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CanvasPop's Instagram prints: Art from your iPhone

See those nice art prints on the wall in the image above? They were all taken using Instagram on an iPhone, and then printed on canvas by CanvasPop. The canvas prints are a wonderful personalized gift idea, and come ready for hanging on your wall.

The introductory pricing for the Instagram prints is pretty nice, too -- a 12" x 12" print sells for US$29.95, while the 20" x 20" is a big bargain at $59.95. If you have an Instagram photo or three that you're particularly proud of, then CanvasPop turns them into works of art that are the ultimate in personalized gift-giving.

I have one of their prints, which is an Instagram photo of the Blue Yeti microphone that I use for TUAW TV Live and the Daily Update. As you can see from the photos in the gallery, these prints are high quality, featuring a canvas wrap over a wood frame. There's a braided hanging wire on the back, and it works well for hanging the print over a few nails or a picture hook. Canvaspop even puts little clear silicone bumpers on the bottom back of the print to complete the professional touches.

By the way, if you don't use Instagram, the folks at CanvasPop can take any of your other digital photos -- iPhone or not -- and do the same nice treatment for your other images.

If your budget (or your display space) isn't right-sized for large prints, on the other hand, you can get a lovely micro-magnetic version of your Instagram photos via Stickygram. $14.99 gets you a pack of nine magnets for your fridge or other metal surface. The company is running a 'Print My Feed' contest this month, where one winner will get his or her entire Instagram feed made into magnets. Time to get a bigger refrigerator!

CanvasPop's Instagram prints: Art from your iPhone originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog http://www.tuaw.com/2011/11/22/canvaspops-instagram-prints-art-from-your-iphone/

SlingPlayer for Connected Devices is here, arrives first on Boxee Box (video)

Sling first expanded its SlingPlayer app to Facebook and Chrome a few days ago, and now the company is extending those streams to the TV (without a dedicated SlingCatcher or mobile device TV-out) with apps for connected devices. Today the company announced the Boxee Box app would be first out of the gate, arriving ahead of the promised Google TV version we're also expecting. Interestingly, there does not appear to be a charge for the app (which runs $30 on mobiles and tablets), so if you have a Slingbox Solo or Pro-HD and one of the green and black media streamers all you have to do is download and press play. We'll give it a shot and let you know how it works, until then just press play on the demo video embedded above for a quick look.

SlingPlayer for Connected Devices is here, arrives first on Boxee Box (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink @MisterSling (Twitter)  |  sourceSling, Boxee  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/slingplayer-for-connected-devices-is-here-...

Matcha.tv Tracks and Puts Favorite TV Shows and Movies from Netflix and Hulu in One Place [Streaming Video]

Matcha.tv is like a personal online DVR for Netflix and Hulu, as well as Comcast Xfinity. In addition to movie and TV show recommendations, Matcha.tv offers a queue (with Netflix syncing) that updates with new episodes to watch in your browser. More »


from Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com/5861831/matchatv-tracks-and-puts-favorite-tv-shows-and-...

Comcast shows off its new 'Barcelona' HD guide upgrade

We've already gotten a large eyeful of Comcast's next-gen Xcalibur guide that's on the way next year with social networking tie ins and apps, but until that arrives, what can we hope for on the existing Scientific Atlanta, Cisco, and Motorola cable boxes? Sr. Director of Video Product Development Ted Hodgins has the answer, dropping in a link to the company's new Barcelona guide that it is already delivering to Anyroom DVR customers in Florida now, and will roll out in more markets before the end of the year. Like the upgraded guides we've seen for FiOS and TiVo, this iteration is built for HDTVs, with 16x9 graphics and far more listings information than was previously available on one screen. Other new features include the option to filter listings down to HD, premium, kids, movies, or sports content, easy jumping between days and saved searches. When we first laid eyes on another version of the software nearly four years ago we were impressed by its slick looks, but while it's still a major upgrade over the current decade-old cable box interfaces, in 2011 it takes more than a simple facelift to impress us. Hit the gallery for a few screenshots or click the source link below to meet the new guide before it rolls out in your area and see if its enough to hold you over for the time being.

[Thanks, cypherstream]

Comcast shows off its new 'Barcelona' HD guide upgrade originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/comcast-shows-off-its-new-barcelona-hd-gui...

How to Make Waking Up Comfortable and Pleasurable (Instead of Punishing) [First World Solutions]

This is no way to start the morning, though it's probably the most common way: Hit snooze over and over until you're aggravated enough to get up or play mean tricks on yourself, like placing the alarm clock across the room or shredding money if you don't get up. But instead of punishment, what if you made it more pleasurable to get out of bed, even as the weather's getting colder? Consider these (often automated) alternatives. More »


from Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com/5861613/how-to-make-waking-up-comfortable-and-pleasurab...

Mark Suster on the Future of TV

Mark Suster is an investor in new net-based TV startups and in this 10 minute talk he breaks down ten reasons why Internet TV is ready to disrupt the industry. His full list of points and explanations is available on his blog, and in a presentation format.

