Cool Tech Reviews

Yesterday, Google released the Google Media Server:

In the old days, we used to watch a simple device called a television. Nowadays, all the stuff worth watching and listening to tends to be stored on or accessed through a computer. To help remedy this, we are pleased to release the Google Media Server.

Google Media Server is a Windows application that aims to bridge the gap between Google and your TV. It uses Google Desktop technology such as Desktop gadgets for the administration tool and Google Desktop Search to locate media files. All you need is a PC running Google Desktop and a UPnP-enabled device (e.g. a PlayStation 3).

And then you can play all your PC media files (videos, music, and photos) on your TV as well as the unique features of displaying Picasa Web Albums and playing YouTube videos through your TV.

If you are having a hard time breaking the code, UPnP is the acronym for Universal Plug and Play and Google Media Server running on your PC is technically a UPnP AV MediaServer which can send audio-visual data to "UPnP media render hardware" (the UPnP-enabled device above) which also includes the Xbox 360, HP MediaSmart LCD televisions and various networked media players.

If you have one of the right gadgets you probably already know it, but this all seems rather needlessly complex:

Imagine a world where your computer, cellphone, games console, storage devices, media streamers and other hardware all play nicely together, so that, for example, music, photos and video can reach the television or Hi-Fi no matter where in the home it originates.

That world is one which the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), an industry consortium backed by big name consumer electronics, computer and mobile device manufacturers such as HP, Microsoft, Nokia and Samsung, is aiming to create through support for the UPnP (Universal Plug ‘n’ Play) AV standard. For end consumers this means that any ‘DLNA certified’ device should, in theory, be able to share or access media on the same home network — a message that DLNA members have largely failed to communicate, which is especially sad considering that many people already own a number of compliant devices …

Someday, I suppose it will all work, but unless you have a Xbox 360 or a PS3 you’ll have to do your homework to get it all working.

Ben Fritz at Variety reports that the Xbox 360 video download service announced in November may be a surprise hit:

In a topsy-turvy year for the digital download biz, a videogame service in just a few million homes is ending 2006 with more momentum than the world’s biggest e-tailer.

The relative success of video downloads on Microsoft’s Xbox Live and disappointment of Amazon.com’s Unbox point to two factors that differentiate Xbox from Amazon and its many other competitors — consumers who download a movie want a simple way to watch it on their TV, and those with high-def TVs want high-def content.

Thanks to the Xbox 360’s direct connection to a TV and the console’s focus on HD content, Microsoft can deliver both. Though exact sales figures aren’t available from any Web site or studio, insiders agree that it’s the most, and maybe only, positive story in digital movie downloads this year.

Many in Hollywood had high expectations that Amazon’s strength in DVD sales would spur the nascent Web download biz. But the Netco faces the same problems as competitors such as Movielink, CinemaNow, Guba and AOL that launched before it: It’s difficult for consumers to burn downloads onto DVD (save for a few titles on CinemaNow), and it’s tricky for all but the most tech-savvy to watch downloads on a TV.

Part of it is the tech savvy Xbox 360 demographic and part is the ease of watching a movie on a box already connected to a TV (which says something about where Windows XP Media Center systems are installed). There aren’t really any hard numbers, but the buzz is that despite the limited audience, Xbox 360 download numbers are equal to any of the PC download sites. While that’s certainly good news for Microsoft, it also illustrates the current sad state of Internet video downloads.

Nintendo’s new Wii game console goes on sale in the USA Sunday and in Japan on December 2 and expectations seem to be high for the inexpensive system which simply plays games, unlike its big ticket competitors from Microsoft (Xbox 360) and Sony (PS3) which have broader home entertainment aspirations. And if games make the console, it’s interesting to read Chris Morris’ review of the games launching with the Wii:

Typically, when a new video game system launches, it proves to be anticlimactic. The thrill of seeing the machine boot up the first time is very real - and the first time or two you play a game is always fun. But before long, you start to realize that the titles that came out alongside the system aren’t as entertaining as you initially thought.

