predictions

Baby gender predictor

MB Chinese Pregnancy Calendar helps users get a better idea of what sex a child will be, based on a very simple premise. This is a fun option for anyone thinking about starting a family.

The program's interface could not be much simpler. First, you are directed to some pull-down menus to fill in dates. From there, the results screen is static and cannot be navigated through. This program works well by keeping its navigation as simple enough as its results. An online Help file is available, though completely unnecessary. The program functions very primitively, as you need only … Read more

Rashi Chart reader

MB Astrology Rashi Chart provides users with a quick glance at their North Indian Style astrological outlook. With some complicated hurdles for newcomers, this program is best left to those with experience or those willing to learn.

This program's interface is equally simple and confusing, thanks to its strange requirements. Users should have no trouble knowing where information needs to be placed, but will most likely have a hard time filling it in. Requiring some online digging, notably with inputting the longitude and latitude of your birth, this was a frustrating gap in design. The program provides a Help … Read more

Astrological reader

Despite requiring a great deal of information about one's birth, this program is a great tool for any user interested in East Indian style Rashi astrology. While users are expected to know about this style of reading, it provides a simple layout of information.

This program's interface is simple enough to maneuver through, but anyone not knowing the longitude and latitude of their birth will be ushered to an online site to find it, which we found to be a snag that interrupted the otherwise smooth flow of its design. In addition, there is a Help file that … Read more

Hindu astrological tool

MB Electional Astrology provides users with answers to some of life's most interesting events. From starting a new business to having a baby, this Vedic astrological software dishes out the details of your future.

This program immediately separates itself from other Vedic software we've tested by providing many more options for users. This program allows users to choose a topic that is important in their lives by clicking on a category. From there, the program mimics other astrology programs, asking the user to fill out blank spaces and pull-down menus. The results display on a page that requires … Read more

Vedic astrology helper

MB Astrology Rashi Chart (South Indian Style) offers to help users learn more about their star signs through Vedic astrology. While getting the information is not hard, users must be willing to translate the meaning for themselves.

The program's interface will not win any awards, but it does perform its function fairly well. While most information pertaining to one's sign is fairly easy to input, attaining the latitude and longitude of your birthplace requires users to click a link that takes them online, which some may not like. In addition, the Help file defined the various fields, but … Read more

Our E3 2009 Predictions

With the new and supposedly improved Electronic Entertainment Expo just around the corner (here are some of last year's highlights), we decided to run down some quick predictions for what the overarching themes of the show will be.

Dan Ackerman:

God of War III and Rock Band: Beatles will be the big mainstream games and public (and retail buyers) care about. Variable price points, which are easy to do on DLC, help gamemakers target recession-addled audiences. Booth babes return, but in a subtle, post-wretched-excess kind of way. New hardware/accessory pushes from Nintendo and Sony hope to boost flagging … Read more

Steve Jobs a music visionary? Judge for yourself

Steve Jobs is a Bob Dylan fan because the folk singer is, in the words of Apple's CEO, a "clear thinker."

Jobs' own lucid and careful contemplation of the music industry is apparent in a 2003 interview he gave to Rolling Stone magazine's Jeff Goodell. My colleague Tom Krazit pointed me to the story after stumbling on to it recently. We were bowled over by the preciseness of Jobs' assessment of what the future held for digital rights management, music subscription services, the four largest recording companies, and Apple. The interview in retrospect is a fascinating … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 883: 2009 Tech predictions

The JaMoTo Analysts throw down a healthy serving of tech predictions for the new year. Are you ready to rumble?

Listen now: Download today's podcast

5 predictions for 2009

Now that 2009 is only hours away, I thought it was time to unveil this year's 2009 predictions. There's no telling if what I think will happen will come true or not, but I thought I'd fill you in on five of my predictions for the New Year.

Please share your own 2009 predictions in the comments with the rest of us, so we can look back a year from now and see who did the best job.

1. PS3 pricing is reduced by $100

I don't think there's any doubt that PlayStation 3 pricing will be reduced by $100 in the next year. As the costs of building the console continue to fall and Sony's competitors continue to enjoy strong sales thanks to a lower price, the pressure Sony will feel will be too much and it'll be forced to bring the price of its PS3 down to $299 to compete more effectively against the Xbox 360 and the Wii.

Will it work? You bet.

2. Apple ends iPhone exclusivity deal with AT&T

This one isn't too much of a stretch and I'm sure many of you would agree that it's only a matter of time before Apple finally announces that the iPhone will be made available to more carriers.

AT&T exclusivity simply doesn't work for Apple anymore, since it's now one of the leaders in the cell phone space and it's doing itself a disservice by not opening its popular mobile phone up to the millions of people who have decided against AT&T as their mobile carrier.

Exclusivity was great for two years, but now that Apple has proven it has its sights set on RIM, it can't beat the BlackBerry maker unless it makes its iPhone available to any U.S. carrier.… Read more