Walmart, others cut TV prices in Super Bowl run-up

Walmart, others cut TV prices in Super Bowl run-up - Yahoo! Finance: "Wal-Mart Stores Inc is cutting prices on high-definition TVs ahead of the U.S. Super Bowl championship game, looking to entice shoppers to spend now that the holiday season has ended.

In its U.S. Walmart stores, the discounter is also getting more vocal about promoting its in-home TV installation service, an offering that it said is helping shoppers become more comfortable buying larger, and often more expensive, TVs.

'We do know that there are customers who are not all do-it-yourself type customers, they do want professional help for installation,' said Alex Cook, senior category director for consumer electronics at Walmart U.S.

Starting on Sunday, Walmart is cutting prices on select high definition TVs by $30 to $300. It will offer a Vizio 55-inch 1080p LCD TV for $1,298, or $200 off; a Sony Bravia 46-inch 1080p LCD TV for $778, or $300 off; and a Vizio 32-inch 720p LCD TV for $368, marked down by $30.

Electronics retailers typically roll out discounts ahead of the Super Bowl to entice shoppers to buy a new TV to watch the game. This year, the National Football League's Super Bowl is being played on February 7."

Steve Jobs demos books on iPad

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Apple announces ‘iPad’ touchscreen tablet

Apple announces ‘iPad’ touchscreen tablet - Tech and gadgets- msnbc.com: "After months of rampant speculation, Apple Wednesday announced a touchscreen tablet computer, the 'iPad' for consumers who want to take their movies, TV shows, music, games and reading with them, be it around the house or on the go. Pricing starts at $499, and it should be available in 60 to 90 days.

'We want to kick off 2010 with a truly revolutionary and magical product,' CEO Steve Jobs told a packed audience at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco on Wednesday.

The wireless device can be used with Wi-Fi, as well as run on AT&T's 3G, or third-generation, wireless network. AT&T has been the exclusive carrier of the iPhone in the United States since its release in 2007, and some were hoping that Apple's new tablet would also work with other carriers' networks, including Verizon Wireless.

The iPad will cost $499 for a 16-gigabyte model, $599 for a 32 GB version and $699 for a 64-gigabyte model with Wi-Fi only, and will be available in 60 days. It will cost an additional $130 for units that also can use 3G, which should be out in 90 days, making the most expensive model $829. Jobs said AT&T will charge $29.99 a month for 'unlimited use' and $14.99 a month for up to 250 megabytes. There will be no contract with AT&T required for the plans, he said."

Apple rockets to most profitable quarter ever

Apple rockets to most profitable quarter ever - Yahoo! News: "Apple Inc. rocketed to its most profitable quarter ever over the holidays, as huge sales of the iPhone and Macintosh computers led to a nearly 50 percent jump in net income.

The company offered no clues about what it plans to unveil Wednesday in San Francisco, although analysts expect the new product to be a tablet-style computer. CEO Steve Jobs indicated that investors should expect a significant event.

'The new products we are planning to release this year are very strong, starting this week with a major new product that we're really excited about,' Jobs said in a statement.

Apple also offered a profit and revenue forecast above Wall Street forecasts.

The iPhone's rollout in several major new markets, including China and South Korea, helped Apple double sales of the hot phone. Apple also got a boost because now it puts iPhone revenue and profit on its books when the gadget is sold, rather than deferring those results over the presumed life of the device."

8 Gadgets That Will Be Huge in 2010

NerdBoyTV NOTE: Wow, these gadgets look pretty awesome. A 4G iPhone? XBox competes with Nintendo? An 11-inch Alienware laptop? Jeez, I already can't wait for next Christmas. Checkout these awesome gadgets courtesy of PC World.

8 Gadgets That Will Be Huge in 2010 - PC World: "After everything we've seen, these are the tech products we believe will rack up big sales by next Christmas."

