Buzz Out Loud Podcast

Amazon's trying to compete with PayPal with a new service that brings one-click shopping into the rest of the non-Amazon world. We also kick around a rumor of Netflix coming to the Wii and discuss Google and Yahoo music searches. Oh, and then Cooley and I get deep about business models and copyright. That's near the end, though--if you don't like lectures.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Google music search announced. Still doesn’t work for Tom
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10385755-93.html

Yahoo yells that it’s had it since June
http://www.ysearchblog.com/2009/10/28/play-that-funky-music-with-yahoo-search/

Amazon to take on PayPal with PayPhrase
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE59S0FH20091029

Confirmed: Netflix streaming coming to the Wii very shortly
http://blog.streamingmedia.com/the_business_of_online_vi/2009/10/confirmed-netflix-streaming-coming-to-the-wii-very-soon.html

Google tells FCC it’s still blocking calls, but fewer of them
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2009/10/google_voice_tells_fcc_its_sti.html

Microsoft and Yahoo delay signing search deal
http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-and-yahoo-delay-signing-search-deal-2009-10
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10385671-56.html

NBA brings League Pass to iPhone, Android; out-of-market package runs $40
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-nba-brings-league-pass-to-iphone-android-out-of-market-package-runs-40/
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE59S2NM20091029

Twitter users warned about new phishing attack
http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10385661-245.html

Xerox claims printable electronics breakthrough
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/10/29/038210/Xerox-Claims-Printable-Electronics-Breakthrough

40th anniversary of Internet working without a crash
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/AheadoftheCurve/today-internets-40th-birthday/story?id=8945743

VOICE MAIL
Joe about LSU and Gmail

Sloan on his experience in Gmail

RogueTess on the Slate name

E-MAIL

Hey Buzzers, I just read a rather startling article on Slashdot. The article says that amazon has patented a new ‘invention’ that will replace words in all kinds of text documents(book, reviews, etc) with synonyms in an effort to track pirating. As an author I find this very disturbing, I don’t want amazon to go changing my hard work just so they can track piracy.
So my question to you is, is this for real and am I understanding it right. Please advise.

Future best selling author,
JoshuaCaleb

P.S. Keep up the great work.
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/10/28/2236235/Amazon-Patents-Changing-Authors-Words

**********

BOL folks:

My son is approaching the age where a cell phone may come in handy for communicating and coordinating activities. Things like “Running 10 minutes late.” “Meet me at Field 3 after soccer practice.” I’ve been looking for a cheap and light texting-only device. Perhaps the TwitterPeek can do that? Hmmm.

Keep on buzzing,
ymt

**********

Holiday Help Desk
November 23-December 23
4 PM ET/1 PM PT
Coming soon to http://live.cnet.com/
More details to follow!

In today's show, Molly gets a new favorite metaphor, Apple deletes the very thought that you should run antivirus on a Mac, .Tel gets our wallets at the ready, and poor widdle Windows' market share drops below 90 percent. The horror!
Listen now: Download today's podcast

EPISODE 864

Apple deletes Mac antivirus suggestion
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10111958-83.html

Twitter CEO: The revenue’s coming soon, but I won’t tell you how
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10112037-2.html

.Tel them where to find you
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/02/tel-them-where-to-find-you/

Vista SP2: What's inside?
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1745

Windows 7 Beta 1 to arrive January 13?
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=613

Windows drops below 90 percent market share
http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08%2F12%2F02%2F1857253

Vlingo one-ups Google with a better voice-powered iPhone application
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13549_7-10111763-30.html

Logitech makes 1 billionth mouse
http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08%2F12%2F03%2F1311210

PayPal brings allowances into the 21st century
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/paypal-brings-the-weekly-allowance-into-the-21st-century/

Scientists report mental ‘body-swapping’
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/02/AR2008120202527.html

BOL named an iTunes ‘Classic’
http://www.veronicabelmont.com/2008/12/itunes-best-of-2008-awards/

VOICE MAIL
Shalin: Cooley loves space!

E-MAIL
Hi Molly,

Hopefully the attachment won’t be a problem with security software on the CNET network but here’s the BOL Bingo card! Feel free to email back with items to swap, remove, and/or replace. Enjoy!

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10152_102-0.html?forumID=97&threadID=318627&messageID=2919376&tag=forums06;forum-threads

Holly in NYC

(hollyhock on Twitter, watchBOL chat, CNET forums)

Hello Buzztown.
In Episode 863, Commander Mark wondered if it would be possible to have the BOL podcast automatically emailed to him each day while he was on his 7 month "Navy cruise".

If buzztown isn't able to come up with a suitable automated method, I'd like to volunteer to email him the podcast manually each day. I'd like to do that as a small thank you for his service.

