Gizmodo: Polls

Are Consoles on the Short Track to Extinction?

Adam Frucci — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:15:00 EDT

Former Xbox Europe exec Sandy Duncan recently declared that consoles were a dying breed, due to disappear in a mere 5 to 10 years. At first, it's a laughable remark. I mean, consoles are insanely popular moneymakers, why would they disappear? Sure, physical media will be gone by the next generation, but don't you need a standardized set of hardware and controllers for developers to create games for?

Well, today that's true, but what Sandy was talking about was cluster computing, the idea that down the line, all the brainpower for game consoles will be located remotely. Consumers will have low-power local units that'll just hook up to a display, which a huge, beefy server farm will run the games themselves and pipe them to you over a high-speed internet connection.

It's certainly an interesting idea, as it would stop requiring people to upgrade their PCs with the hottest graphics card and would allow developers to create games as demanding as they're able to power. However, it seems to me that we might still be a bit far away from the bandwidth that would be required for such a setup.

Is super-high speed internet really going to be widespread enough in 5 years for us to ditch local consoles altogether? While I think this idea will take hold and become the norm eventually, I'd be shocked if we didn't have one more generation of high-powered consoles that eschewed physical media. It'll be a stepping stone generation, but with current console lifespans looking to be pretty long and the bandwidth requirements for cluster computing gaming still pretty steep, that whole idea seems to be 10 years away at the very least.

What do you guys think? Are consoles doomed, or do we have a good long time to wait before they become obsolete?

[Reg Hardware and PC World]

Girl Geeks on the Rise, Says Report

Jack Loftus — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EDT

A new report from Solutions Research Group hints that the male-dominated era of technology and gadgets may be coming to an end. Some activities, such as using a DVR to record a TV show, or streaming movies or games, are more popular amongst women than men. Gents, has this happened to you? Take the poll, and see just how our favorite British girl geek handles tech stuff in the video after the jump.

Fave British girl geek after Addy, of course. [Solutions Research Group PDF, via I4U

iPhone Haptic Keyboard Prototype Introduced: Does Anyone Care?

Adam Frucci — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:45:12 EST

A couple of University of Glasgow students have built a prototype of a program that brings haptic touchscreen technology to the iPhone. It's a buggy program, but even if the kinks get worked out a question remains: does anybody need it?

Haptic touchscreens, as you probably know, provide tactical feedback when a button is pressed. In this case, the phone vibrates when you hit a button. As it stands, the program is extremely buggy, crashing out and leaving the vibrations going even after you've hit the button. But even if it was running perfectly, with a short vibration coming every time you hit a button, would you want it?

First of all, having your phone vibrate almost continuously while you type a text message would be annoying. Secondly, it would suck up loads of battery life. Thirdly, it seems like it wouldn't really help at all. At this point, most iPhone users seem pretty used to the keyboard; it's not a major griping point. And while haptic feedback might come in handy for, say, selecting icons from the home screen, it's not going to allow you to select buttons or type without looking like you can with physical buttons. It seems more a gimmick than an upgrade.

What do you think? If you had the option to download a program that added haptic functionality to your iPhone, would you do it?

[Project Page via TUAW]

Vote for Giz

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 17:20:24 EDT

Without trying to stuff the ballot box or anything, the 2007 Weblog Awards ballots are now online, with November 8th being the last day you can vote Giz for Best Technology Blog. We've been a good little Gizmodo, haven't we? And you, well, you're the best little readers, yes you are. Yes you are. If we win, we promise to give each of you a ride in our private Gizmodo jet, taking you to a week-long frolic at the Gawker recreational compound, and then you'll each walk away with your own pony, complete with iPhone holster. That's right, we'll buy you a pony. Vote here. [2007 Weblog Awards]

Facebook Picks an iPod

blongo3 — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 13:52:47 EDT

After weighing all of the GB options and touchscreens versus scroll wheels, we're still not completely sure which iPod or iPhone to get yet, but those profile-happy kids over at Facebook seem to know. With a commanding 31% of the votes the iPod touch is the victor this time around. Although that doesn't tell you the whole story does it? Now for the poll breakdown.

