Content tagged with [gadgets] on DuncanMackenzie.net

Sidebar Gadgets for Channel 9, Channel 8 and more

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:32:00 GMT

We recently had Donovan West (LiveGadgets.net) build us a set of sidebar gadgets for Windows Vista. These gadgets use the RSS feeds from each site and let you see all of our new content as it gets posted, then (using Silverlight) you can even play our videos right there on your desktop.

You can check out the gadgets (for Channel 9, Mix, C8, Edge, and on10.net) by clicking on the appropriate image below:

New Xbox Friends Gadget released and a Silverlight Gamercard Generator

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:05:00 GMT

Adam Kinney, Silverlight dude and my colleague at work, has released an updated version of his Xbox Friends Watch gadget and a new standalone gamercard gadget for your website that uses Silverlight 2.0.

Xbox.com Personalities answer a bunch of holiday questions

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:11:00 GMT

Trixie had all of us Xbox.com column writing folks answer a bunch of holiday themed questions recently, and I noticed tonight that the answers are all up on the site! Check out some interesting Q&A with Trixie, Major Nelson and others (including me, Xbox Dad).

Xbox.com Personalities at the Holidays

We asked the Xbox.com personalities to share some information on their holiday favorites. What did we learn? Egg nog, "A Christmas Story," and Dean Martin pwn. Plus Major Nelson is a Grinch.

Zune for Dummies hits the bookstores

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:29:00 GMT

Brian was in town a few days ago and we ended up at a local bookstore... of course, since Brian hadn't even seen our new book, we looked around and found a copy... :)

Great blog/site on 'cool tools'

Mon, 14 May 2007 19:36:00 GMT

I found this today, and I just couldn't stop reading through it. I would normally say I'm not really into tools, but I guess I am:

Kevin Kelly -- Cool Tools

a sample entry:

Peanut Butter Mixer

Stirs PB with less mess

We like natural peanut butter, but hate the initial stirring mess. The minute you put a spatula in, the oil overflows and is everywhere. This stirrer seals the jar, and with a few quick turns the peanut butter is completely mixed and there is zero mess. Easy to use: you put the lid on, insert the stirrer and turn the knob. The gasket on the hole where you put the stirrer even cleans it off when you are done! My husband actually sneaks in a new jar of peanut butter so that he can mix it up before I get to.
-- Sessalee Hensley
Peanut Butter Mixer
$8
Available from Lehman's
Or $11 from Amazon
Manufactured by Witmer Prodcuts, Inc.

Hot stuff!

My kind of use for a webcam

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:12:00 GMT

I was on the blog of Tim Aidlin, a design evangelist in our same group, and I saw a post today about using a webcam and live messenger to see his new baby while he is at work.

Of course, any use of technology for a family purpose ends up involving a certain amount of tech-hassle, but still... the outcome is worth it.

Amazon Unbox on Tivo...

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 20:40:00 GMT

I like this idea... I'd like it more on a Media Center box, but I still like the idea

Interesting iPhone UI app/skin for a Windows Mobile device

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 17:31:00 GMT

Video: windows mobile iphone

SportsDo - GPS based activity tracking

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 20:35:00 GMT

My previous post about the Nike+ system left me searching for a similar solution for non-iPod users... without a lot of luck, but Mark let me know about http://www.sportsdo.net, which is very cool. This site/software uses any GPS enabled Windows Mobile device to produce some useful info about your activity (running, skiing, whatever). I'm interested and I'll probably enjoy using it, but it isn't really going to compete with the Nike+ system for two reasons: The first reason is that GPS isn't a great solution for this type of use, especially for someone (me) who does at least half their runs on a treadmill... (hmm... the software seems to think I haven't moved...), and secondly there is the question of the device. I'm not planning to carry my Moto Q with me while I run, it is too big. Even the smallest Windows Mobile device (that I know of) isn't really meant to be used while running, and I doubt many such devices come with an armband :)

Still, it is neat... perhaps if I would be willing to wear a 'fanny pack', I wouldn't mind stashing the Q in there.

Nike+ actually makes me consider an iPod

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 21:44:00 GMT

If you know me, or read my blog much, you'll probably gather that I've fully bought into the WMA/WMV world. I've always been a bit annoyed at the iPod model of things as well... I mean, seriously, you can only use iTunes with iPods and iPods with iTunes... talk about crazy... people need choice, who wants to be locked into one music player or one music store?!?

Of course, I don't get to rant about that anymore, now that we are doing the exact same thing with Zune... I don't like it any better just because we are doing it, but I've decided that I must be in the minority and that most consumers must not really care about being locked into a single store/brand.

Anyway, the long and short of this is that I would never consider an iPod, all of my media is firmly sitting in the Windows Media world. I have an Xbox 360, a Media Center PC, a Portable Media Center device, a Zune, an iRiver Clix and my wife has a Napster-to-go subscription. Yep, I'm in the Windows Media world alright.

But then I see this, and I really want it. I've been writing down my run distances and times onto a piece of paper for the past two weeks, and now I was going to find some form of online log to input them into... and my search brought me to the very fancy NikeRunning.com site. And from there, I ended up viewing NikePlus.com ... bugger!

I don't think I can do it, it would end up being just for running, and that is an expensive package just to run with... but it is very tempting.

Xbox 360 Wireless Headset video up

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 08:54:00 GMT

As I mentioned before, I had a chance to chat with the PM for the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset and now that interview is up on on10.net.

Remember, the headset is releasing just in time for Gears of War (November 7th). Coincidence? I think not!

Wireless Headset for the Xbox 360

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 18:15:00 GMT

Jesse and I headed over to the Xbox buildings and interviewed Deb Louis about the new Xbox 360 Wireless Headset... video coming soon! In the meantime, here are some frame captures for your enjoyment :)