Author: Jonathan Greene

Dell is recalling 4.1 million notebook computer batteries because they could erupt in flames, the company said today. This will be the largest safety recall in the history of the consumer electronics industry, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said. [New York Times]

Not something to be very proud of … especially considering how much attention this has already gotten. No response yet on the Dell Blog. Dell’s Response.

Technorati Tags: Dell, Marketing

The new multiroom DVR, made by Motorola, lets customers view recorded programs on up to three TVs at once. The media hub, called the Home Media DVR, also functions as a dual-tuner DVR, which allows customers to watch one program while recording another. Customers using the multiroom DVR will pay $19.95 per month, plus $3.95-per-month for each standard-definition set-top box that will be used to receive recorded video from the DVR.

Verizon has bundled the recording function with software it calls Media Manager, a new feature that lets customers access photos and music stored on their personal computer and play them on their TVs. Currently, copyright-protected content, such as movies and music, will not be accessible through the Home Media DVR.

But Verizon expects in future releases to add playback of protected content. Verizon also plans to increase the number of set-top boxes that can simultaneously access the Home Media DVR to watch recorded programs and to permit playback of home videos stored on PCs. [News.com]

This sounds like a great deal – though the actual DVR cost seems high. If nothing else, I hope it pushes Cablevision to finally release the 8300MR which would enable the same function. I like the way FiOs sounds, but think in the end my cable connection will continue to offer a higher speed and lower cost internet connection and a more robust HDTV option.

Technorati Tags: HDTV, Motorola, TV, Verizon, DVR, MediaCenter

News.com reports on Nokia’s plan to acquire Loudeye.

“By acquiring Loudeye, Nokia can offer consumers a comprehensive mobile music experience, including devices, applications and the ability to purchase digital music,” Nokia said in a statement.

Seems that the momentum around enhanced multimedia is strong within Nokia and they are assuring that they can extend their current success with devices like the N91 and 3250 through the existing ecosystem Loudeye has established. Sounds quite a bit like an iPod / iTunes model actually and one that makes a lot of sense to me.

Technorati Tags:
N-Series, Nokia, iPod, Music, Marketing, iTunes

Not even launched and hacked done to the core –

Vista hacked at Black Hat [CNET News.com]

The “iPod Killer” from Microsoft is audio only at launch? –

Zune Will Probably Be Audio-Only At Launch [Gizmodo]

Technorati Tags:
Microsoft, Zune, iPod, Music, Video, Gadgets, Marketing, Vaporware