Here are the gifts you should give to that guy. And by give, I mean quietly sneak up and shoving it in his mail slot, because if he's anything like the Holiday Haters we know, he'll have barricaded himself in and shut off all forms of communication with the outside.

And if you hate the gallery format as much as he hates the holidays, click here.

A Philips GoLite Blu: If someone hates the holidays, it's likely that they hate the holiday season as well. Part of that is due to seasonal affective disorder, which in layman's terms, means you're not getting enough sunlight and you're depressed as a result.

The Philips GoLite Blu, which we reviewed last year, really helps lift mood. It might not make your pal's mood go from a 2 to a 10, but it'll definitely get him up into the 6 or 7s. $150 [Amazon]

Cellphone Flask: If your friend really hates being around family, there's few (legal) ways of making the time go by faster than getting stupidly drunk. But what if they're gifted with at least a little semblance of tact and don't want to go all out with a flask? Then here's the cellphone flask. Provided the guy's family is as dumb as he claims, they might not realize that this silver beauty really hides a few ounces of vodka and not his office email. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll have to take this call. $10 [Amazon]

Yule Log Christmas Fireplace Blu-ray: This combines the traditional holiday tradition of sitting in front of a fireplace with the more palatable tradition of sitting in front of a TV. Your friend might hate the former, but he must still enjoy TV, right? Right? With the newly-updated Blu-ray version, he can just leave it on and enjoy the fake flames while doing whatever it is he does normally. Which, if our guess is right, is planning his own death. $11 [Amazon]

Festivus Pole LED Color Light Kit: Your loved one may hate the holidays, but what about Festivus? Bordering somewhere between a real holiday and a crappy meme that will not die, Festivus is the holiday for hipsters too cool or too poor to celebrate one of the "traditional" ones. On the plus side, you get a pole, so why not decorate it with some LED lights from China? $18 [Chinavasion]

Ex-lax Chocolate Laxatives: One hilarious way to a party is to have all the guests run home with Christmas sweaters tied around their pants. Any holiday hater will die to have these miracle pills in their arsenal of holiday-escaping gadgets, even if it isn't quite that gadgety. Think of it as Batman's utility belt if Batman really wanted to get out of a get together and was willing to wait 6 to 12 hours. $9 [Amazon]

Withings Wi-Fi Scale: Nothing pisses off a holiday hater more than someone actually enjoying themselves. How does one undo this mirth? By showing them how much weight they've gained since November. The Wi-Fi scale is fantastic because there's no hiding your weight—it gets uploaded automatically, online, and converted into graph form. Take that, innocent person who's just trying to celebrate the holidays. $160 [Gizmodo]

Swine Flu Protection Kit: Another thing holiday haters hate worse than the holidays is getting sick during the holidays. With the swine flu protection kit, even if your friend isn't actually safe from disease, he has peace of mind. [Amazon]

A Donation In His Name: For a person who hates the holidays and everything they stand for, giving him a present that's actually a present to someone else is the worst thing imaginable. It's like telling him that you HAD the excess money to spend on a present, but decided to give it to someone else instead. Or, like waving a bowl of food in front of a starving child and saying that there's a hungrier child that this is going to instead, and thanking him for his kindness. Don't do this!

All Giz Wants is our annual round-up of favorite gift ideas, including amazing attainable objects and a few far-out fantasies. We'll be popping guides catered to different interests regularly until Christmas, so keep checking back.

Making it easy for everyone to adopt 3D entertainment, good ol' Sony has worked it so that the PS3 will be able to play 3D Blu-ray discs, and the upcoming 3D players will be able to play 2D discs too. In regards to codecs, these discs will use Multiview Video Coding (or MVC), which is similar to the ITU-T H.264 AVC codec we use now, and will actually take up 50 per cent less space on the discs compared to 2D content.

Again clearing up any questions we may've had about 3D Blu-rays, the content will be full 1080p, so even though you're watching in 3D, the quality of the resolution won't be compromised. Expect to see some massive announcements from manufacturers and movie studios next month, including exactly what LG's going to sell in order to reach that 3.8m 3D TV units sold target. [BDA]

The adapter works with the Mini DisplayPort in the iMac 27", which is bi-directional. Right now, only this model of iMac supports this video standard. No price, no dates, no excuses not to buy this whenever it comes out. [Apogee via Electronista]

Consider the big picture laid out in the WSJ piece: Blu-ray, as a format, despite costing more per individual movie, only pulls around 14 percent of the revenue that DVD does. If you compare the formats at the same year in their life cycle, Blu-ray, in its fourth year, only has revenues that are about a quarter of what DVD made in its fourth year. Hrm, I guess those Flipper discs make a lot more sense now. [WSJ]

Take a look at your Blu-ray library for a minute. See anything missing? If not, you're not looking hard enough. Because for every high-def release of The Proposal that Hollywood shoves out the door, a Raiders of the Lost Ark stays on the shelf. Right now, whether it's a rights issue or a matter of strategic timing, a team of highly qualified artists and technicians are putting the finishing touches on Cheaper By the Dozen 2's Blu-ray release instead of dreaming up interactive features for Alien.

That's just scratching the surface. Right now on Amazon you can buy a 20th Century Fox Blu-ray bundle of three genuinely funny comedies—Napoleon Dynamite, Office Space and Young Frankenstein—that have nothing in common other than being completely unnecessary to watch in high-def. You know what three movies Fox hasn't put on Blu-ray at all? A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

This shouldn't be so hard, Hollywood. Whatever problems you're working through right now, get it figured out. You've only got like 2.5 more years before broadband puts the whole Blu-ray concept completely out of business. To help get you started, here's a list of 20 movies we need right now, and 10 that you should pass on altogether, before you waste any more time.

20 Movies That Should Be on Blu-ray

And 10 That Really Shouldn't

11:50: Ten minutes left until the star (Daniel Radcliffe) and the director (David Yates) pop up and start talking about the movie while watching the movie.

11:51: If you're using the PlayStation 3, you should make sure you've got the correct audio output to hear the audio stream. Otherwise, like myself last time, you'll hear nothing.

11:53: If you miss this, it'll be on BD-Live in a few weeks, says the British announcer.

11:53: I just figured out that they're doing this livecast at 12 noon instead of 6PM Pacific because kids in the UK need to watch this too. Otherwise, it'd be 2 in the morning.

11:55: There's a weird bug right now with two audio streams being overlayed simultaneously. One announcement and one...announcement.

11:56: Oh and if you need to get in, here's the invite.

12:00: Two voices talking simultaneously is more annoying than you'd imagine.

12:02: It's about to start in a minute.

12:02: Before we start, I gotta say this was probably in the top half of the Harry Potter movies, for me. The only problems I had with it was the fact that it looked like the whole movie had a power outage. And, that it didn't follow the book as closely as other movies.

12:03: It's starting.

12:04: I'm having audio difficulties and had to restart the movie.

12:05: It would be nice to go through one of these screenings without technical problems. You'd think the PS3 would be the most stable platform, but I guess not. And now it's having trouble loading the BD-Live.

12:06: Millions of kids around the world are logging into BD-Live right now apparently. Hey kids, get off my (virtual) lawn.

12:06: I'm back in! Daniel is talking about Harry Potter and how he differs from the character.

