Raymond Padilla

Vizio Announces Via Android Phone and Tablet

A lot of you are familiar with Vizio as a company that offers quality televisions at a relatively affordable price. Get ready to know them as an Android phone and tablet company too. Vizio has officially announced the four-inch Via phone and the eight-inch Via tablet. Both products feature Google Android (looks like Honeycomb) and special connectivity with Vizio televisions. Here’s a clip from the press release:

The Vizio Via Phone features a 1 GHz processor, 4? high-resolution capacitive touch screen, 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS, a MicroSD card slot for memory expansion and HDMI output with HD video playback. It also features a front-facing camera for video chats and a 5 megapixel rear camera for photos and HD video capture.

The Vizio Via Tablet also features a 1 GHz processor, with an 8? high-resolution capacitive touch screen, 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS, a MicroSD card slot for additional memory expansion, HDMI output with HD video playback, and a front-facing camera for video chats. It also boasts a unique three-speaker design for stereo audio in both portrait and landscape modes.

Both devices include HD video playback with HDMI video output, high quality audio processing and built-in universal remote control app that make these the ideal handheld companions to the HD entertainment experience.

There are several interesting things in play here. It’s interesting to see that a consumer electronics company that isn’t known for making portable devices is taking a stab at the phone and tablet market. It will be interesting to see if the Vizio brand and connectivity to its televisions will attract consumers. While I don’t expect many tech geeks to flock to these phones, Vizio has been successful with general consumers at retail outlets like Costco and Sam’s Club; perhaps people that bought Vizio televisions at these stores will be attracted to an Android product (and universal remote) from Vizio too.

What do you think of the Via? Are you surprised that Vizio is getting into this game? Do you think the company’s Android venture will be successful? Or will it be a flash in the pan? Any of you own Vizio TVs? Does an Android phone or tablet that works a universal Vizio remote appeal to you?

Larry Sanders Show and Judd Apatow’s Greatness

I spent a large chunk of yesterday watching The Larry Sanders Show marathon on IFC. A lot of people love the show for the fantastic performances by Garry Shandling, Rip Torn, and Jeffrey Tambor. One of the men behind those performances was Judd Apatow, who directed, produced, and wrote several episodes of the show.

Apatow has been in the entertainment business for decades, but he only recently received mainstream acclaim for movies like The 40-Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up. His television series Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared were loved by critics, hipsters, and nerds alike, but didn’t perform well in the ratings department. While Apatow is a household name these days, he flew under the radar during The Larry Sanders Show’s wonder years. Looking back at the the show’s deft writing and directing, it’s clear that Apatow was capable of great and hilarious things. It just took a long, long time before he struck gold (on his own) with a mainstream audience.

Out of curiosity, do you enjoy any of Judd Apatow’s movies or TV programs? Share some of your favorites (please)!

Sunday New Year’s Housekeeping

– I hope everyone had a fun and safe new year’s eve! Let’s try to make 2011 better than 2010. Although last year was better than the last three months of 2009 for me, it still wasn’t a good year. With some luck and support, 2011 will rock.

– November 2010 was the best month ever for the site — both in terms of traffic and Amazon purchases. December was also very good, but traffic dipped expectedly during the holidays. Thanks to everyone for reading, commenting, and purchasing!

– The first three months of 2011 will be vital to the future of RPad.tv. There are a lot of great content opportunities for me, but I need to scrounge up some money for travel. Hopefully it all works out and I’ll be able to serve up some great video content that will take the site to new levels.

– The video content continues to perform well for the site. In addition to being more lucrative than written content, video is getting linked and embedded from a variety of sites. Thanks to everyone that uses Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking tools to promote my content! It really makes a difference and I super appreciate it.

– Here’s an annoying reminder that in addition to Amazon purchases, you can help the site make it through another year by buying/gifting some RPad.tv merchandise and asking your rich uncles to donate to the site via PayPal.

– Let’s all conquer 2011 together! I wish all of you the best of luck with life, love, and work.

Coffee Talk #276: Your 2011 Gaming Resolutions

Earlier in the year a bunch of you made 2010 gaming resolutions. Did you follow through? How about for 2011? Will you join me in making a gaming resolution?

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, your holiday travel nightmares, why 49F feels like a sub-zero temperature in Los Angeles, or your new year’s eve party plans, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Earlier in the year a bunch of you made 2010 gaming resolutions. Did you follow through? How about for 2011? Will you join me in making a gaming resolution? I plan on giving casual games more time in 2011. It’ll be tough because I love traditional console games, but mobile and social gaming are becoming huge parts of the gaming market. It’s an important space to follow and with any luck playing more mobile/social games will help me make actually money in 2011 (a novel idea).

