pennsylvania
Latest
Comcast SportsNet delivers every Flyers, Sixers and Phillies game in HD
Shortly after hearing that Comcast SportsNet would be broadcasting an awful lot of Washington Capitals in HD this upcoming season, along comes this. Philadelphia residents should be in high-def heaven for the foreseeable future, being that Comcast SportsNet has just vowed to deliver "all Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games -- home and away, regular season and playoff -- in high-definition for the first time." Fans will also be treated to high-def versions of pre- and post-game shows, and if you're interested in some exact figures, you'll see 64 Flyers and 69 Sixers games, all in high definition, beginning with the Saturday, October 11 Flyers vs. New York Rangers tilt and the Wednesday, October 29 Sixers vs. Toronto Raptors matchup.[Via HDSportsGuide, thanks Todd][Image courtesy of TheLineupCard]
RCN "unfurls digital freedom" to Pennsylvania subscribers
RCN has been delivering the Analog Crush in a number of its markets, but this particular one was just too succulent to pass up. According to the carrier, it has "unfurled digital freedom" on its Delaware County, Pennsylvania subscribers, loosing them from the bondage that is analog. Starting next month, the company will begin transitioning said market to all-digital service, enabling it to "reclaim existing analog channels, improve the picture quality, make the network easier to maintain, and dramatically increase the number of standard and HD channels it can offer to subscribers." If RCN CEO and President Peter Aquino isn't blowing smoke, the outfit will be able to "increase its HD channels to more than 75 channels at launch -- with many more on the way." Man, maybe "unfurl" was the best explanation.
DirecTV adds HD locals in Chattanooga, Augusta, Johnstown-Altoona
Coming right back is DirecTV, just a few days after activating HD locals in New York and Nebraska comes word that Johnstown-Altoona, PA, Chattanooga, TN and Augusta, GA are the latest in its 44 planned local rollouts this summer/fall. Better hurry DirecTV, the days are already getting shorter. Beyond the read links is the list of newly-added local networks, proceed with caution, or reckless abandon, it's pretty much the same to us either way.Read - Johnstown-Altoona, PaRead - Chattanooga, TennRead - Augusta, Ga
Philadelphia pushes Comcast Center HD Video Wall as tourist attraction
There are a few must-do things when you wind up in the City of Brotherly Love: see the Liberty Bell, check out Independence Hall, scarf down an authentic cheesesteak and... peek the HD Video Wall at the Comcast Center? Shortly after wowing locals and making customers suddenly aware of where their money was going, the official visitor site for the Great Philadelphia area is now pushing the wall as a can't-miss tourist attraction. Comical though that may be, we can't say that it's really that absurd -- after all, who wouldn't want to see 2,000 square-feet of beautiful LED action when waltzing through a city on vacation? On that note, have any of you actually stopped and checked it out?[Via Gadling]
Comcast adds 9 HD channels in Vermont, 10 in Pennsylvania
Vermont and some Pennsylvania Comcast subscribers should have a few additional HD choices on their sets in short order. Harrisburg and Hershey, PA subscribers can expect 10 new high definition channels Friday, with AMC HD, Animal Planet HD, Big Ten Network HD, CNN HD, Fox New Channel HD, FX HD, The History Channel HD, NHL Network HD, Speed Channel HD and The Weather Channel HD. Vermont launched nine new networks today, including Disney HD, ABC Family HD, TLC HD, AMC HD, Science Channel HD, Animal Planet HD, Sci-Fi HD, The Movie Channel HD and Showtime 2 HD. Go forth, and feed your HDTV the episodes of Mad Men and Battlestar Galactica it's been wanting.Read - VermontRead - Pennsylvania
Comcast bolstering HD lineup in Pittsburgh, PA
Late last year, we heard that Comcast was ready to drop some bills in order to improve its aging infrastructure in the Northeast, and while we can't say for certain that these new HD channels are the fruits of that labor, there's certainly a good possibility. Whatever the case, messages are now going around to set-top-boxes in the Steel City informing subscribers that a new slate of high-definition channels are coming on July 15th. Unfortunately, it seems that some parts of the city will see fewer newcomers than others, but the two lineups posted above and below (the break) should give you a good idea of what to look forward to.[Thanks, Daniel]
Atlantic Broadband adds 9 HD channels in Altoona / Johnstown, PA
Atlantic Broadband last gifted its subscribers with new HD channels in December 2007, which means those loyal customers are definitely due for a few more. Thankfully, said carrier is in complete agreement, as the Altoona and Johnstown areas of Pennsylvania can now enjoy nine new high-def channels along with ESPNU in SD. As for the newcomers, you'll find A&E HD (785), ESPN2 HD (782), Discovery HD (786), Disney HD (778), Animal Planet HD (787), TLC HD (788), TBS HD (790) and Showtime HD (794). Mum's the word on when any others will be added, but hopefully these will keep you occupied for some time yet.
