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XBox Elite Drops Prices
Microsoft is matching Sony's price cuts in the video game console wars. This week, Redmond said the high-end XBox 360 Elite will now sell for $299, $100 less than before.
It's now the same price as the new PS3 Slim that Sony will have out in September. Microsoft is also dropping the price on its 360 Pro, with 60 gig hard drive, to $249 while supplies last, that's the same price as a Nintendo Wii.
Sony Reader vs. Amazon's Kindle
Sony is also locked in a techno-thriller battle with Seattle-based Amazon over electronic book readers. So far, it's been Amazon's fight to lose thanks to the success of its Kindle.
But Sony's new Daily Edition Reader could even things up. The new reader will allow wireless downloads of books, like the Kindle, but unlike the Kindle, the reader has a touchscreen. You'll also be able to check out library e-books on the Daily Edition.
It will sell for $399 when it comes out in December. Tthe Kindle 2 sells for $299.
Analyst Rob Enderle tells Renay the Sony model will get primo retail space at Best Buy this Christmas, but Amazon still has the better selection of books, and Gerry Purdy of Frost and Sullivan says Sony's wireless technology had better work as well as Amazon's Whispernet.
Broadband Speed, Or Lack Thereof
How fast in your internet connection speed? A lot of people are shelling out some big bucks to get the highest speed they can - but for the fastest connection - you need to move!!!!
A by the Communications Workers of America shows the top internet speeds are in Japan, South korea, and Sweden. They churn out an average of 15-20 megabits per second. America ranked 28th.
Here in the Northwest - - home to Microsoft, Amazon, and others fell behind other states averaging 6.2 megabits per second. - 4.8. Alaska was at the bottom of the list.
CWA wants everyone to take the - to see how fast their connection is - and call their congressmen to get some of the broadband stimulus money put to work in the rural areas - which has yet to be seen in a lot of places.
Microsoft's Future
Seattle based analyst firm "Directions on Microsoft" says the forthcoming Windows 7 should be more business friendly.
In a report led by analyst Mike Cherry, Directions says Redmond has removed a lot of barriers that kept businesses from deploying Windows Vista on their computers, like compatibility problems with applications and device drivers.
Windows 7 is also supposed to be easier to encdrypt data on disc drives, the kind of security concern that can keep a lot of businesses up at night.
More information is at directions-at-microsoft-dot-com..
Something else different from Windows Vista: Microsoft has announced an October 22nd launch for Windows 7 in New York that won't feature the human billboard for Vista's launch.
Application for "Regular" Phones
If you're one of the millions of cell phone users who still uses a smaller phone - not a smart phone - Microsoft has an app for that.
It's called " ," and will come out this fall - designed for lower end phones. It will let users get access to Facebook, Twitter, and of course Windows Live.
And back to school is almost here! We have a to the top apps for students.
Popcap Games Announces Sequel
Seattle-based PopCap Games announced this week it's bringing its popular "Peggle" game to XBox Live.
will have a multi-player feature and will be available this Fall!
Vintage Barcode Scanners
Bellingham, Washington-based Ryzex is hosting a contest to find the oldest working barcode scanner.
Ryzex will pick the winner and replace it with a brand new handheld computer from Psion. These were high-tech for their time, and considered portable, but some look like they'd give you a hernia if you tried to use them to read codes.
Check out for more info.
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