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With Ustream Live Broadcaster, you can share real-time video with the world.

The race is over. Ustream Live Broadcaster is the first app that can stream live video from the iPhone to the Internet. It's free, and it works. Will society ever be the same?

History may well record that Knocking Live, which debuted with some fanfare last week, was the iPhone's first video-streaming app. But only other iPhone users can watch the feeds; Ustream lets the world tune in.

Indeed, in case you're unfamiliar with the service, Ustream allows anyone with a Webcam to broadcast live video to a private or public audience. In this case, the iPhone acts as the Webcam; all you need is a Wi-Fi or 3G connection. (If there's no connection available, you can record your video and upload it to the service later.)

And speaking of 3G, the app works with both the iPhone 3G and the 3GS--impressive given that the former cannot, on its own, record video.

Other perks include a nifty on-the-fly polling option (just tap your screen and viewers can instantly log a "yes" or "no" vote), video sharing via Ustream and/or YouTube and Facebook, Twitter integration, and even the option to share your GPS location.

In my quick tests of the Ustream app (on a Wi-Fi network), it worked flawlessly--though because it doesn't disable the iPhone's auto-off function, you have to tap the screen every so often (or disable that function yourself before starting your stream).

It will be interesting to see how people end up using--and, I suspect, abusing--this powerful capability. Ustream turns your iPhone into a tiny TV studio, able to broadcast live events anytime, anywhere.

Which begs the question: does this create new privacy concerns? We already live in a society that photographs everything. By adding live video to the mix, are we sacrificing even more privacy? I don't have an answer, but I'd sure like us to have the discussion.

(Credit: Boxee)

Boxee unveiled its first dedicated hardware product this evening at a media event in Brooklyn. The so-called "Boxee Box" will be a tiny set-top box produced by D-Link. It's scheduled to be released in the second quarter of 2010, and will cost about $200.

Details of the Boxee Box came at the end of a long presentation that also featured a walk-through of the beta version of the company's Windows and Mac software that lets users access a variety of Web-based media content through a single easy-to-use interface. (See Rafe Needleman's detailed hands-on preview of the Boxee Beta.) Company representatives have also indicated that the Boxee software may be embedded in other hardware devices that will be appearing in 2010.

(Credit: Boxee)

The product has the unique look of a "submerged cube" with a flat bottom and one corner pointing upward. Its AV output connections are limited to HDMI and analog RCA audio, so it'll need to be connected to an HDTV. An Ethernet port provides network connectivity, and Boxee CEO Avner Rosen hinted that the box will also have Wi-Fi. The box will ship with an RF remote control. It also has two USB ports on the back panel and the SD slot on its front gives you an idea of the device's small size.

The product page on Boxee's Web site states that the device can play "any" non-DRM media files, in addition to being able to access Boxee's online service.

The box will be demoed at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month.

The Xbox Wireless N Adapter is still overpriced, but at $79.99 it's slightly less outrageous.

(Credit: Newegg)

Microsoft has some nerve charging 100 bucks for its new Wireless N Xbox adapter, what with virtually identical Wi-Fi gear selling for as low as $20.

Yeah, I'm mad, and not just because today's earlier deal sold out in 27 seconds. (And then the backup deal went 27 seconds after that.) Well, OK, that's the main reason--but come on, Microsoft! $99.99?!

If you're really itching for one of these adapters, look to Newegg. It's got the Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter for $79.99 shipped. Not a huge bargain, but the lowest price I've seen.

CNET hasn't reviewed it, but you can get some hands-on feedback from Gizmodo. Bottom line: It's way faster for video streaming, but doesn't offer much of an impact on gaming.

Of course, if you really want a cheap way out, you can turn a cheap router into an Xbox Wi-Fi adapter. Cheaper still, use your laptop's Wi-Fi connection to feed your Xbox.

Me, I'd love to have the Wireless N adapter for my 360. But it'll be a cold day on the sun before I drop $100 on one. Or, for that matter, $80. Get a clue, Microsoft.

We've already had some time with the new Xbox Live Dashboard update, and now the new firmware, which will bring Facebook, Twitter, and Last.fm to the console, is available for download today.

In addition to these services, Microsoft will be rolling out Zune Video, which promises instant-on 1080p video streaming as well as 5.1 surround sound.

We should note that Twitter, Last.fm, and Facebook will require an Xbox Live Gold membership ($50/year) and both Twitter and Facebook services require all users to be at least 18 years of age.

If you aren't a member of Xbox Live Gold, a free preview weekend will begin November 20, at 12 p.m. ET and run until November 23, at 12 p.m. ET.

For a sneak peek at these new Xbox 360 features, check out our video playlist above or click over to the slideshow.

Twitter, Facebook, Last.fm hit Xbox 360 November 17--photos

These days, there is a plethora of audio content available to stream over the Internet. Even traditional terrestrial radio often offers content streamed over the Web, diversifying the choices for how consumers can enjoy music and other audio. Although the legality is questionable, there are--and will always be--ways to record these streams. Streamed audio recordings for music are not going to offer the same sound quality as a ripped CD or even a purchased MP3, but it's a good option for talk programs and mixes that might not be available in other formats. This tutorial will show you how to record streamed audio as an MP3; just be sure to read the usage rules for any recording source before beginning.

