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Xfinity Home Security makes home monitoring and management Comcastic (video)
It looks like Comcast's trial bubble has been something of a success, and now the company is announcing that its Xfinity Home Security Service will be branching out beyond Houston to arm alarms, dim lamps and keep home automation freaks appraised of sports scores in an additional six markets (including Philadelphia, Portland, Jacksonville, Sarasota/Naples, Chattanooga and Nashville). Powered by iControl Networks' Open Home automation and security platform, packages start at $40 a month and feature live video monitoring, lighting and climate control, burglar and fire alarm monitoring, and more -- via touchscreen interface, web portal, and iPhone app. Now you too can put your family's safety in the same hands that bring Gilligan's Island into your home! Video, PR-palooza after the break.
Check out the 'vue' at this Florida Ritz-Carlton resort
With airport security so unpredictable these days, it's just not safe to travel with your consoles anymore. So why travel at all? It's a question that The Ritz-Carlton resort in Naples, Fla. has tried to answer with the introduction of its new "vue." That's right -- it would seem that the "dazzling" views of the Gulf of Mexico just aren't engaging enough for today's vacationer, so the hotel has constructed a "virtual user experience." That's marketing-speak for "really jazzy living room." Pictured above, you'll spot the room's setup of LCDs wired to Wiis, PS3s and Xbox 360s, along with some iMacs in the center (not known for gaming, but they sure look swell.) We know it's a little awkward to share your "living room" with complete strangers, but after a few heavy cocktails, who isn't down for a wicked Rock Band sesh with that one couple's only child, who happens to be allergic to the sun? Hmmm ... on second thought, maybe a "staycation" does better suit your budget this year. %Gallery-91976%
Comcast adds a few to HD lineup in Naples, Florida
As is happening in many areas across North America, Comcast is shuffling the EPG in Naples, Florida as it looks to transition some analog stations to digital. But aside from the minor SD movers and shakers, we're interesting in the palm-full of new HD stations that'll be coming along for the ride. Beginning on December 8th, viewers in Collier and Lee Counties will see Versus HD and Golf HD emerge as their own separate channels, while AMC HD joins eight days later with the SD feed of MLB Network. Hopefully an HD variant of that last one isn't too far out of the picture.
DISH Network unloads HD locals in a handful of new markets
Of late, it's been DirecTV doing all the dishing of HD locals, but at long last, we've got its biggest, most bitter rival stepping to the plate and doing some damage, too. As it's fall HD locals rollout continues, DISH Network has gone live with 'em in a bevy of new places. We're talking Florence / Myrtle Beach, SC, Fort Myers / Naples, FL, Greenville / New Bern / Washington, NC, Madison, WI and Wilkes Barre / Scranton, PA. As it stands, the satcaster now offers locals in high-def in 70 markets reaching 71% of the US, but really, all that matters is if you're in that 71%, right?
DISH Network flips on HD locals in Ft. Myers / Naples, Florida
Considering that Ft. Meyers, Florida was scheduled to have its HD locals flipped on via DISH Network back in April, we can imagine that residents are slightly perturbed about the wait. Nevertheless, folks looking for any possible reason to sneak inside and escape the record-setting heat can finally celebrate the addition of high-def locals in Naples and Ft. Myers. There's no word on which channels are being added, so we'll go ahead and assume that FOX, CBS, ABC and NBC stations are all showing now in beautiful high-definition. Let us know if anything changes, though.
Naples Apple Store reveals new facade
Earlier this week we pointed out the new Apple Store opening in Naples, Florida this Saturday: Apple Store Waterside (doesn't that sound charming?). In keeping with our practice of posting photos of unopened stores, we're pointing out these shots of the exterior of Apple Store Waterside.The store front is stainless with a backlit Apple logo. According to ifoAppleStore, this is the first time this design has been used with an indoor, mall-based Apple Store. Check out the rest of the photos here (let's hope they wipe those hand prints away before Saturday).We think it looks quite nice. Perhaps this will become the new standard...until they change their minds again.
Naples, Fla Apple Store opens Saturday
Apple plans to open a new retail store this Saturday, March 10th at 10 AM in The Sunshine State. The Apple Store is located at The Waterside Shops in Naples.As usual, the first 1000 visitors will be rewarded with commemorative t-shirts. Visitors can also enter to win what Apple is calling "Digital Lifestyle Collection." With the opening of this location, Florida will be second only to California in total number of Apple Stores.If you're going to attend the opening in Naples, please send us links to your photos and reports! Good luck and have fun.
Italian scientists develop quake detection theory
If research at the University of Naples and the National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology in Rome proves to be accurate, folks who live in earthquake country may eventually have a few more seconds to respond to oncoming earthquakes. New research published later this month in Geophysical Research Letters shows that primary waves (P waves) from earthquakes contain enough information about its magnitude and destructive potential to alert potential victims about their impending situation about 15 seconds beforehand. While that may not seem like very much time to dive under a table, it may be enough for automated systems to shut off gas pipelines or to halt high-speed trains. This sounds very much like that Japanese system we spotted in October -- whichever one is deployed first, we'll be glad to see it. [Via Slashdot]
