Letterman's Top 10 Signs You’ve Purchased A Bad iPhone 4

Wow... This issue for the iPhone 4 has reached new levels, and with every passing day that Apple doesn't address it, it only puts more egg on their face. Never mind the fact the internet is ablaze with complaints about the antenna signal drop, or the bomb that Consumer Reports put on them by not recommending the iPhone 4 which sent their stock plummeting, or even the dig that Microsoft chief operating officer Kevin Turner made when he said "It looks like the iPhone 4 might be their Vista".

No, the real PR issue that Apple is beginning to see is the lampooning that David Letterman and others are giving them.

Although I personally have not experienced this issue, I think Apple needs to get out in front of this ASAP.

Step 1: Admit that there is a problem.... Stop with the Jedi mind tricks of telling people that there is nothing wrong with the antenna. There are tons of video out on the net and Consumer Reports is too rock solid to be questioned. This is most important!!!

Step 2: Give out those bumper rings that you were selling for $30 for free. Although this isn't a true fix, it will at least show good faith with your customers.

Step 3: Give out a free $10 credit to iTunes for the headache of it all.

You need to make this right Apple....

And Soon!!!

Netflix To Delay New Rentals By 28 Days

If you're a Netflix user you are a little disappointed today, as the mega-video renter has come to an agreement with Warner Bros. to delay all new releases by 28 days. This is said to force people to buy the DVD as appose to just renting them.

So what's in it for Netflix?

Well in exchange for this agreement, Warner Bros. will open up more movies for streaming to Netflix. Now that Netflix has opened the door for this, it's only a matter of time for the other movie homes to follow suit and look for the same deal. If you like to get the new releases right away your only option (legally) will be Blockbuster, Redbox, or another Brick & Mortar outlet.

If you like Blu-Ray, your only option will be Blockbuster..... and that sucks!!!!

I understand Netflix's desire to get more streaming content, but I don't think it should have come at such a high price to their other customers who don't stream. I have this feature so I have mixed feelings about it. But I think that Netflix could have worked something else out, perhaps delaying the new releases 7 days and not 28. If someone wants to buy the dvd, they're going to buy it, and I don't think delaying rentals will help movie houses dvd sales.

The price was too high Netflix!!!

[Gizmodo]

Apple’s App Refund Policy Is Harsh For Developers

One thing that I love about Apple is that they treat their customers well. I speak from experience from the very few issues that I’ve had with my iPods and iPhone, as they were nothing short of fantastic in resolving those problems. But it looks like Apple isn’t extending that treatment to its application developers for the iPhone and iPod Touch. According to Apple’s return policy, a user can get a full refund on any application within 90 days. Sounds great right? Well Apple states that they will refund the full amount to the user, but have the right to keep their commission from the sale. This means that Apple will give the user his/her money back, but will require the developer to reimburse them. Apple charges 30% of all apps sold and the developer gets 70%, but with this return policy the developer will have to return 100% of the sale to the user even though they only made 70% profit.

Now I understand that Apple would have to pay bank fees on charges, but surely they don’t add up to 30%. Apple should only require the developers to refund the amount that they received from payment, and not the kickback that Apple gets.

Here is the contract:

In the event that Apple receives any notice or claim from any end-user that: (i) the end-user wishes to cancel its license to any of the Licensed Applications within ninety (90) days of the date of download of that Licensed Application by that end-user; or (ii) a Licensed Application fails to conform to Your specifications or Your product warranty or the requirements of any applicable law, Apple may refund to the end-user the full amount of the price paid by the end-user for that Licensed Application. In the event that Apple refunds any such price to an end-user, You shall reimburse, or grant Apple a credit for, an amount equal to the price for that Licensed Application. Apple will have the right to retain its commission on the sale of that Licensed Application, notwithstanding the refund of the price to the end.

Apple, you treat your customers like gold…… But your developers.... not so much!!!

[TechCrunch]

Circuit City Might Be Going Bye Bye

It looking like Circuit City is a step away from the big retailer in the sky. A firm that advises merchandisers if it's a good idea to ship to certain retailers has yanked Circuit City off the list. This pretty much tells those merchandisers that you might not get paid if you ship to Circuit City. This news follows close behind the $239 million loss and seeing their stock fall below 50 cents a share.

