Buzz Out Loud Podcast

Rumors are that next year Google will add a Netbook brand along with its phone branding, and possibly begin a line of consumer electronics. Is that a good thing for Google? We kick around that old football. Also, Patrick from France joins us with his distinctly European perspective and we refrain from insulting each other for once. It's a brave new world!

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Obama administration rolls out $2 billion for broadband
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BG1JZ20091217
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/12/16/2329201/FCCs-New-Broadband-Plan-Prioritizes-Competition

Get ready for the Google branded Chrome OS Netbook
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/12/17/get-ready-for-the-google-branded-chrome-os-netbook/

Hackers access Predator drones
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126102247889095011.html

Apple working on 3D ‘hyper-reality’ displays
http://www.macrumors.com/2009/12/17/apple-working-on-3d-hyper-reality-displays/

Zune HD Twitter app now live UPDATE: it censors tweets!
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/16/zune-hd-twitter-app-now-live/

Nook hacked with Web browser, Facebook, Twitter apps for starters
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/nook-hacked-with-web-browser-facebook-and-twitter-for-starters/

Sony Reader will get NY Post and Dow Jones exclusive content
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=28672

RIM confirms BlackBerry e-mail outage
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10417374-94.html

Dungeons & Dragons For Microsoft Surface has come a long way
http://kotaku.com/5428356/dungeons–dragons-for-microsoft-surface-has-come-a-long-way

Best of 2009 clips show
This year’s Best of 2009 episode is going to be entirely listener submitted. So be a part of this listener created experience: Clip out your favorite moments from any episode published in 2009. Export your clip as an MP3 of at least 128kbp. Email the clip to buzz@cnet.com. Subject: Best of 2009 – Episode ####. Deadline for submissions is Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. Please hurry! And with enough people pitching in 2-3 clips, we should end up with an awesome clips show.

VOICE MAIL
Dean in DC on Google Chrome and the EU

Tony on cell radiation

E-MAIL
During the conversation on Wednesday’s show about the LED traffic lights not melting snow, I knew I had heard about that years ago, but couldn’t remember where. After a quick google search, I found this http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=177298 . Evidently Click and Clack talked about that in 2006 — too bad all the guys ordering the LED stop lights didn’t listen to them.

Joe from Wilmington, OH (as seen on 60 Minutes and Rachael Ray!)

**********

Hey buzz crew. I’m emailing in reference to an email you read in episode 1127 about chrome vs firefox download speeds. I too notice this difference especially when I use the firefox addon down them all. When using down them all I can get speeds that are several times faster than chrome. I keep hoping with the beta release of chrome extensions that down them all will come to chrome but alas no such luck yet. Love the show
Sam in Seattle

Among the news of new URL shorteners and Australian Internet filters comes one of the darkest moments in microblogging: Microsoft has pulled down its new Twitter-like site in China because it turns out it wasn't Twitter-like at all. It was, in fact, more like Plurk. In fact, it looked like maybe Microsoft stole Plurk's code. We also get morally outraged at good business plans. Or stupid people. Or something. Just watch. Or listen.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

URL shorteners suddenly hot commodity
http://news.cnet.com/8301-27076_3-10415148-248.html

Google, Facebook get into game, Bit.ly launches pro version
http://www.insidefacebook.com/2009/12/14/facebook-testing-new-url-shortener-fb-me/
http://blog.bit.ly/post/284009728/announcing-bit-ly-pro

Steven Covey moves two key e-titles from Simon & Schuster to Amazon Kindle
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/technology/companies/15amazon.html

Australia takes concrete step toward mandatory ISP filtering
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Mandatory-ISP-filter-due-mid-2011/0,130061791,339300060,00.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8413377.stm

Chrome Mac, Linux betas push browser into No. 3 spot
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9142286/Chrome_Mac_Linux_betas_push_browser_into_No._3_spot

S.F. moves toward new cell phone labeling law
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/12/15/MNHJ1B49KH.DTL

Broadband stimulus unlikely to have desired effect?
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/12/broadband-stimulus-unlikely-to-have-desired-effect.ars

Twitter lets multiple users tweet to the same account
http://www.businessinsider.com/twitter-tests-letting-multiple-users-tweet-to-the-same-account-2009-12

Paramount to start online service to sell movie clips
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/business/media/15film.html

Will broadcast radio have the last laugh thanks to “tech fatigue”?
http://www.bridgeratings.com/press.12.07.09.CompMediaUse.html

Best of 2009 clips show
This year’s Best of 2009 episode is going to be entirely listener-submitted. To be a part of this listener-created experience just clip out your favorite moments from any episode published in 2009. Export your clip as an MP3 of at least 128kbp. E-mail the clip to buzz@cnet.com. Subject: Best of 2009 – Episode ####. Deadline for submissions is Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. Please hurry! And with enough people pitching in two-to-three clips, we should end up with an awesome clips show.

