When Netflix raised their prices, people were outraged. Many dropped the service, feeling it was too expensive to keep receiving DVDs in the mail. So, to try and get rid of the confusion, get back some old customers, and grab some new ones, Netflix is making some drastic changes.

One of the changes they did to infuriate customers, was splitting up the streaming movie service and DVD-by-mail service. So what they are going to do, is completley change the name of DVD-by-mail service, which will be called “Qwikster.” Netflix will still keep the name, however, it will only be for the streaming videos. Their will also be a change in your credit card statement, but the prices will stay the same.

For me, the best part is what they are adding to the service. Not too long ago, I wrote an article, Gamefly vs. Redbox, that talked about how Redbox started video game rentals. What will be known as Qwikster, will not only be using the DVD-by-mail service, but they will be giving into the video game rentals. Many customers having been wanting this service for years. At this time, there is no information as to when this will start and the price of the service. It is great to hear that they are going ahead and trying this out. Now that Netflix will be doing game rentals, it will be another company to add to the list of companies who give the same service. Since Netflix is a popular name, they might have a better chance of succeeding.

This comes to light after Reed Hastings, Co-Founder and CEO of Netflix, released a statement on the Netflix Blog , explaining the changes that have happened and that are coming. Many comments about this blog are showing disagreement on all the changes. Some explain the problems it will cause. Only time will tell how well this new system will work

Netflix Adding Video Games Rentals, Spawning Spin-off Qwikster. 

Tags: blog, credit card, DVD, gameboy, Gamefly, Games, mail, movies, Netflix, nintendo, playstation, Qwikster, reedbox, streaming, visa, Xbox

A week ago, Sony shut down the PlayStation Network, stating that it was for maintenance, and that it would only last no more than two days. Finally the truth came out…PSN was hacked, and personal information was compromised. Although, Sony is still unsure whether or not the credit card information of all the users was jeopardized.

In a recent post on Playstaion’s blog site, Patrick Seybold, who is Sr. Director of Corporate Communications & Social Media, released a statement reassuring users that the company is working around the clock to resolve the issues. He goes on to elaborate on the situation, what they are doing to fix the security problems, and also informs you on what to do to prevent further damage to your information.

Sony suspected that Anonymous, a group well-known for their hacking ability, was at fault. However, a statement was released by the group saying, ”While it could be the case that other Anons have acted by themselves, AnonOps was not related to this incident and does not take responsibility for whatever has happened.”

With PlayStation Network being shut down, Microsoft could get a boost in sales. Despite the fact that PSN has been running for over 4 years, Xbox Live has been running for almost 9 years, never having any type of security breach. And although you can never anticipate the situation that Sony is in right now, it sure is making Microsoft look really good.

Tags: Anonymous, credit card, Games, hack, Microsoft, News, playstation, PSN, sony, Xbox

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s Show is being powered by fantastic coffee

Sponsor: Try GotoMeeting free for 30 days! For this special offer
visit www.gotomeeting.com/techpodcasts

—

So this week is going to be crazy. Its a short week for me in work and out. Listen in to get a general idea of whats going to happen to the show over the next week or so. Things are going to be a bit up in the air so we’re trying to keep the episodes short and sweet. Hence the title, not only did i not want to take the time to spell out the whole word but its also a perl function/library, which makes it geeky too!

Today’s show comes with Homework. I’m always surprised when I speak with people who don’t know what TED is. So today’s show has two of the most stunning presentations I’ve seen from TED, you are required to watch them… no excuses, there will be a test.

Enjoy the show and Stay Caffeinated!

• CaffiNation Back Channel: All the Cruft, non of the Chaff
  
• Where else can you find me? www.paulrjmuller.com

Geek Cruft

• Quirky name, awesome stuff, WolframAlpha Deploys
  • TED: Tim Bernards-Lee, Give us the Data
• Glasses for the 3rd world, More data, and simply stunning
• Its a great big universe and we’re all really puny, Nasa and Tiny little specs
• Skulls have always fascinated me, now you can own a cyborg skull
  • TED: Obsessions are a way of learning, Adam Savage from mythbusters
• Pac-man mural impresses
• Two unbelievable paper-crafts, Chocobo or Bob-omb
• Classic Lego video game scenes
• TSA really won’t like this, firestarting knife wielding laser pointing credit card
• Algae powered transformer?
• Recycled USB drive
• Light brite cubed
• Mario cart proves you can’t txt and drive

Food & Caffeinated Bits

• Today’s fantastic coffee was purchase from the House of Coffee in Lahaska PA
• Tweet and cook at the same time
• Floating cooler and coozy
• Dirty rotten trick, swiss army chocolate

Thanks and Stay Caffeinated People!

Tags: Algae, chocolate, Coffee, cooler, credit card, house of coffee pa, houseofcoffee, Lego, litebrite, pac-man, Pacman, recycled, Skulls, TSA, USB, wolframalpha