12:07: To answer a person who asked a question about if Dan learned anything from Harry Potter, he says yes.

12:10: His favorite movie is #5. He likes shooting and watching that one.

12:10: The director says he doesn't have a favorite.

12:12: Oh wait, the director couldn't make it—this is someone else.

12:12: Harry Potter is there though.

12:13: Daniel is saying the director is great, and can see the whole film while shooting an individual scene.

12:13: Here's a little hint of how Dumbledore is gay: he was treasuring a knitting magazine (with JK, the author, on the cover).

12:15: Someone asked what other movies he wants to try and get into, and Dan says he wants to concentrate on finishing the last two movies, and then maybe go back to the stage in London or NY.

12:17: Now a question about Alan Rickman. How did Dan feel about hearing Alan Rickman speak, in the first movie? Answer: probably terrified.

12:19: It's too bad the director isn't here, because I would very much ask him why the movie is shot during a power outage...in a black hole. Seriously, I couldn't see anything.

12:20: Q: Is Helena Bonham Carter as cool as she looks?

12:20: A: Yes. Also she is mad. And she pulls off that wig well, and she is hilarious.

12:23: Someone just asked him about what bands he likes. It'd be better if they focused on, you know, what's going on in the movie, but I guess that's the kind of question we're going to get today.

12:24: Q: Is Emma Watson as beautiful in person as she is in the movies?

12:24: A: "Yes!!" That Dan.

12:25: And now they're singing the praises of Blu-ray, and saying the interactive experience of Blu-ray is "mindblowing."

12:25: This is the first time they've actually seen one of the Harry Potter movies on Blu-ray, apparently.

12:27: What Blu-rays would you want directors' Q&A of? Post in the comments.

12:27: Q: "What's your favorite special effects sequence in this film?"

12:27: A: The island near the end of the movie, with the cabin and all the monsters in the water.

12:28: A: Dan's favorite is the dragon chase in #4.

12:30: Q: "If you had the ability to use an invisibility cloak, what would you do?"

12:30: A: Dan says robbing banks. He did not say sneaking a peek of Emma Watson.

12:32: Q: "Are you or the others going to be Twittering soon?"

12:32: A: Dan says no. He says he likes Twitter, but he feels he'd be inundated.

12:35: Dan's talking about sports.

12:36: For the most part, the audio stream is a lot more stable than it was during the Terminator live event.

12:38: What's the next step in these? Video streaming of them in a corner? That might be pretty fun.

12:39: Dan says he was in the right place at the right time to get the part of Harry.

12:43: Unfortunately the two people answering questions, Dan and the other guy, don't know any technical stuff. It's too bad the director couldn't show up.

12:44: Q: Has anyone ever challenged you to a Harry Potter trivia match?

12:44: A: Yes, and I've lost every time.

12:48: I'm leaving out the questions about him playing Quidditch and other silly dialogue, btw.

12:54: To answer my own question, I would really love to hear Michael Bay give a commentary on Transformers 2. I'd like to hear his thoughts behind why he wanted to do the CG a certain way, or if he left that all up to the CG folks.

12:57: Q: Besides acting, do you want to get into another part of the film business?

12:57: A: I'd love to direct, but it's a long way off.

12:59: And now, a peepee break.

1:06: We're back.

1:06: They're talking about how an actor on screen now playing Marcus Belby was killed, stabbed, while protecting his brother.

1:10: It would be nicer if you could submit questions directly from your Blu-ray player as well. That would make it more of an all-in-one experience, without having to have a phone or a computer in front of you.

1:15: On another note, BD-Live kind of forms the basis of community watching, in a sense. Right now you can watch with directors and hear them talk, but if you can go in the direction of the Netflix community watch on Xbox Live, you can get communal viewings with your friends as well. That would be pretty interesting, being able to watch the same movie, synced, with a buddy across the country.

1:21: Someone asked if they could get Ricky Gervais into the movies.

1:34: Slight spoiler for #7: They'll be playing themselves in that one scene.

1:41: They're talking about the acting process, and the audition process and so forth. Nothing that interesting.

1:43: Q: Do you find it hard working around green screens and CG?

1:44: A: Not really. I don't have to spend a lot of time in front of a green screen. I only have to do about three days in front of a green screen at a time. In the first film I did a month in front of a screen for Quidditch and that was mind numbing.

1:52: Looks like the audio stream just cut out.

1:53: It's back.

2:00: I'd also like to hear JJ Abrams talk about Star Trek too. That would be one interesting live commentary.

2:01: I think they're doing another peepee break now.

2:10: Now the audio is just cutting in and out like mad.

2:29: Oh wow has it been 20 minutes since I typed something. How long is this movie?

2:34: The audio is finicky again, and the movie's about to end.

2:42: Movie's over, and they're saying their thanks for watching.

2:42: Thanks for reading! (Maybe we should stick with Sci Fi movies from now on.)

If you want to check it out yourself, you'll have to have a copy of the movie on Blu-ray and a Blu-ray player that supports BD-Live. If not, just check out Giz tomorrow when I give you the highlights live.

And for those who are curious as to how these director's commentary live screenings have been going, here's our Terminator Salvation liveblog in which I almost stabbed myself with a beer bottle.

Update: Here's the link you can use to sign up for the screening. [Warner Bros BD Live]

So far, they've got this going for a few hundred titles it looks like, and it's restricted to the US, but hopefully it grows. (And hopefully, they'll stop being stingy with the high def streams.) Just look for the Disc+ on Demand logo on movie pages to see if it's eligible. [Amazon via NewTeeVee]

It's going to be the first audio commentary that's live streamed from off the disc, so that'll be interesting to see, even if the movie (or the commentary) won't live up to expectations.

Stuff like this is indicative of the problems with the Blu-ray format. Not only did they launch the format with players not fully supporting basic stuff like Ethernet ports for over-the-internet updates, it took them almost two years to get suppliers onto the Blu-ray 2.0 format, which more or less made them catch up with HD DVD's feature set. Blu-ray didn't just put the cart before the horse, they rolled the cart down a hill, waited a year, and asked the horse politely if it could go find the cart.

I don't want this post to be just a chance to re-hash all the old issues with Blu-ray, but really. Three years. It took three years for you guys to get your act together and realize most of the people—the mainstream, not Gizmodo readers—now don't really see the need to buy new players, new discs and new TVs just to watch movies in high def. Hell, one in five people can't tell the difference between SD and HD.

Don't get me wrong; this is a wonderful idea. With combo discs you can eliminate the need for standalone DVD releases, thereby saving shelf space AND putting Blu-ray discs in the hands of people that wouldn't necessarily have purchased Blu-ray. Once these unwitting customers collect enough Blu-ray combo discs, they just might buy a cheap BD player and convert. Really, it's a great sales tactic and something that will ease the transition for the less technologically inclined.

But answer me this, Blu-ray consortium: why did it take you three extra years to pull this off?

The first movies that'll be Flippers will be new releases of the Bourne trilogy next month. Truthfully, this idea isn't quite as ridiculous as I want to say it is—like the wet dream of an Akihabara store video clerk—as long as the discs don't cost any more than standard Blu-ray discs. I wouldn't exactly call it "future-proofing" your video collection, as Universal does.

This is kind of like the real HD DVD, huh?

