A great TechDirt article discusses Dish Network’s  announcement that could change the mass media world (for the better) forever. The company set up a special DVR system, called Auto Hop, that would let viewers automatically DVR the entire prime time lineup of all the major networks with a single button,  and then then automatically skip commercials  when watching the playback, as long as it wasn’t on the same day the shows aired.

“Viewers love to skip commercials,” Vivek Khemka, vice president of DISH Product Management, said in a statement

The question posed by TV Networks is: Is allowing users to automatically skip commercials legal? The article mentions a few passed cases of tantrum-throwing network execs like Jamie Kellner, former chair of Turner Broadcast Systems, who once claimed that walking away from your TV during commercials was a form of theft.  We clearly understand why these individuals would be upset at this (long-awaited) feature but should it be illegal?  Ted Harbert, NBC Broadcasting chairman thinks it’s “…an attack on our eco-system” but as TechDirt put it,

Isn’t it just like NBC to think that a tool that the public actually finds useful is an “attack” on their ecosystem? At some point, in the way, way distant future, perhaps we’ll live in an age where companies like NBC Universal recognize that, when things are more efficient and easier for consumers, it is a good thing, rather than something to freak out about and declare evil?

I couldn’t agree more. Besides, if you have a DVR or Tivo, don’t you already fast-forward through the commercials anyway? Can’t we already pause a live television show while we make some nachos and fast-forward through the commercials without recording first? It seems like the network executives arguments are rather futile at this point. Maybe if they innovated the device in question, they wouldn’t be such angry birds.

What do you think? Are you for or against this technology? I personally will continue to DVR Modern Family and blissfully fly passed commercials without considering the 1% who benefits from their annoyance. How about you?

Released in 2010, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 peripheral, the Kinect changed the way we viewed controller-free gaming. While Nintendo and PlayStation were the first in the marketing with the Wii and PS Move, respectively, Microsoft’s Kinect blazed a trail of response and control unlike its predecessors.  Only one day after its release, the Kinect’s internal software was “hacked” and made available for developers to play with. We’ve seen several adaptations of the Kinect software, like its application in the operating room, but none will have the potential of the autism-detection development being done by The University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development in Minneapolis described in an article by Forbes. Read the rest of this entry »

Revealed in a post on phys.org, a team of scientists have discovered a solution to a common life cycle issue of lithium-ion batteries that could seriously extend the life of all your small electronics. Read the rest of this entry »

Body piercer Dave Hurban from Williamstown, NJ took took the phrase “integrated technology” to a new level.  In a post on Technabob.com, Dave is seen inserting micro-dermal magnets into his wrist to hold an iPod Nano.   Read the rest of this entry »

Abt Electronics hosts numerous field trips throughout the year.  From Kindergartners enjoying a tour which includes a stop at the bubble machine in our atrium, to manufacturer representatives visiting us for the first time, Abt’s tours bring a smile to people of all ages.  Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting a field trip for a visiting 8th grade class from Elm Place Middle School in Highland Park.

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To Chicagoland readers, we can feel it. Summer’s just out of reach and we are on the precipice of swimming pools, and more importantly, good ole’ American barbecues with friends and family. While this season will surely be ushering in a new generation of grill masters eager for smoke-induced teary eyes and hours of trial-and-error hamburgers, there are also some seasoned veterans that could use a some upgrading or replacing. For $500 (without tax – for you number sticklers) Abt can create a memorable experience in backyards large and small. Read the rest of this entry »

Just Wow

What has four wheels, a hydraulic leveling system, surround sound, two flat panel TVs, and is so luxurious it should have its own bulter? A 2006 American Coach Eagle recreational vehicle customized and updated by Abt Electronics’ mobile department.  This isn’t your grandpas RV, this bad boy is decked to the brim with features and amenities that could turn any 23-hour family road trip into a cool, relaxed, and entertained travel experience.

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One of the most talked about sections at our retail site in Glenview IL is our Sub-Zero and Wolf kitchen.  Meticulously designed with the help from Sub-Zero and Wolf representatives, it’s called “The Living Kitchen” and it offers consumers a glimpse of the sleek, elegant designs.

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I’ve loved computers my whole life. When you love computers, you learn a thing or two along the way. People see that you love computers and use you as their go-to personal IT guy. My favorite question is always “can you make it faster?” While solutions to this problem can vary, I’ve learned that by running a few native programs and third-party applications, you can clean up a computer and deliver that little speed boost people are looking for.

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Next week is Mother’s Day so it’s time to spoil that mother, or mother in-law, in your life!  At Abt Electronics, we’ve selected some of the best products for moms.  Whether she is the techno savvy mom, or the old fashioned mom, we’ve got everything that’ll put a smile to her face this Mother’s Day!