Source: Gizmodo | 21 Aug 2009 | 5:40 pm

IBD's Top 10 - Friday (Investor's Business Daily)

Investor's Business Daily - 1 The major averages rallied in sharply higher volume to their best levels of the year. The S&P 500 and NYSE composite rose 1.9%; the Dow climbed 1.7% and the Nasdaq 1.6%. Strong home sales and an upbeat Fed chief fueled stocks. Top rated Aeropostale and Salesforce.com soared on strong results and outlooks. The 10-year T-yield jumped 14 ticks to 3.57%.
Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 21 Aug 2009 | 5:31 pm

Who Rejected Google Voice for iPhone? AT&T: Not Us. Google: REDACTED. Apple: We’re “Studying” it, Not Rejecting it [Digital Daily]

“Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it.” So begins Apple’s (AAPL) response to the FCC’s inquiry into its rejection of the app and its App Store approval process. Seems Google Voice was witheld from the App Store, not because of any ill feelings towards Google (GOOG) or a nefarious request from AT&T (T), but because it too closely mimics the iPhone OS, including management of calls, voicemail and text messages. From Apple’s statement:

Question 1. Why did Apple reject the Google Voice application for iPhone and remove related third-party applications from its App Store?

The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail. Apple spent a lot of time and effort developing this distinct and innovative way to seamlessly deliver core functionality of the iPhone. For example, on an iPhone, the “Phone” icon that is always shown at the bottom of the Home Screen launches Apple’s mobile telephone application, providing access to Favorites, Recents, Contacts, a Keypad, and Visual Voicemail. The Google Voice application replaces Apple’s Visual Voicemail by routing calls through a separate Google Voice telephone number that stores any voicemail, preventing voicemail from being stored on the iPhone, i.e., disabling Apple’s Visual Voicemail. Similarly, SMS text messages are managed through the Google hub—replacing the iPhone’s text messaging feature. In addition, the iPhone user’s entire Contacts database is transferred to Google’s servers, and we have yet to obtain any assurances from Google that this data will only be used in appropriate ways. These factors present several new issues and questions to us that we are still pondering at this time.

Question 2. Did Apple act alone, or in consultation with AT&T, in deciding to reject the Google Voice application and related applications? If the latter, please describe the communications between Apple and AT&T in connection with the decision to reject Google Voice. Are there any contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T that affected Apple’s decision in this matter?

Apple is acting alone and has not consulted with AT&T about whether or not to approve the Google Voice application. No contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T have been a factor in Apple’s decision-making process in this matter.

In a response of its own, AT&T also said this was the case:

1(a). What role, if any, did AT&T play in Apple’s consideration of the Google Voice and related applications?

AT&T had no role in Apple’s consideration of Google Voice or related applications.

1(b). What role, if any, does AT&T play in consideration of iPhone applications generally?

The Apple App Store is owned, operated and controlled by Apple, not AT&T, and Apple makes the decisions regarding the specific applications that are approved for use on the iPhone or included in the Apple App Store. AT&T does not participate in Apple’s day-to-day consideration of specific applications, nor does Apple typically notify AT&T prior to including applications in the App Store. Apple also does not usually advise AT&T after specific applications have been added to the App Store, which reportedly contains more than 65,000 applications. AT&T has had discussions with Apple regarding only a handful of applications that have been submitted to Apple for review where, as described below, there were concerns that the application might create significant network congestion.

And what is Google’s reply to the whole affair? Nada. The company had more to say to the goverment, via a response to FCC queries. But in the copy of the document that’s been released for public consumption, the most interesting stuff has been redacted. To wit: “What explanation was given (if any) for Apple’s rejection of the Google Voice application?…Please describe any communications between Google and AT&T or Apple on this topic and a summary of any meetings or discussion.”

Now that’s a little odd, isn’t it? Why would Google ask the FCC to redact portions of its statement? Says Google, “[because the redacted] information relates specifically to private business discussions between Apple and Google and, as such, it constitutes commercial data ‘which would customarily be guarded from competitors’.”

That satisfy your curiosity? Doesn’t satisfy mine, either.

(Peter Kafka contributed to this post)

UPDATE: AT&T may not participate in “Apple’s day-to-day consideration of specific applications,” but its presence is still felt during the approval process. From Apple’s response:

There is a provision in Apple’s agreement with AT&T that obligates Apple not to include functionality in any Apple phone that enables a customer to use AT&T’s cellular network service to originate or terminate a VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) session without obtaining AT&T’s permission. Apple honors this obligation, in addition to respecting AT&T’s customer terms of service, which, for example, prohibit an AT&T customer from using AT&T’s cellular service to redirect a TV signal to an iPhone. From time to time, AT&T has expressed concerns regarding network efficiency and potential network congestion associated with certain applications, and Apple takes such concerns into consideration.

UPDATE: An interesting nugget from AT&T’s statement:

It is widely recognized by economists and jurists that parties to strategic alliances in competitive markets may enter into contracts to promote and protect their respective business interests and to refrain from taking actions adverse to those interests.12 Consistent with such lawful, economically efficient practices common among parties to strategic alliances, including participants in the mobile wireless marketplace,13 AT&T and Apple agreed that Apple would not take affirmative steps to enable an iPhone to use AT&T’s wireless service (including 2G, 3G and Wi-Fi) to make VoIP calls without first obtaining AT&T’s consent. AT&T and Apple also agreed, however, that if a third party enables an iPhone to make VoIP calls using AT&T’s wireless service, Apple would have no obligation to take action against that third party. … AT&T indicated to Apple that it does not object to Apple enabling VoIP applications for the iPhone that use Wi-Fi connectivity (including connectivity at more than 20,000 Wi-Fi hotspots operated by AT&T that may be used by iPhone customers for no additional charge) rather than AT&T’s 2G or 3G wireless data services. … we plan to take a fresh look at possibly authorizing VoIP capabilities on the iPhone for use on AT&T’s 3G network.

Source: All Things Digital | 21 Aug 2009 | 5:26 pm

China Jails Four For Microsoft XP Piracy

adeelarshad82 writes "Chinese court has jailed four people for spreading their bootleg "Tomato Garden" version of Microsoft's Windows XP program, in what the Xinhua news agency called the nation's biggest software piracy case. Off the four men Hong Lei, the creator of the downloadable "Tomato Garden Windows XP" software, was jailed for three and a half years by a court in Suzhou in eastern China, Xinhua."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Source: Slashdot | 21 Aug 2009 | 5:21 pm

Apple says Google Voice app alters iPhone (Reuters)

Reuters - IPhone maker Apple Inc told U.S. regulators it has not approved Google Inc's Voice application, which could challenge the wireless industry's giants, because it interferes with the iPhone "user experience."

Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 21 Aug 2009 | 5:03 pm

TIME on unsustainable farming practices

Nothing new in here for slow/sustainable food junkies, but it's wonderful to see this discussion expand beyond alt.food.michael.pollan. Noteworthy in that it's an easy item to forward to friends and relatives who won't have the patience or inclination to read through a dozen Boing Boing posts on the matter, or subscribe to Ethicurean. Snip:

Somewhere in Iowa, a pig is being raised in a confined pen, packed in so tightly with other swine that their curly tails have been chopped off so they won't bite one another. To prevent him from getting sick in such close quarters, he is dosed with antibiotics. The waste produced by the pig and his thousands of pen mates on the factory farm where they live goes into manure lagoons that blanket neighboring communities with air pollution and a stomach-churning stench. He's fed on American corn that was grown with the help of government subsidies and millions of tons of chemical fertilizer. When the pig is slaughtered, at about 5 months of age, he'll become sausage or bacon that will sell cheap, feeding an American addiction to meat that has contributed to an obesity epidemic currently afflicting more than two-thirds of the population. And when the rains come, the excess fertilizer that coaxed so much corn from the ground will be washed into the Mississippi River and down into the Gulf of Mexico, where it will help kill fish for miles and miles around. That's the state of your bacon -- circa 2009.

