eBay auctions can be exciting, but it’s not quite as entertaining as having an auctioneer overseeing the whole process. Re/code reported Monday that eBay members will soon be able to join in the fun by way of livestreamed Sotheby’s auctions for “fine art and other high-end collectables”— but you’ll need deep wallets, because prices range from $5,000, all the way up to $100,000. Heck, for that kind of money, you could instead bid on a charity auction with an Apple SVP, and we’ve got one such offer in today’s recap….
Eddy Cue Latest Apple Executive on Charity Lunch Menu
Miss out on the opportunity to break bread with Apple CEO Tim Cook? CharityBuzz is giving one lucked bidder the opportunity to win the next best thing: Lunch at Apple headquarters in Cupertino with senior vice-president of internet software and services, Eddy Cue. The auction is again for charity and started with an estimated value of $10,000, but with just over a day left at this writing and 23 bids, you’ll need to top $40,000 to take home this prize. The winner will also receive a brand-new 13-inch MacBook Air as well, and presumably Cue could even help set it up after lunch.
Bluelounge Wants to Give MacBooks a Kickflip
Does your MacBook need a little boost? Bluelounge announced availability of Kickflip, a $17.95 widget available in two sizes for both 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models that elevates a notebook to a more ergonomic angle. Kickflip is actually a hinge that attaches to the bottom of a laptop using “a high-tech, yet removable and repositionable adhesive” capable of elevating to a more comfortable position. Created in Germany, the gel adhesive apparently “forms a strong bond,” but can be used over and over again just by cleaning with soap and water. Kickflip is now available for purchase from the Bluelounge website.
Shazam Apps Updated with Full Track Playback via Rdio
Shazam Entertainment released an update to its free and paid Shazam Encore apps on Tuesday, adding the ability to play full tracks after they’re identified. The latest superpower comes courtesy of Rdio who, along with Spotify, enable one-tap access to search results from their respective apps. The difference here is listeners can actually hear the entire track, with no ads, and without having to actually leave the Shazam app in question. Here’s hoping something like this comes to iOS 8, although we’re guessing it might be powered by Beats Music instead, if so….
AppleCare Rep Claims “Sex Tape” Movie Couldn’t Actually Happen
Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel star in a new movie called Sex Tape, in which their martial coupling “accidentally” gets uploaded to family members the couple recently gifted iPads for Christmas. Could it really happen? GQ decided to find out, so they called AppleCare, who roundly rejected the very premise of the movie. “No one can go into the iCloud and watch the video,” an AppleCare representative named Dave explained. “They can’t connect to your iPad over, like, a network and just get info. You would be the one who has control.” So, now you know.
Microsoft Aims for Chromebook with $199 Windows Notebooks
The Verge reported Monday that Microsoft is gunning for Google’s Chromebooks, with plans for a $199 Windows 8 laptop on the way in time for the holidays. Manufactured by HP, the Stream line will also include 7-inch and 8-inch models priced at a wallet-friendly $99, with other, slightly more powerful yet equally inexpensive notebooks in the $249 range on the way from Chromebook maker Acer and Toshiba as well. Acer’s 15.6-inch model, for example, will feature a 2.16GHz Intel Celeron processor, which certainly sounds more than a little like a return to the ill-fated netbook days….
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