Philadelphia's citywide WiFi close to shutting down
It'd be absolutely spectacular to actually see one of these admittedly ambitious municipal WiFi projects actually work out every now and then, but instead, we're seeing the nails start to sink into yet another citywide WiFi coffin. This go 'round, the network blanketing most of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is on the verge of sending out its last signals unless the city can devise a plan in short order to take it over from EarthLink, who unsurprisingly wants out on the double. Unfortunately, we don't have a great feeling about the system's future -- history has a way of forecasting, you know?[Via CNET, image courtesy of Stippling]
Science, Disney and ABC Family HD coming to Comcast in Philadelphia
If you thought Comcast's rollout of Science HD, Disney HD and ABC Family HD was all over, think again. We just received word from the City of Brotherly Love that the aforementioned trio is heading to Philadelphia's lineup in mid-May. Of course, you're probably still keeping busy with the five newcomers that landed earlier this week, but come May 15th, you'll have to whittle out even more time for three more. Not a bad problem to have, huh?[Thanks, J]
Comcast bringing 5 new HD channels to Philadelphia on April 4th
With Comcast doling out the HD love elsewhere in the Northeast, it's about time the city of brotherly love got a dose of its own medicine. According to a fresh message delivered to a subscriber shacked up in the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the aforementioned carrier will be adding five new high-def channels on April 4th. Included in the bunch are CNN HD (217), AMC HD (238), TLC HD (225), History Channel HD (217) and Animal Planet HD (230). Surely you can hang on just 2.5 more weeks, right?[Thanks, EPaps]
Comcast dishing out eight new HD options in Central Pennsylvania
A month after Comcast showed just how much it appreciated those subscribers parked in the Southeast, it's apparently getting set to show the same courtesy to those in Central Pennsylvania. While actual locations in which new HD channels are scheduled to appear are still unclear, we are hearing that State College and surrounding locales will soon be enjoying A&E HD, HGTV HD, Food Network HD, TBS HD, USA HD, Discovery Channel HD, TLC HD and Sci-Fi Channel HD. Reportedly, customers will have to have at least the Expanded Basic Service level to indulge in these fine offerings, and it's also noted that MHD and MOJO HD are being added to the same lineup in Adams and York counties. The proposed go-live date? None other than February 14th -- how heartwarming.[Thanks, MRCUR]
Comcast enhancing infrastructure, adding more HD options in Northeast
Comcast has been on quite the tear of late, and it seems it's not quite done for the year just yet. Apparently, the carrier will be making "infrastructure improvements to its Beaver Valley and Myersdale systems, which were acquired from Adelphia last year." Additionally, the North Hills / South Hills areas will be seeing unspecified "network upgrades" by next year, and the company's fiber network will be expanded from Morgantown, West Virginia to Myersdale in order to "launch its digital voice phone service." On the lineup front, users in the Pittsburgh region will reportedly gain History HD, USA HD, Sci-Fi HD, CW HD and Discovery HD, while customers in the ex-Adelphia sectors will receive Universal HD, HGTV HD, Food Network HD, A&E HD, National Geographic HD and MHD.
Atlantic Broadband expands HD lineup, adds HD VOD in Johnstown, PA
While HD VOD has quite a ways to go before it becomes decently ubiquitous, Atlantic Broadband has decided to bless its Johnstown, Pennsylvania area customers with the luxury. Reportedly, an undisclosed amount of high-definition films will be available for renting at $5.99 a pop, and as if that wasn't reason enough to celebrate, these same customers are also getting two new additions to the HD lineup. Sports fans in particular should greatly appreciate getting both NFL Network and Fox Sports Pittsburgh in HD, both of which will now be included in the "regular HD package." Dave Dane, vice president of Atlantic Broadband's Pennsylvania operations, also noted that it had "some proposed HD launches for the first quarter of next year," but we're left to wonder precisely what those will be.
Whitehall, Pa. Apple Store set to open
Pennsylvania's fifth Apple Store will open in Whitehall this Saturday, September 29th at 10:00 AM. The store is located at 946 Lehigh Lifestyle Center in Whitehall, near J.Crew and Cucina Italiana. You can get full travel directions here.Pennsylvania's other stores are in Ardmore, King of Prussia and Pittsburgh (they've got two).As usual, we're asking any TUAW operatives who visit this weekend to send us stories and photos. Good luck, have fun and we're hoping you score a T-shirt![Via ifoAppleStore]
Nanowires developed to retrieve data on the double
Those fond of how quickly flash memory reads and writes their data are sure to adore the research that a few University of Pennsylvania scientists have been working on, as Ritesh Agarwal (pictured) and colleagues have crafted "nanowires capable of storing computer data for 100,000 years and retrieving that data a thousand times faster" than existing micro-drives. Moreover, the "self-assembling nanowire of germanium antimony telluride" consumes less energy and space than current memory technologies, and even Agarwal stated that the "new form of memory has the potential to revolutionize the way we share information, transfer data and even download entertainment." Unfortunately, there seems to be no word on if (or when) this creation could be headed to the commercial realm.
