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Criminal behavior prediction software to go live in D.C., Precogs union up in arms
We all know what happens when people start using supernatural forces to predict and prevent crimes, and we certainly don't want to go there. But software that predicts criminal behavior is already in effect in Baltimore and Philadelphia: while it won't send a SWAT team to a perp's door moments before shots are fired, it will algorithmically show which criminals are most likely to commit or be victims of certain crimes in the future. While the software is now being used to determine how closely parolees should be monitored for murder risk, law enforcement agents in D.C. are hoping to use it to detect the likelihood of lesser crimes as well. Forget all that gobbledygook about immigrants taking all our jobs--let's figure out a better way to keep algorithms from getting into the U.S. of A. [Photo courtesy Bryan Babich]
Former Baltimore mayor's telltale Xbox 360 now on eBay
Here's a bit of backstory for those of you who don't follow the hot Baltimore news scoops: Sheila Dixon, once mayor of Baltimore, became the former mayor Baltimore after being indicted for embezzlement earlier this year. One of the main pieces of evidence in her trial was an Xbox 360 prosecutors claimed she purchased with gift cards given to her by local developers, which were supposed to be given to various charities. The telltale 360 recently appeared in an eBay listing, attracting a number of prospective buyers hoping to get their hands on the game console/slice of Baltimore history. If you're interested in owning a device which is capable of single-handedly ending someone's mayoral career, the auction is still running. Its price is significantly higher than a standard console, but you've got to pay a premium for all that history. [Via Baltimore Sun]
Leaked Sprint WiMAX roadmap names new cities for 2009 rollout
Well, what do we have here? One of our readers sent us a screenshot from Sprint's Sales Portal that included the above roadmap for its WiMAX rollout this year. A number of the yet-to-be-launched cities we've already heard about -- Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Charlotte -- but to the best of our knowledge, the rest of them are brand new entries. Additionally, Baltimore residents can look forward to some sort of coverage update in the fourth quarter. We'd be lying if we said we weren't jealous that Salem (population 3,000) and Milledgeville (population 19,000) are getting the wireless network before most of us on staff, but the service has to start somewhere, right? No indication here of 2010 plans, but last we heard that included Boston, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Update: As tipster Carlos points out, Clearwire's website already has some coverage maps for some of the cities listed in the third quarter, as well as some markets not listed here.
Baltimore mayor allegedly purchased consoles with gift cards for the needy
Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon has been indicted on 12 counts, including four counts of perjury and two counts of theft over $500, following a three-year probe by a state prosecutor into corruption at City Hall. According to the Baltimore Sun, among the laundry list of charges against Dixon, which cover awarding lucrative contracts to family members and general misconduct in office, she also allegedly stole from those most in need and went console shopping. According to prosecutors, a few years back Dixon used Best Buy gift cards, intended for underprivileged families, to purchase a PlayStation 2, Xbox 360 and PSP -- along with other pieces of consumer electronics. Dixon says she has done nothing wrong and is confident she'll be found innocent. She better pray that Best Buy doesn't keep videos of transactions in some vault for years. Update: Dixon resigns and pleads guilty. [Via GamePolitics]
WBAL-TV switches on HD news in Baltimore, Maryland
Charm City residents refusing to tune into SD news have had their sets locked on FOX 45 for months now, but 2009 is offering the city of Baltimore yet another option. Starting this weekend, WBAL-TV has flipped the high-def switch on its local news, meaning that you can now catch your favorite NBC talking heads in an all new light. So, locals -- are things much improved? Studio shot is after the break.[Thanks, Ryan and Michael]
Clearwire's $150 dual-mode WiMAX / Sprint CDMA modem launches Sunday
Yup, it's true, the dual-mode CDMA / WiMAX modem is real and will be sold by Clearwire Sprint starting December 21st. The $150 device (after $50 rebate and two-year Sprint contract) is a first to function on both Sprint's EV-DO network and Clearwire's nascent mobile WiMAX service currently supporting Baltimore's collection of kitschy beauty salons. So yeah, the modem is of limited interest until Clearwire can build-out its network in 2009, starting with Portland in early January.
Comcast readies DOCSIS 3.0 rollouts for Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore and Ft. Wayne
Comcast promised us all a few months back that it would be bringing its wicked fast DOCSIS 3.0 technology to a handful of other big markets before too long, and today the carrier has chosen to reveal the next four places where said service will be made available. The high-speed internet service, which is capable of hitting 50Mbps down / 5Mbps up, will be launched "over the next several weeks" in Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore and Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Don't see your city listed? Hang tight -- the next wave should be announced in the not-too-distant future.
