A Verizon iPhone in January? I’ll Believe It When I See It.

If Verizon iPhone stories are a dime a dozen, here’s 0.833333 cents’ worth.

“Two people familiar with the plans” tell Bloomberg that Verizon (VZ) will begin peddling the Apple (AAPL) phone in January, after the exclusivity deal with AT&T (T) expires. No details beyond that, though a research note this morning from Barclays (BCS) says we might expect an announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show.

“Our component and distribution checks indicate that Apple is likely to begin production of a CDMA iPhone, possibly with LTE support, in 4Q10 for launch at Verizon in January 2011, perhaps at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES),” analyst Ben Reitzes wrote. “We believe Apple’s U.S. unit volume is likely to grow from 11 million units in 2010 to at least 15 million in 2011 as a result, with 9 million at Verizon and 6 million at AT&T. We also believe Apple may launch the device in other CDMA markets, in particular China with China Telecom.”

Whatever. As I’ve said before, at this point I’d be happy to see the iPhone added to Verizon’s lineup, if only to put an end to these seemingly endless rumors.

IPhone 4: $188 in Parts, $411 in Magic

The components in the 16GB version of Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone 4 cost $8.55 more than those in its predecessor.

This according to iSuppli’s tear-down analysis of the device, which estimates its bill of materials to be $187.51 (click on chart below to enlarge). That’s a bit more that the iPhone 3GS, which had a BOM of $178.96, but then, Apple’s newest iPhone model boasts a number of enhancements, among them the Retina Display and A4 processor, which iSuppli figures cost $28.50 and $10.75, respectively.

No word on what carriers pay Apple for the device. But right now a 16GB iPhone 4 on AT&T (T) without contract or subsidy costs $599.

What Viacom’s Loss to YouTube Means for Hollywood

The Google geeks have beaten Hollywood chic. But how much will the court ruling against Viacom (VIA) in its $1 billion copyright battle over YouTube tip the balance of power from professional content creators to online distributors?

In ruling on summary judgment that the Google (GOOG)-owned video-sharing site is protected from liability by a safe-harbor provision in copyright law, U.S. District Court Judge Louis Stanton has sent a clear message:

When user-generated video sites implement reasonable takedown procedures, they are shielded from infringement lawsuits based on the copyrighted content that users upload.

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How to Make iPhone Ringtone

You bought an iPhone and love all its features, but wish you didn't have to pay for your songs twice to get a ringtone. (We know that iPhone, iPhone 3G Ringtones use the file extension .M4R. And the users must pay $2 for a piece of song through Apple iTunes store). There are plenty of songs in your music library, but no way to make ringtones from any of them. Rihgt?

Actually, with a little bit of trickery (nothing illegal) you can create ringtones from any one of your non-DRM songs.

This works on both Mac and Windows PCs.

Window Users

You can create free iPhone Ringtones by yourself with Aiseesoft iPhone Ringtone Maker.
You can take the following step-by-step instructions to start.
Step 0: Download and install Aiseesoft iPhone Ringtone Maker.
After a short while, you can see the following interface:

Step 1: Click "Browse" on the right side of "Input File" to import the file that you want to make ringtone from it.
Step 2: Play it and listen the music to find the segment that you want to use it as ringtone. Then drag and click the start & end slider to set your wanted segment, or type the start & end time in the corresponding text box directly to get the exact segment. You also can pre-listen the converted audio before generate.
Step 3: Click "Browse" on the right side of "Local Output Folder" to choose the output destination.
Step 4: Check "Export to iPhone" option, the converted ringtone will be load to your iPhone directly.
Step 5: After all the settings are finished, click "Generate" to begin making your own iPhone ringtone.

Key function
* Convert any video to iPhone ringtone M4R
* Create iPhone ringtone from any audio files
* Get any clips from video and audio
* Edit Added iPhone ringtones

Using Aiseesoft iPhone Ringtone Maker, you are free to edit the added iPhone ringtone by removing it or renaming it directly.

