TechBytes: Netflix on Wii
In TechBytes, Tivo Premiere review, wristbands replace tickets, cheaper font.
March 26, 2010— -- Netflix is arriving on the Wii today. The movie rental service says it has shipped discs that will activate its instant streaming service on the gaming console. Netflix sent the discs to a limited number of people who requested them, so it could get feedback and work out any bugs before the service officially launches. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are already capable of playing Netflix movies on demand.
TiVo's new HD set-top box goes on sale Sunday. The Premiere combines a DVR, streaming movies, music and the Web all in one. USA Today's Ed Baig says he likes the new features, but doesn't think they'll be enough to turn around TiVo's slumping business. "On the plus side, there's better navigation, improved search, browsing capabilities," Baig says. But on the downside he says it's a little slow and there's no integrated WiFi. "For a box that purports to be Internet-centric, you're going to want integrated WiFi nowadays." He says it is an upgrade for TiVo, "but its improvements are marginal. This is not a game changer." You can read Baig's full review on USA Today.com
Concert promoter Live Nation is testing new digital wristbands to replace paper tickets at concerts. They feature a smart chip that prevents scalping and fraud. The wristbands would also work a bit like a credit card, allowing users to buy food and drinks at the concert.
There is a simple solution to cut down on the amount of printer ink you use: just change the font. The University of Wisconsin Green Bay has changed the default font on its e-mail system. The school found that switching from Arial to Century Gothic saves ink, which of course saves money. The new font uses about 30 percent less ink than the old one and that really adds up when you consider the printer ink costs about $10,000 per gallon.
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