Buzz Out Loud Podcast

While the Apple Tablet is much more fashionable to hype, the Microsoft Courier turns out to be very hype-worthy. We also find out, once again, that Rafe knows where he works. And the U.S. has relaxed its grip on the Internet. Good thing? Bad thing? Irrelevant thing? Or over-hyped thing like an Apple tablet?

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Everything we know about Apple’s touch-screen tablet
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/09/apple-tablet-everything/
http://gizmodo.com/5370252/apple-tablet-aiming-to-redefine-newspapers-textbooks-and-magazines

Microsoft’s Courier tablet details emerge
http://www.pcworld.com/article/172872/microsofts_courier_tablet_details_emerge.html

U.S. relaxes grip on the Internet
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8283310.stm

Internet overtakes television to become biggest advertising sector in the U.K.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/sep/30/internet-biggest-uk-advertising-sector

Misfired e-mail was never viewed by Gmail user
http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10363663-245.html

Sources: ‘Light Peak’ technology not Apple idea
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10363956-64.html

OnLive raises big round from AT&T and others for on-demand gaming
http://games.venturebeat.com/2009/09/29/onlive-raises-big-round-of-money-from-att-and-others-for-on-demand-gaming/
http://games.slashdot.org/story/09/09/30/0426236/OnLive-CEO-Provides-Details-On-Cloud-Gaming

Verizon CTO argues for metered pricing
http://news.slashdot.org/story/09/09/30/0131236/Verizon-CTO-Argues-For-Metered-Pricing
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10363801-266.html

Microsoft’s top executives get a paycut
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-microsofts-top-executives-get-a-paycut/

Microsoft says automated ‘Fix it’ is working
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10364104-56.html

Video screen enters record books
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8282701.stm

VOICE MAIL
Jeff from Arkansas solves the manual in cars problem

E-MAIL
The bigger unreported piece of Google creating a Google Docs for students is the development of college students using their technolgy. If google is going to get a larger share of the marketplace over Microsoft Office, they will need to develop future workers who demand to use their software.

This is a major of the reason behind software companies offering steep discounts for college students to purchase their software. If you only know how to do something with their software, you will be more likely to purchase or request your business to purchase the software program in your future place of employment. -ccarline

*******

Hey bol,

On Friday you open your show and spend the first five minute on how Palm is in trouble because Verizon wasn’t going to carry the Pre.

Well, according to a Verizon VP they still are, and according to the Register, maybe even an updated Pre.

So how about an update on BOL? I guess 3 days later is all we can hope for, after all its not like an apple tablet rumors hasn’t been talked to death.

Felipe

**********

This is Chip The Mech. Engineer. On Episode 1073 you were talking about the new Garmin phone and you kept comparing it to the iPhone with the $100 Tom Tom app. I just want to tell you that my Palm PRE has turn by turn directions that you get with the data package and I just drove from Virginia to Louisville, KY and it worked great and even warned me about road construction and detoured me around it.

You guys are great.
Love the show.

ChipForget the tablet, let’s hype the Courier

Twitter trades hype for a huge cash infusion, Windows 7 attempts to create hype with a spectacularly awfsome video, and we cover all the hype falling out of the Demo conference. Speaking of falling, Honda's new Segway-style unicycle looks amazingly easy to fall off of.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Report: No Palm Pre for Verizon Wireless
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10361144-266.html

Twitter Appears Set to Raise $100 Million, Valuing It at $1 Billion
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/technology/internet/25twitter.html
http://blog.twitter.com/2009/09/new-twitter-funding.html

Microsoft plays the security card in response to Google’s Chrome Frame
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=4063
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/09/microsoft-google-chrome-frame-makes-ie-less-secure.ars

Windows 7 PCs to go on sale early
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/09/windows-7-pcs-to-go-on-sale-early.ars

New Phoenix BIOS Starts Windows 7 Boot In 1 Second
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/09/09/25/0247220/New-Phoenix-BIOS-Starts-Windows-7-Boot-In-1-Second

Intel’s Moblin 2.1 to compete with Windows
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10361563-1.html

Google Ordered To Shut Down Gmail Account Of User Who Received Unsolicited Banking Info
http://techdirt.com/articles/20090924/1705386309.shtml

Demo’s best launches (compare to TechCrunch?)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-19882_3-10361288-250.html
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10361284-2.html

Experiences with Fitbit?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10037258-2.html

Robot fish swims by doing the wave
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10360819-1.html

Honda’s one-wheel Segway
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1215741/Honda-unveils-Segway-style-unicycle-travels-direction-want.html#ixzz0S2lY0hSd

E-MAIL
They have a video now, thought you would want to see how bad it is.

http://gizmodo.com/5366105/this-incredible-windows-7-launch-party-video-is-either-the-best-or-worst-microsoft-ad-this-year
Jeff Price

**********

Hi Buzz Crew,

I have a small annoyance about Amazon.com to share with you and your listeners. I went to Amazon.com today in an attempt to purchase High on Arrival, the memoir by Mackenzie Phillips. I was going to order the Kindle version, but I discovered that the Kindle version was the exact same price as the hardcover, $14.29.

