Buzz Out Loud Podcast

Bill Keller from the New York Times let slip he's been working on a version of the New York Times for the Apple Slate. Great! What the hell is the Apple Slate? well obviously it's a much-rumored Apple Tablet. We also discuss T-Mobile's unlimited plans and hope against all hopes that they are truly unlimited.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Bill Keller: Apple Tablet ‘Impending’
http://gawker.com/5389636/bill-keller-apple-tablet-impending

T-Mobile Adds ‘Even More Plus’ Plans
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2354721,00.asp

Netflix Movies Stream to Sony's PlayStation 3
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/netflix-movies-stream-to-sonys-playstation-3/

Hollywood wants share of Netflix’s windfall
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-10382717-261.html

Microsoft Offers Windows 7 on USB Drives for Netbooks
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Windows/Microsoft-Offers-Windows-7-on-USB-Drives-for-Netbooks-225258/

$180 BlackBerry Storm2 hits the shelves on Wednesday
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9139892/_180_BlackBerry_Storm2_hits_the_shelves_on_Wednesday

Sprint Announces Nov. Launch Date for Palm Pixi
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2354726,00.asp

Mobile net ‘heading for data jam’
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8325634.stm

Verizon profit dips, but wireless stays strong
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10382841-266.html
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-earnings-verizon-profit-down-wireless-unit-revenues-jump/

Has AT&T Wireless data congestion been self-inflicted?
http://blogs.broughturner.com/2009/10/is-att-wireless-data-congestion-selfinflicted.html

Surgeon Performs World’s First 4X HD Surgery
http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/10/25/2010236/Surgeon-Performs-Worlds-First-4X-HD-Surgery

VOICEMAIL
Ted from Berkeley on hacking the Pre

Ralph on Windows 7 problems

EMAIL
Hey Buzz Out-louders,

Was on my way to class this morning when I saw this article in the Chicago Sun-Times:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/1846104,CST-FIN-apple26.article

Apparently Apple may pay to upgrade a station at the North and Clybourn red line L stop. They are set to open a new retail location close to the stop. I live near it and I can say with full confidence that that stop is pretty nasty and run down (like most of the CTA's L stations.) I guess Apple thinks it's not very becoming to have your flashy products available via a not so flashy station stop and is willing to fork over the cash to fix that.

Thoughts?

I've been listening to your podcast for about three years now. Love the show!

-Casey the performing arts management student in Chicago

**********

Hey buzz crew, I don’t if you saw this BBC news item about twitter and other social networking sites costing UK companies 1.4 billion pounds a year. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8325865.stm. The assumption is that because their survey of 1460 office workers indicated that people spent an average of 40 minutes a week on these sites that “such online behaviour clearly had a “productivity strain” on firms.” I call shenanigans, and I wish I could get my hands on the actually study so that I could fully debunk the it, but no such luck. My worry is that I read this at 8 am ET and I am sure by this afternoon mainstream media is just going to run with it with no thought or insight.

Love the show.
Marlon “the guyfromtrinidad”

**********

“Net Neutrality,” not allowing ISP to charge extra for special serves,
will kill the internet. If we don’t allow ISP to make profit from
investing in infrastructure, they will not invest money in
infrastructure. Unlike broadcast television, the internet does not
travel through a common good. Every inch of the internet in America is
built, owned, and maintained by private actors. In order to continue to
have good internet service, we have to allow those actors to make profits.

If you want better service, kill the government interference that
currently exists. Primarily this interference is cable monopolies that
are granted by localities. Since most broadband access comes in via
cable connections this directly hurts the quality of internet access in
America.

Kevin

AT&T lets you pay for its network holes, Chrysler puts auto manuals on DVD (and how are you supposed to use that in the car?), MySpace says its video portal is here now, USB 3.0 is here, Europe gives Google a green light to sell ads to the black marketers, and when you're dead on the Web, you're dead.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

AT&T breaks out its new 3G Microcell
http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-10358045-85.html

3G MicroCells: Carriers want you to pay extra to fix their own failures
http://gizmodo.com/5364161/3g-microcells-att-wants-you-to-pay-extra-to-fix-their-own-failures

Ford CEO Alan Mullalley to deliver 'opening keynote' at CES
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10357687-92.html

Pioneer iPhone app links to car head units for easier destination entry
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS84227+21-Sep-2009+BW20090921

