Media Consumption

Bad: 1080 Beach Balls!

urbanmedialab@gmail.com (The Lab) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:34:00 +0000

I originally was going to label this as an addicting media and yes, YouTube is addicting and I figured with 1080P I'll never leave home! I was wrong. They have failed.

Apple 9 to 5 stated: On the most recent 13-inch MacBook Pro with 4GB of RAM, we've got Flash redlining the CPU, a few beach balls and we're missing some frames. Also it looks like you may be able to trick Youtube into displaying your content in full HD by putting a trailing "&fmt=37" into the URL. Pulling the original source MP4 from Youtube will probably yield better results.

This is true. I'll post their sample video and you can try it for yourself

Final Thoughts: YouTube you let me down. You've been working on 3D videos and now going all out with 1080P did you not realize the web isn't ready for such quality. Especially running off DSL, Cable, and Wifi. We need more juice to be able to handle the quality of seeing nut shots, random video logs, and the occasional booty shaking video or parody.

Links

YouTube

Facebook

Wikipedia

Do you care to watch videos in 1080P? What do you think YouTube should really be working on?

Feedback, Comment, and Support.

Addicting: 50 Cent Gimmick

urbanmedialab@gmail.com (The Lab) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:35:00 +0000

Here is another app to add to your collection of musicians attempt to hit you from every angle. Don't get me wrong T-Pain's app is enjoyable and others just fall short. 50 Cent takes his shot at the App store with the help of Vitamin Water. 50's Sound Lab let's users create and share remixes of "Baby By Me", a single off his new album, Before I Self Destruct.

Not only that but users with the best remix will get to meet fitty himself and share a toss of Purple Vitamin Water. (Not sure about that last part but more than likely) By the way its free!

Here is a sample:

Click on the Gold Chain to Pause.

Final Thoughts: I think its great that musicians, photographers, artists and celebs get in on the App Store. But they have to at least produce a quality app. Give us music videos, exclusive tracks, something fun to do. A mini game, an interview, or some nice updates. T-Pain where's my update!

Note: I original labeled this as Bad Media but after playing with the app for a bit I've become addicted!

Links

What do you think of the 50 Cent Sound Lab? What kind of things would you like to see in celeb sponsored apps? Share your mixes with us and you might get a price from us! (iTunes Card?)

Feedback, Comment, and Support

Good: Evolution of the Barcode

urbanmedialab@gmail.com (The Lab) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:24:00 +0000

Japan brings you a lot of weird and amazing things and here is another one... with a question.

Why Has the Barcode Never Changed?

This is the question the design team at Design Barcode asked itself when it set out to innovate a new way for companies to think about how their valuable product real estate gets used.

After endless study of Barcode technology standards, a process was invented that allowed a design element to be integrated into the barcode.

Good question and great answer.

Here are some examples:

This team from Tokyo, Japan solved a problem we didn't know we had. That barcodes are boring and creativity can give anything a new outlook. These barcodes are fully functional and can be designed into anything your little creative hearts desire.

For pricing click here.

Final Thoughts: The Design Barcode Team went above and beyond in finding another creative way to market products to consumers. In the realm of social media/networking we forget why having a tangible object will always be better than a series of 0's and 1's. Holding cash will always be better than seeing it on a monitor. These barcodes give identity to the product and I hope to see them used on something I purchase.

Links

Official Site

What products would you like to see with a unique barcode? Have any of you ever seen this before? Would you use this for your product?

Feedback, Comment, and Support

Blockbuster: Forget DVDs give me SDs

urbanmedialab@gmail.com (The Lab) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:57:00 +0000

Blockbuster some how is still around even with their lack of new technology and affortable services. Wait what's this I can rent movies with my SD card? Nice! I don't have to get that old school Digital Video Disc. I have a couple SD cards in my digital cameras and I use one for my Wii. So where do I play these movies at? My Wii won't accept them and neither will my digital cameras. I guess I can go use my SD card reader for my desktop and buy a new mac with an SD card slot.

Nice try Blockbuster. The Blockbuster Digital Express booth offering DRM movies on SD cards is going to leave a lot of people confused. What are we suppose to do with it. Its not like mobile devices accept them either. (Only Micro/Mini SD please) I guess if you're trying to appeal to the new market of laptops with SD card readers then you have a market.

Final Thoughts: Online streaming, the iTunes Store (others like it), and other downloadable content is the future of how we get our entertainment. Using a memory card to load it up onto another device is a thing of the past. It does have a market so we'll see how well it does. I guess this gives me an excuse to get a new Macbook with SD slot... No not really.