Getting Real About the High Price of Cheap Food (TIME, via Wayne's Friends List)


Source: Boing Boing | 21 Aug 2009 | 5:02 pm

Asustek keyboard and netbook expected this fall

While nothing official has been shared yet, industry insiders are expecting Asustek to announce and release some of their new product lines this coming September and October. Looks like it’s going to be an interesting autumn.

Again, this is not official, however it is coming from “industry insiders” so it’s probably pretty accurate. Asustek will most likely be releasing their Nvidia Ion-based Eee Box, the Eee Top all-in-one PC, and two new ultra-thin notebooks in September. The long awaited Eee Keyboard is expected in October.

The Eee Top PC will be priced at roughly $688, and the Eee keyboard will be priced in the $400-$500 range. Of course, these numbers are based on the prices that the products will be released at in Asia, so don’t consider them locked in stone.

[via Digitimes.com]

Source: CrunchGear | 21 Aug 2009 | 5:00 pm

AT&T Says It Didn't Block Google Voice (PC World)

PC World - Apple is still reviewing the Google Voice iPhone application, and AT&T has not played any role in that review process, the companies told the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Friday.
Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 21 Aug 2009 | 5:00 pm

AIDS Healthcare Foundation files workplace safety complaints against porn producers

Snip from LA Times article: "Vowing "never to stop pushing" for condom use in porn, AIDS Healthcare Foundation officials said Wednesday that they plan to file complaints today with state officials against 16 California-based production companies they say have violated workplace safety laws." (Thanks, Susannah Breslin!)


Source: Boing Boing | 21 Aug 2009 | 4:53 pm

@BBVBOX: recent guest-tweeted web video picks (boingboingvideo.com)

(Ed. Note: The Boing Boing Video site includes a guest-curated microblog: the "BBVBOX." Here, folks whose taste in web video we admire tweet the latest clips they find. We'll post roundups here on the motherBoing.)

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More @BBVBOX: boingboingvideo.com

Source: Boing Boing | 21 Aug 2009 | 4:52 pm

Web Zen: Playing Games Zen

08.21.09 : playing games zen
funny farm
memory game
xwung
time warp
shift
effing hail
golden republic

previously on web zen:
mind games zen

Permalink for this edition. Web Zen is created and curated by Frank Davis, and re-posted here on Boing Boing with his kind permission. Web Zen Home and Archives, Store, Twitter. (Image courtesy Eric Curry. Thanks Frank!)

Source: Boing Boing | 21 Aug 2009 | 4:47 pm

Criminals Prefer Firefox, Opera Web Browsers

An anonymous reader writes "Security researchers at Purewire have leveraged vulnerabilities in malware infrastructure to track the criminals behind it. In a three-month long project, they used security flaws in exploit kits to get operators to expose themselves (Obnoxious interstitial ad between link and content) when they access the kits' admin control panels. Data collected shows that 50% of those tracked use Firefox, while 25% use Opera."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Source: Slashdot | 21 Aug 2009 | 4:37 pm

About 10 apps an hour processed at AppStore by each review pair

Apple's reply to the FCC's questions are in. These things go out on Friday afternoon for a reason. Some straight answers, some not so straight at all. But one can hardly blame Apple for its cagy replies. What is this sort of regulatorial inquisition if not "Answer these questions to give us rope to hang you?" [Apple]

The AppStore tidbits are interesting. There are about 40 appstore reviewers, with two checking each app. As there are 8,500 submissions a week, each "pair" will review 425 apps a week. Assuming for expediency's sake a 42.5 hour working week, that means each reviewer checks out 10 apps an hour. (Update: Gruber doubles the number, presumably interpreting review pairs simply as brief quality control checks by the second person)

And, according to the reply, 80% are approved (though clearly many of the remainder are resubmitted and ultimately accepted.)

Adds Joel Johnson: "Cut and paste rejection: explained."

Source: Boing Boing Gadgets | 21 Aug 2009 | 4:36 pm

$800 video card is worth every penny if you’re into that kind of thing

BFG has always been one of the go-to brands for high-end video cards and hardware, and their latest opus continues the tradition. The BFG GeForce GTX 295 H2OC is the beastliest card out there, and is easily the most powerful single-card solution out there, even beating out such dual-GPU solutions as the Radeon HD 4870 X2. That’s some serious power… must be why it costs $800.

It’s got an odd 1792MB of memory and is clocked up about 15%-20% over the stock GTX 295. It’s also got a self-contained cooling system by BFG partner CoolIT, a company that is doing a lot of work to make liquid cooling easier and cheaper (their Domino system is supposed to be great).

Check out the very thorough review over at Guru3D.

[via PC Perspective]

Source: CrunchGear | 21 Aug 2009 | 4:30 pm

Cable vs. Wireless: Guess Which Is Growing Faster? [Voices]

By Eric Savitz, Blogger and Columnist, Barron’s, Tech Trader Daily

It’s almost impossible to believe, but there it is: the cable industry is actually outgrowing the wireless sector.

This stunning factoid comes courtesy of the latest Weekend Media Blast piece from Bernstein Research analyst Craig Moffett. He notes that in the U.S. wireless industry, subscriber growth over the last 12 months is up 5.3 percent, but revenue per subscriber is down 1.7 percent, producing just 3.6 percent revenue growth. The cable industry, by contrast, grew revenue per sub 4.1 percent over the same time period; combined with modest sub growth and you get industry growth of 5.3 percent.

Moffett says there are a number of reasons for this, not the least of which is that the wireless market is much, much more competitive.

Read the rest of this post on the original site

Source: All Things Digital | 21 Aug 2009 | 4:20 pm

Visualization of popular Iran uprising tweets

Gilad sez,

ReTweet Revolution is a visual exploration of the most popular conversation threads that were passed amongst Twitter users at the time of the events following the recent Iranian elections earlier in June of 2009. The applet displays 372 of the most popular threads extracted from a pool of over 230,000 messages posted on Twitter between June 14th and June 24th, polled from the public timeline at regular intervals.

By clicking on a specific topical thread, it is possible to view its network structure: how the message was ReTweeted from one user to another and how its content changed as it was passed along. It is also possible to see posts that were obviously "retweets" but with no attribution to the original source.

ReTweet Revolution (Thanks, Gilad!)


Source: Boing Boing | 21 Aug 2009 | 4:19 pm

Oddball Tech: Special all New York edition

Section: Computers, Hardware, Gadgets / Other, Transportation, Web, Websites, Online Music/Video

Segways in the city

Most of us have seen a Segway somewhere—it was the device that was supposed to change the way cities were designed.  One city doesn’t think it needs to even accept the device; in New York City, Segways are not allowed to travel on the streets.  Mayor Michael Bloomberg says that he would be for Segways in the city.  Crazily, Mayor Bloomberg was not elected ruler and master of New York, but just mayor, so he has to listen to the collective voice of the city that doesn’t want it on the streets.  I guess Segways will have to stay a mall cop’s best friend for now.  [Source]

I’ve got a studio in the city

How many of us have the cash to have a video production studio in the heart or New York City?  Maybe you need to get creative like Nicholi did.  The kid went over to the 5th Ave Apple Store to mess with the computers there.  One of the cooler things about Apple Stores is that the employees pretty much leave you alone if you want.  This kid decided to record lots of videos where he lip syncs to music at that particular Apple Store.  Got to give him this, he’s creative, and he’s not afraid to perform in public.  [Source]

Hang on, chat room, DOA

I’m sure we’ve all been a chat room where we felt like walking off and faking our suicide thereby confusing and terrifying everyone in the room.  What?  You never thought of doing that?  You must not be Joseph Shepherd.  This genius faked a suicide on camera for a chat room.  When he was found to be safe, he was promptly arrested for Aggravated Harassment.  Where did this happen?  Lockport, NY.  [Source]  via [BoingBoing Gadgets]

Full Story » | Written by Iyaz Akhtar for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Source: Gadgetell | 21 Aug 2009 | 4:17 pm

App Store Exposed: Notes Of Interest From Apple’s Statement To The FCC

Now that all of the letters to the FCC have been filed by Apple, AT&T and Google, we’re more carefully reading them over for interesting details. The Apple letter would seem to have the most interesting information, as it controls the App Store, and has given some new information about it. Here are some interesting tidbits.