• By Gender•

While the iPod Touch did win in overall votes, women actually preferred the iPod nano more. The tiny competitor received 32% of their votes. And the poor shuffle, no matter what gender, only picked up 4% of the votes with either sex.

• By Age•

With the 13-17, 18-24 and 25-34 crowds all favoring the iPod touch, there seems to be a trend going on here. Although the aging Facebook'ers, 35-49, gave the finger to the iPod Touch (Get it? The Finger. Touch. Sorry-BL) and heralded two new winners, the iPod nano and the iPhone both coming in with 30% of the geriatric vote.

[Facebook]

iPod Overload Offers Up Hard Choices, No Clear Winning Device

Adam Frucci — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:13:15 EDT

With this crazy new iPod lineup, Apple is giving up something we haven't really had before with iPods: a really hard decision. The touch is nice, but 16GB of space sucks. And hey, 160GB on the classic is awesome, but it's lacking any other new features. As someone who is currently rocking a 60GB video iPod, I honestly don't know what to do. None of these new iPods are really what I'm looking for; Apple went and spread the features I want across multiple devices.

I'd love a touch, as having that Wi-Fi would be awesome. But cutting 44GB out of my portable library? And paying $500 for what amounts to a fancy screen and a Wi-Fi device I'll realistically only be able to use at home? I don't know. Then there's the classic, which would be able to hold all 120GB+ of my music with plenty of room to breathe. It's cheaper, would hold everything as well as some videos, but is just, you know, boring. No Wi-Fi, no huge touchscreen, no fun.

Then, of course, there's the third choice: stick with my perfectly fine 60GB iPod and not blow any more money on something I don't need. And with strong reservations about both of my iPod choices, that might just be the option I go with. How about you? Will you be grabbing a touch despite the dinky hard drive? Will you be upgrading to a monster classic? Maybe getting a fatty nano? Or is that iPhone price drop just what you've been waiting for? Let's see what the most desired of the lineup is, shall we?

Are These Format War Battles Helping You Make a Decision?

Adam Frucci — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 11:00:00 EDT

Oh boy, the format war sure is heating up! Isn't in so fun?! HD DVD bribed a couple of studios back to exclusivity! Blu-ray is touring malls with a giant kiosk! There's no end in sight! Both camps are spending a downright obscene amount of money to convince you, John Q. Consumer, that their format is the right choice. Well, is it working? Let us know in our incredibly scientific poll.

[Image courtesy of Engadget]

The AT&T/iPhone Moral Quandary

Adam Frucci — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:30:00 EDT

The iPhone is the most hyped up phone ever, and it's coming next week. People are going to be waiting in line for hours to get their paws on it without having seen it. Hey, it's fun to get excited about gadgets—that's why we're all here, right?

The problem is, the iPhone is only available through AT&T, in my opinion one of the most unscrupulous telecoms around. AT&T's tactics combine Microsoft-style anti-competitive maneuvers and anti-privacy efforts á la RIAA for a chilling effect. I avoid giving AT&T any of my money; it's a personal boycott. I'd like to call for a more wide- ranging one, but that brings up an interesting question: Does a hyped gadget you really want trump any moral misgivings you might have about where it's coming from?

First, let me break down why I think AT&T isn't worthy of your hard-earned money. Back in the 1980s, the original telecom giant was broken up for being a monopoly only to cobble itself back together again years later to nearly the same form as before. (Of course, it now has competition in some businesses, but in many regions of the US it still reigns frighteningly supreme.)

Last year, it was discovered that AT&T has been secretly spying on Americans for the government. Maybe it still is. Then, just recently, it announced that it planned to spy on Internet surfers yet again, looking for pirated media files, presumably to the delight of the RIAA and MPAA. If you don't want to get spied on and want to switch ISPs, guess what? Depending on where you live, you might not have any other options. And if AT&T snoops on all data passing through its network, most US Internet users will be affected, not just AT&T customers. It runs a significant amount of the backbone infrastructure of the Internet, leaving little traffic outside its grasp.

