http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIP8IsawHyg

So yesterday Verizon Wireless reached out to me about their new service – Usage Controls. The service is rather useful and it expands the features that are being introduced in the Parental Control Center and Verizon Safeguards. I commend Verizon for creating a set of services – Usage Controls, Family Locator, Content Filters, Time Restrictions and Trusted Numbers — which help parents provide a safer digital experience for our kids.

Here are a few of the new features:

• Block calls and messages to and from up to 20 numbers of your choosing
• Block calls to 411 Directory Assistance
• Block incoming calls from numbers listed as private, restricted or unavailable
• Create a list of up to 20 trusted numbers (mobile or landline)

Again all good features — but what is upsetting is the fact that Verizon’s Usage Controls is $4.95 per month per-line. Not for nothing but this is a feature aimed at families and $4.99 per line is a bit expensive. I am simply tired of mobile operators billing a family as if they were separate accounts. To add insult to the monthly injury — the actors in the commercial are delighted that the new service is only $4.99.

And to add more oil to the fire — I commented about my displeasure on Verizon’s YouTube Channel, yesterday afternoon (about 5-ish EST). Well, I would have you know that Verizon moderates their channel. Yes, in order for your comment to be posted on Verizon’s YouTube Channel — Verizon must first approve the comment.

As of this post, Verizon has 96 videos up on their YouTube Channel. I checked a random handful (about 20) of video’s and oddly enough — the comments are few and the majority are positive. Are they filtering comments — I really don’t know and I hope not.

In any event, my comment is now up on Verizon’s Channel — I am just curious why did it take 17 hours?

Kodak just released a new pocket-sized HD video camera, and it looks like it’s going to be lights-out for Flip.

The Kodak PlayTouch records in 1080p, does 5MP stills, features a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen, AND my personal favorite, it has an external mic input.  Maybe I am a bit biased, but the external mic is essential for bloggers and prosumers.  I have no idea why Flip continues to completely drop the ball on that.

Like the Flip, the PlayTouch has an integrated USB connector, which makes downloads super easy, and helps when you can so often lose cables on vacation.  It even comes with an HDMI cable so you can immediately play those videos right up on your 1080p tv.

Where the PlayTouch shines is the ability to use removable SD/SDHC cards, rather than be limited to static internal storage.  Even if you did fill up your card with hours and hours of video, and thousands of pictures, you can just put a new card in and you are off to the races.  You just can’t do that with the Flip, unless you enjoy erasing precious memories to make room for new ones.

This seems to be the next evolutionary stage after Kodak’s successful Zi8 line, and looks to be sprinting right past the Flip SlideHD.  Another notable feature is the ability to easily share and tag your content to KODAK Gallery, YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, and Orkut.  This way users can quickly plug-in, sync-up, and share.  Very smart.

Hopefully I will get my hands on one soon.  If anyone  has, leave us a message and tell us what you thought!

The specs showdown:

Flip SlideHD:

• Internal Memory: 16GB
• Removable Storage: none
• Screen Size: 3.0″ Transflective Touch Screen
• Screen Resolution: 400 x 240 pixels
• Video Resolution: 720p
• Frame Rate: 30 fps
• Lens Type: Fixed Focus (1.5m to infinity)
• Aperture: f/2.4
• Zoom: Smooth multi-step 2x digital
• Dimensions: 4.13 x 2.17 x 0.98
• PC Connection: Built-in flip-out USB arm (up to 2.0 USB speed)
• TV Out: HDMI Mini Connector (cables sold separately)
• Microphone: wide-range, omni directional stereo microphone
• Ext. mic: NO
• Price (MSRP): $279.99

Kodak PlayTouch:

• Internal Memory: 128MB
• Removable Storage: SD/SDHC card expansion slot (up to 32 GB)
• Screen Size: 3.0 in. capacitive touchscreen LCD
• Screen Resolution: UNK
• Video Resolution: 1080p
• Digital Image Stabilization
• Frame Rate: 1080p—1920 x 1080, 30 fps; 720p / 60 fps—1280 x 720, 60 fps; 720p—1280 x 720, 30 fps; WVGA—848 x 480, 30 fps; still—5.3 MP, 16:9 widescreen, interpolated
• Lens Type: 3.9 mm, 35 mm equivalent, 44 mm @ 1080p without DIS, 33 mm @ 720p without DIS, 33 mm @ WVGA without DIS, 33 mm still capture
• Aperture / Sensor: 1/3.2–type 5 MP CMOS
• Zoom: Smooth multi-step 2x digital
• Dimensions: 4.3 × 2.3 × 0.6 in.
• PC Connection: Built-in flip-out USB arm (up to 2.0 USB speed)
• TV Out: HDMI Connector (cable included)
• Microphone: monaural
• Ext. mic: YES
• Price (MSRP): $229.85

Model #: #8296857

Tivo released some very exciting information about their upcoming Series 4 set-top box, the Tivo Premiere.  In the home media market, bridging the gap between a regular cable box, and a net appliance has always been separated into two or three separate devices.  This integration is indeed the next evolution of digital media delivery to your Living Room.