Listener co-host show
Want to talk with us on this year’s listener co-host show? These interviews will be recorded Monday, December 21 from 3-4 p.m. PT. E-mail buzz@cnet.com, subject “Listener Co-host”, and include your name, contact number where you can be reached for the interview (landline preferred), and we will compile the list and select four people for the show.

VOICE MAIL
Richard has more wireless communication ideas

Colin the movie director on sales figures

E-MAIL
Hi Guys,

I'd just like to chime in on the discussion that you had about Apple buying Lala late last week on buzz. I think a great model to look at where the digital locker has succeeded is with Valve's Steam and how it manages pc video games. It's such a great service I think Apple really should take a page from their book. On Steam, I can have my entire gaming collection ready to download at anytime on any number of PCs. Content there is generally cheaper than buying in the store and a large part of the revenue can go directly back to the game designer bypassing the publisher. Many small studios have made successful content just by selling and marketing on Steam.

Thanks!

Mike from Boulder

**********

Hey Buzz Nation! Just thought y’all may like to see Microsoft’s latest hijinks. Seems what’s good for the goose is always good for the gander. I do quantify this as I am a large open source/FOSS guy, but this just really irritates me after all the litigation and ridiculous business practices Microsoft has for pirating, they go ahead and pirate an ENTIRE online resource. Seems they pretty much stole all the code for their new Asian social networking site straight from Plurk.

Would love y’all to give some wide spread audience to this fact.

http://blog.plurk.com/2009/12/14/microsoft-rips-plurk/

Thanks!

~Chris in NC

Some enterprising hackers have rooted the Barnes & Noble Nook, giving them unrestricted access to the underlying Android operating system. Black and white tablet FTW! We also get the exclusive from Jason Howell about the new Google phone known as the Nexus One. And those crazy Scandinavians get to try out LTE first. Good on ya, Nordic peeps!

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Google phone looks ’supersharp’
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-10414406-251.html
https://twitter.com/raygun01/status/6592751553

Google Phone/Nexus One pictures
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/13/google-phone-makes-first-twitter-appearance/
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703757404574592530591075444.html

Is it the HTC Passion?
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/07/htc-passion-runs-android-on-3-5-inch-oled-and-snapdragon-in-veri/

4G network comes to Scandinavia
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8412035.stm
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10414665-94.html

Hollywood aets $10 billion box office record
http://news.slashdot.org/story/09/12/13/2254218/Hollywood-Sets-10-Billion-Box-Office-Record

2009 holiday sales online: $19.9 billion and counting
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10414653-2.html

Privacy changes for Facebook boss
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8411616.stm

Microsoft invents price-gouging the least influential
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/12/12/1942207/Microsoft-Invents-Price-Gouging-the-Least-Influential

Nook can do “everything an Android phone can do”
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/14/barnes-and-noble-nook-torn-down-and-rooted-but-still-respected/

Man turns Christmas lights into Guitar Hero game
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10414561-71.html

Judges can’t “friend” lawyers in Florida
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/12/11/1846208/Judges-Cant-Friend-Lawyers-in-Florida

Best of 2009 clips show
This year’s Best of 2009 episode is going to be entirely listener submitted. To be a part of this listener-created experience, just clip out your favorite moments from any episode published in 2009. Export your clip as an MP3 of at least 128kbp. E-mail the clip to buzz@cnet.com. Subject: Best of 2009 – Episode ####. Deadline for submissions is Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. Please hurry! And with enough people pitching in two to three clips, we should end up with an awesome clips show.

Listener co-host show
Want to talk with us on this year’s listener co-host show? These interviews will be recorded Monday, December 21 from 3-4p.m. PT. E-mail buzz@cnet.com, subject “Listener Co-host”, and include your name, contact number where you can be reached for the interview (landline preferred), and we will compile the list and select four people for the show.

