| How Live Blogging is Changing Journalism - 345 sec
More info: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/260956
Live blogging has taken off across the Web, giving journalists a chance to write about events in real-time. Will media have to adapt to this rising trend? Digital Journal TV investigates in an interview with the president of Cover it Live, a live blog leader.
Digital Journal -- To live blog or not to live blog, that is the question. For journalists of all stripes, it is a decision to consider seriously: covering events and offering commentary in real-time has become the activity du jour for enterprising publishers.
DigitalJournal.com has tested the service from live blog trailblazer Cover it Live, whose software has been used by weather reporters, entertainment writers covering the Grammy Awards and comic-book nuts attending ComicCon. DigitalJournal.com tried out Cover it Live for the first U.S. presidential debate, the U.S. vice presidential debate, the Canadian federal leaders debate, and the second presidential debate in the United States. As impressive as the service was, we ran into some noticeable lag and reliability issues at first. To find out what the company doing to ensure quality in the future, we visited their head office in Toronto, Canada.
Because live blogging is getting more popular every month, Digital Journal TV wanted to know what makes a live blog company tick and why Cover It Live has exploded in popularity.
We spoke with Cover it Live President Keith McSpurren to learn how citizen journalism can benefit from live blogs and what business model Cover it Live may pursue. Journalism's continuous march to the Internet era just got more interesting.
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal citizen journalism live blog blogging cover it test
 | | Sneak Peek At Sony's First Internet-Connected Blu-ray Player - 270 sec
Sony is giving its Blu-ray disc player lineup a boost with new models allowing Internet access to get bonus content and an option to see picture-in-picture commentary. Digital Journal TV brings you an exclusive sneak peek into the tech behind the BDP-S550.
DigitalJournal.tv When Blu-ray won the high-def DVD war, Sony rejoiced. But was the celebration premature? After all, Blu-ray player sales sank 40 per cent between January and March 2008. Its share of the video disc market is a mere 8 per cent, compared to ye ol' DVD's share of 92 per cent. Sony isn't taking this dismal news lying down. They want to keep Blu-ray on the minds of home theatre enthusiasts by releasing new players loaded with intriguing features.
In November, Sony will release a new player costing $400. The BDP-S550 is compatible with BD-Live, a recently developed feature allowing customers to download content from the Internet. That content could be exclusive interviews with the cast or live events and gaming add-ons. An included Ethernet port makes possible this online connectivity, while also making firmware updates a cinch.
The new model also sports better audio support: 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus decoding will give the listening experience a welcome enhancement.
What else does the new BDP-S550 offer the Blu-ray aficionado? Find out in DigitalJournal.tv's exclusive look into the bells n' whistles inside Sony's upcoming player.
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal sony blu-ray bdp-s550 bd live movies entertainment high definition hd hi def
| | How Video Games Can Make Kids Better People - 210 sec
We all know kids play video games. But how much do they relax with console and PC games? Digital Journal TV examines a landmark report on what kids are playing, what benefits gaming offers, and why parents shouldn't be worried about teen gamers.
Digital Journal TV -- The stereotype of the loner gamer, disengaged from current events and shunning real-life friendships, is now old news thanks to a comprehensive report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Some unexpected facts pepper the report, which found that nearly every American teen has played video games on either a console or a PC.
The report found how teens enjoy video games: "Even when they are not playing games with others, teens talk and engage with others about games—by posting comments on discussion boards and websites or by writing reviews and walk-throughs that assist newcomers to a particular game by showing them how to play the game."
Many studies have shown a link between video games and violence, but the Pew survey aims to dispel some of the more media-friendly stereotypes about young gamers. Digital Journal TV highlights some of the key statistics, and we explain some of the positive influences gaming offers kids.
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal citizen journalism video games gaming kids children study benefits ps3 xbox 360 nintendo wii
| | New Service Pays Drivers to Pick Up Hitchhikers - 392 sec
Using new cellphone technology, a company called Avego is hoping to turn you and your friends into a massive network of taxis. This is no fly-by-night operation, either. It's a multi-million dollar initiative that could change the transport industry.
