When it comes to so-called “life-changing” gadgets and technologies (insert your favorite wonder of the modern world from iPhones to Netflix downloads and high-school girls warbling out karaoke on YouTube here), sometimes all the years of toil and endless gallons of blood, sweat and tears that go into development are justified. But sometimes those selfsame gizmos and services, despite all the headlines, hype and millions of man hours poured into their creation, turn out to be steaming piles of excrement instead – hence the list we have here. While just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to stupid inventions and technologies that have cropped up over the past 30 years, they’re certainly some of our favorites, especially when in need of a quick punchline…
Tag Archive: Apple Lossless
Apple TV Begins Shipping to Customers
Apple has begun shipping its slightly-delayed Apple TV to customers, marking the Cupertino computer- and electronics-maker’s first serious foray into the living room. In a nutshell, the Apple TV is designed to bridge the gap between Apple’s iTunes store and the living room television, enabling users to view videos, television episodes, and movies purchased from the iTunes store on their in-home big screens.
iLoad Vows Support for Apple iPhone
Apple’s hype-inducing and lawsuit-spawning iPhone won’t be available to Cingular (er, wait, AT&T customers) until the middle of 2007, but already iLoad is promising people they will be able to load music from their audio CDs onto the device without having to go throug the whole process of firing up iTunes, ripping the CDs to a hard drive, then transfering the tracks over to the iPhone. Instead, just buy an iLoad, put the iPhone into the dock, pop your CDs into the included drive, and let the iLoad do the rest.
Slim Devices’ Transporter for Audiophiles
Digital home audio developer Slim Devices today announced the Transporter a high-end networked audio system designed to appeal to audiophiles through the use of high-end converters, premium components, a quality analog stage
Apple Ships Tiny iPod nano
Apple Computer today took the wraps off the iPod nano, the latest entry in its market-leading line of portable music players. And the iPod nano lives up to its tiny name: the unit measures just 3.5 inches (88.9 mm) tall by 1.6 inches (40.6 mm) wide by a scant 0.27 inches (6.9 mm) deep (that’s thinner than a #2 pencil) and weighs just 1.5 ounces (43 g). The iPod nano also features a 1.5-inch color LCD screen with backlight, the famed iPod clickwheel interface, a purported 14-hour battery life with a 3-hour charge time, and either a 2 GB ($199) or 4 GB ($249) capacity. The iPod nano is available in Apple’s trademark white as well as a new black-with-grey design.
Installing Your Home Theater: The Plain English Guide to Installation Part 6
Last time, we discussed how to optimize your room for the video features of your home theater. Now we come to the room configurations that will affect the audio performance of your home theater system. As with the video, the shape, furnishings and placement of windows and doors will affect the quality of the sound you get out of your system. We also have to revisit the placement of the many wires required to serve the speakers now placed all over your room. Just like everything else, relax and take it slowly. A little planning now will greatly enhance your enjoyment for a long time to come.
