andPOP » Max Whiteside

Review: Focal XS Computer Speakers

Max Whiteside — Fri, 01 May 2009 03:40:33 +0000

For as long as I can remember, any new computer I bought, I stuck with the built-in speaker system. Last month I had a chance to try Focal’s new consumer 2.1 speaker system and boy was I impressed – and not just by the sound quality.

The speakers are beautifully designed. The weighted base and angled brushed metal stand that hold up the black, glossy speaker, easily compliment any one of Apple’s computers or monitors. Very few speaker systems will look as if Apple developed them, but this is one of them. FOCAL’s attention to design has already caught the attention of Apple as these speakers are routinely setup in Apple stores with their computer display models.

The Focal XS speakers will even help you reduce desk clutter with the built in iPod/iPhone dock and remote on the right speaker. The universal dock connector includes eight adapters so you can attach just about any iPod or iPhone. We tested the dock with the 3G iPhone and did not experience any type of audio interference.

Setup of the Focal XS speaker system takes about 5 minutes. After connecting a few wires and finally plugging the USB connection into the back of your computer, just open the sound control panel and choose the FOCAL XS option. By using a USB connection, the speakers also serve as a charger and data sync connector for your iPod. A button on the back of the right speaker allows you to switch between synchronization and the audio source. While the button would serve its purpose better on the front of the speaker base, it’s a handy feature to have.

In addition, the speaker includes a power button, volume buttons, a stereo mini jack and a remote control that sticks to the neck of the speaker with a built in magnet. There is also no switch or button needed to change between the three possible audio sources, allowing them to play simultaneously.

The included remote control is extremely handy to have. However, we found the infrared signal to be weak at best and require a direct line of site to the base. Furthermore, there is no volume meter display, so you’ll need to adjust the sound by ear.

When you finally hit the play button in iTunes, you’ll be mesmerized by the clear and crisp sound. Each speaker includes a 3/4” tweeter and 3” paper cone, while the subwoofer boasts a 6 1/2” paper cone and a single knob at the back to adjust the bass setting.

With a listing price of US$599, it may be difficult to justify spending that kind of money on a computer speaker system, but with it’s complimentary design and built-in iPod/iPhone dock, we think it’s worth every penny.

For more information visit the official Focal XS web site.

Contest: Andy Richter DVD

Max Whiteside — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:38:47 +0000

ANDY RICHTER CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE: THE COMPLETE SERIES is now on DVD!

ANDY RICHTER CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE was touted as “the funniest new sitcom of the spring” (2002) by TIME magazine and declared by US Magazine to have “scaled new heights.” Set in Chicago, the half hour comedy chronicles the day to day happenings of Andy Richter, an aspiring short story writer working for a large corporation writing “how to” manuals. Andy is constantly thinking about possibilities and how every moment in life could just as easily go another way.

andPOP is giving away 5 copies of the DVD.

To enter, send an email here with the answer to this trivia question: Andy Richter was whose sidekick? Contest ends April 18.

Contest: Jag Season 8

Max Whiteside — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:35:18 +0000

JAG SEASON 8 is now on DVD!

JAG (Judge Advocate General) is an elite legal branch of military officers trained as lawyers who investigate, prosecute and defend those accused of crimes in the military, including murder, treason and terrorism. Navy Cmdr. Harmon “Harm” Rabb, an ace pilot turned lawyer, and Marine Lt. Col. Sarah “Mac” MacKenzie, a beautiful and strictly by-the-book officer, are colleagues, both with similar high standards, that often find themselves clashing with one another as they take different routes to solve cases. Assisting them with their mission is Navy Lt. Bud Roberts, a lawyer who often surprises his superiors with the breadth of his knowledge, and their boss, the no-nonsense Admiral Chegwidden, a former Navy Seal.

andPOP is giving away 5 copies of the DVD.To enter, send an email here with the answer to this trivia question: Name 2 actors who appear on this DVD.

Contest ends April 17.

Contest: South Park Season 12

Max Whiteside — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:26:59 +0000

All fourteen uncensored episodes from South Park’s twelfth season are now available in this exclusive three-disc set. In this collection, SOUTH PARK follows the new President-elect from his acceptance speech to his first official day of duty as Commander in Chief. The boys keep busy helping a pop-princess who’s down on her luck, negotiating a truce for striking Canadians, and preventing giant rodents from destroying the world. For them, it’s all part of growing up in SOUTH PARK.

andPOP is giving away 5 copies of the DVD set.

To enter, send an email here with the answer to this trivia question: Name the creators of South Park. Contest ends April 15.

Billy Bob Thornton on Tour Across the U.S. With his Band The Boxmasters

Max Whiteside — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:07:53 +0000

Billy Bob Thornton’s role this summer is one you might not expect from him – musician. And the acclaimed actor’s not standing behind a mic for a new film role. Thornton is spending his summer touring across the U.S. with his band, The Boxmasters.

The band is one month into their summer trek with about another month to go. The 40-date tour is in support of the band’s recently-released self-titled double CD.

Says famed music critic David Wild: “I have seen the future of hillbilly rock and roll, and its name is The Boxmasters.”