Happily, that’s unlikely to be the case with the new Nintendo Wii. What the system lacks in technical achievements, it makes up for in the quality of its games. With “The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess” leading the charge, the Wii’s launch titles offer nice diversity.

Shooter games are usually the bulk of a system’s launch, because hardcore gamers love them. But the Wii leans more in the direction of action/adventure, with titles like Zelda, Konami’s “Elebits” and Ubisoft’s “Rayman Raving Rabbids,” all set to appear in the first month or so.

The Wii appeals to a different demographic, of course. Anyhow, Morris thinks highly of Zelda, but I was most interested in his comments about the sports games:

Let’s face it: Fans of Electronic Arts’ ”Madden” series probably already have their copy of the game, whether it’s for Microsoft’s Xbox 360, Sony’s PlayStation 2 (or 3) or their handheld gaming system of choice. Normally, there wouldn’t be any reason for them to consider buying a copy for Wii.

But “Madden” for the Wii is an entirely different game. Want to pass the ball? Don’t worry about which button to press, just grasp the controller and mimic a pass. Bullet pass? Fake-throw it faster. It’s intuitive, fun and physical. You might actually work up a sweat before you’re through (which seems rather fitting for a sports game).

“Wii Sports,” which comes bundled with the Wii, is a good introduction to the system and controller. It’s not advanced - and not all of the games are fun (boxing was something of a letdown) - but it’s an ultimately addicting group.

What he’s referring to is the Wii’s wireless motion-sensing controller. Check out this Wii TV commercial to get the idea. CNET’s review says the controller “eats batteries,” but I’d say that can be solved with an investment in rechargeables if you don’t already have some. Overall:

It lacks the graphical prowess and rich media features of the Xbox 360 and the PS3, but the Nintendo Wii’s combination of unique motion-sensitive controllers and emphasis on fun gameplay make the ultra-affordable console hard to resist.

The Wii may be hard to find, but the suggested retail price is $249.99, about half of the big guys.

Microsoft and Electronics Arts launched Madden NFL 07 for the Xbox 360 with a lot of hoopla yesterday and Matt Slagle of the Associated Press delivers a review:

Football video game junkies have been anxiously waiting for this week’s release of “Madden NFL 07″ by Electronic Arts Inc. The annual release of this video game franchise has become an event in itself.

But is this year’s supposed latest and greatest any good? After all, spending $59.99 on a new E-rated Xbox 360 version of the game is asking a lot — especially if you were burned by last year’s crummy version, which lacked many of the key features found in the older consoles.

A lot of annoyances remain, and there’s plenty of room for more polish and refinement. But at least the only “next-gen” console on the market finally has a decent football game.

Hit the link for the details, but there are some evident graphics problems that are overshone by the controls:

These issues aside, anyone who’s played sports video games can tell you that the graphics don’t matter if the controls stink.

Fortunately, this is where “Madden 07″ shines.

The controls are probably going to be a bit overwhelming to newcomers, but they become incredibly precise with practice.

Much more by following the link. Not exactly an A+ grade, but at least a B.

Here’s a kind of review you don’t see everyday. Aeropause compares the user interface on Sony’s upcoming PlayStation 3 to that on Microsoft’s shipping Xbox 360:

Don’t even get me started on how horrible the 360 interface has been. It sure looks bright, but it was a crap shoot on whether the option you were looking for was in the Settings blade, or buried somewhere in the “Xbox Guide”. The latest dashboard has improved the organization of the 360 interface greatly, but has done little to make it simpler and more streamlined. Microsoft has a lot of work to do, there.

It looks like someone over at Sony has a clue about how interfaces should work.

I’m certain that not all console users would agree and in the comments on the article some don’t with emphasis on the observation that the PS3 interface being just a warmed over version of the PS2 interface.

Besides the gaming, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 has aspirations as a home entertainment center and that means a remote control. Paul Thurrott reviews 3 remotes for the Xbox 360:

- Xbox 360 Media Remote (free with high end Xbox 360 bundles)
- Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote ($30)
- Logitech’s Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360 ($130)

Thurrott doesn’t think much of any of them, but on a price/performance basis he gives the Universal Media Remote a luke warm endorsement. Hit the link for the details.