VOICEMAIL
Richard in Santa Monica’s reaction to AT&T

EMAIL
Hey Buzz Crew,

I was listening to episode 1121 when you discussed QR code scanning apps and how useful they really are but you missed out on some of the more interesting uses. They were used on posters for Tim Burton’s last film “9″ as a link to a webpage with special content which could only be accessed via the QR codes. This would be especially interesting (and provide a lot of nerd cred) for a new movie in a big franchise like Iron Man, Batman, or Harry Potter.

Another useful feature of the bar code scanning apps is that some of them allow you to take a photo of the bar code of an item while you are in the store and it pulls up price comparisons; pretty useful!

Just thought I’d let you guys know.

Love the show,

Josh Da Silva

**********

Hey Buzz crew,
I was listening to BOL 1123, and while you were discussing
developments in brain to computer speech synthesis, Mike, my Doberman,
came up to me and started making those almost human whining noises that
dogs sometimes make. Suddenly I realized another potential application
for this technology: talking pets! Animals just don’t have the
physiology for human-style speech, but suppose this barrier were
removed, what would our dogs and cats have to say to us? Wouldn’t this
be awesome?

Chris Johnson
Arlington, Massachusetts

So, Apple bought Lala, and Ars Technica thinks it has a source who knows what Apple's going to do with it-- it's going to make a Web site that sells music and stores it in the cloud. Kind of like what Lala already is, but it's going to be all iTunes-ified. And that has Rafe worrying about cloud failure again. We also kvetch about Facebook, a Mozilla employee complains about Google, and the "New Moon" videotaper is set free.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Now, Facebook lets users hide friends from people who are not logged in
http://www.insidefacebook.com/2009/12/10/now-facebook-lets-users-hide-friends-from-people-who-are-not-logged-in/
http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=197943902130
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10413835-36.html

Mozilla worker touts Bing over Google, citing privacy
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10413473-56.html
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=28387

FTC: Kids can find adult content in virtual worlds
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10797_3-10413742-235.html

Charges dropped in ‘New Moon’ taping
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/12/twilight-saga-new-moon-videotape.html

Apple to fold Lala into iTunes, transform into Web service
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/12/apple-to-fold-lala-into-itunes-transform-into-web-service.ars

Video game sales drop, but still strong
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10413599-52.html

More drivers using mobile phones since penalty change
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8407142.stm

USPTO asking for ideas to enhance patent quality
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/12/10/2031211/USPTO-Asking-For-Ideas-To-Enhance-Patent-Quality

TechCrunch files suit over JooJoo
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10413762-92.html

Data nerds hack NASA (in a good way)
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/12/nasa-hackathon/

Best of 2009 clips show
This year’s Best of 2009 episode is going to be entirely listener-submitted. So be a part of this listener created experience: Clip out your favorite moments from any episode published in 2009. Export your clip as an MP3 of at least 128kbp. E-mail the clip to buzz@cnet.com. Subject: Best of 2009 – Episode ####. Deadline for submissions is Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. Please hurry! And with enough people pitching in 2-3 clips, we should end up with an awesome clips show.

Listener co-host show
Want to talk with us on this year’s listener co-host show? These interviews will be recorded Monday, December 21 from 3-4 p.m. PT. E-mail buzz@cnet.com, subject “Listener Co-host”, and include your name, contact number where you can be reached for the interview (landline preferred), and we will compile the list and select four people for the show.

VOICE MAIL
Dwight the key grip on Tom’s 3 DVDs

E-MAIL
Hey Buzz Crew, this is Jeremy the theater manager. I’m writing in to tell you about my chain’s monthly newsletter. One of the constant topics in the letter is recording–how to spot it, what to do about it, so on. Almost every month it’s followed with a picture of a manager and a bow-tie clad teenager holding a five hundred dollar check. I’m not sure how I could sleep at night sending someone to prison and ruining their life for five bills over some crappy camera screener. I really don’t think the punishment fits the crime. Personally I tell all my employees that if they see someone taping, they should sit next to them and ask for the camera. That way, nobody goes to jail, there’s one less unwatchable screener on the torrent sites, and, hey, free camera. Everybody wins!

Love the show.

P.S. The MPAA site given in the newsletter is fightfilmtheft.org .

************

Hi Buzz crew,

Your discussion of real-time writing on Google Wave got me thinking about a great new revenue possibility for established authors.