Check out the band on these dates:
8/8/2008 Kansas City, MO – Knucklehead’s Saloon
8/12/2008 Interlochan, MI – Interlochan Center for the Arts
8/13/2008 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
8/15/2008 Grand Rapids, MI – Intersection
8/16/2008 Port Huron, MI – Military Street Music Cafe
8/17/2008 Buffalo, NY – Tralf Music Hall
8/18/2008 New York, NY – Highline Ballroom
8/19/2008 Philadelphia, PA – Sellersville Theater
8/20/2008 Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
8/21/2008 Harrisburg, PA – Whittaker Center
8/22/2008 Annapolis, MD – Rams Head On Stage
8/23/2008 Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios
8/24/2008 Pittsburgh, PA – Rex Theater
8/26/2008 Salina, KS – Steifel Theater
8/28/2008 Milwaukee, WI – Miller Park
8/29/2008 Chicago, IL – Joe’s on Weed Street
8/30/2008 Apple Valley, MN – Weesner Ampitheater
9/4/2008 Los Angeles, CA – Crash Mansion
9/5/2008 Las Vegas, NV – Hard Rock

Why I’m Getting Rid of My Blackberry for an iPhone

Max Whiteside — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:24:22 +0000

This Friday, people around the world are going to be able buy one of the most hyped up products in the world, the iPhone. Available in 22 countries, the phone is expected to sell out over the weekend.

It’s been a long year for me since the iPhone was first introduced in the USA. In Canada, we never had the privilege of the first release, but tomorrow I’m hanging up my Blackberry for an iPhone and here’s why.

I’ve had my Blackberry for almost 3 years now. I’ve used everything from the early pearl models to the recent curve. I’ve become even more addicted to email but it has been a necessary tool for running my business. However its not without its problems.

1. Mac integration is average at best. I never know when I’ll be able to sync or charge my phone as I am very often greeted with a message about insufficient power. Furthermore RIM makes you use 3rd party software called PocketMac. Since Apple makes the iPhone I know my phone and computer will talk flawlessly.

2. PIN messaging is flawed. I’ve had my blackberry replaced almost 6 times and each time I’ve had to get a new pin. That means updating all my contacts with this information every time. Very inefficient. I’m looking forward to the rumoured iChat functionality.

3. I browse the web a lot. The lack of full html rendering and support for modern web technologies just isn’t there. The iPhone includes Safari and that gives me a full web browsing experience.

There are a bunch of other reasons including:

- The curve ships with only 64mb of space!
- The phone will auto delete messages and logs when less then 5mb remain
- No wi-fi version available in Canada (yet)

I don’t have a BES setup and I know that many people who are sticking with their blackberry will say it’s because of that, but with activesync on the iPhone and all its other great features I think I’ll be fine.

The most important thing for me is the user experience and if the iPod is any indication, I think I’m in good hands.

Top 10 reasons to buy an iPhone

1. You’re a mac user
2. Does it really matter if an email takes an extra 30 seconds to get pushed to your phone?
3. MobileMe – you can sync every pc and iphone you own. Now you truly have a portable device without the need for an expensive BES server.
4. Its got an ipod inside it
5. Integration with your computer is truly a breeze with itunes.
6. Finally a true web browsing experience.
7. Application store and how simple it will be to download them to your phone
8. Its only $199 or less everywhere
9. A real email client in mail.app where you can access and send from multiple email accounts and even edit messages before you forward them
10. Larger screen real estate.

You got used to the smaller keyboard on the 8700 and then the 8300, so it’s the same process for the iphone.

Keshia Chante Rumoured to Portray Aaliyah; but Mom Tells andPOP Nothing Confirmed Yet

Max Whiteside — Sun, 18 May 2008 15:23:59 +0000

There’s a rumour hitting the gossip sites that Canadian R&B singer Keshia Chante will portray Aaliyah in an upcoming movie.

Where there is smoke, there is often fire, but the news is a bit premature, says her mother.

Tessa Agnelo, Chante’s mother and manager, tells andPOP, “She was flown in to NYC to audition for two different roles, however nothing has been confirmed.”

Chante, the 19-year-old from Ottawa, has released two albums and is currently in the studio in Atlanta. She has always cited Aaliyah as a musical influence.

In 2001, at age 22, Aaliyah was killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas. Her three albums sold over 30 million copies.

Report: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Get Married

Max Whiteside — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 02:12:10 +0000

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were married Saturday afternoon, according to the hardly reliable Star Magazine.

The couple, expecting twins and who already have a child together, tied the knot during a ceremony in New Orleans, Louisiana, says the gossip rag.

Pitt and Jolie became a couple around 2005, when they worked on the film Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

If this is true – and you never know with Star – this will be Pitt’s second marriage (Jennifer Aniston) and Jolie’s third (Jonny Lee Miller, Billy Bob Thornton).

andPOP Launching Celebrity Blogs

Max Whiteside — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:55:04 +0000

Coming soon to andPOP.com is the new celebrity blog channel. andPOP.com has gained access to some of your favorite celebs who are going to be video blogging exclusively for andPOP! Keep checking back for updates as they are coming soon and also learn about how the audience can be involved! In the meantime please visit andPOP’s Celebrity Blog channel for some great clips with our video correspondent Jordan Bortolotti.

Thanks for watching and stay tuned.

For more information visit our celebrity blog page.

Drillbit Taylor Clips

Max Whiteside — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:00:19 +0000

Check out these clips from Owen Wilson’s new movie “Drillbit Taylor” in theatres this Friday.

Clip 1

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Clip 3