Chrysler ditching paper manuals, going digital
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10357937-48.html

EU backs Google over Louis Vuitton
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2353142,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03069TX1K0001121

Facebook/Nielsen partnership
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10358057-36.html

MySpace unleashes two-way syncing with Twitter
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10357501-2.html

Hulu/MySpace video thing
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10358200-93.html

First USB 3.0 product certified
http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/21/first-usb-3-0-product-gets-certified-floodgates-get-closer-to-b/

Netflix awards $1 million prize, announces another one
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13515_3-10357807-26.html

Why Netflix can’t wait to go all online
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/09/22/national/a070027D58.DTL&tsp=1

VOICEMAIL
Mike: on iPhone battery logging

EMAIL
Re: Apple battery life
Quick notes.

1. Apple was contacting customers about iPhone 3.1, not the iPhone 3GS specifically. The gorilla and the iPhone 3G would be covered by this, too.
2. And no, it’s not “a lot of work”. You click a flippin’ link in Mail, tap an Install button, and move on with your life.

Sean

**********

Hey Buzz crew, it's Kevin from Philadelphia and guess who’s a Windows 7 launch party host? Luckily I”m planning my birthday party that weekend, but YES Windows swaggg. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll win the $750 PC. Just between us, the fastest computer I own is half the processor speed necessary for Windows 7. Shhh don’t tell Microsoft I want the Windows-branded napkins!

Kevin

**********

Dear Buzz crew,

I think it is a bit sad that when Gmail removed the “beta” tag from the logo it was big news, a trending topic on Twitter, and mentioned on the show, but when Yahoo Mail makes some legitimate enhancements...no one really notices.

Just a few days ago Yahoo Mail got a face-lift and added application support, but it wasn’t even mentioned on the show. I know you guys simply cover what people are interested in and NO ONE seems interested in what’s going on at Yahoo Mail anymore. As someone who has been using the same Yahoo Mail account for over a decade I find it sad that Yahoo has lost the mind share and, largely due to its lack of innovation in the past, gets no notice for innovating now.

Just thought I’d share my thoughts with you guys and encourage you to at least check out the updates at Yahoo Mail. There are still a few of us who like the service…

Thanks for the great show!

Clayton from Oklahoma.

Ok, but just to be clear, when I say it's time for me to get a pimp, what I MEAN is that it's time to get a PMP -- a portable media player. That is, perhaps, an iPod Touch. Anyway, you'll understand. In other news, the MPAA is trying to clamp down on your analog hole and break your DVR all at the same time and Apple's Snow Leopard is having a rough landing ... apparently because of the picture on the box.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

MPAA still pushing for output control
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/09/movie-studios-again-demand-hdtv-disabling-powers-from-fcc.ars

YouTube talking to studios about streaming majors like Netflix
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10337004-93.html

Vudu coming to Mitsubishi TVs
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10335687-1.html

Toshiba grits its teeth, releases Blu-ray player
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10344487-1.html

Apple ships a known vulnerable version of Flash with Snow Leopard
http://www.sophos.com/blogs/gc/g/2009/09/02/apple-ships-vulnerable-version-flash-snow-leopard/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10344478-37.html

And reports of “spinning wheel of death” are growing
http://www.informationweek.com/news/hardware/mac/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=219501236&subSection=Macintosh+Platform

Amazon slams Google’s book scanning
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10335976-265.html

Walkman outselling iPod in Japan
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ansrP2IonbRA

Samsung netbook to have 11 hour battery life
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10344384-1.html

Sprint announces Android HTC Hero
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-10338820-251.html

Microsoft calling on thousands to host their own Windows 7 parties
http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2009/09/microsoft_plans_thousands_of_neighborhood_parties_for_windows_7.html

VOICEMAIL
Ben: My Palm Pre has it all

EMAIL
Hello Hot Buzz,

Maybe I’m an optimist, but the failure rate of the XBOX 360 has me hoping that the next generation XBOX console will be the most reliable console ever created. Playing it will be like eating at Jack in the Box after the E. coli outbreak.

I only hope that the ad campaign includes Bill Gates wearing a giant round mask and talking smack against the competition.