Digital Journal TV -- From the department of Ambitious Ideas comes Avego, a company that has launched a tool to connect drivers with passengers via a new Web- and phone-based carpooling service. Think of it as a Web 2.0 hitchhiking or taxi service, of sorts, as drivers can sell a seat in their car to riders willing to pay.
The technology that connects this whole network together is nothing short of impressive: The service works with regular cellphones, allowing you to call in to the company and follow voice-prompts to tell it where you want to go. A short while later, a driver will show up and give you a lift. From the driver's perspective, you get sent a text message when Avego's system finds someone on your way to work, for example, and you can swing by and pick up a paying customer for one of those empty seats in your vehicle.
It all works through regular cellphones and the Internet, but it works better with a free downloadable application available to Apple iPhone users (set to hit the market in a few weeks in the U.S.). The iPhone app is made by Irish company Mapflow (Avego's parent company), and it uses GPS navigation and maps to guide you to a passenger waiting for a ride.
Up until now, the company has limited its service to a small alpha pilot program of 20 to 30 vehicles in Dublin, Ireland. The company has now set up shop in San Francisco and it's releasing its beta program to any place where people can download from Apple's iTunes App store.
Avego's entire system is automated, too Both a passenger and driver need a PayPal account and that's it; Avego will keep track of how far a driver carried a passenger, and the passenger's account will be debited for the trip. The driver is then compensated for the ride. No need to carry cash.
So why does Avego think its service is needed? The company said it's found a "five-seat car traveling with only a driver is inherently inefficient, and yet 85 per cent of the time, that's how cars travel in much of the world."
In an interview with DigitalJournal.com, company chairman Sean O'Sullivan said an empty seat could be worth as much as $3,000 per year to someone looking to recover part the expense of driving. From a passenger perspective, he said it can be even cheaper than taking public transit and it gets you right where you want to go.
In addition to his role at Avego, O'Sullivan is also the head of a venture capital fund, SOS Ventures. When it comes to investment in Avego, O'Sullivan told DigitalJournal.com he has $120-million fund from start-up companies he's created in the past that have been successful. Avego has been given a "substantial commitment," and it currently has 15 engineers working on the project.
Sharing a seat in your car with a rider who is willing to pay is environmentally friendly, economically smart, and could be a revolution to transportation as we know it. That is, if it works.
But a number of questions and concerns arise: Is it even legal to offer a ride for payment if you don't have a commercial license like a taxi? What about safety issues of getting in the car with a stranger? And how exactly does the technology work?
Digital Journal TV wanted to find out how this virtual hitchhiking service really works, and what the company has planned to combat criticisms and allay fears. We give you the inside scoop on one of the most intriguing new tech ideas speeding down the information and literal highway.
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal avego carpool ridesharing paid rides review cellphones apple iphone application hitchhiker chris hogg
| | Is Google's Chrome the Best Web Browser? - 237 sec
The browser market got a bit more competitive this week with the launch of Google's Chrome. If you're used to using Firefox, Explorer or Safari to browse the Web, you might be asking yourself if it's worth switching. Here is your in-depth review.
Digital Journal TV -- Whenever a company as large as Google launches a product, the world takes notice. Up until now, Google had no presence in the Internet browser market and instead put its promotional prowess and support behind Mozilla's Firefox.
But with the launch of Google's open source browser called Chrome, the market was taken by surprise.
Mozilla is now left scratching its head, wondering where it stands without the support of the Big-G; Microsoft is no doubt furious, worried, or both, about Google's aggressive entry into its domain; and consumers are trying to take it all in, wondering if Chrome is just another over-hyped technology or a serious Web tool.
DigitalJournal.com has received a lot of questions about Chrome, so in this episode of Digital Journal TV, we take you under the hood of Google's new Web browser to show you the pros and cons. If you're looking for a fast browser, you found one, but it's not without it's quirks.
Have you tried out Chrome? What do you think? Share your thoughts and express what you like or dislike about Google's new Web browser.
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal david silverberg google chrome pros cons review mozilla firefox internet explorer comparison
| | Can BlackBerry Bold Go Where No Smartphone Has Gone Before? - 437 sec
More info: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/258878
Can the BlackBerry Bold rival the features and functionality of Apple's iPhone 3G? In light of today's Canadian launch of the fastest BlackBerry available yet, Digital Journal TV tested the new device to see if it's the summer's hottest smartphone.
