Netflix Price Increase

Netflix will be increasing their price plans an average of $3.00 per plan. This has almost every Netflix user in outrage. On Netflix's Blog they claim it is not financially beneficial for them to offer unlimited streaming and DVD's together. After looking at their financial statements I do not see where they are not benefiting financially. The reported a Net Income last year of $160,853,000. Check it out for yourself==> http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/NFLX/1323320832x0x460274/17454C5B-3088-48C7-957A-B5A83A14CF1B/132054ACL.PDF (page 50). Yet it is not going to make financial sense when majority of their subscribers unsubscribe and find alternatives to Netflix. Their blog post has 5,000 comments and I could only find a couple that were positive towards their new pricing structure. Majority of the comments were to inform Netflix that they would be cancelling their subscription at the end of the month.

Here is the Breakdown:

• Unlimited Streaming                                               $7.99
• Unlimited Streaming w/ 1 DVD                             $15.98
• Unlimited Streaming w/ 2 DVD's                           $19.98 
• Unlimited Streaming w/ 3 DVD's                           $23.98
• Unlimited Streaming w/ 4 DVD's                           $29.98
• Limited 1 DVD out with only 2 rentals per month $4.99

They have separated Unlimited Streaming from the DVD rentals, so be careful if you have to make changes to your plan. For instance, if you were to want unlimited streaming + 1 DVD out at a time it is $7.99 for streaming + $7.99 for 1 DVD for a total of $15.98. And no, existing customers to Netflix will not be grandfathered in. 

Verizon Ditches Unlimited Data Plans

Today, July 7th, Verizon now no longer offers unlimited data plans. They have switched over to a tiered system. If you are currently a Verizon customer and have an unlimited plan you are "safe" as you will be grandfathered in to this feature. When you are due for an upgrade you will have the option to retain the unlimited data feature. New customers to Verizon or new smartphone users will be subject to the following tiered data prices:
 
Smartphones

• $30.00 for 2GB
• $50.00 for 5GB
• $80.00 for 10GB
• $10.00 per additional GB over

Note: Average Android Data Usage- 582mb/month
          Average Iphone Data Usage- 273mb/month

Tablet

• $30.00 for 2GB
• No longer will they offer 1GB for $20.00

If you are a heavy smartphone user that likes to watch Netflix and YouTube or stay in touch with friends and family via Facebook, Twitter, etc. you may not want to venture to Verizon as your monthly bill may be ridiculous. If you need unlimited data I recommend you to look at Sprint. Sprint is now the only carrier which does not tier their data.
I often run into people who think only Verizon carries the "droid". Verizon was very smart in their marketing plan to make you believe this. All carries whether it be Sprint, AT&T, or T-Mobile have the "droid"/ It is the Android OS. If Verizon's tiered data system burns a hole in the pocketbook take a look at other carriers that can suit your needs for less.

Hulu Plus: Android

Hulu Plus is now available on the Android Market for the following 6 devices:

• Nexus S
• Nexus One
• HTC Inspire 4G
• Motorola Droid II
• Motorola Droid X
• Motorola Atrix

Even though this app is available for the aforementioned phones, Hulu is planning on this app to bee available on more Android phones throughout the rest of this year.


What is Hulu Plus?
Hulu Plus is for streaming already aired Television shows. It is the same concept as Netflix, but for your favorite TV shows.
Hulu Plus is $7.99 a month and with subscription you receive a one month free trial.
Hulu Plus can also be used on Xbox 360, computer/laptop, "smart tv", Blu-ray players, Roku, and other set-top boxes.
Roku 2050X XD Streaming Player 1080p

HTC EVO UPDATE

NETFLIX is back available on the HTC EVO. Stream on!

Google+

Lately there has been a lot of buzz on Twitter about Google+. I figured I would go and get some information on this new Google project and fill you all in.
What is Google+
Google+ is Google's version of Facebook plain and simple. It could very well end Facebook in the same fact that Facebook destroyed Myspace. However Google+ is not out yet and is only available to a limited amount of people for the field trial of this new "Social Networking" site. (I hope it doesn't have Farmville, Cityville, or anything "Ville")

Features of Google+
Google+ has 5 major features that are going to stand out and be very good for Social Networking purposes. Here are the five and a little about them.

1. Circles
• Circles allows you to place friends, family, coworkers, etc. into different groups that way you share information and posts to only those particular people.
2. Sparks
• Sparks allows you to customize and pick news that is relevant to you and your interest.
3. Hangouts
• Hangouts will be a neat video chat feature. You can video chat with up to 10 friends all at once.
4. Instant Upload
• Instant Upload will automatically upload your pictures & videos from your phone directly to a private album on your Google+ account. All you have to do is go online and decide who you want to send them to.
5. Huddle
• Huddle allows you to take a group of people and chat all together. Google gives an example on their site about how hard it is to get 6 people to decide on what movie to see. Huddle would get everyone on one "page" for quick decision making.

I am actually looking forward to this new Social Networking site. It looks to be easy to use and easy to navigate. Here is a direct link to an interactive tour that Google has put together http://www.google.com/intl/en-US/+/demo/

How to Convert YouTube Videos To MP3's

Here is my first of hopefully many How To Video's. Hope you enjoy!!!
How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3's

Common Mistakes in a Home Theater

Here is a list of common mistakes made when creating a Home Theater.

1. Not Soundproofing the room.
• Don't annoy the neighbors!
• Your sound quality will be drastically better.
2. Not optimizing your components with a test disk.
• TVs are set up to look good in Best Buy, Costco, etc. in order to make you buy them
3. Not having a Universal Remote for all of your components.
4. Not realizing that resolution is more important than screen size.
• See my post on the Difference Between Screen Resolution
5. Not buying a receiver that you can grow into.
6. Putting all emphasis on the TV and neglecting the audio or visa verca.
7.  Buying by price and not by what you want or need.