On general app rejections:

We created an approval process that reviews every application submitted to Apple for the App Store in order to protect consumer privacy, safeguard children from inappropriate content, and avoid applications that degrade the core experience of the iPhone. Some types of content such as pornography are rejected outright from the App Store, while others such as graphic combat scenes in action games may be approved but with an appropriate age rating. Most rejections are based on bugs found in the applications. When there is an issue, we try to provide the developer with helpful feedback so they can modify the application in order for us to approve it.

On the app approval rate:

95% of applications are approved within 14 days of their submission.

On the Google Voice rejection:

Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it. The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail.

Apple has a problem with Google Voice’s phone icon, voicemail functionality and SMS functionality:

Apple spent a lot of time and effort developing this distinct and innovative way to seamlessly deliver core functionality of the iPhone. For example, on an iPhone, the “Phone” icon that is always shown at the bottom of the Home Screen launches Apple’s mobile telephone application, providing access to Favorites, Recents, Contacts, a Keypad, and Visual Voicemail. The Google Voice application replaces Apple’s Visual Voicemail by routing calls through a separate Google Voice telephone number that stores any voicemail, preventing voicemail from being stored on the iPhone, i.e., disabling Apple’s Visual Voicemail. Similarly, SMS text messages are managed through the Google hub—replacing the iPhone’s text messaging feature.

Apple believes Google Contacts may be a security risk:

In addition, the iPhone user’s entire Contacts database is transferred to Google’s servers, and we have yet to obtain any assurances from Google that this data will only be used in appropriate ways. These factors present several new issues and questions to us that we are still pondering at this time.

On a Google Voice web app:

Google is of course free to provide Google Voice on the iPhone as a web application through Apple’s Safari browser, just as they do for desktop PCs, or to provide its “Google-branded” user experience on other phones, including Android-based phones, and let consumers make their choices.

On AT&T’s role in the Google Voice app rejection:

Apple is acting alone and has not consulted with AT&T about whether or not to approve the Google Voice application. No contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T have been a factor in Apple’s decision-making process in this matter.

On Apple’s approval process with regards to its partners:

Apple alone makes the final decisions to approve or not approve iPhone applications.

But, Apple does reject apps on AT&T’s behalf that are VoIP or streaming video apps (like SlingBox):

There is a provision in Apple’s agreement with AT&T that obligates Apple not to include functionality in any Apple phone that enables a customer to use AT&T’s cellular network service to originate or terminate a VoIP session without obtaining AT&T’s permission. Apple honors this obligation, in addition to respecting AT&T’s customer Terms of Service, which, for example, prohibit an AT&T customer from using AT&T’s cellular service to redirect a TV signal to an iPhone. From time to time, AT&T has expressed concerns regarding network efficiency and potential network congestion associated with certain applications, and Apple takes such concerns into consideration.

But VoIP apps are okay over WiFi:

Apple has approved numerous standard VoIP applications (such as Skype, Nimbuzz and iCall) for use over WiFi, but not over AT&T’s 3G network.

A bit more on rejections:

Most rejections are based on the application containing quality issues or software bugs, while other rejections involve protecting consumer privacy, safeguarding children from inappropriate content, and avoiding applications that degrade the core experience of the iPhone.

On what takes up most of app reviewers time:

Given the volume and variety of technical issues, most of the review process is consumed with quality issues and software bugs, and providing feedback to developers so they can fix applications.

The number of App Store reviewers:

There are more than 40 full-time trained reviewers, and at least two different reviewers study each application so that the review process is applied uniformly.

Apple now has an App Store executive review board that meets once a week:

Apple also established an App Store executive review board that determines procedures and sets policy for the review process, as well as reviews applications that are escalated to the board because they raise new or complex issues. The review board meets weekly and is comprised of senior management with responsibilities for the App Store.

On the amount of applications that get submitted:

We receive about 8,500 new applications and updates every week, and roughly 20% of them are not approved as originally submitted. In little more than a year, we have reviewed more than 200,000 applications and updates.

All of this information sheds some light on the mystery that has been the App Store. As we’ve noted, the approval process has seemed to improve since Senior VP Phil Schiller got personally involved. It seems likely that he’s on or even leading this App Store executive review team, though Apple doesn’t say that.

[photo: flickr/muffet]

Crunch Network: CrunchBase the free database of technology companies, people, and investors

Source: TechCrunch | 21 Aug 2009 | 4:16 pm

Apple: AT&T didn't ask us to reject Google Voice (Macworld.com)

Macworld.com - In a posting Friday to its Web site, Apple provided several intriguing details about its App Store approval processes, all in response to questions from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about the rejection of Google Voice from the App Store.
Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 21 Aug 2009 | 4:16 pm

Billboard singles reviews: Miley Cyrus, Madonna (Reuters)

Reuters - The heated online debate about Miley Cyrus' Teen Choice Awards performance of "Party in the U.S.A." threatens to overshadow one of her most entertaining songs yet.
Source: Yahoo! News: Technology News | 21 Aug 2009 | 4:01 pm

Wanna work in a Microsoft retail store?

You say no one is hiring right now? Blah! Microsoft is. Well, for its new retail locations at least. Right now there are spots available in the first two locations: Scottsdale, AZ and Mission Viejo, CA. I’m guessing that you better hurry up and submit your resume if you wanna work at these stores. Chances are that MS will get tons of applicants from geeks more qualified than you. But I have a question: Do you think that working at an Apple store previously will help or hurt your resume? Seriously, I’m asking. Sound off in the comments.

Source: CrunchGear | 21 Aug 2009 | 4:00 pm

Why AT&T Killed iPhone Google Voice

ZuchinniOne writes "The Wall Street Journal has a very interesting article about the likely reasons that AT&T and Apple killed the Google Voice application." 'With Google Voice, you have one Google phone number that callers use to reach you, and you pick up whichever phone--office, home or cellular--rings. You can screen calls, listen in before answering, record calls, read transcripts of your voicemails, and do free conference calls. Domestic calls and texting are free, and international calls to Europe are two cents a minute. In other words, a unified voice system, something a real phone company should have offered years ago.'"

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Source: Slashdot | 21 Aug 2009 | 3:54 pm

Desperately Seeking an Employee Poaching Agreement. [Voices]

By Nitrozac and Snaggy

Source: All Things Digital | 21 Aug 2009 | 3:45 pm

News flash: Xbox 360 ‘Elite’ soon to be $299

The Xbox 360 Elite is now $299. Well, will soon be $299, judging by this Wal-Mart ad.