Universal Studios Home Entertainment GIVES CONSUMERS ULTIMATE CONTROL AND FLEXIBILITY WITH Revolutionary New Blu-ray™ hi-def and DVD "Flipper" Discs BEGINNING With the ReleaseS OF

The Bourne Identity
The Bourne Supremacy
The Bourne Ultimatum

Industry-Changing Dual-Format Technology Features Both 
Blu-ray™ and DVD Versions on One Disc

Universal City, California, December 1, 2009 – In a move that is poised to elevate the Blu-ray™ Hi-Def format and provide consumers with the ultimate in convenience and viewing flexibility, Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE) announced the introduction of groundbreaking dual-format discs containing both Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD versions of some of Hollywood's most iconic films. An industry first, the new "flipper" discs will launch on January 19, 2010 with the blockbuster superspy thrillers The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, starring Matt Damon, premiering as individually packaged Blu-ray™ discs.

For the first time ever, consumers will have the ability to choose between Blu-ray™ and DVD formats, simply by flipping a single disc. With complete utility in one convenient package, the revolutionary medium can be used on any DVD or Blu-ray™ compatible player, game platform or computer, making it ideal for anyone planning to upgrade to Blu-ray™ at a future date as well as current owners of both Blu-ray™ and DVD systems. Each side of Universal's flipper discs includes the entire movie as well as all available bonus features, with the Blu-ray™ side featuring exciting BD exclusives such as U-Control and BD-Live™.

"Universal's flipper discs are the perfect way for consumers to future-proof their collections while still enjoying their favorite movies on all their existing DVD players," said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "The flipper disc offers an easy way for viewers to convert to Blu-ray now or at any time in the future, confident in the fact they will be able to experience their home entertainment purchases in the highest quality picture and sound when they do."

The release will mark the first time the Bourne trilogy, one of the highest grossing action movie franchises in history, is available individually in Blu-ray's™ renowned perfect picture and purest digital sound. Each film is accompanied by an array of exciting bonus features that plunge viewers deeper in to the shadowy world of international espionage, including top-secret files, challenging strategy games, fascinating filmmakers and actor profiles, commentary, deleted scenes and Universal's renowned BD-Live™ functionality.

Riddled with deception, intrigue and high-octane thrills, each chapter of the globe-hopping search for Jason Bourne's true identity raises the stakes another lethal notch as the undercover killer settles old scores and uncovers new secrets. A commanding roster of acclaimed actors accompanies Damon on his quest, including Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles, Franka Potente, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Albert Finney.

CONTENT OVERVIEW & SYNOPSES:

THE BOURNE IDENTITY

FILM SYNOPSIS:
After being pulled from the sea with two bullets in his back, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) awakens on a fishing boat with no memory of his involvement in a top-secret, black ops arm of the CIA called Treadstone. The only clue to his identity is the number of a Swiss bank account in which he discovers an array of passports and weapons, as well as a fortune in cash. As he struggles to regain his memory, his former employers dub him a rogue agent and target him for termination. When an equally deadly assassin codenamed "Professor" (Clive Owen) is sent to dispose of him, Bourne rediscovers his extraordinary survival skills, including hand-to-hand combat, martial arts and multiple languages and begins to understand who he really is. As he struggles to unlock the secret of his own identity, Bourne has to deal with his past in order to ensure his own future.

BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE:
Exclusive U-Control: Universal's exclusive signature feature U-Control allows viewers to delve into the making of the film with the click of the remote without ever leaving the movie. While you watch the movie, immerse yourself in the character dossiers and location analyses, and explore the technology behind the spy gadgets through visuals and 3-D animations.
Picture in Picture
Bourne Orientation
Bourne Card Battle Strategy Game
Treadstone Files: Includes interactive Character Dossiers, Agent Status info and GPS features.
BD-Live™: Blu-ray™ and Playstation3 players with an Internet connection can access exclusive interactive applications that allow viewers to communicate with friends and family while watching the film:
My Scenes Sharing: Share your favorite clips with friends through BD-Live™ Internet discussions.
Bourne Card Battle Strategy Game.
Additional extras:
My Scenes
The Ludlum Identity: An extraordinary portrait of the best-selling author through archival interviews with friends, colleagues, family members and Ludlum himself.
The Ludlum Supremacy: Who is Jason Bourne? A revealing look at how Bourne was born.
The Ludlum Ultimatum: A fascinating examination of the Bourne character and his enduring audience appeal.
The Birth of the Bourne Identity
Deleted and Extended Scenes (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Alternate Opening and Ending: With an introduction by producer Frank Marshall, screenwriter Tony Gilroy and actor Brian Cox. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
The Bourne Mastermind: Robert Ludlum: A fascinating new look at the late Robert Ludlum, the bestselling novelist who created the "Bourne" trilogy. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Access Granted: An exclusive interview with screenwriter Tony Gilroy on the challenges of adapting Ludlum's 500-page book for the screen. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
From Identity to Supremacy – Jason & Marie: This feature includes exclusive interviews with Matt Damon and Franka Potente which explore the making of The Bourne Identity - and build a bridge to the spectacular sequel, The Bourne Supremacy. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
The Bourne Diagnosis: Insights into the causes and effects of Jason Bourne's struggle with amnesia from a UCLA psychologist. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Cloak and Dagger: In this feature, CIA liaison officer Chase Brandon delivers a detailed, real-world analysis of the making of a super-spy. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Inside a Fight Sequence: Join Matt Damon on the set as he and the film's Stunt Choreographer map out the explosive action-packed U.S. Embassy fight sequence. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Moby "Extreme Ways" Music Video (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Feature Commentary with Director Doug Liman (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)

THE BOURNE SUPREMACY

FILM SYNOPSIS:
When his lover is murdered and he is framed for the assassination of a fellow agent, Jason Bourne finds himself on the run again. But as he closes in on his girlfriend's killers, he realizes his former handlers are back on his trail. After his fingerprints are found at the scene of a murder in Berlin, an ambitious CIA operative (Joan Allen) becomes determined to stop him once and for all. Haunted by debilitating fragmented memories as he navigates the labyrinth of international espionage, Bourne (Matt Damon) must outwit, outmaneuver and outmuscle some of the most powerful forces in the world just to survive.

BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE:
Exclusive U-Control: Universal's exclusive signature feature U-Control allows viewers to delve into the making of the film with the click of the remote without ever leaving the movie. While you watch the movie, immerse yourself in the character dossiers and location analyses, and explore the technology behind the spy gadgets through visuals and 3-D animations.
Picture in Picture
Bourne Orientation
Bourne Card Battle Strategy Game
Bourne Dossier
BD-Live™: Blu-ray™ and Playstation3 players with an Internet connection can access exclusive interactive applications that allow viewers to communicate with friends and family while watching the film:
My Scenes Sharing: Share your favorite clips with friends through BD-Live™ Internet discussions.
Bourne Card Battle Strategy Game.
Additional extras:
My Scenes
Scoring with John Powell: A special look at creating the pulse-pounding score for the movie. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
The Bourne Mastermind: Robert Ludlum: A fascinating new look at the late Robert Ludlum, the bestselling novelist who created the "Bourne" trilogy.
The Bourne Diagnosis Part Two: Insights into the causes and effects of Jason Bourne's struggle with amnesia from a UCLA psychologist.
Feature Commentary with Paul Greengrass (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Explosive Deleted Scenes (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Matching Identities: Casting – See what it took to land a key role in this major action hit. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Keeping It Real – A look at the edgy and kinetic visual style the filmmakers brought to Supremacy. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Blowing Things Up – Virtual isn't always better. See how some of the film's most awesome pyrotechnical sequences were created-without digital effects. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
On the Move with Jason Bourne – Travel the globe to visit the film's exotic locations from India to Berlin to Moscow. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Bourne to Be Wild: Fight Training – Matt Damon didn't become a lethal weapon overnight. Witness the action as the star and the movie's fight trainer perfect the film's thrilling hand-to-hand combat scenes! (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Crash Cam: Racing Through the Streets of Moscow – Experience how stunt coordinators meticulously planned and executed the movie's stunning, high-speed chase sequence. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
The Go-Mobile Revs Up the Action – Feel the rush of being in the driver's seat with this revolutionary new vehicle used to capture Matt Damon's high-speed exploits in the film's jaw-dropping car chase sequences! (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Anatomy of a Scene: The Explosive Bridge Chase Scene – Step onto the set and experience the tension and intense preparation as the filmmaking team plans and shoots one of the movie's most demanding, dangerous and thrilling action scenes. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)

THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM

FILM SYNOPSIS:
All he wanted was to disappear. Instead, Jason Bourne (Damon) is now hunted by the people who made him what he is. Having lost his memory and the one person he loved, Bourne has only one objective: to go back to the beginning and find out who he was. Now, Bourne will hunt down his past in order to find a future. He must travel from Moscow, Paris and London to Tangier and New York City as he continues his quest to uncover the truth behind his mysterious past-all the while trying to outwit a new generation of highly-trained assassins as well as the relentless CIA operatives who will stop at nothing to prevent him from learning his true identity.

BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE:
Exclusive U-Control: Universal's exclusive signature feature U-Control allows viewers to delve into the making of the film with the click of the remote without ever leaving the movie. While you watch the movie, immerse yourself in the character dossiers and location analyses, and explore the technology behind the spy gadgets through visuals and 3-D animations.
Picture in Picture
Bourne Orientation
Be Bourne Spy Training – Viewers test their skills to see if they've got what it takes to be a covert operative.
Bourne Card Battle Strategy Game
Blackbriar Files: While you watch the movie, immerse yourself in the character dossiers and location analyses, and explore the technology behind the spy gadgets through visuals and 3D animations.
BD-Live™: Blu-ray™ and Playstation3 players with an Internet connection can access exclusive interactive applications that allow viewers to communicate with friends and family while watching the film:
My Scenes Sharing: Share your favorite clips with friends through BD-Live™ Internet discussions.
Bourne Card Battle Strategy Game.
Additional extras:
My Scenes
Man on the Move: Jason Bourne – From Berlin to Tangier, see how the film's exotic locations influenced the filmmaking process. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Rooftop Pursuit – Discover how state-of-the-art technology was used to film the incredible Tangier rooftop chase scene! (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Planning the Punches – Matt Damon reveals his complex and rigorous fight training. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Driving School – Join Matt Damon behind the wheel as he trains for the New York car chase scene. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
New York Chase – An insider's view on how the film's heart-stopping chase sequences were filmed. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Feature Commentary with Director Paul Greengrass (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
Deleted Scenes (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)

Mr. Skin has mentioned this new ability before the expose in the current issue of The New Yorker, including in an episode of Doug Benson's fantastic podcast, I Love Movies. Basically, the higher resolution makes what was once a blur visible. In Fleshbot's words:

Where once there was but a dark shadow, now we're presented with bush (or at least more boobage). Where...no, actually, that's pretty much the end of the story.

We certainly hope Mr. Skin is getting a kickback from Sony for all the Blu-ray promotion. His love of the format has certainly gotten me more interested in this wondrous bush-revealing technology. [Fleshbot]

Let me explain: the menu screen for Never Been Kissed appears momentarily when the disc is loaded, then reverts to the standard Fight Club menu. It's actually a brilliantly hilarious gag perpetrated by director David Fincher for the release. Not only are the two movies polar opposites of one another, but Never Been Kissed outgrossed Fight Club when both movies were released in 1999. To her credit, Drew has a good sense of humor about the whole thing. As a producer on the film, she gave the go-ahead for the prank. [A.V. Club via Yahoo Movies]

Trade in Your DVDs, Plus a Couple Bucks, and Get the Blu-ray Versions

Warner set up a DVD to Blu-ray exchange program called, appropriately enough, DVD2Blu, as sort of a more-tempting version of its HD-DVD to Blu-ray version. The problem is, it's not actually that great of a deal; you're limited to Warner movies, obviously, but it also costs $8-10 per DVD, plus $5 shipping, for the exchange. You might actually be better off just hitting Best Buy or Walmart or whatever and looking for sales, since DVD2Blu could cost you 18 bucks plus the agony of waiting for your new HD copy of The Wedding Singer: Totally Awesome Edition to arrive. [Engadget]

Steve Ballmer Acknowledges Apple's Gains, Remains Cocky

Microsoft held a shareholder's meeting this morning, led by the always-dynamic Steve Ballmer, and an interesting question came up: Why does Microsoft have such a lousy reputation among certain demographics, like, say, upper-middle-class college kids? Ballmer admitted that Apple's been seeing some gains that, while small, are a clear sign that Microsoft has room for improvement, either in marketing or product positioning. It's a pretty clear-headed statement from Ballmer—after all, he notes, Microsoft still has an insane marketshare, even in the high-end consumer demo, so despite Apple's visibility, Microsoft doesn't exactly have cause for concern. That level-headedness is why this story's in Remainders: Where's the explosive, frothing-at-the-mouth, prone to Bidenesque gaffes Ballmer we all know and, um, know? [TechFlash]

Sanyo to Build Houses Powered by Solar Energy and Li-Ion Batteries

Sanyo, considered Japan's "greenest" electronics manufacturer (sort of like being the best-dressed homeless person), is about to start building solar-powered, lithium-ion-based homes in its native country. The houses are all equipped with LED lighting, solar-powered water heater, all that stuff. They'll be a little pricey, at around $355,000—an equivalent non-green house would cost $62,000 less, although the Sanyo houses come with a $30,000 government subsidy. It's in Remainders because it's Japan only, and because I don't understand enough Japanese to learn any more about it. [Crunchgear]

Sony Announces Vague "iTunes-Like" Store on PlayStation Network for Books, Movies, Music

Sony announced the tentatively named Sony Online Service today—it's described as an "iTunes-like" service on the PlayStation Network, offering movies, music, and books, all media for which Sony also sells accompanying hardware. It'll also allow users to upload their own video, and will probably have support for independent app development later on down the road. We don't really know much else, like, say, a launch date or pricing (or even a final name), so it winds up here, alone in the dark corner of Gizmodo we call Remainders. [AppleInsider via Engadget]

Cell Phones
Verizon Samsung SCH-u350 Prepaid Cell Phone - $9.99 *

Computers
Buy a HP Mini 1020 or 1030 Netbook, Get 1 Neoprene Sleeve and Microsoft Wireless 3000 Mouse Free - $0.00 *
HP Mini 1020 Netbook - 10.1", Windows XP, 160GB HDD - $299.99 *

