iPod, iTunes, iPhone and more Gadgets

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It’s not often that we see a USB-powered gizmo claiming to “relieve tiredness, muscle strain or even pain,” and considering that we can’t leave our posts even for a moment to see an actual doctor (a non-robotic one, at least), we couldn’t be happier about this development. The USB Far Infra-Red Pad gets all the power it needs from a spare USB port, and apparently emits infrared light onto your weary arms, back or biceps in order to leave you feeling completely revitalized. Interestingly, the manufacturer warns that leaving it on one spot for over 15 minutes can cause all sorts of problems, so yeah, there’s that. Anyways, those who spend the majority of their time slaving over a keyboard can snap this (likely worthless) thing up for $21.99, but don’t expect any miracles, alright?

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No plans have been announced yet, but the eagle-eyed mods over at SlingCommunity just noticed an interesting patent application from Sling detailing different ways to insert ads into streaming content. The filing describes a scenario in which the viewer would be watching a baseball game on a SlingBox, which would somehow determine which batter was at the plate and then selects an appropriate ad to run — say, for a sports memorabilia store. Other ad-delivery methods described in the patent include prerolling ads before the stream begins, adding ads when the stream finishes, overlaying ads, sending targeted media through the mail or by phone, overlaying web addresses of additional information, and replacing the actual ads contained in the steaming broadcast with other, targeted ads. Considering that using a SlingBox doesn’t require Sling to operate much of a network — other than the SlingDirectory — we’d be hard-pressed to see why anyone would be okay with additional ads in their streaming content, but that’s a pretty small objection compared to the stink broadcasters and other content providers are going to put up if Sling starts replacing their ads. Good thing they have access to all that Echostar cash now, eh?

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