Buzz Out Loud 1556: Google+ and Facebook: headed for a showdown (Podcast)

We're looking ahead to Facebook's F8 conference, where we're expecting all new buttons, tons of data porn, and ever more personalized advertising. Google is also looking ahead to Facebook's F8 conference, by opening Google+ to everyone and making hangouts even more awesome. Plus, we imagine a world in which AT&T's ongoing efforts to push through the T-Mobile acquisition could actually result in increased competition and a smaller, less terrifying incarnation of AT&T itself. And then we crack ourselves up. Also, yeah, Fordo's still going.

Watch this: Ep. 1556: Google+ and Facebook: headed for a showdown

48:39

Podcast

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NEWS

Google+: 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99… 100. http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/google-92-93-94-95-96-97-98-99-100.html

Is Google’s CEO nonplussed by Google+? http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-20107787-71/is-googles-ceo-nonplussed-by-google/

Source: Facebook To Launch Read, Listened, Watched, And Want Buttons
http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/19/facebooks-new-buttons/

Facebook to Launch "Major" Profile Redesign at f8 http://mashable.com/2011/09/19/facebook-profile-redesign-f8/

CHART OF THE DAY: Facebook’s Huge Trove Of Photos In Context
http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-the-largest-photo-libraries-in-the-world-2011-9

WSJ Social, For a World Where Facebook Is the New Internet
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2011/09/19/wsj-social-for-a-world-where-facebook-is-the-new-internet/

AT&T Said to Seek Asset Sales to Save Bid for T-Mobile
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-18/at-t-said-to-approach-smaller-rivals-to-sell-assets-save-bid-for-t-mobile.html

Cellular South Sues AT&T to Block Planned $39 Billion Purchase of T-Mobile
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-19/cellular-south-inc-sues-to-block-at-t-s-purchase-of-t-mobile.html

HP Cutting 500 Jobs at webOS Division (Updated)
http://allthingsd.com/20110919/layoffs-at-hps-palm-division/

Hewlett-Packard Shows Hazard of Sharing LinkedIn Profiles: Tech
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/hewlettpackard-shows-hazard-of-sharing-linkedin-profiles-tech-09202011.html

Pew: One-third surveyed prefer texting to talking http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20108461-1/pew-one-third-surveyed-prefer-texting-to-talking/?ttag=fbw
http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Cell-Phone-Texting-2011.aspx

Quick Hits

Google’s Schmidt to Face Off Against Congress Wednesday http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393194,00.asp

Angry Birds’ May Slingshot Into Starbucks in Retail Expansion
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/angry-birds-may-slingshot-into-starbucks-in-retail-expansion-09192011.html

Foursquare Now Keeps Home Addresses Private http://mashable.com/2011/09/19/foursquare-home-privacy/

A million check-ins isn't cool. You know what's cool? http://blog.foursquare.com/2011/09/20/billion/

Windows 8 developer tablets popping up on eBay http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20108762-75/windows-8-developer-tablets-popping-up-on-ebay/

VOICEMAIL

Fordo Calls in about Netflix

Holt from Missoouri wants to know whats gonna happen to Comp Love

EMAILS

Hello Molly and Brian

I know everyone is bashing on Netflix but i think they are paying attention to something that everyone is ignoring. Mainly the postal cutbacks these will affect the DVD delivery service in two ways. 1st the post office has announced a massive cutback in the number of processing centers. they have said that the closures will essentially add one day to delivery times, so what used to take two days to receive will now take 3. The second part is the cutback of Saturday delivery. When you combine both things you will have a massive cumulative slowdown in the delivery and return of DVDs. By the way i am traveling through San Francisco on the Way to New Zealand on Nov 3rd and would love to be an audience member.

