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?

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.   (more…)

An ABC News exclusive, posted today, discusses Facebook’s CEO Mark Zukerberg’s initiative to leverage the power of Facebook’s community to increase organ donation and issue awareness.  Users can add that they are organ donors to their timeline, and share their story with friends (as if we need to give those self-righteous Facebooker’s more of a reason to show off). With a history of privacy issues, we can look at this as a genuine attempt to user their powers for good, or an excellent public relations execution designed to position the company as an issue-influencer (which they are) and  an born-again morally sound organization, attempting to direct public attention away from past privacy slip-ups and towards a more informed, connected, and do-goody future.

(more…)

My little brother, a sophomore engineering major at a Big 10 university, sent me a text yesterday and it read:

 “I need an iPad, I’ll save so much money on books.”

Now, as a recent graduate myself, the use of tablets and eBooks didn’t really pick up till my senior year and even then, we knew little of the money we could save. As this technology continues to permeate our educational system, we see more  curriculums being complemented by the multimedia advantages of a tablet, but how much could you actually save?

I asked my brother to send me the titles of his (four) books and then I went on Amazon.com and started crunching numbers. The table below shows the cost of each book on Amazon.com in hardcover, Ebook, and eBook rental editions.

Note: Rental price is based off a 112 (16 week) Semester and Book 3 did not have any digital options. Remember, this is just a single case as your savings my vary.

If he could rent his books from Amazon for the semester he would save a: $246.11

Now, a 16 GB iPad 2 costs $399 (+tax) from Abt.com. So, assuming these savings will translate semester to semester (or increase if ALL his books are available in digital format) his iPad 2 will pay for itself in less than one academic year.  What you do with the extra savings is up to you, but since this is college, I’m pretty sure I know where every last cent is going…savings? Right.

I’m inspired, are you? Let us know how you (or how you WOULD)  save money using your electronics!

Following Abt Electronics on Twitter is fast and easy.  Not only will you know all of the latest news about the store, but you have a chance to win great prizes.  Just check out our Twitter page, and follow us.  Every Wednesday we will randomly select a follower and give them a prize.  This week is a free $25 gift card.  It’s that easy.  Start following us today!

Smartphones are slowly becoming the go-to electronic for everything on-the-go.  They have become everything from a cell phone, to a music player to a hand held video game console.  What they also have become is the perfect instant camera.  Smartphones are gaining ground as photo and video capture devices, said a study by The NPD Group.  According to the NPD Group, 27 percent of all still and video images were captured on smartphones this year. This is up from 17 percent in 2010.

As smartphones continue to add to their features, their internal bits and pieces become more advanced.  Most recently the iPhone 4s has an 8mp camera with incredible features that easily rival most major point-and-shoot digital cameras.

Being a new owner of an iPhone 4s, I no longer have to lug my camera on trips.  Recently I made a trip to the Field Museum in Chicago, IL and I used my iPhone 4s all day for every camera shots.  They all looked great, even in low light situations.  My phone has become my main source for picture taking.  It is fast, easy to use, allows for in-camera editing and I always have my phone on me, so I never miss a picture.

Do you use your cell phone to take images or video?  Let us know!

Image taken at the Chicago Field Museum with iPhone 4s

CEDIA 2011 has come to a close, but not before showing off some more interesting electronics expected to come out late 2011/early 2012.  Some more items from top manufacturers are sure to be a hit around the holiday season.

Pioneer showed off their music tap system, model XMSC4K, which is a shelf iPod dock system with wireless streaming. This will let consumers enjoy high resolution music wirelessly from any DLNA Certified® 1.5 compliant device, including Android® phones and tablets, Windows 7 computers, and more.

Martin Logan showcased a range of in-wall and in-ceiling speaker options for users whom want a more subtle way of enjoying the company’s audio engineering.  Visit our website for a full line of Martin Logan speakers.

Klipsch showed off their new line of wireless speakers, model G17.  True to form, Klipsch appears to have spent every bit as much time on making them look as good as they sound. For Abt’s full line of Klipsch’s products, check out our Klipsch brand page

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Think your dad is the World’s Best Dad?  Well, then show him!  There’s not much time left to shop for something great for that special person, but Abt is here to help.  Check out our visit at Chicagoland’s WGN station for our segment of Father’s Day Gift Ideas.

If you aren’t sure what to get, you can always get an Abt Gift Card and have him choose whatever catches his eye.

Josh Davis, a salesman here at Abt, visited Chicago’s WGN station this week to talk about some great gift ideas for Father’s day.  Find out what’s hot and perfect that’ll surely please dad.

The following is a list of all the products featured in the segment:

Weber 3 Piece Stainless Steel Tool Set $29

Krups Beertender Home Beer-Tap System Keg Cooler $99

HP Photosmart C310a Premium e-All-In-One Printer $149

Polk Audio outdoor speakers $149

Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses $229

Movado Two Tone Chronograph Men’s Watch $3995