Acer launches WiMAX-enabled Aspire 4930-6862 / 6930-6771 notebooks
Hot on the heels of Lenovo comes Acer, which is somehow claiming "first!11one!" in the US market with WiMAX-enabled laptops. Introduced today in Baltimore in conjunction with the formal unveiling of Sprint's XOHM network, the Aspire 4930-6862 and Aspire 6930-6771 both include the innate ability to hop on a WiMAX network and surf at 4G speeds. As for specs, the former packs a 14.1-inch WXGA panel, 2GHz Core 2 Duo T7350 CPU, 3GB of RAM, WiFi / WiMAX capability, integrated graphics, a dual-layer DVD writer, 320GB SATA HDD, 5-in-1 card reader, built-in webcam, Windows Vista Premium and an $899.99 sticker. The larger 6930 differs only in the 16-inch 1,366 x 768 resolution panel, as everything else (price included) remains the same. Charm City residents can snatch 'em up right now at NewEgg and TigerDirect.[Via DigitalTrends]
Sprint XOHM WiMAX networks reportedly active in other cities
Flying out of BWI to Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. or Northern Virginia? Make sure you pack in that SWC-E100, because we're hearing that Sprint's XOHM WiMAX networks are already live in each of those locales. According to a XOHM representative at a booth in Baltimore, the networks in each of those cities are already up, though they aren't officially supported as they're still "being tested." If any of you XOHM early adopters happen to head to any of the previously mentioned regions, bust out your ExpressCard and see if you get lucky (and then let us know how it goes).
XOHM WiMAX tested in Baltimore, does work in cars
XOHM is live in Baltimore, and Laptop Magazine has sent a few (slightly dazed-looking) staffers on an impromptu tour of the "Charm City" to get a feel for Sprint's new WiMAX service. Overall, they found performance to be quite good, clocking in at 3.05 Mbps down and 2.4 Mbps up. That compares very favorably to Verizon's EV-DO network, which delivered 1.43 Mbps down and 0.54 Mbps up in the same locations. Sprint's network also beats Clearwire's WiMAX down in Reno both in speed and in connectivity; testers in the Biggest Little City in the World couldn't get a signal while in a car, but those in Baltimore could, albeit at half the speed as when stationary. So, it certainly sounds like a good solution for those who need a high-speed connection on the go -- so long as they're only going to places within Baltimore, of course.
Sprint goes live with XOHM WiMAX service in downtown Baltimore
In an apparent effort to make good on its claim of having WiMAX rolling in Baltimore this month, Sprint is reportedly going live with the service in the downtown area today. There's no indication of when it'll spread XOHM throughout Charm City, but we're hearing that prices will start at $10 for a 24-hour unlimited pass and $35 for monthly service. Best of all, there won't be any contracts necessarily attached, and WiMAX-friendly laptop cards will supposedly start at around $45. For any locals able to actually find one of these so-called aircards and hop on this elusive XOHM network today, be sure and let us know how it goes.[Via USAToday]
Sprint and Intel signing up Baltimore-area XOHM testers
Back in June, we heard that Sprint would be going live with its XOHM WiMAX service in Baltimore, um, this month. As of today, it's pretty clear that the service won't be rolled out fully before October dawns, but at least some progress is being made. Based on a survey sent out to select (read: lucky) Baltimore-area residents, it seems that Intel and Sprint are willing to give away free laptops in order to trial the XOHM service in the city. Unfortunately, the lappies won't even be given out until late October, and the trial itself is set to last 30 days, so frankly, we'll be lucky to see XOHM hit the general populace before Santa takes to the friendly skies. Though, why are we not surprised?[Thanks, Anonymous]
MASN comes around, will launch full-time HD channel in 2009
The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (more affectionately known as MASN) has been a long-time HD holdout in the world of regional sports networks. After finally getting its act together and blessing viewers with some Orioles / Nationals games in high-def, the channel has announced today that it's fully ready to embrace this century. Beginning in March of 2009, it will launch a full-time HD channel and "more than double the number of HD telecasts of Nationals and Orioles games." Once live, it will air up to 200 MLB tilts next year in high-definition, and furthermore, it'll carry "Ravens preseason games, select NCAA Division I football, basketball, and lacrosse games, and ESPNews in HD." Also of note, we're already told that many of its current distributors will carry the 24/7 HD channel, including Comcast, Cox, RCN and DirecTV.
Comcast adds five new HD stations in Greater Baltimore area
Comcast subscribers in the Charm City have been clamoring for a bit of HD love for what seems like eons, and thankfully, said carrier has finally obliged. Just this week, the outfit added five new high-definition channels to its Greater Baltimore lineup: ABC Family HD, Disney Channel HD, Science HD, WUTB MyNetworkTV 24 and WGN HD. A good start to the second half of 2008, Comcast, but we're pretty sure we speak for all of Baltimore when we say "we want more."