Digital Journal — The BlackBerry Bold is now available in Canada, giving Canucks the first chance to try out the fastest BlackBerry device in North America. The Bold runs on Rogers' fast 3G network (the first time a BlackBerry has worked on such a network) and its speed doesn't disappoint.
Just a month after bringing Apple's iPhone 3G to Canadians (see our video review of the iPhone 3G here), Rogers Wireless partnered with Research in Motion to unveil the Bold on Thursday.
John Boynton, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Rogers Wireless, said in a press release: "The much awaited BlackBerry Bold smartphone is a 'must have' for connoisseurs of premium products and mobile workers who want to remain connected and productive no matter where their jobs may take them."
The Bold is available for $399 on a three-year plan with Rogers.
So what's so great about the Bold? Its screen offers impressive definition and clarity housed in an elegant 114mm x 66mm x 15mm design. It runs on the 3G network as well as Wi-Fi. A built-in GPS comes with BlackBerry Maps and Documents To Go, and lets users edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents while travelling. 1GB of on-board memory is more than previous generations, and memory card slots can expand the storage capacity to up to 16 GB.
A 2-megapixel camera rounds out the device, and also offers video recording (unlike the iPhone 3G). Syncing music and video to the Bold via iTunes is simple, which should appeal to heavy multimedia users who want to stick with the BlackBerry brand.
Digital Journal TV was on location at the Canadian launch for the Bold, and we spoke to Research in Motion and Rogers Wireless to find out how this smartphone compares to its predecessors...and why it may elevate to iPhone-killer status. Maybe.
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal chris hogg blackberry bold apple iphone review comparison RIM rogers smarthphone cellphone mobile
| | Behind the Company Offering Car Rentals for $1 Per Day - 367 sec
More info at: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/258817
Toronto drivers can now rent a car for $1 a day. But there's a catch CityFlitz's service. Digital Journal TV finds out what's driving this unique promotion.
Digital Journal — A new car rental program in Canada promises to give drivers the opportunity to rent cars for merely $1 a day. CityFlitz launched in Toronto recently, and offers 12 cars to drivers frustrated with high gas prices and insurance rates.
The cars available for Torontonians include Mini Coopers, Mini Clubmans and Smart cars. The public can sign up to start driving those cars in early September. The driver needs to be 23 with a valid "G" license, and must also own a credit card that includes rental car insurance coverage.
Cars come equipped with Wi-Fi Net access and a GPS tracking system. Users can rent a car for up to one week at a time.
So is CityFlitz's deal too good to be true? Digital Journal TV explains the twist behind this auto-sharing service and how these cars became "mobile billboards."
All you Digital Journal TV blooper fans: Stay tuned to the end of this segment for more David Silverberg tongue twisters.
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal david silverberg cityflitz car rental bmw mini cooper $1 per day cheap dundas square ontario
| | Michael Phelps Leaves Massive Financial Impact on Olympics - 82 sec
More info: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/258726
When you bring home eight gold medals in a single Olympic season, you're pretty much guaranteed a golden ticket to wealth. U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps is already cashing in on his celebrity status with deals worth millions of dollars.
Digital Journal TV -- Getting rich off the Olympics is not an easy task. The Summer Games only come around every four years so most athletes' marketability fades quickly when football and hockey seasons start. Unless, of course, you are swimmer Michael Phelps.
Phelps' face is plastered all over the Omega watch store in Beijing, China; he's sponsored by Speedo; he gets a paycheque from Visa; he's a product hawker for Power Bar; he is sponsored by AT&T; and McDonald's delivers more than just a double cheeseburger to him. And the Games aren't even over yet.
Despite the fact Phelps won six golds in Athens, his name eventually subsided from media coverage. This year, Phelps brought home another eight medals, more than anyone in Olympic history. And coming out of the Games this year, Phelps is already a brand; more sponsors could jump into the wake of success trailing Phelps as he gets out of the pool and into the media spotlight.
News sites and blogs are bursting at their virtual seams with Phelps news, and as one blogger for SportingNews.com writes:
..it's not easy when every single thing that is happening at the Games is framed — yes: eclipsed — by Phelps Mania.
