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There’s a lot of talk this morning that the Apple iPhone customers in Germany can “purchase” an unlocked iPhone for an additional 600 euros. The move comes on the heels of a temporary injunction against German wireless carrier T-Mobile, which is by law prevented from selling a handset locked to a single wireless network.Apple is also required to offer unlocked iPhones in France after a six month period according to local law, which may push the company to offer the iTunes unlock in that country. The iPhone will be released in France on Thursday, November 29th.

As someone that’s ruled the iPhone out because it won’t work with Verizon, my carrier of choice, I’m wondering how the iPhone evangelists will take this news.  Especially those that have jailbroken their phone in the US only to find that it voids their warranty and causes endless hassles when Apple does decide to update their software to muck with the hackers.  Of course, on the other side of that coin - isn’t it nice to know that Apple can “remotely” jailbreak their equipment?  Someone was planning ahead!

~geek 

I’ve been readng with some interest all the rumors coming out about Stuart Scott, Microsoft’s former CIO.  For those of you that have been living in the dark, Scott was recently released by Microsoft only two years after hiring him in 2005.  What’s unique about this situation is that Microsoft has publicly said:

“We can confirm that Stuart Scott was terminated after an investigation for violation of company policies, and have no further information to share.”

Of course, the rumor mill is churning about the myriad of different reasons that could have triggered this and the one with the most sticking power seems to be that Scott was having an affair with one of his subordinates, and perhaps that woman received positive reviews and/or a promotion because of her relationship with Scott.  Definitely possible, although it seems somewhat unlikely to me that it would have been handled like this and not as a structured settlement with Scott’s resignation.  Leads me to wonder if it’s not an issue business ethics, such as accepting bribes, favors, or something outside the norm.

What seems weird to me is how many people have come out suggesting that “we” the public deserve to know the whole story, and I’m not sure that I agree with that.  What’s happened, especially if it’s of a personal nature, is between Microsoft and Scott - what gives “us” the right to know anything more than he’s left Microsoft under unfavorable circumstances?  Even that means that his business life is fractured and the chance of him getting another opportunity like this is likely gone.  With a wife and seven kids - whose right is it to know anything more?  My thought - give the man some space, save him whatever small amount of dignity he has left.

~geek

I have to admit it - I love the TiVo logo.  It only somewhat looks like a television to me, but like Kleenex it’s become an integral part of my life.  Unfortunately, I don’t always like what TiVo, the company, does, and this post is going to talk a little about how they’re planning to sell consumer viewing habits and how it might ultimately affect you and your family.  Of course, not everything is a bad, and the “promotional pricing” that they’re pitching seems to be a good deal for everyone.

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Not surprisingly, I have an opinion about Google’s new Android phone operating system and their Open Handset Alliance, and as much as I don’t want to admit it I believe this is great for the consumer and even better for the phone manufacturers.  Why?  Because, finally the phone manufacturers can spend less time working on creating an OS for their phone and put those investment dollars into making their phones better telephones.  Add in to that some additional functionality on even the most generic of phones and you potentially end up with an exploding smart-phone revolution that significantly improves the end-user experience.

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In a not too unexpected announcement, Covad Communications has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by Platinum Equity in an all-cash transaction valued at roughly $1.02/share.

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I truly believe that Apple computer has won the “how cool can we package our products” contest, but of all the other companies that I’ve seen, it would appear that Bang & Olufsen (B&O) is running a very close second.  Their stereos, televisions, telephones and headsets are the coolest of cool and it’s usually not long after they release a new product that you’ll find it in a James Bond movie or Nip Tuck episode.  What you can’t see in those shows is how well those products work or how they’re packaged, which is what I’m hoping to bring to you here.

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You would think, for nearly $400, that a Monster Cable Home Theater and Lighting Controller (AVL 300 Home Theater and Lighting Controller) would do everything that you could want and more.  Unfortunately, in my case the more is raising my blood pressure and increasing my frustration.

In all fairness, I have yet to call Monster technical support, and I will do that before I toss this technical powerhouse, but my initial impression is poor.  First, it would seem that the Monster product uses the Logitech software and the automated internet setup is little more than an interface to select how your house is laid out (which rooms you want to control) and the exact model numbers of products that you have and want to control.  In Monster’s case this can be a television, DVD player, or even a Monster controlled light switch - or pretty much anything else that takes a remote control.  Once you’ve selected your rooms and equipment you’re supposed to plug in the remote via USB and it downloads your configuration.  My experience wasn’t so fluid.

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With the new launch comes a new look.  Hopefully you will find this new look more readable and a more enjoyable experience.  If you’re reading this via .rss I encourage you to stop by to see what we’ve done.

~geek

I play golf.  I’m a geek.  I like gadgets.  When I want something new I generally look for LED lights, LCD displays, and sometimes I even search for a driver or putter that will significantly improve my game.  All right, sometimes I just look for things that will either make me look more well prepared (e.g. geekier) or that will look better in my bag.  Until now, I have seldom thought that a new tee could make me look more well prepared or worldly.  Apparently, while I wasn’t looking, Moma (Museum of Modern Art) changed that.

That’s right the A-Balance Golf Tee  claims:

The three-piece construction and four rounded pins of this tee are designed to reduce resistance and friction between the club head and the tee at impact, minimizing backspin and sidespin to create a flatter, more penetrating flight for longer distance off the tee. Set of three.

Which is exactly what I need to improve my game.  All righty then.

~geek

It was bound to happen, but now it’s official; Information Week is reporting that a California man has files a class-action suit against Apple for bricking iPhones with their latest firmware update.  In a unique twist, he is looking for a permanent injunction against Apple to limit their ability to sell locked phones - no other dollar amount is mentioned in the suit.  Obviously, this would have a huge impact on the cell-phone market as a whole, as the suit claims that Apple prohibits iPhone consumers from using and purchasing a cell phone service other than through AT&T.” Don’t all cariers do the same thing?

My personal opinion is pretty straight-forward.  I believe that Apple is selling a product and if they want it to work with the carrier of their choice, that’s their choice and they should be able to do that.  How is this any different then Dish/DirectTV selling me a box and dish that works only with their service?  Maybe I should sue DirectTV because I want to move to Dish and their equipment isn’t supported. Nah, maybe not so much.

What do you think?

~geek