Amazon's new plan—Ebooks for free

NerdBoyTV NOTE: I just picked up the Barnes and Noble "Nook" for my dad—great device (and many more coming from the looks of things at the 2010 CES). So, it's really not surprising that Amazon.com is looking for more ways to keep all these other units into playing catchup. Free ebooks is a smart "marketing" idea. What do you think?

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High anticipation over Apple's tablet

NerdBoyTV NOTE: This is one device you will not want to miss! After the iPod, iPhone, Kindle, and netbook, leave it to Apple to put it ALL together in a possible tablet. The excitement is building to this week's big unveiling by Apple. Stay tune on NerdBoyTV!

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Verizon and AT&T May Both Get Apple Tablet

NerdBoyTV NOTE: Oh I DEFINITELY want one of THESE!!! And I have Verizon, too! Yay!

Verizon and AT&T May Both Get Apple Tablet - Yahoo! News: "Apple is in talks to bring its rumored tablet device to the 3G networks of both Verizon and AT&T, according to reports. Since Verizon uses the wireless network standard called CDMA, and AT&T uses the GSM standard, Apple may have to produce two different versions of the device, according to a report at Fox News. Then again, a 'world edition' device that runs on both network types may not be out of the question--assuming Apple's new product will have cellular connectivity at all.

A third option may be Apple may not have a carrier deal lined up for its product launch next Wednesday. This might mean Apple may not be able to announce pricing of a tablet at the event.

This latest rumor also suggests Apple is confident that public demand for its rumored tablet will be high enough to warrant releasing the device on two different networks. Meanwhile the research firm Retrevo has some interesting insight into how much consumers will pay for a tablet and what they want and don't want from Apple in terms of connectivity."

Apple wooing Bing for iPhone search?

NerdBoyTV NOTE: Wow, talk about sleeping with the enemy! All is fair in love and war, right?

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YouTube getting into movie rental business

YouTube getting into movie rental business - Media biz- msnbc.com: "Movie rentals are coming to the Internet's most popular video site.

YouTube is making its debut as a rental outlet Friday to help promote some of the movies that will be shown at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival.

It's part of a test that YouTube hopes will encourage more movie studios to rent movies through its site.
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The expansion announced Wednesday thrusts Google Inc.-owned YouTube into competition with more established vendors such as Apple Inc.'s iTunes store, Amazon.com Inc., Netflix Inc. and Blockbuster Inc.

The first batch of YouTube's rentals will cost $3.99 for a 48-hour viewing period. Movie studios will be able to set their own prices, with rental viewing windows ranging from one to 90 days. YouTube will get an unspecified commission from each rental."

Apple invites press to see 'our latest creation'

Apple invites press to see 'our latest creation' - CNN.com: "It's official: Apple Inc. will host a much-anticipated press event January 27 in San Francisco, California.

Invitations went out Monday.

Tech insiders expect the company to unveil a touch-screen 'slate' computer, which would look something like a giant iPhone.

Buzz about such an announcement, and the possible press event, has been dominant news in the tech blogosphere for months.

The invitation to Apple's event gives only a cryptic message about what news will come, however.

'Come see our latest creation,' says the invite, which was sent Monday by e-mail.

The e-mail invitation shows an image of bright colors splashed around an Apple logo. It does not show photos of products or specify what products Apple will discuss at the event.

The press event will be held at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts at 10 a.m. PT on January 27, according to the announcement.

The amorphous 'slate' and 'tablet' computer categories have drawn much attention from technology writers and the public in recent months.

Some companies say the devices -- which fall in size and function somewhere between smartphones and laptop computers -- are good for reading books, sorting through photos and browsing Web sites.

Others have criticized these emerging computer categories as overhyped.

Apple has a history of game-changing product announcements. The Cupertino, California-based company also has a reputation for being tight-lipped about its plans. The company has not commented on the frenzy of rumors about its supposedly upcoming tablet computer."

