http://www.techlore.com?src=blog_rss Technology musings, opinion, and more straight from TechLore.com's head geek. Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:36:13 GMT admin@techlore.com TechLore 60 http://www.techlore.com/brand/techlore/community.gif http://www.techlore.com?src=blog_rss http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/31403/Samsung-Drops-Prices-on-Active-Shutter-3D-Glasses-Finally/?src=blog_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.techlore.com/imagelib/contentitem/31403/39e706a46ad531be-6ca6aead-12f2bfcb1ae-70001454930340.jpg">The general cost of a 3DTV has steadily declined over the past year, thanks in part to Samsung and Panasonic who have been pushing 3D capabilities in a large portion of their TV offerning. However, even though they've got TVs under $1000 , the cost of the glasses has remained pretty steep; prices typically average $150 per pair. No typical family of four is going to spend $600 on glasses. A bunch of passive 3DTVs shown off at CES from makers like Vizio and Toshiba are starting to find their way to market, and thanks to the cheap prices of passive glasses, active shutter companies are now having to compete. As a result, Samsung has dropped the price of their base model 3D glasses, the SSG-3100GB, to a retail price of $50. That's a 60+ percent drop, folks! Samsung has been giving away a starter kit, complete with 2 pairs of 3D glasses, with pretty much every 3DTV they've sold. Beginning April 24th, they're making that position official, stating that every Samsung 3DTV will come with two pairs of 3D glasses. D7000 purchasers and up will continue to get the starter kit, which includes some movies and other promo stuff,...<div><a href="http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/31403/Samsung-Drops-Prices-on-Active-Shutter-3D-Glasses-Finally/">[Read more]</div> Home Theater Accessories Televisions and Projectors Wed, 06 Apr 2011 18:27:24 GMT Matt Whitlock http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/31403/Samsung-Drops-Prices-on-Active-Shutter-3D-Glasses-Finally/#discussion?src=blog_rss http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/31403/Samsung-Drops-Prices-on-Active-Shutter-3D-Glasses-Finally/?src=blog_rss http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/31380/How-Old-Are-Your-CD-Rips/?src=blog_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.techlore.com/imagelib/contentitem/31380/39e706a46ad531be--17624948-12f16edbfd7--1efe-684788924.jpg">I've been trying to get back into music lately, something that's fallen far to the wayside for several years as my listening interests have fallen more and more into talk radio and podcasts. After spinning a few CDs on my home stereo and really enjoying it, I decided to load up my new Windows Phone, complete with built in Zune player, with a bunch of music. After listening to a few albums, I was horrified by just how bad my music sounded. I know CDs sound better, but I was shocked at just how significant the difference was. Then something strange happened. I started playing a rip of one of my newer CDs, a purchase I made last year, and it sounded great - far better than the other digital tracks on my player. So why did this one album sound so much better than the rest? I've been on board the digital music bandwagon for some time, dabbling with things like recordable MiniDisc far before the iPods and other digital music players hit the scene. As a result, the vast majority of my music collection was ripped nearly 10 years ago. Back then, not only was hard drive space...<div><a href="http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/31380/How-Old-Are-Your-CD-Rips/">[Read more]</div> Audio / Video Streaming Phones, Smartphones, and PDAs Portable Audio / Video Players Portable Accessories and Software Sat, 02 Apr 2011 16:07:05 GMT Matt Whitlock http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/31380/How-Old-Are-Your-CD-Rips/#discussion?src=blog_rss http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/31380/How-Old-Are-Your-CD-Rips/?src=blog_rss http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30466/Apple-s-Hobby-Turns-Serious-Will-the-Apple-TV-Succeed/?src=blog_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.techlore.com/imagelib/contentitem/30466/39e706a46ad531be-56248051-12ad86a8d0e-20ae-2090246800.jpg">Say what you will about Apple, good or bad, but it's hard to deny they've been raking in the dough with one successful product after another. Just about anything put out with an Apple logo sends people into a frenzy, flocking into stores to buy whatever they're selling. Except the Apple TV that is, Cupertino's little box that connects to TVs and let users buy content online, and play media from a built in hard drive and network devices. First launched in 2006, analysts had high expectations for Apple TV, spouting off ridiculous statements one often hears during Apple product launches like "It's going to change the world!" "It's Magical!" and "I so want one! What does it do, again?" Suffice it to say, it never lived up to any of the hype. In reality, Apple TV has been more of a success people give it credit for. Any product that sells over six million units and generates decent profits can't be considered a failure, although it isn't nearly the runaway success of other Apple products like the iPhone or iPad. Most importantly, it's proven to Apple that people will pay to rent and stream video content. Where people pay...