Penny College

Apple just announced their new Apple TV device today. The thing, we have to admit, is a thing of beauty. it’s size of a small square hockey pock and has the ugly power adapter built in to its tiny body. In addition, it has Netflix streaming built in finally, so you can stream unlimited netflix movies through the device without additional fees. (Beyond the monthly Netflix subscription.) However, how does it stuck up to the reigning champ of Netflix stream boxes – Roku HD-XR?

Well let’s see:

So as you can see from above, the boxes are pretty evenly matched in turn of pricing and features. There are a couple of key differentiators though. The Roku box can output true 1080P video while Apple TV is limited to 720P, though you’re likely have to squint pretty hard to see the difference between the two on a normal HD tv.  The Apple TV can support iTunes for streaming music and tv from your collection while Roku is pretty much all Internet streams. On the flip side, Roku is more open to third party services such as Amazon video on Demand and MLB Live. The Apple TV is pretty much limited to iTunes and Netflix.

The one big caveat is that Roku HD-XR box has a USB port for connection. This may not be a big deal to some but it is a important feature but for those who have a ripped collection of movies and music on their hard drive. With the USB port, they can connect an external hard drive fill with their own movies and play it back on their big screen tv. The Apple TV is limited to Internet streams.

Conclusion:

So which one wins out? It really depend on your personal preference. If you’ve already invested in a large iTunes collection of movies and music, then the Apple TV may be a easier and simpler choice for your bucks. However, if you want more flexibility and USB expansion, than go with the Roku HD-XR. Since each box only cost $100, you really can’t go wrong in either case. Just keep in mind that Google TV from Sony and Logitech is right around the corner as is the Boxee box for those who prefer hacking.

You have to love competition. It was only the other day that Virgin Mobile USA launched unlimited 3G wireless service for $40. Today,  Clearwire launches unlimited 4G service without contract for the markets served by the WiMax startup.

The pricing is decent too:

$5/One day

$20/Week

$50/Month

So if you happen to be in one of the markets served by Clearwire. it my be the perfect solution for on the go Internet at broadband speeds and without data caps. Although you will have to purchase the modem at full price.

www.clearwire.com

Ever face this dilemma? You need to put up a wall unit in the apartment so you need a drill. However, since this is likely an one time event, you don’t want to spring over $50 for a decent drill that you’re likely use only once. This would a be great time if you have a friend who have a drill you can use but none of your friends live that close.

Well, what if you can borrow a drill from a neighbor you don’t know for $10 a day. It’s a win win for both sides, you get to save $40 on the drill and your neighbor get to earn $10 for that drill just sitting in the toolbox. Well, now with the magic of Internet, you can do just that. One of the better known websites out there is www.snapgoods.com. Where you can search by zip code for goods you would need on a short term basis or offer goods for rental.

It’s a great solution for city dwellers and college students who are on a budget and limited on space. Now you can just spend a little to use the tools you need only for a day. The NY Times has a great article on this phenomenon, see the full article for more details.

www.nytimes.com

Google just blown our minds again. As a PennyPincher, we love to save money on telecommunications. We’ve been relying on Skype for our International calling needs and our cell minutes for the domestic calling. However, Google Voice, formerly Grand Central, has just announced that will now integrate the service with Gmail.

What this means is that now you can make and receive phones calls in your web browser free of charge. No phone line or Cell phone needed. In addition, at least for the foreseeable future. All domestic calling in USA and Canada are free of charge. Skype charges $2.95/month  for this service. If you haven’t sign up yet, there have never a better time to enjoy the Google Voice service.

www.google.com/voice

Virgin Mobile USA is quickly earning a spot in our hearts for the most consumer friendly telecommunication company in recent history. After they just launched the nationwide advertising campaign for their $25/unlimited web/text plan for cell phones, they are about to rock the world of telecom again.

