PSA: Free WiFi at Starbucks Starts Tomorrow

Here’s a friendly reminder that starting July 1, unlimited WiFi access at Starbucks coffeehouses in America and Canada will be free. Previously, customers were limited to two free hours that required some goofy login. The new scheme is unlimited and only requires one click to get things going.

While I’m not a big fan of Starbucks coffee (I don’t hate it. I just find it average.), I think it’s cool that the company is offering free WiFi to its customers. I’m sure that the unlimited WiFi will be problematic in places like San Francisco, where’s there’s a high nerds-per-square-inch ratio. Someone will gather a group of friends, start torrenting GBs of data, slowing down speeds for everyone else as they cackle at their prank. Hmmmm, I wonder what my LA freelancer friends are doing tomorrow….

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Coffee Talk #168: Your Console and Electronics Updating Patterns

Yesterday I updated the software for my HTC Evo 4G and PlayStation 3. Both had updates that were released yesterday. I was actually surprised that I updated so soon. Usually I wait a few days to see if there are any bugs or annoying quirks caused by the new software. For various reasons (okay, it was cloudy…and updating firmware makes me happy), I jumped the gun and didn’t following my usual updating pattern.

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, Roger Federer’s upset at Wimbledon, red pandas, or Stumptown’s Costa Rica Brumas Del Zurqui, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Yesterday I updated the software for my HTC Evo 4G and PlayStation 3. Both had updates that were released yesterday. I was actually surprised that I updated so soon. Usually I wait a few days to see if there are any bugs or annoying quirks caused by the new software. For various reasons (okay, it was cloudy…and updating firmware makes me happy), I jumped the gun and didn’t following my usual updating pattern.

How do you handle updates for your consoles, mobile phones, etc.? Do you update straight away, like I did yesterday? Do you wait a few days to make sure everything is kosher? Perhaps you only update when it’s absolutely necessary, like when a certain game require a newer firmware version. Kindly share your console and consumer electronics updating patterns in the comments section.

Hulu Plus for 360 Will Be Highly Customized, Gold Members Only

According to Larry Hryb — who is Microsoft’s Major Nelson and not the guy that performed “Pants on the Ground” on American Idol — Hulu Plus for Xbox 360 will be different from its counterparts. It will also be for Xbox Live Gold subscribers only. Here’s the deal:

We’re working hard on creating customized experience for Xbox Live members, which means that Hulu Plus will be coming to Xbox 360 in early 2011. We are taking the time to ensure that the Hulu Plus experience for Xbox 360 is the best on TV and like our other entertainment experiences it will not be a port, but rather a custom experience that leverages the Xbox Live community features.

Hulu Plus will be available for US Xbox Live Gold Members only.

Some of you are probably disappointed that Hulu Plus will be Gold only, but you shouldn’t be surprised. Microsoft needs to increase the value of Xbox Live Gold in light of Sony’s PlayStation Plus service.

How do you feel about this tidbit from the fake Major? Bummed? Indifferent?

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Xbox 360 Kinect Limited to Two Players, 30 fps, and 640 x 480?

Here’s some potentially alarming news for those of you interested in Kinect for Xbox 360: according to a UK retailer, the camera is limited to a resolution of 640×480 at 30 frames per second and only supports two “active” players at a time.  The 30 fps claim is the most damning, since it means there will usually be some sort of lag. Support for two active players means that those of you with giant living rooms will not be able to have wild Kinect party sessions. Here’s the full list of specs:

Sensor
Colour and depth-sensing lenses
Voice microphone array
Tilt motor for sensor adjustment
Fully compatible with existing Xbox 360 consoles

Field of View
Horizontal field of view: 57 degrees
Vertical field of view: 43 degrees
Physical tilt range: ± 27 degrees
Depth sensor range: 1.2m – 3.5m

Data Streams
320×240 16-bit depth @ 30 frames/sec
640×480 32-bit colour@ 30 frames/sec
16-bit audio @ 16 kHz

Skeletal Tracking System
Tracks up to 6 people, including 2 active players
Tracks 20 joints per active player
Ability to map active players to Live Avatars

Audio System
Live party chat and in-game voice chat (requires Xbox Live Gold Membership)
Echo cancellation system enhances voice input
Speech recognition in multiple

If these specs are accurate then Microsoft’s motion-control device is less impressive than some experts thought . When you have a moment, please let me know what you think of these purported Kinect specs.

