Buzz Out Loud 1558: Dish and Blockbuster: meh? (Podcast)

Dish and Blockbuster announce their Netflix-killing movie delivery and streaming plan, but it's kind of a letdown unless you're a really happy Dish subscriber. HP puts Meg Whitman in charge and boots Leo Apotheker, which no one seems all that happy about except maybe HP's wildly dysfunctional board. The entire foundation of the world and physics is rocked by the possibility of particles that can travel faster than light, but mostly, you just wish we could go back in time and un-announce that the show's going weekly. Hey, but bonus show Monday! See you then!

Watch this: Ep. 1558: Dish and Blockbuster: meh?

58:51

Podcast

Subscribe: 

NEWS

Dish Network and Blockbuster to take on Netflix
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20110446-266/dish-network-and-blockbuster-to-take-on-netflix-live-blog/?tag=topTechContentWrap;editorPicks

Netflix split to set up Amazon streaming merger?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20110165-93/netflix-split-to-set-up-amazon-streaming-merger/?tag=topTechContentWrap;editorPicks

HP Names Meg Whitman President and Chief Executive Officer
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2011/110922xb.html?mtxs=rss-corp-news
http://allthingsd.com/20110922/its-official-meg-whitman-named-hp-ceo-apotheker-out/
http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/22/good-luck-me/

The following HP letter was sent to us from Jaleel

Dear HP Employees:

This afternoon, HP issued a press release announcing my resignation as president and CEO, positions I have held with great honor this past year. Meg Whitman will assume the role of president and CEO.

As you know, Meg is a technology visionary with a proven track record of execution and has served HP well as a member of the board for the past eight months. Meg will be supported by a broad and deep management team, and I have the utmost confidence that HP will succeed in executing its strategic evolution.

On a personal level, I cannot begin to express the admiration I have for all of you - and what you have accomplished together. Over the past year, we were tasked with developing a strategic vision for HP and I know we have made important contributions to the company's future.

Your efforts on behalf of HP and your dedication to our customers have inspired me - and I am confident that HP has a bright future because of the talented people that come to work here every day. Thank you for your commitment to HP and for your dedication in serving HP's customers and partners. It has been a tremendous honor and a pleasure to work with you here at HP.

Sincerely,

Léo Apotheker

Facebook announces Timeline, Open Graph, many other changes
http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=10150289612087131
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-20110176-52/at-f8-facebook-announces-timeline/
http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20110284-285/five-things-to-know-about-the-new-facebook/
http://thisismynext.com/2011/09/22/facebook-social-app/
http://mashable.com/2011/09/22/new-facebook-open-graph/
http://thisismynext.com/2011/09/22/facebook-music-spotify-rdio-mog/

Spotify Will No Longer Be Invite Only In The US, And Users Get Their First Six Months Of Service Free
http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/22/spotify-is-no-longer-invite-only-in-the-us-and-users-get-their-first-six-months-of-service-free/

Defect in Wintek-made touch panels may influence initial iPhone 5 shipments
http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20110922PD207.html

Survey: 31 percent of Android users eyeing switch to iPhone
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-20110693-251/survey-31-percent-of-android-users-eyeing-switch-to-iphone/?tag=cnetRiver

Apple’s iPhone has 89% retention rate, next nearest hardware is HTC at 39%
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/09/22/apples_iphone_has_89_retention_rate_next_nearest_hardware_is_htc_at_39.html

Science

Weird particles can travel faster than light, test suggests
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016290580_speed23.html

Nasa satellite could fall to Earth late Friday
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/sep/23/nasa-satellite-could-fall-friday?newsfeed=true

STEPHEN’S VIDEO PICK OF THE WEEK

Sent to us by Chris Lampe & Craig Happ

Video Voice Mail from Craig Happ from Missoula, MT

VOICEMAIL

Brandon from Ohio has some thoughts on the Facebook redesign

Video Voice mail from Tom Merrit the Doppleganger from Jolly Old England

Mr Tim is bummed about the show

Cleatus from Augusta Georgia says goodbye to BOL Daily

No Bol for a week…AHHHHHH

EMAILS

Dear BOL:
At first I thought the new facebook timeline sounded interesting, but the more I listened, the more creepy it sounded. It will provide easy access to everything you’ve done on facebook, ever? This sounds like a friend who says “”You know all those conversations we’ve ever had? I was recording them, and now I’ve put them all on a dvd so I can watch them anytime I want, and I gave copies to all your friends and all my friends so they can all replay them all too.”" In a word, eww.

