Businessweekreports that Sony plans to launch a store that will compete with iTunes. Like iTunes, Sony's store will sell music, movies, books and downloadable apps for smartphones and other mobile devices. The tentative name for the online store is Sony Online Service.
On Nov. 19, Sony said it plans to launch an online store selling music, movies, and books as well as other downloadable applications for mobile products. Sony's top executives didn't specify when the Internet store, tentatively called Sony Online Service, would go live or what it would look like. But the online storefront, announced at a management strategy meeting in Tokyo, is likely to bear some similarities to Apple's iTunes store and would be Sony's most ambitious attempt to link its products to its own vast library of digital content.
The article says Sony wants its store to differ from iTunes. One difference is that Sony members will be apple to have accounts they can upload videos and other content to.
Sony will try to differentiate its service from iTunes. One example: Users will be able to upload videos shot on camcorders, save photos taken with digital cameras, and post other digital content to their personal online accounts. That's how Google's suite of Net-based services (such as YouTube video-sharing and Picasa photo site) works.
Internet Retailersays the new Sony store will be based on the Sony PlayStation Network's infrastructure, billing and log-in systems.
MacLife has an interesting article containing some fictional futuristic ideas for what Apple could be doing years from now. They asked several technology editors and reporters to envision future products from Apple. One of the devices (pictured above) is the iMake, a Bluetooth headsets, iPods, wristwatches, eyeglasses and door knobs are some of the items the iMake could make. You would be able to download the product designs from the iTunes Store and transmit them directly to the iMake, which would use 3D rapid prototyping technology to create the device. Boing Boing's Mark Frauenfelder came up with the iMake concept. Other ideas in the futuristic MacLife feature include augmented reality glases and an exerPod, an Apple handheld devoted wholly to physical fitness. Augmented reality glasses seem like a pretty reasonable concept for near future given the explosion in uses for augmented reality technology.
CNET reports that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says Windows 7 sales are off to a great start
Windows 7 isn't just getting good reviews, it's also selling well, CEO Steve Ballmer told shareholders Thursday.
Delivering opening remarks at Microsoft's shareholder meeting, Ballmer said that Windows 7 was off to a "fantastic start."
"We've already sold twice as many units as any OS in a comparable time frame," Ballmer said. "Windows 7 is simply the best PC operating system that we or anyone else has ever built."
CNET is also reporting that already 4% of PCs accessing the Web are now using Windows 7.
Apple's iTune App store recently surpassed the 100,000 mark. The store has greatly expanded from the 500 apps that were available when it launched. The enormous amount of apps creates a problem for Apple users trying to decide what apps they should spend money and time on. Daniel Sieberg investigates some of the apps available for CBS. Sieberg says nothing has upgraded smartphone apps like the addition of GPS technology. Take a look:
Before the Black Friday ads started to appear there was speculation that Black Friday prices on Blu-ray players would dip below the $99 mark. A $49 Blu-ray player was even though to be possible. As it turns out there are several Black Friday Blu-ray players selling under the $99 mark. Here is a short list of the low-priced players offers so far.
Walmart: Magnavox NB500MG1F Blu-ray deck, $78
Meijer: Sylvania Blu-ray deck, $89
Best Buy: Insignia NS-BRDVD3 Blu-ray player, $99
AAFES: Sharp BD-HP2310U, $99
Yahoo Tech says the possibility of a $49 deal is still in the cards.
The lower priced tech items offered on Black Friday are sometimes missing features. VideoBusiness.com notes that the Insignia blu-ray player Best Buy is selling is web-enabled whereas the low-priced Magnavox and Sylvania players that Wal-Mart and Meijer are offering are not. You can read more articles about Black Friday Blu-ray offers here and here.
Update 11-20-09: Crave reports that Vizzio is selling one of its blu-ray players for $99.
Speakal has launched the iPom, an apple shaped gadget with a 12 Watts subwoofer and two detachable flower-shaped speakers. The iPom can play audio from USB flash drives, MMC/SD cards or from any audio or gaming device that has a 3.5 mm jack such as an iPod, iPhone, MP3 players, Zune, Wii and PS3. The iPom speaker comes in 3 different colors white, red and green. The iPom costs $99.99. Speakal also makes iPod docks shaped like pigs, pandas, ghosts and soccer balls.
TechCrunch reports that Google is building its own smartphone. Google already powers other smartphones, like the Motorola Droid, with its Android software but this would be a pure Google-brand phone.
Way more interesting are the rumors we’ve been hearing for months about a pure Google-branded phone. Most of our sources have unconfirmed information, which we describe below. But there are a few things we have absolutely confirmed: Google is building their own branded phone that they’ll sell directly and through retailers. They were long planning to have the phone be available by the holidays, but it has now slipped to early 2010. The phone will be produced by a major phone manufacturer but will only have Google branding (Microsoft did the same thing with their first Zunes, which were built by Toshiba).
Rumors for who Google's manufacturing partner will be include HTC, LG and Samsung. TechCrunch says Google is planning a big launch for the phone in January, 2010. It sounds like Google is trying to rain on Apple's potential Tablet parade. While Apple focuses on launching a tablet, Google will go after Apple's iPhone.
You can find discussion of the Google Phone rumor here on Techmeme.
Jerry Leigh Apparel has created the Hoodie Buddie. The hoodie has machine-washable headphones integrated into the drawstrings of a hoodie. Ear buds are contained on the ends of the drawstrings and the front pocket has an input jack for your iPod or cell phone.