Digital Cameras
Kodak EasyShare Digital Camera Bundle (M340) - $99.99 *
Vivitar V8025 Digital Camera - 8.1MP, 8x Zoom - $49.99 *

Digital Media Cards
Dane-Elec 4GB Micro SD Memory Card with 3-in-1 Reader - $8.99 *

DVD Players
GFM Progressive Scan DVD Player - $19.99 *
GPX 10.2" Portable DVD Player - $99.99 *
Sylvania Blu-ray Disc Player - $89.00 *

Electronics
Deluxe V-Rocker SE Wireless Video Rocker - $49.99 *
iLive Home Dock for iPod - $19.99 *
Meijer PowerCell Pack Batteries (AA/AAA 12-pk, C/D 6-pk, 9V 3-pk) - $3.99 *
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Hard Drives
Seagate 1TB Desktop Hard Drive - $79.00 *

Timex Watches - 35% Off *

Kitchen & Housewares
Magic Bullet Express Blender - $34.99 *
T-Fail Performance Stainless Steel Copper Bottom Cookware Set 10-pc. (After Rebate) - $79.99 *

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One General Merchandise Item 15% OFF with Coupon, Excludes Doorbusters, Good only on 11/27 5AM to Noon, Exclusions Apply - $0.00 *

Movies
Blu-ray Movies - Over 24 Title to Choose From - (Live Free or Die Hard, Die Another Day, Speed and more) - $9.00 *
DVD Movies - 13 Titles to Choose From (Marly and Me, Mall Cop, Coraline, Fast & Furious and more) - $8.00 *
DVD Movies - Over 50 Titles to Choose From (Meet the Fockers, Friday Night Lights, Underworld, Leatherheads and more) - $3.00 *

MP3 Players
Apple iPod touch 8GB w/ $50 Meijer Coupon - $199.00 *

Networking & Wireless
D-Link Wireless N Router - $19.99 *

Portable USB Storage
SanDisk USB Flash Drive - 4GB - $9.00 *
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Koolaroo 8 Pc. Kids' 5x3 Tent Combo - $19.99 *
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Television
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Stanley 8 Gallon Stainless Steel Shop Vac with Accessories - $39.99 *
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All Video Games Priced $19.99 or Less - 50% Off *
Buy Any Xbox 360 Game System or Bundle, Get Grand Theft Auto IV and Halo 3 FREE - $0.00 *
Buy a PS3 120GB Slim Console, Get 2 Buy-ray Movies and 2 Video Games (Exclusions Apply) - $0.00 *
Nintendo DSi Video Game System w/ FREE $30 Meijer Coupon Good For Your Next Purchase - $169.99 *
Nintendo Wii Console w/ $50 OFF Your Next Meijer Purchase Coupon - $199.99 * [Black Friday]

Both the the Shift: Intel P55 and the Shift: Intel X58 are powered by Intel Core i7 900 processors running Windows 7. ATI Radeo HD and NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards are featured, and I'm sure the discerning gamer expects nothing less.

Storage options include up to six mechanical or 12 SSD drives. The two diverge on memory specs, with the P55 containing up to 8GB DDR3-1600 low latency RAM and the X58 up to 12GB DDR3-2000 or 24GB DDR3-1600. DVD or Blu-Ray drives are options for both rigs while a standard Asetek closed-loop liquid cooling system keeps things chilled.

Pricing begins at an optimistic $2,199 and $2,599, respectively, although with all the options listed above that can (and probably will) climb much, much higher. Since Shift is the only PC that Maingear going's to focus on selling from now on, I hope it works it out for them.

GM's offering in-car internet for $500 and +$29 a month. Great! This is a stupid thing to get—think about devices like the MiFi, and ask yourself who would buy this. Plus, do you really want to buy a GM? If you go American, go Ford. They have cool tech! [Engadget]
Apple stores are ditching those clunky handheld point of sale computers—which are Windows-run—for iPod touches that can do the same thing. There's no way to write this story up without making an easy Microsoft joke, which isn't fair because those point of sale units have been a big part of why Apple stores have been such easy places to drop loads of cash. [AppleInsider]
Virgin erases Helio and the Ocean 2. But not before we erased the love and care we had back in 2007 for the company. Remember how progressive they were? Were? [Mobile Crunch]
JVC's $200 Blu-ray player does not stream media and does not cost less than the LG bd370 which does. It doesn't even cost less than the PS3, which also, you know, plays games. Do not buy. [JVC]

Watch it, share it, do what you like. And if you just want the short and sweet, here again are our five featured bits (shot and edited by Mike Short):

Steve Ballmer Exclusive Interview Series:
Part 1: Ballmer Talks Natal, Says Blu-ray Add-On for Xbox Coming
Part 2: Ballmer on the Smartphone Race: "It Doesn't Matter What the Critics Say"
Part 3: Ballmer on Zune: Sometimes You Get It Right The Third Time?
Part 4: Ballmer on Those Crazy Ballmer YouTube Videos
Part 5: Ballmer Optimistic About Win 7, But Says Vista Is "Very Popular"

Here's the full statement:

Steve was referring to Blu-ray accessories for the PC. As we have said in the past, we have no plans to introduce a Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360. In fact, the future of home entertainment starts this fall when Xbox 360 becomes the first and only console to offer instant-on 1080p streaming HD movies. With a library of thousands of TV shows and movies to choose from, Xbox 360 owners can instantly watch the movies they want, when they want, in the highest form of high definition.

This more clearly worded denial probably should have come last night, when we first asked for comment, instead of the more open-ended one provided at the time. Whatever... easy come, easy go. However, the idea that Ballmer was referring to the PC—which already has Blu-ray drives—rather than simply saying something that wasn't true, that's a little more questionable.

One more time, for posterity, this is what Ballmer said in reply to a question about putting Blu-ray in Xbox:

Well I don't know if we need to put Blu-ray in there—you'll be able to get Blu-ray drives as accessories.

Steve Ballmer Exclusive Interview Series:
Part 1: Ballmer Talks Natal, Says Blu-ray Add-On for Xbox Coming
Part 2: Ballmer on the Smartphone Race: "It Doesn't Matter What the Critics Say"
Part 3: Ballmer on Zune: Sometimes You Get It Right The Third Time?
Part 4: Ballmer on Those Crazy Ballmer YouTube Videos

When I asked Ballmer about adding Blu-ray to the Xbox, he said:

Well I don't know if we need to put Blu-ray in there—you'll be able to get Blu-ray drives as accessories.

Though he says it with certitude, the timing of any kind of Blu-ray accessory is unclear. Could he have mispoken? Certainly. However, when I asked Xbox spokespeople about Ballmer's revelation, they responded:

Our immediate solution for Blu-ray-quality video on an Xbox 360 is coming this fall with Zune Video and 1080p instant-on HD streaming. As far as our future plans are concerned, we're not ready to comment.

Microsoft PR is good — we trust them to say no if they're not making one, and in this case, the best strategy is a "no comment". Which turns out to be a comment.

Of course, his Blu-ray comment may not mean that Microsoft is coming out with an external drive—he may have just been shooting down the idea that the Xbox 360 will ever have an internal Blu-ray drive, by saying that any Blu-ray the Xbox gets would have to be external. On the other hand he did actually say, "You'll be able to get Blu-ray drives as accessories."