With Love,
Aaron in Vancouver/Portland

**********

Buzz crew,
I believe everything you mentioned on Wednesday’s show about what you need to make a phone into a decent in-car GPS is already available, at least for some phones. I have been using TomTom software on a Windows Mobile phone for a couple of years. It does not require live data, you can use the phone AND still navigate (with a bluetooth headset). It sounded like in your discussion you were thinking of only how the Iphone does it. Perhaps a broader look is in order. ( I sound like such a Windows Mobile fanboy, don’t I?)
Bryan
Jonesboro, Arkansas

**********

It appears that Rafe’s statement is true in general, but check out the
wording in the Vehicle Code:
http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

This part says “Don’t put stuff on your windshield”:

“26708. (a) (1) ( )1 A person shall not drive any motor vehicle with
any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied
upon the windshield or side or rear windows.”

This part says “Okay, MAYBE put it on your windshield, but only if it’s
a GPS thing and only in a certain area”:

“(12) A portable Global Positioning System (GPS), which may be mounted
in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest
removed from the driver or in a 5-inch square in the lower corner of the
windshield nearest to the driver, if the system is used only for
door-to-door navigation while the motor vehicle is being operated and
outside of an airbag deployment zone.”

So yeah, you can use it on your windshield if you follow those
guidelines.

Nicole (Lee)

We started by reporting on the amazing technology that allows pacemakers to wirelessly transmit diagnostic info to a bedside device making the pacemaker safer and doctor visits shorter. But we found the most compelling fact the idea that this would be WiFi. Which we think should mean hotspots and a mesh network. It solves a lot of problems. Think about it. Also no Apple, Twitter or Google news today. Sorry. There is a robot story.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Facebook buys FriendFeed
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10306560-36.html

Amazon confirms Zune pricing
http://gizmodo.com/5334801/amazon-confirms-leaked-zune-hd-pricing

Xbox gets exclusive Netflix streaming?
http://gizmodo.com/5334709/xbox-360-scores-exclusive-netflix-movie-streaming

Logitech Harmony 900: Best remote ever?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10307299-1.html

Chevy Volt gets tentative EPA rating of *230* MPG
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10307239-54.html
http://dvice.com/archives/2009/08/chevy-volt-to-g-1.php

HP to sell laptops with top-ups
http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=68286

Bigger flash drives coming from Intel and Micron
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10307018-64.html

Controversial Palm Pre ads judged to be effective, still creepy
http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/11/controvercial-palm-pre-ads-judged-to-be-effective-still-creepy/

New York Woman Receives Wireless Pacemaker
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2351371,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03069TX1K0001121
http://www.sjm.com/mediaroom/mediakit.aspx?cat=%&kit=productconnectivity

A Standardized OS For Robots
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/09/08/11/1242217/A-Standardized-OS-For-Robots

VOICEMAIL
Shalin has an idea for tablet users

Leon the army brat on USAA

EMAIL
Hey buzz crew,

I just tested the photo deposit system and all I can say is HOW
COOL!!! The USAA app had me take a picture of front of check, then one
of the back after telling me how to endores it. The first time I hit
submit the app told me the dollar amount was not clear enough and I
had to retake the pic. I submitted it again and was told my funds were
avaible ( might be because check was only $8.10 ) Any way, very cool
system, I hope more banks will use.

Kathryn
From Portland Oregon

**********

I assume Natali has viewed Alien over the weekend and we will be
hearing her review in today’s episode?

Iljitsch

CNET's Donald Bell previewed the Zune HD and it brought him tears of joy. But the rest of us think it's about three years too late. We also debate the need for Google to get into the video codec game and whether you need a Pico projector in your camera.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Google acquires On2 video compression company
http://gigaom.com/2009/08/05/google-on2-deal/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10303488-93.html

…and sells off radio automation
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10303498-92.html

Upcoming Xbox 360 Netflix update is still gimped, Microsoft thinks you want it that way
http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/05/upcoming-netflix-update-on-xbox-360-is-still-gimped-microsoft/

Windows 7 XP Mode enters RC
http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-10303288-12.html

Zune HD hands-on look, impressions, tears of joy
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12519_7-10303243-49.html

Nikon camera has a Pico Projector
http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/04/nikon-coolpix-s1000pj-projector-cam-beams-into-reality-with-frie

New Sony E-Readers
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10303031-1.html

Vonage turns first profit ever
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2351215,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03069TX1K0001121

Some tweets now of out bounds at ESPN
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10303457-93.html

But dead presidents are allowed to Twitter
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10303030-36.html

Psychopaths have abnormal brain structure
http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/08/04/2226218/Psychopaths-Have-Brain-Structure-Abnormality
http://www.examiner.com/x-1242-Science-News-Examiner~y2009m8d4-Psychopaths-have-brain-structure-abnormality

VOICE MAIL
Mike in Dayton on Cell phone laws

James in Pennsylvania fighting the Shack movement

Dwight about tablet on Verizon

E-MAIL
Hey buzz crew,
Just wanted to comment on the high game prices. We have friends over from the UK and they saw the $89 price for Wii Fit and were going crazy. Apparently overseas Wii Fit costs 139 pounds. Maybe it has to do with High demand, or maybe something else entirely.

