TechFodder

Monster seems to be cornering the market on rap moguls. The company just announced Diddybeats, which will add Sean "Diddy" Combs to the Monster family.

The new in-ear headphone line will be produced under the Monster and Beats by Dre umbrella, which is the company's joint effort with another music mega-mogul, Dr. Dre.

Adorned with the db moniker, the set promises high-end audio with Monster's own hands-free ControlTalk technology.

Best Buy will have the exclusive on Diddybeats -- at least to start. The retailer has already started taking pre-orders, with plans to deliver Diddybeats to stores on March 28.

We can't wait to see what this will go for on eBay. Kingston Digital just announced plans to distribute Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT on a USB Flash drive.

Like all things related to MJ (post-demise, that is), this will be a limited-edition product. It will be timed with the Blu-ray and DVD release, but will come on a special Kingston DataTraveler USB Flash drive.

The product will be compatible with Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. Once you've got it, you can back the film up to three PCs.

Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT will be released on January 26, 2010.

Years ago, we purchased noise-cancelling headphones from a very well known manufacturer. They were (and still are) a few hundred bucks. Now, we really can't put a price on blocking out plane chatter. However, Audio-Technica sure can -- and we like the price they're quoting us.

The company just announced the new ATH-ANC25 QuietPoint noise-cancelling on-ear headphones. The company says it should block 80 percent of crying babies, as well as the sounds of planes, trains and automobiles. Each earpiece has tiny microphones to sense the sounds -- and then block 'em.

While we love the whole Fantastic Voyage thing for our headset, what we truly can't resist is the $99.95 price tag. Expect the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC25 headphones to start selling next month.

Is it a clock or a dock? That might be the age-old question -- if it was an important one. According to i4U, iLuv is releasing a customizable iPhone/iPod dock, known as the App Station. The customizable part comes in the form of an app, which you'll need to download to turn your portable into your favorite clock face. It sounds like a lot of effort to do something that's probably already on your nightstand, your wall and/or your wrist.

Still, it sure is pretty. Not sure we'd want to wake up in the middle of the night and see our lack of sacktime staring us in the face this big. However, it would be nice to read the time from down the hall.

Oh -- when you get tired of looking at the time, the dock can do the flippity-flop for movies or music. Now that's something we'd be willing to blow $130 on. Expect to see it start popping up in February.

Think the iPhone could make better pictures? It could soon -- if the web rumors are true.

Electronista and others are reporting that the next iPhone could be getting a 5-megapixel camera. The current model has 3.2 megapixels. Who could get by on that?

Naturally, Apple isn't confirming anything. However, OmniVision, who currently supplies the iPhone's camera goods, supposedly has orders.

If everything is correct, a new, better iPhone could be making you look out of date by the end of 2010.

You're in town for CES... wanna date? Well, Intelius is offering up one that you won't have to pay for.

The company says it will host a Dating Game-styled contest right on the showfloor. The melee will be a promotion to pump up the company's Date Check, a mobile application that allows users to instantly scan for skeevy critters posing as a potential mate.

For the Dream Date contest, Intelius is looking for nine bachelors to vie for one of three dates with a lucky bachelorette (aka a hired booth babe). You'll get a background check via Date Check and get to participate in the contest live on stage. Winners get lunch with the babe, as well as a pair of Vegas show tickets. It's just what your boss sent you there for!

If you're at the show in January, look for the contest in the Living in Digital Times exhibitor area located in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Not everyone is listening to Howard Stern on Sirius.

Sirius XM made the announcement that its new iPhone application has already been downloaded one million times since its debut. The app first hit the iTunes store two weeks ago.

Twice says that the app streams 120 of the satellite service's channels -- however, none of those include radio personality Howard Stern. Other big names, such as Oprah, Martha Stewart, NFL and NASCAR are available, though.

Once you download the app, users are treated to a 7-day trial period. After that, you'll have to pay $3 a month. The service also allows iPhone users to buy songs on the fly or tag music to purchase later. -- Rachel Cericola

It's not just you. Tons of new iPhone users are having problems signing up.

The 3G just launched last Friday, and there are all sorts of problems -- mainly with activation. Bummer! Not to worry, though. CNET says that Apple wants to make it up to you.

As sort of an apology, Apple sent out an email today, acknowledging the problems. They also offered a $30 credit at the iTunes store as a peace offering for "the inconvenience this delay has caused."

