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Intel WiMax to go live, will devices follow?

Intel's WiMax wireless technology will finally be unleashed in two weeks. But it's not clear how big a following the technology has among device makers.

Intel and Sprint Nextel will team up to launch the first WiMax network in Baltimore on October 8--what the chipmaker is calling the dawn of 4G broadband because of its high speed.

Sprint will likely announce the rollout next week at WiMax World in Chicago, according to sources familiar with the plans. Sprint's WiMax-based broadband service, called XOHM, is scheduled to go live by the end of this month, according to those … Read more

New modular accessories bring wireless HDMI, built-in DVD to Sony Bravia TVs

The Bravia Internet Link is getting some siblings. Sony is adding three new accessories to its product line: the Wireless Link Module (DMX-WL1), the DVD Link Module (DMX-DVD), and the Input Link Module (DMX-SW1). Like the Internet Link, the new "Link" accessories are also designed as modular add-ons to specific current and recent Sony Bravia flat-panel LCD TVs. By snapping onto the TVs backside, they should still allow for a reasonably thin profile.

The $150 Input Link Module adds four HDMI inputs to compatible Bravias, while the $200 DVD Link Module adds a "built-in" upconverting DVD player to the mix. But it's the $800 Wireless Link Module that's the highlight of the new line. The two-part system includes a wireless video transmitter and a receiver (the latter of which snaps onto the back of the TV). Put the transmitter near your equipment rack, plug in up to five HD sources (four HDMI inputs, one component), and they're wirelessly transmitted to the TV for distances up to 65 feet (according to Sony). Video sources are limited to 1080i resolution, however, and it's unclear if there's any compression or lag (the latter is a big frustration for gamers). The Wireless Link Module is scheduled to hit in October, while the other two are already available.

Are any of these worth buying?… Read more

LinkedIn announces 'Audience Network' for ads

LinkedIn has long insisted that it's exempt from the common wisdom that social-network ads will never make much money: its affluent user base of networking-happy business professionals can rake in more high-end advertisers and charge more for impressions.

To that end, the company announced on Monday the debut of an ad network, the "LinkedIn Audience Network," that enables other sites to run LinkedIn's ads.

TechCrunch wrote that this will be in partnership with a third-party company, Collective Media, which powers advertising networks for clients.

Like most social-network advertising plans, the LinkedIn Audience Network focuses on targeting. … Read more

Sony Bravia Internet Video Link now supports Amazon VOD

Sony announced on Thursday that Amazon Video On Demand, a service that offers immediate access to commercial-free and hi-def content from Dailymotion are now available through the Sony Bravia Internet Video Link. Sony says it will make tens of thousands of premium movies and shows available for you to stream onto your TV screen over the Internet.

Amazon announced Video on Demand in July as a rebranding of its Unbox service.

Amazon users can purchase or rent movies and TV shows through the Bravia Internet Video Link's interface or from Amazon's Web site and begin watching the streaming … Read more

Facebook applies a redesign

After several months of beta testing its new design, Facebook on Wednesday began rolling out its new site to all of its 100 million users.

Under the new design, the social-networking giant initiated changes designed to simplify the site's look and feel, provide greater user control over profiles, and dish up recent and relevant information, according to the company's blog posting.

To date, approximately 40 million, or 40 percent, of Facebook users have tried the beta version of the new site, which debuted in July. Of that group, 75 percent remained with the new version, according to the … Read more

83: BMW is building the wrong engines

Honda has a new Insight, BMW is building the wrong engines, Ford spreads the navigation love, and we drive BMW's new DCT. Listen now: Download today's podcast SHOW NOTES

• New Honda Insight -- or is that a Prius?

• BMW's DCT gearbox

• Lexus LS460 goes AWD. Why?

• Navigon 2200T GPS offers free traffic data for life

Was EarthLink's failed citywide Wi-Fi a blessing in disguise?

The implosion of EarthLink's citywide Wi-Fi business may have been the best thing that ever happened to Wireless Philadelphia, the nonprofit charged with helping Philadelphia bridge the digital divide.

Now under new management, the citywide Wi-Fi network that was originally funded and built by EarthLink will have a new business model, better coverage, and a new contract that should make it easier for Wireless Philadelphia to meet its primary goal of getting low-income families online.

"The new network owners are supposed to have a much more sustainable business model," said Karen Perry, director of the Connected Communities … Read more

LinkedIn, CNBC team up

Business news channel CNBC and professional networking site LinkedIn have formed a strategic alliance.

Under the deal announced late Wednesday, the CNBC will provide articles, blogs, financial data, and video across the LinkedIn network. The news channel also will integrate LinkedIn functionality into CNBC.com. That functionality will allow LinkedIn's members to share comments about the news within their network of friends and business contacts. In addition, the two companies will jointly create content, including community-generated content such as surveys, from LinkedIn members for broadcast.

The changes on the sites are set to launch in the fourth quarter.

"… Read more

LinkedIn spruces up Groups platform

LinkedIn on Thursday night folded several changes into its Groups platform that are designed to enhance the social-networking site's group and user management features.

Among the changes are a centralized hub page designed to allow members of a group to gather and converse, as well as a searchable roster, according to a post in TechCrunch, which notes some of the changes may go a long way in addressing concerns about buggy management features on the Groups site.

Make more room for the virtual Rolodex...

DisplayLink now optimized for Intel-integrated chipset

DisplayLink--which makes technology that allows multiple monitors to be connected to one computer through USB--announced this week that it's now optimized its technology for the Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family for desktops and notebooks.

Previous systems with integrated graphics were only able to connect one additional display. Now via DisplayLink and with these new Intel-specific optimizations, users with PCs based on the Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family can easily connect to up to four monitors at once without the need to buy additional graphics cards. In addition, users who run four monitors on the Intel chipset … Read more