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Motorola hands out gold Xooms to Oscar hosts, nominees
Motorola may only be offering the Xoom in basic black to the general public, but it's cooked up something a little extra special for the Oscars this Sunday. It will be handing out these limited edition gold Xooms -- complete with a custom leather envelope case -- to the hosts and the nominees in the Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Director categories. Guess stars aren't just like us after all.
WSJ: Hundreds of thousands of iPads sold, Apple scrambling for content deals
The Wall Street Journal has written that Apple is scrambling to get everything ready for the iPad's release on April 3rd -- not only has it already "sold hundreds of thousands of the device, [according to] people familiar with the matter," but Apple is also working hard to try and "nail down" several big content deals with television companies, having put their original drive for print media on hold for the moment. Not really news in and of itself, as almost everyone expects content to be a big part of the iPad's revenue, but it is a little surprising to hear that Apple is still fighting to get deals done. The WSJ says that some content owners feel that the iPad is a threat to their current revenue streams -- the same old story that we've always heard about iTunes content delivery. Of course, none of this comes directly from Apple, but they obviously wouldn't confirm if they didn't have all of the deals they wanted squared away before the device's release. The shift from print to multimedia may have something to do with it -- the iPad was originally introduced, along with iBooks, as a reader device, with the additional bonus of being able to play movies. But now that the ad has been premiered on the Oscars and a little more buzz has grown up around the multimedia possibilities, Apple may be more pressured to deliver on release day. We'll have to see -- I doubt that all of those iPad preorders will want to return their device if they can't watch all of their favorite shows on it, but obviously Apple wants to have the biggest library they can at launch.
A look at the framework of Apple's iPad ad
The iPad, like the iPhone, used the Oscars to make its ad debut. As is typical with an Apple ad, the iPad's ad featured a montage of different uses for the device, all while set to the backdrop of a catchy tune. In making his case for the iPad, Apple CEO Steve Jobs noted that it would offer a better experience than a smartphone and a notebook computer in the following areas: Browsing Email Photos Videos Music Games eBooks The iPad's first ad reflects this ideal. The ad, when analyzed based on the on-air time dedicated to a particular function, reveals a device that will be marketed for jack-of-all-trades functionality, with a particular focus on its media consumption appeal and differentiation. About 80 percent of all 720 frames (30 seconds of total ad's total time multiplied by 24 frames per second) of the iPad's ad showed an app being used. And within this time, the photo app was shown the most, accounting for 26 percent of total frames where an app is being used. The mail app came in second, with 22 percent. With 20 percent of airtime, the iBook app highlights Apple positioning the iPad to compete against eBook readers. While a New York Times app wasn't shown, the ad, which shows the paper being displayed in a Safari browser window instead, also points to Apple positioning the iPad to appeal those who consume traditional print media publications -- such as newspapers and magazines. Although a Safari browser was briefly shown toward the end of the ad browsing Facebook, almost all Safari activity displayed the New York Times. In a September 2009 interview with the New York Times' David Pogue, Steve Jobs provided somewhat of a glimpse into how Apple would market and differentiate the iPad. Jobs argued that while dedicated devices such as Amazon's Kindle will always exist and that they may have offer some advantages in doing just one thing, "general-purpose devices will win the day" because "people just probably aren't willing to pay for a dedicated device." The iPad's first ad clearly follows this ideal.
Final Cut dominant among Oscar documentary nominees
Steve Jobs and the iPad both appeared on TV during last night's Academy Awards, but they weren't the extent of Apple's presence. Cnet reports this morning that the majority of the "Documentary Feature" and "Documentary Short" nominees -- 9 out of 10 in fact -- were made using Final Cut Studio, Apple's professional video editing package. Cnet spoke with some of the filmmakers, including Dan Wilken, online editor of "Food, Inc," who sung the suite's praises. "...[switching to Final Cut Studio] made the most sense economically and allowed us to do everything we needed." Final Cut isn't the only professional editing software available but it is the most popular; market research firm SCRI International claim is has a near 50% market share among nonlinear editors. With this in mind we get an even clearer picture of Steve's motivation for showing up. Certainly to have fun and experience the show, cheer on Up and other Disney offerings and keep his company and products in the minds of a very lucrative market.