Feel free to pass my email along to Mark for this purpose.
MC Fisticuffs.

PS. I think you should add "somebody typing 'Brittney Spears' into a search engine" to in-the-wild Bingo.

Hey JaMoTo,

It’s amazing how Molly coined the term “net-box” and Brian came up with portable xbox 360, and suddenly there is one on engadget. It is awesome how BOL pushes technology along. They should keep this moving along and create a netbook + net-box, but then I guess it would just be a super battery draining, overheating, carpal tunnel inducing netbook with an enormous power supply that sounds like a vacuum cleaner. Oh well, I guess we have some more hurdles to jump before we get to this point.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/ben-heck-outdoes-himself-with-xbox-360-portable/

Love the show,
Brendon the Food Scientist

As a loyal user and fan of the iPhone from day one, I always enjoyed
your talks about it and didn’t fully understand the hate until all the
twitter talk got to me today.

Understand it’s the popular thing and you have to talk about it. You
won’t lose me as a listener, but could we get a AIM chaser or
something?!? Maybe a cool jingle too???

Bob
The Nuclear Engineer

Hi BOL -

Here’s what I see in the wild every day — BOOKS! Books. They’re not just for geeks anymore. (Note jeans tucked into boots.)
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/6590/photopa5.jpg

Amanda

I just listened to Tuesday’s show where you mentioned that Apple store employees do not suggest antivirus software. When I worked for Apple tech support it was considered a fireable offense to flat out say “Macs can get viruses.” In stead we were told do dance around it and say something along the lines of “while it is certainly possible for viruses to be written for a mac, you only need to worry about antivirus software if you have windows installed.”

Ian from Saskatoon

CORRECTION:
Hey Molly,
I am writing regarding an incorrect quote in your write up for today's Buzz Out Load, the link to DVR commercial skipping: 50 or 97 percent? Depends on who you ask.
The original article for Ars Technica "DVR commercial skipping: 50% or 97%? Depends on whom you ask" incorrectly quotes Garth Ancier saying "a full 97 percent of them are skipping the ads." The correct quote is "We've seen more like 30% of people watching our commercials on DVR," (not 3%) The quote was taken from a Q&A session for Garth Ancier's keynote speech at the Future of Television conference.
Can you please make the correction in your article?
I have spoken with the Ars Technica journalist, it was a simple mistake in notes, he is making the correction as well.
For reference, here is an article from Multichannel News covering Garth Ancier's keynote speech which has the correct percentage:
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6615738.html

Thank you for your help,
Devin

The introduction of the G1 phone (the HTC Dream) is very nearly overshadowed by the marketing decision to destroy perfect innocent words in the commercials for it. But we do eventually get around to discussing the features, the delay of Windows Mobile 7, electric cars from Chrysler (for real!), and SanDisk takes a beating.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

EPISODE 815

Live blog: First Google Android phone is unveiled
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10048519-94.html
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10048538-94.html
http://mossblog.allthingsd.com/20080923/googles-g1-first-impressions/
http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/23/t-mobile-g1-site-goes-live-for-real-first-ad-appears/

Each Android phone will include Amazon’s MP3 store
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10048726-17.html

Windows Mobile 7 release delayed
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10048061-56.html

E-mail, photo programs stripped from Windows 7
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10048142-56.html

Chrysler Bombshell: Electric Cars by 2010
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10048704-54.html

eBay to ban checks and money orders in U.S.
http://news.slashdot.org/news/08/09/22/2115217.shtml

Renegade iPhone ‘Podcaster’ developer neutered by Apple, headed to Google’s Android
http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/9/renegade-iphone-podcaster-developer-neutered-by-apple-headed-to-google-s-android

Extinct Galapagos tortoise may be resurrected with genetics
http://arstechnica.com/journals/science.ars/2008/09/23/extinct-galapagos-tortoise-may-be-resurrected-with-genetics

Netflix signs deals with CBS and Disney
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122213209024665825.html

VOICE MAIL
Paul from Verizon: people are ditching their iPods!

E-MAIL

What’s most funny/tragic about SanDisk’s slotMusic fiasco is that the company tried this almost exactly three years ago. Remember “gruvi?” That was music on flash memory, but it was even worse… the music used a proprietary DRM format and cost $40 per card! I’m wondering if it’s less the labels trying to resurrect physical music sales and more SanDisk desperate to foist its memory on us whichever way it can.
These are the folks who sell a whole range of music players with microSD slots, after all.

Much love,

Jon
Ottawa, Canada

JaMo_ _ (Input todays guest host), In reference to episode 814, concerning the new music format you trashed, I hope that I am not the only one defending it, but I feel I need to supply a view for those of us who would support it.

