technology

Do not adjust your web browser. You are now entering the Retro Squad, where we are reviewing past episodes of your favorite shows, in order, every week.

(S01E01) "I am not a number. I am a free man!"

You can't get much more "retro" than The Prisoner, which first appeared on British television in the fall of 1967 and then in the U.S. about a year later. It starred Patrick McGoohan, who also served as the 17-episode show's executive producer. (You may remember him as the warden of Alcatraz in Escape from Alcatraz starring Clint Eastwood.)

When you watch this show, it seems other-worldly. Granted, it's nearly 40 years old, but it also was ahead of it's time, especially in the blending of technology into the stories. (Dig those cool cordless phones!) It also has influenced many television shows and movies (just do a Google search and you'll see what I mean). It's very difficult to talk about a show you've seen many times and have enjoyed for just as long without giving away too much, but let me set you up with the basic premise and take off from there.

This is like something out of a sitcom. The BBC is apologizing for putting a cab driver on television as a computer expert. How does this happen? Well, the cab driver appeared at the BBC front desk and someone assumed he was the computer expert who was scheduled to appear on a news program. Without asking any questions, he was whisked onto the set and interviewed on live television. He made a valiant effort at trying to answer the anchor's questions! She only asked him three questions about downloading music before suddenly tossing to a reporter in the field. I think someone told her in her ear that she had the wrong guy on set.

It's especially funny when the cab driver is introduced as the editor of some tech magazine -- the look on his face is priceless. Apparently, the real tech editor watched the whole thing from the BBC reception area.

The YouTube video is after the jump:

While we didn't attend the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this year, I've done my fair share of reading about it. If I had to pick one theme that seemed to pop up several times a day, it'd be television. Not just television as in new TV hardware and gear, but also in how content will reach the masses. A few highlights:

• onthegoLIVE -- Stream TV audio to any phone
• Google Video Store -- Selling episodes of CSI, NCIS, Survivor and other CBS shows.
• Yahoo! Go TV -- Link your computer with your television (also, Ellen DeGeneres showed up on stage for this)
• AT&T and Verizon turning to Microsoft for IPTV to the home
• Intel's Viiv -- Intel's digital entertainment computer specification
• Westinghouse's 56-inch 4x 1080p LCD -- So what if it's $10k -- look at that monster!
• If that's a little too large for you, how about Pioneer's 50-inch 1080p screen?
• Bill Gates's views on TV content delivery in the future -- Facinating stuff, Vongo, etc.
  
• TiVo's own wireless adapter -- 60% faster than other brands!
• Finally, a TiVo desktop is coming for Mac OS X
• TiVo's Series 3 recorder -- Dual CableCARD slots and dual HDTV recording
• The MediaREADY 6000 -- Pricey, but oh, the features
• HD Beat's LG booth tour -- Some awesome TV technology in there

There's a lot more over at Engadget's CES coverage, so be sure to go check that out soon.