Samsung debuts 3DTV LED LCD ads during the Oscars
The iPad wasn't the only consumer electronics device ad in heavy rotation during the Academy Awards, you could barely get through a commercial break without seeing Samsung's spot for its new 3DTVs. We figure a direct Avatar tie-in (or to any specific movie at all like Monsters vs. Aliens) might have helped awareness more than all the acronyms strung together over a flying manta ray, but this isn't SterlingCooperHD. If you somehow missed the ad (it only played about a dozen times) you can always view it embedded after the break.
Like iPhone, iPad ad premieres at Oscars
Talk about big premieres. Like it did with the iPhone and its "Hello" ad, Apple used the Oscars as the platform to debut its iPad commercial. The ad, set to the background of The Blue Van's "There Goes My Love," shows the iPad being used in a variety of ways: viewing a movie, reading an eBook, displaying photos, editing an iWork document and viewing email among them. The ad follows Apple's recent announcement that pre-orders for the device will be accepted beginning March 12, with shipments slated for April 3. Here's a link to the ad at Apple's site. The ad is also embedded in the second half of this post. As we noted on Twitter earlier, Apple chairman Steve Jobs was spotted on the red carpet before the awards... maybe he brought his iPad with him.
WABC-7 comes back on Cablevision, return to Oscar watching at DEFCON 4
Just that fast, the situation has been defused, as ABC-7 has suddenly reappeared on the screens of Cablevision viewers. It's been off for less than a day but despite missing a great Magic/Lakers matchup earlier in the day it's on just in time to see if Avatar actually takes the Best Picture trophy home for the 3D camp. The statement from WABC-TV president Rebecca Campbell: "We've made significant progress, and have reached an agreement in principle that recognizes the fair value of ABC7, with deal points that we expect to finalize with Cablevision. Given this movement, we're pleased to announce that ABC7 will return to Cablevision households while we work to complete our negotiations." No word on what those "deal points" are, but as long as our friend @Gartenberg gets to watch his Castle it's probably all for the best.
First iPad ad premieres during the Oscars
Apple's doing the Oscars up right tonight -- not only was Steve Jobs making friends on the red carpet, but the company ran the first iPad ad just now during the broadcast. It's pretty much what you'd expect out of an Apple ad, but, you know, more magical. Get ready for a blitz of these as we lead up to April 3. Video after the break. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Talkcast reminder: Oscar night show 10pm ET
It's the biggest night in show business, but just in case you're not caught up in the Hollywood horse race (go Hurt Locker!) you're welcome to join Mike Schramm and I for our Sunday night Talkcast, as we dive into all things Mac, iPhone and iPad. This week, of course, the big news was the announcement of the on-sale date for Apple's newest platform and the teaser of Steam for Mac, but there's also a lot coming up at the Game Developer's Conference over the next few days; we'll preview it with you. As always, your calls and questions help us make the show the best it can be. To participate on TalkShoe, you can use the browser-only client, the embedded Facebook app, or the classic TalkShoe Pro Java client; however, for maximum fun, you should call in. For the web UI, just click the "TalkShoe Web" button on our profile page at 10 pm Sunday. To call in on regular phone or VoIP lines (take advantage of your free cellphone weekend minutes if you like): dial (724) 444-7444 and enter our talkcast ID, 45077 -- during the call, you can request to talk by keying in *8. If you've got a headset or microphone handy on your Mac, you can connect via the free Gizmo or X-Lite SIP clients; basic instructions are here. Talk with you then!
WABC-7 pulled from Cablevision on the eve of the Oscars or two days before Lost
Depending on your personal calendar, the removal of WABC-7's signal from Cablevision in New York is potentially tragic for different reasons but all in all it's a very familiar scene. Fresh off its standoff with Scripps over Food Network and HGTV, Cablevision is rumbling with Disney over the same issue that nearly caused Time Warner customers to miss Fox-broadcasted bowl games around New Years Day (and yes, Senator John Kerry is involved, again) -- will the cable company pay to carry what's available free OTA? With both sides firmly dug in slinging accusations back and forth via screen crawls and press releases (propaganda from both sides embedded after the break) the most interesting wrinkle is Cablevision's suggestion that users just go online and check out primetime programming via ABC.com or Hulu (or grab an antenna for some digital TV love, whatever works.) These things can turn at a moments notice so we'll wait see if the fighting is resolved in time for an afternoon NBA Finals flashback as the Lakers take on the Magic, or for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards at 8:30 p.m. No matter what happens, if things aren't back to normal by Tuesday we'd evacuate the city, a Lostie without their fix is a dangerous thing.
