Amazon has built an iPod/iPhone optimized web site. Amazon sniffs your browser type and adjusts accordingly. Just go to your http://www.amazon.com with your iPod touch or iPhone.

WSJ Tech Guy, Walt Mossberg’s take on the state of broadband. I found this interesting, especially the points of the Apple TV and what he says about a 3G iPhone going 3G in 60 days (around 6:53 in). I could not to agree more.

Seems clear what the Yahoo board members think of the $44.6 billion bid from Microsoft to take them over. Microsoft’s offer is about to turn well, hostile. In a letter from Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer to Yahoo’s board of directors, the threat is clear.

If we have not concluded an agreement within the next three weeks, we will be compelled to take our case directly to your shareholders, including the initiation of a proxy contest to elect an alternative slate of directors for the Yahoo! board…. It is unfortunate that by choosing not to enter into substantive negotiations with us, you have failed to give due consideration to a transaction that has tremendous benefits for Yahoo!’s shareholders and employees…

A hostile takeover of Yahoo will be ugly. While things in Google-land are not too shabby with the recent A-OK from the EU, on the Double-Click acquisition, Google’s search share rising, the “win” of its will on the 700 MHz spectrum auction without spending for a license and Andriod making headlines. I still think a Microsoft-Yahoo merge is a bad idea for both companies and will NOT help stop the freight train that is Google.

Woopra is a robust “real time” web-tracking & analysis tool for websites. I saw this on a GeekBrief podcast and have signed up. It is currently in beta and you must wait for an invitation after signing up.

Seems people have spoken with their wallets to make Apple’s iTunes the number 1 music retailer. Based on the latest data from the NPD Group’s Music Watch survey, the iTunes Store surpassed Wal-Mart to become the number one music retailer in the US, Apple has announced. “We launched iTunes less than five years ago, and it has now become the number one music retailer in the world,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. “We are thrilled, and would like to thank all of our customers for helping us reach this incredible milestone.”

Continue reading Apple’s iTunes Now the No. 1 US Music Retailer…

Apple has released update to the Keynote presentation application (part of iWork ’08) via software update. The version 4.0.3 update’s notes, says that it “addresses performance and stability issues when working with large documents.”

I laughed, maybe you will also.

Apple has released updates to QuickTime 7.4.5, iTunes 7.6.2, and Front Row 2.1.3, offering several performance enhancements, as well as a patch for a security hole found in QuickTime. Start up Software Updater or you can download them through these links.

Amazon is offering Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 at a discounted price of $82.99, and VMware Fusion is on sale for just $34.99 (with rebate), these prices may not last long. Shipping is free. You can support ReelSmart by purchasing through these links.

If you are a road warrior or just a tech person you may very well be interested in the PHS300 “personal hotspot” from CradlePoint Technology. This ultra-portable battery powered router with a compatible EVDO USB device or 3G cellphone gets you on the Internet from places you may never have thought possible. Don’t let the word “personal” fool you, sharing your connection is one of the best features. This means a “WiFi network” anywhere there is cellular EVDO coverage.

The unit is about the size on an iPhone or iPod touch and sports a built-in Li Ion battery providing hours of WiFi connectivity for most WiFi enabled devices. You can charge the unit via USB or with the included power supply. I opted for the optional car adapter so I can also power the unit from my vehicle’s 12 volt “lighter plug” for longer run times.

I tested the unit on a MacBook Pro, Windows XP laptop, Linux powered EeePC, iPod touch, iPhone and a Windows Mobile Smartphone with a Verizon EVDO USB727 that is made by Novatel all with great success.

Continue reading Review: CradlePoint PHS300 Allows WiFi Almost Anywhere…

Verizon has launched their promised high definition video on demand service for FiOS TV customers. I am happy to report it showed up on my HD boxes in New Jersey. Verizon is now offering HD VOD where FiOS TV is available in California, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Texas.

Continue reading FiOS Launches HD VOD…