Bereninga

Last week, Apple released a refreshed version of its Apple TV product. First, let’s get a quick run-down of some key changes:

• Netflix streaming
• content moved from local storage in the Apple TV to streaming only
• price changes for Apple TV unit to $99, rentals for HD TV shows for 99 cents, HD movies for $4.99

How thrilling are these changes? Unfortunately, not thrilling at all. Even though these are “new” features to Apple TV, they’re not anything new to anyone who already has a pretty good home entertainment system already. Apple is trying really hard to get Apple TV to be something people need, but it misses the mark.

First, Netflix streaming is old news. The XBox 360, Playstation 3, some Blu-ray players, HDTV sets, and other devices already have Netflix streaming built-in. Netflix as a feature is now just extra for the Apple TV since people who have Netflix most likely already stream it from another device other than their computers. Why would people want to have another piece of hardware to wire up in their system? In fact, if people who don’t have a Netflix-only device and are looking to get one, they can get a cheaper one: the Roku.

Content also is streaming only. So what does that say? That means you’ll never truly own the content you buy. If you’re a Netflix subscriber, you should be used to this. If not, you will.

The price point is definitely right. At $99, it’s easy to get Apple TV as an impulse buy as opposed to a bigger financial commitment. HD TV rentals for 99 cents seems pretty good too, but $4.99 for HD movies is a little high. Why would a Netflix subscriber want to pay more money for what they can get on Netflix? If you don’t have Netflix, you’d better watch one movie per month or else pay Apple more money for what you can get on Netflix for the same price. Get my drift?

I don’t see what Apple TV brings new to the table. Perhaps one feature is pretty neat: streaming content from your iPhone or iPad to Apple TV through AirPlay. This allows your device to act as a remote so to speak.

Here’s what the dream Apple TV would have but probably won’t have:

• Blu-ray support
• 1080p streaming
• remote control via iPhone/iPad
• Pandora
• iOS support

Are you going to get an Apple TV? I really would like to know why.

Amazing is the only word I can think of when it comes to describing Alicia Keys in concert. Normally, I’m not one to really put celebrities on pedestals, but now I feel like I can easily do that with Alicia. Last night, I went to the Alicia Keys concert, and I was totally blown away. Opening performances include Melanie Fiona and Robin Thicke, both also very talented. A couple of bonuses of the show were appearances by Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Beyoncé showed up for Put It In A Love Song and Jay-Z made an appearance for Empire State of Mind (of course). Alicia also played a song with a keytar in the shape of a key, which was pretty cool! I don’t know if I could go to another concert after last night because she set the bar up pretty high.

Melanie Fiona

Robin Thicke

Photos courtesy of Angelina Ho.

If I had to choose one word to describe this game it would definitely be “fun”! Apparently, this game has been out since 2009 but I’ve only heard of it now since it was released on the iPhone last month. I normally am not big on iPhone games, but this one has been in the top 10 paid apps in the App Store for so long that I couldn’t resist just trying it out, especially since it was only 3 bucks.

It was definitely a pleasant surprise. The sound, design, characters and gameplay are all very impressive. The main objective of this game is to defend your house against zombies who want to eat your brain. Your only weapons are special plants that can shoot peas, chomp down zombies and other defense mechanisms. It’s basically a tower-defense type game. My only complaint is that when a lot of things are going on the screen, the iPhone (3G) tends to go down in frame rates. Other than that, it’s so much fun!

Do you like to fight? Do you have differences with someone you’d like to settle? Do you like watching little cartoon characters beat up each other? Then you’re in luck! My friend Cheryl showed me this site called My Brute. It requires no skill at all.

All you do is create a character, customize it, and go challenge people. Once you challenge someone, the characters fight on their own. The point of the game is to win as many points as you can to get to a higher level. It’s pretty much an RPG. You can gain special skills and weapons to help win battles. Also, if people sign up through your link, you get more XP, and you become their master (insert evil laugh)!

It’s addicting and awesome because you never know who will win. Everything is pretty random; victories, gained skills and acquired weapons are all obtained randomly.

Check it out if you’re not afraid!