When I saw that the price was the same, I was extremely annoyed. “Low Book Prices” is listed as a selling point on the Kindle home page, and yet, here is an example where it makes absolutely no sense to buy the e-book. Why would I buy the e-book for the exact same cost as the hardcover? I might as well just buy the hardcover and have the ability to loan it out or sell it later.

I guess the publishers still don’t get it.

Joe AKA dOgBOi

**********

I read over the article in your show notes, and that article (and each article I’ve read in addition) has said:

3,012 Netflix DVDs, worth about $36,471

http://www.switched.com/2009/09/23/former-postal-worker-admits-stealing-over-3-000-netflix-dvds/

No idea where the 30k number came from, and how it has endured, but might be worth a mention. So what’s that, 10 DVDs a day? Much more reasonable than 100 per day.

Ted the Engineer

**********

Dear Buzzards,

In episode 1069 you were talking about Picasa’s new facial recognition feature. After installing and scanning for 24 hours, it had gone through processing my photos for faces. How good is it? Pretty dang good.

My wife is an identical twin (yes, I can tell them apart). They have a lot of pictures of eachother. I tagged a couple of each of their faces, and it was 99% accurate for twin-recognition out of a about 200 photos (even when they have the same style glasses).

Insert obligatory “love the show”,

Josh
Des Moines, Iowa

We finally get to the bottom of why Apple rejected the Google Voice app, how not to get caught for being a thief over Facebook, and we have plenty of sympathy for Palm. Also, Rafe hates libraries and culture.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Google Voice rejection came from the top at Apple
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/09/fcc-releases-confidential-details-of-google-voice-app-rejection.ars
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10356432-265.html

Facebook break leads to burglary suspect
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10356117-71.html

Swedish group calls gaming addiction a ‘pandemic’ threat
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13846_3-10356098-62.html

Test-drive: Office Web Apps technical preview
http://news.cnet.com/8301-19882_3-10355890-250.html

Palm losses mount despite the Pre
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10356044-266.html

Palm abandons Windows Mobile
http://www.precentral.net/palm-abandons-windows-mobile

PSP minis lack network features for fast approval time
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/psp-minis-lack-network-features-for-fast-approval-time/

New Digsby comes clean
http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-10356011-12.html

Verizon boss hangs up on landline phone business
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/17/verizon-boss-hangs-up-on-landline-phone-business/

iPhone case that reduces radiation
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/09/17/new-60-iphone-case-apparently-reduces-radiation-by-60/

Google patented reading lists
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/google_invented_reading_lists.php
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,590,691.PN.&OS=PN/7,590,691&RS=PN/7,590,691

Gene Roddenberry’s Mac Plus is coming up for auction
http://apple.slashdot.org/story/09/09/18/0056220/Gene-Roddenberrys-Mac-Plus-Is-Coming-Up-For-Auction

Voice mail
Brian from Albany on Google making toys for geeks only

Mike from Irvine on Bing Bing Bing

E-mail
Hey Buzz Crew,

If anyone out there want to upgrade to Windows 7 and is a student (valid .edu address, but theoretically has to provide proof of enrollment on demand), you can get either Home Premium or Professional (upgrade versions) for just $30!

http://www.Win741.com

At first it may seem like only Home Premium is offered, but if you click "I need to join my network's domain" at the bottom of the page, you will be presented with Professional. Which is one of very few reasons anyone would need Professional anyway, though they could make it a bit more obvious.

Thought your listeners should hear about this!

LTS,
-Nick the Biochemistry Grad Student

**********

Honestly I don’t understand why people aren’t talking about this more.
Libraries are a community resource of technology and learning and easy to take for granted.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theworldnewser/2009/09/sign-of-the-times-philadelphias-public-library-to-close.html

On the one hand it’s great to see up close what the Geekthelibrary.org (supported by the Gates Foundation) does to support public libraries.
On the other, it’s hard to believe that America’s first library, set up by Ben Franklin, can close with very little fanfare.

Maybe Buzztown can start a campaign or just shout from Twitter or Facebook or their blogs, so this tragedy can get a voice?

Thanks-
Sheala, GA

**********

I was listening to episode 1065 and you talked about Google putting out a printer for their online books.