Regards
Thomas Carden

—–

First off, for the absolutely stellar discussion on the Netflix news yesterday. Seriously, bravo. It was the perfect mix of delivering the news, giving as balanced an opinion as one could muster, and just the right amounts of levity and pirate-speak. And that’s why we love you!
Anyway, gratuitous brown-nosing aside, here’s where I sit. After the price hike/share holder meeting bull hockey, I decided to switch to streaming only. I know the catalog sucks, but the DVDs just sat on my kitchen counter for weeks. I think when there’s a physical reminder that you aren’t using something that you pay for, the constant reminder gets to you quicker (unlike my gym membership for example, lol).
But now with the whole Qwikster curveball, now that the additional wave of fury has blown over me, I think I might switch back to discs only for two reasons: 1. As a casual gamer I’ve always been intrigued by GameFly but didn’t play enough to merit a monthly fee, with this I can switch between games and movies for one fee that I’m already paying (GameFly killer, and go sho). 2. The streaming catalog really sucks, and im convinced that it’s just not going to improve. Between the douchiness of the content companies, and the empty promises/gravitas of the Netflix CEO, I’ve basically lost hope for now, so until there are rally compelling choices to stream, I’m out! Plus now I’ll get to play Gears 3 and Dead Island without forking over 100+ bucks! Boom!
Love, as always,
Dr. Karl :)

—–

Hey Buzz Crew,

On Monday's show Molly was talking about how her keyboard is not working properly on her Droid X. I happen to work in tech support at a Verizon Wireless call center and found that Motorola released an update on the 14th that should fix the keyboard. I haven't gotten any calls about the keyboard issues since, so it will most likely work. If it doesn't work, most of the keyboard issues can be fixed by going to settings, applications, manage applications and then scroll under the all category to find multi-touch keyboard and press clear data. This has worked with every customer that has called into me so far.
Chris from Atlanta, GA”

—–

Hey Buzzers,
In response to the story about Comcast and Verizon being close to a deal to use the Xbox as a set top box, I have to call them late to the party. AT&T has had this feature for their Uverse for probably close to a year. A friend if mine has his set up that way. And yep, no monthly fee for it so he saves the cost of a receiver. Love the show and I’m sure I’ll love the weekly version.

Brandon from Grand Rapids, MI

Sent from my iPhone
http://www.att.com/u-verse/explore/xbox-receiver.jsp#fbid=KG0yjHpODG4

—–

That was either some unintentional humor, or sheer genius, to follow up the Netflix/Qwikster lengthy discussion with a lengthy reminder on the format changes for the show. Let's check the parallels, shall we?

• Angering & disappointing the customers / fan base with large changes? Check!
• Reducing the amount of content offered? Check!
• Destroying the brand equity that's been built up & beloved by the fans by changing the core of what is offered? Check!
• Going from one of the most popular brands in your particular space to just another option? Check!
• Claiming that the changes will be for the best in the long run, despite their overwhelming unpopularity? Check!

That's some funny stuff right there. Just ignore the fact that I'm typing this through my tears. I swear I'm just crying from the laughing! Or maybe that's a sign that I'm ready to move from the "depression" stage to "acceptance" and complete my grief journey!

Tim Jahr (from Fort Wayne, IN)

—–

Hey buzzards (that’s what it sounds like whenever anyone writes in saying “”buzzers”"),
I just wanted to say how much I did a sadface when I heard y’all were going weekly. I’m at work from 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon doing nothing but putting a little boxes into bigger boxes. I will only be doing this until I get out of college, but in the meantime it is a mind numbingly boring and monotonous task. I’m allowed to listen to things on my Android-powered phone, but I’m not an avid music-fan and I BLAZED through my brother’s 50+ Audible books (at 40 hours a week) in less than six months and the podcast y’all produce is what kept me going.
You know what? Fine. Switch to weekly. I’m going to punish you by reducing your listener attendance and only listening to one episode you produce a week. Ha!
P.S.
I called, but the mailbox was full.
Sad, But Still Love the Show,
-A Dude (from a place).
—–

http://bol.cnet.com, 800-616-2638 (CNET), buzz@cnet.com

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