And if you look closely, you can see the composite cables Microsoft includes now. “Elite” my foot!

via GIZMODOOOOO

Source: CrunchGear | 21 Aug 2009 | 3:30 pm

Google’s Response To The FCC

And here’s the third piece of the puzzle: Google’s response to the FCC. The document includes a description of Google Voice, why a native application would be beneficial, and how many other apps Google has pending with Apple (none). There is one section redacted, pertaining to the conversations Google had with Apple over the Google Voice ban. Also see AT&T’s response and Apple’s Response, in which both companies deny any wrongdoing, and AT&T denies any involvement at all.

Google Response to FCC

Crunch Network: CrunchBoard because it’s time for you to find a new Job2.0

Source: TechCrunch | 21 Aug 2009 | 3:28 pm

Apple’s Response To The FCC: We Didn’t Reject The Google Voice App, We’re Still Looking At It

Apple has responded to our request for a follow-up on AT&T’s statement to the FCC. Of note, Apple is saying that it hasn’t actually rejected the Google Voice app, but that it didn’t accept the version submitted because it was too similar to the iPhone’s functionality. Here’s the key blurb:

Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it. The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail.

Here’s another key part:

Apple is acting alone and has not consulted with AT&T about whether or not to approve the Google Voice application. No contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T have been a factor in Apple’s decision-making process in this matter.

But the same is not true for streaming TV app or VoIP apps (which Google Voice is not), which Apple does reject on AT&T’s behalf:

There is a provision in Apple’s agreement with AT&T that obligates Apple not to include functionality in any Apple phone that enables a customer to use AT&T’s cellular network service to originate or terminate a VoIP session without obtaining AT&T’s permission. Apple honors this obligation, in addition to respecting AT&T’s customer Terms of Service, which, for example, prohibit an AT&T customer from using AT&T’s cellular service to redirect a TV signal to an iPhone. From time to time, AT&T has expressed concerns regarding network efficiency and potential network congestion associated with certain applications, and Apple takes such concerns into consideration.

Here’s the full statement, warning, this is long.

Today Apple filed with the FCC the following answers to their questions.

We are pleased to respond to the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau’s inquiry dated July 31, 2009, requesting information regarding Apple’s App Store and its application approval process. In order to give the Bureau some context for our responses, we begin with some background information about the iPhone and the App Store.

Apple’s goal is to provide our customers with the best possible user experience. We have been able to do this by designing the hardware and software in our products to work together seamlessly. The iPhone is a great example of this. It has established a new standard for what a mobile device can be—an integrated device with a phone, a full web browser, HTML email, an iPod, and more, all delivered with Apple’s revolutionary multi-touch user interface.

Apple then introduced something altogether new—the App Store—to give consumers additional functionality and benefits from the iPhone’s revolutionary technology. The App Store has been more successful than anyone could have ever imagined. Today, just over a year since opening, the App Store offers over 65,000 iPhone applications, and customers have downloaded over 1.5 billion applications.

The App Store provides a frictionless distribution network that levels the playing field for individual and large developers of mobile applications. We provide every developer with the same software that we use to create our own iPhone applications. The App Store offers an innovative business model that allows developers to set their own price and keep more (far more in most cases) of the revenue than traditional business models. In little more than a year, we have raised the bar for consumers’ rich mobile experience beyond what we or anyone else ever imagined in both scale and quality. Apple’s innovation has also fostered competition as other companies (e.g., Nokia, Microsoft, RIM, Palm and Verizon) seek to develop their own mobile platforms and launch their own application stores.

Apple works with network providers around the world so that iPhone users have access to a cellular network. In the United States, we struck a groundbreaking deal with AT&T in 2006 that gives Apple the freedom to decide which software to make available for the iPhone. This was an industry first.

We created an approval process that reviews every application submitted to Apple for the App Store in order to protect consumer privacy, safeguard children from inappropriate content, and avoid applications that degrade the core experience of the iPhone. Some types of content such as pornography are rejected outright from the App Store, while others such as graphic combat scenes in action games may be approved but with an appropriate age rating. Most rejections are based on bugs found in the applications. When there is an issue, we try to provide the developer with helpful feedback so they can modify the application in order for us to approve it. 95% of applications are approved within 14 days of their submission.

We’re covering new ground and doing things that had never been done before. Many of the issues we face are difficult and new, and while we may make occasional mistakes, we try to learn from them and continually improve.

In response to your specific questions, we would like to offer the following:

Question 1. Why did Apple reject the Google Voice application for iPhone and remove related third-party applications from its App Store? In addition to Google Voice, which related third-party applications were removed or have been rejected? Please provide the specific name of each application and the contact information for the developer.

Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it. The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail. Apple spent a lot of time and effort developing this distinct and innovative way to seamlessly deliver core functionality of the iPhone. For example, on an iPhone, the “Phone” icon that is always shown at the bottom of the Home Screen launches Apple’s mobile telephone application, providing access to Favorites, Recents, Contacts, a Keypad, and Visual Voicemail. The Google Voice application replaces Apple’s Visual Voicemail by routing calls through a separate Google Voice telephone number that stores any voicemail, preventing voicemail from being stored on the iPhone, i.e., disabling Apple’s Visual Voicemail. Similarly, SMS text messages are managed through the Google hub—replacing the iPhone’s text messaging feature. In addition, the iPhone user’s entire Contacts database is transferred to Google’s servers, and we have yet to obtain any assurances from Google that this data will only be used in appropriate ways. These factors present several new issues and questions to us that we are still pondering at this time.

The following applications also fall into this category.

* Name: GVDialer / GVDialer Lite
Developer: MobileMax
info@mobile-mx.com
* Name: VoiceCentral
Developer: Riverturn, Inc.
4819 Emperor Blvd., Suite 400
Durham, NC 27703
* Name: GV Mobile / GV Mobile Free
Developer: Sean Kovacs
sean@seankovacs.com

We are continuing to study the Google Voice application and its potential impact on the iPhone user experience. Google is of course free to provide Google Voice on the iPhone as a web application through Apple’s Safari browser, just as they do for desktop PCs, or to provide its “Google-branded” user experience on other phones, including Android-based phones, and let consumers make their choices.

Question 2. Did Apple act alone, or in consultation with AT&T, in deciding to reject the Google Voice application and related applications? If the latter, please describe the communications between Apple and AT&T in connection with the decision to reject Google Voice. Are there any contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T that affected Apple’s decision in this matter?
Apple is acting alone and has not consulted with AT&T about whether or not to approve the Google Voice application. No contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T have been a factor in Apple’s decision-making process in this matter.

Question 3. Does AT&T have any role in the approval of iPhone applications generally (or in certain cases)? If so, under what circumstances, and what role does it play? What roles are specified in the contractual provisions between Apple and AT&T (or any non-contractual understandings) regarding the consideration of particular iPhone applications?

Apple alone makes the final decisions to approve or not approve iPhone applications.

There is a provision in Apple’s agreement with AT&T that obligates Apple not to include functionality in any Apple phone that enables a customer to use AT&T’s cellular network service to originate or terminate a VoIP session without obtaining AT&T’s permission. Apple honors this obligation, in addition to respecting AT&T’s customer Terms of Service, which, for example, prohibit an AT&T customer from using AT&T’s cellular service to redirect a TV signal to an iPhone. From time to time, AT&T has expressed concerns regarding network efficiency and potential network congestion associated with certain applications, and Apple takes such concerns into consideration.

Question 4. Please explain any differences between the Google Voice iPhone application and any Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications that Apple has approved for the iPhone. Are any of the approved VoIP applications allowed to operate on AT&T’s 3G network?

Apple does not know if there is a VoIP element in the way the Google Voice application routes calls and messages, and whether VoIP technology is used over the 3G network by the application. Apple has approved numerous standard VoIP applications (such as Skype, Nimbuzz and iCall) for use over WiFi, but not over AT&T’s 3G network.