Vanity Fair releases Oscar predictions app
Film fans everywhere will be sitting before their TVs on March 7th to catch the Academy Awards. Now, as with so many other things, there's an app for that. Vanity Fair Magazine has produced the free Oscars app called Vanity Fair Hollywood. Users can submit their predictions for winners, browse photo galleries, share comments and prediction results via Facebook and more. Of course, you can chat in real time during the show itself from within the app and watch trailers of the nominated films. I'm not an Oscars fan, but I often fire up Twitter when watching my beloved Red Sox because the accompanying chat makes the experience more fun. For more iPhone fun on Oscar night, check out these apps: The Envelope (Free) Try and predict the winners and share results with your friends. Awards: Oscar Edition ($0.99) Search for winners and nominees in all categories quickly, search award histories and get up-to-date information and results. The Adademy Awards Bible ($2.99) lists all 850 Academy Award winners, organized by name, title, category, etc. It's quite the mobile tome for Oscar bufffs. Oscar Pool 2010 ($0.99) Invite your friends to bet on who will win. Create a profile, add photos and more. [Via TechCrunch]
World of Warcraft guild leader wins Oscar
Enumerating the accomplishments of one Steve Preeg would be a lengthy undertaking, indeed. He's got a magnificent surname, for starters. He's worked on the digital effects team of some of our favorite films, including the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I, Robot, and Ri¢hie Ri¢h's Christmas Wish. The World of Warcraft guild that he heads up has conquered all but one of of the title's demanding raid bosses (curse you, Sartharion!), which is truly no small task. Oh, and he won the highest available commendation for cinema last night at the 81st Annual Academy Awards. We nearly forgot about that one.Preeg's small digital effects team took home Oscars in the Visual Effects category for their computer-assisted oldening of Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, beating out fellow cinematic contenders The Dark Knight and Iron Man. We're sure it'll go down as the proudest, happiest moment of Preeg's spectacular life -- that is, until he and his guild finally take that bastard Sartharion down. Best of luck!
World of Warcraft guild leader wins Oscar (no, really)
Apparently last night was an Oscars evening. Didn't you know? Well, we sure didn't -- but that's besides the point. As it turns out, one particular winner in the visual effects category was Steve Preeg, who's also a guild leader in World of Warcraft. Now it'd be one thing to say he played the game, but to be the leader of an active guild means he plays the game.In fact WoW Insider was informed via one of Preeg's guildies that he's not only a guild leader in the game, but that he plays a Combat Rogue with 450 (that'd be maxed) Enchanting and Inscription and runs a progression guild that's downed almost everything the game has to offer.We can't turn down this chance to offer props to Mr. Preeg on his epic loot drop last night. That blue is most assuredly sitting somewhere prominent at his home, likely somewhere close to where he plays World of Warcraft -- at least when he's not making award winning feature films. Is this guy some kind of machine or what?[via WoW Insider]
Kate Winslet loves to play Wii with the kids
When she's not busy falling in love with Jack Black or being in another Leonardo DiCaprio movie (when's our chance?) Kate Winslet likes to school chumps her kids in Wii Sports. At least, that's what she recently told the celebrity watchers at E! during the SAG awards. Despite the presence of the more popular bowling minigame, Kate is a big fan of the tennis and boxing bits, calling the overall package "fantastic." Just keep an eye on your kids and pets, Kate. We don't want to read a sad story about your dog or anything.[Via What They Play]
Wii goes to the Oscars
A lot of things happen at the Oscars, many predictable, and some unexpected, but there's one thing we don't usually expect to see: video games. It's a measure of just how out-of-control the Wii movement is that the console turned up at this year's awards as a joke unto itself that featured host Jon Stewart losing his dignity in a game of Wii Sports tennis to young songstress Jamia Simone Nash of nominated film August Rush.It's not the first time the Comedy Central "anchors" have exploited the Wii for humorous effect, but the Daily Show's host seemed to need a little more practice with the sports simulation. Either that, or he just wasn't used to the enormous screen the game graced during the awards show. See for yourself in the video after the break.