But not everyone agrees that Phelps' rise to riches will be easy. An article in the Chicago Tribute says:
Olympians certainly get commercial gigs. Skier Suzy Chaffee was transformed into "Suzy Chapstick" to sell lip balm. Figure skater Dorothy Hamill, like Phelps a media darling, plugged Clairol hair conditioner. But they're usually not star earners. Forbes magazine's "Celebrity 100" list, which is ranked by income, features scores of athletes but has no Olympians outside of those who also play such pro sports as basketball or tennis.
The amount Phelps makes in endorsements has not been revealed, and estimates are all over the map. However, he is widely expected to pull in at least a couple million dollars from his sponsorships. Speedo, alone, is paying Phelps a $1 million prize for beating Mark Spitz's record for gold.
Kids across the U.S. are already obsessed with the athlete, and the saying "I want to be like Mike" has reportedly transformed to mean Phelps (it was formerly reserved for basketball great Michael Jordan).
When it comes to the Olympics' impact on a company's stock value, some reports show Michael Phelps is actually helping Warnaco (the company that owns Speedo) earn a bump up in their stock value. The stock has doubled in the last two years, and the value climbed from $45 before the opening ceremonies to above $50 at the swimming finals.
And finally, Michael Phelps has helped boost TV ratings during this year's Games, so the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is already saying it wants broadcasters to fork over more money to get the broadcast rights to future Olympic Games. According to the Daily Herald, this year's Games are attracting 21 per cent more viewers than Athens, and part of that is because of Michael Phelps' popularity.
"We can capitalize on that in the next negotiations with NBC for the new rights," Gerhard Heiberg, chairman of the IOC marketing commission, said in an interview. "This is good for us. Yes, we may reach a higher level."
NBC paid $894 million for the rights to broadcast the Beijing Olympics, and it paid $1.2 billion to get the rights to broadcast the Games in London, England in 2012. IOC President Jacques Rogge said Olympic sponsorship revenue is forecast to increase about 16 per cent to $1 billion for the Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Games. Rogge also said broadcasting revenue will likely climb a whopping 40 per cent to $3.8 billion for the 2009-12 cycle.
The financial wave following Michael Phelps has already reached a monumental level, and it's only a matter of time before more people jump head first into the swimmer's water. Just take a look at the clip above, and you can see Phelps' extreme star power and marketability. In this Digital Journal TV clip, we see Phelps kicking fiercely through the PR waters, as he puts his name behind McDonald's. He orders what he calls his favourite meal at the fast food joint (a double cheeseburger) as media and fans rabidly flock around him. It's not clear how much Phelps got paid for the PR stunt, but undoubtedly Michael Phelps will be bringing home more than gold medals after this year.
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal michael phelps olympics beijing sports swimming olympic games sponsorship endorsement speedo mcdonalds
| | Is the Samsung Instinct Really an 'iPhone Killer'? - 333 sec
The Samsung Instinct has finally made it to market, and already it's been touted as a serious competitor to Apple's popular iPhone 3G. It's sleek, full of features and it's all touch-screen. It's also less expensive. But is it better than the iPhone 3G?
Digital Journal -- With the rising popularity of Apple's iPhone 3G, it was only a matter of time until competitors started copying design, function and features to tap into a burgeoning market (read: growing revenue stream). Mobile phones continue to get smarter, more feature-rich and very near to a full-blown computer in your pocket.
In October 2007, Digital Journal TV reviewed the HTC Touch (see video review) because it was the closest thing to the iPhone at that time. We found a number of cool features, but the Touch was simply no iPhone.
Then Apple released the new iPhone 3G this year and the tech world went insane. We took an in-depth look at the pros and cons of the gadget that has made techies foam at the mouth. Overall, we were pretty impressed (see our video review here).
And so we meet the Samsung Instinct -- the device the world has waited for; critics, journalists and gadget lovers are dying to know if the Instinct is really worth its weight in headline ink, and how it compares to the almighty Apple iPhone 3G.
If you can't afford the iPhone 3G, if you don't want to lock yourself in on a three-year contract, or if you simply don't like its features, the Samsung Instinct is said to be a great alternative.
