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>> Yeah, [inaudible] Google launch iPhone programs. Kindle users are protesting. And your cell phone may turn you into the police if your not careful. It's Wednesday, April 8th. I'm Natali Del Conte, and it's time to get Loaded.
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>> Google and Yahoo both launched programs for the iPhone. Gmail is now optimized to run in mobile Safari on iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android platforms in the same way it runs in a normal browser. It's faster, and the folders are more familiar. Yahoo launched an instant message application for iPhone. It lets you communicate over instant message and even send photos from yr iPhone library in IM. You'll also be able to send free text messages to buddies that have a phone number associated with their screen name. Yep, and if they reply back you'll get the response back for free as well through Yahoo Messenger. Although I'm a little perplexed as to why they would release this separately, whey the just launched a new version of Yahoo for iPhone. Why wouldn't they just put instant messenger in the same app?
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We were right about a new product coming out of the Apple store. It isn't sexy though; it's a new server. The new Xserve is available with up to 2.93 gigahertz, Intel Zion processors. It has a low-power solid state drive and up to three terabytes of internal storage. It costs $3,000.00. I warned you, not sexy for home. Pretty hot for a server rack, though.
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As part of the DRM Free iTunes music store launch, Apple conceded to music labels demands of tiered pricing for songs. Songs are available for 69 cents, 99 cents, or $1.29 cents. The Internet bemoaned the price hike for popular songs, but it looks like iTunes big competitor, Amazon, is jumping onto the tiered pricing model, too. A quick glance at Amazon's top sellers shows songs going from 79 cents to $1.29 cents as well. Amazon does seem to be offering discounts on top tunes at the moment, but we suspect that their pricing will come more in line with iTunes in the near future.
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Apple may be adding some very nice features to the next generation iPhone and iPod Touch. Apple has had plenty of time to rework hardware specs on these units, and rumors are hinting at 802.11 and Wi-Fi speeds along with possible FM radio. Why they haven't added that yet is beyond me.
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The Kindle is the subject of boycotts and protests galore this week. First off, Kindle users are protesting high book prices. Any book that costs more than $9.99 is being boycotted and tagged "$9.99 boycott" with Amazon's own tagging system. The rationale behind the protest is that a Kindle book has no paper and is restricted to just one person and/or device. Another group protesting the Kindle is the National Federation for the Blind and its partners, the Reading Rights Coalition. The two groups protested outside the offices of the Author's Guild for their efforts in disabling the text to speech function on Kindle 2. Representatives from both groups say that this affects people with impaired vision, and they marched over to the Guild's headquarters on Tuesday afternoon. This is a lot of controversy for an eReader.
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Nine Inch Nails is releasing the most extensive artist's iPhone app that we've so far. It will combine streaming music with customizable playlists. Also, fans will be able to join a Twitter-like social network, and it's location ware, so you'll be able to meet and chat with other Nine Inch Nails fans. Also, when you head to their next concert, you'll be able to send in images and media. The app should be free and go live in the next couple of days.
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Looks like we haven't seen the last of Circuit City. Even though the Brick and Mortar Stores are now closed, the company may relaunch as an online only merchant. If you go to circuitcity.com, you'll see a notice that they'll be relaunching in just a few weeks. I hope they're prices online are better than they were in the store.
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You might want to be careful what you do and say around your electronics. They might just turn you in. A sixteen-year old boy that stole a car stereo and phone accidentally dialed 911 and was overheard bragging to his friends about committing the crime.
>> I had to rip it out of the -- it was bolted down. I had to rip it out.
>> Cops listening in on the conversation used cell phone signal triangulation to find the young man. He was caught with a stereo in hand and was charged with a felony. So if machines are beginning to act on their own volition, at least they're working for the good guys.
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Those are all your headlines for today, but I will see you tomorrow with more. Thank you for watching. I'm Natali Del Conte with CNET TV, and you've just been Loaded.
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