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DISH Network details HD only TurboHD packages
Good on you, DISH Network. Rather than sitting idly by while everyone already knows that 17 new HD channels are coming in August, the satcaster has pushed out a press release making the newcomers official. 'Course, you didn't really expect DISH to push aside the opportunity to trumpet its pending leap to 100+ high-def stations, did you? Nevertheless, those 17 that we mentioned earlier today are indeed coming on August 1st, but what we didn't know was how exactly the long-rumored HD only packages would work. Also beginning on August 1st, the handful of TurboHD packages -- which will deliver only high-definition channels -- will be available with or without locals starting at $24.99 and topping out at $49.99. Check out the read link for more details. Oh, how we long for the day where HD only packages are commonplace across carriers.
Mitsubishi's 3D plans brought into focus, PC gaming to play a role
When Mitsubishi admitted that it was holding hands with NVIDIA and Aspen Media for no other reason than to prove that they all three hearted 3D, we must say, we were miffed. Now, however, it seems that plans are finally coming to light, and everything is starting to make a whole lot more sense. Reportedly, the three firms are gearing up to showcase how well they can work together to produce eye-pleasing 3D PC gaming results in select retail outlets this July. At first, none of the components will be sold together per se, but bundle deals are definitely in the works. Whether or not budding PC gamers are ready to switch to a DLP-based HDTV as their primary monitor, however, remains to be seen.
LANrev releases free version of InstallEase
Who can take some software, bundle it for you? Make a free installer and then seal it up with glue? InstallEase can (with apologies to Sammy Davis, Jr.). The packaging utility, long part of the LANrev crossplatform management & audit tool, is now available free of charge -- making it very complementary to other no-cost packaging tools such as Apple's PackageMaker and the freeware Iceberg, and it compares in functionality to the $99 Casper Composer tool (also available as part of the comprehensive Casper Suite).The idea behind both InstallEase and Composer is simple: suppose you want to install a new application on 20 computers, complete with plugins and pref files. Rather than walking around to each one, you snapshot your pre-install state on a prototype machine using InstallEase, then install the software; finally, take an 'after' picture. Just like that, you've created a package installer that can be run by the individual users, pushed out with ARD, LANrev, Casper etc., or triggered to run from a remote server. It's a great timesaver, especially for programs that don't leverage Apple's .pkg installer format for standardized deployment -- Office 2004, for example.If you've got a passel of Macs to manage and you haven't tried InstallEase yet, give it a download and check it out.
Widget Watch: Delivery Status 3.6 remembers tracking numbers, gets even easier to use
Mike Piontek can't stop making his phenomenal Delivery Status Dashboard widget cooler. As if features like compatibility with a zillion shipping services and Growl notifications aren't cool enough, a couple of recent updates have brought some handy performance enhancements and compatibility with even more services. First up is support for Purolator, Google Checkout, and FexEd SmartPost. Next is a new drop-down menu on the tracking number entry box that remembers the last 10 numbers you've tracked with each service. Finally, new buttons appear on the widget when you mouse over to both magnify the widget for easier viewing and open a new Delivery Status widget altogether, making it easier to track a second package from the same service (by default) while still allowing you to select any other service in Delivery Status' expanding list. Of course, plenty of bugs have been fixed since the last time we've mentioned this widget, which is still provided as donationware from Piontek's site.Update: Corrected the spelling of Mike's name -- sorry!
International texting package in the pipe for AT&T
We've received word that AT&T is prepping a new package that should make texting outside of the US just a little more palatable. Right now, folks pay a stiff $0.20 to get their SMSes off our shores and $0.15 to get them in -- not bad, no, but still a good deal pricier than the domestic stuff. The new plan, scheduled for a June 3 launch, allegedly rocks 100 texts per month for $9.99, basically shaving 50 percent off the cost (for the first hundred, anyway). Still more expensive than a text to your friend next door -- and no, it doesn't include picture or video messaging -- but we'll take what we can get.[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Stikkit web service has all sorts of Mac OS X integration
Stikkit is a new web service in the same organizational vein as Backpack, but it employs some pretty wild tricks and technology to help get your productivity on. The idea behind Stikkit is to get rid of the manual page organization that locks you into one form of hierarchy or another by allowing you to create simple text notes, and organizing your information by watching the language you use in these notes. Tags also play a heavy role here, but for example: if you start writing some ideas down in a note, but then start a new line with "buy eggs," Stikkit now knows you just created a todo, and it automatically lists that note in your todo section, but it can also list the note in your bookmarks section if, say, you add a link to a site you need to visit at a later date. Stikkit is also smart enough to catch notes with a person's name, phone number and IM name, as it will then file that under your peeps section as a contact card. It's a pretty wild system that I urge you to check out, and they have a few screencasts listed on their main page to help you get your feet wet. But why am I telling you all this, you ask? Well, Stikkit is gaining some pretty impressive Mac OS X integration that makes using this service a real dream. First up is a 'New Stikkit Package' created by Nik, one of their enthusiastic users (found via DF). This bundle of tools allows you to create a new Stikkit via AppleScript, your favorite app launcher like Quicksilver or LaunchBar, and even a Service (you know, Apple Menu > Services) which lets you create a Stikkit from text selected in almost any Mac OS X application. It's a pretty handy bundle that offers a lot of flexibility in how you work with Stikkit. Another really impressive integration trick this service has is accepting drag and drop calendar events from iCal. I found this screencast on Stikkit's blog which demonstrates literally dragging an event from iCal onto a new Stikkit note in a browser, and the note collects all the info it needs like the name, date and time of the event, and even any notes you might have added in iCal. I was impressed to discover that this even works with Firefox, where traditional Mac OS X drag and drop goodness like this tends not to play. If you've been looking for a handy online PIM to store your stuff, Stikkit is a great option, though due to its unique technology, it might take some getting used to. I urge you to check out their screencasts to get started, and then move on to cool tools like Nik's package if you catch the bug.