Much like the connection to a Land Line that you were talking about recently, I like the dependability of a physical copy. I like the idea that I paid for this, and even if my hard drive crashes, I still have my music. If I make the mistake of ripping all my music in WMA format, and switch to a Mac, I can put that CD in my MacBook and save it as MP3 (still working on finishing that project). If the computers take over the planet and I have to live in the sub-terrain to avoid the Matrix, I can slap something physical into a music player and listen to it without connecting to ‘the cloud’.

I like the idea of the cloud for many things, but the thought of the time needed to backup all my music makes me shutter, and brings me back to the hard drive crashing idea again. I’ll agree with you that the storage method is a question (I won’t keep them in my pocket), and a Micro SD is too small. I think a standard SD would be perfect. Still very small, but large enough for some album artwork, or artist and title. One CD case could house what, 40-50 SD Cards. But it seems Micro SD’s are more prevalent in Phones now and that may be their reasoning.

I just look forward to the day when we don’t have 100 pounds of CD’s and I can physically store all of my future music in something the size of a Velveeta box. But, let’s be honest, this will disappear faster than Sarah Palin’s Yahoo account.

Go Bobcats!

Jeff
Cleveland

I want the music companies to start making MP3 CDs. I would love to be able to buy the top 100 songs for the year on one CD. It would be totally awesome. I would love to get the CD case with the CD art and maybe a special collector magazine or book to go along with the CD. I do not understand why the music companies have not tried MP3 CDs.

Oh yeah they are scared would drag-and-drop the files onto your computer. Which is totally different than ripping a CD and turning it into MP3 files.

If the morons at the record companies would make MP3 CDs they could fit all of an artists’ greatest hits onto one CD. If they would make a MP3 DVD, they could fit a decade of music onto one disc. Most DVD players also play MP3s, and most people have their DVD player hooked up to surround sound.

The record companies are freakin’ morons.

Gregory

While my wife was on the (shared) laptop this weekend I noticed that she was browsing through my Facebook page! I mean come on! Granted, it’s my fault for saving my password… although it’s probably all Chrome’s fault for displaying my recently viewed pages and tempting her into clicking on Facebook… but anyhow… although there is nothing that I would not want her to see on my Facebook page… she did not seem to understand that it’s just RUDE! I told her to get her own Facebook page and I would think about letting her be my friend… but why would she do that when she can just look at mine.

Am I overreacting?

Love the show…

~ Frustrated Facebooker

EPISODE 707

Skype offers unlimited long-distance plan
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSN2141013920080421

Google tops Microsoft, Apple in brand power
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9924273-7.html

Britannica makes content free with widgets, publisher registration
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9923867-7.html

Hackers cancel attack on CNN
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/144850/hackers_cancel_attack_on_cnn.html

Prediction: Microsoft will leapfrog Vista, release Windows 7 early, and change its OS business
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/hiner/?p=664

Microsoft: Finding flaws on our Web site is OK
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/21/microsoft_oks_online_flaw_finding/

Xbox 360 burns house down
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/04/21/arkansas_xbox_360_fire/

Zune getting Audible
http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/zune-getting-audible/

Twitter FAIL Day 3: Communications Breakdown
http://www.parislemon.com/2008/04/twitter-fail-day-3-communications.html

PayPal denies plan to block Safari
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/144880/paypal_denies_plan_to_block_safari.html

Russia announces end to space tourism in 2010
http://news.slashdot.org/news/08/04/20/218214.shtml

VOICE MAIL

Ryan Colorado
How to get notifications about Twitter.

Barry Georgia
Why you can’t let the transmitters run after the cutoff date.

E-MAIL

Exactly how does Microsoft count their OSes?

Hi guys!

All this “Windows 7″ talk got me thinking: how was the number 7 arrived at? If Vista is “6″, then XP would be “5″. But wouldn’t that mean that 95, 98, ME, and 2000 were all “4″ since before 95 there was 3.1? Right? Or is it just that Bill Gates, like George Costanza, is a big Mickey Mantle fan? I’m confused so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

--Roy (Bethesda, Md.)

P.S. I’ve been listening since around November 2006, through all the downs and ups, and I can say that I truly do love your show. You guys really do need a big ol’ Webby Award. Is there a “For Your Consideration” campaign we can start for next year?

Old episodes

I just noticed that you changed your XML feed. Now I see that many of the older shows on the list, including all of those older than episode 586 (the first episode I listened to, we hate flash drives) are no longer available for regular download. Where can I find an archive of past shows?

--Tony

Cablevision lies to customers to get them to switch to digital service

Hey Buzz Crew,

Thought this would be worth a molly rant …

http://consumerist.com/379852/cablevision-blatantly-lies-to-subscribers-as-the-fcc-twiddles-its-thumbs

Cablevision has decided to send notice out to customers about them moving channels off of analog and moving them to digital and not informing the customer service so...they make random facts up from what they have heard is happening.

