Samsung's 2nd Gen LED LCD TVs Score Big

Samsung's second iteration of their hard to find LED LCD TVs seems to be much improved in all areas. The Samsung LN-46A950 has received several good user reviews and has a long list of impressive features.

This year's model also fared better than any set currently available in motion interpolation testing. According to HDGuru , "It is the only display ever tested that resolved 100% of the moving image’s detail."

Only 19.6 Million IPTV Subscribers Worldwide

Reuters released an article today saying that IPTV subscribers are expected to reach 19.6 million by the end of the year. That is a 64% increase.

The growth of online video has been huge but the shift to Internet Television Broadcasts controlled by the viewer has endless possibilities. This shift has become great enough that it is now possible to watch a great deal of network programming on ad based internet services. Shows like Heroes, Lost, and 30 Rock are all available online.

The research released by Gartner mentions subscribers as people who are actively paying for IPTV broadcasts such as the several ad-free Video On Demand Services available from companies like DirectTV, Cablevision, Comcast, Vudu, and Apple.

What is surprising is the fact that this number of subscribers is only about 1.1 percent of households worldwide. The geek in me already knows that I must become one of the 1.1 percent (What kind of geek would I be if I didn't?) However, how could there be so few people using these services?

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Heroes Evolutions Update

After signing up for this potential ARG (Alternate Reality Game) I received an email from wireless* at *samantha48616e61[ dot ]com looking for help with the villians who escaped from Level 5.

The email also linked to http://my.nbc.com/groups/evs-dropper. The blatant promotion of my.nbc.com, while not entirely un-expected, does leave us wondering how much of this will be a true Alternate Reality Game and how much of it will be pure viral marketing.

Of course, in the spirit of ARGs I will not be listing the complete happenings of the game (should it turn out to be a game) to avoid spoiling it for people who might be playing.

On a side note while poking around the unforums I saw a potential Trailhead for a Star Trek ARG.

Follow me on Twitter for more detailed updates on my ARG escapades.

The G1 Google Phone Date and Price

Finally, a date has been set for the long anticipated G1 Google Phone. The phone will be available through T-Mobile on October 22nd for a price of $179.00.

In addition, immediately following the release was an announcement by Amazon.com that the entire Amazon MP3 catalog will be available for the phone through the pre-loaded Amazon MP3 Store. The phone is also tightly integrated with many Google Applications such as Maps, GMail, and YouTube. The G1 also features 3G capability, WiFi access and a 3.0-megapixel camera.

The phone has been reported to be slightly thicker than Apple's iPhone but not as wide.

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Heroes Evolutions - Another ARG?

Well I did it. I gave my cell number and everything...

I signed up for Heroes Evolutions with a sneaking suspicion that it will lead to a new Alternate Reality Game (ARG).

I already missed "The Lost Experience" (which is currently in it's 3rd installment!) and I'd be darned if I were going to miss getting in on the ground floor of this one.

I'll post updates on Twitter. And you'll find me at the unforums.

You can sign up for Heroes Evolutions here.

Blogging with your Xbox 360

Even your Xbox 360 has a blog. You can quickly set it up at 360voice.com.

This fun tip was part of a larger list of things that your Xbox can do that Microsoft doesn't tell you from our friends across the pond at techradar.com.

The Sword of Hiro Un-Boxed!

This Monday is the airing of the season premiere of Heroes and in honor of that airing we decided to whip out our coolest Heroes Collectible (okay it's our only Heroes collectible) and open it up on our Conference Table.

This is part of a new series we will be launching where we take some of our favorite items from the store, open them up, dissect their parts and take pictures of every step. Then we'll give the item away to a lucky employee. We're calling it simply, "Un-Boxed".

Now, we've hardly invented this stuff and you will quickly notice that this our first un-boxing since we are not too good at it just yet. I personally think the table is too dark and the lighting could be better. Our next un-boxing will correct these things. But hey cut us some slack, this is our first one. Check this sword out and stay tuned for the next album in our on-going series.

The Panasonic TH-65VX100 Early Review

Gary over at HDGuru.com has gotten his hands on an early production sample of Panasonic's new TH-65VX100 due for release in December of this year. His verdict is quite exciting, calling it, "The new king of flat panels".

Openlygeek.com hopes to be carrying the 52-inch version of this set later this year. Stay tuned in on this one because this looks like a set that you do not want to miss.

In the meantime check out the review.

Microsoft to Cancel Seinfeld Ads

It appears that there will be an announcement tomorrow that Microsoft will be pulling the Seinfeld ads and I am one of the few that can't seem to understand why.

According to a report by Valleywag, we can expect to hear this directly from Microsoft tomorrow. Microsoft spent $10 million on Seinfeld to be part of this campaign and yet after just two installments it appears that it will all be gone. But why?



I guess it can be said that Seinfeld wasn't necessary for the campaign since the real star was Gates. (More on that in a minute) I do think that Seinfeld's reputation plays into the spots and gives Gates a "straight man" to bounce off of which is the opposite we as viewers would expect which is even more of a reason to like the commercials.

Then there's the all important geek factor. Which is why it is making this blog.

Some people may not like Bill Gates or his company but there is no denying the fact that he is a huge geek. Huge. He looked so out of place in those commercials that to me it was hilarious. It was that which humanized him to me and humanized his company. That way when we think of Microsoft we can picture a geek in someones basement trying to play Ping-Pong rather than the previous image of an enraged Steve Ballmer.

Google Android Phone Announcement on the Way

It appears that T-mobile is set to announce a date for the release of the codenamed "G1" Google Phone.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the T-Mobile version of the phone is right on schedule and that we can expect an announcement on September 23rd at a press event in New York City. This announcement should include the "official" name of the phone as well the deeply anticipated release date.
This is the Phone expected to be unveiled at the event. (courtesy of engadget.com)

Kotobukiya Fine Art Statues Delayed

Two Kotobukiya Fine Art Statues which are currently on Pre-Order on Openlygeek.com have been pushed back to November causing the store to offer refunds to its customers.

Under normal circumstances we don't offer refunds on our pre-orders, but when a customer thinks that he is getting something in September and he finds out that he has to wait until November we have to do some thing.

Therefore many customers who placed these pre-orders received emails today offering them a chance to cancel their orders and have their money refunded. However, anyone who does cancel their order, loses their place in line since Openlygeek.com fills all pre-orders before the item goes on sale on the site. As was witnessed with the Dark Knight Joker Statue these collectibles don't sit around for long.

The items are:
OG_DC49004-PO - Iron Man 1:6 Scale Kotobukiya Fine Art Statue
OG_ DC74577-PO - Batman Dark Knight Kotobukiya Statue

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Get Your Geek Swag and Sell It Too

Openlygeek.com has opened a Cafepress Store where our customers can go to sport their geek with pride. Not only will you get your hands on the coveted "Openly Geek Button" but you will be able to sell them as well! (for a commission of course)

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