I work in academia and I think this is bass-ackwards. It seems like they’re trying to make books more like PDFs (or whatever format) when what I want is for PDFs to be more like books. Writing in the margins and stuff like that is great, but I can’t keep 1000 books in my laptop case, or easily search them all for a word, or quickly sort them by publication date, etc.

Shouldn’t we work at bringing desired features to the new technology not adding features to the old technology? Let’s make PDFs have the features we love about books. Otherwise it feels like adding a hand crank starter to the engine on a Prius.

Just my thoughts.

RTJ

A 4GB file can traverse 60 miles in 2 hours by pigeon, but that gets you only 4 percent of the file over the South African Internet. We also keep you up to date on new Android phones from Motorola as well as open-source map info from TomTom.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Motorola’s Android phone at Mobilize
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10344891-265.html?

Obligatory Apple recap
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10348169-37.html
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/in-qa-steve-jobs-snipes-at-amazon-and-praises-ice-cream/
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/09/09/somebody-has-to-say-it-its-time-for-itunes-lite/

With iTunes 9, Apple again disables Palm Pre sync
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/09/10/with_itunes_9_apple_again_disables_palm_pre_sync.html

Verizon makes the HTC Touch Pro2 official; September 11, $199.99
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/09/10/verizon-makes-the-htc-touch-pro2-official-september-11th-199-99/

Sprint to launch unlimited cell-to-cell calling, regardless of network
http://techvi.com/news/2009/09/sprint-to-launch-unlimited-cell-to-cell-calling-regardless-of-network/
http://www.wired.com/gadgets/miscellaneous/magazine/17-09/ts_burningquestion

Google to push micropayments for newspapers
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10349375-93.html
http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/09/google-developing-a-micropayment-platform-and-pitching-newspapers-open-need-not-mean-free/

…but it might want to get Google Checkout right, first
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10348805-265.html

TomTom Announces an Open Source GPS Technology
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/09/09/2216255/TomTom-Anounces-an-Open-Source-GPS-Technology

Cryptographic tools to keep you hidden on Facebook
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/09/09/09/1931211/Cryptographic-Tools-To-Keep-You-Hidden-On-Facebook

A few songs a day keep the doctor away
http://news.cnet.com/8301-27083_3-10348123-247.html

Pigeon beats South African DSL
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8248056.stm

BOL in 3D!
http://www.vimeo.com/3964931

VOICE MAIL
Bob from DC about new podcasts in iTunes

Josh in SLC about Utah broadband

E-MAIL
Hay Buzz Crew

In regards to the Comcast 100MBs service

In Brooklyn, NY Cablevision is offering a similar service for $79.99 a month it's called Optimum ULTRA @ 101MBs

Its sweet except for the $300 installation charge but I'll eat a onetime charge rather than a progressive $300 bill.

Thank You
Matthew C

**********

Hey Buzz crew,

As I was installing the new version of iTunes today (version 9.0), I saw something interesting. I had to accept a new EULA (which usually happens), but this time, they had a summary of the important changes over the actual legalese. This appears to be an easy way to get around the fight between a EULA that the lawyers want and one that we can understand. The only issue: you have to trust the company (in this case, Apple), that they are doing a fair job summarizing the changes.

Love the show!

Andy the biological engineering grad student from Utah

**********

hey buzzards!

you mentioned how 3D TV is being used to prevent piracy and how it
will eventually circumvented.

yes, that’s true… but it would still essentially eliminate the
distribution of cam and telesync copies of films still in theaters as
cammers wont be able to record films in this fashion. you wouldnt even
be able to film a 3D image with a 3D camera for obvious reasons
(unless it were some kind of crosseyed lens setup to somehow pinch the
alternating perspectives into a single image, a la “magic eye”
stereoscopic images. just kidding).

pirates wouldnt be able to release anything until a screener is able
to be ripped at the very least, therefore putting more reluctant
viewers into the theaters if they just cant wait for it.

just another point of view.

(obligatory) love the show!
-oakie

I'm not sure why I mentioned an actual piece of horse, but it had to do with trojan horses and mysterious laptops showing up at Governor's offices around the US. We also help you get hooked up with Snow Leopard compatibility and warn you against a couple of scary government initiatives.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Snow Leopard Application Incompatibilities Compiled
http://www.macrumors.com/2009/08/27/snow-leopard-application-incompatibilities-compiled/
http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3258

Snow Leopard’s malware protection only scans for two Trojans
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=4139

Bill would give president emergency control of Internet
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10320096-38.html

Quantum Cryptography for the Masses
http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/23317/?a=f

FBI Investigating Mystery Laptops Sent To US Governors
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/09/08/28/0210225/FBI-Investigating-Mystery-Laptops-Sent-To-US-Governors

Investor Group Makes Play For Skype
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/28/investor-group-makes-play-for-skype/

