Ep. 1334: In which we fondle and drool over the MacBook Air

Today is Thursday October when the first place that. And -- Gonzales I'm Donald bell time -- -- and welcome to buzz out loud cnet's podcast of indeterminate length episode 1334. Donald thanks for coming in -- Molly could not be with us today. And she would not be with us tomorrow -- but we'll be back on Monday and that's what will Molly we mollified we. He's gonna -- by. So yesterday while we were on the show Steve Jobs look they're showing the MacBook into edition. Which we have we have the air right for the day and it's the -- it plays. Cut the fruit picking fruit in just been a fixture here it is everybody -- and -- spent a second elements to the other side isn't -- oversee the that -- thing. If you actually countless -- on camera spectacular camera extending about say here what it. So again it's Donald now the you know people are asking ask the charm for the show started. Why are you department does does anybody care here's the thing. Everybody knows. -- I mean how I feel that Apple like approach but I hate the company and I really want this like this product with this -- yesterday because it's under powered guns -- two. Now we have the machine here. Man -- -- -- chemical it's really solid it's really small the screen is gorgeous the keyboard is big enough it's the -- if the real size you know Mac keyboard. It's expensive but. It's a nice nice machine can you mad as regular video both sides are really with price that scene as like the -- instead of like twice as much like they've really made this their net book. It would five but I think they wouldn't do it because they wouldn't want to do anything to that. You know thought that's -- they -- you know iPad actually don't think that compresses any lower than me where they compress it much slower than it is right now. If that this policy -- yet. And that's machine we've shown in and on yeah well it's instant on is -- that's the boots with who cares if the Mac you've booted and union you don't and turn it off. This is the machine from institute -- it predicts when -- about the opening. -- an accident and you know what I believe Apple has a patent Diana proximity sensor on the outside so like there's a little preview what's analyst Karsten. It weighs nothing. In effect Erica yeah but and act like she -- couple tournaments around which the usual we -- -- basket full. Yeah they're they're handing out like candy it's likely that the Pfizer drug guys -- by the -- for. Got -- -- I always miss out when the drug guys come by and when we come I would even though the MacBook baskets have been you know. -- he's got a port to run but we think. Austin. And I really like initiatives. It's just the right science. And it's really nice yeah and it'll fit my bag and if -- -- it -- trying. Yeah I I I kinda like that -- -- you know it for the price but on maybe a little bit of it if it does. Unanimous. Three for three you can hang -- for the liking of the price dropping a boat that. Alright -- -- more Apple news the a couple of things have come out about the announcements from. The -- note yesterday. Not necessarily as positive as our initial take on the air here and there is a gigantic as being called by many people's security hole. In face time for the Mac. Face time is the you know that the right thing partitioning that you can now you could always -- on your iPhone for now you yet for the Mac as well it's in beta you can download it. But you might not want to because. If you run a face time on a Mac. If anybody -- see your faith. Yes which is bad enough that they know the problem is with face time is that say you install -- -- -- And then you walk away from your Mac in your office then somebody comes by fires of faith and they can change your iTunes password without knowing your original password. And once that happens they can charge a bunch of stuff to your iTunes account or -- pain or or whatever. It's all face time is missing is enter your original password to change your. You or to change the past -- to a new password but is a very big security flaw in easily fixable so I would wait for the update. That and Nelson you're suggesting earlier to me for years you compute -- -- protected or that yes which nobody does them an idea of them I'm paranoid. But nobody does that on the Mac you name -- after protect it because they editing out more trustworthy people I suppose. Yes than I do I have I have my associates -- are wretched -- of them ability -- and yet. Not at the Indian excellence I think that Apple is probably -- -- and then it pretty quickly -- yet but. That's tonight kind of dumb thing for them to -- out there if they're pretty you get the data that's -- this has -- and rate. They are however making -- more calculated move. In some of the other things. That have come out of since yesterday. As we know their -- announcing new store the launch pad which according to buy in email Bloomberg allred. Trademark on an -- anyway. One of the things about launch pad is that as in -- less in the violence. Store. There are certain restrictions and one of the things that Apple says is that -- -- apt to be in launch pad. Of the store you can't use certain technologies