Imagine if someone like Stephen King were to announce he’s writing his next novel on Google Wave. How many fans and writers would pay $30 for a 1-year membership to access that wave anytime? They could access the wave and watch King write his novel in real time. It’s not only great for King’s fans, but could also be a graduate-level course in writing for serious students.

David in Missouri

A new service uses the power of 400 virtualized computers in the cloud to test the security of your WPA WiFi password. They only charge $34. But Donald is afraid of how this penetration testing might show up on his credit card bill. But forget WiFi. WiGig is coming promising 7Gbps transfer speeds. Take that Ethernet cable!

Listen now: Download today's podcast

WiGig alliance creates next-generation wireless networking standard
http://venturebeat.com/2009/12/10/wigig-alliance-creates-next-generation-wireless-networking-standard/
http://gigaom.com/2009/12/10/coming-soon-to-your-hd-home-theater-7gbps/

Microsoft finally open sources Windows 7 tool
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/12/microsoft-finally-open-sources-windows-7-tool.ars

Buy a DVD on Amazon; Start Watching the Movie in Minutes
http://newteevee.com/2009/12/09/buy-a-dvd-on-amazon-start-watching-the-movie-in-minutes/

Nokia to close some of its most visible stores
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20091210-705904.html

Amazon says no plans to open brick and mortar stores
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/amazon/6750973/Amazon-denies-high-street-rumours.html

Hitwise: Google Near 72% Of All US Searches
http://searchengineland.com/hitwise-google-near-72-of-all-us-searches-31530

Bing ads over 75% more likely to be clicked than Google ads
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/12/bing-ads-over-75-more-likely-to-be-clicked-than-google-ads.ars

Court indicates ripping CDs to MP3 may be fair use
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/12/09/1835205/Court-Says-Fair-Use-May-Hold-In-Some-RIAA-Cases

Biometric Face Recognition At Your Local Mall
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/12/10/0224204/Biometric-Face-Recognition-At-Your-Local-Mall

Harnessing the Cloud for Hacking
http://www.technologyreview.com/web/24127/?a=f

Wireless Brain-to-Computer Connection Synthesizes Speech
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/12/wireless-brain/

Failure of Russia’s latest nuclear missile prompts UFO frenzy
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6951635.ece

Best of 2009 clips show
This year’s Best of 2009 episode is going to be entirely listener submitted. So be a part of this listener created experience: Clip out your favorite moments from any episode published in 2009. Export your clip as an MP3 of at least 128kbp. Email the clip to buzz@cnet.com. Subject: Best of 2009 – Episode ####. Deadline for submissions is Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. Please hurry! And with enough people pitching in 2-3 clips, we should end up with an awesome clips show.

Listener co-host show
Want to talk with us on this year’s listener co-host show? These interviews will be recorded Monday, December 21 from 3-4pm PT. Email buzz@cnet.com, subject “Listener Co-host”, and include your name, contact number where you can be reached for the interview (landline preferred), and we will compile the list and select four people for the show.

VOICEMAIL
Matt on trying to buy ebooks

Derrick from Chicago knows someone who worked at the theater that threw the girl in jail.

Tim on Facebook privacy

EMAIL
BOL crew,

Just thought I’d let you know that Barnes & Noble is actually shipping
the Nooks. I pre-ordered mine in the first couple of days they
started taking orders, and mine arrived yesterday. In the finest
tradition of “pictures or it didn’t happen” here are some pictures:

I like it over all. The reviews saying it’s a little sluggish are
pretty accurate when it comes to doing lots of navigation, but once
you settle in to reading, I find the experience very similar to the
Sony PRS-505 I had. One disappointment is that even with the wireless
connections, the Nook won’t sync your place in a book between devices.
I had started reading George R.R. Martin’s “A Game of Thrones” on my
iPhone. Having read the book for Sword and Laser, I’m sure Tom will
realize what a challenge it was to find the right chapter (Arya, Bran,
Tyrion, Jon, Daenerys, Eddard, etc.) by hand. I’m hoping that Amazon
didn’t get a patent for something as obvious as syncing locations
between reading devices and that this will get fixed in a Nook update
later.

Love the show.

Kyle Johnson
Durham, NC

**********

Hey guys, just wanted to add a comment about your discussion of EAs DLC in episode 1122. One problem with their DLC, at least in Dragon Age, is that once you use the DLC in-game and then save the game you will have to be connected to the internet for verification EACH time you want to play the game. Fine for people with always-on internet but not so great for those of us without or when you loose internet access and want to play. Love the show!
Glenn from NH

**********

In regards to the news of brazil being the world champion in spam I
would like to point a few things:
1- we are one of the largest online populations of the world

2- the vast majority of those computers are running a pirated version
of windows xp or 98, pirated office and programs for pirating music,
(there’s no iTunes or Amazon music store) and very few run antivirus.

