13 posts and columns on Betamax

Voices

Web Video Rivalry Sparks U.S. Probe

in News on March 4, 2011 at 12:01 am PT

The Justice Department is investigating whether a group representing some top technology firms is unfairly trying to smother a free rival technology for delivering online video that is backed by Google Inc., according to people familiar with the matter.

Ready for 3-D Web Video? Break Media Is Serving It Up Anyway

in Media on July 27, 2010 at 8:00 am PT

You probably don’t have a TV or PC that can handle 3-D stuff yet, but no matter: Certain brands are convinced this is the future, and Break Media is happy to work with them.

Your iPad Is Going to Look Pretty Ancient One Day, Too

in Media on June 9, 2010 at 5:35 am PT

Remember when VCRs were expensive, exotic, cutting-edge technology?

Voices

Sony Shifts on Open Source

in News on May 21, 2010 at 1:03 pm PT

The partnership between Sony Corp. and Google Inc. highlights the changes taking place in TV viewing habits, but it is also symbolic of another change: Sony’s stance on open-source technology. Historically, the knock on Sony has been that it has a blind allegiance to its own proprietary technology.

Voices

Smart Phone Keyboards Seem Dumb to People of Their Type

in News on September 30, 2009 at 1:00 am PT

When the iPhone first came out, Richard Kasperowski wanted one. But there was a problem. The keypad on the phone’s touch screen uses the traditional keyboard configuration, called “qwerty.”

Sony Celebrates an Unhappy Birthday: The Walkman Is 30 Years Old

in Media on July 1, 2009 at 3:54 am PT

The Walkman is 30 years old today, but Sony isn’t throwing the iconic gadget much of a birthday party. More of a somber memorial, really. Blame Apple.
walkman

iPhone 3G Largest CE Launch in History … Until Next iPhone

in News on July 15, 2008 at 12:00 am PT

Turns out the hyperbolic press release with which Apple announced the iPhone 3G’s first sales numbers today may have been more of an understatement than overstatement. Because iPhone 3G’s stunning opening weekend may go down in the books as the largest consumer electronics launch ever.

Yahooian Rhapsody

in News on February 15, 2008 at 11:00 am PT

Bring Out Yer HD DVDead

in News on February 15, 2008 at 12:01 am PT

By June, Wal-Mart will only be carrying Blu-ray movies and hardware machines and, of course, standard-def movies, DVD players, and up-convert players.” –Susan Chronister of Wal-Mart sticks a fork in HD DVD. HD DVD may soon join Betamax in the consumer electronics industry’s Museum of Failed Formats. Though publicly HD DVD champion Toshiba professes its [...]

Mistah HD DVD–He Dead …

in News on January 10, 2008 at 7:00 am PT

Reports of HD DVD’s death may have been exaggerated, but reports of its fast-declining health have not. Though Paramount Pictures has denied reports that it plans to abandon the next-generation DVD format, news of an escape clause in its HD DVD contract allowing it to release films on Blu-ray has the industry wondering aloud about [...]

Cisco CEO Apparently a Card-Carrying Member of the Kiss Army

in News, July 31, 2007 at 11:00 am PT

Japanese Porn Industry to Sony: Is That a Tentacle in Your Pocket, or Are You Just Happy to See Me?

in News, July 31, 2007 at 10:37 am PT