Ryan Floyd
The only listener from Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada

PS. Bell just announced that Saint John will get the first Fibre rollout in the country. Finally living in Atlantic Canada has payed off!

***********

Hey gang,

Thinking about your $100 video game concept, my initial thought was “ugh! No way!” I barely buy new games at $60 each, there is no way I’d pay $100 for one would I?

And then I realized…I bought Fallout 3 used for about $50, loved it (which is a testament to that game, because I’m really not a gamer anymore)…and then bought the next three expansion packs at about $10 each. I’m seriously considering the fourth one too which would bring my total to just under $100. I’m still pretty sure that I wouldn’t put $100 down up front for a game anytime soon, but under a model where these “expensive to make” games come out in installments, it looks like I would part with that much money over all.

Note to game industry- take a note from the crack industry and get me hooked first, then nickle and dime me into spending the money. It seems I will reward a good product.

Your BFF,

Frank L

***********

It seems kind of obvious why at&t doesn’t want huge exposure to google voice : true number portability. If you have a phone number that isn’t linked to the carrier, it becomes ever easier to not only switch carriers, but in fact even switch how you use voice services, including Skype and whatever else comes out down the road, minimizing the carrier’s power to lock people in.

Wayne the Programmer from Michigan

Radio Shack, as we mentioned yesterday, is changing to The Shack. But a good restaurant in Connecticut is also called The Shack and has pie. Radio Shack does not have pie. They lose. We also talk about Google dropping search share and the rumored new PS3.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Buzz Out Loud interviews Aneesh Chopra, Obama's Chief Technology Officer
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19709_1-10302978-10.html

Google search share drops as Bing gains momentum
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/08/bing-continues-to-chip-away-at-googles-search-share.ars

Misunderstandings abound about the ‘Windows Phones’ branding. Head’s up: Nothing has changed. Nothing.
http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/paul/archive/2009/08/02/misunderstandings-abound-about-the-windows-phones-branding-head-s-up-nothing-has-changed-nothing.aspx

Report: White House acting cyberspace chief resigns
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10302297-38.html

Sony dropping 80GB PS3 in Japan?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10302534-1.html

Sony hints at $100 game titles
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10301854-17.html

U.S. Marines not allowed on social networks
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/08/marines-ban-twitter-myspace-facebook/

Twitter warms up malware filter
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10302479-83.html

Delicious reborn as real-time news tracker
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/delicious_reborn_as_real_time_news_tracker.php

Netflix Watch Now on the iPhone
http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/04/netflix-rumored-to-be-bringing-watch-instantly-to-iphones-skept/

Ridley Scott signs up to direct Alien prequel
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/08/03/alien_prequel/

VOICE MAIL
David Google Voice would make people use phone more

RogueTess we need specific driving laws

E-MAIL
Hate to be one of those “well actually” individuals but when Tom said that nobody used Pointcast I felt the need to geekily speak up as its only apologist (no doubt

I was in tech college at the time Pointcast was around and didn’t have anything but really slow dialup at home. Getting a bunch of articles pushed to my laptop that I could then read at my own comfort when I got home was fantastic. I also really enjoyed the interface and the story ticker. Pointcast was Google reader before RSS and I still wish Google reader would get its own desktop news ticker of some sort.

Spencer Kyle

***********

Hello All,

When I heard of Radio Shack’s name change, I had to laugh, since there is a restaurant called the Shack here in Southeastern Connecticut. They serve great meals, and their motto is “Life is short, have pie.” Why would I go “The Shack” since I could go the other Shack to get pie?

Take care,
Keith

On today's episode, we invent a new word that we hope will show up on a show like "The Hills" sometime soon. Plus, we get fired up, make terrible jokes about monkeys controlling computers with their brains, and actually work in a tiny bit of news. For example, Apple's doing a tablet and music labels are trying to sell some new weird digital album thing. You might like the "fired up" part better.

