Vudu starts streaming movies to the browser, but only in SD

Vudu's movie service is already available on 300-odd set top boxes and HDTVs including the PS3 and Boxee Box, but now it can add your personal computer to the list since it will start streaming its entire catalog right on the company's website. The Flash-based player will let customers watch movies they've rented or purchased like any other device, but due to licensing issues it's limited to a maximum 480p resolution with stereo sound for now. That's disappointing for a company that pioneered high quality1080p streaming with its HDX format but it could help attract customers who find a rental packed in with one of their DVDs or Blu-ray discs from Walmart. There's no word yet on plans for mobile devices, but general manager Edward Lichty confirmed to us it plans to make content accessible in "as many places as possible" so we'd expect to hear something on that front soon (but probably after the launch ofpremium VOD.) Until then, there's a few more screens in the gallery and a press release after the break or you can just check out the 2.0 interface for yourself on Vudu.com once everything goes live.

Vudu.com streaming

VUDU Launches Browser-Based Streaming of Expansive Content Library on VUDU.com

Santa Clara, Calif. – (April 12, 2011) – VUDU, the leading subscription-free, video-on-demand movie service, announced today that it will make its vast library of content available directly on VUDU.com. Movie fans can visit VUDU.com to browse, select and instantly stream content from the company's massive selection of movies and television shows, including the newest releases from all major Hollywood studios and leading independent distributors.

"Customers will be able to enjoy movies instantly and easily at VUDU.com with no additional hardware or software download required," said Edward Lichty, general manager of VUDU. "This launch is part of our overall commitment to provide the VUDU service through as many points of access as possible, offering our customer the latest movies at the highest available streaming quality wherever they choose to watch. "

VUDU's browser-based streaming service gives movie lovers the opportunity to rent or buy content at VUDU.com and then watch the content on any of the more than 300 VUDU-enabled CE devices, including HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc players and the PlayStation 3. Through this launch, users will be able to access the same piece of content across multiple platforms so that they can begin a movie on VUDU.com and then finish watching that content on their home entertainment device, or vice versa.

About VUDU
A leader in HD streaming, VUDU offers the world's largest selection of HD movies, including thousands of blockbusters, Hollywood classics, and indies available in stunning HDX 1080p with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound. Movies are available the same day they are released on DVD or Blu-ray, and can be rented or purchased without a subscription. VUDU is available on internet-capable HDTVs and Blu-ray Disc players from FUNAI Electronics (Magnavox, Sylvania), LG Electronics, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, SANYO, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba and VIZIO, and on the PlayStationÒ3 computer entertainment system from Sony. VUDU is a wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart Stores, Inc., and is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. For more information, visit http://www.vudu.com/.

Vudu.com

Scientist cooks up adjustable strength metals

As you may know, crafting a katana is a delicate process that involves carefully constructing a razor-sharp high-carbon edge around a soft shock-absorbent core. One day though, smiths and forging fires could be replaced by electrode-wielding mad-scientists, with the technology to selectively harden and soften metal at will. At least that's what we envisioned when we read about Jörg Weißmüller's breakthrough research in the field of nanomaterials. The German scientist discovered that by placing precious metals in acid he could create tiny ducts through corrosion. Once those channels are flooded with a conductive liquid, electrical currents can be used to harden the material and, if you change your mind about the brittle results, the effect can easily be reversed to make it soft again. The tech could eventually lead to self-healing vehicle armor or scratch-resistant cellphones -- but, really, we just want to zap our way to a high-quality samurai sword. Physorg

Compal's 'Ultra Mobile' Ultrabook eyes-on

Intel's already teased Compal's "Ultra Mobile" Ultrabook from afar, but when this Ivy Bridge laptop popped up on the show floor after the Computex keynote, we decided to give it a closer look. While this prototype isn't quite in the same league as ASUS' gorgeous UX21, do bear in mind that we're still looking at a relatively slim package for a 14- to 15-inch Core i7 rig. Also visible around the machine are a couple of USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI-out port, a LAN socket, and an SD card reader. Until we hear more about this Ultra Mobile, enjoy our eyes-on photos below. Compal's 'Ultra Mobile' Ultrabook eyes-on omment

Commodore USA puts the new C64 up for pre-sales, unveils far-less-retrotastic VIC-Slim

Desktops Commodore USA puts the new C64 up for pre-sales, unveils far-less-retrotastic VIC-Slim By Sean Hollister posted Apr 6th 2011 8:43PM Now that Commodore USA has sufficiently piqued your curiosity with a revamped Commodore 64 prototype, it's ready to capitalize on the idea. Quite literally, we might add. $595 buys you the basic basic model with an 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Atom D525 chip, NVIDIA ION 2 graphics, 2GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive -- which it promises to deliver by "early June" -- with hundred-dollar increments adding premium features like an additional 2GB of memory, a Blu-Ray drive, up to 1TB of storage, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth. However, if you're simply looking for a compact keyboard computer (rather than reliving 80's nostalgia) there's another option on tap -- a likely rebadged thin wedge of a machine that Commodore's...

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