Comcast relegating some stations to digital only in Washington, D.C.
Not like we haven't seen this happen a time or two already in the US, but we'd wager that Comcast's Washington, D.C. market is fairly sizable. Nevertheless, Comcast will be bumping a number of channels -- namely the D.C.-area ABC / NBC / FOX / CBS affiliates -- to digital only. In other words, those relying on analog service will have to upgrade to digital cable in order to continue viewing the affected stations. Granted, some 80% of subscribers in Annapolis and Anne Arundel already have digital cable (so says Comcast), and the changes are being made to open up space for potential HD expansion. Unfortunately, Comcast isn't following in the footsteps of certain other carriers and offering free digital adapters -- but hey, progress has to happen eventually, right?[Image courtesy of Brent Nelson, thanks Harry]
Baltimore, MD gets local HD news courtesy of FOX 45
Welcome to the 21st century, Baltimore! Thanks to WBFF (FOX 45), you too can finally watch your local anchors in stunning high-definition. As it stands, less than one-third of the homes in the area have HD-capable TV sets, but the station is banking on that changing in the future as more individuals slowly see the light. Comically enough, special consultants were even called in to arrange "softer, more forgiving lighting" on the set -- those wrinkles and fine lines sure do stand out more in high-def, we hear. It's also noted that newscasts entirely in HD are still a couple months away, and rival stations WBAL and WJZ could take this transformation as all the encouragement they need to follow suit. So, Baltimore residents -- how's new news?[Thanks, Rob]
DISH Network brings HD locals to three more cities
While a few Baltimore, MD and Columbia, SC residents were lamenting the fact that May-bound launches such as Richmond, VA occurred before they got their own taste of HD locals, hopefully we can now put aside all that angst. Announced today, Baltimore and Columbia are joining Green Bay, WI in the HD locals parade, and seeing that there is no mention of any networks being left out, we're going to hesitantly assume that the trio of markets all have access to their respective ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX stations. Fire up the HD DVR and let us know how it goes, would you?
Comcast brings five more HD channels to Greater Baltimore area
What do you know? The same five HD channels Comcast rolled out to its home crowd on April 4th are now heading south to the Greater Baltimore, Maryland region. Effective immediately, users in Charm City can forget a hard day by feasting their eyes on AMC HD, Animal Planet HD, CNN HD, History HD and TLC HD. The additions bring the grand total of high-def offerings in the area to 36, but with Verizon snaking in to steal away market share and both major satcasters edging closer towards triple-digits, we'd say it shouldn't be resting on its laurels.[Thanks, Scott]
Comcast Spotlight to pinpoint customer desires with targeted ads
Comcast is rolling out its Spotlight program in Baltimore in Q3 of this year. There's a scary threesome involved in the effort: Comcast, media agency Starcom MediaVest Group and technology partner Invidi. Central to the program is Invidi's Advatar technology (no, not that Advatar) to deliver ads targeted to individual users. Before you get too scared by the "Big Brother" sound of all this, consider that Comcast's initial trial of addressable placements showed 38% less ad-skipping; that's a pretty good indication that people preferred the ad flavor cooked up by Comcast. Let's face it -- in conventional broadcasting (and increasingly online as well), advertising is a proven model. So programming is going to be sprinkled with ads; wouldn't you rather have them be personally interesting? We certainly prefer this to the "run the ads louder" approach. The real tricky issue will be maintenance of anonymity; we'll see how consumers respond as TV increasingly watches them. All companies involved would be wise to keep in mind the cost of winning back violated customer trust.
MASN to offer up select Orioles / Nationals games in HD?
For fans of the Baltimore Orioles and / or Washington Nationals, things could be getting an awful lot clearer when you tune in to catch their games this season. After the Kansas City Royals found a way to get its games broadcast regionally in high-definition, the O's and Nats stood as the final two MLB clubs with a dedicated channel that only beamed out its games in SD. According to an e-mail reportedly forwarded from an employee of a "local cable company," MASN is indeed planning to finally ditch its pixelated ways and go HD. More specifically, the note states that customers that receive the channel will be able to catch "at least 60 MLB games in 1080i" during the 2008 season, and that those matchups would be split evenly between the Orioles and Nationals. When a MASN publicist was questioned about the apparent leak, he casually stated that the station was working with its cable and satellite operators on "providing some games in HD in 2008," but didn't go out of his way to outright confirm or deny the whispers. Sounds like positive news, but we aren't getting our hopes up (too high) quite yet.[Image courtesy of NastyNats, thanks Tom]