Not good....

[WaPo via Gizmodo]

AT&T Buries Dirty TOS In 2,500 Page GuideBook

Photo courtesy of Gizmodo

It appears that AT&T is up to its no good “screw our customers” deals again. And this time they might have crossed the line by trying to implement Terms of Service that might be potentially illegal. AT&T sent out an updated service agreement that is 8,000-words long and has 2,500 pages, with the hopes that no one will read it. But it looks like the California state regulars and the LA Times did, and found some interesting tid bits. Such as customers will be given a 30-day notice of price increases when it's "commercially reasonable”.

And my favorite one is now you can’t sue AT&T.

Uh… What?

This was a nice BS move by AT&T because by putting it in a huge manual, they can almost count on no one reading it. I think I just might be time for the FCC to start regulating these guys to keep them from corn holing customers like this.

[LA Times via Gizmodo]

Phone Numbers That Comcast Doesn’t Want You To Know

If you’ve been in the Cable or Internet game long enough, you’ve most likely have had a run in with Comcast. I’ve had them for Cable and Internet, so it goes without saying how much I was happy to go to another service. Partly because of their expensive service, but mainly because of the ass clowns that are behind the scenes taking your calls and complaints. These script reading monkeys on a rope keep you locked in what I’ve come to understand as the 10^th level of phone carousel hell, transferring you round and round but never really helping or answering any question that you have. If I have to tell the same flip’n story to another non-thinking, phone dwelling drone before he transfers me to another ass hole that also can’t help me, I’m going to open up a vein. Well the Consumerist has come up with the ultimate list that Comcast doesn’t want you to see, the secret unpublished 26 direct numbers for level 2.5 and above Comcast supervisors.

That’s right!

You can actually talk to someone who knows what they’re talking about, and they actually work for Comcast! What a concept huh?

26 Secret Comcast Supervisor Phone Numbers [Consumerist via Crunchgear]

Teen Gets ipod Box With Stupid Manifesto Inside

It seems like there were a lot of people getting screwed over this past holiday season, but I think this one is just out right mean. A Dad bought his daughter an ipod Classic for Christmas, and the excited teen opened up the box only to find the stupid ramblings of some idiot who thinks they've somehow changed someone's life (for the better) by sharing their thoughts on society. Check the quote:

"Reclaim your mind from the media shackles. Read a book and resurrect yourself. To claim your capitalistic garbage go to your nearest Apple Store."

The ipod was bought at Wal-Mart and they've given a full refund to the family, and blamed Apple for the mishap. Authorities suspect that it might be a disgruntled worker, but Apple hasn't commented about this issue. I'm sure that some disgruntled worker that thinks that they are "thinking differently" by pulling this stunt.

Come on guy! Just because you belong to a book club and don't celebrate Christmas, doesn't mean you should ruin everyone else's ya douche bag. And if you're so concerned about how capitalism is destroying our society, why don't you start changing the world by LEAVING APPLE!!!!

Moron!

[TUAW via Gizmodo]

Kid Gets Phone Book For Christmas Instead Of PS3

I've had some bad Christmas gifts in my day, but none could equal up to this one.

A 13-year old California kid got a big surprise on Christmas morning when his parents bought him a PS3. The young man got even a bigger surprise once he opened the PS3 box, only to find a phone book in its place. So where did the parents buy the yellow pages PS3? Ebay? Out of the trunk of someones car?

Nope.

The parents picked this baby up from EB Games, which usually tends to be a reputable place to buy from. The parents have contacted EB Games about this, and are trying to sort things out. No word on if they will replace the PS3 or not. So what's the moral of the story? Make sure you check your purchase if you pick it up from EB Games.

[ Digg via Engadget]

Nerd Embarrasses Himself, And Yoda

This is why geeks should not be comedians, it just doesn't go over very well. I certainly like good Star Wars humor, but only when it's funny.

