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Nearly a Fifth of Stations Will Make Digital TV Switch Anyway
Tweet Share on Facebook February 4, 2009 Comment (3)Nearly a fifth of the nation's TV stations could switch to digital broadcasts this month -- even if Congress votes today to delay the deadline for making the transition. That would be about 300 of the 1,700 stations affected by the move from analog to digital. About 50 other stations have already made the switch.
The estimates underscore the confusion that's enveloping the transition to digital TV, says Joel Kelsey of Consumers Union, a group that wants the transition slowed. They're expected to get their way, with the U.S. House likely to approve a Senate bill that will push the deadline to June.
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Windows 7 Choices Still Too Confusing
Tweet Share on Facebook February 3, 2009 Comment (5)The flavors of Windows 7 that will go on sale next year are in some ways simpler than Vista -- and still too complicated. Microsoft appears to want to avoid the confusion caused by multiple versions of Vista, which I argue worsened its problems. But the company hasn't gone far enough with Win7.
Microsoft will emphasize two versions of Windows 7 for U.S. sales. One aimed at consumers and one at most business users. That's much like Windows XP, and a welcome change from the three Vistas aimed at consumers alone.
But if you work for a large company, you might get a third version of Win7. Or if you buy certain hardware, a fourth. And then "PC enthusiasts" can get something called Win7 Ultimate. Oh, and overseas countries will get several other varieties. Each version will come with a different price. It's a steep slope toward confusion.
Microsoft says it is just trying to meet the different needs of its 1 billion customers worldwide. But I think the company is still trying to squeeze every dollar out of Windows by resorting to market segmentation.
After all the problems with Vista, a smarter Microsoft could've found something simpler than what we're getting with Win7.
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Norton Utilities Reappears, Tries to Speed up PCs
Tweet Share on Facebook February 3, 2009 CommentNorton Utilities is back, at least in name. Symantec has brought back the once-venerable title for a collection of tools meant to help a PC run faster and more stable.
Symantec says the "optimizing" tools can help a PC boot nearly 25 percent faster, according to a test lab. Or an application like Microsoft Word might run 16 percent faster after running the $50 Norton Utilities. But a hands-on test by Neil J. Rubenking at PCMag found little gain:
Overall the improvement was just over one percent. That's not terribly impressive, and it's all the more dismal when you consider that the app itself is the tool that's telling me that it doesn't really do much.
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Audio: Last-Minute Tips for Digital TV
Tweet Share on Facebook February 2, 2009 CommentCongress appears determined to move the deadline for TV stations to switch to all-digital broadcasts. But instead of helping things, the potential delay is adding to the confusion about the switchover.
Tips for Digital TV
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In an interview with WTOP this past weekend, I tried to help clarify who is affected, including if cable and satellite subscribers need to worry. We also talked about the impact on newer TVs, older gear, and about the government's coupons.
Anyone who relies on broadcast TV should be getting ready. Even if Congress delays the deadline, at least some stations will turn off their old-style broadcasts in about two weeks.
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Netflix May Stream HBO for an Added $10
Tweet Share on Facebook February 2, 2009 Comment (15)Netflix may start streaming other premium channels, including HBO. The service is asking users if they would pay an extra $10 a month for instant access to HBO content, according to Hacking Netflix. Netflix already streams Starz content at no extra charge.
ARS Technica sums up my reaction with a graphic suggesting Netflix + HBO = Hearts.
Yes! I'd pay $10. I like the subscription model for entertainment. But don't like having to pay $50 or $60 for a cable or satellite plan that includes a premium channel like HBO.
The Internet threatens to deliver the ultimate in a la carte choice. It can let us choose what we want -- channel by channel. That's something cable operators have resisted, saying it would bring them economic ruin.
