Engadget's reporting onthe new Ricavision RICA 100 remote with built-in MCE and SideShow functionality.  With Bluetooth and A2DP support, this is quite the looker though I wonder how well it works ergonomically when stacked up next to a Harmony 890 which is my personal fave today for ensuring household bliss.  This holiday break, I'm hoping to get some Z-Wave adapters so I can control the lights with simple macros like, "Watch a Movie".  Geek on.

Ricavision kicks out VAVE100 universal MCE / SideShow remote - Engadget

Another good gem here - walkthrough of the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update.

Gamerscore Blog : Fall Dashboard Update Details

If you're a hardcore video geek dealing with the mix-mash of video formats and wondering what will really be supported in the December 2007 Xbox Dashboard Update, then you'll want to read this FAQ.  Otherwise, we return you to your morning coffee.

Xbox Team : December 2007 Video Playback FAQ

Was too busy to note the following interesting stories the last few days:

• TiVo to get solution for Switched Digital Cable Nets, coming Q208
• TiVo interface coming to PC via Nero deal
• TiVo announces 3Qtr results, still losing millions :(
• Verizon to offer, "Any Apps, Any Device" option for customers (but at what cost)?
• Wired is spinning up its Video Division. IPTV for everybody!
• Xbox 360 Backwards compatbility update adds support for 80 add'l classic games
• Quad CableCard Tuner systems from Inteset for Media Center announced

Michael Scherotter has written a great overview of his workflow for adding Silverlight-based video to his site.  I also hadn't seen the video of actor/rapper Ice Cube talking about Silverlight and their latest venture, UVNTV.com and all demoed on a Mac.  Pretty wild.

Synergist : Encoding Formats for Silverlight Video

If you're evre visiting Seattle, this a great roundup on eateries.

Frugal Traveler - Seattle - Sampling the Best of the Northwest - Travel - New York Times

According to Joystiq and a few other outlets, the Halo theme will be available tomorrow as a free download for Guitar Hero III.  Add Mass Effect to the mix and you have two more great reasons why I love my Xbox 360.  That and watching my family groove to Paint it Black.

Learn to Fly--Foo Fighters

Things Have Changed--Dylan

This Is How a Heart Breaks--Rob Thomas

Runnin' Down a Dream--Petty

Someday Baby--Dylan

LA Woman--Doors

Locomotive Breath--Jethro Tull

Won't Get Fooled Again--The Who

You Can't Catch Me--Stones

Freebird--Skynard

China Grove--Doobie Bros.

Don't Fear the Reaper--Blue Oyster Cult

We're an American Band--Grand Funk Railroad

If you're using an Airport Extreme with WPA/WPA2 Personal security enabled, you might notice that your shiny new Zune 2.0 software can't find your network automatically. The fix is  to manually add your Airport and set the network type as "WPA using TKIP" and away you go.

Technical reason: Airport Extremes for some reason squawk as WPA2  and not WPA, even when in mixed security mode which means they don't show up in the list. The Zune team is aware of the issue and it has been reported to Apple.

I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the wireless sync feature. Four years ago we were talking about being able to wirelessly sync your device from your car in the garage. Now it's a reality, and a killer feature IMO.

;)

I read this in the kitchen. :)

I love my Logitech Harmony 890 remote and have been thinking about enabling more home automation with it- lights over the TV, in the corners etc where the kids toys tend to corral into making reaching the switches a game of twister. ZWaveWorld provides a good how-to here.

Blogger Evan DiBiase uncovered a series of new strings in the latest iTunes update that point to video rentals and video on demand (VOD) service enhancements to the iTunes Store coming soon. Hmmm.  Perhaps Apple TV will become a little less of a hobby with this one but there's no guarantee they'll use the features.

One of my favorite people in eHome, Charlie Owen notes, "I'm going to head up an effort here at Microsoft between the Media Center, XBox and Zune teams to give you a set of resources which help you put our products together and begin to realize the 'Connected Home' dream." 

An admirable start. As I've noted here, I would like to see the merging of Windows Home Server and Media Center, and perhaps a wireless home automation component, though I have yet to use it beyond my Logitech Harmony remote. 

I'd also like to see a, "Buy anywhere, Watch anywhere" merging of the Marketplaces in Xbox 360, Zune, and Media Center.

Give Charlie your feedback in comments on his blog here.

via eHomeUpgrade