First all-electric police car takes to the streets
C'mon, fess up -- you'd be a lot less intimidated by a whisper quiet, all-electric squad car than one with a roaring V8, but it's hard to argue the fuel savings that would accrue if an entire precinct resorted to using the former. Such a car has now been loosed by the Connellsville Police Department, which had its combustion engine removed and replaced by a "pure-electric" alternative. The modified Chevy Impala will reportedly cruise for eight hours on a two-hour charge from a 240-volt outlet, but can't chase down baddies in heavy rain for fear of water "destroying its electrical circuits." Furthermore, Coherent Systems International (the car's converter) will be monitoring its effectiveness over the next two years as it aims to "work with other state agencies" and create more alternatively-fueled automobiles for public service.[Via Wired]Read - Connellsville plugs in police car Read - All-electric squad car makes quiet debut
Pennsylvania Apple Store planned
Attention, residents of the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. It looks like there's an Apple Store in your future.According to Mcall.com, Apple is scheduled to install a store in the soon-to-be-built addition to the Whitehall Township Mall. Sure enough, a quick look at Apple's jobs page revealed several retail positions are available for that location.Since the mall's addition hasn't been built yet, we won't ask our operatives in Pennsylvania to start scouring the area for spyshots just yet. But still...be ready.Thanks, Jan!
Powercast looking to bring wireless power to reality
We know, energy without wires has always seemed like one of those novel concepts that sounds terrific in theory, but remains a tad difficult to imagine hitting the commercial scene for some time to come. Apparently, all that is about to become nonsense, as a Pennsylvania-based startup is set to capture the wireless-loving hearts of, um, everyone when it tackles contactless power products. Powercast has already "signed nondisclosure agreements to develop products with more than 100 companies (Philips, for instance), including major manufacturers of cellphones, MP3 players, automotive parts, temperature sensors, hearing aids, and medical implants." The firm's radio-wave-receiving miracle device trumps existing attempts by "adjusting to variations in load and field strength while maintaining a constant DC voltage," essentially ensuring that only low wattages (read: the stuff that garners FCC admiration) are flung around. The system basically consists of two parts -- a wall-plug transmitter and a "dime-sized receiver" that handles the real magic -- and energy is instantly transmitted whenever that disc comes within a yard or so of its tag-team partner. Incredibly, the receiver only costs "about $5" to produce, yet the outfit has already secured upwards of $10 million in private funding, which translates into one less American that desperately needs to win the lottery. Get ready folks, if all goes well, Powercast will be shipping "many millions of units" by the end of 2008 -- and maybe even sooner.[Via TWW]
Leg spines set to give robots better footing
Just what we need: an invention to make the robotic armies that will one day surely turn against their creators better scramblers. Regardless of future impact, researchers at the University of California and Pennsylvania University are envisioning "leg spines" that would allow robotic creatures resembling insects and spiders to scramble across gap-ridden surfaces much better than they currently can. The scientists carefully watched slow-motion footage of arachnids dashing across wire mesh and noticed just a 22-percent slow down from running across solid ground. Apparently, the little buggers are able to distribute their weight just so across their myriad of legs, so that there's usually one leg that catches another's fall and prevents the creature from getting too caught up. This biological method is being applied to robotic limbs, assisting crawling creatures to make it across less-than-ideal conditions by utilizing mechanical feedback. Look, we're down with eight-legged freaks, we're just not so fond of these things possessing an inhuman ability to track us down should a case of mutiny sweep the robotic world.
Man wins $102,000, casino cries malfunction
We're fully aware that getting too clever while in a casino is likely to land you behind bars, but a Pennsylvania man is now crying foul after he got the short end of the stick in an unfortunate "mishap." The retired carpenter, who had visited the Philadelphia Park casino before, dropped his two quarters into a Wheel of Fortune slot machine only to win $102,000 -- or so he thought. The machine proudly conveyed his winnings right alongside his actual name, sending his emotions into a jovial whirlwind, but apparently the machine wasn't exactly supposed to, you know, let people hit the jackpot, and now he's fighting just to get his due reward. A spokesperson for the venue stated that it "was just an error in the communication system," but added the mistake seems to have originated in the in-house computing system, not within the machine itself. The man was offered "two tickets to the buffet" (saywha?) and advised to read the disclaimer on the machine, nullifying any awards if the machine malfunctions, but he still feels that this "fault" is illegitimate. So if you're the next person to strike it rich in a questionable casino, try not to get your hopes up too high, alright?[Via TechDirt]