3-the most popular way to access the Internet is not to own a
computer, but to access public terminals in LAN houses or government
sponsored Internet centers. All “favelas” have one.

If that doens’t ring a bell, let me put in another way: did you know
brazil is the only country to have an official, nationwide, public
holiday on November 20 called Zombie day (dia do zumbi). True, check
wikipedia.

Alexandre V

Yahoo has a new program to spread kindness. But Cooley hates it. Why? There's no app for that. We also discover the true meaning of holiday hate when Tom and Brian fight over the rights of the customer when shopping. And we review the JooJoo and Boxee. And Natali lets on that she hates Brooklyn. At least when Brooklyn has no food.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Boxee Beta is cleaner, better, still closed
http://news.cnet.com/8301-19882_3-10410159-250.html

And Boxee Box will launch next year for $200
http://www.gearlog.com/2009/12/200_boxee_box_based_on_d-link.php

Hands on with JooJoo
http://news.cnet.com/8301-19882_3-10410960-250.html

Google introduces real-time search
http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/12/google-introduces-real-time-search-google-goggles/

Google introduces Favorite Place info using QR Codes
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/07/google-goggles-brings-visual-search-to-android-favorite-places/
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/explore-whole-new-way-to-window-shop.html

Google Chrome for Mac finally in beta
http://www.google.com/chrome

…and extensions arrive
https://chrome.google.com/extensions

CRIA faces $6 Billion lawsuit
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/12/07/1917245/CRIA-Faces-60-Billion-Lawsuit
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/12/artists-lawsuit-major-record-labels-are-the-real-pirates.ars

Vevo set to launch tonight
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/08/business/media/08vevo.html

Microsoft EnticeCube is like a Google Search of regular people
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10410340-56.html

Sony Reader store gets name change and goes to all ePub format
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/08/sony-reader-store-goes-100-epub-on-friday/

New digital publishing venture boasts access to 144 million-plus audience; squires talks
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-new-digital-publishing-venture-boasts-access-to-144-million-plus-audien/

Yahoo’s random acts of kindness set
http://yhoo.client.shareholder.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=428759

Branson unveils next step toward space flights
http://news.cnet.com/8301-19514_3-10410601-239.html

Voice mail
Thomas in Columbus why he doesn’t buy online from Best Buy

Mark from Philly online ordering frustration

E-mail
Hola Buzzito’s

In episode 1120 you guys discussed the use of a physical Amazon store as a pick up facility. I would definitely use this service as I am a college student and my textbooks are often cheaper on Amazon.com however book lists often come out too late for me to wait for shipping. The presence of a pick up facility would save me some money and I’m sure drive down the cost of books at my school’s bookstore (run by the big bad Barnes and Noble, seriously where’s my Nook).
Love the show keep up the good work
j.carter

**********

Best Of 2009 submissions!
This year’s Best of 2009 episode is going to be entirely listener submitted. So be a part of this listener created experience: Clip out your favorite moments from any episode published in 2009. Export your clip as an MP3 of at least 128kbp. Email the clip to buzz@cnet.com. Subject: Best of 2009 – Episode ####. Deadline for submissions is Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. Please hurry! And with enough people pitching in 2-3 clips, we should end up with an awesome clips show.

Google is offering a public DNS service (DNS is the address book for Internet domains) that will resolve the domain names you type into a Web browser to servers you want to visit. But that could really give Google a complete picture of who you are. Do you want that? We also chat about the World Cup coming in 3D and the effects of BitLocker encryption being broken.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Google Public DNS service not ideal for everyone
http://arstechnica.com/security/news/2009/12/google-public-dns-service-not-ideal-for-everyone.ars
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-10408624-264.html

Microsoft’s Bing goes down
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10409175-56.html

2010 World Cup to be screened in 3D
http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/2010-world-cup-to-be-screened-in-3d-655788
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8394191.stm

UK judge orders Wikipedia to reveal user’s identity
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/12/03/2354215/UK-Judge-Orders-Wikipedia-To-Reveal-Users-Identity

Facebook notifies members about Beacon settlement
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10409034-36.html

