How does the iPad get around the problem of over saturated hotel networks or poor 3G connectivity? What does it bring to the table that isn't the same as a thin client on a laptop? That's right, it doesn't and nothing.

Can't you turn this off in the Windows Live privacy settings (not the Live Messenger privacy settings)?

Where do you live that WiFi is limited to 20mW? In the US the limitation is 4W (EIRP) (PTP links are different). In most of Europe it is limited to 100mW. The typical home WiFi router is usually in the 80-100mW EIRP range.

I was at CES yesterday and sat through the presentation by Panasonic. There technology works using those expensive "active" 3D display glasses. For those that don't know, basically they alternate flashing each eye an image on the screen. They kept hyping up how awesome it would be to watch football in 3D, and showed use a 3D video of a football game. It was kinda neat, but anything that was moving fast (Such as arms/legs after the ball was snapped) turned into a flashing semitransparent mess. I'm assuming this is because they are alternative which eye is seeing the picture, and in the time it takes to switch eyes, fast moving objects have changed position. And for systems that are smart enough to show images to both eyes at the same time, I'm curious how they will handle motion blur. That has always seemed to be a problem with 3D displays, as the eye wants to get the moving object in focus, however since the source is blurred they can't, which leads to eye strain.

Compete with eReaders? Not without an eInk screen they're not. LCD does not cut it for long term reading.

Most customers want Windows. If they want Linux they can install it themselves.

What a about tool costs and production time? Even if Plastic and Aluminum are the same cost (and I don't know that they are) they use different production techniques. Plastic is made with molds, whereas I believe with Aluminum you have to cut it out of a block, which might take longer, and also leaves you with a lot of "left over" scraps that will have to be recycled before they can be used again.

I'm currently using that same machine you have as an (interim) HTPC machine. Swapped Win 7 64 bit to 32 bit (due to the low memory), upgraded to the latest drivers and Flash 10.1 Handles 1080p MKV's just fine, as well as 720P YouTube (1080 drops some frames on fast movement). The only problem is that Hulu apparently isn't taking advantage of the new Flash beta, and still seems to run 100% on the CPU rather than offloading to the GPU like YouTube now does. So for Hulu it can only handle the standard def video. 480P Hulu is fine windowed, but scaled to 720p or 1080p, it drops frames really bad.

Wow. If you heard it from a co-worker, it must be true!

I'll just start "renting" all my movies from .torrent sites, or megaupload. They normally get the movies a week or more before DVD sales anyway.

Just found the answer over at Engadget: No web browser So Kindle 2 International for me. But I'll hold off until after Thanksgiving to see if Amazon reacts but cutting prices/doing a bundle.

Any news on a web browser being built-in with free 3G like all the Kindles? I have a Kindle 1 and was going to buy the International until I heard about this new reader. It looks nice, but I've found I actually enjoy reading blogs and other sites on my Kindle. This will be what makes/breaks it for me about jumping ship from Kindle to B&N.

Its not just Boxee, they've started blocking the PS3 as well.

I tried using the local Craigslist to look for apartment rentals. However the results were probably 1 real post for every 5 or 6 fake posts. Most were pointing you to another website that requires a membership fee, pointing you towards a housing broker, or flat out scam to get personal information.

I built myself a new computer about 1 month ago. Completely new install of XP, and I've only been installing programs as needed/wanted. In the last week I've had two bluescreens happen. What did I do a week ago? I installed Google Earth. And in both cases of blue screen, the app that was listed as causing the fault in the debug was the Google Updater. So hopefully removing Google Earth fixes this. The only other "google app" I run is Picasa, which I don't think uses the Google Updater.