Slate mania grips PC makers

Slate mania grips PC makers | CES 2010 - CNET: "Call them tablets or slates, but companies at CES seem obsessed with showing off the possibilities of PCs stripped of their keyboards and touch pads. These slate devices are essentially handheld screens that do some or most of what your laptop does, but with touch controls and, often, 3G data access.

We've seen several versions this week, in situations ranging from extensive hands-on demos to arms-length sneak peeks of devices that may or may not ever see the light of day. Of course, all of these products are operating under the very long shadow of Apple's still-unannounced tablet. (And note that people started calling these 'slates' more often after the rumor mill called Apple's device the 'iSlate.')"

Music downloads giving way to streaming services

Music downloads giving way to streaming services - Yahoo! News: "Apple remains the world's dominant digital music retailer, but it's a distinction that might be of decreasing significance as the digital market transforms from a model based on a la carte downloads to one of streaming access. Indeed, Apple's late-year acquisition of streaming music provider Lala points to the company's own expected shift in that direction.

The migration from downloads to streams is driven by several factors. First is the realization that the digital download market is beginning to level off.

While digital downloads account for the vast majority of digital music revenue, they aren't even close to making up for the lost revenue from falling CD sales. That's why labels and digital music services are turning more attention to streaming music access services that carry either a monthly fee or provide opportunities to 'upsell' to other products.

The download-to-own model has trumped streaming in part because only downloads give music fans the kind of control over their music that they want. Want to listen to downloads on a PC and a hand-held media player? Until recently, the only way for most consumers to do so was to buy a download.

That's changing with new advancements like smart-phone apps that allow on-demand streaming of music not stored on the device, Web-connected TVs and stereo systems like the Sonos and such services as Spotify, MOG and Lala that have emerged to take advantage of this evolution.

The ease of use and flexibility of this music-in-the-cloud paradigm makes the old iTunes model of downloading proprietary software and transferring files from device to device seem archaic."

Mass Effect 2 is about choice

This video game looks absolutely AWESOME! Like playing an adventure inside a movie. Nice!

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Nexus One Price Drops for Some T-Mobile Upgrades

Nexus One Price Drops for Some T-Mobile Upgrades - PC World: "Google and T-Mobile have changed the Nexus One pricing policy, slashing $100 off the price of the handset for certain existing customers, T-Mobile has confirmed. Eligible upgraders should now be able to get the Nexus One for $279 instead of $379, and Google will give refunds to those who paid the old price.

Complaints about the high upgrade cost for Nexus One on T-Mobile drove down the price of the handset with $100, and the cut is effective immediately for eligible T-Mobile customers who want to upgrade to the Nexus One.

T-Mobile customer service confirmed the price drop and gave details on the eligibility for this offer, which is slightly complicated. Firstly, you must qualify for a 'full grade' upgrade, meaning you must have had service with T-Mobile for at least 22 months since your last upgrade or new contract.

Also, the $100 price cut is available only for 'individual' and 'regular' customers, meaning those with family account packages would not qualify. No business account users qualify either, T-Mobile sales representatives sanexus oneid. If you are unsure whether you are eligible for the offer, your best bet is to check with T-Mobile customer care (800-937-8997)."

SHOW #86 - NerdBoyTV: CES 2010

In this episode of NerdBoyTV, Ryan Yee talks about the gadgets making a lot of noise at this year's CES 2010, including the new iLounge Pavilion, the Panasonic VT25 3-D Flatscreen Television, the wide assortment of eReaders coming out this year, and a SmartMoney.com matchup review of Google's Nexus One and Apple's iPhone 3GS.

E-reader boom kindles a variety of new options

By Rachel Metz / Associated Press (CLICK to read more)

"When most people think of electronic book readers, Amazon's thin, white Kindle probably springs to mind. But that could be about to change.

A cascade of e-readers will hit the market this year, taking the devices far beyond gray-scale screens with features like touch navigation and video chatting — and probably lowering prices, too.