Expect to get the goods tomorrow. -- Rachel Cericola

After lounging around for most of your teen and adult life, why not return the favor to dear old dad? It's not too late to run out and get him the Samsung Eternity.

To celebrate the sloth, AT&T says they are offering the Eternity for the respectable price of $79.99.

The 3.2-inch touchscreen offers a lot of neat-O apps, including AT&T Mobile TV, AT&T Navigator and AT&T FamilyMap. It says, "I love you -- but not enough to shell out for an iPhone."

Other features include a full-touch QWERTY keypad, access to AT&T Mobile Music with Napster Mobile and AT&T Mobile TV, and a 3.0-megapixel camera.

Of course, some of those extra services will cost extra. That's dad's problem, though. -- Rachel Cericola

Just two days after the bottom dropped out of the auto industry, AT&T has announced a nifty way to pimp your existing ride.

Well, CruiseCast isn't exactly a brand new announcement. They showed off the satellite service earlier this year. With 42 channels of TV and radio in your car, that ought to keep the kids quiet.

So where is it? Well, hopefully at Crutchfield. It was announced today that the e-tailer will carry the goods to get CruiseCast, which is a joint effort between AT&T and RaySat Broadcasting Corporation (RBC).

The service comprises 22 TV networks and 20 satellite radio channels. All you have to do to get them is slap the pod-like antenna to your roof, and install the receiver into your car. That provides the A/V connections for your rear-seat entertainment and vehicle audio system.

The equipment will run you a hefty $1,299, and we're guessing more than a few layers of skin. The actual service will be an additional $28 per month. -- Rachel Cericola

Acer is kicking off the week with an announcement of new products. We love those. We love them even more when we can actually afford the products.

No problems here, because the latest, presumably greatest Acer Aspire notebooks will start at a mere $298. If you think you can find cool mobile computing for less than that, well... you are a cheap bastard.

The Aspire One AO751h features an 11.6-inch high-def screen and a full-sized keyboard. The big deal about the 10.1-inch Acer Aspire One AOD250 is that it's thinner and lighter. Both also have Intel Atom processors and Wi-Fi support (who doesn't?), with select models going for the 3G geeks.

Choose the AO751h with a 6-cell battery for eight hours of runtime; the AO250 delivers six. Both have the option for a 3-cell battery for half the runtime on each.

The Acer Aspire One AO751h starts at $349.99, with the D250 staring at $298. Both models are available now. -- Rachel Cericola

Sony just announced its latest, greatest Walkman. Remember those?

Yeah, they still make 'em. Apparently, they've come a long way from your old bulky cassette player, too. The latest is called the X-series. It also goes by the NWZ-X1000. Both of those names are lame, but it's what's on the inside (and outside) that counts.

This new model will come packing a 3-inch OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) touchscreen, as well as Wi-Fi content. They also seem to have content deals with both Slacker and YouTube, because God forbid you be without cute kitty videos for five minutes.

Sony is now accepting pre-orders for the X-series Walkman, with delivery expected around mid-June. 16GB of fun will cost you $299; you can double that capacity for $100 more. -- Rachel Cericola

Is there anything this iPhone can't do? As far as a I know, there is no Ginsu knife app to make fries just yet. For now, you will have to fill up your time (and belly) via content from your HP MediaServer.

HP added a nifty firmware update, which converts all of your video. Add in the soon-to-be-released iStream app and you've got yourself some endless entertainment.

Sadly, DVICE says that the update and iStream app won't be available until later this month.

Maybe those few weeks will give you the time to save up for the MediaServer; the 750GB model runs $599, with the 1.5-TV model coming in at $749. -- Rachel Cericola

[Photo courtesy of Flickr user Ben Dodson. Used via Creative Commons.]

Hello? Yeah. I am on my super-cool iPhone using my not-so-super-cool Skype account.

Today's announcement that Skype would now be available for iPhones sounds kind of conflicting. Well, yes and no. The service does allow you to make free calls to other Skype users. However, if you think you are going to be saving minutes by calling your Skype cohorts, well... that Wi-Fi access doesn't come from the web fairy, you know?

Skype doesn't care. They will take you any way they can.

So this is free with a catch. Got to love that. PC World does point out that it should save you a bundle on international calls, assuming you have that need.

