Roku is increasing the appeal of its product line with an even cheaper $79 SD player and a slightly more advanced $129 HD-XR player to go with its standard $99 player (read our Trender review of Roku here). For a limited time, Roku is throwing in free shipping for customers purchasing through either the Roku or Amazon web sites.
All three have built in Wi-Fi (the Roku HD-XR adds 802.11n support) and stream content from partners Netflix (17,000 shows and movies), Amazon (45,000 titles), and MLB.TV (out-of-market games subject to black-outs). We are also interested to know that they will all be compatible with Roku’s upcoming Channel Store, which will add a wide variety of new content partners Posted by Brian Mahony on October 27, 2009 at 8:00am View Brian Mahony's blog
Friday, November 13, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Texas: The Next Solar Superpower?
As the nation's largest energy consumer, leading CO2 emitter and stronghold of the traditional energy industry, Texas might seem an unlikely candidate to be the world's solar market leader. But with an expansive solar resource, recent success with wind power, extensive natural gas installations, competitive electricity markets and a commitment to build new transmission capacity, Texas might become just that.
Because of that "old energy" reputation, many overlook the state's leadership in the green revolution. Since 2006, when it overtook California, Texas has installed more wind capacity than any other state. At the end of April, Texas had more wind power installed than the next five leading states combined (Iowa, California, Minnesota, Washington and Oregon). The startling pace of installation over the last decade has meant that enough wind turbines to generate 9,000 megawatts of power should be online by the end of this year. If we once again consider Texas its own nation, its installed wind capacity is surpassed by only a handful of other countries in the world.
Read the full article and find out why solar is the future in Texas >
Because of that "old energy" reputation, many overlook the state's leadership in the green revolution. Since 2006, when it overtook California, Texas has installed more wind capacity than any other state. At the end of April, Texas had more wind power installed than the next five leading states combined (Iowa, California, Minnesota, Washington and Oregon). The startling pace of installation over the last decade has meant that enough wind turbines to generate 9,000 megawatts of power should be online by the end of this year. If we once again consider Texas its own nation, its installed wind capacity is surpassed by only a handful of other countries in the world.
Read the full article and find out why solar is the future in Texas >
Acro introduces SunRun, the most affordable option in solar
Acro Energy Technologies Corp. (TSX Venture: ART) is focused on the consolidation and growth of renewable energy companies, initially in the United States solar market. Acro Energy Technologies has initiated its acquisition campaign in the solar integrator market through its recent addition of Acro Electric, Inc., the 8th largest residential solar integrator in California. Also, it has closed an asset purchase agreement with Light Energy Systems in Concord, California. Acro continues to actively evaluate suitable acquisition candidates across North America and Canada.
Follow SolarSecurity on Twitter!
Increasing the use of solar energy will provide a clean, reliable and domestic source of energy while creating millions of new jobs. Creating Solar Securities. Follow SolarSecurity on Twitter!
REC Solar and SunRun Team Up to Offer Colorado Residents a New and Affordable Way to Go Solar
DENVER, CO--(Marketwire - October 26, 2009) - REC Solar, www.recsolar.com, the largest solar installer in the country, has teamed up with SunRun to bring solar power to Lakewood residents Peter and Nancy McDonald and their family of five, the first Colorado residents to purchase a solar electric system through a new low-cost leasing program.
"We've been thinking about going solar for some time, but we were hindered by the upfront costs," said Peter. "Even with utility incentives from Xcel Energy and federal tax credits, the costs were just too high in this poor economy, so we were really pleased and excited when this lease alternative became available."
Through the REC Solar and SunRun program, homeowners pay as little as $1,000 for a one-time system installation fee, and then pay a low, monthly bill to have solar energy at home. REC Solar provides all upfront service and installation services, including customized design, engineering, installation and electrical work. REC Solar was one of SunRun's original partners, beginning with a joint program in California in 2008.
"We've been thinking about going solar for some time, but we were hindered by the upfront costs," said Peter. "Even with utility incentives from Xcel Energy and federal tax credits, the costs were just too high in this poor economy, so we were really pleased and excited when this lease alternative became available."
Through the REC Solar and SunRun program, homeowners pay as little as $1,000 for a one-time system installation fee, and then pay a low, monthly bill to have solar energy at home. REC Solar provides all upfront service and installation services, including customized design, engineering, installation and electrical work. REC Solar was one of SunRun's original partners, beginning with a joint program in California in 2008.
Monday, November 9, 2009
LTE vs. WiMAX - A Contest or Not?
Sounds like the old DSL vs Cablemodem contest and we know how that turned out. Clearwire says it's not married to WiMAX for 4G, would be easy to switch. Save possibly for Sprint, no one's pushing WiMAX harder in the US than Clearwire -- but the commitment doesn't run as deep as you might think. Investing billions in a 4G network that goes brashly against the popular LTE grain is a huge gamble since Clearwire and its partners won't be able to throw as much weight around with manufacturers or achieve the same economies of scale that LTE carriers will, but these guys were smart. A move to LTE would be a simple software upgrade for much of its equipment, meaning Clearwire could almost literally change technologies overnight and with minimum expense. For the full article
LTE vs WiMAX: A Little 4G Sibling Rivalry
The level of openness of the 802.16m standard means WiMax equipment is standard and therefore cheaper to buy — sometimes half the cost of LTE and sometimes even less. Depending on the spectrum alloted for WiMax deployments and how the network is configured, this can mean a WiMax network is cheaper to build.
LTE vs WiMAX: A Little 4G Sibling Rivalry
The level of openness of the 802.16m standard means WiMax equipment is standard and therefore cheaper to buy — sometimes half the cost of LTE and sometimes even less. Depending on the spectrum alloted for WiMax deployments and how the network is configured, this can mean a WiMax network is cheaper to build.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Diagnosis: Health Insurance Reform Follow the Money
For some individuals, how Congress aims to reform America's health care system is literally a matter of life and death. For some industries, it could mean the difference between weathering the economic storm or shuttering their businesses. Nobody knows yet what the shape or scope of the final bill will be. It may not even make it to President Obama's desk. But one thing is certain: The American health care system is set to get a lobotomy and diverse special interests are spending big bucks to make sure they're in the surgery room when it happens. Follow the money follow the money @ www.opensecrets.org
A Solar Bill of Rights
To secure a policy environment that allows solar energy to compete and empowers consumers to choose, Rhone Resch declared today, October 27, 2009, in the City of Anaheim, California, a Solar Bill of Rights©: http://seia.org/cs/solar_bill_of_rights
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