Question 5. What other applications have been rejected for use on the iPhone and for what reasons? Is there a list of prohibited applications or of categories of applications that is provided to potential vendors/developers? If so, is this posted on the iTunes website or otherwise disclosed to consumers?

In a little more than a year, the App Store has grown to become the world’s largest wireless applications store, with over 65,000 applications. We’ve rejected applications for a variety of reasons. Most rejections are based on the application containing quality issues or software bugs, while other rejections involve protecting consumer privacy, safeguarding children from inappropriate content, and avoiding applications that degrade the core experience of the iPhone. Given the volume and variety of technical issues, most of the review process is consumed with quality issues and software bugs, and providing feedback to developers so they can fix applications. Applications that are fixed and resubmitted are approved.

The following is a list of representative applications that have been rejected as originally submitted and their current status:

* Twittelator, by Stone Design Corp., was initially rejected because it crashed during loading, but the developer subsequently fixed the application and it has been approved;
* iLoveWiFi!, by iCloseBy LLC, was rejected because it used undocumented application protocols (it has not been resubmitted as of the date of this letter);
* SlingPlayer Mobile, by Sling Media, was initially rejected because redirecting a TV signal to an iPhone using AT&T’s cellular network is prohibited by AT&T’s customer Terms of Service, but the developer subsequently fixed the application to use WiFi only and it has been approved; and
* Lingerie Fantasy Video (Lite), by On The Go Girls, LLC, was initially rejected because it displayed nudity and explicit sexual content, but the developer subsequently fixed the application and it has been approved with the use of a 17+ age rating.

Apple provides explicit language in its agreement with iPhone developers regarding prohibited categories of applications, for example:

* “Applications may be rejected if they contain content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, sounds, etc.) that in Apple’s reasonable judgment may be found objectionable, for example, materials that may be considered obscene, pornographic, or defamatory; and
* Applications must not contain any malware, malicious or harmful code, program, or other internal component (e.g. computer viruses, trojan horses, ‘backdoors’) which could damage, destroy, or adversely affect other software, firmware, hardware, data, systems, services, or networks.”

And we also provide a reference library that can be accessed by members of the iPhone Developer Program that lists helpful information such as Best Practices and How To Get Started.

Question 6. What are the standards for considering and approving iPhone applications? What is the approval process for such applications (timing, reasons for rejection, appeal process, etc.)? What is the percentage of applications that are rejected? What are the major reasons for rejecting an application?

As discussed in the response to Question 5, Apple provides guidelines to developers in our developer agreement as well as on its web site regarding prohibited categories of applications. These materials also contain numerous other provisions regarding technical and legal requirements that applications must comply with, and Apple uses these standards in considering whether or not to approve applications.

Apple developed a comprehensive review process that looks at every iPhone application that is submitted to Apple. Applications and marketing text are submitted through a web interface. Submitted applications undergo a rigorous review process that tests for vulnerabilities such as software bugs, instability on the iPhone platform, and the use of unauthorized protocols. Applications are also reviewed to try to prevent privacy issues, safeguard children from exposure to inappropriate content, and avoid applications that degrade the core experience of the iPhone. There are more than 40 full-time trained reviewers, and at least two different reviewers study each application so that the review process is applied uniformly. Apple also established an App Store executive review board that determines procedures and sets policy for the review process, as well as reviews applications that are escalated to the board because they raise new or complex issues. The review board meets weekly and is comprised of senior management with responsibilities for the App Store. 95% of applications are approved within 14 days of being submitted.

If we find that an application has a problem, for example, a software bug that crashes the application, we send the developer a note describing the reason why the application will not be approved as submitted. In many cases we are able to provide specific guidance about how the developer can fix the application. We also let them know they can contact the app review team or technical support, or they can write to us for further guidance.

Apple generally spends most of the review period making sure that the applications function properly, and working with developers to fix quality issues and software bugs in applications. We receive about 8,500 new applications and updates every week, and roughly 20% of them are not approved as originally submitted. In little more than a year, we have reviewed more than 200,000 applications and updates.

[photo: flickr/leoncillo sabino]

Crunch Network: CrunchBase the free database of technology companies, people, and investors

Source: TechCrunch | 21 Aug 2009 | 3:25 pm

Microsoft: Word Judgment Seriously Fl... - PC Magazine

TopNews United States

Microsoft: Word Judgment Seriously Flawed PC Magazine Microsoft and i4i will face off in court next month over a judgment that ordered Microsoft to stop distribution of Word amidst patent violations. Microsoft filed an appeal on Tuesday, arguing that stopping shipment of Word would ... Microsoft Word injunction appeal hearing on September 23Ars Technica Hearing set for appeal of Word injunctionCNET News CAFC Grants Microsoft Expedited Patent Appeal in Word CaseIPWatchdog.com NetworkWorld.com -BusinessWeek -TopNews United States all 64 news articles »

Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 21 Aug 2009 | 3:14 pm

10 Photography Pet Peeves We'd Throw Down a Black Hole

Wired.com's maestros of the photographic arts tell you all about (and show you) the stuff that drives them crazy.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 21 Aug 2009 | 3:13 pm

iPhone Owners Would Like to Replace Battery, AT&T [Digital Daily]

According to a new survey from ChangeWave, owners of Apple’s new iPhone 3GS are quite happy with the device. Sadly, the same cannot be said of the AT&T service that accompanies it. Asked what they dislike most about the iPhone, 41 percent of respondents said the device’s short battery life.

Nearly a third, 32 percent, said AT&T.

And another 23 percent said the quality, coverage and speed of AT&T’s network. (Click image below to enlarge.)

Now, that isn’t all that surprising given the swell of bad press that occurred when AT&T admitted at Macworld 2009 that unlike dozens of other carriers that it wasn’t ready to support iPhone tethering or MMS support. But it’s interesting that AT&T (T) is responsible for two of the top three complaints about an Apple (AAPL) product. I can’t imagine that’s going over too well in Cupertino.

Says ChangeWave: “There are no indications that Apple’s AT&T problem is going away. On the contrary, the better customers feel about their iPhones the worse they feel about AT&T–with nearly one-in-two 3GS owners citing AT&T-related issues as their biggest dislike. These survey results suggest Apple will be forced to deal with the issue sooner than many analysts expect.”

“There will be a day when we are not exclusive with the iPhone,” AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said recently. And apparently, iPhone users are hoping that day comes sooner rather than later.

Source: All Things Digital | 21 Aug 2009 | 3:11 pm

Scientists Find Way To Combat Forged DNA

An anonymous reader writes to tell us that while scientists may have learned how to forge DNA, it appears that a group of Israeli scientists has created a DNA authentication method that is able to distinguish between real and faked DNA samples. "The new process was tested on natural and artificial samples of blood, saliva and touched surfaces, with complete success, Nucleix said. It also identifies "contaminated" DNA that has been mixed with two or more samples."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Source: Slashdot | 21 Aug 2009 | 3:11 pm

Wikileaks publishes large cache of US neo-Nazi group's emails

More than 600 "private emails" from the National Socialist Movement, aka NSM88, basically the reincarnation of the American Nazi party, managed to find their way into the hands of the folks who maintain Wikileaks. These don't look so much like "private emails" as the contents of an opt-in email mailing list maintained by the group, but I'm still trying to confirm their origin.

Anyway, Wikileaks has published them all, and you can browse through chronologically, or by author, or download the whole lot of 'em for fun weekend reading. Yeah, there's a lot of what you'd expect in here. The one funny light spot was finding utterly banal spam for Bing.com, and "back-to-school specials" and ancestry.com promotions mixed in with the more sobering stuff like this:

This email is not a calling for a putsch, revolution, or violence of any type, those types of actions will not be necessary; nonetheless, certain events will naturally occur and will need to be taken advantage of by all of us. (...)

