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Christine Mathias

Thursday, Sep 2, 2010 11:40 PM UTC

Galaxy Tab tries to dethrone iPad with Android system

Samsung releases its 7-inch wonder with expandable storage and two cameras for video chat

By Samsung's Galaxy Tab

Oil versus water. He-Man versus Skeletor. Sarah Palin versus rational thought. Bitter enemies, all. None of these, though, has generated as much loyalty or backstabbing as the heated tech rivalry between iOS and Android. The operating systems have been dividing and conquering our gadgets and gizmos for what seems like forever, and today Google launched another Android-based product for us to gobble up. Or spit back out. And it’s only the first of many!

The 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab is ready to compete with the insanely successful iPad, and with its unrestricted applications, multitasking capability, and larger storage capacity, it might prove itself to be a contender. Side-by-side comparisons are already flooding the Internet, and the technical specs are being dissected by the nerdiest of us all. The Galaxy Tab made its debut at the IFA Consumer Electronics show in Berlin today, and was only one of numerous gadgety reveals. An astute Guardian columnist writes about the sweet spot for tablet screens and batteries. Toshiba has its mind on pulverizing the iPad as well. We want a fair fight, ladies. No scratching.

Engadget has a video of its hands-on time with the Galaxy Tab, and you can check out the official commercial below. Ooooh, shiny. 

Thursday, Sep 2, 2010 4:03 PM UTC

Rapper T.I. and wife “Tiny” snatched up on drug charge

Performer is already on probation after spending a year in prison on weapons charges

By FILE - Rapper T.I. whose real name is Clifford Harris speaks to reporters outside the Richard B. Russell Federal Courthouse in Atlanta, in this March 27, 2008 file photo. Police say Rapper T.I. and wife Tameka Cottle have been arrested in West Hollywood for possession of a controlled substance late Wednesday Sept. 1, 2010. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)(Credit: AP)

While his street cred can’t really be questioned, one must still ask if rapper T.I. (real name Clifford Harris) has some sort of strange love of the prison system. It’s hard to figure out exactly why Harris would risk going back to the clink by smoking weed while driving in his car. That’s what great big houses and hotel suites are for. Maybe he was celebrating his part in the No. 1 film from last weekend, “Takers.” Maybe he was enjoying a night off from his four kids.

T.I. and his wife, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle from the BET reality show “Tiny and Toya,” were stopped by cops Wednesday night in West Hollywood. Police say that after they smelled pot, they searched the car and found a “controlled substance,” prompting the arrests for drug possession. TMZ claims the substance was a small amount of ecstasy, which jibes with rumors everywhere else on the Web, although somehow meth got mixed in there too. No word on how this will effect the release of T.I.’s new album, “King Uncaged.”

When the pair were released on bail this morning, Cottle took the time to tweet: “Jus wanted 2say thank u 2every1 dats been leaving encouraging msgs & prayers! We love u guys:)going 2bed now! So glad 2b n a nice clean bed$.” And 50 Cent, who knows a little something about being locked up, tweeted his thoughts on the subject: “Man TI and tiny done got picked up agin for methamphetmines and ecstacy dam manTiny gotta take that charge. Say it was yoursBaby.” Nice.

Check out the rap superstar on ”Chelsea Lately” talking about his recent year in prison:

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Thursday, Sep 2, 2010 12:02 AM UTC

Glenn Beck launches a website and some people care

Right-wing blabbermouth expands his media empire with the Blaze, a news site designed to infiltrate the masses

By FILE - In this May 18, 2010, file photo, radio and television personality Glenn Beck is interviewed on the "Fox & friends" television show in New York. Beck's rally on the anniversary and at the site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech is drawing criticism, protests and questions about his intentions. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)(Credit: AP)

You’re Glenn Beck. You have a nationally syndicated radio show that tends to get pesky details like “facts” entirely wrong, and people love you for it. You wrote a novel that was widely panned — and became a bestseller. You’re villified by the left and deified by the right. You hold a “Restoring Honor” rally that packs the National Mall in Washington with acolytes and presents Sarah Palin as the Mama Grizzly to your Papa Bear.

What does a middle-aged white man with delusions of grandeur do next? You start a news website. Never mind that you work for a news company that has its own site. You are Glenn Beck, and you now control the information that your people consume. Everyone has the same (incomplete) knowledge, which you will then reinforce through your talk show and general public wankery.

