Smartphones Outsell ‘Dumbphones’ for First Time, Report Says

It happened. Looks like standard non-smartphones continue to plummet in popularity. Smartphones are now the new "standard." 

Smartphones Outsell 'Dumbphones' for First Time, Report Says
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2013/04/smartphones-outsell-dumbphones-for-first-time-report-says/

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Google Releases Updated YouTube App for Nintendo Wii with Smartphone Control

Google just released an updated version of their YouTube channel for the Nintendo Wii that provides more stability and allows users to pair the Wii channel with their smartphone. By pairing a smartphone with the Wii YouTube channel, a user can essentially use their cell phone as a remote for the Wii, selecting a YouTube video from the phone and have it play on the TV. To get this functionality, follow these simple steps:

1. Go to the Wii Shop Channel, select Wii Channels, and find and download the YouTube Channel.
2. Open the now-downloaded YouTube channel
3. When it loads, select the option to log into your YouTube account
4. Follow the instructions which ask you to go to http://www.youtube.com/activate and enter a code
5. Once you enter the code, the Wii's YouTube channel will refresh and now show your YouTube subscriptions, favorites, etc.
6. Next, to pair the Wii YouTube channel with your cell phone, select the "Pair your Phone" option and follow the instructions to enter the displayed code at http://www.youtube.com/pair

Now enjoy a lot more control of playing videos on your Wii!

5 Economists' Thoughts About Bitcoin’s Future

Tech Crunch has a nice article that includes five economists' perceptions of Bitcoins. It seems like most are not completely opposed to the new, alternative currency, but are understandably skeptical. An interesting read. 

Iterations: How Five Real Economists Think About Bitcoin's Future
http://techcrunch.com/2013/04/14/iterations-how-five-real-economists-think-about-bitcoins-future/

Bitcoin Is Up 92% Since Yesterday

Talk about volatility, but also a wild, Vegas-like way to win some crazy money. The electronic currency Bitcoin is up 92% since yesterday. Should you buy some and see if you can make some quick cash? Check out the link to view a chart of Bitcoin's crash and rise within this past week to see if you're willing to take the risk. 

Bitcoin Is Up 92% Since Yesterday
http://www.businessinsider.com/bitcoin-is-up-92-since-yesterday-2013-4

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The Happiest Companies In Tech

On the search or a new tech job? Here's Business Insider's list if the happiest tech companies: 

The Happiest Companies In Tech
http://www.businessinsider.com/happiest-places-to-work-2013-4

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Nintendo of America ending most Wii online services on June 28th

Bummer. According to an article by Engadget, Nintendo of America recently announced that on June 28th it will be pulling the plug on many of its online services for the Wii including the Forecast Channel, News Channel, Everybody Votes Channel, Check Mii Out Channel, and the Nintendo Channel and services like the ability to send messages. This follows suit with other recent Nintendo announcements that they would stop the DSi's online Flipnote Hatena message service on May 31st. While they haven't yet announced pulling access to the Wii Shop Channel which gives access to the Wii Virtual Console or the Nintendo WiFi Network which allows players to play games like Mario Kart Wii against others online, one has to wonder if that might come soon, too.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/12/nintendo-retiring-wii-online-services/

Free Angry Birds Star Wars game via Starbucks' app of the week

Want a free copy of the hit game Angry Birds Star Wars? You can get it
through the Starbucks iOS app. Just click on "Home" and then
"Messages" and then select the latest Pick of the Week to download the
free copy of Angry Birds Star Wars. Enjoy!

Mozilla: why the web is the future of the smartphone

Mozilla released its HTML5 based mobile Firefox OS earlier this year and has made its way onto some inexpensive mobile phones. As a free OS, it offers an alternative to Android however, rather than offering apps based on Java, like Android, it's apps are based on HTML5 -- a standard that would allow apps to run in any browser. It's an interesting strategy and makes me think about how Apple initially only offered web apps when they first released their iPhone. We'll see if this free OS gains traction.

Source: http://www.techradar.com/us/news/software/operating-systems/mozilla-why-the-web-is-the-future-of-the-smartphone-1142829

BionicOpter dragonfly drone flutters about, blows minds

I've always been interested in robots, so much so that when people use to ask 10-year-old me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I'd say, "I'm going to build robots." My dad encouraged this interest by buying me build-your-own robot kits and I built a couple robots that would roll around in the floor and change direction when they bumped into a wall. That's why it's so interesting to me to see this this smartphone controlled 17.3 inch dragon fly robot drone -- an amazing marvel built by robotics company Festo that contains a microchip to ensure stability. While the geek in me is thrilled, does this bring us closer to Hunger Games? :)

BionicOpter dragonfly drone flutters about, blows  minds
http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/29/bionicopter-dragonfly-drone/

How MacWorld produces their podcasts

For those interested in creating your own podcasts, here's a rather detailed account of how MacWorld produces their shows -- reviewing how to effectively record Skype calls, etc.

How we produce our podcasts
http://www.macworld.com/article/2030512/how-we-produce-our-podcasts.html

Plex or XBMC

Here's a good article on the differences between Plex and XBMC -- two solid home theater apps. Both run on a variety of hardware. While I have an Apple TV 2 with XBMC and love it for its customization and multiplicity of apps, I have also found some inexpensive (less than $50) Wiis on Craigslist and have used them to run WiiMC (Wii Media Center) which connects to our computer and streams our movies, music, podcasts, and plays online streaming radio and DVDs. Also, the Wii now has apps to play YouTube, HuluPlus, and Netflix. The one downside is that it can only play video at 420p resolution, but since a used Wii can get all of these services for less than a Roku box and play some fun games to boot, I've found it to be a surprisingly capable and economical box for entertainment.

Should I Use Plex or XBMC for My Home Theater PC?
http://lifehacker.com/5991757/should-i-use-plex-or-xbmc-for-my-home-theater-pc

Forbes joins the fray exposing Nintendo Wii U's blues

Forbes joins the fray poking fun at the Wii U by examining Nintendo's bizarre chart that compares their new console with their 7-year-old Wii. It's sad to see such a gaming powerhouse make such a strange, desperate plea for attention and clarification.

Nintendo Advertises Against Itself at PAX with Bizarre Wii U Chart
http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2013/03/25/nintendo-advertises-against-itself-at-pax-with-bizarre-wii-u-chart/