Alan Danzis Alan Danzis
Starpulse Contributing Writer
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Alan Danzis is a lifelong technology and TV enthusiast. He's an early adopter: he had the first generation Sony TiVo and had to buy a special device just to plug the analog DVR into his digital phone line in college, further showcasing his nerdiness. He currently lives in Hoboken, N.J., where he tries not let his TiVo get too full. You can follow him on @adanzis.

Arnette Squaresville Sunglasses [REVIEW]: Customizable, Stylish Glasses Perfect for the Summer

May 15th, 2013 1:00pm EDT
Arnette Squaresville
Sunglasses are something I almost never spend money on. With good reason—I tend to lose them very, very quickly. But a new pair from Arnette caught my attention because of the ability to customize them.

The Squaresville line from Arnette is the latest addition to the Arnette Creative Exchange System (ACES). Each pair of glasses comes with an extra set of interchangeable arms that are compatible with other A.C.E.S frames. An included tool allows you to press into a hole on the side of each arm and then slowly slide the arms off so you can insert a different set.

The arms felt secure in pla...
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Aereo Unveils New Pricing Structure and A Future Launch in Atlanta

May 15th, 2013 12:30pm EDT
Aereo
Aereo, the cloud-based antenna/DVR technology, announced a slew of new announcements this week including a new pricing structure and launch in Atlanta.

Starting at $8 per month, consumers get their one remote antenna for watching and recording live over-the-air TV, as well as 20 hours of cloud-based DVR storage. For an additional $4 dollars a month, they can upgrade their membership and get 60 hours of DVR storage, plus an additional remote antenna.

In addition, new Aereo consumers will receive their first month of membership free. The new pricing plan goes into effect on May 15.

For cur...
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Make Your Own Soda at Home with the SPRiZZi Drink Machine

May 15th, 2013 10:30am EDT
SPRizzI Drink Machine
Recently, I’ve learned the benefits of making your own flavor-infused vodka. (Vodka has been my liquor of choice for years.) It’s cheaper than it is in stores and it tastes so, so much better whether it’s strawberry and chocolate-flavored or green apple and caramel-flavored.

Since I’m also a huge soda drinker, the SPRiZZi machine on Kickstarter recently caught my eye. While I’ve tried to cut back on the amount of Kickstarter-backed projects I cover here on Starpulse, this at home soda machine – think a Keurig for soda – caught my eye.

The SPRiZZi Drink Machine chills water below 40 degree...
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Interview with 17 Year Old Programmer Who Created Browser Plug-in To Block TV Spoilers

May 14th, 2013 10:30am EDT
Jen Lamere
If I start Game of Thrones late on a Sunday night, I make sure I stay far, far away from Twitter and Facebook. I’ve read too many spoilers on the social media platforms over the years that I know I need to stay off if I’m not watching live.

Jen Lamere, a 17-year old programmer, decided to do something about it for the recent TVnext event in Boston last month. She created a Google Chrome plug-in that allows you to block certain TV spoilers if you happen to visit Twitter before you’ve watched your favorite show. Lamere even won the Grand Prize for her creation.

I recently spoke with Lamere ...
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Penclic Mini Keyboard [REVIEW]: Small, But Mighty—Best Used for ‘TV Computers’

May 13th, 2013 3:30pm EDT
Penclic Mini Keyboard
As a writer, I live and die by my keyboard. When I get a new computer, one of the first things I do is buy a decent keyboard—usually from Logitech. (That’s what I’m typing on right now.)

So I was nervous when I was offered the chance to try a new keyboard. It’s not just a matter of getting used to where the Home, End and Page Up/Down keys are, but it’s getting used to a new “feel.” But the Penclic Mini Keyboard looked like an interesting device and I wound up trying it out over the last few days.

The Penclic Mini Keyboard is, as advertised very small, but the keys are full size and have j...
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AMC Releases First Look Photo from ‘The Walking Dead’ Season 4

May 13th, 2013 1:30pm EDT
The Walking Dead - season 4
Last week, AMC released a First Look photo from The Walking Dead season 4 featuring star Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes. Production on the fourth season began on May 6.

Season four of The Walking Dead returns to AMC in October.
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Composer Bear McCreary On Creating the Theme for STARZ’s ‘Da Vinci’s Demons’ As Well As Some of His Other Favorites

May 10th, 2013 10:30am EDT
Bear McCreary
If you don’t know his name, odds are you’ve heard one of composer Bear McCreary’s themes in some TV show over the last few years. His scores can be found in shows about people who stop at nothing to protect their target to space operas to a show about the zombie apocalypse to a show about Leonardo Da Vinci.

For the latter one, in STARZ’s new original Da Vinci’s Demons, McCreary had to compose something for the first time that was a score for a period show. Fans can download the theme, which can be played backwards and forwards, via iTunes.

To learn more about the theme he created for Da V...
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Creative Team Behind 'The Americans' On What Fans Can Expect In Season 2

May 9th, 2013 10:30am EDT
The Americans
If last week’s season finale of FX’s The Americans left you incredibly anxious for the second season coming next year, you might take some solace in some highlights from a recent press conference call with the creator, executive producer and writer Joe Weisberg and executive producer, writer Joel Fields.

If you haven’t seen all the way through the last episode, you’ll want to stop reading now:

Weisberg on where the idea for the show came from. “In 2010, if you remember, there were a bunch of Russian intelligence service spies who were arrested in the United States and a lot of people were...
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Ellen Hollman (Saxa) On Series Finale Of 'Spartacus: War of the Damned'

May 8th, 2013 10:30am EDT
Ellen Hollman
After speaking with Ellen Hollman, Saxa on Spartacus: War of the Damned, earlier this year, it only made sense to talk to her again to get her thoughts on the series finale that aired last month.

(Spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen it of course!)

Here’s what we discussed:

Let's get this out of the way first: what did you think of your death scene?

You mean perishing on the battlefield amidst my fellow warriors in the arms of the God of the Arena himself? Pretty damn awesome.

You started out in the season very much with Gannicus, but he pulled away and we saw less of you towards the end...
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StoryBundle Announces “The Video Game Bundle” For Gaming Fans Looking to Catch Up on Indie ebooks

May 7th, 2013 10:30am EDT
StoryBundle
StoryBundle, the online service that bundles together indie ebooks for readers to download and read at reduced costs, announced last week the “Video Game Bundle.”

If you’re unfamiliar with StoryBundle, you pay what you want to get six books, but if you pay more, you get more.

The Video Game Bundle includes multiple titles making their ebook debut, as well as some rare ones. Highlights from the initial set of five books and two magazines include:

- Jordan Mechner’s extensive diaries on the making of the seminal ‘80s platform game Karateka

- Jamie Russell’s non-fiction book Generation Xbo...
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