Links

Do you like blockbuster? What do you think about SD rentals? What could blockbuster do to really market this?

Feedback, Comment, and Support

Why the sudden change?

urbanmedialab@gmail.com (The Lab) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:46:00 +0000

Another change to how we do things? Blogging does involve consistency but it also involves evolving. We've added some new writers to Media Consumption and more topics to blog about and then talk about on our show and then show you on our video podcast that is still in the works.

Time restraints us at this moments since the we're all College Students and some of us have families and other jobs. We'd love to be full time bloggers and podcasters well maybe. Either way we still want to share with you what we find to be good, bad, and addicting. Also show you what is available for consumption.

These are the topics we're going to attempt to cover on a daily basis. It was a scheduled event which we still might organize but for now we just want to make sure you get the information as soon as its available. Once we have a healthy team we'll get on a schedule and add little segments here and there for your enjoyment.

Media Topics: We decided to do away with general topics and hit up the subtopics or genres

Blogs

Podcasts

Music

Tech

Software

Magazines

Books

Comics

Video Games

Film

Web

That's 12 topics to cover in 5 days! Done only by 4 writers. So if any of you out there wants to take a crack at it let us know.

The Writers

Anthony- Covers everything

Josh- Web, Software

Aaron- Film

Julio- Video Games or Gaming (preference?)

Having at least 6 writers would be nice or 12 would be even better.

Links

Feedback, Comment, and Support.

Esquire: Reality No Longer Real... its Augmented.

urbanmedialab@gmail.com (The Lab) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:20:00 +0000

Augmented reality came to our knowledge thanks to Apple's iPhone 3Gs. You can now find a healthy number of augmented reality apps throughout the App Store. Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft are also playing around with augmented reality applications. Its not just for mobile devices. Wikipedia and local cities are experimenting with this new technology but never would you expect print publications such as Magazines to get involved.

Esquire says its a gimmick to get more sales but when you look at the possibilities you find yourself entertained, informed, and enjoying your magazine experience. How is this done? Let's take a look.

Take it away Iron Man/Sherlock Holmes

I just ordered my subscription of 12 issues for $8 and downloaded the software to make these extra features accessible. It also entered me into a contest to win Blue Microphone Eyeball webcam.

Final Thoughts: I think its genius idea. It brings new life to print publications. Some publishers take their material and just turn it into an interactive website thus excluding the hard copy. The ink of a newspaper, the glossiness of a magazine, and the smell of books can never be replaced.

Link

Tell us in what ways can augmented reality be used? What magazine or publication would you like to see use augmented reality? Do you read Esquire?

Feedback, Comment, and Support.

Troll Touch: Fingerprints Everywhere!

urbanmedialab@gmail.com (The Lab) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:03:00 +0000

Some of you might have been oblivious to this awesome technology but the Touch Screen for Macs has been around since 1987. On desktops, laptops, and displays. All thanks to Troll Touch. Now I can give a lengthy paragraph on how it works and all the jive, but just see for yourself.

Not sure if there is anything else to say... oh yeah how much will this cost you?

iMac Kits Start at $1099

Pre-installed on your machine at $2299

Laptops start at $699

Final Thoughts: Touch screen technology is great and all but I'm not sure if I want to put fingerprints on my screen or leave fingerprints on everything that I once didn't have to touch. And why doesn't Apple get with it already... I don't see how HP got there first and how Microsoft is bringing it to the next level?

Links

Official Site

YouTube

Do you want a Touch screen enabled desktop, laptop, or display? Do you think the price is fair? Why do you think Apple hasn't done this themselves? What are your thoughts on all this touching going on?

Feedback, Comment, and Support.

Gameloft: A Blog isn't enough.

urbanmedialab@gmail.com (The Lab) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:31:00 +0000

Gameloft has entered the podcasting realm because in today's world a blog is not enough. If you own an iPhone or an iPod Touch then you've probably heard of Gameloft and have purchased/downloaded some of their games. They're a great gaming company providing you the entertainment you need for PC, MAC, Mobile devices, and consoles. Be sure to subscribe to their blog and their new podcast. Give them some feedback and support.

Final Thoughts: A company blog is helpful to know what's going on behind the scenes or share little bits of information on the up and coming. But a podcast let's people know you're serious about what you do because you're willing to produce a show that will give more to your customers/audience

Links

Tells us what you think about Gameloft and their attempt at podcasting? What podcasts do you subscribe to? What other company do you feel should have a podcast?