So what we have is a company that doesn't have privacy at the top of its priority list, not to mention the anti-trust laws of this country. It's setting terrible precedents left and right, and its vast power that comes from its huge size makes it all the more unlikely to change for the better. We, as contentious, tech-savvy individuals, should go out of our way to deprive this company of money, power and influence.

However, there are thousands, maybe millions, of people out there just dying to get their hands on an iPhone, and AT&T has a lock on the device for five years.

So, Apple and iPhone fans, what's more important to you? Having the hottest device, or knowing that you are standing up to a company, that in my opinion, has no regard for the privacy and consumer choice of Americans? Is it up to us, the customers, to stand up to these practices, or should we just keep shopping and hope the regulators do their jobs?

I, for one, will be continuing my AT&T boycott for the foreseeable future. –Adam Frucci

OMG There's a Curtain at an Apple Store!!!

Adam Frucci — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:30:00 EDT

Gumshoe Richard Blakeley heard through the grapevine that something was afoot at the Cube Apple Store in Midtown Manhattan, so he headed up there to see what was going on. What he found was a big black shroud covering something he couldn't get access to. When he tried, he was accosted by jackbooted Apple Store employees asking if they could "help him." What's back there? What are they trying to hide? Why can't we know right now? It's a mystery! A mystery, I tell you!

–Adam Frucci

Poll: Are We Doing this RIAA Thing All Wrong?

Adam Frucci — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:05:00 EDT

Reader Rob writes in, and he makes some interesting points:

For starters, the RIAA is incredibly stupid, but they are not evil. Like it or not, they actually do represent and help to pay the salaries of the artists whose music you wish to "share."

Should they be suing teenagers in Poughkeepsie? Of course not. Should they be pushing DRM down our throats? No. But what you fail to grasp is that they are doing these things because they are short-sighted, small-minded,
incredibly ignorant bureaucrats who truly believe they are protecting the interests of artists and the people who pay them. They are not evil. They are not fascists. They are just profoundly stupid.

Instead of demonizing them for doing the only thing they know how to do, why don't you come up with a better way? You guys understand the future of tech and what it means for music and movies better than most anyone, so why don't you stop throwing rocks at the dinosaurs and start solving the problem.

A poll and my response, after the jump.

Now, I realize that these guys aren't evil incarnate and we just share differing beliefs, but I don't think I've demonized them personally too much (well, maybe a little bit yesterday). This is clearly an ideological debate, and we're just trying to get people talking about it so progress can be made.

As for us needing to solve the problem, to be fair, we're a blog. It isn't our job to develop new products or services, and I certainly would have no idea where to start doing something like that. If anyone has new, groundbreaking ideas or innovations in this field, of course I would love to post them here and get them publicity. However, there's a huge line between writing about technology and developing technology.

Plus, I write 13 posts a day, dude. There are only so many hours around to do stuff in. Publicizing the issue and educating people about what's at stake is our way of helping to solve the problem, as far as I'm concerned.

So what do you guys think? Are we way off, or do you think we're on the right track? I'm not just looking to get a pat on the back here, either. I really care about this issue, and if you guys have ideas as to how we could be more effective, I want to hear them.

–Adam Frucci

Happy Valentines Day from Googe

Adam Frucci — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:30:10 EST

OK, so that's Google's V-Day header image. Notice anything missing? Travis claims that the stem is the L, but I don't buy it. What do you guys think, did the Googe screw up or are they just being too subtle for dense idiots such as myself?

–Adam Frucci

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Poll: Are Evil Aqua Teens or Retarded Cops to Blame?

Adam Frucci — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:20:47 EST

Is it just me, or is this Boston Aqua Teen business completely insane? How stupid are the police in Boston? And they're really going to sue Turner Broadcasting? They should sue themselves, as they're the ones that caused all of this panic. The media isn't helping anything by reporting this as a "hoax." It wasn't a hoax, it was an advertisement. They weren't trying to make it look like a bomb, which is why they make it covered in bright goddamned lights. Bombs would try to be discreet, not get people's attention and give them the finger. But it had batteries! Batteries, for the love of god! Oh, the humanity!