Storm 2, Touch Pro2, Omnia II and possibly the Pre – all in Verizon’s inventory database
http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/Storm-2-Touch-Pro2-Omnia-II-and-possibly-the-Pre—all-in-Verizons-inventory-database-article-a_6641.html

Yelp Brings First US Augmented Reality App to iPhone Store
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/yelp_brings_first_us_augmented_reality_to_iphone_s.php
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/the_wall_has_fallen_3_augmented_reality_apps_now_l.php

IBM Images a Single Molecule
http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/08/28/1119203/IBM-Images-a-Single-Molecule

Loch Ness Monster surfaces on Google Earth
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/08/28/google_earth_nessie/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10318790-36.html

Vote for Buzz Out Loud at SXSW 2010
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19709_1-10311505-10.html

VOICEMAIL
Anonymous solution to earbud problem

Anonymous2 on Firefox private browsing

EMAIL
Hey guys,

love the show, with Tom’s virtualization (show 1051) idea, there are a few fantastic products like Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop. With XenDesktop you get a whole virtual desktop deliver to your computer which can either run using the power of your computer or of the servers and means you can run pretty much any OS on your laptop but for company work use their virtual access, you can even access the desktop through the web so you could use a netbook .

At my current company we heavily use virtualization like this because everyone uses different operating systems but all the companies core apps are windows based, as I am writing this to you I am in the Outback of Australia using my companies internal applications through my web browser running on my Mac.

Cheers,

Ray the systems admin guy

**********

Hello Buzz Crew,

I'm not sure if this is of interest to anyone, but did you know that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is allowed to seize your laptop or other electronic device without cause when you enter the US?

This applies to everyone, US Citizens and foreign nationals. The rules were recently updated, partially under pressure from a recent ALCU lawsuit, but the ALCU wants further changes. Under the revised rules, CBP and ICE are also allowed to keep your laptop for up to 30 days to perform the search. The ACLU asserts that the rules are still too broad and have the potential for abuse.

While the occurrence of this happening appears to be quite uncommon, is does happen. The CBP reported they only did about 1,000 laptop searches during a 10 month period, and only 46 were in-depth searches. The CDP processed 221 million passengers during that same time frame. Rare as it may be, I certainly would not want to be on of the travelers who were subjected to this search and seizure of their laptop. The thing that really bothers me is they are allowed to do this without cause.

Quoting the PC world article linked below:

"CBP has asserted that it can search all files, including financial documents and Web browsing history, on travelers’ laptops and electronic devices “absent individualized suspicion.” The agency does need probable cause that a crime has been committed to seize a device."

I guess all of this is something to think about when deciding if you should take your laptop, smart phone, or any other electronic device on your next overseas trip.

Here are the relevant links:

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/170963/us_dhs_revises_border_laptop_search_rules.html
http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1251393255852.shtm http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10320116-38.html

Thanks for such an informative and fun show.

Lenny the Globetraveler

**********

I thought you guys might get a kick out of this. Two Swedish geeks spent six months putting this stop-motion music video together for their electronic music. They used a Nikon DSLR, a lot of legos, and even more patience

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qsWFFuYZYI&feature=channel_page

Thomas,
Stockholm, Sweden

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

Today, we hear how the Del Conte's deal with their enemies, find out what kind of deposit Tong makes when he visits a bank, wonder why on earth Google ever even bought the slice of AOL it just dumped, and look forward to the Pre on Verizon--but when?

EPISODE 1028

Verizon to offer Palm Pre in early 2010

Verizon changes tune on Wi-Fi

Verizon customers can sign onto Boingo

Sprint Nextel to buy Virgin Mobile USA

Texting while driving more dangerous than you think

iPhone OS 3.1 will usher in 'augmented reality' apps

Google abandons AOL investment

Google Voice pulled from iPhone

B of A to reverse policy and start closing branches--online and mobile banking the reason

Microsoft uses human computing game to tune Bing

Woman sued $50,000 for Tweet

Follow-up on Yelp lawsuits

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

Teflon Don reveals that he is well, entirely coated in Teflon. But we still don't know if the iPhone 3GS is. So if you know, tell us. We also discuss how Twitter could improve its home page and why the AP just doesn't get it.

Episode 1026

Palm Pre WebOS 1.1.0 available, fixes iTunes sync

Microsoft's code contribution due to GPL violation

Twitter to revamp home page for the masses

AP cracks down on unpaid use of articles on Web

ISP cuts off suspected pirates without warning

Bezos apologizes for Kindle 1984 redaction

LongBox aims to be iTunes for comic books

Microsoft changes "Laptop Hunters" ad after Apple complains

Wireless power system shown off

$2 million NASA power beaming challenge heating up

Cambrionix 49-port USB hub for professional nerds (thanks virgilio corrado)