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Check your tense.

5 days ago on Microsoft killing off Xbox Points in favor of currency and gift cards system 1 recommend

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So why do they sell points in units of 500 while all of their games cost some multiple of 400 points? I can understand the micro-transaction cost argument, but what’s the excuse for the discrepancy that always leaves you with 100-200 unused points in your account?

5 days ago on Microsoft killing off Xbox Points in favor of currency and gift cards system 1 reply 6 recommends

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The thing is I do like to play online, just not at the same frequency I used to. As far as their online multiplayer, sure it’s good, but I don’t get the impression that it’s really improved that much over the past 5 years, while other services have been catching up.

I don’t know what gaming system I will get next (and I probably won’t decide until the new systems have been out for a year), but a lot of MS’s practices (MS points / charging extra for media streaming) feel very exploitative and have left a bad taste in my mouth. Yes, maybe they’ll fix all these things, but for now I don’t feel like they respect me as a customer all that much.

5 days ago on Microsoft killing off Xbox Points in favor of currency and gift cards system 1 reply 2 recommends

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I used to play online multiplayer all the time. Either having a friend over to play Halo splitscreen matchmaking or just playing with friends online. These days though I have a lot less free time, and online multiplayer isn’t usually how I choose to spend it. I probably play online about once a month. So essentially I am paying (extra) just to watch Netflix and Hulu Plus. I won’t be renewing my Xbox Live Gold account once it runs out. I’ve already bought an AppleTV to use as my Netflix/Hulu streamer (the Xbox interface feels absolutely sluggish by comparison).

If the next Xbox requires a fee for online multiplayer or media streaming they can count me out. Especially now that Bungie is independent and going cross platform.

5 days ago on Microsoft killing off Xbox Points in favor of currency and gift cards system 3 replies 2 recommends

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Nope, Those places already have deals in place for their POS systems. This product is aimed at smaller businesses. I’ve seen systems like this in use at smaller local coffee shops, in food trucks, and boutique stores.

Side note: Why do people always refer to Starbucks as a hipster hangout? It’s the most mainstream coffee brand on the planet.

6 days ago on Square introduces $299 stand aimed at replacing cash registers 1 reply

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Well, obviously you’d have to add in the price of the iPad. Even so it competes with POS systems that come with their own screens starting at ~$1500.

6 days ago on Square introduces $299 stand aimed at replacing cash registers 4 recommends

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The manager enabling parental controls.

6 days ago on Square introduces $299 stand aimed at replacing cash registers 2 recommends

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Indeed. Check out prices for non-tablet based POS systems sometime. This is not a bad deal.

Edit: for the sticker price, don’t know about the fees.

6 days ago on Square introduces $299 stand aimed at replacing cash registers 2 replies 14 recommends

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Oh boo hoo.

7 days ago on Daft Punk's 'Random Access Memories' available now to stream in its entirety from iTunes (update) 8 recommends

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It may not be standing up to them, but it’s definitely a step towards what the networks have been threatening (going cable-only). It has the added benefit of being technologically forward thinking, which is nice to see.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have cable and I’m not going to pay for it even if the networks do follow through on their threat. This may not be a good thing for consumers in the long run, but it’s a good move for ABC right now.

7 days ago on ABC will bring live television to mobile devices starting this week

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FRAND patents, etc,

7 days ago on Eric Schmidt thought 'Don't Be Evil' was 'the stupidest rule ever' when he joined Google 1 reply 3 recommends

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I guess Aereo really has them scared? Either way I have to give them props for getting it done.

8 days ago on ABC will bring live television to mobile devices starting this week 2 replies 2 recommends