It's happening as other gadgets, such as mobile phones and tablet computers, give people even more choices for diving into their favorite books. Perhaps the only downside is worrying you might buy an e-reader from a company that won't stick around.

This week, nearly two dozen companies that make the devices or deliver reading material to them are showing products at the International Consumer Electronics Show, the first time it has devoted a section to e-books.

In a good sign for the mainstream status e-book companies hope to achieve, they are clustered at a prime location in the Las Vegas Convention Center often taken over by the likes of Microsoft Corp. And Amazon isn't even at the exhibition.

E-books make up a tiny portion of book sales, but their popularity is growing rapidly. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, which organizes the trade show, 2.2 million e-readers were shipped to stores in 2009, nearly four times as many as the year before. This year, the group expects 5 million will be shipped.

'It's an incredible growth category,' said Jason Oxman, senior vice president of industry affairs at the electronics association."

Google Phone vs. iPhone: Head to Head

By Diana Ransom / SmartMoney.com (CLICK to read more)

"Will the company that revolutionized Internet search send the Apple (AAPL) iPhone looking for answers?

At a press gathering on Tuesday, Google (GOOG) unveiled the Nexus One, a Google-branded smartphone that will run on the search giant's Android operating system. Some analysts say Google's new device, which is being built by HTC of Taiwan based on Google's specifications, will deal a stiff blow to Apple's hegemony in the smartphone arena.

Where could Google succeed where other competitors have failed? The Nexus One boasts speed improvements and enhanced camera capabilities, and the device will be sold unlocked. So rather than being forced to sign a contract with AT&T (T), a service provider that has been criticized for network mishaps and poor customer service ratings in the last year, buyers may purchase service plans separately from the device.

The Nexus One is also nice to look at, says Michael Gartenberg, the vice president of strategy and analysis for Interpret, a market researcher in Los Angeles. 'Google's Nexus One is a beautifully designed device,' he says. 'It looks like Google looked at the iPhone and said we can do better.'

For now, the iPhone is the dominant device in the sector. And critics of Google's device say the company's design improvements offer only slight advantages over existing devices and won't necessarily shake iPhone from its perch yet.

SmartMoney took a closer look at how Apple's iPhone and Google's new Nexus One match up."

Apple's influence reigns over CES 2010

By Suzanne Choney / msnbc.com (CLICK to read more)

"While Apple isn't participating — and never has — in the annual Consumer Electronics Show, the company's presence has long loomed over it. That's no different this year, with non-stop buzz about an Apple tablet possibly being announced later this month. What is different is that Apple-related products are being given their own showcase at CES, a first for the world's largest trade show for consumer technology.

Considering Apple's influence in the world of personal technology, it may seem like a 'no duh' and years overdue. But historically, Apple took part in the annual Macworld conference, generally held around the same time as CES, often stealing its thunder with new product announcements, from the iPhone to iPods.

This year, Apple is not participating in Macworld, but the Consumer Electronics Association, sponsor of CES, is providing an 'iLounge Pavilion,' where more than 100 exhibitors will be showing iPhone, iPod and Mac-related wares.

Also, one of the events at the Las Vegas show is a 'Mobile Apps Showdown,' a competition that whether intentionally or not, acknowledges Apple's role in the cell phone 'app,' or application, market. The company's online 'App Store' for the iPhone, started 18 months ago, now has more than 100,000 programs available to consumers."

Microsoft generates little buzz in CES 2010 opener

By Alex Johnson / msnbc.com (CLICK to read more)

"First the power went out Wednesday night, and when it came back up, Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Steve Ballmer did little to add to the electricity.

Ballmer’s keynote address here the night before the International Consumer Electronics Show opens Thursday morning was highly anticipated after The New York Times quoted unnamed sources as saying Ballmer would announce a radical new tablet computer, which would be developed with Hewlett-Packard Co.

