Erik Staats

Is DRM Doomed?

erikstaats — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 20:24:43 +0000

Here’s a very detailed analysis of various DRM technologies over the last two decades.

Is DRM Doomed? The Case Against Digital Rights Management - Software Technology News by InformationWeek

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Songbird iPod development

erikstaats — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 01:22:42 +0000

I’ve started working on the 64-bit x86 port for the Songbird iPod extension. I used Parallels to run 32 bit Linux on my iMac, but Parallels doesn’t support 64-bit OS’s on the Mac. Thus, I’m running 64-bit Ubuntu on VMWare’s Fusion.

It’s in Beta, and it shows. I couldn’t boot from an iso image on my HD like I did with Parallels. I had to burn a CD first. It’s slow, but otherwise seems to work. I got Songbird running and playing MP3’s. I’m building the iPod extension right now.

I bought a G3 iBook on eBay. I’ll start the Mac PPC port of the iPod extension when it’s delivered.

Fiber Optics Turn Eyeglasses Into Movie Screen

erikstaats — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 19:49:53 +0000

An Israeli firm has developed fiber optic technology that can project images on eyeglasses. The image matches that of a 70-inch television screen viewed from 10 feet away.

According to the company, Lumus Ltd., “Image you’re sitting in a meeting and you want to read an e-mail … you just click a button and you start reading away while you’re looking attentively at the person who’s giving the presentation.” I suppose you could just as easily be surfing porn without anyone noticing either:)

The company claims that products could be on the market next year. That would be very interesting.
Fiber Optics Turn Eyeglasses Into Movie Screen - Technology News by TechWeb

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Amazon going DRM free?

erikstaats — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 00:16:09 +0000

Apparently, there are rumors that Amazon is going to open a DRM-free MP3 music store in Q1′07. That would be awesome! Hopefully, they will provide an open enough web interface for Songbird to connect to. I’ll definitely be looking to write a Songbird Amazon extension if this happens.

Computers.net: Amazon Soon Opening DRM-free MP3 Store

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Christian Themed Real-Time Strategy Game

erikstaats — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 17:42:51 +0000

Here is a Christian themed, Real-Time strategy game called “Left Behind, Eternal Forces”. Troy Lyndon, CEO, says that the game “perpetuates prayer and worship and that there is no killing in the name of God.”

Troy goes on to say that “There is killing of course, it is a video game. But the basis of the game is spiritual welfare.”

Hmmm. I think I’ll stick to family friendly games like GTA:)
Christian video game stokes controversy in U.S. | CNET News.com

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Snocap MyStore on MySpace

erikstaats — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 08:05:54 +0000

I ran across a Snocap MyStore on MySpace. The MyStore allows you toshare stores by copying HTML code from the MyStore on one site intoanother. Pretty cool. It’d be nice to be able to search and browse alist of all MyStores.

I just viewed my blog post. This is really cool! I’m pretty excitedby the potential of Snocap. I’d like to write a Songbird extension forit.

www.myspace.com/dan_aufhauser

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Startup Oxy Systems allows wireless PC to mobile music downloads

erikstaats — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 01:08:48 +0000

A startup called Oxy Systems has announced software that allows music to be downloaded from a users’ PC’s to their cell phones over the wireless networks. This would obviate the need for large storage on cell phones for music since new tracks can be downloaded as needed.

Of course, you’ll want an unlimited data plan or those downloads could be costly.

The service is called Phling and will also enable sharing of music with up to six friends. It also enables photo transfers to and from your PC. This could be pretty interesting.
Start-up claims to offer next mobile-music thing | CNET News.com

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Wireless power transfer up to 12 feet

erikstaats — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 07:10:45 +0000

MIT is working on wireless power beacons that can transmit power up to 12 feet, even through obstacles. This could potentially enable truly wireless wireless devices. The artical doesn’t mention anything about how much power can be transmitted. Presumably, it’s not enough to power your 60″ plasma TV.

Imagine a house with a power beacon at every electrical outlet. All low power devices could stay constantly charged. Way cool!

EETimes.com - MIT claims advance in wireless power transfer

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Air guitar shirt

erikstaats — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 22:20:29 +0000

Now anyone can be a rock guitar star with the air guitar shirt. Sensors in the shirt transform air guitar arm movements to real guitar sounds. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this make its way into some video game or some great YouTube videos.

Wearable guitar instrument shirt interview (Video)

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Songbird on the PS3?

erikstaats — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 02:22:27 +0000

Looks like some folks from TerraSoft along with others at SCEI got Mozilla apps running on Fedora Core 5 on the PS3. The author of this blurb wonders if Songbird would run too. I also wonder…

Hmm, I may have to get a PS3. With an HD and WiFi, a PS3 attached to your TV and stereo would make a great Songbird platform. DAAP client and server support would be even sweeter!
Linux Fedora Core 5 + PS3 = Open Source OS That Runs Mozilla! | The iHigh.com Network

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