Who Cares about Chromecast & HBO?

Today I saw the “announcement” that HBO Go is now compatible with Chromecast. Who cares?

If you’re not familiar, Chromecast is a device that plugs into the HDMI port of your TV and allows you to “cast” YouTube videos and your Chrome browser window to your TV.

HBO Go is the service that allows you to watch HBO content on your mobile device only if you subscribe to HBO through your cable or satellite provider.

Now you can send HBO shows from your mobile device to your TV.  Here’s the flaw… you have to have a cable or satellite subscription to HBO to get HBO Go. So, presumably, if you have a cable or satellite subscription, you’re already able to watch HBO on your TV and have no need to “cast” it from your mobile device.

Chromecast… thanks for nothing. Please start adding some better capabilities, like mirroring of my mobile device (would it be too much to ask for you to do this even with iOS?).

Touchscreens and Movement

One of the prevolent technologies at this year’s CES was touchscreens and new ways of movement/navigation – from phones and displays to videogames, there was a big focus on this interactive element. Take a cue from the iPhone, many of the cell phone makers at CES were eager to show off their own touch-screen models, from the Blackberry Bold to the new Palm Pre, the new standard for cell phones is touch screen. However, this touch-screen revolution isn’t just for phones, many computers, tablet PCs, and netbooks featured touch screen technology as a way to replace the mouse. Most of what we saw was pretty good, but (more…)

Macy’s Parade got Rick Rolled

If you’re not familiar with being “Rick Rolled” it’s a prank that’s been going around the Internet for a little while.  Essentially someone sends you a link to a video and when you begin to view the video it looks normal… then suddenly and unexpectedly, Rick Astley’s video “Never Gonna Give You Up” from 1987 starts running – you’ve just been Rick Rolled.  Well, here’s a little video of what happened during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade today…

NORM!

I was riding my bike to work today and took notice of a few of the political banners people are starting to put in their front yards. Of course I passed Obama and McCain signs, but one sign caught my eye – George Wendt for McLean County Board. I remembered that the actor that played Norm on Cheers was named George Wendt, and was from Illinois (Chicago). How great would that be to have him as a county board member? County board meetings could be at the bar, with a special place saved for George Wendt.

Unfortunately, as I suspected, it’s not the same George Wendt… however, the county board member looks like he could be the father of the actor. What do you think?

McLean Country Board Member

Norm from Cheers

Mars Needs Ditchdiggers Too

You remember this scene from Caddyshack…

Well apparently, Mars needs ditchdiggers too Danny. The Pheonix Mars Lander touched down on the red plant a couple weeks ago and has set out to doing work. It’s digging a ditch and then testing out the soil samples.

The reason I write is not that scientist working on the project lamely named the less than one square foot, 3 inch deep ditch the ‘Dodo-Goldilocks Trench’, but to report that they’ve struck a white substance believed to be ice. How exciting!

Are you ready…

I’m not quite sure if FEMA is the first place most people would turn for preparedness information, but can you really prepare for a nuclear blast? Apparently you can, see the FEMA website at – http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/nuclear_blast.shtm

Although lightning supposedly never strikes the same spot twice, you can also be prepared for lightning. And if you happen to be “anywhere you feel your hair stand on end (which indicates that lightning is about to strike),” you should “Squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands over your ears and your head between your knees. Make yourself the smallest target possible and minimize your contact it the ground. DO NOT lie flat on the ground.” So now you know. Visit www.fema.gov for these and other helpful survival tips.