It's a great bunch of ideas that take note of the weird transition period we are currently in. When I was giving away my old TiVo, I had trouble finding any close friends with a HD cable package that could even use the device. Almost everyone I know is either cutting cable completely for internet video, or cutting way back on their cable plans to the absolute bare minimums. My friends tend to be technology canaries in the coal mine, but the writing is on the wall, and in the next few years we'll definitely see a mainstream switch to online video (and cancelations of cable TV plans).

from PVRblog http://www.pvrblog.com/2011/11/mark-suster-on-the-future-of-tv.html?utm_sourc...

Samsung in 'last-stage talks' to use Google TV, will show off hardware after CES

The true second act of Google TV won't take place until new hardware hits the streets, and Reuters reports that while Samsung is still on board,it will unveil its product(s) next year at an event other than CES. There's no word on when or where we might see hardware from other partners like LG, but at last year's show Vizio and Samsung (pictured above) were the only ones to display their efforts. TV division prez Yoon Boo-keun confirmed the company was working with Google on the rollout, and apparently indicated Samsung's service would "differ" from competitors. We'll have to find out what that means, but i the meantime what we can expect to see in Las Vegas are OLED TVs, which he said Samsung would have on display. After being teased by countless concepts, we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for price tags and shipping dates, but those details will likely remain under wraps until January.

Samsung in 'last-stage talks' to use Google TV, will show off hardware after CES originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/samsung-in-last-stage-talks-to-use-google-...

Biscotti TV Phone goes on sale today for $199, assumes everyone you know uses Google Talk

Feel the need to video chat in higher resolution? Or maybe just take a break from the PC while you talk to your long-distance girlfriend you met at Comic Con? Well, we just got word that Biscotti, that TV phone we demoed last week, is on sale in the US and Canada for a princely $199. To recap, it's a camera that sits discreetly atop your TV and is, indeed, about as small and lightweight as that crunchy Italian cookie. The idea is pretty simple: it plugs into both your TV and set-top box, and makes free calls to other Biscotti owners, along with anyone using Google Talk. After our brief demo we were impressed enough with the easy setup and simple menus that layer on top of whatever you're watching, but then again, we were unaware of the price. So, is two hundred bucks worth a lifetime of seeing grandma in 1080p? That, friends, is a decision you'll have to make for yourself.

Continue reading Biscotti TV Phone goes on sale today for $199, assumes everyone you know uses Google Talk

Biscotti TV Phone goes on sale today for $199, assumes everyone you know uses Google Talk originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/15/biscotti-tv-phone-goes-on-sale-today-for-1...

Two-Thirds of Online U.S. Adults Use Social Media — But Why? [STUDY]

The most common reason U.S. adults use social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn is to stay in touch with friends and family members, a new study reveals. A Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project study released Tuesday examines why 66% of online U.S. adults use social media.

“Some social networkers view these sites as venues for making new friends and connections,” says the study‘s lead researcher, Aaron Smith. “But for the majority, social networking sites are most important as a way to share and communicate with friends and family who are already key social ties. Activities such as meeting potential dating partners or interacting with public figures are much less relevant than deepening bonds with those who are already important.”

Of those surveyed, 67% say connecting with friends was a “major reason” they use social media; 64% say connecting with family was also a “major reason.” Half of the social media users say connecting with people they’ve lost touch with is a “major reason” for their use.

Older users (ages 50 to 64) are more likely than younger users (ages 18 to 29) to use social media to find others with similar interests or hobbies. Eighteen percent of the older group, compared to 10% of the younger group, use social for that reason.

SEE ALSO: Facebook Is Most Popular Social Network for All Ages; LinkedIn Is Second [STUDY]

Twitter users are more likely than Facebook or LinkedIn users to connect with public figures using social media. While 41% of users say reading celebrity and politician updates was at least a minor reason for using social media, only 4% of non-Twitter users attributed interactions with public figures as their motivation.

Only 3% of respondents say finding potential romantic or dating partners is a “major reason” they use social media. Conversely, 84% say it was “not a reason at all.”

Pew surveyed 2,277 adults over the age of 18 between Apr. 26 and May 22. There is a 3% margin of error to the findings.

Why do you use social media? Take our poll or tell us in the comments.


Why Do You Use Social Media?

Image courtesy of Flickr, Income Dream.com

More About: Pew, Social Media, social media trends

from Mashable! http://mashable.com/2011/11/15/social-media-use-study/?utm_source=feedburner&...

NFL teams love the iPad

Just before the start of the NFL football season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers equipped their players with iPads to see how a tablet would work as a training tool. A few months into the season and the iPads are a "smashing success" says general manager Mark Dominik.

The iPads include a digital version of the playbook and a custom app written just for the team. They are being used by players to review videos of their opponents and improve their own play. Even coaches have embraced the technology and are using the tablets to screen potential recruits.

Players and coaches may be adopting this technology, but the NFL itself is taking a slower approach. The league bans the use of tablets on the field and prohibits their use within 90 minutes of kickoff. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy says the football league is holding back technology to keep the playing field level for all teams and to "keep as much of the human element in the game."

NFL teams love the iPad originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog http://www.tuaw.com/2011/11/15/nfl-teams-love-the-ipad/