Love the show,

Carlie

—–

Hey Buzz Crew,

Apparently everyone hates the Facebook changes, but kinda like them. The fact that I can now easily highlight certain types of posts as “”"”Top Stories”"”" is nice. Facebook will use its algorithm to slowly figure out what I actually want to see. Before, I had to look at Top News and just go with whatever they threw at me. It got annoying having to switch to Recent Posts Every. Single. Time. Also, the new lists got me to organize my friends into groups for the first time ever, letting me look at the stuff from just my Closest Friends very easily.

I will admit that the Ticker is annoying how it follows you down the page, blocking the other info (like events) on that side severely, but since most of that stuff over there is just advertisements, I find that I really don’t care all that much.

I do like to move the furniture in a room every once in a while because the new look is always shocking in a good way.

Love the show,
Nick from Tampa

—–
Good morning, Molly, Brian and Stephen :)

Well, it was a hell of a run- almost six years of daily shows! Astounding! Considering how much work is involved in prepping and producing a daily indeterminate-length show, frankly I’m surprised it lasted as long as it did.

The fact that it did, I feel, is the most telling sign that BOL is truly a labor of love; you guys are clearly as dedicated to us as we are to you, and I’m sure this wasn’t an easy decision.

Yea, it’s a change, and while haters gonna hate, anyone who is a true fan of the show obviously respects your livelihoods above their daily tech-buzz blood-lust.

So, instead of waxing poetic about the good old times or eulogizing on something that isn’t ending, I’ll just say:

Thank You.

I, for one am really excited about the upcoming new content, and I can’t wait to check it out!

Love,
Dr. Karl

—–

Woof (Hi),
Just a quick couple of points from a concerned canine in the UK.
i) In episode 1557 Adam Curry commented that your listeners should get out more - my owner always listens to BOL whilst taking me for my daily walk, managing to do 3 things at once - exercising me, getting some fresh air & getting "educated" all at the same time. Who says men can't multitask!

ii) BOL only happening once a week is seriously going to affect my fitness as the length of my daily walk is predicated on my master having suitable tech related podcast material to listen to. An episode of TNT on it's own will just not cut it

Thanks,
Barney

—–

Hey BOL,

When you guys announced that you were going weekly instead of daily I think I went into mourning. I just had this feeling of dread kind of hanging around in my head and when I focus on why I feel so down I then remember. I won’t have you everyday. I hate change. I Hate Change!

I just want you to know that you make my day. I look forward to hearing what you have to say about what is going on. In other words I Love the show.

I have no choice but to accept it so I’ll be here,

Teresa

Ps. My kids (26 & 27) call you all ‘The babbling nerds’.

—–

Dear Buzz Crew,

With you guys changing to a weekly podcast, I wanted to tell you about how important you guys are to me. I started listening to you in 8th grade. I was very lonely in 8th grade and I had no friends to talk to. The whole year I was in a deep depression. I walked through the halls of my school with no one to talk to and no friends to turn to. For months I was battling thoughts of suicide and often thought about how I would do it. I had even written the note I would leave for my parents. I started listening to BOL and you guys became the friends I never had. You have helped me get through the hardest years of my life. I would say that one of the reasons I am still here today is because I got to hear your voices everyday and would laugh all the time when I would listen to you guys. My thoughts finally subsided after freshman year and one thing that I will remember forever is when you played my call which was me dissing the iPhone 4 because I got a Droid Incredible for 16th birthday (Ep. 1256). It was the best birthday gift I have ever recieved. You are my family BOL, I love you guys and would do anything for you. You saved my life and I will never forget that. I will listen no matter what changes you make and hope you know that I will forever be your fan. Thank you Buzz Out Loud crew. I can never repay you for how much you’ve impacted my life but I can say one thing…Love the show.

Your friend, fan and Listener,
Jake from Chicago

—–

So, I turn forty today and this day marks the end of your daily podcasts and the term “”antibirthday present”" is coined (probably).

This antibirthday present of yours means that I may no longer look forward to daily indeterminate moments of utter escape from an otherwise pedestrian existence. At times the only thing to put a smile on my face, for entire days, during “”these uncertain times”" was a well delivered “”Molly Rant”", poorly executed rendition of some song that NostraTongus thought he could sing or the pleasing sound of Steven’s voice after he expertly took over producing my favorite cnet program.

I’m afraid it’s all down hill from here….

…for me anyway.

Sent from the palm of Scott Smith

Post Script,
It is my hope that all of your future endeavors find you well, and I look forward to many more hundreds of episodes of Buzz Out Loud.

Post Post Script,

Oh ya, I’ve been drinkin’!

It is my birthday after all.

—–

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

Follow us on Twitter: @mollywood @brian_tong @stephenbeacham