The Blaze launched mere days after the D.C. rally last weekend, and reviews began coming in immediately. The Christian Science Monitor went so far as to ask, “Why?” Which is a ticket to madness when directed at a guy like Beck.

Meanwhile, reports are still coming in about the “Honor” rally — Beck disputes the media’s crowd estimates, CBS News examines Beck now compared to a year ago, and the Washington Post tries to explain why Obama just doesn’t get little Glenn. Religious questions about the Mormon Beck have been raised in the days since the D.C. rally as well. On Faith considers the possibility that a) God is speaking through the pundit (shiver), b) Beck will spur the return of American civil religion or c) that Glenn Beck has no clue who his God is. And Southern Baptists want nothing to do with him.

Check out some of the better counter-rally signs on display last weekend, in case you were worried it was one big right-wing self-love-festival:

 

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Wednesday, Sep 1, 2010 11:02 PM UTC

Conan O’Brien announces new show title, debut date

Former "Tonight Show" host keeps buzz building for TBS program after losing out on an Emmy

By Conan O'Brien and wife Liza Powel arrive for the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)(Credit: AP)

The Team Coco posse shows no sign of dissipation as Conan O’Brien fans begin the countdown to his new TBS program, which takes its maiden voyage on Nov. 8. O’Brien teased the announcement of his new show’s name yesterday, tweeting, “I was going to announce the name of my new show today, but my lawyers tell me ‘The Return of Nanny McPhee’ is taken. Tune in tomorrow.” So we were waiting with bated breath to be told that the show is called… “Conan.” Shocking. At least there’s a glib video to go with the announcement, which you can check out below.

Also keeping the ginger-haired giant in the news was his appearance at the Emmys on Sunday –  which were broadcast by his estranged network, NBC. Jimmy Fallon got at least one solid joke in about Conan’s truncated “Tonight Show” reign, and although much was made of O’Brien’s nomination for his seven-month stint, the juggernaut that is the “Daily Show” bested him in the end. The Los Angeles Times says Jon Stewart should just give the Emmy back, even if some of O’Brien’s fans don’t care about the loss.

 

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Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 8:45 PM UTC

MySpace gives up, links to Facebook status updates

Some see the definitive end of former social networking giant as it attempts to appropriate 500 million users

By Screen grab of MySpace home page.

If the demise of former social media giant MySpace was predicted years ago, today’s announcement that the site is syncing with Facebook might just be the final nail in its coffin. A recent redesign was supposed to set the News Corp. network up to gain some of its lost ground, but acquiescing to Facebook’s popularity may be a sign that MySpace realizes the jig is up.

CNET has an explanation of how the syncing will work, and don’t think Twitter is being ignored — it’s got a piece of the action too. If you’re even still using MySpace, GeekSugar wants to know. In other news, News Corp. is trying to merge its online advertising arm with its social network, because everyone needs to make that cheddar. The advertising revolution might not be going so well just yet, though, because the company extended its Google ad contract for another month.

Across the Web, more senior citizens are flocking to social media, so now your mom can see what it’s like to have a parent make embarassing comments on her wall. Retailer Urban Outfitters has integrated the Facebook “like” button into its online marketing scheme, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu caught up with the 21st century by jumping into the holy trifecta of Facebook-Twitter-YouTube this week. Mazel tov!

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Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 11:27 PM UTC

E-readers gain steam with lower prices and new models

Amazon touts sales of the Kindle, reading gets revolutionized, and more competition is on the way

By Amazon Kindle

Amazon.com released it’s latest version of the Kindle e-reader in July, and yesterday touted the number of units that were flying off its (cyber) shelves — although exact sales figures weren’t given. The $139 and $189 gadgets have taken over a decent chunk of the market, despite having no multifunctionality or color display. And the e-ink thing is pretty cool. People who want to be able to read a book and reply to John Mayer’s latest tweet will pick up the Apple iPad instead. These devices have revolutionized the way books are consumed, and considering the dismal state of affairs in the publishing industry pre-”Harry Potter” that actually means something.

The Wall Street Journal and Tech News Daily have a few things you should consider before wading into the increasingly crowded e-book market, as well as new research that reveals folks with an e-reader tend to read a whole lot more than ever before. The Barnes and Noble Nook is trying to wrestle some market share away from the big boys, and Sharper Image just announced a new e-reader called the Literati that hopes to, maybe, nail down more male readers? It’s got a color screen, in any event.

Or you could get a library card. It’s free.

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