including what they called replicated. Or optional install technologies. So. Flash. And now. Java because Java has been officially implicated in line and Apple -- that we may not updated in the future. So I'll make an optional -- -- still be able to run -- can still run flash but if you're application uses either of those technologies. You can't get in the app store you'll have to go -- Cro -- and download the -- location manually. Right also say for the record I totally call it. Really yeah back in the day as -- black and -- me -- -- -- give masses last week that my story. Has been like that Apple will eventually get people to realize that. Apps where Gateway drug backed applications Newton thought yeah. And this is kind of their first that the lake Abner -- that app store experience I think much -- how about that but -- grown up application. But this is I. I think this is kind of important because again it it's. The real reason I believe that Apple does this has nothing to do with performance or security or anything like that mean my conspiracy theory on this is that. Apple wants people to develop on platforms that only run an Apple so they can to cross platform development and it forces developers to choose. This or that -- so I can't develop and I can't do -- job Apple or flash app. And get it where I want it to be so I have to make the choice and that means choosing against the computing -- from the very clever. Let me apples also historically suffered from not exciting of application developers too much consist not a lot of money to be -- developing applications or Mac. Right and what they've shown is like look -- India -- not only a hot. -- to develop your app. For a portable devices. Pollution that -- -- like. The back fuel our previous product the Mac in an enterprise the Mac product and you can develop full application can take advantage of all these systems we have in place now. To make you -- to money I think what Apple's trying to do is show. The same formula like look we can -- you a bunch of money if you come over to our way of doing things right and and now we've got this storefront where. You know even though people could have bought their -- your your application already and download -- for the Mac. The magic of the the Apple -- storefront just seems to attract. People like mark the little flames so -- will well you know you'll you'll make -- per app. But you'll sell so many more they -- you literally will probably probably make it up volume now. Anyway will we come back terrific -- break we come back FaceBook reminds all their. LGB key users not to let themselves be bullied and then goes -- -- give her again anyway we'll tell you more after this right. Well FaceBook has -- Taken some good strides here to encourage its. Users who are gay -- in the LG BT community to to remind them that they they should not and should not let themselves be -- on FaceBook network so there are these features they've this new thing called FaceBook. -- just page. It says there's a block feature there's a way to report harassment. There occurred during their users to stick up for others if they see abuse bullying happening this is all. All great stuff you know as the world is coming out to tell tell people that you know it gets better tomorrow he or there'll be better day -- -- great stuff. Unfortunately the same day -- shortly after this story comes out. Here read and valley -- that there is a bit of an issue with the way FaceBook is handling. It's. Preference sexual preference which you can go into FaceBook and say that your interest in people of the same gender -- you. And make that private so that only your family or friends -- closest friends can see that if you set your privacy. Things correctly. Now. That's fine the the issue though is if -- if your on your page and you click on an advertisement. That advertisement may be good targeted towards gay people and you don't know it because it doesn't say hate gay people it just it's an ad but ad in the -- -- -- -- with its target towards certain. Number a certain demographic. If you click on that -- You are -- telling the advertiser that you fit their demographic of who they're looking for Maine now because they have to refer user user ID. Apparently they -- may know exactly what you prep. And even though you may be trying to keep it in the club so you could be. A gay teenager trying to keep your identity and sexual identity completely private attempt to most everybody except me because as soon as someone shows basement some money saying like -- -- really want they have -- product -- gay teenagers can help us out. And they think well tell them that the path to getting -- that Donny and that's the least charitable interpret a yeah I don't think in this particular case that FaceBook is trying to out its users I think that the advertisers and and that nobody here think the advertisers are actually trying to exploit this but some people pointed out that there is a potential flaw. And that this could be exploited and that clicking on ads could be. A you could be outing yourself appetizers inadvertently. And once you've done that now and you've you've you've confirm that to that advertiser that you are that the Democrat