Nick Starr.com : Nick Starr dot com

Here are some spy shots of the new Family Guy - Blue Harvest Special Edition (w/ limited-edition collectibles) DVD from Fox that will be released on Tuesday. There is no mention on the back of the box of iTunes, iPods, or the digital copy. There is however a special sticker on the front of the shrink wrapping indicitating it comes with a “Digital Copy.”

Fox has done this before with movies like Live Free or Die Hard, and even has a website setup for Digital Copy (link), with no mention of iPod support. The problem is that Digital Copy has never worked with an iPod, Zune, or PSP. Will this new Digital Copy work now with an iTunes or was the previously leaked screenshot a fake? The world will know on Tuesday after Steve Jobs gives his keynote at the Macworld Expo & Conference.

Thanks to everyone who has donated so far…I’m now at almost 50% raised towards a new MacBook laptop, after my MacBook Pro and all of my gadgets in my laptop bag were stolen recently. You can help me raise money towards a new Macbook by donating here.

I’ve noticed some people asking questions people have been asking, and I want to see if I can field some of them here.

Q1) Dude, why can’t your insurance just pay for it all?

A1) I do (since I am financing my vehicle) have full car insurance on my car, including Comprehensive and Collision coverage. These two coverages DO NOT cover anything that is stolen from the vehicle, unless it is bolted down (ie. cd player, chairs, etc). My broken window WOULD be covered under my insurance, but since my deductible is $500, it doesn’t make sense to file a claim (thus raising my rates) for a repair that costs $160.

If I had renters insurance, which it is sort of difficult to do without a permanent address, they would of covered the theft. I still have my insurance in the state of Florida, where it is next to impossible to get renters let alone homeowners insurance.

Q2) Why did you leave it in your front seat and not in the trunk?

A2) I parked in a very nice section of the financial district in SF, and from everyone I have spoken to about the street I parked, said that it is a safe area and well lit. In Florida, you only have to watch for your stuff to not get stolen in “bad” neighborhoods, and even then I’ve never heard of ANYONE I know in FL putting stuff in their trunk, unless it was during holiday shopping. I did cover up the bag with a hoodie, and with all of the other clothes scattered in the vehicle it would not of been visible from the outside.

Q3) This wouldn’t of happened if you had a place to put your laptop besides your car. (more of a statement)

A3) Perhaps, but I had just come from the coffee shop where I was online. Unless I lived REALLY close, to the financial district ($$$), and didn’t want to worry about the 15 minutes trying to find a place to park near my “apartment”, and then the other 15 minutes trying to find a place to park back in the financial district, then you are right…It would of been safe in an apartment. However I didn’t want to be late to the show, and with gas prices are high are they are, I am trying to cut down on any access travel then what I have to do on a regular basis. I probably wouldn’t of gone all the way “home” to drop off my laptop if I was right by where I was going to begin with. I would of left it in my car like I did, and we are right back to square one.

Q4) You deserved this, and had it coming to you.

A4) Yes as hard as it is to believe, there are people out there who think this way. To these people I honestly have nothing to say. You obviously prey on the misery of others, and I your negative feedback only shows your lack of humanity and maturity.

Q5) Why didn’t you go for a plan with a lower glass replacement deductible?

A5) Car insurance agencies aren’t like Burger King, you can’t pick and choose your deductible on individual items. I went with the most insurance that I could afford that I needed to carry for a vehicle that is being financed.

With being said, I think I’ve tried to weed thru as much negativity as I can for one day. I will say that as much negativity there is towards me and my life, there is obviously more positivity being shown by many of the subscribers of this site, Twitter users, and people in my daily life. I want to thank everyone who has been helpful and supportive in this trying time.

On a positive spin, I am meeting with a photographer with the NY Times today about a story they are doing about Twitter, and tomorrow will be going to a free public preview of chirpscreen where RonKat will be performing. Feel free to join me tomorrow in SF.

Until later, thanks again for everyone who has donated. Almost half way there in only 4 days, and I have a lot of people who have said they are donating this Friday. Thanks again to everyone for your generosity in this trying time.

Here’s an Apple rumor that I am happy to report. On the Apple UK Store site, there is a slight slip up that shows an 8-Core Mac Pro when you search for: Mac Pro (at least at the time of this posting).

I wouldn’t of posted this Apple rumor if I wasn’t able to confirm it myself. Well the proof is in the pudding. Here is a full window capture of the search.

Looks like there will be an 8-Core Mac Pro coming out very soon. If you were planning on buying a Mac Pro within the next few days, you might just want to wait.

Update: Apple has changed the site to read “Two Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors. High-performance graphics. Massive…“

Okay, if this keeps up I will have 3 separate cell phones. I REALLY want the iPhone, but I don’t know that I could give up my CrackBerry, and guess who might be throwing their hat into the ring? Well I’ll give you a guess, its one of my favorite companies in the world, and the title of this post might of given it away as well.

The rumored Google phone is code-named Switch, and it’s either a joint partnership with Samsung or their own phone. What makes me think that if they do release a phone that it is going to be amazing, is that they hired the guy (Andy Rubin) who created Danger.

You might not know what Danger is, since the company name isn’t that widely talked about, but I’m sure you know the main device they produce, the Sidekick. Personally, I’ve owned every version of the Sidekick since the first black & white screen stage with the external camera. It was one of the best user experiences I’ve had on a phone device.

Will we be seeing a Google phone? I hope so, but until there is something more concrete, this gets filed under rumors.

That is the date, or as far as anyone knows so far. RIM is hosting an event with Cingular (aka AT&T). Here is the invite sent out:

You are invited to join Research in Motion® and Cingular, now the new AT&T, as we reveal new solutions for enterprise productivity and extend the service, expertise and applications that you have come to expect from us.

Mark February 20, 2007 on your calendar for this exclusive event.

Research In Motion’s President, Co-CEO and Founder Mike Lazaridis and Kent Mathy, President of Cingular’s Business Markets Group, and there’ll former New York Giants star Tiki Barber, too.

I can’t wait for this phone. This will probably be the last phone I purchase before the iPhone launches and I fall further down the Apple rabbit hole. It looks like I will be making the switch to Cingular at the time as well, so long T-Mobile, you’ve been a great friend for 3+ years.

[via Blackberry Cool]

Most of the time this happens, there is something new launched. With Think Secret reporting on some rumors of this happening yesterday, I tend to think this is more then a system update for the store. More as this develops.

You heard it first here, yesterday, when I ranted about how ridiculous the free 18 months of service with an iPhone was. I was speaking to my friend yesterday and said this:

Eric: http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/25/atandt-to-give-away-1-5-years-of-service-to-iphone-buyers/

me: yeah i know
that will certainly be disproved tomorrow

Looks like I was right. Here is what a Cingular rep said today:

The report is nonsense. We’ve always said the only way you can get the iPhone is with a Cingular rate plan.

This is why I rarely post Apple rumors on the site here. I tend to like the write the facts of the matter, not simply speculation, which has over time proven itself wrong time after time.