Two models

TiVo Premiere

• 320GB storage space
• Can record up to 45 hours of HD programming or up to 400 hours in SD
• Supports digital cable, high-definition digital cable, antenna (ATSC) and Verizon FiOS
• Outputs: HDMI, Component video, Composite video, Optical audio, Analog audio
• Video output modes include: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
• Inputs: CableCARD™ support (request a Multi-Stream cards from your provider), Cable coax, Antenna coax, Ethernet
• Ethernet connection, USB 2.0 ports (2), E-SATA support for external storage
• TiVo Wireless N and G Network Adapter support (optional- must buy separately)

TiVo Premiere XL

• Same network/video connectivity options as the TiVo Premiere
• 1 TB of storage space
• Can up to 150 hours of HD programming or up to 1350 hours in SD
• TiVo premium backlit remote control
• THX-certified
• THX Optimize- a video calibration tool that lets users fine tune color, black levels and other settings to improve picture quality.  A pair of THX Optimizer Blue Glasses, designed for adjusting Color and Tint settings, is included with the owner’s manual.

New Interface

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4xxHjXr2UY[/youtube]

The long-awaited interface refresh (Series 4) was done with Adobe Flash, which should give it a dynamic, content rich feel.  I put some pictures below to give you an idea of what to expect.  If you aren’t familiar with Tivo’s interface historically, it has always been far superior to the Cablevision / Time Warner / Brighthouse cable boxes.  The search functions have always performed better, and more logically as well.

New QWERTY TiVo Remote

Later this year, consumers will have access to a groundbreaking, slide-out QWERTY TiVo remote.  It will have a plug n’ play installation, extended range utilizing Bluetooth (about 30′) and backlit programmable buttons.  The remote will be shipped with a Bluetooth USB dongle that will be plugged into an available USB port on TiVo Series3, TiVo HD, or TiVo Premiere boxes.

I don’t know if I would use this, but I see a perfect use-case for a Tivo iPhone App.

TiVo Wireless N Adapter

Coming in May, the TiVo Wireless N Adapter allows for quicker transfer speeds and longer range, utilizing both the 2.4 and 5GHz bands.

What it means for you

The key to the success of this box, and it will be a success, is the integration of web-based content from places like Blockbuster, Amazon, Netflix, YouTube, and others.  Hulu is conspicuously gone.  The addition of that service would make this a killer device.

Another major feature is Tivo search.  It not only looks for future TV shows, or previously recorded items stored on your DVR, but looks for available web-based content as well.  This brings back the Saturday-night family movie night!  Microwave popcorn, anyone?

At the very least, this will be the beginning of a new type of DVR /set-top box offered by Cable /Satellite /Fiber providers.  One of the most obvious places for future home computing, and centralized media delivery, is the TV, and these devices will become more and more like a thin client solution.

After having paid an exorbitant fee for a monthly rental ($12/mo for 6 years = $864) for an excruciatingly painful DVR from Cablevison, I will gladly pay for Tivo’s service.

When and How Much

Premiere media box: 320 GB model for $299 or 1 TB model for $499

Wireless card: $89.99

Service plan: $12.95 (Month-to-month); OR $10.79/mo. (1-year for $129); OR $8.30/mo (3-yr for $299); OR $399 (lifetime)

Availability: Early April

I was invited to a private Project Natal sneak peek. The event was held at the beautiful EZ Studios in New York City. I met with a member Project Natal product team. She gave us a brief explanation of the Natal vision and gave us only a few technical details:

• RBG camera
• depth camera
• Current games will not be compatible with Natal

Read more at The Huffington Post…

In the new line of products unveiled this week (M580, Playsport Video Camera, Pulse Digital Frame, SLICE, Z981, and new printers), the 14MP Kodak Slice Touchscreen Compact Digital Camera displays the next evolution in that pursuit.  The team at Kodak is always reinventing itself, and this camera is an indication that they are looking ahead.  This model is taking a shot right across the bow of the $349.00 10MP Sony Cyber-shot® Digital Camera TX1.   Kodak’s Share and Tagging functions (Facebook, Kodak Gallery, Flickr, and YouTube), the 2GB of on-board storage, 3.5″ LCD, plus the 14 megapixel sensor, spells bad news for Sony.

…more here.