Online ad industry: Advertising is ‘creepy’
http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=140840

First commercial tool to crack BitLocker arrives
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/12/first-commercial-tool-cracks-bitlocker.ars

Mobile phones ‘have not increased brain cancers’
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8393884.stm

Man “beats” World of Warcraft
http://games.slashdot.org/story/09/12/03/1456243/Man-Beats-emWorld-of-Warcraftem

Up Pompeii, courtesy of Google Streetview
http://www.tgdaily.com/software-features/44935-up-pompeii-courtesy-of-google-streetview

VOICE MAIL
Max in Fresno about printers

Kevin in San Antonio on Tablet name

E-MAIL
Hi Buzz Crew,

Regarding the dust-up over Twitter vs. “traditional news,” I don’t understand the problem. If CNN or CBS report “TMZ says Michael Jackson is dead. We’re still confirming,” that’s a factual statement. And most people are smart enough to differentiate it from a settled news report 12 hours later. I don’t blame journalists for reporting rumor as rumor, if it’s clearly labeled.

Tom often points out we’re in an “awkward phase” for online media and advertising. We’re also in an awkward phase for online journalism, as reporters and readers learn to recognize that different kinds of news call for different kinds of reporting. Twitter and the Web allow readers to see the story-gathering process, and sometimes that means following dead ends. Despite those dead ends, I say it’s a good thing, not a bad one, for the public to see the process happen.

David (a former reporter) in Missouri

**********

Hey gang,

With all this talk about Google attempting to make a standard print driver, and your discussion yesterday (show 1118) about the up-hill battle this attempt will be due to proprietary printer hardware and the greed behind it, I was reminded of the open source 3D printer efforts. As an engineer and maker I love the idea of these 3D printers and hope to make one (or more) sometime soon myself, but I think there’s currently a greater need right now for open source 2D printing. (Mmmmm…standardized, interchangeable parts…) How about it?

Bill

**********

In episode 1117 (sorry this email’s a bit late, but then so was the podcast), you mentioned Google wanting to eliminate printer drivers, and there seemed to be a consensus that the printer manufactures wouldn’t want to go along with a standard. The thing is, there already is a common printer driver standard used by digital cameras – PictBridge (with it’s Picture Transfer Protocol). Seeing as several printer manufacturers already support this standard in at least some of their printers, maybe Google will be building on that.

love the show

Scot in London

Turns out Dell says it never deleted complaints from its forums about throttled processors, and it is working hard to fix the issues with updated BIOS. Donald suggests that the folks who claimed they were deleted by Dell probably lost a lot of street cred. We also speculate on the meaning of the Comcast acquisition of NBC Universal. Will "Heroes" become more Comcastic?

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Comcast gets NBC from G.E. in deal that reshapes TV
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/business/media/04nbc.html
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/12/how-the-fcc-might-stop-the-comcastnbc-merger.ars

Google and Twitter hook up on nine million sites
http://mashable.com/2009/12/02/google-friend-connect-twitter/

Microsoft launches Streetside Maps on Bing
http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/microsoft_news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=222000449

Intel shows off 48-core chip
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8392392.stm
http://news.cnet.com/2300-1001_3-10001951.html
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/intel-crams-48-cores-onto-stamp-sized-processor-wants-to-do-wha/

Intel sees rush to Netbook app store
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10407840-64.html

FCC preparing transition to VoIP telephone network
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/12/03/1318218/FCC-Preparing-Transition-To-VoIP-Telephone-Network
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/12/fcc-plans-for-death-of-circuit-switched-phone-networks.ars

Texting and Twitter make kids BETTER writers, not worse
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8392653.stm

Dell on laptops and throttling
http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/direct2dell/archive/2009/12/02/dell-on-laptops-and-throttling.aspx

FCC approves radar that sees through walls
http://www.commlawblog.com/2009/12/articles/unlicensed-operations-and-emer/fcc-lets-radar-company-see-through-walls/index.html
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/12/03/0247228/FCC-Lets-Radar-Company-See-Through-Walls

Man controls cybernetic hand with thoughts
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10408139-1.html

VOICE MAIL
Shalin on journalism

iYaz on Psystar

E-MAIL
According to this article , Verizon’s map of AT&T coverage is not actually correct; The real map is -smaller-! Seems verizon’s actually showing a bigger map than AT&T actually cover because it included their 3rd party towers, that AT&T don’t own, just pay to use as and when they need it.