they've gone after him unique. They don't have anything buying them not to use that information and -- that there'd. Third parties their justice r.s that the information that that data banks -- kind of keep track ball information. You know well when you click on an -- you're saying you its its intention thing I've I'm interested in this and then advertisers can use that information. However they want whatever the faithful contract says one thing with Eric -- end -- doing with that is another bright but. And once even though yeah it is through the you can't do -- you -- you click sign that you've got -- that title whenever that that your own and with that website kind of separate from is that. It is still tracking you from over from Facebook's image you came or from the it -- -- advertising campaign. So it's. -- Facebook's role in this isn't completely. Wiped out photo editor on a FaceBook has a responsibility to know how people could misuse the system men and one of the things that FaceBook is doing that there is a developer -- -- just went up. Saying that FaceBook now in light of not much of this issue but the issue from the -- -- -- Wall Street Journal reported that I'm. FaceBook. -- through applications is ending up. And -- -- username and through a flaw in the architecture -- URLs on the Internet. Is -- FaceBook is now looking at ways to encrypt FaceBook -- eats. So that when they were. Her refer community that refer -- and the deferral. For -- -- bar when the referring URL goes out. And it and use use the user ID then that could end up being encrypted so it doesn't you can't then match it back to the username -- -- the FaceBook is trying to their credit to. Kind of patch up these holes in the building so fast -- -- -- -- -- Interesting report which I. Kind of hard to -- here. What is -- -- -- is saying that Netflix streaming represents more than 20%. Of Internet downstream traffic during peak times in the US. Which is prime time eight pentium right. Napster if you Netflix where you he -- prime time I guess when you -- you anyway. It says that North American households use a median. On average median of four gigabytes a month of Internet bandwidth in Asia Pacific meeting its twelfth while. And Netflix is 20%. Of that. In in heavy duty time. Isn't -- and is it it speaks well of Netflix is strategy of the past years ago on its -- devices possible. You know I love -- broken out. Per device -- -- like what they're using for streaming what is the computer. Or Xbox. Or you know -- to whatever it is actually provide in the stream button. It also pretty awesome that they can serve all these people 20% of on the Internet and at the sister in law. Via mostly well -- But the ISPs are like them -- -- Netflix for that. That's a lot that's -- that's that hefty chunk -- bandwidth via. Meanwhile Netflix is also saying that it could be watching streaming only subscriptions in the US. This year. So we we. Were -- -- fun of them. Of that but because they launched a they -- -- to Canada -- and the service was our last the lowest level of service of the dollar less -- but that wasn't streaming service yet. So they got again Canada gets you know. They get streaming only service first and I think and other places you can get stream only that but I'm I'm all favorite stream only that but it's up for the fact that this election and streaming isn't as big youth looks on the dvds and it will probably make this member of bella. And at the -- -- the 20%. If you get cheaper plan to get one you'll buying area and and -- -- Yesterday we reported that. Angry birds -- sold to electronic arts we broke into the podcast the report that -- Rovio -- Rovio which is the developer. Things that were carefully and developer angry birds put up a post Twitter post later -- -- -- -- I think every tweet -- we have not sold out they said we have not sold -- What happen. Was that electronic arts -- she lingo which is. The -- a publisher of angry birds to their distribution channels and to lingo by the way I think also owns. What that one cut the -- now which is the up and -- game sounds like a bad white -- need. To Africa -- The -- had connected now well. -- the only kind of -- idea anyway so you're given that so. So to lingo goes the EA and -- -- it of publisher I get the distributor of content including in some cases angry birds. But angry birds itself remains independent and and can continue to control it's in it's game. One of which is a new version of angry birds for Halloween. Spooky -- -- birds is another dollar another dollar audio pocket into -- pocketbook. And it's only on -- as an iPad and iPhone. And there's no Java no Java and no flash now Android at least not yet. So you can get. It's an interesting because the thing -- -- -- is once you own it every now and then they -- you levels. Chair and you paid a dollar two dollars whatever what you pay for when -- -- new level this is it forever. This is the first time that they're telling people may already have the product already paid them you gotta pay -- the gets it gives the moment. More than her flaming pumpkin so let me -- -- -- -- -- player. I love with the -- dollar. That's that's the insidious part about it five million dollar break -- its pocket change. If I could actually can put my clients into my iPhone. Like polish the a pop icons are dirty enough they don't need like the weird change like the nuclear. On the side of it don't give. Wouldn't be a nickel slot a -- like between auto reorder its. Don't give jobs any ideas and because that is actually you know -- you can photographed checked them all right at net net. -- can look geeky but as of Nickels and quarters of death. So. The avid and fascinating story of corporate action financial shenanigans. Don't you -- those imaginary. So Bloomberg is reporting that thanks to international tax -- loop -- and some scary scary smart -- people at Google. Google pays. 2.4 percent. In -- Or protect to do you pay 2.4 percent. My I I feel like you point 4%. I would wager that most of us here in the Truman -- -- -- pay on average ten times that tax rate. Google is they. Global company and what they're doing something called a -- a strategy called I had heard double Irish or -- and which don't yet have -- explain this -- and don't look goes up on Google it's reduced -- over overseas tax rates are dismayed but not not if you're tired after overseas tax rate 22 point 4% by shuffling money around eventually to Bermuda their money laundering maybe -- -- a reason to go to China and then come back with just though I -- to money. Eighteen it may be the avidly we know this is gonna work out but let's just shuffled onto money -- Google's overseas tax rate of two and 2.4 percent is the lowest of the top five -- technology companies by market capitalization. Man -- smart beat it by the way the US corporate income tax without leaving but he paid but that the flat US money for you or did you can't help it get. Suggested donation. It's 35% in the UK actually 8% man. So 2.4 percent for overseas income somewhat less -- what -- I mean Google is such like a like a crown jewel of the US tech economy you know like I can understand that -- we can't afford for it to fail kind of mentality but we can now economic and my -- I -- the -- until the US tech economy is not giving us sixty billion dollars that they would otherwise have if they were doing your taxes in a more straightforward fashion right that's going to distort sixty billion dollars in lost after. I I totally see that but I can also see like that that trembling fear though being cited if -- who was like okay well we're off to Sweden and you can't help lower -- some other more tax friendly you know what they would say well you know self driving cars for you can't deport them. But this move everything international waters and that that the attack that they would build their own island it would be Google I don't and we're already got the overseas wind farm are the only offshore wind farms you're right. -- -- just put -- server sometime in the land yeah yeah and now they're printing their own money. It is it is frustrating Google books the give us the money Google. We deserve it in in somewhat related Google news. Speaking of Google overseas. You know remember the whole Wi-Fi street view. What does that actually not weapons or sorry the this the Germans in particular were up in arms over global taking street view pictures of them and they gave German. Terms -- -- their houses out of street view. Apparently. Almost 3%. Of Germans of German -- so old owners have taken that option 3% in mind. 244240. Households have opted out of having their picture. Pictures of a house on Google street view some kinky -- out there. They don't want -- to extricate -- when they. You know it's okay if the -- seasons beacon across the -- of again. They don't want that on the Internet and not going there I would just say however that if if what you're concerned about is Google having a picture of your house the front of the house should be believe your problem when I want to block Google from would want to -- Law school from -- I care -- early. Is the argue from the fact. Here because that's what nobody. That's when people can see you -- collection of Barbie dolls and has -- years. Pupils the ripple -- that trek enterprise that the and am -- -- outage hit it. It's filled with giant life size has retreat re creations. In good news clear wire says -- they've got up 200 megabytes per second wireless broadband. On their new LTE network. In Phoenix. Now keep in mind this is on -- largely. On congested network but the fact that -- hundred megabytes is great news is a lot of retirees in Phoenix though rate. Yet -- lot Internet. And get -- a -- the 95. And -- We gotta move. Because I mean here we are we are I mean I can barely get a data connection on my iPhone and here in Phoenix we've got a hundred megabit. How -- and it's -- Netflix without -- -- it exactly you know. If that HD quality are -- -- -- you could move to Stanford housing project where Google itself is putting in one Gigabit. Ethernet to help I'm sure there -- disputing that the tax shelter. Yeah. They'll wait campaign ads that look at -- in -- or to the government if you Google came from Stanford this is their way of giving back. And -- Gigabit for all you professors are living on the Stanford campus. I don't try it. In hybrid news General Electric is rolling out a hybrid like -- It's got an internal combustion engine not -- it's. If it charges electricity know the hybrid like of the problem with C -- health complex compact fluorescent lightbulbs -- it is. Apparently to some people that when you turn on the bald. It takes a few seconds port to charge up and come to full brightness that fluorescent the quality to where -- Yeah warms up it warms up in the could take -- couple seconds get that 90% -- minute or two to go to 400%. Google realized I'd go okay that Google is not building like a -- are thought maybe. General Electric realizes that we are an impatient lot and they are solution to this is putting in the middle of this CF help to deal with the -- -- -- -- That when you turn on the switch the how -- Ball comes on because they come up -- full brightness right away. And then once the CFL's warmed up you've got full brightness and -- -- -- -- entrance -- Critical. Goofy goofy -- in. And neither of those light sources Meeks delay it any more attractive either I mean that's might compel existing complain of -- are nice -- Of course the you know you'd knocked on over your house catches fire instantly all right nine billion degrees with the -- That's the meat is appointee and how it it has an excellent on the evening and at that it's them them as warm -- that's -- Not as -- -- blue he would but it now. But. They feel billed balance out eventually go after the CFO warms up halogen can. -- you know what this means. If you're trying to take pictures in that house these days just give up turn up although I think bring your own flash cuts come on the -- that white balance will be -- -- the right exactly you'll look great at first and annually in McCall greenish. Very rich state that it felt throughout a lot of electromagnetic and another. In my -- -- in appearance. No idea how much in the -- -- -- in on future -- or instant full brightness if you get tax break because it's a hybrid. -- -- -- -- Mickey if I can just hold on my going to be the told I have to say hello and good if I have to say though I don't completely agree with you that seat -- -- by nature cast an ugly -- I think they've made great progress -- to -- one. It would take place where you -- -- investing and yet well to keep -- you buy three packing your lucky to get one works yet but if and if it does than -- ever change but yeah I agree. Alright in science news a mysterious hot spot an alien planet -- scientists Apple. Are right it could put out a -- has great picture of and delinquency on base Annie a gas. Giant circling a star 44. Light years from here it's up -- Andromeda be. This planet which circles its star. Every four point six days -- -- 70% as massive as Jupiter. Looks like it has the mysterious -- out -- hot spot on. On its surface because what happened -- -- As the star. As this as the planet passes in front of the Star Trek the stars. Output we shouldn't break we should observe the start output decreasing because it's being blocked -- what should be did dark side of the planet is actually shining -- its own light and when that star is the planet's behind the stars you get a little bit more to get a little reflection like the moon he what's happening though is when the stars and and I keep saying that when the planet is in front of the star. It's much much hotter or brighter than should be. Leading astronomers to wonder where. Is that energy coming from is it a civilization generating heat. Yeah well that's that's what I wanted to be they say could also just -- -- a supersonic wind that's causing them some kind of dispersal of -- -- -- -- the planet but. But much cooler thing that maybe it's like some kind of like alien -- -- -- absorbing malvo lightening -- -- enough maybe when the planet goes off the more or. You don't I'm with him just that super develop civilization it's like there -- their Tokyo just lit up. With that I don't like electric power on an in the dark side. And Andy could be happy really hot though for the here's the year guests well you know but does aliens burn bright the gas planet so their -- they're all these weird defended you know floating aliens anyway -- -- They're human via candy wrapper rain we can't you know -- -- -- my brain around as the fact that this this. Planet which is. Two thirds -- 7% the size of Jupiter orbits its star every four point five days four point six days. -- cook and so who knows that it needs just the warm side of the plan has been cooking and this is kind of like -- turn the and you like to grow op missile. -- -- -- -- -- Which hat I had to throw story and I like Alec anything that the heroin -- in the -- question what could happen. Are right voicemails we got -- if you like the senate the voice we would love to hear from you please give it to ring at 806162638. At 800. 