Am I way off base here? Is ATHF as bad as Bin Laden? Who is really to blame for the entire of city of Boston being shut down?

–Adam Frucci

Americans Choose Computer Over Spouse; Culture Officially in Decline

Adam Frucci — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 10:01:48 EST

From the depressing and disheartening statistics department: 65% of Americans choose to spend more time with their home computer than with their spouse or significant other. Seriously guys? I'd like to think that the relationship I am having with my computer right now is strictly platonic and is far from the most meaningful of my life.

So is this true? Do you see your computer more than your significant other? Do you use your computer as a stand-in for the significant other you wish you had? Fess up, patheticos. At least some of you out there are making up this majority. –Adam Frucci

Brief: Americans prefer computer to spouse, survey says [ComputerWorld]

Venice Project is Now Joost. Huh?

Charlie White — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 12:48:50 EST

The Venice Project has been underway for a while, and its proprietors are busy figuring out an easy way to bring TV to you over the Internet. Now they've gone and changed their name to Joost, and invite you to download a beta copy of its software that attempts to provide the best of both the Internet and TV worlds. While we test this Beta we're trying to get invited to, let's have a poll!

We'll have more about Joost as we experience it first-hand. Stay tuned. – Charlie White

Product Page [Joost]

Poll Follow-up: This is Why We Didn't Go to Prom

www.gizmodo.com — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 17:00:59 EST

So yesterday we asked you guys how you handle your passion for gadgets with the ladies and why it is that (most) girls aren't as in to tech as guys are. We used the latest in scientific poll-related technology, and between that and the comments we got some rather interesting results.

First of all, let me pat myself on the back here. I said that 90% of our readers are dudes, and guess what percentage of poll respondents are girls? 10.2%. Methinks I deserve a raise. Less easy to predict was the percentage of our readers that claim to be robots: a somewhat unsettling 14.5%. I'll keep that in mind next time I feel like ragging on some wacky Japanese helper-bot. I've got nuthin' but love for you, future robot overlords.

In comments we had quite a few people saying that their significant other was actually interested in gadgets, suggesting that it's not gadgets that turn girls off but Gizmodo. That, frankly, hurt our feelings. What can we do to bring the girls in? We know that "gadgets for girls," i.e. pink gadgets and gadgets that have to do with menstruation, aren't the ticket. We thought that by not condescending and having a "girl talk" section or something we were being equal opportunity. What gives? God, we can never do anything right. You just keep this stuff to yourself and bottle up this negative energy, how are we supposed to know how to react?! We're not mind readers, Denise… er, potential female readers!

Also in comments our overlord Brian Lam said he would like to get some girls on staff to break up the boys club we've got going on here. In order to apply, ladies, he asks that you send your resume and a full body photograph (not just the face, please) to his email address as listed in the left-hand column. He'll get back to you if he likes your… experience. –Adam Frucci

Image & T-Shirt from NerdyShirts.com

Poll: How Do We Keep the Species Going? [Gizmodo]

Poll: How Do We Keep the Species Going?

www.gizmodo.com — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 18:36:15 EST

It's pretty well known that gadgets and technology are topics followed almost exclusively by dudes. The Giz has a 90% male readership, for example. Why is that? What's with the sausage party? Lord knows we didn't ask for this.

In any case, that's the way it is and it's something we've gotta live with. But with all of us guys being so interested in stuff that girls couldn't care less about raises a question that most of us have encountered in the past: how do you handle your tech fetish with a significant other (or potential significant other, for that matter)? Do you try to convert your wary new ladyfriend to geekdom, or do you hide your shameful passion like a mutant sibling in the attic?

