Technology & Pop Culture

Ditch iTunes for Songbird

Posted by Bradley under Personal, Technology

Songbird is an open source media player which offers the same functionality as iTunes without all the DRM and music store distractions.

It’s available in Windows, Linux and Mac flavors and has a host of plugins for making it play nice with your iPod and iTunes DRMed mp3 files.

There’s even a built in web browser from the kind Mozilla folks who make Firefox.

I must say that after having used Songbird for a few months now I will never go back iTunes.  Ever.

And why not pair it with Amazon’s DRM Free Music Store for a nice win-win situation?

Sorry Steve.

http://www.getsongbird.com/

Tags: DRM, iTunes, Open Source, Songbird

FREE MONEY: ANY Sprint Customer Can Get $90 or $35 From A New Class Action Lawsuit

Posted by Bradley under Free, Personal

If you were a Sprint customer between 1999-2008 and terminated your contract (and were charged an ETF Fee) you can score an easy $90!

Or if you “were afraid to cancel your contract” you can grab $35.

Everyone wins.

http://www.sprintetfsettlement.com/php/home.php

NOTE: This trick requires you to select the “Did you remain a customer to avoid paying the ETF for which you were not charged?” option to qualify.

Whether or not the above is true is ultimately on your conscience.

[IMG via joelogon's Flickr]

Tags: $35, $90, Class Action, ETF, Free, Lawsuit, Money, Sprint

Spoiler-Free Review Of Lost Season 5′s First 2 Episodes

Posted by Bradley under Personal, Television

With less than two weeks to go until the premiere of Lost (!!) here is a spoiler-free guide to what the ‘eff is going on in Season Five‘s first two episodes.

http://io9.com/5123239/spoiler+free-review-of-lost-season-5s-first-2-episodes

[IMG via fanpop.com]

Tags: ABC, LOST, Review, Season 5, Spoiler Free

Slumdog Millionaire Gets Top Honor From The Kansas City Film Critics Circle

Posted by Bradley under Entertainment, Movies, Personal

Slumdog Millionaire received the Best Film of 2008 honor from the Kansas City Film Critics Circle this past Sunday.

Slumdog tells the tale of an orphaned Indian teen who is accused of cheating when he wins the Hindi version of Who Wants to be A Millionaire.

And is brilliantly directed by Danny Boyle of Trainspotting and 28 Days Later fame.

I wholeheartedly agree with the Film Critics Circle and truly feel this movie is deserving of a little gold man for Best Picture.

Let’s hope the Academy agrees.

If you haven’t seen it yet it comes with my highest recommendation.

Hit up the link for the rest of the winners.

http://www.kcfcc.org/

Tags: 2008, Academy Awards, Best Film, Best Picture, Danny Boyle, Kansas City Film Critics Circle, Slumdog Millionaire, Who Wants to be A Millionaire

Rock-a-fire Explosion Robots Take On NIN’s 1,000,000!

Posted by Bradley under Kansas City, Personal, Technology

Oh you Showbiz Pizza robots how you never cease to amaze me.

MGMT, Arcade Fire and now NIN!

I heart you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLSPs0_chZU

Tags: NIN, Nine Inch Nails, Robots, Rock-a-fire Explosion, Showbiz Pizza

Lunch

Posted by Bradley under Food, Personal

OM NOM NOM NOM.

Tags: lunch

Lost Season 5 Premiere: 2 Minute Sneak Peek!

Posted by Bradley under Personal, Television

January 21!!
January 21!!
January 21!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2kjlOG1yRo

Tags: January 21, LOST, Premiere, Season 5, Sneak Peek

YouTube Now Streams “Sideshow” In High Definition!

Posted by Bradley under Art, Movies, Personal, Technology

YouTube is now offering a “Watch in HD” option for videos that were originally uploaded from an HD source.

Previously, the link read “Watch in High Quality” which really wasn’t HD quality.

As we reported earlier, YouTube recently switched from a 4:3 aspect ratio to a 16:9 aspect ratio which brought the widescreen video format necessary to support High Definition video.

Without further adieu…

Enjoy Blatant Mockery‘s “Sideshow” in HD.

It really looks great!

The comparison shots above don’t do it any justice.

Hit up the link and please rate and comment on YouTube!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0v8Q2BvH7A&fmt=22

Tags: Blatant Mockery, HD, High Definition, Official, Sideshow, Streams, Video, YouTube

Google’s Gmail Gets Sexy With Themes; Ninja Included

Posted by Bradley under Personal, Technology

If you’re cool like me and use Gmail or Google Apps for your domain you can sexy up your e-mail interface with themes and colors beginning today!

I couldn’t see this option in any of my accounts just yet so be patient — Google rolls these things out in waves.

More pics of the theme options at the link.

I’m partial to the Ninja!

http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/spice-up-your-inbox-with-colors-and.html

[IMG via lifehacker.com]

Tags: Gmail, Google, Ninja, Themes

J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek” Trailer #2 Gets All Official In Tighty Whities

Posted by Bradley under Entertainment, Movies, Personal

Super-director J.J. Abrams and his latest trailer for Star Trek have officially hit the Internets in 1080p awesomeness.

Go watch it!

Now!

Hottie Chris Pine as Captain Kirk in tighty whities (thx J.J., I’m sold) included! (Oh and and there’s some girl.)

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/startrek/

Tags: #2, Chris Pine, J.J. Abrams, Star Trek, Tighty Whities, Trailer