SHOW #055 - NerdBoyTV: National Voter Guide, Obama, McCain

In this episode of NerdBoyTV, Ryan Yee demos the National Voter Guide that people can use to evaluate the candidates and propositions for this coming election. To subscribe, go to http://www.nerdboytv.com/.

ThinkFree launches office suite for Netbooks

ThinkFree launches office suite for Netbooks Webware : Cool Web apps for everyone - CNET

"ThinkFree, a company that specializes in 'next-gen' office productivity solutions, announced Tuesday that it has launched its ThinkFree Netbook solution, which will deliver word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications for Netbooks running Intel's Atom chipsets, like the Asus Eee PC or the Acer Aspire One.

According to ThinkFree, its Netbook Edition offers a simplified user interface and compatibility with Microsoft Office 2007 files. Most importantly, the software is optimized for a small screen and features integration with ThinkFree's online service that allows users to collaborate with each other and synchronize documents on-the-go."

CBS video site launches "social viewing" rooms

CBS video site launches "social viewing" rooms : Ben Patterson : Yahoo! Tech

"What's the fun in watching 'Survivor' by yourself? Now you can tune in—online, of course—with your pals, hurl suggestions and insults at the screen via text chat, and even answer in-line trivia questions while you watch.

That's the idea behind CBS.com's new 'social viewing rooms,' which just went live this week. Just register an avatar or pick a guest name, click on a show (choices range from 'Survivor' and the 'CSI' shows to 'The Young and the Restless,' 'How I Met Your Mother,' 'The Unit,' and 'Worst Week'), and start typing."

RIM stock tanks as BlackBerry sales weaken

RIM stock tanks as BlackBerry sales weaken : Christopher Null : Yahoo! Tech

"Poor RIM can't catch a break these days. First the iPhone comes on the scene and grabs all the attention in the smart phone space, a market that had been dominated by RIM for the better part of a decade. Now come cuts in its sales and earnings forecasts, with analysts starting to worry that people just aren't buying BlackBerrys like they used to.

While one analyst at Pacific Crest Securities calls overall sales trends 'slightly disappointing,' signs point to some pretty troubling weaknesses in all of the company's new products: Sales of the BlackBerry Pearl Flip are being described as 'tepid at best,' and sales of both the standard Curve and new Bold are weak overseas (where the Bold is already on sale)."

Pioneer debuts XMp3 player with recording capabilities

Pioneer debuts XMp3 player with recording capabilities : Gina Hughes : Yahoo! Tech

"I don't know many people who listen to satellite radio on-the-go, but if you're among this group, you might enjoy Pioneer's XMp3 radio. This wearable XM radio also happens to be an MP3 player with an microSD card slot so you can store and listen to your own tunes, as well as record music from live music channels."

Little Big Planet (PlayStation 3)

Little Big Planet (PlayStation 3) PlayStation 3 Game reviews - CNET Reviews

"Although Little Big Planet could be described as a platforming game, its dedication to creativity in every area takes it far beyond the confines of the genre. Everything from your character to the environment is geared towards user creation and adaptation, via stickers and costumes right up to a full-blown level creator.

Each level of the story mode is an unforgettable trip through the wild imagination of the designers, and it would be difficult to find a game that's as much fun to play with friends co-operatively.

It's a little disheartening that the Story mode is over so quickly, and although there's some longevity to be had from finding all the hidden extras, you can still see everything the story has to offer in six hours.

Then there's the level creator--an astoundingly powerful toolset that theoretically allows you to recreate anything you see in the included levels and much more. However, it still requires a great deal of time and skill to develop something that people will actually want to play, and despite the best intentions of the developer, it's a feature that not everyone will be able to take full advantage of.

The overall result is a game that's incredibly fun while it lasts, and one that has the potential to be taken further by its community."

The week in tech layoffs

The week in tech layoffs Webware : Cool Web apps for everyone - CNET

"With financial troubles taking their toll on every sector of the economy, an increasing number of companies are laying off employees to stay afloat. And the technology industry is no different.

The long and growing list of tech companies planning staff cuts ranges from Pandora to Tesla Motors, leaving a slew of highly trained workers looking for new opportunities."

Why Is Jerry Yang Still In Charge?

Daniel Lyons: Why Is Jerry Yang Still In Charge? Newsweek Daniel Lyons Techtonic Shifts Newsweek.com

"Eight months ago, Yahoo!CEO Jerry Yang had a chance to sell his company to Microsoft for $43 billion. He refused. Now Yahoo's market value stands at $18 billion. This raises a question: Why is Jerry Yang still running this company?"

SHOW #054 - NerdBoyTV: Web 2.0 CBS YouTube T-Mobile G1 Google

In this episode of NerdBoyTV, Ryan Yee shares CNET's 11 Web 2.0 Companies that might go under during this recession, CBS now streams full-length videos on YouTube, and T-Mobile releases Google's G1 cellphone this week.



11 troubled Web companies: The next Kozmos?

YouTube offers full-length CBS shows

Full review: T-Mobile G1 - The New Google Cellphone!

Full review: T-Mobile G1 : Ben Patterson : Yahoo! Tech

"It's a bit raw, and the clunky hardware isn't too inspiring, but the Android-powered G1 is the first touchscreen handset I've seen that's a true iPhone competitor—and a good one.

While it lacks the iPhone's spit and polish, the G1 benefits from the peppy, easy-to-use Android OS, not to mention the open-source freedom that'll probably lead to a riot of inventive applications. Priced at just $179 and set to ship October 22 (you can pre-order it here), it's no wonder the G1 is already a hit."

Apple iPod Nano vs. Microsoft Zune

Apple iPod Nano vs. Microsoft Zune - CNET Prizefight - CNET Reviews

"You know it's going to be a heated MP3-player battle when you pit an iPod against its sworn enemy: the Zune. Apple and Microsoft have released very similar-looking products this season, which only fuels the need for this prizefight.

In one corner, we have the fourth-generation iPod Nano, with its curved design, built-in tilt sensor, and iTunes software. In the other corner, we have the flash-based Zune, packing Wi-Fi, subscription music, and a killer RDS FM radio. Still, despite some clear differences, both players share many things in common (including their prices).

Without wasting another second, let's toss these two tiny MP3 players into the ring and see who prevails after the five brutal rounds of our CNET Prizefight."

Listen up! Music is everywhere on the Web

Listen up! Music is everywhere on the Web - Music- msnbc.com

"OK, so the idea of paying for radio seemed a whole lot better back in the good old days, when phrases like “financial crisis” weren’t in every other news story. If the Sirius XM subscription doesn’t seem like such a good idea anymore, well, you’re not alone. According to the tech blog CrunchGear.com, the company CEO Mel Karmazin is apparently now dreaming up ways to get cash-strapped would-be listeners to subscribe."

Riding dinosaur, robot top hot holiday toy list - Retail - msnbc.com

Riding dinosaur, robot top hot holiday toy list - Retail - msnbc.com

"A lifelike baby Triceratops that children can ride on, a Wall-E robot that responds to your voice, a dancing game that eliminates wires and mats.

Toy makers are upping the 'Wow!'-factor in new products in an attempt to capture children's and parents' attention amid a holiday season likely overshadowed by a difficult economy and turmoil in the financial sector.

'There's a lot of innovation this year, we see technology being used in new ways,' said Wendy Smolen, editorial director of the trade magazine Toy Wishes, which unveiled its 'Hot Dozen' toy list on Tuesday. 'In the past, there have been a lot of copycats.'"