The app is also available to iPod touch users. However, you'll need a microphone and headphones or some kind of similar combo to make it all work. -- Rachel Cericola

[Photo courtesy of Into Mobile.]

You still shouldn't squeeze the Charmin. However, you also don't have to squeeze your bladder when it comes to seeking out a semi-clean potty.

Charmin just announced SitOrSquat, a website and app that will help you locate some of the cleanest bathrooms in the world. Aside from searching the web, the application is available to iPhone and Blackberry users.

We're not entirely sure what the screening process is, but the site relies on users to give feedback. It's sort of like TripAdvisor for toilets.

The site just launched, so you won't find every available toilet or ratings on every one that is featured. However, we're guessing that none of them stock Charmin.

To date, Charmin says the site has 52,000 toilets in 10 countries. -- Rachel Cericola

Peek just announced an update to its original email-only device. Despite adding new features, though, Peek still only offers a peek at what your normal handheld delivers.

We're not sure who the target audience is for Peek. Grandmas? Kids that you don't want yapping all day on the phone? I am the biggest email addict on the planet, but I think any service that expects a monthly fee should deliver slightly more.

The biggest update is push, which means you'll get multiple email accounts on one device in an instant. They've also added support for Microsoft Exchange, Word and PDFs. Other new features include search, a larger font size (grandma!), and apps for weather, news and maps.

Peek is selling the Pronto for $80. However, you'll have to spend another $17 per month for the Peek service. If you want to take a peek at Peek, you can blow $50 on its predecessor for a trial spin. -- Rachel Cericola

Just when you thought Amazon was getting fat and happy over the Kindle, Discovery has slapped a suit on them to bring them back to reality.

Reuters says that Discovery Communications, owners of the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, claims to have a patent on e-book technology. It has something to do with encryption, and a patent that Discovery founder John Hendricks received in November 2007.

Of course, that just happens to be the same month that Amazon introduced its first Kindle. So, why did they wait over a year to file suit? Did they think the e-Book thing was going to blow over?

Discovery wants damages as well as a future piece of the pie. There's no word on whether they will start sniffing around Sony next. -- Rachel Cericola

No one stands in line for tickets anymore. Maybe that's why Fandango has added a few new ways to find your ticket fix.

Zatz Not Funny says that Dish Network had added a widget to its interactive channel. Subscribers just need to tune into channel 100. Use your remote to scroll to Entertainment at the bottom of the screen, and you'll find Fandango. As long as your set-top is connected to a phone line, you can reserve a seat. Once you get to the theater, just flash your credit card in lieu of a ticket.

If you don't have Dish, there are other ways to score a seat. The company just announced a new iPhone/iPod touch app, which will allow users to buy tickets, view trailers and ratings -- all on the fly. It's available now for free from Apple's App Store. -- Rachel Cericola

Days after Apple announced its super-duper iPod shuffle, Monster is all about making its own declaration -- that they will soon accessorize.

Apple's latest and lightest iPod adds VoiceOver, a new feature that will announce song titles, artists, playlist names, and even the status of battery life. Monster plans to add an on-cord controller for customers that want to use their headphones with the portable.

Judging by the announcement, Monster may actually add this feature to some of its existing products. Of course, there should be new models coming as well. If you already have a pair of Monster headphones, don't junk 'em -- they will also have an adapter. Everyone's happy!

There's no exact release date, but Monster plans to have products ready within the next few months. -- Rachel Cericola

Hot on the heels of news that NiceMac was dropping its StarPlayr app, Sirius XM has decided that they will pick up the slack -- and soon offer a Sirius XM application for the iPhone. Isn't it nice how things work out?

There had been rumors that a satellite radio app was in the works, but it seemed that NiceMac was going to beat the actual service to the punch. NiceMac got tired of waiting, and decided to drop their efforts. Was the little guy muscled out of the action?

Either way, Twice says that the new Sirius XM app is expected in Q2. Of course, it will stream the satellite radio service to both iPhones and iPod touch devices. Of course, there's no word on what the app might cost. However, the company is hoping this will boost profits, since car sales are currently hovering around the rim of the toilet.

Sirius XM just closed a deal with Liberty Media for $530 million. Maybe the app fees won't be so bad. After all, an estimated $280 million of that will go to killing off the company's debt. -- Rachel Cericola

[Photo courtesy of Philip Ryan Johnson]