image from Gizmodo.com

[via TUAW from Gizmodo]

About 18 months ago my 1st gen Slingbox took a dive, power supply I thought.  I tried reviving it with another power supply, but no luck.  So I just tossed the unit onto my growing pile of old, out dated, powered plastic.

This morning however my ears perked up.  Slingbox’s iPhone application has now been approved for 3g.  The original iPhone application on used Wifi.  Having 3G may have just changed my tune on watching live TV in my iPhone.  Maybe it’s time to invest in a new Slingbox?

[story via | image via]

This software is very helpful for thos of us that don’t have 3G 100% of the time.  The maps are store on the device.  Unlike the Google maps that require an internet connection to load.  This really makes the application run quickly.

Well worth the $24.99 for the West where I live.

The interface is great and plugins are plentiful.  We’ll see how it works and feels long term.  If your in the Denver Metro area and want to help me start a Mac User group in Douglas County post up of at MacMingle.com

You can also follow the progress of the Group formation on Twitter, User ID MacMingle.

I sure hope it’s not a faux pas to ask this question?  After all I rely on Google to rake up my tags and keywords.

How is Google doing.  I know everything on the surface looks fine.  Stock is down, but everyone’s is.  In this time of perception is huge is Google pulling in the reins?

Check out this story from CNET: Google’s free SMS gravy train dries up. Don’t get me wrong here.  One story does not a rumor make, but I also received the email below from Google.

We’re writing to let you know that on May 5, 2009, Google
Checkout’s transaction processing fees will be changing. We’ll be
transitioning from our 2.0% + $0.20 per transaction rate to a new
tiered fee structure, where the rates will vary depending on the
dollar amount of your monthly sales processed through Checkout.
The rate you’ll be charged beginning on May 5, 2009 will be based
on your sales processed through Checkout during the month of April
2009. Each month thereafter, we’ll continue to use the prior
month’s sales volume to determine your transaction processing
rate. For more details about the new rates, please visit
http://checkout.google.com/seller/fees.html

This announcement raises rates as much as 0.9% and +.10cts per transaction.  I understand these rate are still low when comparing them to other credit card processors.  To see such and increase from Google surprised me a bit.  The email also advised that Adwords transaction fees are no longer free.

We’ll also be discontinuing the AdWords free transaction
processing promotion on May 5, 2009. Any AdWords transaction
processing credits accrued during April 2009 will be applied
towards transactions that occur on May 1-4, 2009.

Why is Google making chnages like a normal business.  This is very unlike them.

[via CNET]

The formula is simple: Combine the highly rated GeForce® 9400 GPU found in new desktop and notebook PCs with the Intel Atom CPU. This combination (code-named Ion Platform) enables the smallest premium PC experience available today, making it ideal for the exploding category of mini-notebooks and compact PCs.

This Ion reference design is a full-fledged PC that supports full-spec 1080p HD video, popular PC games, and Windows Vista Premium. OEM designs can be even smaller.