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Morning Xtra: Busted Netflix Blu-rays; Big-Time Buyouts

by Chad Mumm on April 20, 2009 at 11:58 AM



Busted Blu-ray From Netflix
Our buddies over at Engadget have heard reports of Blu-ray discs from Neflix arriving with small cracks around their edges, which makes them unplayable. No word as to what is causing the damage. Netflix is claiming that the problem is "infinitesimally small," but we'd like to see the company make the switch from its paper packaging to some sturdier, like the cardboard envelopes that GameFly uses. [From: Engadget]

Free LinkScanner From AVG
Malicious links are one of the most common vectors for viruses and other bad junk to get in and infect your computer. We advocate using an add-on scanner to keep your system safe while you surf. Security firm AVG is now offering its real-time scanning software LinkScanner free-of-charge in the company's new AVG Free Edition software suite. The program scans Web pages for bad links, tags search results with safety suggestions, and scans links in e-mails and instant messages before they are opened. [From: Cnet]

Ditch Your Ignition Key for Your iPhone
Chrysler's Peapod electric vehicle may not balance on two wheels like GM's PUMA concept, but this glorified golf cart makes up for it with the coolest ignition technology we've seen since the push-button starter -- iPhone/iPod touch ignition. Apparently, using your iPhone as an ignition key is as easy as downloading Chrysler's app, although you can still use a traditional key if you feel so inclined. [From: Engadget]

More Big Sales From Nintendo
Ever since the Wii came out, it seems like Nintendo just can't miss when it comes to video gaming hardware. Success has struck again, as the company moved more than 435,000 units of its newest handled, the DSi, in its first week on the market. According to the company's numbers, Nintendo game systems accounted for nearly 60-percent of all gaming hardware sold in the U.S. [From: Engadget]

Oracle to Buy Sun Microsystems
Big news in the technology business world: Oracle will buy Sun Microsystems for $7.4 billion. Sun is best known for creating 'middleware,' software that connects components and applications to make advanced Internet operations work. Both companies have overlapped in their support of Java-based software, so the transition should be easy once the dust settles on this major acquisition. [From: Computer World]

'Empire of the Sun' Author Dies
The BBC reports that British author JG Ballard died yesterday at age 78 after a long battle with prostate cancer. Ballard gained worldwide notoriety after megadirector Steven Spielberg brought Ballard's autobiographical novel 'Empire of the Sun' to the big screen in 1987. Director David Cronenberg adapted his more controversial 'Crash' in 1996. Known as a keen observer of the modern condition, Ballard was best known in the literary world for his dystopian fiction. [From: BBC, Via: BoingBoing]

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