As you can see in our back-and-forth, Ballmer plays his cards close to the chest, but in my sit-down interview with him, he shared a lot. Prior to the Blu-ray business, Ballmer and I talked about Natal, and the excitement that Matt and Mark experienced when they stepped into the chamber back at E3. When I asked him if Natal was Microsoft's attempt to do away with concept of game console generations (thereby prolonging the life of a given platform indefinitely), Ballmer smiled knowingly and said "We'll see."

Stay tuned for more exciting Ballmer moments (and facial expressions) over the next day, and then the full uncut interview video on Friday. Video by Mike Short

Steve Ballmer Exclusive Interview Series:
Part 1: Ballmer Talks Natal, Says Blu-ray Add-On for Xbox Coming
Part 2: Ballmer on the Smartphone Race: "It Doesn't Matter What the Critics Say"
Part 3: Ballmer on Zune: Sometimes You Get It Right The Third Time?

Insignia, Best Buy's house brand, offers the NS-BRDVD3 at $180, with the NS-WBRDVD adding Wi-Fi to the mix for $20 more (seems worth the upgrade to us). All it takes is a firmware upgrade and you can start streaming Netflix. It's great to see Netflix invading our homes, one gadget at a time. Here's hoping smartphones are next! [Netflix via Engadget]

Actually, according to this frame captured from the Blu-ray edition, our favorite astromech appears 2 hours 17 minutes and 52 seconds in the movie, during the merge of Jetfire's parts to Optimus Prime.

It looks like the real thing to me. Those look like his three feet, as he is flying away from the camera. They are too symmetric to be a piece of random metal, and I can see his shape. But then again, I've been wrong before.

Update: A reader sent us this other frame, which clearly shows that's R2-D2. [Transformers Live]

• The D-Link DIR-685 router/media server/digital photo frame is out today. You can check out Jason's review for his full impressions. In essence he found the router to be "very interesting and very promising," but not without fault. His complaints? It's a bit pricey, and the fan can be loud when a 2.5" hard drive is installed (Update: Dlink wrote to tell us that they've toned down the fan noise, so it may not be an issue any more). Still, it's an intriguing package, and the extra cost over a standard router may be worth it for anyone looking to cut down on networked gear clutter. Ships today for $300. [Product Page]

• Pioneer's new professional Blu-ray player might be pricey, but at least it's not missing any crucial features like BD-Live. The BDP-V6000 is labeled as a professional player based on the inclusion of a serial interface that pro home installers can use, and the its ability to decode both PAL and NTSC material.

What I don't understand is how it's taken these "professional" players so long to catch up to standard consumer players in terms of some no-brainer features. If I'm going to drop a grand on a Blu-ray player, it damn well better have BD-Live built in. Luckily, unlike some other stupid expensive players, the BDP-V6000 does. But it's still not enough to get me to pay $1,000 for a Blu-ray player. That's just me, though. If you're so inclined, you can grab one today for, you guessed it, $1,000. [Product Page]

According to a recent survey by In-Stat, only 43% of respondents who were interested in owning a 3D television to begin with (meaning, a fraction of the real population to begin with) were willing to spend <$200 extra on a 3D-compatible TV. Of the same group, only 33% would pay an extra <$50 for a 3D-compatible Blu-ray player.

But here's the kicker: 67% of those interested in 3D entertainment were willing to spend <$5 on 3D Blu-ray discs. In other words, consumers are willing to pay for a mostly artificial price premium rather than one fully explainable by technical merit. Rape our wallets at will, Hollywood. [Home Media Magazine via EngadgetHD and image]

The most immediate (and maybe most promising) is Live Lookup. It'll be on the Wolverine disc (you know, the same one that has the PSPgo digital copy).

Live Lookup allows you to hit a button and be linked to IMDB. Actors can be sorted by scene, allowing you to search for bikini shots of cute, female b-listers later. Check it out in the lead photo.

Load times should be diminished or even eliminated, but at a cost. Fox plans to load BD menus while you watch previews. So things may not actually get faster, but you may have more incentive to sit through all that extra promotional material that shouldn't be on a BD in the first place.

Finally, we may even control a BD player through a remote device, like an iPhone. Not only could you search for content without popping a guide up onscreen, but the BD player could stream additional content to this second, personal screen.

These are all great ideas, but hopefully more studios than just Fox will adopt them. Read more of what Fox had to say on the matter over at: [SlashFilm]

I was tempted to try to find a late-90s press release for Pioneer's first 12x CD burner to see how closely the language matched this one—let's just assume "very"—but a) I couldn't find one, and b) I didn't want to diminish Pioneer's achievement here too much—any device that cuts into the atrociously long Blu-ray burn times we've become slowly and begrudgingly accustomed to is a categorically good thing. The BDR-205 is due in October for $250. [Crunchgear]

Pioneer Launches First 12x Blu-ray Disc Writer

High-Speed 12x Write Capability Lets Professional Users and Enthusiasts Quickly Test, Author and Preserve High Definition Content

LONG BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today announces its new BDR-205 Blu-ray Disc® Computer Writer, the industry's first and fastest model to feature up to 12x write speed for single and dual-layer Blu-ray Disc (BD) media*. Ideal for authoring providers and system builders, the Pioneer® BD/DVD/CD Writer provides accurate, rapid performance for demanding professional applications.

"The BDR-205 drive represents our ongoing efforts to combine Pioneer's engineering expertise with advanced technologies, and our next generation Blu-ray Disc writer is a great example of our no-compromise approach to optical disc product development," said Steve Cohn, director of optical disc sales for Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. "We are bringing to market the fastest Blu-ray Disc writer to date, and it is just one of the many 'firsts' that have come to define Pioneer's 30-year heritage in optical disc innovation and leadership."

Dynamic Performance for an Array of Professional Users

When utilized with a properly configured PC, the drive's Low Vibration Mechanism Design improves overall writing accuracy, especially for those preserving copious amounts of critical data. Designed for maximum flexibility, Pioneer's writer provides significant solutions for multiple user groups, including:

* System builders can confidently recommend the sophisticated BDR-205 to their clients, noting the drive's unique design, robust build quality and high grade parts
* With 50Gbytes** of storage space on a dual-layer Blu-ray Disc, professional users can utilize the BDR-205 to rapidly test high definition feature films during the authoring process, as well as to back up large volumes of data with ease
* Besides up to 12x write speeds for Blu-ray Disc media, Pioneer's new computer drive also provides read and write speed performance up to 16x for DVD and 40x for CD media

The new BDR-205 Blu-ray Disc computer writer begins shipping October 2009. The retail version of this product, the BDR-2205, will be available Q1 2010 for $249 MSRP.

Pioneer has been an innovator of optical disc technology since it shipped its first LaserDisc products, the precursor to DVD, to the consumer market in 1980. Pioneer went on to introduce the first DVD writer for video authoring use in 1997, the first DVD recorder as a VCR replacement in 1999, the first DVD/CD writer for home computer users in 2001 and the first Blu-ray Disc writer in 2006. Pioneer Corporation is one of the original Blu-ray Disc Founders. More details can be located at www.pioneerelectronics.com.

Godzilla and The Ugly Truth—both Sony Pictures films—will include extra discs that won't do anything special when placed in a standard Blu-ray player. But when played in a PS3, users will be able to download a PSP-exclusive digital copy. The PSP copy can be downloaded over USB (we doubt it will work over Remote Play, but that'd be pretty handy).