As part of our continuing efforts to pretend that we're even remotely scientific, we ask for your participation in a vital survey. Feel free to try to explain why our hobby is so repulsive to the opposite sex in the comments section as well, if you feel up to it. –Adam Frucci

Gizmodo Holiday Poll: Jaded Edition

Mark Wilson — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 10:31:15 EST

I just had my first taste of the jaded holiday spirit. Maybe it's because I still haven't scored a Wii. Maybe it's because I got over my sticking it to the monopolized energy companies and cranked up my heat, yet find myself cold. Either way, I'm surly, and it's time for a poll. – Mark Wilson

100% of Cingular Polls are Flawed

Mark Wilson — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 11:33:47 EST

Cingular recently claimed their studies show over half of all cellphone users want music on the go, which is their justification for launching a music service. What they sort of ignore in their poll results is that this "portable digital music" doesn't need to come from a cellphone. Cingular just assumes that people will want the portable music on their phone and not on a specialized player.

Apparently they missed out on our highly scientific poll results. We tried to save Mr. Cingular the hassle, but he insisted on doing it himself. – Mark Wilson

News Story [reuters]

Geek Squad: Hot or Not?

Gizloco — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 18:30:18 EDT

As we mentioned earlier today, Geek Squad is opening a new facility to help redress customer grievances. So Gizmodo wants to know, what has your experience been like with the Geek Squad?

Feel free to add any rants in the ol' comment box. Any particular beefs and/or tales of interest ($1 to Futurama)? – Nicholas Deleon

Enviga: Calorie-Burning Tea to Melt Off That Extra Flab?

Charlie White — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 10:47:36 EDT

Coca-Cola and Nestl will roll out Enviga in test markets in the Northeast US next month. The carbonated green tea-based beverage is supposed to be able to actually burn calories. Its blend of green tea extracts is said to boost metabolism, burning 50 to 100 calories per 12-oz serving. That'll cost you, though, about $1.29 a can. The company plans a national rollout in early 2007.

So what do you think, readers? Is this bullshit, or is it possible to drink your way to runway-model thinness? – Charlie White

Coke, Nestle Unveil Calorie-Burning Beverage [Advertising Age]

New Enviga Proven to Burn Calories [BevNet] (beware, industry cheerleader)

Microsoft Zune Interest Poll - How Are We Doing? Call 1-800-GIZ-ROCKS

Jason Chen — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 22:22:12 EDT

We've been swamped with Microsoft Zune news today. How do you think we're doing with it? Are we harping on it too much and boring you to sleep, or would you like to hear even more details? Let us know by voting.

We Heart Apple, Bose, and Dell

johnb — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 15:13:27 EST

Forrester Research has discovered that the top three "trustworthy" electronics manufacturers were Apple, Bose, and Dell. Microsoft scored lowest in both perceived growth and trustiness while Sony is floating somewhere in the middle.

Remember—this is not about "quality" per se, but the trust a consumer feels when purchasing a product. To see Bose hanging out way up in the corner is madness, though.

Apple, Bose, Dell tops in consumer electronics brand trust [ArsTechnica]

What Are You Waiting For?

johnb — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 10:20:18 EST

So what are we all waiting to buy with our ill-gotten Christmas/Chaunakah/Kwanzaa/Whatevera booty? As I recall, back when I was a wee lad, I saved up all my Christmas money for a US Robotics ~~9700~~ 9600 baud modem after getting some crappy pinball game from my aunt and some sweaters and other stuff. What are you little shavers going to buy?

Gizmondo - Hunk of Crap or Doomed to Failure - You Decide

johnb — Fri, 28 Oct 2005 09:57:46 EDT

Think back on all the game consoles you've played that didn't come from the majors. I'm not disparaging things like the N-Gage or maybe the Simsong Electronics Game and Shoot you bought to $9.99 at Odd Lots. Maybe you even loved the Tapwave Zodiac. Well, we recently got an email from an insane British man that made me think about the rule of three. In any industry, you have three major players, a satellite of minor players, and a horde of hangers-on. Sometimes the hangers on make great product - Sonos, for example, which is making a name for itself in the wireless media space, or TiVo which is still fighting valiantly against the big three onslaught. So I'm asking myself, given Gizmondo's penchant for being run by Swedish mafiosi and the extremely obvious wife-hiring going on at the company, will Gizmondo make it? I put it to you, my dear friendlings, to comment.

Poll: Watcha Gonna Do With Yer New iPod?

johnb — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 16:40:19 EDT