Editors' note: This tutorial was completed using Windows XP.

Cost: Free

Time commitment: Varies

System Requirements: Windows

How to record streaming audio

The $2.99 Public Radio App puts three of your favorite stations just one tap away.

iPhones may not have FM tuners built in, but they can do a damn fine impression of a radio. In fact, where public radio is concerned, an iPhone is even better than the real thing.

Apps like NPR News and Public Radio Player 2.0, for example, let you tune into live streams from hundreds of stations and listen to your favorite shows on-demand.

Now comes Public Radio App, which raises the bar even higher with features like pause/rewind, a show-schedule timeline for the current stream(s), and an alarm clock that lets you wake up to your favorite station.

However, unlike the aforementioned apps, Public Radio App is not free. Rather, it'll set you back $2.99. Is it worth it?

Definitely. The app can find local public-radio stations via GPS or look them up via a nationwide directory. Any station you find, you can stream in real-time. And any show you want to hear, from Car Talk to This American Life, you can play on-demand.

You can also pause, rewind, and fast-forward the content, DVR-style, whether it's real-time or on-demand. That's a pretty major addition, as the other apps let you pause only the on-demand programs, not the live stuff.

It would be fantastic if you could store, say, an entire Fresh Air segment for later listening, like when you're on an airplane, but PRA doesn't go that far.

It does, however, offer lots of other nifty features. For example, the first three bookmarked stations appear on the player's main screen, allowing you to switch between streams with a single tap.

You also get a side-scrolling show schedule for each station so you can see what's coming up without leaving that screen. I particularly like the alarm-clock function, though it does require you to leave the app running (something to remember before going to sleep).

PRA even integrates with the Radio Bookmark service, allowing you to save and/or replay whatever you're listening to.

In my informal tests, PRA loaded a lot faster than the notoriously pokey Public Radio Player. That said, the latter offers most of the same core features--and it's free.

Still, $2.99 isn't going to break anybody's bank, and I'd go so far as to say Public Radio App is currently the best, well, public radio app to date. For serious fans, it's a must-have.

Live stats overlay a game streamed to the NBA League Pass mobile app.

(Credit: NBA)

Not about to be outdone by baseball, pro basketball is getting in on live streaming to mobile phones.

The National Basketball Association will announce its first set of applications that let fans watch games live on a mobile device Thursday. NBA League Pass Mobile will be available for download for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android phones starting Friday, the third day of the league's regular season. BlackBerry users will have to wait a bit longer, the league saying that application will arrive "by the end of the year."

The NBA follows Major League Baseball, which introduced its iPhone- and iPod Touch-compatible live streaming application in July, and a beta version of an Android app Wednesday.

The NBA's application will cost $39.99 and let users watch up to 40 live games per week via their smartphone, though local TV blackout rules will still apply. The app also has an option to watch some games on demand for up to two days later and comes with game alerts and live stats.

Currently there is not added benefit if customers are already subcribers to the NBA's League Pass TV package. But bundling the two is something the league is looking at for the future, said Bryan Perez, senior vice president and general manager of NBA Digital.

Besides the live streaming app, the NBA already has its Game Time and Game Time Lite apps on Apple's App Store, the Android Market, and BlackBerry App World. The Lite version is free and comes with scores, stats, standings, and team schedules. The $9.99 Game Time includes some on-demand video, game highlights, live game alerts, stats, and access to an NBA Twitter feed.

Perez said the league has made an aggressive push into mobile this year, mostly because it knows who its fans are.

"We have one of the younger demographics of the major sports leagues," he said. "As we look to the future of our fan base, they're consuming content in a much different way, and in many ways the mobile phone is the connection to the world for the youth market. If we want to cultivate fans and be innovative, we need to follow our fans where they're going."

More screenshots after the jump.... Read more

(Credit: CNET)

It appears all the bacon sandwiches and soda have finally caught up with our very own Justin Yu as he is once again not with us for the show. Instead, we are graced by two special guests.

For the first half of the show our buddy Sean Cullinane stops by to help us understand why there are a lot more Phillies hats being worn in New York City today than Yankees hats and to pick apart our Motorola Droid review sample. What this phone lacks in style points it makes up in weight--it's the heaviest cell phone we've ever held!

For the second half of our program Natali Del Conte joins in for some calls from the public and a discussion about Netflix streaming coming to the Wii. Also, we announce our winner of the Ratch & Clank Favorite Weapon contest!

All this and much more on today's 404.

EPISODE 456

(Credit: CNET)

You read earlier this week that the PlayStation 3 will soon offer streaming Netflix via a Blu-ray Disc, and now comes talk of the Nintendo Wii getting a similar treatment. While Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has expressed the desire to do so for some time, not until now have we heard some assuring details about it actually coming to fruition.

According to StreamingMedia, the plan has been in the works for some time and may hit Wii consoles as early as the holidays. This move will put Netflix streaming in even more homes as the Wii remains this generation's best-selling console to date.

Interestingly enough, as StreamingMedia points out, we're coming up on the one-year anniversary of Netflix on the Xbox 360, which in all likelihood was actually just a one-year exclusivity deal with Netflix.

We hope to have more details on the specific functionality of Netflix on the Wii as they develop.

(Source: StreamingMedia via Engadget)