Internet fads are so much fun to participate in. As of late, there’s been a new one that’s spreading like wildfire on Facebook. It’s called “25 Things”. Users create a note that starts out with:

Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

Then the user lists 25 things about him or herself and tags 25 friends. I think practically 90% of my friends have done of these things. I think most of the fun comes from learning about yourself and then telling friends about stories and facts about yourself. It’s sort of like story-telling/secret-telling. Of course, the stories aren’t that personal since it’s published on the web. The most fascinating thing about “25 Things” is how fast it spread and how its caught on. I would post my 25 Things here but then I can’t tag you.

Photo courtesy of lovebuzz from Flickr

During the Superbowl this year (kudos to Pittsburgh for the win. You guys rule!), they played so many 3D ads for movies and TV shows that I vomit a little bit in my mouth. I really cannot imagine 3D really going anywhere past the theater experience. I really have a hard time picturing my friends and me sitting in front of the TV wearing those silly 3D glasses just to watch a show, and it’s starting to really annoy me how websites and TV are hyping it up. It’s like hyping up VHS or audio cassettes. The technology is not where it should be and it’s just plain inconvenient. Advertisers should just save their money and put it elsewhere because 3D won’t be going anywhere. In a recession, you’d think people would be spending money on something more worthwhile. But then again, Paul Blart: Mall Cop was #1 in the box office for two consecutive weekends.

Have you ever watched an ad on television that you thought was just straight up badass and inspiring? This will be one of them. On one of my football Sundays, I saw this ad and was blown away by its creativeness. Over 70,000 images were used for this ad. Much props to the advertising company Grey New York. The feeling I got from watching this gave me goosebumps.

p.s. – It’s even cooler because it has Derick Ward of the NY Giants going for a touchdown! Giants FTW!

I saw an older trailer months and months ago. Then I picked up and read the comic book. This is definitely not your ordinary comic book / graphic novel. Watchmen is a must-read! And now, this movie is going to be a must-see. It’s going to be sick! Check out the trailer:

Looks like a new venue is opening in good ol’ Carroll Gardens! This place has been under construction for a few months now and is at the corner of Court Street and Huntington Street. I have no idea when construction finishes but it looks like a couple more months at most. I was able to take a little sneak peak inside when the front doors were open one day and I saw a bar and a few tables. Pretty exciting since it’s AT the corner of my street, not AROUND the corner like Leo’s Corner.

Speaking of Leo’s Corner, that place has won my vote for a local sports bar that kicks ass! Seriously, no place can beat $7 pitchers and $2 beers! They have 4 LCD TV’s (unfortunately, no HD service though. What’s the deal with that?) and can play almost any NFL game that’s going on. Most folks are locals and are dudes, but what the hell, that’s what Sundays are for! Cheap beer, football, and TV. I can get used to that on Sundays.

I’m still excited for this new place, though. We’ll see which corner prevails!

There’s been a lot of discussion about whether physical media will live or not for movies and video. All I can say is that for now physical media will live. Here are the reasons:

1. Right now, the space needed for HD is too demanding. Movies in 1080p can take up to 50GB of space. That’s a ton. Unless you have 1TB or more, movies will remain on disks. Imagine how much HDD you’ll need for only 10 movies. That’s already half a terabyte!
2. Currently, there is no reliable download service that is fast enough for videophiles who want the best quality available immediately. Sorry AppleTV and Netflix and any other on-demand “HD” service out there, but 720p/1080i will not cut it. It will take a considerable amount of time to d/l a movie of such great sizes.
3. People want the best and 1080p will only satisfy that thirst for true high definition and quality sound. This relates to reason #2. Why settle?
4. Also, people like to go to the store and pick up the cases. Sure, the quality is in the movie. However, a lot lies within the case designs and extras if the consumer really likes the flick. Lately and unfortunately, cases have been pretty sparse. Don’t you miss the old days when movies used to come with some cool stuff inside? Cool covers look nice on a shelf as well. Think of how books decorate your shelf.
5. Be realistic, technology takes time and HD streaming is too far ahead of it. For our lives right now, Bluray is the best option. Who knows how long it will take for true HD to reach streaming technology. Call us high-quality folk fools, but we’re definitely not going to sit around and wait for streaming technology to catch up. Bluray FTW!