<div><a href="http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30466/Apple-s-Hobby-Turns-Serious-Will-the-Apple-TV-Succeed/">[Read more]</div> Audio / Video Streaming Video Playback / Recording Devices Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:00:00 GMT Matt Whitlock http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30466/Apple-s-Hobby-Turns-Serious-Will-the-Apple-TV-Succeed/#discussion?src=blog_rss http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30466/Apple-s-Hobby-Turns-Serious-Will-the-Apple-TV-Succeed/?src=blog_rss http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30322/Hulu-Plus-PS3-Equals-Less-Free-Time/?src=blog_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.techlore.com/imagelib/contentitem/30322/39e706a46ad531be-469f3d56-129f6aacb2f--ef11581240443.jpg">Whereas Netflix Instant Watch exclusively graced the XBOX 360 for some time, Playstation 3 owners are getting the last laugh now that Hulu's giving them exclusive access to Hulu Plus streaming for the remainder of the year. That dramatically turns the tides, making the Sony's PS3 the most streaming friendly console in the market with access to both Netflix and Hulu Plus. Anyone with an iPad or iPhone has probably heard about Hulu Plus by now, but if not, let's bring you up to speed. Hulu Plus is a new subscription service from Hulu, a popular video streaming site owned by NBC, Fox, and ABC that's been coughing up free TV content to computer screens (in the USA) for quite a while. Hulu Plus promises a whole lot more of the Hulu goodness you've become accustomed too, like a vastly expanded TV library of full series, advanced search, and HD quality, but with a $10 per month price tag. It also unshackles you from your computer monitor, allowing you to stream to the iPad, iPhone, and now the Playstation 3. While many of you no doubt want to run to the Playstation Store and download the Hulu app, I'd advise...<div><a href="http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30322/Hulu-Plus-PS3-Equals-Less-Free-Time/">[Read more]</div> Audio / Video Streaming Home Console Gaming News, Rumors, and Trends Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:40:02 GMT Matt Whitlock http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30322/Hulu-Plus-PS3-Equals-Less-Free-Time/#discussion?src=blog_rss http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30322/Hulu-Plus-PS3-Equals-Less-Free-Time/?src=blog_rss http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30144/Nintendo-3DS-Officially-Outed-at-E3-Gaming-Expo/?src=blog_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.techlore.com/imagelib/contentitem/30144/39e706a46ad531be-7ab6964b-1293cd37590--1e212131228034.jpg">In dramatic fashion, Nintendo has officially unveiled the Nintendo 3DS, a new handheld gaming system capable of delivering glasses free 3D visuals to players. From a hardware perspective, the 3DS is similar to the DS in many physical respects, like the top and bottom two screen design, d pad, four facing buttons, clamshell design etc. Like the original DS, only the bottom screen is touch capable, with Nintendo's Soturu Iwata noting that "3D and touch don't get along very well." Read the rest at Explore3DTV.com &gt;&gt;<div><a href="http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30144/Nintendo-3DS-Officially-Outed-at-E3-Gaming-Expo/">[Read more]</div> Portable Gaming Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:32:10 GMT Matt Whitlock http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30144/Nintendo-3DS-Officially-Outed-at-E3-Gaming-Expo/#discussion?src=blog_rss http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30144/Nintendo-3DS-Officially-Outed-at-E3-Gaming-Expo/?src=blog_rss http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30067/Google-TV-To-Invade-Your-Living-Room.-Should-You-Care/?src=blog_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.techlore.com/imagelib/contentitem/30067/39e706a46ad531be--64ff3306-128def79c9b-2358-1638478002.jpg">A little less than a week ago, Google, the company known for shaking things up did just that by unveiling their new service called Google TV . Their goal: "combine the TV you know and love with the freedom and power of the Internet." Now I've been asked several times what my thoughts are when it comes to Google invading the living room TV, because no one is really sure whether or not the search giant can succeed where so many others haven't. The web and the TV united is like the holy grail - whoever manages to pull it off will rule the world. What is Google TV exactly? Here's their video to try and explain: Simply put, it's a new software platform from Google derived from their Android OS and Chrome web browser that can be integrated into set top boxes and televisions. With it, you'll (supposedly) be able to call up a search box to find videos and shows, then be able to stream them from the web and play them right on your TV screen (something I haven't seen a compelling demo of as of yet). You'll also be able to use the Chrome browser to...<div><a href="http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30067/Google-TV-To-Invade-Your-Living-Room.-Should-You-Care/">[Read more]</div> Audio / Video Streaming Video Playback / Recording Devices Televisions and Projectors Fri, 28 May 2010 13:37:23 GMT Matt Whitlock http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30067/Google-TV-To-Invade-Your-Living-Room.-Should-You-Care/#discussion?src=blog_rss http://www.techlore.com/blog/entry/30067/Google-TV-To-Invade-Your-Living-Room.-Should-You-Care/?src=blog_rss