Whether or not you own the necessary PS3/PSP combo or have any interest in digital copies of your Blu-ray movies, this news seems like yet another reason why the PS3 makes for the most attractive BD player on the market. While it doesn't have features like Netflix streaming, Sony will always put the new stuff on the PS3 first. [Blu-ray via Joystiq]

Yep, that's Blu-ray on a Toshiba laptop. Don't be shocked, you knew it was coming. The X500 also has an HDMI-CEC port, Harmon/Kardon speakers, a multi-touch touchpad (two-finger pinch, swipe, rotate, scroll), and a LED-backlit keyboard with a 10-key numberpad.

Toshiba says you'll be able to tailor the processor and DDR3 memory (it's still deciding on specifics), opt for a 1080p or 720p-capable screen, and go with either a 7200rpm hard disk on its own, or combined with a solid-state drive. We'll know full specs and pricing sometime in mid-October.

Looks like a pretty decent addition to the Qosmio family, but you'll have to wait until Windows 7 arrives on October 22 to get your hands on one.

Microsoft obviously has a more complicated relationship with "industry" standards, because anything it decides is its standard—even proprietary ones—becomes a kind of de facto standard for everybody else, simply because of Microsoft's overwhelming marketshare. This was more true in the past than today, with Microsoft playing ball with everybody else more often.

Microsoft's AV Club
Let's start with Windows Media Audio—most commonly, it's known as Microsoft's proprietary audio codec that at one point fought the good fight against MP3, but is now much more, having grown into a sprawling family of various codecs with multiple versions. To name a few of the current ones, there's WMA 9, WMA 9 Lossless and WMA 10 Pro. Microsoft says it offers superior quality/compression over MP3, with "CD quality at data rates from 64 to 192 kilobits per second." Needless to say, while it's baked into Windows Media Player for ripping CDs and is supported by a fairly wide range of PMPs and phones, it obviously never displaced MP3, nor is it ascendant as the "new" standard like AAC (the official successor of MP3), basically since it isn't supported by the iPod, which owns over 70 percent of the MP3 player market. WMA Pro, despite being an even better codec than WMA, has more limited support still, mostly with Microsoft's own hardware, like the Xbox 360 and Zune.

WMA's more ignoble legacy, undoubtedly, is PlaysForSure, Microsoft's grand attempt to standardize the entire digital music industry (except Apple, or rather, against Apple) by getting everybody on the same page. PlaysForSure was technically a certification for players and services with a variety of requirements, but support for WMA, WMV and Windows Media DRM is what it amounted to in practice. Microsoft succeeded, for a time: Pretty much every PMP maker and services from Walmart, Rhapsody, MSN Music, Yahoo, Napster and others were all aboard PlaysForSure. Then it imploded. As every real music service went to DRM-free MP3, Microsoft re-branded it to Certified for Windows Vista. Which, incidentally, was a badge they slapped on the Zune, Microsoft's own audio player that didn't actually support PlaysForSure. When Microsoft ditched its own standard for its premiere player, everybody knew PlaysForSure was dead.

Windows Media has been more successful on the video front, with WMV. Like WMA, it's gone through multiple versions: At one point (WMV 7) merely Microsoft's take on the MPEG-2 standard, Microsoft actually succeeded in making it a genuine industry standard, with WMV 9 becoming the basis for the VC-1 codec that's backed by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. VC-1 is part of the spec for both HD DVD and Blu-ray, though at this point it's really just an alternative to H.264, which is becoming the dominant modern video codec. WMV saw some success as the codec of choice for some services during the heyday or PlaysForSure (since WMV support was part of the certification), but now it sees a lot of action as the video codec for Silverlight, Microsoft's Adobe Flash competitor.

Internet Exploder
Silverlight itself actually isn't doing so bad, considering it's fighting Flash, which is installed on the vast majority of internet-connected computers, powering Netflix's streaming service and last summer, NBC's streaming Olympics coverage. But like Flash, it's proprietary, which is obviously a bit disconcerting for people who want an open web. Which brings us to Internet Explorer. The early history of IE and Netscape is grossly complicated, but suffice it to say, being included with Windows eventually gave IE over 90 percent of browser marketshare. In other words, Microsoft defined how an overwhelming majority of people looked at the internet for years—meaning it essentially defined what the internet look like. Microsoft essentially stopped moving forward with IE6, sitting on its ass for years, which is a problem since it's totally non-compliant with what most people would call modern web standards. (Short version: Web developers hate IE6.) With IE8, which entered a new world with Firefox having devoured a huge chunk of its marketshare, Microsoft supports actual real web standards (mostly—it still fails the Acid3 test miserably). And, they're actually serious about HTML5, even though they're not planning to implement the controversial video aspect at all.

Do You Trust Me?
Obviously, Microsoft's in an odd spot in part because the constant specter of antitrust allegations hang over its head—it's had to de-couple Internet Explorer from Windows in Europe, and it's moved to separate other stuff from the core OS, like even its mail, video and photo applications, making it harder to achieve the kind of de facto standards through sheer force of market like before.

Which might be part of the reason it's moving to make tech legit industry standards—besides VC-1 above, for instance, its HD Photo has become the basis for the successor to JPEG, now dubbed JPEG XR. Also, it's simply that standards matter more now than ever as people do more and more of their computing on the web, on multiple platforms from Windows desktops to Android phones, so industry-wide standards are way preferable to proprietary formats, even if most people still are on Windows.

Increasingly, if Microsoft wants people to use their tech, they're going to have to open it up in the same quasi-way Apple has (it'll also go a long way with the whole trust/control issues people have with Microsoft). So don't surprised if you see Microsoft continue to "open up" and "standardize." Just don't be surprised if the standards they embrace have Microsoft tech at the core.

Still something you wanna know? Send questions about standards, things that are open other than your mom's legs or Steve Ballmer's deodorant to tips@gizmodo.com, with "Giz Explains" in the subject line.

Just how long will we have to wait? There's no information on that, but we do know that Sharp is going through some testing of the devices:

Sharp has already verified the reliability of the new blue-violet semiconductor laser. It confirmed that the laser operated for more than 1,000 hours under the temperature of 80°C with a pulse width of 30ns and an output of 500mW.

Sounds safe enough to me, but sadly that stage is nowhere near actual products shipping. Let's hope they hurry up, especially since we've had the discs collecting dust for a year. [TechOn via electronista]

The Goldmund Eidos Reference Blue Blu-ray Player has all of the touchstones of audiophile snake oil. Gold plating? Check! Heavy dampening? Check! Magnets? Check! But hey, at least if you're willing to drop that much you can be sure that your player is better than anyone else's, complete with every feature imaginable.

Actually, you can't be, because this thing doesn't support internet access or BD-Live. Yes, this is a $135,000 Profile 1.1 player. Nice work, audiophiles. The pathetic thing is that Goldmund will sell the entire 50 unit run of these things to rich idiots who don't do their research. [Ultimate AV Mag via Oh Gizmo! via Dvice]

Adding in the $100 for the dongle, it's about as much as LG's packed-to-the-gills BD390 Wi-Fi player (which now has 1080p Vudu streaming), though not nearly as explosive feature-wise. Still, a Sony Blu-ray player with a $250 MSRP that streams video is something we've been waiting to hear for a while.