In this episode of Digital Journal TV, we break down the pros and cons and wade through the hype to find out if the Samsung Instinct really has what it takes to dethrone the smartphone king.
Are you an iPhone 3G or Instinct owner? What do you think about either gadget? Do you prefer another mobile phone? Share your thoughts below!
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal apple iphone 3g samsung instinct cellphones smartphone mobile handheld gadgets review comparison pros con
| | Inside the Technology Powering the Olympic Games - 220 sec
When an athlete crosses the finish line, how do final lap times get published in less than one second? What goes on behind the scenes to keep the Games running smoothly? This is your look at 4,000-member team who doesn't compete in any sporting events.
With the world's largest sporting event kicking off in Beijing, billions of people around the world will flock to China or their TV sets and the Internet to get updates on their country's Olympic medal count.
But how often do you think about the technology needed to get stats out to a global audience in the same amount of time it takes you to blink? What about the IT infrastructure required to ensure the Games run without glitches? And who updates the Olympic website?
Enter Atos Origin, an international IT services company that is the tech lifeline of the Olympic Games.
Powered by a 4,000-strong IT team, Atos has been setting up for the last four years in anticipation of this year's Games in Beijing. They are responsible for ensuring competition results are delivered worldwide in less than 0.3 seconds, and they run the invisible system that powers the global demand for statistics measured in fractions of a second.
In this episode of Digital Journal TV, we take you behind the scenes of this global sporting powerhouse to give you a glimpse of the tech backbone of the Games. Find out how many computers are needed to run the media and visitor centers in the country; how much testing is needed to make sure this meeting of the world goes off without a hitch; and details about the international company that you won't see competing on the track.
More info: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/258271
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal olympic games olympics beijing china atos origin technology it infrastructure sporting sports
| | The Rise of the Electric Car (Again) - 198 sec
impelmented? Could a plan that involves widespread charging stations convince people to ditch the gas-guzzling SUVs in exchange for a hatchback that plugs into the wall?
GM and the EPRI want to dispel any myths about battery-powered cars while also working with public policy leaders to ease the transition from petroleum to electricity as a fuel source. They will be planning public awareness campaigns to educate the public on how to safely charge your electric car.
General Motors VP of Global Program Management Jon Lauckner views the partnership as nothing short of a "plug-in revolution." He said in a statement: "We are focused on creating affordable, highly desired vehicles that will take advantage of the grid - and providing accessible, reliable, convenient low cost electricity to plug-in customers."
Electric cars are even getting their share of attention in political discourse. John McCain has expressed how the Chevy Volt is "the future of America and the world."
McCain is also offering a $300 million prize to anyone who creates a first battery with the "the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars." By the way, the prize money is twelves times the amount offered for the capture of Osama Bin Laden.
But as much hype as there is behind the electric car, questions still remain: if a power station can only give the Volt, say, 40 miles per charge, what happens to drivers with longer commutes to work? How expensive will these cars be? And will gas and oil executives truly let the electric car flourish, or will they play a role in its demise once again.
Digital Journal TV delves inside GM's new partnership to find out what consumer benefits electric cars offer. What do you think: Will this finally be the era of the electric car, or a fad soon to be replaced like old tires?
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal david silverberg electric car hybrid general motors chevy volt
| | Chris Hogg on CBC News Talking About Cuil - 267 sec
DigitalJournal.com's Chris Hogg appeared on CBC News to discuss the pros and cons about the new search engine, Cuil.com
What do you think?
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal cbc cuil google search engine yahoo msn internet
| | In-Depth Review: The Best and Worst Features of iPhone 3G - 541 sec
Advertising
The iPhone 3G has only been out for two weeks but is already turning heads; TV ads, news reports, gadget junkies lining up for hours to get one. But is it worth it the price tag? What are the setbacks of the phone? Here's a review you don't want to miss.
Digital Journal -- The gadget was so popular, Apple sold more than one million units in the first weekend of sales. The iPhone 3G is the predecessor to the original iPhone but for many countries around the world (including Canada), this is the first time tech fans seen a phone from Apple.