Patrick

EPISODE 706

PayPal plans to ban unsafe browsers
http://www.eweek.com/index2.php?option=content&task=view& amp;id=47667&pop=1&hide_ads=1&page=0&hide_js=1

Microsoft plans Office subscription service
http://www.news.com/8301-13860_3-9921711-56.html

Blockbuster sued over role in Facebook’s Beacon ad program
http://www.news.com/8301-13577_3-9921496-36.html

Comcast, AT&T absent at FCC hearing on Net neutrality
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9921751-7.html

After complaints, Apple tweaks Software Update for Safari
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9922267-7.html

AT&T: Internet to hit full capacity by 2010
http://www.news.com/ATT-Internet-to-hit-full-capacity-by-2010/ 2100-1034_3-6237715.html

Gossip Girl streams pulled off CW's site due to, well, popularity; cannibalization fears
http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/ 419-gossip-girl-streams-pulled-off-cws-site-due-to-well-popularity-cannibal/

Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony tout NPD numbers
http://www.news.com/8301-13772_3-9921783-52.html

Skeletons in the crimson closet: Facebook’s latest Harvard scuffle
http://www.news.com/8301-13577_3-9921374-36.html

RIP Edward Lorenz--Father of Chaos Theory
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/04/17/rip-father-of-chaos.html

BONUS: Fractal Magic!
http://www.crispdesign.net/fm/index.html

VOICE MAIL

Alex Miami Beach
A Twitter tale.

E-MAIL

Do Not Track registry

Tom, Molly,

Regarding your discussion in episode 704 about the do not track registry, I have a well actually for you. It looks like the deletion of cookies is not sufficient to avoid tracking these days. The Financial Post here in Canada published an article about ISPs using a service to perform deep packet inspection of your Web traffic to create targeted advertising.

According to the company providing the hardware and services, it is all anonymous, secure, etc., but we all know how well companies secure data. Plus, that one (or more) times you Google you name means that someone will be able to figure out who is the person being tracked in the data.

Here is the link to the article:
http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=443523

Matti (Toronto)

Psystar/Apple monopoly?

Hello TMJ,

This is Diane the architect, long time listener first time writer.
Writing in regards to episode 703, the Psystar/Apple monopoly (?). I believe the accurate term to describe Apple is proprietary. Their product is neither hardware nor software but rather the Apple experience. Users buy in knowingly to an integrated system, quality and design, but most importantly they’re buying the brand and the status that comes with that brand.

Take for example elevators (excuse the industry reference). Most elevator manufacturers in the industry are proprietary and have specific requirements that distinguish them from other manufacturers.

The operation software, machines, and parts are all proprietary components of their overall product. On top of which the maintenance servicing is restricted to their respective manufacturers, otherwise the warranty would be voided. There are some nonproprietary manufacturers that provide a product built of parts from other manufacturers, their system is open and can be serviced by anyone.

The proprietary manufacturer offers an integrated system that has a certain proven level of performance, where the nonproprietary product offers flexibility, not unlike Apple and Microsoft. Apple prices itself into a niche market and basically provides a proprietary version of a common product. Just because Apple doesn’t prefer to share like Microsoft or Linux doesn’t mean it’s a monopoly.

Anyway, love the show and keep up the good work!
--Diane.

How to vote on legislation

Hi Buzz Crew,

Long time listener and total BOL’r. In fact it was listening to your rants on technology legislation that inspired me to build Govit.com.

You can vote on all active legislation and have your vote sent instantly to your congressional representatives. It’s a super easy way to take meaningful political action.

Please vote on Net Neutrality
http://www.govit.com/H_R_5353/To_establish_broadband_policy_and_direct_the_Federal_Communi/

Lot’s of other cool things on the site too, such as tracking your votes compared with your representatives, seeing the bills sponsored by the presidential candidates, and quick easy access to your representatives 24-7.

I hope you like it. :)

--Taylor Norrish
BOL Fan and founder of Govit.com

Silent and possibly deadly

Hello BOL!
I thought I would send in a quick story regarding the Hybrid car silence issue. On June 30, 2007, I was walking home from work and was hit by a hybrid car. I did not have an iPod with me, and was not speaking on the phone. The driver made no attempt to make his presence known, and afterward, told the police that his excuse was that “you just can’t hear these hybrid cars.”

As a victim of the Silent and Possibly Deadly cars, my vote would definitely be to increase the noise these cars create. It could prevent anyone else from having to deal with the aftermath. Luckily, I had only a fractured bone in my heel and couldn’t walk for three months, but these accidents could be a lot worse.

Thanks for bringing such an awesome show to us every day!
--Lucas
Atlanta, Ga.