YouOS, a web-based desktop

Have you ever used GMail, or Google Calendar? What if you could have not only a couple of applications accessible through a web browser, but a whole desktop interface? That’s exactly what YouOS is. While you won’t be running any applications from your home PC on YouOS, there are a number of familiar applications that have been written for this very special “operating system.” I gave YouOS a try this evening after having seen a colleague using it and I’m fairly impressed. It’s an alpha release, so don’t expect too much from it. However, this is certainly something I could see Google being interested in.

Is HD-DVD dead?

PC World – Warner’s Blu-ray Endorsement Boosts the Buzz at CES

I seriously considered whether to buy an HD-DVD or Blu-ray player this Christmas, but in the end I decided to hold out a little longer. I’ve gone back and forth over this a lot the past year, but up to this point there has just been too much uncertainty about which format would win. Warner’s announcement supporting Blu-ray definitely gives an advantage to Sony’s format, but I don’t know if I would call it the winner just yet. I’ve been leaning towards a PS3 anyway, but with the new models lacking full backwards compatibility I’m thinking I may have to look for a used model. Either way, this is good news as one format finally has a major advantage over the other. Another point of interest: I noticed recently that LG has a CD/DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-ray writer that can be found for about $250. Not a bad way to go if you already have a media center type PC.

Fed defrays cost of digital TV

Now up for grabs: Federal funding for your digital-TV upgrade | Tech news blog – CNET News.com

In case you don’t remember, traditional analog TV will cease to exist (in the U.S.) next year. For many people, that’s still going to be a problem. With the price of even the cheapest digital TVs still over $100, many people will either purchase a tuner, or lease a converter box from their local cable/satellite provider. Thankfully the federal government is providing up to 2 coupons to those that apply before the cutoff date or whenever they run out of coupons. The coupons are good for only $40 each, but at least it’s something.