The 21st Century Living Room

Would you rather enjoy your digital photos, videos and music on your PC, or on the big screen of the television set you already have? Imagine you could share your digital media with your family and friends from the comfort and convenience of the couch in the living room.

To fill such a need, retailers are selling new products which are sometimes called "digital media receivers" or "media hubs".

One such product, the new MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player from Microsoft, allows users to quickly and easily connect their PC to the TV through a home network to play digital content, as well as to play video or audio live from the Internet. Additionally, they can surf the Web, send and receive e-mail and chat with friends via the television.

I quote from Sam Klepper, general manager of Microsoft's MSN TV division.

"Everything points to the fact that people want the option of taking Internet entertainment and stored personal photos, music and videos out of the confines of their home offices and into the comfort of their living rooms."

The range of prices for these devices is equally broad: from as low as $200 plus a subscription fee for MSN TV and up to US$1600 for a sophisticated PC.

"Consumers don't have to huddle in front of a computer screen to see or listen to digital content anymore," said Klepper. "Digital media receivers make it easy for them to bring the compelling new entertainment available on the Internet as well as personal photos and digital home movie into the comfort of their living room, the traditional hub for enjoying entertainment. It's an idea whose time has come."

Further information on the MSN TV 2 Internet and Media Player can be found at http://www.msntv.com/

Better than blackberry

Better than blackberry

According to some in the wireless industry, web access for road warriors and other mobile users is as easy as pulling out a Blackberry handheld device, wireless PDA or Internet-enabled cell phone.

Why not ask the actual users of mobile Internet technology, however, and you'll often get a far different story.

Tiny display screens. Frustratingly small keyboards. Clipped or squashed web pages. Unreliable coverage. And download times rivaling the last Ice Age.

A solution to the problems, DataWind Corporation has recently showcase their new product, PocketSurfer Web Viewer, the first cell phone accessory that provides a desktop-quality web experience in a device small enough for breast pocket or purse.

I quote from Suneet S. Tuli, chief executive officer of DataWind.

"All-in-one cellular Internet products try to do too many things, and wind up doing none of them well. The PocketSurfer lets cell phone users access the technology they need, when they need it, with complete flexibility and convenience. And it does this at a lower overall cost than a Blackberry or Handspring Treo."

Let take a peek at what they have to offer.

It is affordable, at the price of $199.00 USD .

With just 6" x 3" and less than 9/16" thick, the PocketSurfer is small enough to carry anywhere, yet big enough to solve two of the most annoying drawbacks of personal mobile web devices-undersized keyboards and screens.

They clain that once they're online, users are overwhelmed by the page downloads which take just 5 to 7 seconds on average. This speed is 10 to 30 times faster than with typical WAP enabled cell phones and PDAs. Furthermore, page integrity is maintained. Users gets to see web sites as they're meant to be seen, without clipping or reformatting.

The QWERTY keyboard also makes sending email as easy as with a PC.

The device includes a mouse pointer and page navigation controls.

The lithium ion battery lasts four to six hours which is longer than most cell phones.

This pocketsurfer is indeed some gadget to look forward to, as it sounds to good to be true. I wish i could get one for christmas.