Cuban teams with Dell to offer bundled HDNet Blu-ray content
Now that Dell's riding high on the Blu-ray bandwagon, what more could you ask for when picking up that now-BD-equipped M1710? How about a free flick from Mark Cuban? While we can hear the groaning in the back, ole Mark has decided to plug his very own HDNet by partnering with Dell and tossing in a free Blu-ray title -- "HDNet World Report Special: Shuttle Discovery's Historic Mission" -- with each XPS M1710 notebook. Although further details on the deal weren't readily available, it was implied that future Blu-ray equipped machines would also grace buyers with free BD titles of Cuban's choosing, and while you might not agree with Mark's antics, you can't really complain with free.
CompUSA offering PS3s with Sony HDTV purchases
We know it's been a rough couple of nights for you folks who didn't get your pre-order on (or got the shaft, even so) trying to hunt down a Playstation 3 without becoming the hunted, but there's an off chance that CompUSA may still be able to save your sanity. If 48 (or more) hours of sleeplessness has you ready to drop an inconceivable amount of cash to secure your machine through eBay, hold tight. Certain CompUSA locations will be bundling Playstation 3 units with any Sony HDTV purchase of 40-inches or larger, which could be fabulous news if you were planning on picking up a svelte new set (or dropping $2,000 in some entrepreneur's pocket) anyway. Currently, the lowest priced display compatible with the offer is Sony's $1,999 KDL-40S2010, which means that you'd be ponying up nearly $2,500 for the 20GB PS3 kit, or $2,600 for the 60GB package. Representatives have stated that some stores are "devoting their entire PS3 allocation" to the offer, which isn't exactly surprising considering last year's Xbox 360 bundle fiascoes. Regardless, for gamers looking to go all out, this may not be such an awful idea (especially if they end up including Wiis), but we're not sure if this offer will last past the (admittedly scant) first wave of shipments -- but hey, it sure beats getting shot up or beat down while squandering vacation days, right?[Via GameSpot]
TGS 06: Metal Gear Solid PSP bundle
They say that pictures are worth a thousand words, and these pictures discovered by a GameSpot member are absolutely mind-blowing. This PSP bundle appears to include a very sexy MGS pouch. Once I find out details about price, I'll be sure to let you know. Most likely, this one will stay in Japan only, to the great pain of Metal Gear fans like myself.
Pack this! PS3 box style revealed [update 1]
IGN has managed to get a glimpse of the PlayStation 3 case for The Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom (you can tell by the IGN logo they so elegantly plastered on the cover girl's left breast). The PlayStation 3 name, Spider-Man typeset intact, aligns the left side of the case, as it did during the PSOne era, so as not to intrude upon Blu-ray's dominant upper banner. The PS logo has undergone a minor alteration, now showing up against a white backdrop.The rest remains unchanged -- an ESRB rating located in the bottom left corner, the publisher's emblem in the bottom right. Since the title is made by Sony Online Entertainment, we're unsure how other titles are going to market each game's online capabilities or exclusivity. The Xbox 360 case, for example, has the Xbox Live logo emblazoned in the top right corner of every title, and stamps "Only for Xbox 360" on the upper middle. Will Sony push its online capabilities on its title's box art, or just rely on other outlets to advertise its features?Continue reading for more side-by-side comparisons.[Update: it should be noted that, while the graphic itself is legitimate, its inclusion on the Blu-ray box is a mockup done by IGN. However, note the dimensions of the graphic -- it matches that of the dimensions of the cover art on a Blu-ray movie. Also, Sony producing a custom Blu-ray box when it already is manufacturing Blu-ray movie boxes is not cost-efficient. It may be conceptualized, but we believe the final case will not look much different.That said, sorry if we confused anyone.]
MacLibre
Readers with experience using certain distributions of Linux or Fink under X11 on OS X will be familiar with the concept of package managers. Basically, a package manager is an application or service with allows users to download and install applications of their choosing from a set catalog of software residing on a remote server. MacLibre is a new application developed as part of Google's Summer of Code project, and aims to bring the ease and efficiency of package management to OS X. MacLibre allows users to browse a library of Open Source software which they can then chose to download and install. Although the current selection of software options offered by MacLibre is fairly small compared to the overall Open Source offering for the Mac, I think its safe to expect the number to grow rapidly as developers learn of the existence of this great application. [via UneasySilence]
PC games get console packaging
From giant cardboard boxes to smaller cardboard boxes to DVD cases. The IEMA on Friday announced a new packaging for computer games. As seen to the right, the box mimics the style popular with console game packaging. The first game to use this standardized packaging will be Madden 2007 (although The Sims has been using similar casing for awhile now). You can download the press release (pdf file) here. Interested in the history of video game packaging? Wikipedia has an entire page devoted to it.[via 1up]
Smaller box for Tiger
ifoAppleStore reports that Apple has started using new boxes for retail versions of OS X (as seen above in this picture taken by ifoApple). The new box is very similar to the iLife '06 and .mac packaging. I, for one, applaud Apple for using smaller packing since I just toss the boxes (and that can't be good for the environment).[via The Apple Blog]