[Crunchgear]

Sony: God Destroyed PS3 With Dust

I know that I get on Microsoft about how the Xbox 360's failure rate, but one thing that I can say about them is that they will at least fix it. The same can't be said about Sony fanboy Ive and his broken PS3. Ive sent in his PS3 for repair and was told by Sony's customer service that the warranty was void because of massive amounts of dust had accumulated inside the unit.

The best part about the story?

When Ive asked what part of the warranty is voided by dust, the "customer service representative" told him that it could be considered customer abuse, or an act of God. Now I've heard of maybe a surge of electricity, hurricane, or even locus considered an "act of God", but never dust. And I'm not sure why the Lord would have something against the PS3 any way. Other than the price point and lack of games, it's not evil.

Sony needs to rethink this one, and take God off the hook for their console.

[Joystiq]

Blockbuster Scales Back 'Total Access'

When I talked how Blockbuster may be closing their doors soon, people (some from this very blog) felt that this might have been an over reaction on my part and by the tech analyst from CNet who wrote the article. Well hot on the heals of that story, Blockbuster has cut back on their Total Access plan. This is the on-line plan that allowed customers to rent movies on-line, and return the mailed movies to a near-by Blockbuster for a new movie.

The problem is that it cost Blockbuster big bucks to do this, hence the changes to the program. Now it will cost an extra $7 more a month for the unlimited in-store returns, in addition they plan on cutting in half all TV and in store advertising for the program. This doesn't sound like a company ready to compete in the digital world, in fact, it sounds like they're going backwards.

This company is going the way of the dodo bird.

Blockbuster dials back on Total Access after mail-order bloodbath [ArsTechnica via G4TV]

Parents Take Kid's PS3: Boy Hires Hitman To Wack Them

This is just classic.

16-year old Cory Ryder is awaiting trial because he hired a hitman to take out his parents. Why do you ask? Because they took away his Playstation 3. Now if you asked me, his parents did him a solid favor, but Cory didn't see it that way. Unfortunately for Cory, the guy he hired was an undercover cop, hired by his mom!

Cory was picked up by a friend of his mom to go meet the hitman, and offered up his dad's pickup as payment for the job. He was taken into custody, and now is being charged with attempted murder. Now I'm sure Jack Thompson is going to jump all over this one, as to why he thinks video games are the reason to the worlds problems. But I think the bigger issue should be the psychological well being of this kid, and why he's so crazy about a PS3.

[The Times UK via Gizmodo]

Sweep!!!

Hey Chicago what do you say, the Cubs just got broomed today!

Disclaimer On Best Buy's Intranet Site: So We Can Continue To Rip You Off

I have a love hate relationship with Best Buy. I love all there gadgety goodness, but I absolutely hate how they try to rip you off if you're not paying attention. Best Buy was recently sued because their secret in-store intranet site prices were always higher than their Internet website. Both sites look identical, but the internal website never had the sale prices or the discounts that the Internet based bestbuy.com site had.

So after getting sued for this, how does the company respond?

They attach a warning label to all of their in store computer kiosk, letting you know that they might rip you off. The label would read "THIS KIOSK DISPLAYS IN-STORE PRICES - WHICH MAY DIFFER FROM NATIONAL INTERNET PRICES". So instead of doing the right thing by just matching their internal sites prices with their Internet bestbuy.com prices, they figure out a way to continue to rip off the ignorant.

I'm sure some rat bastard got a raise and a pat on the back for figuring out this work around!

[Engadget]

Lair for PS3 not exactly up to par

Well, hopefull PS3 fanboys can find another title to rally around. Most of the reviews of Lair for PS3 have been disappointing, with one exception. Play Magazine (a publication I actually enjoy) gave it a 90, but the average so far is 58 out of 100. Gamespot gave it a 4.5 out of 10, and the normal range is from 40 to 75. So far almost everyone says the controls suck and the gameplay is lacking, but that the visuals are outstanding. One review mentioned that the company that made it (Factor 5) should make movies instead. Ouch. But if it gets us a better Final Fantasy movie, then sign them up.

