multiple strike attacks.

I will tell you that Sony promises this is the last game in this story line, but maybe not the last in the series. I will tell you that Kratos fails in his attempt to start the game at destroying Zeus. He's betrayed again, by Gaia, who could've saved him. As he descends to a river in the Underworld, where he's attacked and weakened, he swears revenge on her, too.

And from there, if you're good enough, Kratos will find his way out of hell, and start working through his enemies, which include a familiar character named Hercules, boring through them -- if you're good enough -- like Tony Montana in the last hour of the 1983 cult classic "Scarface."

The action never stops and your fingers will virtually never come to rest on your PS3 controller. Played on a hi-def TV with the volume turned up, this game will enthrall you.

But parents, be warned, this is too much for your teens.

Review: Shrek Forever After videogame

I'm all Shreked out. I admit it.

I haven't seen the new movie nor do I want to (and thankfully neither do the kids). I can tell you that the game's plot mirrors the movies a little, so I don't want to spoil it for those of you who plan to visit your favorite Ogre at the theater.

In the game, which is well done, you can play as Fiona, Donkey, Puss In Boots and the ol' green guy himself.

And once you pick your character, each with his or her special abilities, you jump into the game.

Now married, Shrek wants to go back to the days when he lived by the swamp and was feared. He signs a deal with Rumpelstiltskin to give him one day as a dreaded monster, only he's tricked. He can't come back until he earns a "true love's kiss" and he's sent to a new reality where he's never met his wife, Fiona.

Your job now is to hook up with all your old friends and woo Fiona. You must also stomp Rumpelstiltskin from taking over the kingdom in the real world.

There are 11 levels of game play and collect coins to advance your way to a final battle

What's cool is four player mode. You and your friends can team up against your enemies and each use your skill: Shrek can move heavy stuff, Puss N Boots can climb up anything like Spider Man; Fiona sets stuff on fire and Donkey has a super kick.

Best of all the game is easy to pick up and play, and rather fun.

"Storybook Workshop" a great "game" for kids

Konami's "Storybook Workshop" videogame for the Wii is the kind of videogame we could use more of.

It's designed for young kids, though it does have some mild cartoon violence, and is basically a read-along. There are 16 classic fairy tales here, like "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Ugly Duckling" plus four sing-along songs.

Players use the included USB microphone to read along with, record and play back your reading of the stories. A voice box option lets you alter your voice a little to match the characters. You use the mic to record the stories (or you can listen to the computer). You can get about 40 minutes of storage.

The game helps reinforce reading skills and can help young ones with pronouncing their words.

In addition to the read-along there is some gameplay here, too, with some mini-games. The only bad thing here is getting started. A host character (a walking, talking television) leads players through a tree house with four rooms. In each rooms, are elements to begin the storytelling. If parents are not around, young kids could get frustrated trying to know which room (Grape) has the different characters, and which one (Acorn) has the tutorials and report cards.

Still, it's a nice deviation from most kids games and can actually help enforce some things kids are learning in school.

Steve Jobs announces new iPhone; on sale June 24

More than 5,200 people attended the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco Monday morning. All of them were waiting -- like many tech-lovers throughout America -- to hear what new goodies Apple CEO Steve Jobs would announce at his highly anticipated keynote.

Jobs touted the big success of the iPad. He said Apple sells one iPad every three seconds and has sold more than two million in ten countries. By July, Jobs said, iPad will be in 19 countries.

At 1:31 p.m., half an hour into the speech, Jobs said the new iPhone ($199 for 16 GB or $299 for 32 GB with two-year contract from AT&T beginning June 24) would be the biggest jump in technology since the original phone came out. The new model, he said, would come in black or white and have 100 new features (although there was a technical glitch trying to get the New York Times to load).

One of the new features is video conferencing.

The new iPhone shown was glass on the front and back with stainless steel running up the sides. It is 24 percent thinner than the current version. It has a front-facing camera and another camera with LED flash on the back. It will allow users to multi-task, or run more than one application at once. Jobs promises that multi-tasking won't run down the battery as it does on some other phones with the feature.

It is the same size as the current iPhone, 3.5 inches long, but has 960 by 640 resolution, near Hi-Def, and a contrast ratio four times better than the current model. Jobs said the new iPhone has 78 percent of the pixels of the iPad, "right in the palm of your head."

Jobs said a new technology, which he called "retina density" dramatically improves the screen quality, delivering up to four times as many pixels in the same space as the current iPhone. Jobs said the display delivers about double pixels per inch, or PPI, of the current phone (326 compared to 163).

"In person," Jobs said, "it is one of the most beautiful designs you've ever seen. Beyond a doubt one of the most beautiful and precise things we've ever made."

The new iPhone has a bigger battery that will allow 40 percent more talk time. Users will get seven hours of talk, six hours of 3G web browsing, 10 hours of WiFi browsing, 10 hours of video watching, 40 hours of listening to music and 300 hours of standby.

Other new items

-- AT&T customers will get up to six months of early eligibility for the phone. The current iPhone 3GS will drop to $99. Customers can begin pre-ordering June 15.

-- The new iPhone supports wireless N for faster WiFi. And it has a gyroscope built in, which will help with orientation on the device, especially while using gaming apps.

-- Videoconferencing can be done between any two new iPhones using WiFi networks. Apple is calling it "FaceTime" Jobs said "we need to work with cellular providers" (plural) and it would be WiFi only for 2010. You can videoconference with front or rear facing cameras and can switch on the fly to show your caller what you are looking at.

-- Jobs said the iPhone's camera is five megapixels with a backside illuminated sensor to help with taking photos in low light. It has 5x digital zoom with tap to focus and an LED flash. The camera also records HD video at 720p and the iPhone will edit the video on the device using Apple's popular iMovie technology. iMovie will be a $4.99 app.

The LED flash can stay on during video recording and there's a one touch share button. You can export video in 360p, 520p and 720p

-- The new operating system, so far known as iPhone OS4 will be called iOS4. It has the aforementioned multi-tasking, folders, much deeper enterprise integration for corporate email. Google is the default search engine, but Bing is available as well as Yahoo.

-- iBooks is coming to iPhone with iOS4. You can download a book and share it among iPod Touch, iPad and iPhone. iBooks will automatically and wirelessly sync your place, bookmarks, and all notes. There will be no charge.

-- Mail on iPhone will come in one unified screen, allowing you to view multiple email accounts in one view.

-- iBooks on iPad will allow users to open and read pdf files inside the application. Users will also be able to make notes inside the book app. The notes will look like Post-Its. A new bookmark feature is also coming.

-- The popular iPad Netflix app is coming to iPhone, allowing users who subscribe to the video rental service to access movies on the fly. Expect the app this summer. Users will be able to start a film on the home computer, Xbox 360, iPad or iPhone and pick it up on another device. The iPhone app will have full functionality, including "search" and "recommendations." It wasn't made clear if the iPhone version would only work via WiFi or also over 3G.

-- iOS4 free upgrades will be available for iPod Touch, 3GS iPhone and 3G iPhone June 21, though the 3G and some Touches will not support all the new features.