Heck, I’m going to get started now! I’ve just installed Lord of Ultima for Chrome OS. I’ll play some in my Chrome browser and my Google Chrome Cr-48.

How about you? Any 2011 gaming resolutions you’d like to share?

What Are You Playing Over New Year’s Weekend?

What games will you ring in the new year with? As for me, it’s the same setup as last week. My friend Kenny is in town and he’s a casual PS3 gamer. I figure we’ll play some X-Men Arcade and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World on my Xbox 360. Plus, this will be a good excuse to download the Knives Chau DLC.

What’s on your new year’s weekend playlist?

Coffee Talk #275: CES Developments and You

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is right around the corner and all sorts of exciting (tech nerd) developments are about to be unveiled. What are you looking forward to at CES 2011?

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, Brett Favre’s slap on the wrist, the best cut of steak (it’s rib eye), or random closing thoughts on 2010, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is right around the corner and all sorts of exciting (tech nerd) developments are about to be unveiled. What are you looking forward to at CES 2011? Televisions are a huge part of the show, with 3DTV and advanced LED implementation leading the way. Android phones should be a major slice of the CES pie, with Verizon set to announce an LTE Android phone from HTC. Video chat through phones and televisions should cause a stir. There will be several Windows ultra-portable laptops on display from numerous manufacturers looking to duplicate the success of the MacBook Air. Tablet computers will be tremendous too, with several vendors serving up Apple iPad alternatives.

What are you looking forward to the most? Kindly take today’s poll and discuss in the comments section (please!).

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2010 Videogames: The Year in Review

In case you missed any of these excellent videos starring 1Up.com’s Sam Kennedy, Gamasutra’s Christian Nutt, and GameFly Media’s (Shacknews) Garnett Lee, here they are! Let’s start with their favorite games of 2010. Find out why these three excellent writers felt that Bayonetta, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, and Red Dead Redemption were the cream of the crop.

Next, find out why Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIV, and Gran Turismo 5 were the most disappointing games of the year to Christian, Sam, and Garnett.

Discovering sleeper hits is always a fantastic thing. There are games we all love that don’t get the attention they deserve. In the following segment, my dynamic guests tell you why Split Second, Ys: The Oath in Felghana, and Bayonetta should have your attention.

Last, but certainly not least, is the biggest gaming news in 2010. In a truly fascinating year for the business that kicked off tons of change, Garnett, Sam, and Christian reveal what news they thought had the biggest impact.

If you have any closing thoughts on videogames in 2010, speak now or forever hold your peace!

GameStop Giving Away Three Shiny Legendary Pokemon

GameStop will be giving away some extremely awesome Pokemon in January and February 2011 — shiny versions of the legendary beasts Entei, Raikou, and Suicune! Getting legendary Pokemon for free is awesome. Getting shiny versions — super rare variants that use a different color set — is complete radness. Here are the dates:

Raikou — January 3 to January 9
Entei — January 17 to January 23
Suicune — January 31 to February 6

You will need your Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver cartridges, a free Wonder Card slot, and Pokedex access to download these legendary Pokemon. Getting a Pokemon that has starred in television and movies is cool, but a shiny legendary?!? That’s brilliant stuff!

Also, these legendary beasts are cats, not dogs. I hate when people refer to them as dogs. Translate the words “rai” and “kou” before you mistakenly call Raikou a dog.

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Skype Launches Video Chat for iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod)

After months of sitting on its ass while smaller companies beat it to the punch, Skype has finally (and I mean that in the way The Rock says “finally”) launched video chat for iOS. The latest version of Skype offers video chat on numerous iOS products, including the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch, and iPad. Obviously the products without front-facing cameras will not have full video-chat functionality.

There are several implications (for mobile tech nerds). On the iOS front, it will be interesting to see how this impacts Apple’s FaceTime product. FaceTime is simple and it works, but Skype has hundreds of millions of users around the world. Will Skype be able to beat out FaceTime due to its enormous user base?

Secondly, where’s the Android version? Skype for Android is pretty crappy compared to the iOS version. Will a new and improved Skype for Android — complete with video chat — be unveiled at CES 2011? As a frequent Android and Skype user, I certainly hope so.

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Download Ash’s Pikachu at Toys ‘R Us

From January 30 to February 5, 2011 participating Toys ‘R Us stores will be distributing a very special Pikachu — the one made famous by Ash Ketchum’s adventures! Here are the official details:

Free exclusive event! January 30-February 5! Get Ash’s Pikachu as seen in Pokemon TV and movies at DS Download Stations only at Toys ”R” Us!

Bring your Nintendo DS system and your Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver Versions to Toys ”R” Us to receive the Character Download!

As a competitive player, I don’t really care about some wussy Pikachu. There are way better electric Pokemon out there. As a collector, I want it now! Gotta catch ’em all, right?

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