Since the phone's launch, we've been contacted by countless people who want to know more about the phone -- what we like, what we don't like, is it worth the investment and when will the next iPhone be available?
While we don't know when the next-gen iPhone will be out (wow, some of you guys are impatient!), we can tell you there are a number of incredible features on this phone we have never seen anywhere else, but there are also a number of features Apple goofed on and should have included.
In this episode of Digital Journal TV we break down the pros and cons of the device in an in-depth report. Find out how downloadable applications make this phone unique, why taking photos is painful and awkward, and get the scoop on why the iPhone 3G tempts Digital Journal managing editor, David Silverberg to quit his job to become a DJ.
More info: http://digitaljournal.com/article/257792
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal apple iphone 3g review pros cons cellphones mobiles smart phone blackberry bold
| | Four Seasons' Groundbreaking For $500 Million Residence - 219 sec
A private gala affair took place in Toronto, when the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences broke ground in Toronto's Yorkville district yesterday. Condos start at $1.9 million for 1,000 square feet. Digital Journal TV went inside the ceremony.
Digital Journal -- The Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences will cost $500 million to build and create approximately 1,600 construction jobs in Toronto.
At a special groundbreaking ceremony at Toronto's Bay and Yorkville streets, Four Seasons hosted a special private event catered with rosemary crusted lamb and lobster martinis. The event was flanked by rich and famous, and Four Seasons announced the building is already 70 per cent sold out.
Condos range in size from 1,000 square feet to a whopping 9,000 square foot penthouse and starting price is $1.9 million. The residences are set to be completed by late 2011.
"The design and refinement of the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences will be a valuable addition to our city," said Mayor David Miller in a press release. "Toronto is a worldwide leader in condominium sales and construction and the decision to build this first-class project here further underscores our reputation as a livable and prosperous city where people want to both live and visit."
Miller did not make it to the ceremony, but other dignitaries were on-hand, including Ontario Minister of of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Jim Watson; city councillor Kyle Rae; Four Seasons founder, chairman and CEO Isadore Sharp; and Menkes Developments president, Alan Menkes.
"It is a source of pride for me that Toronto, the birthplace of Four Seasons, will soon have such an impressive presences for the company," said Sharp. "This project celebrates the past and reflects the evolution of Four Seasons as it nears its 50th year of history.
In this sneak peek video, Digital Journal TV was at the gala evening to take you behind the scenes at the event that attracted hundreds of people interested in this unique real-estate development.
More info: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/257502
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal four seasons groundbreaking bay yorkville private residences hotels travel toronto
| | The Camcorder Flipping Video on its Head - 284 sec
If we told you a new camcorder is a must-have for video fans, the likely response would be "Is it a Sony or Panasonic?" Well, it's none of the above. Digital Journal tests out the Flip Ultra, the simplest high-quality camcorder actually worth buying.
Digital Journal -- Video camcorders are nothing new. In our business where we review dozens of them all the time, not very much excites us anymore. That is, until we met the Flip Ultra.
The simplest and perhaps the most powerful pocket-sized camcorder we've seen in ages has been on the market in the U.S. since 2007 but just recently came to Canada.
The Flip Ultra records up to 60 minutes of video on its 2GB internal memory meaning you don't have to fuss with tape, and the quality and ease of use is impressive. It isn't cluttered with buttons or features most people struggle to understand, yet it's not crippled by being so simple it's useless. It's even been one of the top-selling gadgets on Amazon.
In this episode of Digital Journal TV, we give you the up-close-and-personal look at the Flip Ultra and weigh in with the pros and cons. If you're in the market for a video camera right now and you want something that is both inexpensive and powerful, have a look.
And to show just what this camcorder can do in terms of quality of video and audio, we've ditched our professional camera and shot this entire video using two Flip Ultras.
More info: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/257244
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digital journal chris hogg flip ultra video camcorder sony panasonic canon handhelds gadgets cameras
| | If Drivers Can't Use Cellphones, How Can They Get Their Fix? - 275 sec
California and Washington recently joined three other U.S. states in banning cellphone use while driving. DigitalJournal.com investigates what motivated lawmakers to take phones out of drivers' hands and the best technology for car-loving mobile addicts.