Feedback, Comment, and Support.

iTunes: TV for a monthly fee

urbanmedialab@gmail.com (The Lab) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:06:00 +0000

2010 Apple will bring to you all your favorite TV shows for the low monthly price of $30. If things go their way. Right now no network as signed on but if it wouldn't be surprising if Disney was the first on board. Steve's 2nd empire shouldn't mind.

With Hulu in the works of coming up with a paid subscription service we can see how networks are looking for ways to make money as usual. Also with the Apple Tablet or Apple Slate and the ill fate of Apple TV we could see the possibilities of opening our pockets for some new Apple Gadgets and paying another monthly subscription to Apple beside the portions we already give through the iTunes Store and our iPhone. Maybe the Apple Slate/Tablet will have a book subscription service?

I believe the following statement to ring true:

The internet is the new cable: Netflix, Hulu, BitTorrent. Apple might not get to launch it in a few months, but it will happen. Just give it time. The actually crazy part, if you ask me, is that the Apple TV might even live up to its name.- Gizmodo

Links

Would you pay for this service? Do you think its smart, worth it, or just plain greedy? What networks do you think will be the first to jump on? How much do you think it should cost?

Feedback, Comment, and Support

Windows 7: Trust Me!

urbanmedialab@gmail.com (The Lab) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:04:00 +0000

Its finally here! Another reason to get a Mac. Okay I won't be as bias as I usually am but I'll take the time to lay down as many facts as I can about Windows 7 by sourcing other tech savvy blogs that have been posting about it all day. Not only will we talk about Windows 7 but the Windows Store and a funny friend Pystar.

Windows 7 Launch Party

You Need a Party Pack

Thanks Robert Clark of Omni Tech News

Installing Windows 7

Buy a new PC.

or wait and install it on a Mac

or you can have the Psystar twist.

or just remember....

To make your Windows 7 Experience complete go to Scottsdale Arizona to visit the new Mircosoft Store.

Road Trip!

Exclusive Reporting

Looks vaguely familiar

Tell us what you think of Microsoft's campaign? Did you host a launch party? What do you think about Apple's new campaign? What are your thoughts on the Microsoft Store?

Feedback, Comment, and Support.

Engadget: The Blog that became a show.

urbanmedialab@gmail.com (The Lab) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:07:00 +0000

Engadget should be seen as a model for professional blogs. (We're doing our best to get there).

For those not familiar to this technically savvy blog let's have our good friend Wikipedia give us a hand.

Engadget is a multilingual technology weblog and podcast about consumer electronics. Engadget currently has nine separate websites, all operating simultaneously with each having its own staff, which cover technology news in different parts of the world in their respective languages. Engadget won a 2007 Weblog Award for tech sites.

Launched in March 2004, Engadget is updated multiple times a day with articles on gadgets and consumer electronics. It also posts rumors about technological world, frequently offers opinion within its stories, and produces the weekly Engadget Podcast that covers tech and gadget news stories that happened during the week.- Wikipedia

The reason Engadget stands out at this point is that it follows the framework every blog should. It brings its content to the world produces a weekly podcast, and now has turned into a show The Engadget Show. Its what I like to call the Blogger Dream.

The Engadget Show is taped in New York City and has free admission. It features one-on-one interviews, roundtable discussions, short video segments, and live music. - Wikipedia

The show is available on their site and on iTunes. It only airs once a month and is enjoyable to watch.

Media Consumption will follow this model and invite you to be a part of the Engadget blog, podcast, and show.

Special Note: They were the first to give you the unveiling of some of the new Apple Products.

Links

Tell us what you think about The Engadget Show? Also the blog and podcast.

Feedback, Comment, and Support

Benton Paul- Trois EP Available on iTunes

urbanmedialab@gmail.com (The Lab) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:19:00 +0000

I'm not going to sit here and write a lengthy post of how awesome, talented, and an all around nice guy Benton Paul is. And how I know him personally in one of those hey let's stop and chat a bit relationships. This post is more of an invite.

Benton Paul is a talented musician, singer-songwriter, and has some decent beat boxing skills. Word has it he use to get down like Michael Jackson in his younger years.

Enough with the homage to BP just go to the iTunes Store and download the free track that is featured in the Discovery Download, but don't stop there get his new EP Trois and his full-length album Grey. Also be sure to visit his website, friend him or become a fan on Facebook, follow him on Twitter, subscribe to his blog, friend request him on MySpace. Don't forget to purchase some Merch and watch his videos on YouTube and just check out his shows (if you're in the Utah area or whenever he's on tour).

