The Buffalo Record

This is gonna be fun to watch.  CBS Radio intends to file a $500MM breach of contract suit against Howard Stern, alleging he utilized CBS airtime to promote his new venture at Sirius and profited by cashing in an incentive laden stock deal once he began working at the satellite radio company.  I’m sure BuffaloPundit will be able to dig into the legalese of the proceedings and give a better analysis of the lawsuit…he is a lawyer after all.

Many critics said that Howard wouldn’t be as interesting without someone to fight against…well, Les Moonves rides to the rescue and is willing to be Howard’s huckleberry.  It would seem that Les might be better served focusing on the atrocious ratings of Howard’s replacements rather than drumming up further interest in Howard’s channels on Sirius.

Regardless of the outcome, Howard is at his best when he feels persecuted and wronged…it’ll make for some great radio.

Tags: Lifestyle

Looking for a new significant other?  Struggling to find a theocon that you can cuddle up in front of the fire with?  Someone with whom you can discuss the latest Ann Coulter and Michelle Malkin columns?

Look no further!  HANNIDATE IS HERE!

Tags: Lifestyle

While Ford USA scraps the execrable, uninteresting, uninspired Freestar minivan, Ford Europe releases the newest iteration of the Galaxy minivan, and a brand-new offering called the “S-Max”.

Maybe if Ford USA was half as inventive and creative in interior & exterior design as Ford Europe, it’d be in a better financial position than it finds itself today.

Even Europe’s Focus Mk II is cooler than the Mk I with which we’re stuck.

Tags: Lifestyle

There has been an interesting emergence of corporations who are utilizing blogs to spread their message with viral marketing and buzz creation.  Smart companies are driving interest in their products by using the web to create a brand identity that early product adopters gravitate towards.

Bloggers and Web 2.0 aficianados are driving the cultural zeitgeist nowadays and companies are wisely buying into the movement.  Naturally, tech companies are leading the corporate charge.  IBM is slowly working towards “official” employee blogs (utilizing wiki and not Lotus) as they sanction external employee blogs and blogs intended for internal consumption.

Sun Microsystems took the early lead in this space by creating a hosting service for their employees to officially blog about anything and everything.  The COO writes one of the widest read blogs on the Internet.

Other tech companies are realizing the power of the blogosphere and the idea is spreading…quickly.

Tags: Lifestyle

Steve Jobs has invited reporters and analysts out to Apple’s Cupertino, CA offices to check out some “fun new products”. Of course, this has Apple junkies (myself included) quite excited.

Rumors include:

– iPod boombox that features wireless audio streaming for the home. Call it the “Homepod” with “Airtunes Speakers”
– Full screen video iPod with virtual clickwheel interface
– Intel-based Mac Mini that will feature Front Row, DVR technology, iPod dock, etc
– Widescreen Intel-based iBook with magnetized latches and power connectors
– Full length movies for sale on iTunes

My guess is that a new iPod is likely and the Mac mini will be unveiled. You can track the live event at MacRumors starting at 10AM PST.

UPDATE:

Specs on the new iMac mini: iLife 06, Apple’s suite of applications that includes iTunes, iPhoto, iDVD, iMovie, GarageBand and iWeb. Also standard is Mac OS X v10.4, a remote control, Front Row, AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth, four USB 2.0 interfaces, FireWire 400, GigaBit Ethernet, DVI video out, and Dolby Digital 5.1 and analog audio in and out. The entry-level Mac mini system, available starting today, is a 1.5GHz Core Solo system with 667MHz bus, 512MB RAM, 60GB SATA hard drive and “Combo” DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive for $599 — $100 more than the previous base model. The 1.67GHz Core Duo-based model features an 80GB SATA internal hard disk and 8x “SuperDrive” that can burn DVDs as well as CD-Rs, for $799.

Introducing iPod Hi-Fi! Three speakers, Integrated power supply, can also be powered by of six D batteries. The unit comes with two 80mm mid-range drivers in sealed acoustic suspension with a 130mm dual voice coil woofer center channel. iPod Hi-Fi also sports a Universal Dock connector and integrated handles. It has a sealed resin enclosure, and doesn’t vibrate which helps provide an actual hi-fi experience.

IPod integration for the iPod Hi-Fi: there’s a software update for iPods that puts a speaker menu item in the main menu. Tone control, backlight always on or off, large album art on or off or the screen can go black and just show album art. All of this can be controlled with the Apple Remote. $349 and it goes on sale today.

Apple rules.

Tags: Lifestyle

I finally uploaded the last batch of pix from Mexico.

The last few days were notable for a nasty cold & cough I got, some fun in the pool, a few trips back into town, and a last bit of shorts-wearing before returning to temps under 60 degrees.

The Malecon – the walkway along the beach – has beautiful sculpture installations every 300 feet or so.

On our last night, we had to get out of the Groundhog-Day-like sameness of all-inclusive eating and check out the unfortunately named “Pipi’s” restaurant:

If you want a dark Dos Equis, you order this:

If you want fresh guacamole made at your table, you ask for this:

If you like fajitas, but can’t decide which type to get, go for the combo:

They don’t just come sizzling, they come flambeed.

Then walk back to the Malecon to check out the sunset.

On the morning of your departure, kiss the view goodbye.

Upon departing, kiss the Pacific and the Banderas Bay goodbye.

An hour later, enjoy the choking smog of Mexico City.

And a short 3+ hour flight later, you’ll find yourself over Lake Erie, with Cedar Point in view.

And a decidedly chillier sunset.

The whole set is at Flickr.

Coming in March 2006: El Paso, Texas.

Tags: Lifestyle