Well, I hope Heavenly Sword is better, because I really still need a reason to get a PS3

Chicago Not Getting WiFi Network: Shame On You

The thing about Chicago is that it has a ton of great things, like fantastic restaurants, theaters, deep dish pizza, and Da Bears. But one thing it will not have is citywide WiFi network come 2008 as hoped. Chicago officials killed the idea that would've given the city 228 sq. miles of wireless Internet because of "lack of funding".

I find this a little strange since the mayor is ready to pony up billions to bring crappy ass Olympics games here, but no money can be found for something that would be useful. Even Earthlink was showing interest in the project, but they most likely didn't grease the right pockets to make it happen. I can't believe that Philly has a city wide WiFi network but Chicago doesn't, and this city wants to be known as "World Class"? What a joke!

The old saying "What's in it for me?" is alive and well in Chicago, that's for sure!!!

Chicago scraps plans for Wi-Fi network [AP via Crunchgear]

Transforming Darth Vader: Crap In Disguise

I'm pretty sure that this transforming Darth Vader idea might have looked good in somebodies head, but it didn't translate well once it made it to the real world.

Someone thought 'hey, lets combine two movies that are popular with the geeks and make a toy out of it!'.

That's just bad!!!

Hey, I loved the Star Wars and Transformers like most geeks do, but I think putting them together to make a buck....... eh not for me.

[UberReview via Gizmodo]

DirecTV's New DVR's Can Ruin Plasma TV's?

If you have one of the newest DVR receivers from DirecTV, the H20 and HR20 models, and a plasma TV, you might want to take one of them back.

According to Gary over at HD Guru, the DVR creates standard def 4:3 channel with vertical black bars, which is a nice look but if you leave it on too long on a plasma TV the bars will start to glow bright (burn in). LCD and DLP sets do not have to worry about this, but it's strange that DirecTV would drop the ball on something like this considering how much interest they've shown toward the HD industry.

Most DVRs have the gray bars and gray letterboxing because gray is the color of average screen wear, why DirecTV didn't follow suit with this is beyond me.

Read more here. [HD Guru via Gizmodo]

Apple To Competitors: You Suck

I love the guys at Crunchgear, they certainly keep it real!!!

I do find it a little strange why the guys at Apple love to rub competitors noses in what ever Apple does best. Case in point this quote: “Our competitors couldn’t design an attractive-looking computer if their lives depended on it.”

That's why this comparison is so funny. Don't get me wrong the new Mac looks great, but like one of the guys at Crunchgear said: "isn’t the Dell box expandable? How about we compare a penguin and a bald eagle? I mean, they’re both birds…"

LOL

Very good. Check it out here. [Crunchgear]

Thermal Design Expert: Xbox 360 Is Designed Bad

If you've ever had any cooling issues, or the Red Ring of Death with the Xbox 360; you might find this interesting. A Japanese-based Nikkei hired a thermal design expert to take a look at the 360, and what he had to say isn't very good. They took a look at two consoles, one made in 2005 and one repaired in May 2007. And here is the dirty details:

• The temperature gap with room temp was 22 degrees C. "When designing consumer products, it is common to seek a temperature gap of around 10 degrees C between exhaust and room temperatures," the thermal design expert said. "The 22 degrees C is quite a large gap..."

• The cooling fan was half of desktop PCs—apparently to reduce noise.

• The expert pointed out, "The heat sink on the graphics LSI is so small, I wonder if it can really cool down the board." The reason for this? Apparently, Microsoft had to downsize the graphics LSI heat sink so that the DVD drive could be placed above it.

• In five minutes after booting up a game, the graphic LSI heat sink temp rose to 70 degrees C. In 15 minutes, the temperature for the microprocessor heat sink stabilized at 58 degrees, but the graphics LSI heat sink reached 80 degrees C. If the room temperature was high (like 35 degrees C), the heat sink could possibly hit 100 degrees C. What's more, if the vents were clogged with dust, the temperature could also increase.

• The console repaired in May 2007 did not have a new heat sink placed in it.
This is bad design. Really, really bad.

That's not so good Microsoft. I hope you did better with the Elite. [Nikkei via Gizmodo]