The speculation was that it would be the Courier, a miniature Internet device, or MID. Purported images of the Courier created a major buzz when they emerged in September — the Courier would be unlike any other MID on the market, boasting two iPhone-like multi-touch screens in a book-like 7-inch package."

Netbooks popularity expected to continue in 2010

By Rachel Metz / Associated Press (CLICK to read more)

"Small and inexpensive 'netbooks' were some of the most popular computers in the recession, wooing consumers with their portability and prices that were often below $400. Now with the economy improving, consumers will be asked to open their wallets to new styles of computers, including some costing a bit more.

Among the new offerings being unveiled at this week's International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas: lightweight, medium-sized laptops meant as a step above netbooks in price and performance. There also will be at least one 'smartbook' — a tiny computer that combines elements of netbooks and so-called smart phones.

That is not to say the netbook has reached the end of its line. PC makers including Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo and Toshiba are expected to show off new netbook offerings with such features as touch screens and the latest Intel Atom processors, which offer improved performance over the earlier Atoms that fueled the initial run of netbooks.

But the netbook's popularity has come at a price for the industry: slim profit margins for chipmaker Intel Corp. and the PC manufacturers.

For many PC makers, the rise of netbooks has meant falling revenue and profit from PC divisions. Hewlett-Packard Co., the world's largest computer maker, gets a third of its revenue from its PC business but just 15 percent of the company's operating profit, numbers that are shrinking thanks to netbook sales and price cuts on other machines."

Powermat broadens lineup for wireless charging

By Rachel Metz / Associated Press (CLICK to read more)

"Powermat USA helped consumers cut some power cords last year by selling mats that juiced up gadgets placed on top of them. They weren't seamless solutions, though, because they required add-ons such as special cell phone cases.

Now, the company is trying to streamline wireless charging with a battery that replaces the one that comes in your cell phone. Called the Powerpack, it lets users charge phones by just plopping them down on one of the company's mats.

Powermat was announcing the Powerpack on Tuesday at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, along with other wireless charging products it will release this year.

The batteries are expected to cost $40 and begin selling in May. At CES this week, Powermat will show about a dozen Powerpacks that will be compatible with more than 50 cell phones from such companies as Nokia Corp., HTC Corp. and BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd.

Powermat uses induction to charge electronics. When you place a Powermat-enabled device on one of its mats, the two exchange a 'handshake' using RFID, or radio-frequency identification technology. The mat identifies the device, determines how much power it needs and transfers energy to it. Once a device is fully charged, Powermat stops the electricity from flowing."

VIDEO: Google expected to unveil smartphone Nexus One

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Google hopes to change wireless retail game with Nexus One

By Ben Patterson : Yahoo! Tech (CLICK to read more)

"It wasn't much of a secret, really, but the sleek, Android-powered Nexus One is finally here, and yes: you can buy it directly from Google, over the Web. As expected, the unlocked, no-contract Nexus One will cost you a pretty penny, but subsidized versions will also be available from T-Mobile and ... what's this, Verizon Wireless? You betcha.

Announced this afternoon during a press conference at Google's Mountain View headquarters, the Nexus One (designed by phone maker HTC under Google's strict supervision) is available for purchase right now on Google's new Web store rather than through a carrier—a twist that some observers see as a paradigm shift in the wireless market, where the balance of power is usually tipped in the carrier's favor.

Then again, Google is sticking with the practice of charging an arm and a leg for an unlocked, no-contract handset. If you want it unlocked for use with any SIM card and without a contract, the phone will set you back a cool $530. Here in the U.S., you'll be able to use the Nexus One with either an AT&T or T-Mobile SIM card; that said, AT&T users will only be able to tap into the carrier's EDGE data network, while T-Mobile customers can use both EDGE and 3G.

