Whatcha-Mac-allit

imageHere’s what it’s like trying to describe what the Apple TV is to someone who has no idea. Starting first with one simple, brief sentence: It’s a set-top box that hooks up to your television and lets you play all kinds of Internet video as well as stuff from your computer.

The problem is, most people don’t know exactly what you mean when you say “Internet video.” So they always have to ask: You mean YouTube? Yes, definitely. How about stuff from sites like Hulu? Um, no, not easily. Well how about movies and TV shows you can rent from iTunes? Yes, not only that but BitTorrent video, too. What’s BitTorrent? Um, stuff you stole, basically. It also displays your digital photos, too, straight from your iPhoto library. And it features music-sharing via AirTunes, which lets you hear music from your iTunes music library on your home theater setup. Oh so it’s probably a digital video recorder too, right? Um, no, it’s not. Well, it kinda sorta sounds like a media PC, so can I play a DVD or Blu-Ray discs? Sorry, no, not that either.

So basically, in spite of its elegant, compact industrial design (the Apple TV has the look of something extremely elegant and succinct) this product is a freakin’ mystery to most people. But, having owned one now for about three months, let me tell you: it’s a winner. I had little idea what I was really getting into when I bought it, but now I’m a huge, huge fan of my Apple TV. In one respect or another, it’s in constant use in my home.

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WSJ: Tampa Bay Rays Get Political

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1 of 5 stars
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I intend to root for the Rays in the World Series, but I think it’s highly inappropriate for them — or any athletes, for that matter — to go on the stump for any political candidate, Republican, Democrat or what have you. Especially when the team is from a swing state. Tampa Bay fans of every political persuasion have the right to root for their team without the messy encumbrances of politics.

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Apple’s New “I’m a Mac” Commercials Hit Back at Microsoft

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2 of 5 stars
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Of course I’m partial to this campaign, but these two new commercials — especially the one called “Bean Counter” — are really quite funny. As a response to Microsoft’s unimaginative “I’m a PC” rejoinders, these are not only smarter, but they play by Apple’s rules. Which is to say, they continue to play offense, while Microsoft’s campaign is clearly playing defense.

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NYT: Rivals’ Visions Differ on Unleashing Innovation

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4 of 5 stars
What’s this?

The latest installment in the Times’ “If Elected” series, examining how the two presidential candidates would handle the issues. This one is a truly excellent look at how choosing a President directly impacts the American technological landscape — meaning, for me and many readers, our jobs.

“For decades, the United States dominated the technological revolution sweeping the globe… Today, the dominance is eroding. In 2002, the nation’s high-technology balance of trade went south, and it never came back… There is wide agreement among economists and other experts that the capacity to innovate is central to growth, quality of life and success in the global marketplace — a point on which the candidates agree.

“‘If we don’t have an innovation agenda, if we don’t invest in science research, if we don’t provide encouragement for our kids to pursue careers in math and science, I don’t see where our country can go economically in the future,’ said John Edward Porter, a Republican former congressman who is the board chairman of Research!America, an advocacy group.”

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