Digital Journal -- The controversy over the dangers of talking on a cellphone while driving just got more interesting. On July 1, California and Washington enacted laws that restrict cellphone use in vehicles. Drivers 18 and older need to use a hands-free device to make a call, and drivers under 18 can't use any electronic devices while behind the wheel.
According to the Contra Costa Times, the legislation was passed in order to reduce driver distraction, which causes around 80 per cent of accidents, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says.
In California, the fine for the first offense is $76 and the second is $190, including court fees. In Washington police are charging first offenders $124 per violation.
Both states are encouraging drivers to refrain from cellphone conversations while driving, but if they need to make a call, they must use a hands-free device like a Bluetooth headset. What options are available for these cellphone-friendly drivers?
In this episode of Digital Journal TV, we look into the cellphone-driving ban and why U.S. states are clamouring to get the cell thrown out of the car. Find out what tech is available for handset-hating states, and learn how even using a earpiece may not be the safest option.
This is your inside scoop on the greatest tech available for cellphone junkies who still like chatting on the road.
Do you think it's smart for Washington and California to join three other states in restricting cellphone use in vehicles?
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal david silverberg cellphone mobile handset driving ban bluetooth california washington
| | The Outlook For Microsoft as Bill Gates Prepares to Exit - 562 sec
He's an innovator, a visionary and just plain genius: Bill Gates has made perhaps the biggest contribution to humankind with his life's work. Now, Gates prepares to transition out of Microsoft, but he has another chance to revutionize the world.
Digital Journal -- When Bill Gates founded Microsoft in 1975 with friend Paul Allen, nobody could have guessed the 20-year-old would change history. Gates ushered in the era of the personal computer and built a business around software when nobody thought it was possible.
Today, Gates and his company Microsoft are household names. The Harvard drop-out is known as a business magnate, a software visionary, a philanthropist and one of the richest men in the world.
But this week marks a big change for Gates: He's transitioning out of Microsoft to put more energy and time into the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a charitable organization. On June 27, Gates moves from his day-to-day role at Microsoft but will stay on as the company's chairman.
The 52-year-old is the co-chair and strategic thinker of the foundation in his name. The organization employs more than 500 people worldwide and has billions of dollars invested in enhancing healthcare, reducing extreme poverty, giving children access to education and computers and fighting diseases like AIDS in more than 100 countries.
While Gates is not totally out of Microsoft, his life and the company are undergoing a major change as he transitions out of a daily role. Today's marketplace is dramatically different than the one that existed when Microsoft was founded, and with billions of dollars at his disposal Gates is faced with another opportunity to revolutionize the world.
In this mini documentary, Digital Journal TV goes inside the life of Bill Gates. We look back at the defining moments of his career, including setting up an international company in his early twenties; we hear from Gates' friends and colleagues about the triumphs and tribulations of building a software empire; we go inside his new role with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; and we look at the company's position in the industry today, and tomorrow.
This is your in-depth look at the man who changed all our lives and history forever, and he has another chance to do it all over again.
When all is said and done, what do you think of the outlook for Microsoft and Gates?
More info: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/256585
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digital journal chris hogg bill gates microsoft paul allen steve ballmer windows and melinda foundation
| | Harvard's Advice to Bloggers on AP Copyright Fiasco - 387 sec
Associated Press wants to force bloggers and citizen journalists to pay to quote parts of their articles. The blogosphere is fighting back. We speak to the Harvard Citizen Media Project to find out what bloggers should do to protect themselves legally.
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It's the PR disaster Associated Press never wanted: After it served a news site with takedown notices for quoting AP articles, a slew of blogs have boycotted the newswire service. AP claims bloggers and online writers are violating copyright by quoting parts of their articles. Blogs defend their use of quotes under the fair use law. Who's right?
This new media controversy is on the minds of anyone who writes online news or follows their favourite blog. AP is hoping to persuade blogs to pay for quotes, while bloggers want to quote AP articles freely, saying the referrals only help promote AP articles. As citizen journalist Sue D. pointed out, some bloggers are even calculating how much AP owes them for quoting writers without credit.
Harvard's Citizen Media Law Project offers bloggers and citizen journalists some guidance through its legal guide, but aside from that document there is little help online writers can get.