Gentlemen, for too long only one race has made gains in their freedom and survival. That race has not been ours. If you look at things objectively, you will see that all of you have been fighting a good fight but our race is losing ground at a very fast rate; Obama running for President is evidence of that. We have a great opportunity in front of us and we need to ensure it is recognized for what it is and can be. The Fuhrer made great strides by knowing when and where to put his foot down, what moves to make and we need to follow his example.

US National Socialist Movement private emails ,until 15 Aug 2009 (Wikileaks)

Source: Boing Boing | 21 Aug 2009 | 3:06 pm

AT&T To FCC: We Did Not Block The Google Voice App On The iPhone

Here it is, AT&T’s statement on what they sent to the FCC regarding the rejection of the Google Voice app on the iPhone. As you can see, unlike last time where the statement was vague, AT&T is clearly stating here that it had nothing to do with the Google Voice rejection. This wording comes from Jim Cicconi, AT&T’s senior executive vice president, external and legislative affairs. Updated with the full AT&T response to the FCC

Below that, find the full document AT&T sent to the FCC responding to its questions.

We’re reaching out to Apple on this right now and will update.

AT&T Statement on Letter to the FCC Regarding Apple App Store

WASHINGTON, DC – On July 31, 2009, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued letters to Apple, AT&T and Google with a series of questions about the Google Voice app and Apple’s App Store approval process. AT&T today responded to the questions raised in the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau letter. The following statement may be attributed to Jim Cicconi, AT&T senior executive vice president, external and legislative affairs:

“We appreciate the opportunity to clear up misconceptions related to an application Google submitted to Apple for inclusion in the Apple App Store. We fully support the FCC’s goal of getting the facts and data necessary to inform its policymaking.

“To that end, let me state unequivocally, AT&T had no role in any decision by Apple to not accept the Google Voice application for inclusion in the Apple App Store. AT&T was not asked about the matter by Apple at any time, nor did we offer any view one way or the other.

“AT&T does not block consumers from accessing any lawful website on the Internet. Consumers can download or launch a multitude of compatible applications directly from the Internet, including Google Voice, through any web-enabled wireless device. As a result, any AT&T customer may access and use Google Voice on any web-enabled device operating on AT&T’s network, including the iPhone, by launching the application through their web browser, without the need to use the Apple App Store.”

Here’s the full document:
[photo: flickr/peter kaminski]

ATT Response to FCC iPhone Letter 082109 as Filed

Crunch Network: MobileCrunch Mobile Gadgets and Applications, Delivered Daily.

Source: TechCrunch | 21 Aug 2009 | 3:01 pm

Google: We Never Blocked Skype From Android

We’re all waiting with bated breath for the results of an FCC inquiry that’s currently investigating why Apple has banned Google Voice from its App Store — each company is due to submit their answers to the FCC today, and Google may well be the only company to emerge without egg on its face.

But this morning USA Todayprinted an article that cast doubt Google’s supposedly benevolent and open approach to mobile software. The article alleges that Google has blocked a full version of Skype from its Android platform, instructing the company to build a new version that didn’t have full VoIP capabilities — a move that sounds ridiculous after the Google Voice/Apple fiasco. But it looks like USA Today’s story may be misleading.

From the USA today piece:

Consumers who use Android, the Google-developed operating system for wireless devices, can’t use Skype, a leading Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service. A pioneer in free Internet calling, Skype allows you to talk as long as you want without draining cellphone minutes.

Android users get Skype Lite, a watered-down version of the original that routes calls over traditional phone networks — not the Internet. As a result, long-distance calls are still cheap or free, but cellphone minutes are gobbled up every time a Skype Lite call is made.

Ben Scott, public policy director of Free Press, a consumer advocacy group, says Google “is in an awkward spot. On the one hand, their application is being blocked on the Apple App Store. But on the other hand, they engaged in similar behavior” with Skype.

So did Google really block a VoIP app at a carrier’s request, or perhaps on its own accord? The truth, according to Andy Rubin, Google’s VP of Mobile Platforms, is much less sinister: earlier versions of Android didn’t support Skype because of technological shortcomings, but subsequent software updates have enabled full VoIP solutions. From Rubin’s blog post on Google’s Public Policy Blog:

“Here are the facts, clear and simple: While the first generation of our Android software did not support full-featured VoIP applications due to technology limitations, we have worked through those limitations in subsequent versions of Android, and developers are now able to build and upload VoIP services….

As we told USA Today earlier in the week Google did not reject an application from Skype or from any other company that provides VoIP services. To suggest otherwise is false. At this point no software developer — including Skype — has implemented a complete VoIP application for Android. But we’re excited to see — and use — these applications when they’re submitted, because they often provide more choice and options for users. We also look forward to the day when consumers can access any application, including VoIP apps, from any device, on any network.”

Also worth noting: even if Google did block an application from the Android Marketplace, users could still download apps elsewhere because Android isn’t a closed platform. We’re following up with Skype and Google to get more details.

Crunch Network: CrunchGear drool over the sexiest new gadgets and hardware.

Source: TechCrunch | 21 Aug 2009 | 3:00 pm

Sony Launches 'DigiDad Project' With Top Tier Daddy Bloggers

SAN DIEGO, Aug.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 21 Aug 2009 | 2:52 pm

10 Easy Pints: Newcastle DraughtKeg Makes Draft Beer Simple

Wired.com recently got a chance to test the Newcastle DraughtKeg, a 5-liter self-contained mini-keg of Newcastle Brown Ale.

Shaped like an actual keg, only much smaller, the DraughtKeg contains an internal CO2 pressurization system. All you have to do is attach the included plastic tap, hold a glass under it, and lift the lever on top.

Verdict: This is an excellent, convenient way to serve up more than a gallon (1.33 gallons, to be precise, or about 10 pints) of delicious beer.

There are some caveats. One, whether you regard Newcastle as delicious or repellent depends on whether you’re English, whether you’re from the northern or southern part of England, and whether you were a punk in the 1980s when the best way to be cool was stealing food, squatting in abandoned buildings, and buying the cheapest beer possible. Or something like that — we’re not all that clear on the exact valence of Newcastle Brown Ale among the British. Suffice it to say, as Americans and beer drinkers, we like it, even if it’s no Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. From the DraughtKeg, it tastes like a proper tapped beer, with a good head and no off flavors.

Second, the little instruction sheet that comes with the keglet (right) rivals Ikea assembly instructions for graphic elegance and inscrutability. Something about chilling the keg, attaching the plastic parts, and pouring the beer? Yeah, we could figure that out on our own; these instructions didn’t add much. Also missing was a warning about that little jet of beer that shot out as we were attaching the tap. Not a big deal, but a little embarrassing since it landed on our pants.

After that, it was all dreamy though. Incidentally, the little bit of beer left after our initial test was still good almost a month later, so Newcastle’s claim that it will last 30 days after being tapped is credible.

The Newcastle DraughtKeg will cost about $23 (that’s $2.30 per pint), and is currently available in just a few U.S. markets (Southern California, Minneapolis, Chicago). If you’ve got a Krups BeerTender, it’s compatible with that.

Disclosure: Yes, the PR firm for Newcastle sent the DraughtKeg to us for free. What were we going to say, no? Our journalistic mission required — demanded, really — that we test out this beer delivery system so we could report the results to you, our readers.

Photos: Dylan Tweney / Wired.com

Below the jump: One more photo of the DraughtKeg.

