Google Adds Themes to Custom Google Homepages

Google is offering a new option that places its internet search box in panoramic settings that change with the time of day and the weather.

The colourful graphics will be unveiled on Tuesday.

While most of Google’s users remain content seeing little more than the company logo and the search box that has anchored its home page for nearly a decade, millions of others have created log-ins that enable them to select from a variety of features that appear with each visit.

The features, introduced nearly two years ago, include stock quotes, local weather and news headlines.

Google’s new package of decorations, also known as “skins”, are designed to make the home page feel even more homey, said Marissa Mayer, the company’s vice president of search products and user experience.

Apple TV Shipping. IPTV

 

Apple TV is now available for purchase. The Apple Web site on Tuesday morning listed the set-top box as available for shipment in three to five business days. Apple stores confirmed that the box, which is meant to deliver content between a TV and a PC, is so far only available online. Now there’s always something good on TV. With Apple TV, you can enjoy movies, TV shows, music, and podcasts in your iTunes library, plus photos and movie trailers, on your widescreen TV — wirelessly, from your Mac or PC.

The feature that i’m most thrilled about is the AirPort Extreme, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n wireless network (video streaming requires 802.11g/n). It supports draft N, which means more coverage to watch TV anywhere in your house. Oh, and Sony as you can see no one really cares about 1080p not even Apple!

 

 

Specs for the unit are:

Size and Weight

• • Footprint: 7.7 by 7.7 inches (197 mm x 197 mm)
• • Height: 1.1 inches (28 mm)
• • Weight: 2.4 pounds (1.06Kg)¹

Processor and Storage

• • Intel processor
• • 40GB² hard drive for storing content locally
• • Up to 50 hours of videos³, 9000 songs⁴, 25,000 pictures⁵, or a combination of each

Ports/Interfaces

• • HDMI (video and audio)
• • Component video
• • TOSLINK optical audio
• • Analog RCA stereo audio
• • 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet
• • USB 2.0 (for service and diagnostics)
• • 802.11n wireless networking* (compatible with 802.11a/b/g)
• • Built-in IR receiver (works with included Apple Remote)

Power

• • Built-in universal 48-watt power supply

 

Video

• • Video formats supported: H.264 and protected H.264 (from iTunes Store): 640 by 480, 30 fps, LC version of Baseline Profile; 320 by 240, 30 fps, Baseline profile up to Level 1.3; 1280 by 720, 24 fps, Progressive Main Profile. MPEG-4: 640 by 480, 30 fps, Simple Profile

Audio

• • Audio formats supported: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps); protected AAC (from iTunes store); MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps); MP3 VBR; Apple Lossless; AIFF; WAV

Photos

• • Photo formats supported: JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PNG

Also Included

• • Apple Remote

Environmental Requirements

• • Operating temperature: 32° to 104° F (0° to 40° C)
• • Storage temperature: -40° to 185° F (-40° to 85° C)
• • Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
• • Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet (3000 m)

Xbox 360 Updates: Linux bootloader released & a new Black Xbox 360 named Elite

Xbox-scene has the details on both of these stories.

Linux Bootloader for xbox360 – XeLL *updated*

>> Well, thats what it looks like! Here’s the readme:
XeLL is the Xenon Linux Loader. It’s a second-stage bootloader and is usually run by an exploit. The method of booting this is not a part of this project. XeLL catches CPU threads, sets them up (basically setting HRMOR to zero), loads an ELF file from either network (tftp) or CDROM, and launches it. It also contains a flat device tree for linux. cdrom.c includes a very simple ISO9660 parser, which tries to boot the file named “”vmlinux”. lwIP (http://www.sics.se/~adam/lwip/) is used for networking. Network config is currently hardcoded in network.c (and main.c). XeLL also contains a HTTP server. It is not really used. XeLL is licensed under the GPL v2, and no other version. Xenon-specific stuff of XeLL was written by Felix Domke , other parts where taken from other free sourcecodes. No non-free hardware documentation was used for developing XeLL. XeLL is in a very early stage, but is (most of the time) fully working.

Ill try to link a new video of this working and the progress.

More in depth discussion can be found here, and here

Xbox 360 Elite: new, black limited edition Xbox with HDMI and 120GB drive

Game Informer magazine has stated the Black Xbox 360 would be available sometime in April 2007, with a 120GB HDD, HDMI output and cable, but no HD DVD, $479 USD is the expected price. This sounds great and is actually what i have been waiting for. Now if only it has the 65nm chipset that would complete the list of everyones wish list.

[QUOTE]
We’ve confirmed with trusted sources that the black Xbox 360 is indeed coming, and will be dubbed the Xbox 360 Elite. Here’s what you need to know about it:

* The Elite will be limited quantities only; that may be as much or as little as a couple hundred thousand.
* The case, controller, and Live headset will all be black. It will have all new packaging.
* Elite will cost $479, and will be a 3rd SKU; it will be sold alongside Premium and Core packs.
* Eventually Elite hardware (in white plastics) will take the role of the Xbox Premium. That is to say, after the Elite is launched and sold out, future Xbox Premiums will have 120GB / HDMI.
* Elite models run cooler than normal 360s, but they are not yet confirmed to have 65nm chips.
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: engadget.com

Dell 24inch 2407WFP $629

This would be my first Warm deal post, but i wanted to let people know that if your wanting a great new monitor that you should consider the dell 2407WFP as a replacement. For $629 you should be able to call a dell rep and get free shipping. However, you will likely have to pay tax. My tip is to not order online because you can not negotiate. Take my advice its easy to call and ask to speak to a Dell Sales rep. They can often go lower on the price toward the end of the month because of quotas needing to be hit. Be sure to ask for Free shipping while your at it. When i purchased my Dell 2405WFP i go an addition 5 percent off just because i held out on accepting what the sales agent wanted to give me as a final price. Within 30 mins i had an email with a counter offer of the price i originally wanted.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productlisting.aspx?c=us&category_id=6761&cs=04&l=en