The Hoodie Buddie is made of 95% cotton and 5% spandex. They are sold online at Karmaloop.com and will soon be in Macy's stores and other retailers. The retail price is $39.99. The Hoodie Buddie pictured above is the Paul Frank Julius Headphones Hoody. You can buy it here. You can read more about Hoodie Buddies at hoodiebuddie.com.
The Apple Tablet is clearly the most anticipated gadget of 2010. The exact design of the device is unknown but that isn't stopping excited analysts from speculating that the device will be wildly successful. CNN writes that these analysts are "channeling their inner-Frodo" by claiming it to be the one gadget to rule all gadgets.
"This will be the next big thing," said Laura DiDio, principal analyst at ITIC. "Apple is going to wow everybody with the tablet."
Any time Steve Jobs gets on stage, the expectations are incredibly high, but they are especially lofty for the tablet. Analysts and investors are saying that this device could revolutionize the handheld world in the same way the the iPhone changed the smartphone market.
"The tablet will change the game, because Apple will throw down the gauntlet at the competitors, and force them to follow along," DiDio said.
Skeptical analysts argue that if the Apple Tablet tries to do everything it will fall because people need different sized gadgets and different types of gadgets for different purposes. These analysts say a cell phone camera can't replace a digital camera and a tablet can't replace a device designed specifically for reading, such as the Kindle or Nook.
"What we've found in the past with these multi-function devices is that they're better for ad-hoc purposes, like quick and dirty tasks," said Zeus Kerravala, an analyst with Yankee Group. "They're not for any prolonged, high-performance use."
For instance, smartphones have cameras for quick snapshots, but when you go on vacation, you're probably going to want your digital camera to come along with you for high-quality photos.
Kerravala said the same logic applies to the tablet's other functions, including its e-reading capability: "If you want to sit and read a book, the ergonomics of a device that's specifically designed for reading are going to be better."
Apple also could run into a problem where it is competing with itself and putting its own gadgets in competition with each other. This is a problem most device manufacturers would love to have but for Apple it is a real issue. How many Apple devices can Apple fanboys afford in a recession? Some may love the idea of the Tablet but decide what they need most right now is the iPhone. An article here says the Apple Tablet could cement Steve Jobs' legacy. That article underscores the pressure on Steve Jobs and Apple to deliver an amazing Tablet. Apple will probably deliver a very innovative device but time will tell whether enough people will be ready to buy it for it to be a success.
NEC, a Japanese computer company, has created glasses called Tele Scouter that can translate spoken language. Two people wearing the unique glasses can have a conversation even if they cannot speak the same language. Head mounted displays on the glasses translate what the other person has said. Take a look:
The Telegraph has an article about the Tele Scouter glasses here. They say the glasses are still a prototype but NEC plans to start selling them to business next year.
One of the big Black Friday rumors spreading right now is the leaked Apple Black Friday ad that Boy Genius Report first posted yesterday. Since then discussion of the ad has spread around the tech blogosphere. No one has been able to confirm the ad is real so far. If the ad is legit then the deals are very good for people interested in purchasing Apple products aside from the iPhone.
Up to 30 percent off all iPods (excluding the iPhone and iPod shuffle)
Up to 25 percent off all Macs
Up to 15 percent off all accessories, Apple software and Apple hardware
The ads also says in-store gift wrapping is available and says Apple stores open at 6 a.m. Apple has not confirmed or denied whether the ad is real so Apple fans probably shouldn't get too excited yet. Last year some Apple Black Friday rumors turned out to be false and the discounts were not as big as some people had been hoping.
Could Microsoft stores turn out to be more fun than Apple stores? Microsoft store employees are trying to make that way. Engadget posted this video that shows employees dancing and singing inside the new Microsoft in Mission Viejo to the latest Black Eyed Peas song. Some tech bloggers are making fun of this but it looks like some customers started joining in by the end of the video. Take a look:
Sharper Image has returned as electronics brand after the retailer filed bankruptcy in 2008.
They have a website at SharperImage.com. One of the Sharper Image brands new products is called the Sharper Image Sound Soother. It retails for $49.99. The alarm clock plays twenty sounds including ocean surf, rain forest, white noise, wind chimes, fog horn, everglades and thunderstorms. You can hear some of the sounds in the video below. Take a look:
Barnes and Noble's new electronic reading device called the Nook will be available in its bookstore on November 30th. Computerworld says shoppers can currently pick up pamphlets in Barnes and Noble stores that are cut to match Nook's size. Those curious about the Nook will be able to hold and feel the device in B&N stores and decide whether or not they think they would prefer it to Amazon.com's Kindle. This could give B&N an advantage. Apple has been able to use its stores to show customers a wide range of products. Some customers are more likely to purchase a device they can touch and feel. Barnes & Noble will need any advantage it can get. Many people already own a Kindle as Amazon.com began selling them long before the Nook launched. Amazon.com has also had time to perfect its device and respond to consumer complaints while the Nook will be on version 1.0. You can read more about the Nook here on bn.com.
Time magazine has compiled its list of the 50 best inventions of the year. You can see the list here and descriptions of each item here. Some of the inventions on Time's list include: Tank Bred Tuna, Living Wall, EnergyHub dashboard, the YikeBike, Nissan Leaf, Philips' LED bulb and Microsoft's Project Natal. Time senior writer Lev Grossman discusses some of the top choices in the video below. Take a look:
Businessweek 
CNET 
TechCrunch 
The Apple Tablet is clearly the most anticipated gadget of 2010. The exact design of the device is unknown but that isn't stopping excited analysts from speculating that the device will be wildly successful. CNN 