For Mac Users, please go to Aiseesoft iPhone Ringtone Maker for Mac.

MKV file, MLV player, Free MKV Converter and MKV Burner on Mac OS

What is MKV file?
.MKV is a container format developed by Matroska. Matroska file types are .MKV for video (with subtitles and audio), .MKA for audio-only files and .MKS for subtitles only. The most common use of .MKV files is to store HD video files.It can hold different types of video and audio. For example, there might be an .avi file contained within the .MKV file. High Definition movies in 720 or 1080 pixel width format are often encoded and packaged as a Matroska format video with a .MKV file extension.

How to play MKV file s on Mac?
I recommend trying either MPlayer OS X or VLC Media Player. They are all free.
These excellent and free multimedia players can tackle many of the video formats unknown to QuickTime. They contain a decoder to decode the .MKV files. They will also play many of the formats you will find inside the .MKV file.
How to convert MKV to DVD, MP4, AVI, etc on Mac for free?
I recommend VisualHub to convert MKV to MP4, AVI, etc on Mac. It can convert MKV to iPod Nano, convert MKV to iPod Classic, convert MKV to iPod touch , convert MKV to iPhone, convert MKV to Apple TV, convert MKV to Xbox 360, convert MKV to PSP, convert MKV to PS3, AVI, convert MKV to MP4, convert MKV to MPEG, convert MKV to Flash, convert MKV to WMV and convert MKV to DVD.
Techspanion (The developer of VisualHub) has closed shop and after an outcry from fans, VisualHub, the popular video converter on Mac OS X have now gone open source. It has got new name Film Redux. You can download its open source and built it by yourself. Here is a tutorial: How to build iSquint and VisualHub?



Step 1, Run Film Redux (VisualHub)
Step2, Load MKV videos
Insert your MKV files from your Mac .Click the Add files button to load your MKV videos.
Step3, Convert MKV to MP4, AVI, iPod, etc.
Here is the list of the formats that VisualHub can convert MKV
They are iPod Nano, iPod Classic, iPod touch , iPhone, Apple TV, Xbox 360, PSP, PS3, AVI, MP4, Quicktime, MPEG, Flash, WMV. Choose the format you want to convert MKV to and click Start.



That’s all. Now, we have converted MKV to iPod Nano, iPod Classic, iPod touch , iPhone, Apple TV, Xbox 360, PSP, PS3, AVI, MP4, Quicktime, MPEG, Flash, WMV.
How to convert DVD to MKV on Mac for free?
I recommend you use Handbrake to you to convert DVD to MKV on Mac . HandBrake is an open-source, GPL-licensed, multiplatform, multithreaded DVD to MPEG-4 converter. It can convert DVD to MKV on Mac eaisly and for free.
Step 1, Download and Install Handbake
Download the free program Handbrake. Check to see if your Mac has the system requirements; click on the apple icon in the top left corner and About this Mac. Then install HandBrake.



Step 2, Run it and insert DVD.
Select your favorite DVD disk and put it in the disk drive. Then run HandBrake and click Detected Volume to choose source. Click Open and you will be able to see many titles included in this DVD disk. Choose the longest title if this is a movie DVD, or choose your favorite chapter if this is an episode.
Step 3, Select Output setting
Select MKV files as output format and select other settings such as video quality, audio track, Audio Sample Rate, bitrate, Picture Settings, etc.

Step 4, Rip DVD to MKV on Mac
Check all settings and click Rip. A progress bar will show its ripping speed; depends on many factors like speed of Mac, filesize, etc.
That’s all. We have converted DVD to MKV for free now.
Note: Handbrake can not rip encrypted DVD movies. If you want to rip encrypted DVD movies, you can use this DVD Ripper for Mac. You can also use Mac the ripper which is free.

Top 5 Best iPod Video Converter Review

There is hundreds of iPod software available now. After the wide investment, for you to manage your iPod efficiently, we made this iPod Video Converter Review for the best iPod Video Converters. It includes iPod Nano Converter, 3gp converter iPod, etc. So it is also the video converter review.