6162638. That -- CNET. Make it snappy pleased that we do want to hear from you and. Emails Jordan wrote to us saying I'm in regards to the Joe Hewitt. -- Joe Hewitt the -- developer has done a lot for open source software however I disagree with him. On his comments regarding -- towards openness. When people are discussing open source they often forget. About the true definition of open source and let their own beliefs get in the way nowhere in the definition doesn't state that the source must be made public during development. The main point of open source is that source code is provided along with the end product. It also does not state that community contributions must be allowed. The carriers are actually at fault for locking down phones however that -- they completely different discussion Android is by definition absolutely open source. This -- project is a perfect example of this and the best option for people looking for community driven Android OS. Not -- extraordinary interest in perspective. And oh so this fox thing we have an email from. But -- -- -- -- look at what a miserable video here we got an email from I'll get Adonis. Who says that this is what we're getting every time we turn anarchy the in the East Coast I don't watch fox channels must wait for the -- but every time we turn the TV on it's defaulted of this video. So we talked yesterday about fox pulling its content off of Cablevision. They're taking their fight public. And not try to tune in -- in on the East Coast and your Cablevision you get this and there's this voice over saying. Basically. Fox is growing use the subscriber. Although -- I pay something if the giants -- -- Phillies and the and the Yankees they'll make it then fox which is carrying the series almost on their bargaining power boat. Should -- oh we gotta show that yeah make him any one of the system Fox's Cablevision showing it to get back fox and fox -- -- -- crap -- ugly giants are one game out. You know from the -- -- him -- on that but yeah. I got another -- here from Carl -- -- I had an idea about the new Mac OS-X app store. If developers didn't want to paid the 7030 split in developers could all come together and build their own piece of software that distribute their software on a fan. And take care of the installation management updates and all that because him. Unlike Iowa isn't locked in there isn't a lock down system. They could do if steam even art does this for valve on -- -- and I doubt about -- going to start putting their games on the Mac with an app store anyways just thought I'd share some obvious -- that should be said. I I agree. I agree to steam is actually a great for example of this everybody. I wonder how long it is to Apple says no more competing -- -- How -- -- how can they do it how could they do it how could they make jobless you'll. And how could they do like three different display port technology is in three. And three products -- I'm but I'm not Apple like the the gaming selection through -- than rekenthaler true now. I don't know if you've got a and the station I hope they don't I love steam it's related games and went on windows and what at this the one thing that still works in Apple's favorite and is working Apple's -- and from iTunes to the vision home iPhone app store and -- this apps or is that. It's all tied your Apple ID and you're not entering in your credit card information over and over between different services and -- it just like. You type in that ID and its new thinking of working across all -- from places where you party major purchases with Apple name and -- it. The barrier entry for that for the use there is gonna be nothing if it's another thing that for better for worse attacking in my Apple idea in different. Hopefully -- -- -- right and Apple. Says and and through -- you know an agreement that that. It's worth 30% of your -- with. That's that's the market it well we'll see sort with the -- percentage -- -- they wanna name I -- -- I was and it can make -- a lot stronger commitment. Our video. I got this other email. Bradley -- idea bus trip an effort to fix angry birds on -- confusion. Money managed mistakenly flipped the bird that apartment that to the palm by stating that it's only on sprint. But the Palm Pre plus user on Verizon I was greatly saddened to learn that my -- is apparently just an illusion and I'm living in the matrix. Palm is available not only on sprint but on Verizon -- in -- and as well as multiple carriers around the world. And he goes on -- So make -- the feel that this platform offers the best Apple implements. Implement with -- with an official app catalog and unified OS versions on every handset while totally supporting users' right to hack. Patch and -- bit apps like Android. I'm not a -- by any means but I have the pre over clock to when gigahertz. I added a half dozen -- just change the look and feel of the UI am running another half dozen beta -- Don't count -- -- out yet this in the markets they're growing like crazy and they're looking long term. I we respect that perspective and started for the air. It is indeed early early days in mobile computing and it while in geologic time and yes. In terms of building -- super -- cities. All the world working our way towards -- industry anyway thanks for the perspective. Interest and hear from. Pump fans out there. That it. That's it that's it that's a show that the show thanks everyone if you would like to send us an email it's -- cnet.com you can of course -- again 806 from 66 -- Get the show notes and all the great links at the OL dot cnet.com. And follow us on Twitter I'm -- and Donald. And and we will see you guys all tomorrow five.