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 21 Aug 2009 | 2:49 pm

The Fungal Farmer's Market

Lichen study has implications for ecosystem researchLichens are the classic example of a symbiotic relationship.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 21 Aug 2009 | 2:45 pm

MISCOR Group Reports Second Quarter Results

SOUTH BEND, Ind., Aug. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Industrial services provider MISCOR Group, Ltd. (OTC Bulletin Board: MIGL) reported its operating results for the second quarter ended July 5, 2009.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 21 Aug 2009 | 2:45 pm

Gamertell Review: Acoustibuds earphone adapters

FROM GAMERTELL - The whole idea behind Accoustibuds is to revamp the ear buds you currently own so you don’t have to spend a small fortune on new headphones. But is it worth it? Read on…
MORE »

Full Story » | Written by NEWS for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Source: Gadgetell | 21 Aug 2009 | 2:44 pm

Joseph Zewe Named CFO of PLS Logistics

ROCHESTER, Pa., Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Joseph G. Zewe has joined PLS Logistics Services as Chief Financial Officer. Joe was most recently CFO of Astorino, an architectural, engineering and construction firm based in Pittsburgh.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 21 Aug 2009 | 2:34 pm

$25 baby incubator for premature newborns in poor places

From FORA TV, this video of a presentation by George Kembel, co-founder of the Stanford d.school, about the "Embrace," an extremely low-cost incubator for premature newborns. The challenge: design better technology to help keep premature newborns alive. The reality: the most at-risk newborns are in rural areas, far away from hospitals where $25,000 incubators are housed. The solution: a $25 "incubator" with materials that can be heated up in a pot of boiling water.

Awakening Creativity / FORA (thanks, Blaise Zerega)


Source: Boing Boing | 21 Aug 2009 | 2:18 pm

Curt Smith (Tears for Fears) on "the value of musical sharing"

Our friends at GOOD Magazine have posted a neat item here -- Curt Smith, best known as co-founder of the band Tears for Fears, but now an independent, solo artist with a new set of fans, talks about the "musical value of sharing." Great stuff. Snip:

I got my first record deal when I was 18 years old--next year that will be about 30 years ago, so I have been doing it for quite a while. The industry when I first started was very much one-sided in the sense that it favored the industry and not the musicians. We would sign deals when we were quite young that were pretty bad across the board: from record deals to publishing deals, even management deals and touring. You just didn't make as high of a percentage as you would now. But of course that has changed over the years, especially in the last few years with the internet and sharing your music with people.

Technology has changed so much that now, people are quite capable of making records themselves. It used to be a very expensive process, but its not anymore. In the past, the industry controlled how your music got out there, so if you didn't have a record deal it would never be on shelves; there was no Amazon, there was no iTunes. There was basically just radio, and the record companies controlled that as well. Now, with the freedom of the internet, people can go and discover your stuff.

The down side is that there is now so much music, some form of filtering tool is required.

Curt Smith on the Musical Value of Sharing (GOOD, as told to Eric Steuer, creative director of Creative Commons)

Curt is fun to follow on Twitter. So is GOOD.

I really dig Curt's current solo work, but I have been looking for an excuse to embed the video above on Boing boing for a long time, so I will. It's my favorite Tears for Fears song, and sometimes when I play it in my car, and I'm driving along PCH, it still makes my eyes well up with emo. (link: Pale Shelter)


Source: Boing Boing | 21 Aug 2009 | 2:16 pm

InfoLogix Receives NASDAQ Deficiency Letter

HATBORO, Pa., Aug. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- InfoLogix, Inc.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 21 Aug 2009 | 2:15 pm

Award Winning Technology Integrator Congratulates Award Winning Project Manager

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Aug.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 21 Aug 2009 | 2:11 pm

Microsoft, Yahoo Unite Against Google... - InformationWeek

Daily Mail

Microsoft, Yahoo Unite Against Google Book Search InformationWeek Microsoft and Yahoo have confirmed that they have joined the Open Book Alliance, a newly formed group opposed to the Google Book settlement. Amazon also reportedly joined the coalition, which is expected to make an announcement next ... Microsoft, Yahoo join in opposing Google books dealReuters Microsoft, Amazon join opposition to Google Books settlementArs Technica Tech Rivals Team Against Google Over E-BooksPC World Register -CNNMoney.com -BetaNews all 529 news articles »

Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 21 Aug 2009 | 2:02 pm

SLIDE SHOW: The Week's Top Stories

Take a look at the past week's top news in the Flashback Slide Show.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 21 Aug 2009 | 2:00 pm

An Emptied Flask Makes for Empty Promises

Alcohol causes people to thoroughly commit to goals they know they'll never follow through on when sober.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:53 pm

Danger Room in Afghanistan: Hansel and Gretel vs. Roadside Bombs

Combining off-the-shelf GPS units with a British tactic from Northern Ireland helps U.S. Marines avoid improvised bombs.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:53 pm

Frog Croaks, Population Weakened By Traffic Noise

Male frogs living near urban areas are having trouble competing with the sound of the city, which may be causing the frog population to decline.Male frogs use their croaks to attract their mates.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:50 pm

Bogosphere: The Strangest Things Pulled Out of Peat Bogs

When a keg of 3,000-year-old butter was pulled out of an Irish bog this week, Wired Science asked, what else has been found in bogs? Turns out, a lot of weird stuff.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:49 pm

BlizzCon Keynote — New WoW Expansion, Diablo 3 Details

BlizzCon kicked off this morning with a keynote address that brought some major announcements for some of their games. First, World of Warcraft's third expansion, Cataclysm, was officially revealed. It differs from the previous expansions in that they will not be creating an entirely new continent for players to explore. Instead, the two huge continents from the original game will be going through a literal cataclysm, causing some zones to be destroyed, new ones to become available, and existing ones to be entirely revamped. Big news came for Diablo III as well, with the announcement of the Monk class and a trailer showing how it plays. More details for both games as well as StarCraft II will undoubtedly become available over the next few days, but read on for more about what we already know. If you have any questions, don't forget to post them here.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Source: Slashdot | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:48 pm

Bell’s Palm Pre Ad Looks Like an iPhone Parody, But It’s Real

Holy moly. We thought Sprint’s ad explicitly targeting iPhone customers was a desperate move. But Canadian carrier Bell’s TV commercial for the Pre wins first place for the nipping-at-Apple’s-heels contest. It looks so much like Apple’s iPhone TV ads that you’ll think it’s a joke. Nope, it’s real, and after you’re done laughing it’s actually kind of sad.

See an iPhone ad below the jump for reference.

Via TUAW

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:46 pm

Microsoft Muscles Into Retail Stores [Voices]

By Nick Wingfield, Reporter, The Wall Street Journal

One thing’s for sure about the employees at Microsoft’s (MSFT) new retail stores: they’re going to need strong backs and biceps.

In the job listings Microsoft posted for its new stores yesterday, the company lists a number of unsurprising requirements for prospective retail workers. They need to be able to provide a “warm welcome” for customers, “execute the sales and service strategies” of Microsoft’s retail group and restock shelves. The listings also say workers need to be able to lift and carry 75 pounds (”loading and unloading all those great products and carrying purchases out for our customers will be required!”).

That hefty weight requirement raises some questions: Will Microsoft have barbells at the ready during its interview process to test how much staffers can deadlift?

Read the rest of this post on the original site

Source: All Things Digital | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:44 pm

Gadget Lab Comments of the Week - Fourth Edition

Our coverage of Windows 7’s pros and cons sparked a storm of commentary, much of it predictably angry and partisan. But a few comments stood out.

One, posted on our first look at Windows 7, is from dereleased, who rebutted other commenters by citing a source on Microsoft customer satisfaction (even including a URL), presenting a thoughtful argument and adding a new wrinkle to the conversation:

OS X is built to run on homegrown hardware that they know inside and out and can always predict.

