Corsair AX850 850W Power Supply Review
Read More ...
Blockbuster Files for Bankruptcy
Well, it didn't quite hit the expectations of next year, but Blockbuster has just announced it has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US. I am sure it comes as almost no surprise to anyone but at least the news is official now. Blockbuster reached an agreement with its bondholders, who hold roughly 80% of the company, to recapitalize its balance sheet and hopefully put the company in much better circumstances. This will reduce Blockbuster's $1 billion debt down to a more manageable $100 million. This "pre-arranged" recapitalization only affects the US holdings so all of the international Blockbuster stores should be unaffected. All the 3,000 US stores will remain open though as many as 1,000 of them could close up as part of the restructuring plan. In my town we had about three Blockbusters but all of them closed up within the last year. There is a new one planning to open so perhaps Blockbuster can get its debt in order to remain open. If not, well, there are always rental options through the mail and streaming websites.
Read More ...
Netflix Launches in Canada Today
Well, fall has just barely begun and already Netflix hit its promised fall release for Canada. That's right folks, now you can get Netflix in Canada. However, since no discs are available yet, the only option is a streaming plan that runs at $7.99CAD and will work on PCs, the Nintendo Wii, the PlayStation 3, iOS devices, and other devices. Interestingly is that the Xbox 360, Samsung, Vizio, and Insignia TVs and Blu-ray players are not on the current list but should be added later this fall. English is the only language available for now so the French-speaking Quebec area will have to wait a while longer. Some movies and TV shows available for streaming in Canada aren't available in the US currently, so it seems the Great White North is getting some different content. All you need to access the streaming options is a Canadian IP address and you will get a free one-month trial. So, for our members in Canada, have you checked out Netflix yet?
Read More ...
Sony Launches New PIIQ Headphone Series
Sony has just unveiled its newest line of headphones, the PIIQ series. The PIIQ series (pronounced "peek") launches with five different headphones and earphones that are designed to look good and sound good. The models being launched are the MDR-PQ1, PQ-2, PQ-3, PQ-4, and PQ-5. The MDR-PQ1 is a circumaural set that is inspired by snowboard boot binders. It is a black headphone with pink highlights to give a unique look. There are two velcro-lined adjustment tabs with a lock-down mechanism on either side to help give a comfortable and secure fit. The PQ1's feature 40mm drivers to help deliever powerful bass while a padded headband and ear cups will ensure you can listen to music for hours on end. The cord is single sided and is covered in elastic to help avoid tangling.
The MDR-PQ2 and PQ-3 are both supra-aural headphones, that is they sit directly on your ears. The PQ-2 is available in three color combinations, black and green shown, features a closed design so no sound gets in or out, and comes equipped with 30mm drivers made of Neodymium magnets. The PQ-3's come in four different color combinations, blue, pink, green, and yellow shown, and features a rubber-coated headband and housing to protect it from falls. The PQ-3's take its inspiration from skateboarders and features the same 30mm Neodymium magnet drivers that the PQ-2's have.
The MDR-PQ4 and PQ-5 are both earphones though the PQ-4's are in-ears while the PQ-5's are simply earbuds. The PQ-4's come in a variety of color combinations and feature a cord slider to prevent tangled cords. It also features silicone rubber ear tips in different sizes to provide for a comfortable fit. There is also a unique ear-clip on the bottom portion to allow it to fit over your ear lobe for a secure fit. The PQ-5's are open-air earbuds that feature a gas mask-inspired design. It is available in four color combinations, yellow and blue shown, and features a bass booster ear piece to provide for deeper bass during songs.
The MDR-PQ1's will retail for $149, the PQ-2's at $79, the PQ-3's at $49, the PQ-4's at $39, and the PQ-5's at $25. All headphones should be available now though the PQ-3's won't be until the end of October.
Read More ...
FCC Hopes That Schools Can Help Bring Fiber to the Country
The Federal Communication Commission is hoping that modifications made to an existing program will help schools bring high speed internet, 1Gbps fiber-optics, to their students and communities. By transforming "anchor institutions" such as schools and libraries into fiber-optic hubs, the FCC hopes that the surrounding communities will also gain access to the high speed connections. This will be done through the use of "dark fiber" and a revamped E-Rate program. Dark fiber is a byproduct of the tech boom and bust of the early millennium. Companies laid down more than was needed and never got to use it after the market crashed. The E-Rate program was designed to subsidize public schools and libraries for computers and networking equipment. These institutions aren't buying much of those anymore, and the program is being modified to support the purchase of dark fiber and expanding of high speed networks. Hopefully this will help the country move up in the high speed internet rankings that are dominated by other countries.
Read More ...
No comments:
Post a Comment