Wii Tennis makes surprise appearance at the Oscars
There was no saucy saunter down the red carpet, but Nintendo's casual darling Wii Sports did manage to surprise gamers with a guest-spot at the 2008 Academy Awards. In one of the night's many gags, host Jon Stewart gets caught off guard when the show returns from commercial break, to find him using one of the event's gigantic projection screens to play a quick round of Wii Tennis.The entire segment lasts only thirty seconds, but it's chuckle-worthy, to be sure. Check out the video after the break.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
iPhone, Wii guests on stage at this year's Oscars
We keep on telling people that the iPhone and Wii are like totally going to be huge, but maybe they'll finally believe us now that Jon Stewart trotted both out on stage during the Oscars this year. Oh, and perhaps now would be a good time to remind everyone that voting is still open on the 2007 Engadget Awards. (Wii shots after the break.)
Motorola's star studded partnership continues: E8s for this year's Oscars
Like last year, Moto will be working the red carpet hard later this month, slipping exclusive, electronic bundles of joy into Oscar nominees' gift bags. This time around it's the ROKR E8, a phone that isn't yet available to the public -- but what better group to hand 'em out to ahead of release than the rich and famous? Naturally, these aren't just any old E8s, either; they'll be packaged in iguana skin boxes (fake, we're happy to report) and will come bundled with Motorola's also-recently announced S9-HD Bluetooth headset. Note to stars: we don't care how boring the acceptance speeches are, don't go disrespectin' your peers by pulling out the gear and listening to Fergie before the show's over, alright?
Adgadget: Apple - flattered and photocopied
We're pleased to introduce a new column today, Adgadget, a periodic editorial by Ariel Waldman about the advertising behind consumer technology: Functioning to flatter, Apple's marketing department continues to imitate their inspiration. While a bit lack-luster, Apple's recent commercial for the up and coming iPhone is a far cry from the originality of the product itself. As some may have seen, it was soon found that the iPhone commercial that had originally aired during the Oscars was a cut and dry ripoff of a film that had come out more than a decade earlier. While seemingly scandalous, this incident was no coincidence. Apple had approached the filmmaker earlier for permission to use the concept; no stranger to being turned down -- and similarly to the battle with Cisco over the very name of the product -- Apple went ahead and used it anyway. This time the muse happens to be experimental artist / musician Christian Marclay, who in 1995 produced Telephones, an abstract film of absurd and fragmented conversations cut up from phone scenes in movies. The film focused to comment on the relationship between sound and image by way of video; intrigued by the phone-movie mashup, Apple approached Marclay to use his work. Marclay, of course, refused Apple's advances, but Apple took advantage anyway. Since asking the source had short-circuited, Apple instead took to using extremely similar footage, making the iPhone commercial nothing short of a complete color copy of Telephones.Reminiscent of the earlier Intel chip commercial outcry that clearly ripped out scenes from Postal Service's "Such Great Heights" music video, content confiscation is nothing new to Apple. There was also the iPod incident in 2005, where blogs everywhere threw up screen grabs and expressed shock over the extreme similarity between the then recent Eminem iPod commercial and a Lugz commercial from 4 years before. But it wasn't always this way.
DS Daily: Convergence
Two nights past, during the Oscars, the first iPhone commercial aired (and promptly confused 80% of the United States, as nowhere in the commercial did it state the product name). The thing has some crazy features ... check out our blog overlord, Engadget, for details ... but it got us thinking. The whole "convergence" bandwagon has kind of tumbled off a cliff in recent years, but the iPhone certainly takes a step in the right direction. Will this paradigm of portable electronics ever be truly realized? Cellular phone gaming, in its current state, is absolutely horrendous. The PSP has some added features above and beyond gaming, but will a device ever come that can do everything really well? Well, prognosticators?