This time, they’re launched a new unlimited Broadband2Go wireless data plan for computers for only $40 a month. This is roughly $20-30 dollar cheaper than competing plans from Verizon or At&T and those plans have a 5GB monthly limit. In addition, because the plan is from Virgin, there are no long term contracts. Although you do have to purchase the USB broadband adapter for full price.

This is the perfect plan for those who may be traveling only occasionally throughout the year. You can just purchase one month of service when you travel without signing a long term contract. The plan as of press time is still not listed on the website. However, you should be able to see the new plans before September 2010.

www.virginmobileusa.com

Here is a little secret that many people don’t know about. We’ve often heard from family and friends that they often keep a prepaid cell phone for their elderly relatives to use in case of emergencies. They simply top up the prepaid account every few weeks with funds even know the phone doesn’t get used.

However, the secret most cell phone carriers don’t advertise is that is that a cell phone, regardless whether it has active service or not, can make 911 emergency calls.  As long as the cell phone is properly charged and provided the you can get a signal, a cell phone without active service can still make regular 911 calls. This actually done by law to help those in case of emergencies. Naturally, you don’t want someone to lose the ability to call 911 just because they ran out of cell phone minutes.

While we still recommend those that only use cell phone occasionally to sign up for a service such as Virgin PayLo ($20 for 90 days of service). If you truly have an emergency, don’t overlook that cell phone in the closet without service. It can still be used to make emergency calls provided it’s charged.

iPad opened the floodgate of tablet computing to the masses. However, we don’t recommend you plunk down the half a grand required to get you hand on the shiny new toy. At least, no yet. Here are five reasons why.

1. The current iPad is too heavy to use as a daily tablet computer. It may look light on TV, but the thing actually weights 1.5 pounds. Trust us, you’ll feel the strain if you try to use it as an ebook.

2. The next generation of iPad is right around the corner. There are rumors of a 7inch iPad is floating around in Asia. The new version will have the front-facing camera for Facetime video calls. Not to mention the likely lower price .

3. Google Chrome based tablets will arrive on black Friday. According to our favorite tech blog – Engadget. Verizon will launch the Google Chrome based tablet computer on Black Friday 2010. The Google device will likely offer more functionality for a lower cost.

4. Other tablet computers from Acer, Dell, and various Asian manufactures are right around the corner. Probably launching in late 2010 or early 2011. The new tablets will likely be based on Google Chrome or Google Android. These tablets will compete on price and more features. So the market will improve quickly with better products.

5. Even if you still want to purchase the iPad. Waiting till January of 2011 will likely garner you a lower price or improved version of the iPad due to the competition from other manufactures.

Well, look like our favorite carrier is throwing everyone a bone today and only today for those looking to pick up the Samsung Vibrant smartphone. The Super AMOLED screen phone (Trust us, you’ll love the screen) running Google Android launched a few weeks ago for the price of $199. However, for today and today only, T-Mobile is offering the phone for $99 to those interested. Keep in mind that you do have to either sign or extend your contract for two years. More details here:

Tmobile Samsung Vibrant

This month’s Details magazine comes bearing gifts. In the past, the men’s fashion magazine has had free coupons for Axe shampoo products and the like. This month, Details magazine has an ad from Express that offers the user $25 of any $50 purchase (50% saving) or $50 off $150 purchase. Pretty good deal if you’re looking to shop there anyway. Better hurry, the coupon is valid from 8/17 through Sept.

For those who have vacation time in September or currently unemployed with cash to travel, the best news just come from the little airline that could. JetBlue is once offering their unlimited flight ticket option for flights during Sept. 3 and Oct. 6. 2010. For $699, you can flight anywhere JetBlue flys during that time without additional charge. So if you can somehow plan out a itinerary for the month of September around JetBlue destinations, it may be a good deal. Just remember that all flights must have advance reservations. If you want to save even more, if you forgo the rights to fly Friday through Sundays during that time, you can have the pass for only $499. The passes sold out last year in record time, so if you’re interested, better get a move on.

www.jetblue.com