NEW SONY BLU-RAY PLAYER Integrates STREAMING INTERNET VIDEO

FOR ULTIMATE HOME ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE

Device to Stream Netflix, YouTube, Slacker, and Other BRAVIA Internet Video Content

ATLANTA (CEDIA Booth # 1409), Sept. 9, 2009 – Offering the best of full HD 1080p and streaming Internet video, Sony today introduced the BDP-N460 networked Blu-ray Disc™ player.

Beside playing Blu-ray Discs and DVDs, the device instantly streams one of the largest collections of premium and free on-demand entertainment from the BRAVIA™ Internet Video platform including thousands of movies, TV programs, and music from YouTube, Slacker, and, later this fall, Netflix.

"Whether its Full HD 1080p or streaming video and audio from the Internet, entertainment comes in so many flavors that consumers want choice," said Chris Fawcett, vice president of Sony Electronics' home audio and video business. "Leading the entertainment experience, Sony brings the best of both worlds together in one player that offers more content than other stand-alone devices on the market."

The BDP-N460 Blu-ray Disc/DVD/CD player delivers full HD 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema™ output, decodes the latest advanced audio codecs, and is BD-LIVE™ capable with your broadband internet connection and purchase of external memory.

The BDP-N460 also features built-in software specially designed for use with the Linksys by Cisco Wireless-N Ethernet Bridge with Dual-Band (WET610N, sold separately). The bridge helps ease the connection between the Ethernet–enabled player and a wireless router in either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz radio band for optimal streaming.

The model also features a cross search function to make finding Internet content on the BRAVIA Internet Video platform easier.

Since many consumers own extensive DVD movie libraries, the BDP-N460 incorporates Sony's Precision Cinema HD Upscale technology that converts standard-definition signals (480i) to near HD quality.

Additionally, the model features Sony's Precision Drive™ technology, which helps to detect and correct wobbling discs from three directions, supporting stabilization of warped or scratched Blu-ray Discs and DVDs during playback.

The BDP-N460 can decode the latest advanced audio codecs including 7.1 channel Dolby® TrueHD and Dolby® Digital Plus, DTS®-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio. The model can also output 7.1 channel L-PCM via HDMI after decoding.

It supports Deep Color video output and x.v.Color™ (xvYCC) technology. The model is compatible with an array of video formats, including BD-R/RE (BDMV and BDAV modes), AVCHD, DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, CD, CD-R/RW (CD-DA format), and JPEG on BD/DVD/CD recordable media.

The model features an external port for local storage so users can add a USB flash storage device required for BD-LIVE content. A front USB port can be used to display digital photos.

Available in October, the BDP-N460 will be offered at Sony Style stores, online at www.sonystyle.com, at military base exchanges, and at authorized retailers nationwide for about $250.

[Sony]

LG ELECTRONICS ADDS VUDU HD MOVIE SERVICE TO

WIRELESS ‘NETCAST' NETWORK BLU-RAY DISC PLAYER

Streaming Movie Service Brings Largest Library of HD Movies to Consumers' Fingertips

ATLANTA, Sept. 9, 2009 – LG Electronics today announced the addition of the high-definition streaming movie service from VUDU, Inc. to the LG Wireless Network Blu-ray Player (model BD390). With VUDU, consumers can instantly buy or rent from an extensive library of movies and TV titles, including an industry-leading catalog of more than 2,200 high-definition (HD) movies. The BD390 with VUDU will be demonstrated here this week at the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) EXPO 2009 (Booth #2623).

The addition of VUDU service to the BD390 adds yet another content provider alliance to the "NetCast Entertainment Access" family of features, which already includes access to hundreds of hours of Netflix, Roxio® CinemaNow®, and YouTube™ streaming content*. Available later this month through a free automatic upgrade, consumers will be able to enjoy VUDU, as well as other exclusive entertainment options at the click of a remote.

"Our alliance with VUDU exemplifies LG's commitment to delivering the ultimate HD viewing experience, by providing instant access to more 1080p movie content than ever before," said Peter Reiner, senior vice president, marketing, LG Electronics USA, Inc. "VUDU is the latest enhancement to our NetCast Entertainment Access feature and we are excited to now provide consumers with one of the most extensive on-demand, high-definition entertainment options on our Wireless Network Blu-ray Player."

The BD390 with NetCast Entertainment Access is available now at nationwide retailers at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $399. VUDU connectivity will be available at the end of the month via a free upgrade.

VUDU Service and Functions

VUDU's streaming movie service delivers a near-instant viewing experience – movies start quickly, including high-definition HDX movies, and viewers can fast forward, rewind and browse chapters without the delays or the frustration associated with slow buffering.

Its unique HDX format, with Full HD 1080p resolution, allows for a crisper, clearer picture, while Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound makes it feel like the action is unfolding in consumers' living rooms.

The VUDU catalog is updated weekly, and newly released movies from major studios are typically available months before they are available on subscription-based services. With no monthly fees and without the hassle of having to buy, install, or connect any additional hardware, it has never been easier for consumers to watch their favorite movies.

"Following the recent launch of VUDU on LG HDTVs with NetCast Entertainment Access, LG's BD390 Network Blu-ray player provides the perfect opportunity for anyone in the market for a Blu-ray player to enjoy VUDU's extensive HD movie library in superior 1080p video quality and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound," said Alain Rossmann, CEO of VUDU. "Through our alliance with LG, VUDU is breaking new ground in delivering high definition Hollywood movies to consumers' living rooms."

Connectivity and Storage

As LG's first-ever wireless Network Blu-ray Player, LG's BD390 transforms and personalizes the home theater experience, by offering a virtually endless array of entertainment options. In addition to its broadband capabilities, the BD390 offers exceptional "Full HD" 1080p video performance and exceptional image quality from standard DVDs with 1080p up-scaling via HDMI output. The BD390 is also equipped for easy connection to the home network and has one gigabyte (GB) of built-in memory for BD Live functionality.

[LG]

You see, the Esprimo is tiny. Almost hockey puck tiny. Get it? But in that tight little form factor is a wealth of surprisingly robust features, like 4GB of memory and a 320GB hard drive for all your tiny file saving needs. Also inside is a Blu-ray optical drive and an accompanying HDMI port, which makes sense. The Core 2 Duo tops everything off.

One last caveat: All those features above are found in the "higher end" model, which is weird to type because the base model will cost a cool grand when it arrives in Germany in late September. [Fujitsu via Slippery Brick via Engadget]

A bit ashamed, he tenuously explained the situation to friends and family, detailing the player's typical 1080p/24fps output while urging his former inlaws that AVCHD support and SD card reading had made the whole decision a lot easier. They didn't understand, but they accepted his decision. They'd loved him once, like a son.

Of course, Toshiba's most judgmental friends noticed that the BDX2000 was a skinnier model than the the HD-XA1 (bless her heart). Plus, she was prone to flaunting around town with a smoked glass finish like she owns the place.

Besides, for $250 this November, most of us would have picked the PS3. [prnewswire and Image]

While many TV makers are using polarized glasses in their 3D concepts, Sony's plans involve high-definition active shutter glasses that alternate the image for the left and right eye. Hopefully they won't make me cross-eyed like my old 3DFX Voodoo shutters did. [Sony]