There is good reason to be confused: The fair use law isn't black-and-white because it often depends on context and article length. So if AP wants to charge or threaten lawsuits on bloggers, what should those bloggers and citizen journalists do to protect themselves? Is it too risky to quote from AP, even if the reference is a couple lines?
To help online writers and the public understand this controversy, Digital Journal TV investigates how AP managed to instigate the blogosphere into a massive boycott, why the new pricing plan is unreasonable and what bloggers can do to protect themselves.
More info: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/256296
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal associated press ap bloggers blogosphere copyrights fair use lawsuits takedown drudge retort
| | Will China's Environmental Crisis Overshadow the Olympics - 227 sec
China's economy is soaring but with that expansion also comes concerns over its extreme pollution. But the Chinese government is trying to polish its environmental image. Digital Journal TV finds out what China is doing to clean up the mess.
Digital Journal -- A booming economy. Heavy auto traffic. Horrible air quality. Combine all these ingredients and China wins the award for one of the most dangerously polluted countries in the world. With the 2008 Olympics looming, China is desperately trying to give the impression of a country working to combat these environmental problems. Will the public be convinced?
There is no shortage of bad news for eco-watchers worried about China's toxic contributions: more than 3 million cars travel through Beijing's streets; among world capitals, only Cairo has worse air quality than Beijing; and one-third of all river water has been rated at its most degraded level, unfit for agricultural or even industrial use. This is a tough nightmare scenario for China to spin in its favor.
Look at how the New York Times explained the consequences of China's pollution:
"An internal, unpublicized report by the Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning in 2003 estimated that 300,000 people die each year from ambient air pollution, mostly of heart disease and lung cancer. An additional 110,000 deaths could be attributed to indoor air pollution caused by poorly ventilated coal and wood stoves or toxic fumes from shoddy construction materials, said a person involved in that study."
But the Chinese government is doing what it can to purify the air, water and land before the world turns its attention to the Communist country. Find out what China is working on to kill its pollution in a Digital Journal TV report, complete with footage from the Asia Society. It's not too late yet for China, and DigitalJournal.com Editor-in-Chief, Chris Hogg, explains why.
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal chris hogg china olympics olympic games environment pollution smog oil concerns beijing asia
| | First Look at Nintendo's Wii Fit, the Couch Potato Killer - 210 sec
Video games just got healthier. Nintendo Wii is releasing its calorie-burning game Wii Fit on May 21, and in this episode of Digital Journal TV we test the revolutionary product and tell you why yoga studios and gyms may soon have a virtual competitor.
Couch potato gamers are getting a run for their money. Literally. Nintendo is releasing its exercise-heavy game Wii Fit on May 21 in North America, giving home entertainment a dose of aerobics, strength training and yoga.
Costing $90, Wii Fit includes a virtual personal trainer to guide you through exercises such as push-ups, yoga poses, running, hula hooping, waist twists and many more. The game uses an innovative pressure sensitive Balance Board that responds to any shift in weight, balance or posture. So if you sway your hips quickly in the hula hoop exercise, the console can sense how fast your body moves and the avatar on screen responds accordingly.
Wii Fit has the potential to revolutionize the way people play video games. There are more than 40 activities to choose, and Nintendo says they "focus towards providing a 'core' workout, a popular exercise method that emphasizes slower, controlled motions."
Each user creates a profile and adds potential weight loss goals. The system monitors a user's weight and body-mass index as well as their performance on each exercise. Only a few activities are available in the beginning; as users "succeed" in each exercise, more are unlocked.
While Wii Fit's unique activities centre on yoga poses, running marathons and aerobic training, Nintendo doesn't want to lose its sense of fun. Some games get out of the gym, including the slalom skiing, snowboarding and soccer activities. They still force you to move around quickly on the Balance Board, but these games are ideal for kids who get bored easily by yoga's warrior pose or push-ups.
In this episode of Digital Journal TV, we take you on a sneak peek into Wii Fit, its unique technology and how it hopes to make lazy gamers as obsolete as the Power Glove.
Auteur : digitaljournal
Tags: digitaljournal nintendo wii fit yoga exercise jogging video games gaming review strength training wiimote
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