This was just an invitation but this post also includes an exclusive track he did for Schooled Magazine many moons ago. A cover to Aqualung- Brighter Than Sunshine

Brighter Than Sunshine (Aqualung Cover)

Who knows maybe will get him on the show this weekend.

Links

That's Some Sweet Merch!

Tell us what you think of Benton Paul? What you love about his music? And what you think of the new EP? Also would you rock those headphones?

Feedback, Comment, and Support.

Hulu- Watch your favorites. Anytime. For free if you have an Internet connection.

urbanmedialab@gmail.com (The Lab) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:24:00 +0000

Some of you may be asking

Readers: "Hulu? I thought this post was about Television?"

If you're one of the few readers to ask these questions I'm surprised you're on the Internet reading a blog.

But seriously, Hulu to me has become my Television (even though there is a 50' Samsung DLP in the living room). Sure there are some networks still missing from its line up, but the all the other networks/shows people actually watch are available anytime, for free.

Last Weeks Fall Premieres
30 Rock Oct. 16
Ugly Betty Oct. 17- Really? A Saturday? Good luck staying on the air but wait! Hulu will help you do that.

Hulu keeps shows alive and at times brings back old shows. (The Bionic Women- no not the sad attempt for a remake).

By now you're probably wondering what this post is really about. Well, I just want to let you know how you can take advantage of watching your favorites anytime for free!

Follow the array of links within the next few paragraphs, this entire post, or just go to the links section at the bottom of this post.

Hulu can be seen right from your desktop using their desktop app saving you those 2 seconds of opening up your browser. You still need to have an Internet connection for it to function along with all the other ways to enjoy your TV experience on Hulu.
Hulu has another way to stay away from using your browser- use their widgets.
Most of you are probably Facebook addicts or recovering addicts so let me help you with your addiction and present to you the Facebook app. Watch TV while you chat it up with friends on Facebook and attempted to study for finals. Be sure and become a fan.
Follow Hulu on Twitter and if you don't have a Twitter account stop being so ignorant of the capabilities of this free service that is worth over a billion dollars.
Hulu likes to blog it up so if you enjoy this blog you'll really enjoy Hulu's blog.
Last place to go is Hulu itself. You can make an account add all your favorite TV shows to a queue by subscribing to them. Get extra web exclusive episodes and excerpts. Also search by keywords, click on recently added shows, or popular shows, and enjoy!
Mobile capabilities coming soon and some gaming consoles as well as other media devices... We'll let you know or just follow them on their blog, Facebook and Twitter and they'll let you know.

Now for the month of October Hulu prepared a fun treat for you all.

Links

What do you think of the way we watch Television? Is Hulu better than Cable/Satellite? What other online services do you use to watch your favorite shows?

Feedback, comment, and support us.

Media Consumption Season 3

urbanmedialab@gmail.com (The Lab) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:43:00 +0000

You might have noticed some changes like; posts are missing and the podcast hasn't ran for over a month.

Explanation:
We attempted to go to video but using Mini DV tapes on a Canon XL2 or a Panasonic DVX 100B wasn't going to cut it. Especially if this was going to be a daily show. We tried using a Kodak HD Zi6 but the drop frame issues make it a pain to edit. Also the majority of the lab members are still in school so scheduling becomes an issue. We have added new members but they're busy working on other projects. But during this time we managed to do some of the following.

Classic List
1. Pick up a graphic designer to update our logo
2. Format the blog to be easily manageable
3. Format the show to be worth your time
4. Posted updates on our Fan Page, Twitter, and a little on the Tumblr
5. And picked up and fine tuned some skills such as Photoshop, Illustrator, CSS, HTML, and Flash. Expect a lot more from us.
6. We do have 2 new hosts- X and Dance

X- Has fun southern accent but a lot of street smarts as well as strong opinions.
Dance- Is tech savvy with a lot of comedic flare.

I believe they'll make a great addition to the show as well as the blog.

If you haven't noticed these posts now link to the Fan Page so you can stay up to date. They will also be posted on Twitter and Tumblr will be a graphical tease so be sure to RSS feed.

Coming in the future: YouTube, Delicious, Digg, Blip.fm, and more!

Last little addition is our old segment Check My Apps is back and is a group on Facebook.

So let's get started!

Links
Facebook
Twitter
Tumblr
Check My Apps