So what, you might well ask; phone still works there – funny, but not that big a deal.

Well it appears (See same article) AT&T may decide to cut off your service if you use too much data in those areas, as these third party towers cost them more. So the map of coverage is realy a map of ‘mostly coverage, unless you’re in specific, unmentioned areas where the coverage is limited.

Makes me feel happy to be in the UK where the iPhone is available via O2, Orange and soon (6 months I think) Vodafone will also offer it.

Who hot elves? (it’s an anagram )

- Hennell

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Hey Buzz crew –
I was reading about Talkback – the open source text-to-speech screen reader designed for the droid. As I’m sure you’re aware the iPhone 3G S has voiceover capabilities hence making it mostly accessible to visually impaired/blind users but I can’t find a damn thing on Talkback! With all the talk of Droid becoming a stronghold (?) in the smart phone market and Jason’s undying love of his own bot I wondered if anyone had gotten better news than this link on its accessibility features.
Also as a side note I had to respond to the Kindle talk recently regarding it taking over the world and being accessible by design. Note that even though it may provide some text-to-speech capabilities most books (and publishers) have disabled this feature out of fear of audiobooks loosing sales *and* the menus and toolbars do not have speech output making them inaccessible to navigate for those with print/visual disabilities.
Love you though, love the show!
JB

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Hey Buzz crew, I was listening to episode #1117 and your discussion
about non-standard printer drivers and I think the reason why they are
universally terrible is that HP, Canon etc. want to be able to sell
you more ink cartridges. Normally when the proprietary software says
the ink has run out, there is still actually plenty of ink left. They
just want to be able to continue to sell as many ink cartridges as
possible. I think this is why Microsoft never was able to get them to
adopt a universal standard and Google is going to have a very
difficult time trying to do the same.

Love the show,
Pete in San Jose

Facebook's changing its privacy policy, and Molly and Rafe predict there will be groups. I don't think anyone cares about regional groups, but hey, I could be wrong. We also talk about why Steve Jobs personally approved an app that currently doesn't work. And Richard comes up with a brilliant idea for the future of news.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Google alters news indexing to accommodate pay walls
http://www.pcworld.com/article/183526/google_alters_news_indexing_to_accommodate_pay_walls.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP/idUSGEE5B11Y120091202

AT&T customer satisfaction tanks
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/120209-att-customer-satisfaction.html?hpg1=bn

AT&T gives up on Verizon ad lawsuit
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10407717-266.html

New Facebook privacy controls just weeks away
http://www.pcworld.com/article/183505/
http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=190423927130

Sprint fed customer GPS data to cops over 8 million times
http://arstechnica.com/telecom/news/2009/12/sprint-fed-customer-gps-data-to-leos-over-8-million-times.ars
http://paranoia.dubfire.net/2009/12/8-million-reasons-for-real-surveillance.html
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/12/gps-data

TomTom aggregates anonymous driver speeds; compiles list of most congested cities
http://richdemuro.com/tomtom-aggregrates-anonomous-driver-speeds-co

Google wants to eliminate drivers
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10407264-1.html

Web giants unite against Digital Britain copyright bill
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8390623.stm

Steve Jobs intervenes, approves Knocking streaming-video app
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/12/steve-jobs-intervenes-approves-knocking-streaming-video-app.ars

After Apple agreement, Psystar officially halts sales of clone Macs
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/12/02/after_apple_agreement_psystar_officially_halts_sales_of_clone_macs.html

Black screen of death not a Microsoft issue after all
http://www.prevx.com/blog/141/Windows-Black-Screen-Root-Cause.html

Dane, who ripped his DVDs, demands to be arrested under DRM law
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/12/01/dane-who-ripped-his.html

VOICE MAIL
Richard from California has an idea for CNN

E-MAIL
Google phone a certainty?I think they are right… But noting the way many people think. HTC
made the last google developer phone and in doing so got access to the
source code for 1.0 very early. This almost forced a partnership on
the G1. Simmilarly google is essentially forced to work with a
particular manufacture every launch in ever generation ( i.e. Droid
2.0). I would argue that in an attempt to not be “evil” that the phone
they launch is a developer version that will allow them to more
tightly control a symultainous launch. Thier current version is a bit
dated.

Making thier own consumer phone bypassing both hardware partners AND
wireless carriers is risky and potentially evil. Specifically given
that they have advertised this project as an open project.

Wallace R. Fanning