EPISODE 1027

Apple partners with music labels for interactive content for new netbook -- Sept

Microsoft in new EU browser offer

Confusion at Best Buy over rumors of a $99 Palm Pre

Installing Pre homebrew apps: now even easier

Netflix Prize: And the $1 Million Winner Is...?

ATandT blocks 4chan

AT&T said to block 4chan; pranksters fight back

Wi-Fi on ordinary cell phones

Aussie Net filtering trial deemed a success despite problems

Nissan's Forest AC blows wild scents through your ride, keeps you alert

Monkeys and scientists develop persistent "plug and play" control over brain-to-computer interface

Bing's June bump won't be enough to take significant share from Google according to JP Morgan analysts. Of course, analysts will say anything anyway. And apparently so will we. It's kind of a complaining podcast today, but we do find a shining example of good at the end.

EPISODE 1018

Netflix rises on speculation of Amazon.com buyout

Verizon to start it's own app store
http://gigaom.com/2009/07/13/verizon-to-mobile-developers-can-you-hear-me-now/
http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/13/verizon-to-its-smartphones-thou-shalt-have-no-other-app-store-b/

RIM Launching A BlackBerry social network for venting tomorrow
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/13/rim-launching-a-blackberry-social-network-for-venting-tomorrow/

Windows Marketplace taking app submissions on July 27, coming to WinMo 6.0 and 6.1 later this year
http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/14/windows-marketplace-taking-app-submissions-on-july-27-coming-to/

JP Morgan survey shows Bing won't gain much against Google
http://www.businessinsider.com/henry-blodget-survey-confirms-bing-will-bomb-2009-7
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10285524-2.html

U.K., not North Korea, source of DDOS attacks, researcher says
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135492/U.K._not_North_Korea_source_of_DDOS_attacks_researcher_says

First portable HD Radio on the way, and it's cheap
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10284790-1.html

Swiss Postal Service lets users check snail mail online
http://arstechnica.com/web/news/2009/07/swiss-postal-service-lets-users-check-snail-mail-online.ars

NASA has the lost tapes
http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/07/13/2342220/NASA-Has-the-Lost-Tapes

Photos: Paws-on with the Pet's Eye View Cam
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/gadgets/0,39029552,49302958,00.htm
http://www.mr-lee-catcam.de/cc_index_en.htm

Make sure to check out Dan Lueders' remix of "In The Chatroom" at the end of today's episode! It's pretty awesome.

VOICE MAIL
Ted in Farmington on how downloading could show as streaming

Jim the SysAdmin on Google's plan

E-MAIL
Hey Buzz Crew!

Molly, this is specially for you. On his last encyclical letter, Pope Benedict XVI talked about the "unduly rigid assertion of the right to intellectual property, especially in the field of health care."

In a way, it's a holy rant... check it out:

http://www.keionline.org/blogs/2009/07/07/pope-ipr/
http://legalpad.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/07/things-the-pope-doesnt-like-poverty-injustice-ip-lawyers.html
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-in-veritate_en.html

All the best,

Henrique from Brazil

**********

Hi Buzz Crew,

Long time, first time. I was just listening to your audio podcast today and you reported a story where 6 out of 10 corporations don't plan to migrate to Windows 7. Tom specifically mentioned Intel as still being on Windows XP. I am an Intel employee and I can confirm that we had a pilot program for Vista but our IT department decided not to go through with the migration for several reasons (security issues, hardware requirements etc.) We had a couple of members of our group participate in the pilot and they couldn't stand it. During meetings the Vista people were always a few minutes behind the rest of us because it took them that much longer to come out of sleep mode, collaboration was nightmare for them as well (Live Meeting and Sharepoint were hit or miss on Vista). Bottom line, I believe we still use XP because it just works. I haven't heard anything about migrating to 7 anytime soon, will keep you posted if I do.

Love. The. Show.

Anonymous Intel ASIC Designer

P.S. Tom, cheer up! You'll get sponsors any day now.