Source via CrunchGear

Two Excellent Portal 2 Videos

Here are a pair of excellent Portal 2 videos for your drooling pleasure. As I mentioned in Coffee Talk #162, I didn’t have time to see the game at E3 2010, which totally bummed me out. The good news is that I can enjoy these videos with you and disccus ’em here! I know a few of you are Portal fans, so kindly check out these clips and let me know what you think (please)!

Tetsuya Nomura Talks The 3rd Birthday

I am incredibly psyched for Square Enix’s The 3rd Birthday, the not-quite-a-sequel to Parasite Eve. I was big fan of the first Parasite Eve game, but was disappointed in the second. I’m hoping director Tetsuya Nomura can bring the magic back for the series’ third chapter. In a recent interview with Famitsu, Nomura said:

The plan for this game was written many years back. We felt that we’d need a system that would show a uniqueness from the TPS (third person shooter) games that were being released in abundance overseas, and we came up with the Overdive system. But now a variety of TPS games are coming out. We felt that we’d need something more unique for this title, and we recently decided to add [the clothing system]. It’s something that could not be done with a rugged main character — something that would only work with Aya.

There are many who call it Parasite Eve 3. However, it’s not a sequel in the Parasite Eve series but a new piece of content called The 3rd Birthday. The tense battles that have a horror-action style, the event scenes which aim to be the highest level on PSP, the cut-ins that are made with overseas movies in mind — we believe you’ll be able to enjoy a somewhat adult world.

As much as I respect Nomura and love his games, I’m ignoring his statement that this isn’t a sequel. I don’t see how anyone can think this isn’t Parasite Eve 3. That aside, I can’t wait for this game! Anyone with me?

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Bloomberg Says the iPhone Will Hit Verizon in January 2011

In the latest string of iPhone-headed-to-Verizon rumors, Bloomberg has cited two sources that claim Apple’s wildly popular super phone is headed for America’s largest mobile network. Here’s the quote:

Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. mobile-phone company, will start selling Apple Inc.’s iPhone next year, ending AT&T Inc.’s exclusive hold on the smartphone in the U.S., two people familiar with the plans said.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve become immune to these rumors. While I’d love to have a fully functional iPhone 4 on any major mobile network that’s not AT&T, these rumors are becoming a bit much.

How do you ladies and gents feel about the latest iPhone/Verizon rumor? You think this one is legit? Are you still dreaming about an iPhone on a superior network? Or are you tired of being teased?

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PlayStation 3 is Profitable After Three Years

Here’s some interesting ammunition for PS3 fanboys to use in the console wars — Sony is finally making money on PlayStation 3 hardware sales. Normally, console companies follow the razor-and-blade model, initially losing money on hardware (razor) and making it up in software (blades). As manufacturing becomes more efficient and die shrinks lead to cheaper silicon, consoles become cheaper to make. Sony is at the point where it’s making money on console sales instead of losing it. In an interview with IGN UK Sony Computer Entertainment president Shuhei Yoshida said:

This year is the first time that we are able to cover the cost of the PlayStation 3. We aren’t making huge money from hardware, but we aren’t bleeding like we used to.

The news is great for Sony and even greater for message board fodder. The Internets are already blowing up with the news…and I still don’t understand why. It’s great for the company, but I don’t understand why it matters to Joe the Gamer (Joe the Plumber’s nephew). That said, the flame wars are amusing. Fore!!!

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Hulu Plus Available on iPhone and iPad, Consoles Coming Soon

Hulu has revealed details on its “Hulu Plus” premium service, which soft launched today for the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. The service costs $9.99 per month and includes hundreds of popular televisions shows, as well as  a broad selection of movies. The teaser site for Hulu Plus says that it’s coming soon for Sony Playstation 3 and is due for Xbox 360 in early 2011.

Hulu Plus seems like a fantastic choice for television junkies on the run. I know a lot of you are high on Netflix for consoles; that service seems like a better choice for movies. That said, I’m sure Hulu will improve its movie selection and as a frequent traveler I love the portability of Hulu Plus.

What do you guys and dolls think of the service? Would a Hulu/Netflix combo be enough for you to cancel your cable or satellite service?

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