The Xbox 360 Chatpad comes in the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit with a headset. The headset is better than the previous headsets because the controller is inline. As an owner of the wireless headset and 3 of the previous headsets, the new headset is inconsequential.

Let's start with the Chatpad Positives:
To go from having to use the virtual keyboard to an actual keyboard is fantastic. When pressing keys you get audible feedback from the TV. All of the keys that would need are there, including a few you may never use. It fix snugly onto your controller and feels very solid. It has a headset jack on the front to plug your new headset into. The keys light up for dark room use.

Now the Chatpad Negatives:
The Chatpad is designed with the white controller in mind. Therefore when attaching it to the new Black, Blue, Pink or Halo controller it looks very poorly thought out. For example, with such a small keyboard footprint they should have designed the casing with the grey color most of the controllers have and made the keyboard white or shiny (like the Guide button) with black letters. This would have increased the contrast significantly. I find I have to focus on the keyboard more than normal because of the current contract. It's difficult to read and I have 20/15 vision.

Chatpad Wrapup:
It's great to have a keyboard. I'm looking forward to the next version that might be a neutral color with a high contrast keyboard.

Additional Thoughts:
I believe the Chatpad was designed for an upcoming Xbox 360 Web Browser. They are marketing it as a Messenger solution but I can't find people who use Messenger.

Tags: Xbox 360, Xbox Live

My previous article is about the iPhone connecting to my TV. This would give me the ability to watch TV shows and Movies from the iTunes store on my television.

But why not take it one step further? Apple has already given iTunes similar functionality to that of Sony's LocationFree. With an Apple TV you can connect to different iTunes enabled computers to stream audio and video. And you can stream audio from iTunes to different Airport Express (Airtunes) routers. That indicates that data flow can be both directions. Apple TV pulls data from your iTunes enabled computers and iTunes pushes data to the Airport Express.

Apple, give me the ability to browse iTunes media on my local network with my iPhone and the iPod touch.

Let's say that I have an iPhone (and I do) or iPod touch and I want to view something on an iTunes enabled computer. I wake my iPhone or iPod touch and click the SHARED button (Apple already uses the SHARED directory in iTunes when it detects other iTunes on the same network). After pressing the SHARED button I would be presented with a list of all iTunes enabled computers. Upon selecting one I would be presented with the options to choose between the different types of media: Music, Movies, TV Shows, Podcasts and so on.

I think this is similar in functionality to the way a PSP can view media from LocationFree or a PS3.

This would give me the ability to watch or listen to anything on any of my iTunes enabled computers on my local network. This would work the same way if I was at a friend's house and he was sharing from iTunes.

Or what about the new deal with Starbucks. Imagine going into Starbucks and being able to listen in full to the same music that's being played instead of 30 second clips of the previously played songs.

I doubt I'm suggesting something that those Apple Ninjas haven't already thought of but I want to go ahead and say I want it. Apple likes to claim they think of stuff we want before we even know we want it. Most of the time they really do give me something I hadn't thought of or knew I needed but when I have it I can't do without it.

This time I want something before Apple told me I wanted it.

Tags: Apple, iPhone, Apple TV

When I first saw that Apple had included the iPhone in the new AV Cable compatibility list I was very excited. Thinking of the possibilities of using it to hook up to my TV or others to view movies and such was very promising.

Possibly today Apple removed the iPhone from the list. Why? Maybe the iPhone was only included because the AV Cable came with a USB power adapter. Or they accidentally revealed something that had not yet been announced.

I hope the AV Cables do work with the iPhone when they are finally released. This would allow me to watch TV Shows, Movies and upcoming iTunes Movie rentals on my TV with the iPhone.

Tags: Apple, iPhone

Apple announced this morning that after only 74 days they have sold one million iPhones. It took Apple nearly two years to sell its first million iPods.

Tags: Apple, iPhone

This past Wednesday Apple released the best iPods they have ever created. While the iPod Shuffle only received new colors the iPod nano will probably be the biggest hit this holiday season with it's video capabilities. The new iPod touch is nearly identical to the iPhone minus the phone part.

Click the image below to shop for your new iPods from the Rob Jones Tech Support Apple Store.

As shown from left to right, iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano and the iPod shuffle.

Tags: Apple, iPod, Music

Apple has confirmed the new opening date. Will I be the first in line to get in? Probably not. But I look forward to all the extra Apple exposure in this area.

Tags: Apple, Apple Store

In the first week of August I sent in a question to Grammar Girl. Being someone who uses the word "the" in my own title I wanted to know if I needed a double the.

Below is my email to her.

START
My question is "Do I have to use the word 'the' twice"? For instance, if I ask a friend "Have you heard the 'Ghost' soundtrack"?

Now change the name of the soundtrack to a movie that starts with the word "the". Such as The Fast and The Furious.

Have you heard the The Fast and The Furious soundtrack?

It certainly doesn't sound correct when you say it, but logically it makes sense to say it twice.

What's your take on the "The" issue. I just did it again.

Thanks
END

Good question I know. Listen to her answer on her website or in iTunes.

Tags: grammar