**********

Dear Buzz Out Loud,

I just finished listening to epsiode 1017 and i am truly sickened by your continuous criticism, pot shots, and negative comments towards the blu-ray format, sony's playstation 3 game console, and apple's iphone as well as other products. I understand as well as anyone that companies often make stupid decisions, boneheaded moves, and other poor choices. Sony's game marketing in itself is a tragedy. They have at least ten (10) potential million+ selling games but only three to four will ever sell to that level due to poor marketing. if the Playstation 3 had Microsoft's marketing they would be on the heels of the Wii in sales by now.

The reason i write though is that the extent to which you all HARP on the negatives is just too much. Nearly every week (if not every other day) you heap more criticism on top of the mountain that you have already created. Natali and Molly are especially guilty. I doubt that they even reasearch into, inquire about, or ever use a PS3 to even be knowledgeable about it. I fear that they just repeat what they hear others say without ever verifying the information... much like a lazy and ignorant parrot would.

I admit that i love the Playstation 3 because of the incredible amount of features that it has. And it does irritate me, not that you criticize the console, but that you do it while omitting, skimming over, or rationalizing the faults of its competing products and even the console's strengths. For example Molly trashes the PS3 because it costs $100 more than the midrange xbox 360 pro but actually justified the additional xbox live yearly fee as a "cost as a online gaming." For her it may be something she pays for without a second thought, however after five years that very xbox live membership costs the same as a Wii and listeners should be made aware of that additional cost when they listen to a technology journalist (who we are told by CNET is both objective and knowledgable) compare the two consoles.

Also you fail to mention that the PS3's hard drive can be upgraded with any off the shelf laptop hard (2.5" SATA) which is an incredible strength in terms of storage costs of the limited Xbox 360 options. Playtv allows the PS3 to act as a digital video recording device even while you are playing a game (currently avilable in Europe and possibly Asia). Remote Play allows PSP owners to access data and even play select games on the PS3 from any wireless hotspot anywhere in the world. Each point is a significant strength kept from listeners by Buzz out Loud and also CNET. Please note that keeping information away from the public is the opposite of respected journalism.

Since you all are so well adept at creating criticism though i challenge you to curb (or even shut down) the criticism until you can create a better portable high definition storage (i.e. blu-ray) format, or game console with online network, or even the perfect smartphone. You do not even have to create a physical product... just make the design and technical specifications for one that could be built. I really would like to see and hear your ideas. Then you could post the designs on your Buzz out Loud web site and have audience members vote on the best and also comment on them. Then you could show those companies how you are so much smarter than they are. I am sure that they would appreciate the education.

I certainly hope that your audience is more merciful on your work than you have been to the companies whose actual products you criticize.

Best Wishes,
-Playstation fanboy Raf (not Rafe)

P.S. I will not be surprised if you choose no to create because it is always easier to criticize than to create. That is why despite all of Molly's rants she will never change the world for the better. that is because it takes more than just hot air to make things better!

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Hey Tom,

About Episode 1017 and Blu Ray Players. I have actually read that Blu Ray is way up. EngadgetHD has several reports on this. Way back in January they reported that compared to the original rate of DVD adoption, Blu Ray is outpacing it 2 to 1 http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/06/blu-rays-first-two-years-outpaces-dvds/
They also reported that Blu Ray Player sales were up 72% in the 1st Quarter of 09
http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/05/06/blu-ray-making-greenbacks-sales-up-72-to-start-09/ The fact is the Blu ray player being sold for under a $100 dollars is slow and just isn't very good. Don't take the experience of one Walmart in Wisconsin as the way BluRay is doing everywhere. Blu Ray is doing fine in the US and is doing even better overseas. Love the Show

Steve from Texas

We all get in a big arguments over whether all-in-one devices are more convenient than discrete devices. Cooley thinks discrete devices are un-American. I think the opposite. And Molly has the logical arguments for discrete devices. We also find out a judge has ruled IP addresses can only prove a computer existed and not a person. Good on ya, Judge!

