Joe Stewart's blog

Roku's $99 set-top player now supports streaming HD content.

Netflix is the first service to deliver HD content to the Roku player. They are adding many HD titles to the catalog available for streaming. There will be more content providers announced fairly soon.

If you already have one, no need to worry. Roku will deliver the new software to you free of charge.

To get started, order one directly from Roku.

Nokia's N97 is competing squarely with current iPhones matching or exceeding Apple feature for feature.

By current standards, some of these features are impressive such as 16:9 DVD quality video capture, 5 megapixel camera with a Zeiss lens, and 32GB memory on-board.

The turn-by-turn A-GPS and electronic compass fit in with the social network positioning that Nokia designed the N97. Couple these features with a full QWERTY keyboard and 3.5" display, the Nokia N97 makes it easy to update social networks with up to date information.

And, hey, surprise! it has copy and paste.

Scoble had his hands on one and gushes about how great the N97 is with Facebook. Read more

The ZVOX Z-Base 500 was designed to integrate with flat panel televisions on a stand. You can locate the low profile unit directly underneath the television or on a shelf.

The ZVOX Z-Base 550 is self-contained. There are no controls or display on the unit and no external speakers. This means no speaker wires to try to route and hide. It is controlled either from television volume control or its own credit card sized remote control.

The PhaseCue virtual surround circuitry simulates surround effects to provide a larger soundstage.

Available now at www.zvoxaudio.com for $499.99.

This entry-level PENTAX K2000 DSLR kit is packaged for those transitioning from a point-and-shoot digital camera to DSLR photography.

It comes with 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 and 50-200mm F4-5.6 zoom lenses. The lenses along with body are in white. The 2.7 inch wide-view LCD helps check the pictures captured with the 10.2 megapixel CCD.

The shake reduction is compatible with other PENTAX lenses, which have been available for a long time. A dust removal system helps keep images clear and the body from needing maintenance.

Beginners will appreciate the help button that explains camera settings to guide and teach the user about digital SLR photography.

The price has not been announced yet, but the PENTAX K2000 White kit will have a very limited release starting in February 2009. The white lenses are going to only be available as part of the kit. This combo will only be sold in the US.

Leica is adding another camera to their line of titanium special edition cameras. Leica is limiting the D-LUX 4 Titanium to 10,000 worldwide.

This collector's item is functionally identical to the regular D-LUX 4. The compact system camera's high aperture lens allows for use without a flash under more conditions than most compacts.

The Leica D-LUX has a 10.1 megapixel sensor, 24-60 mm lens and can store photos in fine, standard, raw or combinations.

It comes with a matching titanium colored leather case. Available accessories include a handgrip, auxiliary finder and flash.

Available at authorized dealers in January 2009.

A quick note introducing "Free Shipping Day."

Since Black Friday has exploded now (so much that I wonder if it has peaked), merchants are trying to find ways to keep shoppers interest. I don't think Cyber Monday provided much of interest this year.

Luke Knowles, founder of FreeShipping.org created "Free Shipping Day" and www.freeshippingday.com. The site has collected more than 250 participating merchants offering free shipping on December 18 with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve.

In addition, the website has a very useful list of shipping deadlines for over 250 merchants.

Ultimate Ears has been known for their personal monitor earphones that are custom fitted by taking an impression mold of the ear. This attention to detail follows to their universal fit products too. Instead of using a single driver for all frequencies, the TripleFi has a design more like larger speaker systems - three drivers and a crossover to split up the frequency distribution.

The TripleFi 10vi is designed for use with the iPhone or Blackberry with a 1/8" (3.5mm). It has a in-line microphone and button to make phone calls. The button also is used to pause and play music or video. The cable is almost 4ft unlike some shorter ones seen lately. It comes with small, medium, and large silicone ear tips, foam tips, 1/4-inch adapter, extender cable and a metal carrying case. They also include an attenuator to use when connecting to unfamiliar sources like on airplanes.

As you can expect from Ultimate Ears, the TripleFi 10vi are pricey at $419.99. But, hey order from Ultimate Ears and you get a tshirt too.

Google finally added a Task Manager. It is in Gmail and not part of the Calendar.

The simplicity in use is nice. It is easy to add and complete tasks (including emails). I can have multiple lists, move tasks around to organize, pop it out on the screen or minimize it.

However, there are many things that users expect their task list manager help them do. People request features for a reason - they want their productivity tools to fit. I want tools to work with me, and not me have to adjust my workflow too much. A few quick features that really are needed are integration with Google Calendar, email notification, and syncing with other devices and services. Tagging would be nice too.

Granted, the Gmail Task Manager is a "Labs" feature and a first release. I really do like "release early, release often" and grow from there. I just hope they will listen to feedback and make it more feature rich.

Reaction has been mixed so far. It seems to miss the mark pretty much for anybody that has used Remember the Milk. Techmeme rounds up links to discussion on Gmail Tasks.

Netflix keeps expanding in ways for their members to watch movies. Now TiVo and Netflix announce that their users can watch movies from Netflix on their TiVo DVR's. This is at no additional charge to current subscribers of both services. Some HD content has been added to the 12,000 movies and TV shows, with more standard and HD titles promised. Netflix joins TiVo extra features like Rhapsody music, Youtube video, Picasa and Photobucket.

After adding the movie to the Instant Queue via the Netflix website, with the TiVo you can browse the choices, read about the movies, and rate them.

As with Netflix on the Xbox 360, I wonder if will they add being able to choose movies from the TiVo?

I'm now curious whether the Comcast TiVo accounts can have Netflix too.

Check into streaming from Netflix to your TiVo at www.tivo.com/netflix.

We've seen recent reports that new MacBooks are likely 33% of US notebook sales. Many of these are moving from PC to Mac. In addition to actually running Windows applications with something like Parallels, VMWare Fusion, or Crossover Mac getting all the existing data swtiched over is important.

The Switch-to-Mac Cable helps transfer more than just files like pictures and documents. Belkin says that the Migration Assistant also can transfer Outlook mail to Apple Mail, Internet Explorer settings into Safari, and pull My Music into iTunes.

Available now in the US, priced at $49.99.

Learn more from Belkin and watch a short demo.