Buzz Out Loud 872: Butt-squeezing death trap

It's a racy Buzz Out Loud as Natali Del Conte and Molly Wood double-team Jason Howell. Yes, by the way, that was the most blatant click-bait I've ever written. We discuss who's the bigger liar: Google or the Wall Street Journal. Plus, mobile news galore, including FCC approval of the Garmin Nuviphone. And then it gets too hot to remain in the studio and we flee to cooler climates.

EPISODE 872

Does Google want Net priority?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122929270127905065.html
http://googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.com/2008/12/net-neutrality-and-benefits-of-caching.html
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081215-google-backing-off-net-neutrality-with-isp-deal-not-really.html
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10122935-38.html

Gmail views PDFs
http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/fast-pdf-viewing-right-in-your-browser.html

Obama mobile application
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/obama_iphone_app_now_available.php

Microsoft releases its first-ever iPhone application
http://www.pcworld.com/article/155482/microsoft_releases_its_firstever_iphone_application.html

Nuvifone gets FCC approval
http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/14/garmin-nuvifone-gets-fcc-approval/

Push to talk BlackBerry
http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/sprint-launches-blackberry-curve-8350i-first-push-to-talk-black/

Estonia mobile voting
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081212/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_estonia_cellular_voting_1

Gym car looks ridiculous
http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/12/get-pumped-up-o.html

A movie about Facebook?
http://gawker.com/5109810/facebook-movie-book-deals-confirmed-by-fabricating-boston-author

Internet or sex, which would you choose?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10123138-52.html

VOICEMAIL
Roger the therapist: Fast-talking WoW stuff

E-MAIL

Hi Buzz-town -

Although attributing the increased college drop out rate to World of Warcraft addiction being completely unsubstantiated, I too think she could absolutely be right (although it would be interesting to know if there has been an steep increase in WoW subscriptions). I graduated from a 5 year Engineering program in Canada in April, during my first year I had 5 friends who played Final Fantasy XI (although its not WoW, its similar) - 2 of them failed out in first year, and a third failed out 2 years later. During our last two years my remaining gaming friends quit playing FFXI and switched to WOW, although I wouldn’t describe most of their behavior as an addiction - it was a little excessive. My only friend who still plays the game after graduation from University, is very involved in game and is a the guild leader of a 100+ member guild - unfortunatly hes having trouble striking a balance between relationships online/ingame and those in the non-virtual world. We haven’t lost our friend yet, but I can see how easily it could happen.

oh and I love the show.

Jillian

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Hey buzz Crew:
Today, I finally gave up, and tried to download Google chrome to test if it's better than Opera (I think opera is so much better and cooler that Firefox), then what the .... ?
Google has blocked Iran's IP range or maybe as I have searched the whole middle east IP rang, and we can not download the browser, why Google why? Why? Why? Why Google why? We are blocked?
To make sure I connected a VPN with USA IP address that I use to watch Hulu.com and get past the stupid filtering, and then I was able to download it, so only USA? Or every where except Middle East and Iran?
Siavash
It’s true!
http://www.surfchrome.com/index.php/home/news-list-mode/89-google-chrome-blacklists-syria-iran-north-korea-and-more

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While it’s good to get it out of Beta, the real answer as to why - may be Android.

It is very likely Android will be moving to PC platforms in the next few years - maybe not in time for Windows7, but by 2010? Netbooks first, maybe low end desktops as well. The leap from smartphone to netbook cannot be that far away, with their closed and proprietary components(no dealing with every random driver out there, yet). Why not push hard to get it out before Windows7? Undercut them, remove a LOT of their thunder, and be a real competitor.

Once you do that, you get a netbook loaded with Google Apps, Docs, Gears, Talk, Chrome. Everything most basic users need. Keep an eye as to when Docs goes live, and Android development.

Of course, theory only - but sure does sound interesting, right?

–dave

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It’s been almost two years since the CES where we reviewed Digeo’s Moxi, a CableCard DVR that could finally bring some competition to the market that TiVo’s been holding. Last week, with little fanfare, Digeo soft-launched the Moxi on Amazon, and a full launch is expected next month. It’s a far sleeker device than what we reviewed last year–perhaps the outcome of the company’s refocusing efforts at the start of this year. The bad news is that it’s $800 (TiVo Series 3’s initial price point), and it won’t order pizza from Domino’s. The good news is that there are no additional monthly subscription fees for TV listings and updates, and it includes 500GB of storage that you can extend using any eSATA drive. Add that all up, and it’s actually cheaper than TiVo’s new high-capacity unit with lifetime service.

Whatever the price, I’m happy to see a new consumer DVR option in the market. TiVo’s been alone on retail shelves for quite some time now, and it’s time they see some competition in this space. In the long run, I think it will be good for everyone.

Richard Gunther
Washington, D.C.

P.S. I had to have it, so I ordered one, and it’s tracking to arrive today. Besides, I don’t really like Domino’s anyway.

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Wow - I listened to Thursday’s podcast (episode 870) as I was walking Sander (my dog) and all I can say is wow. When I got home I checked the mirror for my scarlet A.

I don’t know how it went from a funny idea I had while out “in the wild” with my NetBook to me looking to steal husbands, but dang - not what was intended! In fact, I wasn’t even thinking of the idea for myself - just as a funny idea. Mostly b/c it allowed me to suggest an online dating site with Matchbook in the name!

Also, while I’m complaining - I’m bummed that Molly wasn’t there on Wednesday to appreciate the fact that my netbook fits in almost all my purses - that’s almost the best part!

Cheers,

Hester (AKA Heather in Boston)

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Hey JaMoTo??,

In the last few weeks many of the members of Buzz Town have been creating there own vertions of “In the wild BINGO.” There have been many places that the BINGO cards can be found so, i created a category on the buzz town wiki where anyone can index there BINGO cards in one place. The index can be found at http://buzzoutloud.wikia.com/wiki/Category:BOL_Bingo.

lightningboy7

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Hey Guys,

I was browsing the internet when I can across a mug that says on one side “In These Troubled Times” and the other side it says “DRINK!”. Just thought that I should run this by you guys. LINK: http://www.zazzle.com/in_these_troubled_times_mug-168795800428642129

Steve