1. 4Videosoft iPod Video Converter
Free Download　 $29.95
This iPod video converter can assist you convert MP4, MPG, MPEG, MOV, M4V, RM, WMV, ASF, MKV, 3GP, MOD, TOD, etc, even the YouTube FLV video to your iPod video or audio supporting formats.
More features:
* So cool and friendly user-interface for you to easily and quickly operate.
* Support all video and audio sources.
* More helpful editing functions for you to create your own video.
* Excellent and timely support email services.
* Free upload for life included.
* Customize output settings.

Any of the five iPod software is good. They all have the excellent features to meet your needs.

2. Aiseesoft iPod Movie Converter
Free Download　 $29.00
This iPod software is designed for Windows iPod users. Convert all video and audio formats to iPod MP4, H.264, MP3, AAC, M4A.
More features:
* Easy, simple and quick installation and operation.
* Accept MPG, MPEG, MPEG2, VOB, MP4, M4V, RM, RMVB, WMV, ASF, MKV, TS, MPV, AVI, 3GP, 3G2, FLV, MPV, MOD, TOD.
* High-quality of converted video and audio.
* More editing functions: Trim, Crop, Merge into one file, Take snapshot.
* Free and life-long upgrade.
* 7*24 online email support.

3. Tipard iPod Video Converter
Free Download　 $19.00
This is another best iPod Video Converter for Windows user to convert any video and audio sources to iPod MP4, H.264, MP3, AAC, M4A.
More features:
* Fully support Windows NT4/2000/2003/XP and Windows Vista, Windows 7 Hardware.
* Support batch conversion.
* Allow preview during the whole process.
* You decide the video size via adjusting the specific parameters of output file.
* Convert 3GP, FLV to iPod easily.
* The output quality is excellent.
* Life-long upgrade.

4. Aiseesoft iPod Video Converter for Mac
Free Download (Intel, Power PC) 　$29.00
This iPod software is the best iPod video converter for iPod Mac users to convert any video and audio formats to iPod MP4, H.264, MP3, AAC, M4A.
More features:
* Possessed with friendly user-interface.
* One of the quickest software available.
* Preview available during the whole process.
* Capture any time-length clips from source video.
* Adjust the aspect ratio.
* Pre-set the specific parameters for output format.
* Capture your favorite pictures.
* Supported formats: MPG, MPEG, MPEG2, VOB, MP4, M4V, RM, RMVB, WMV, ASF, MKV, TS, MPV, AVI, 3GP, 3G2, FLV, MPV, MOD, TOD, AAC, AC3, WAV, MID, WMA, M4A, RA, RAM.

5. Tipard iPod Video Converter for Mac
Free Download (Intel, Power PC) 　$29.00
This best iPod video converter is another iPod software for iPod Mac users. Convert MPG, MPEG, MPEG2, VOB, MP4, M4V, RM, RMVB, WMV, ASF, MKV, TS, MPV, AVI, 3GP, 3G2, FLV, MPV, MOD, TOD, Youtube to iPod MP4, H.264 video formats and MP3, AAC, M4A audio formats.
System Requirement:
Processor: PowerPC® G4/G5 or Intel® processor
OS Supported: Mac OS X v10.4 - 10.5
Hardware Requirements: 512MB RAM, Super VGA (800×600) resolution, 16-bit graphics card or higher
More features:
* Works with all video sources.
* Has pre-defined settings for you to get the high or standard output quality.
* Create your own customized video under the useful editing functions of trim, crop, join.
* Total preview for the whole process.
* 7*24 email support.

Hope the best iPod Video Converter, iPod Video Converter for Mac software would help you, and make your digital media life colorful.

The Voyage of the CGI

Is there any Hollywood movie coming out anymore that is not chock full of computer-generated imagery?

Apparently not, from the look of this new trailer for the latest film based on the series of classic books by C.S. Lewis, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.”

It’s due at Christmas and seems packed full–even in this short clip–with more techie eye candy than usual, including a painting of the sea on the wall that floods a room.