Another option is to opt for a traditional two-year contract with T-Mobile, which brings the price of the Nexus One down to $180. That detail has already been well leaked; one of the surprises Tuesday, however, was the news that Verizon Wireless in the U.S. (which currently has the Android-powered Motorola Droid) and Vodafone in Europe are also on board with the Nexus One, with versions of the handset for those networks due in the spring. Interesting. (I should note, though, that the current unlocked Nexus One will only work on GSM-based networks, not CDMA carriers like Verizon or Sprint; I'm assuming that the eventual Nexus One for Verizon will be a CDMA phone.)"

VIDEO: Apple to unveil tablet computer?

NerdBoyTV NOTE: Jeez, the buzz is absolutely "deafening!" Apple sure knows how to throw down a product launch, huh? WOW!

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Apple tablet unveiling in January

By Jessica Mintz / Associated Press (CLICK to read more)

"Speculation intensified Monday that Apple Inc. will soon unveil a tablet-style gadget for consuming music, movies, books and other media.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple is planning to take the wraps off such a device this month and begin shipping it in March.

That jibes with several online reports that the company has scheduled an event for Jan. 26 or 27 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, one of Apple's customary spaces for product launches.
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The gadget, which online pundits have at different times christened the iTablet and the iSlate, is to have a 10-inch to 11-inch touch screen, said the Journal, citing unnamed people briefed on the matter.

Apple spokesman Steve Dowling said the company does not comment on rumors and speculation."

Check Expectations for Apple's Tablet at the Door

By Arik Hesseldahl / Yahoo! Finance (CLICK to read more)

"If its engineers hew to recent history, Apple's tablet computer may look nothing like what the prognosticators foresee.

The speculative madness surrounding Apple's rumored tablet computer has finally reached its frothy peak.

Tech's chattering classes are obsessed with the unconfirmed product, which Apple (AAPL) may announce at an event in January, or February, or March, depending on which set of reports you adhere to. Apple, not surprisingly, is mum.

The hunger for information—and misguided speculation—reminds me of the mistaken prognosticating about the iPhone before its introduction three years ago. It may be time to step back and realize that Apple may uncork a product so surprising that the company again leaves the tech industry scrambling to catch up to its products' smooth operation and sleek design.

Documented facts about the tablet are few. This much we do know: In November 2008, Apple took control of the trademark name TabletMac from a company called Axiotron, which converts MacBook laptops into tablet computers running Apple's Mac OS X."

SHOW #85 - NerdBoyTV: Cool Cellies, Microsoft LifeCam

In this episode of NerdBoyTV, Ryan Yee shares the three "coolest" smartphones that came out over the holidays (Droid, Blackberry Bold 9700, Motorola Cliq) and Microsoft's LifeCam Cinema webcam.

New Apple, Google gadgets expected

Courtesy of MSNBC.com

NerdBoyTV NOTE: Expect some major consumer product announcements from Apple and Google later this month. Are we finally going to see a PC "tablet" from Apple (Code Name: iSlate)?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Motorola Cliq: First Smartphone with Social Skills

NerdBoyTV NOTE: Picked up this T-Mobile phone for my 12-year-old son, Brandon, who is VERY well-connected online. He loves the phone and I found this video review on YouTube to pass along to you. Good value and definitely a "fun" smartphone!

Ex-Googler Lee sees Apple tablet debut in January

By Jonathan Skillings / CNET News

"Sure, every blogger worth his salt has weighed in on the long-rumored Apple tablet that may or may not be--its possible size, shape, specs, debut date, and on and on. Now offering up a perspective on the matter is a high-profile tech industry executive, Kai-fu Lee, who until recently was the head of Google's China operations.

It seems that Lee, who's now working to foster entrepreneurship in China, wrote on his Chinese language blog earlier this week that Apple CEO Steve Jobs will be releasing a tablet PC in January, and expects to produce a voluminous 10 million in the first year, according to the IDG News Service and other media outlets.

The tablet, according to Lee's post, will have a 10.1-inch touch screen and will look like an oversize iPhone. Other features are said to include a virtual keyboard, 3D graphics, and support for videoconferencing and e-books. The price reportedly will be below $1,000."