EPISODE 1,015

Google names Chrome OS compatriots, Dell noticeably absent
http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/08/google-names-chrome-os-compatriots-dell-noticeably-absent/

OEMs mum on actual partnerships
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2349895,00.asp

Intel thinks Chrome is peachy
http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/09/intel-doesnt-view-chrome-os-as-a-threat-to-moblin-just-wants-w/
http://chrome.blogspot.com/2009/07/google-chrome-os-faq.html

Meanwhile LiveAndroid lets you try Android OS on any computer
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10282885-94.html

Judge rules IP addresses not “personally identifiable”
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/07/08/1522247/Judge-Rules-IP-Addresses-Not-Personally-Identifiable

Netflix streaming coming to Sony TVs, not yet the PS3
http://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-streaming-coming-to-sony-tvs-not-yet-the-ps3-2009-7

Kindle’s $9.99 books may shrink publishers’ profits
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aWhjmdVFcC2Q

Amazon opens AmazonWireless, for no-hassle cell phone buying
http://richdemuro.com/amazon-opens-a-real-wireless-website-no-rebat

Standalone GPS receivers going the way of the dodo
http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/09/07/09/1339225/Standalone-GPS-Receivers-Going-the-Way-of-the-Dodo

Hyundai hybrid launched with li-Polymer batteries
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE5670CF20090708

Designers conjure up wacky ‘car of the future’
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/07/09/atnmbl/

E-MAIL
This is Chip the Mech. Engineer and on episode 1013 you were talking about Sprint offering a netbook with broadband. I am looking at getting one because not everyone can get wireless everywhere they go. I live in a small town in Virginia that has 2 maybe 3 places that offer wireless (coffee shop type places). I have it at my house but the wireless at work is locked down so not everyone can get on it. Also my family has a cabin on the Blueridge Parkway and there is cell service there, Sprint and Verizon are the only ones that can get service though (don’t even turn on your phone if it’s AT&T). No DSL offered there, only dial-up so this would be great for weekend trips to the cabin and moving about around the town I live in.

PS
I have a PRE and LOVE IT. I am listening to your podcast, texting my brother and typing this email.

Love the show, keep up the great work.

Chip

**********

Something that might help the residents of buzztown … I purchased a
kindle on tuesday and of course the price drops the next day. I
didn’t hear about the price drop until I listened to your show in the
evening – but at that point I opened my kindle, loaded it with a bunch
of stuff and started reading.

Of course after hearing about the price drop the day after my purchase
I contact Amazon about getting some kind of a price adjustment. Their
first response from the initial support person was they don’t do that
and if I want I can either return the item and repurchase it or keep
it and take a $20 gift card to make up for the $60 price difference.

I calmly explained to the support person that this was idiotic – for
me to have to do repackage it, get a refund, repurchase and reload the
new kindle – and stupid for amazon to pay for shipping it back, and
basically replace a brand new (but now used) kindle for another one -
when the end result is the same. I had to demand to speak to a
supervisor, but he relented and gave me the refund.

Normally I have found Amazon’s service to be very good – I have only
had to call a handful of times (and this is the first time I have had
to ask for a supervisor) – but you think amazon would have had a
solution for this already in place – I am sure I am not the only one
that purchased a kindle recently who is still in the return window.

Anyway – just thought that there might be people in buzztown who are
in a similar situation.

Love … The … Show

Matt Brown
Louisville, CO (hopefully soon San Francisco, CA)

**********

Dear Buzz Gang,

After the chat room today, I just COULDN’T stop myself from making a campaign ad for Molly to be President of the Internets.

Here is the download –
http://kelvington.com/MollyWoodPresident.avi

Here it is on YouTube –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD9HziisdSM

And Yes that is my voice… Love the show, I’m still working on my Buck Rogers Parody, Rafe “Rubbings” Needleman – In The 19th Century!

Take Care,
Rick Kelvington

**********

Kevin Chen made one too – http://tr.im/ruOC

**********

hi buzz generals!

for a few weeks i had my exams at the end of high school here in
switzerland. The oral exam was about a newspaper article, and guess
what… it was about something you have brought up several times in
the show: the grand dam youth protection software!
i almost didn’t have to read the article at all, i already knew
everything thank’s to you. a just talked and talked and talked… even
gave updates about the story, the teachers were very impressed. now
i’ve recieved my results: i got the highest grade possible.
i really can’t thank you enough for the great show you do, i’ve been
listening to it since a couple of years now and it has really helped
me to improve my english. when i started i often had to rewind, listen
again, but now everything goes just fine.

right now i’m on holiday in sweden, i’m on a train between Stockholm
and Göteborg, traveling at 200km/h, i’ve got free wireless internet
with 3mb/s download 1mb/s upload! nice! all that thank’s to a
combination of satellite and 3G.
another funny thing is that on the train there is a Sony Ericsson
salesman that you can borrow a phone (W995) from, for free, and it’s
packed with movies! really nice!

have a great week

Pierre from Switzerland