Linux (and variants) is Open Source, and therefore being maintained at lightning speed by a dedicated community of people who will make it work on anything, anywhere if they can, with the polish being added later. …

Windows, however, is in a fairly unique situation to the other two: it is designed to run on any hodge-podge of software you can throw together. Does it accomplish this goal? Arguably, yes. I know, it must suck when your XYZ brand component doesn’t work as perfectly as you want, but when you think about the absolutely _staggering_ number of different parts you can plug into that beast (tens of processors, hundreds of video cards, motherboards, etc, etc) and still have it run, it’s actually a bit impressive.

Yes, you can include URLs in Gadget Lab comments, and we especially like it when those URLs point to a source, not just some spam blog.

Unrelated to the Windows 7 controversy, two Gadget Lab stories this week drew attention to the limitations of modern computer architecture. Commenters on each of these stories added erudite, informed opinions that, perhaps not coincidentally, drew attention to the same problem: The limitations of the bus that connects a CPU with the rest of the computer, including its main memory.

On “Hardware Hackers Create a Modular Motherboard,” commenter jneutron5 made some valid points about challenges of parallel programming and current Intel architecture.

Parallelism in coding is hard, at times unintuitive, that’s true. But what these guys are doing is not only admirable, it’s way overdue. The fact is, unfortunately most of the best and brightest engineering colleagues of mine, even those that come from the top universities, know nothing about what it takes to code for parallel architectures.

From “DNA May Help Build the Next Generation of Chips,” a commenter called sixwings had this to say:

However, there is a monster that threatens to rain on IBM’s beautiful  parade. It’s called memory bandwidth. It is a monster that gets meaner  and nastier every time you add another core to a processor. The reason is that all the cores must use a single data bus and a single address bus to access a single piece of data at a time and this creates a paralyzing bottleneck.

…

We must come up with a completely different type of computer, one that solves the bandwidth problem by embedding huge numbers of elementary processors directly into the memory substrate.

Sixwings and jneutron5 — You guys should put your heads together. I think you’re on the same track!

Finally, on our story about what women want in gadgets, Tooloohoohoo had an interesting, if somewhat rambling, response:

“Fashionable” is certainly more important for women, but fashionable actually has little to do with appearance. It means that something is “in fashion,” that a culture which the consumer belongs to has begun to esteem the product, and the consumer wants to increase his or or her standing in that culture by possessing the product while it is still on the rise. Right now male culture esteems these things more than female culture.

All of these comments, among many others, were worthy and useful contributions to Gadget Lab this week. But we’re awarding the prize — a Leatherman Freestyle CX donated by the Leatherman company — to dereleased. Thanks for citing your sources.

Thanks to everyone who posted comments on Gadget Lab this week and please keep them coming! We’re all out of prizes for now, but with luck we’ll be able to bring them back in the near future.

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:43 pm

Mangrove destruction threatens food supply

Much of coastal Africa's food supply is being threatened by the destruction of swampy mangrove forests, NASA scientists warn. The groves are being destroyed by pollution, real estate development, and deforestation necessary to sustain large-scale commercial shrimp farming, Lola Fatoyinbo,
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:38 pm

What Is Broadband? FCC Wants To Know - InformationWeek

Ars Technica

What Is Broadband? FCC Wants To Know InformationWeek The federal agency wants to develop accurate and uniform definitions for broadband to help in its development of a national broadband plan. By W. David Gardner The FCC has launched a campaign to define exactly what constitutes "broadband" and providers ... FCC takes a closer look at wireless industryCNET News FCC targets wireless industry in 'empowerment' probeTG Daily Telecom Facing More Active FCCForbes TMCnet -GCN.com -CED Magazine all 81 news articles »

Source: Sci/Tech - Google News | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:33 pm

'Cataclysm' Expansion Will Rock 'World of Warcraft,' Blizzard Says

The wildly popular game will be forever changed when the next expansion pack hits. The gamemaker's BlizzCon presentation also rolls out a host of features, including new races and monsters.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:33 pm

Managing Cost and Optimizing Working Capital to Thrive During a Cash Crunch

ASHBURN, Va., Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent Hackett Group survey, topics top of mind for CFOs today include better managing their current cost structure and optimizing working capital.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:26 pm

MINI brings roadside assistance into the 21st century with mobile app

Drive a MINI? Have an iPhone or Blackberry? Well then, you are in luck my friend. MINI has recently released a free app, MINI Roadside Assistance, to better assist its customers in times of need.

Should your street legal go-kart break down, be involved in an accident, blow a tire, or suffer some other incident while you are out motoring, MINI Roadside Assistance will use your device’s GPS and your vehicle’s unique identification number (VIN) to help expedite, um, roadside assistance. All the user has to do is launch the app and hit the “call” button.

While it sounds rather simple (although not quite as easy as OnStar’s automatic accident detection and alert system), simplicity is key in emergency situations…every second counts.

On a lighter note, the app not only provides direct roadside connection and vehicle location info, but it also includes other services/info regarding your MINI’s battery, tires, fuel, mechanical troubles, or lock-out situations.

The MINI Roadside Assistance (iTunes link) app is free for MINI owners (technically, it’s free for anyone, but offers zero functionality if you are MINI-less) and works alongside the free roadside assistance service while your MINI is still under warranty. (However, if you don’t have a MINI, but you are a AAA member, there is a similar app, AAA Roadside (iTunes link), available for the iPhone.) For more on MINI Roadside Assistance, check out the FAQ.

Happy Motoring!

[via MotorAuthority]

Crunch Network: CrunchBase the free database of technology companies, people, and investors

Source: MobileCrunch | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:23 pm

S. Korea now to launch rocket Tuesday

South Korea has reset the launch of its first space rocket for Tuesday after canceling the previous launch just 8 minutes before liftoff, authorities said.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:11 pm

Android’s next device is a MID?

Section: Computers, Mobile Computers, Gadgets / Other

Ever since its release on cell phones, Android has been rumored to show up on other machines and has been hacked many times to do so.  Of the major products that come to market all have been cell phones.  We have yet to see the mythical Android netbook reach market, nor the Android-based media player.  It looks like we’re about to see the next real device that will ship with Android.

That new device is a MID.  Shenzen-based Eston Technology recently sent one of their latest MIDs to the Chinese gadget site Shanzhaiben.  MIDs are usually not a huge deal, then again MIDs also tend to ship with Windows CE, making them incredibly boring.  One particular new MID from Eston Technology was preloaded with Google’s Android, which should prove to be an interesting new market for the OS.  Shanzhaiben tested the web browsing and “general user experience” of the device, finding it more than acceptable and much better than Windows CE.

While MIDs seem to be a very niche market, putting Android on such a device could make it a hacker’s dream device.  Hacking Android and putting in custom versions of the OS is fairly popular.  However, since all Android devices we have at the moment are phones, there’s always the risk of bricking your phone and having to pay up for a new one.  Granted, MIDs are still expensive hardware, replacing a MID if bricked wouldn’t be the same as replacing a phone.

Even without the hacking, this is an interesting idea.  Android is more than capable as an OS and adding a physical keyboard to a 4.3” screen will surely help that.  With a battery life of about 4 hours this Android MID would be nice to see stateside, or any Android MID for that matter.

Read [Shenzai]

Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Source: Gadgetell | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:04 pm

Review: HP Mini 5101 Netbook Flaunts Minimalist Design, Middling Performance

If looks were all that mattered, HP’s Mini 5101 would’ve been a 10. But alas, bumpy QuickTime video playback and a just-OK battery life knocked the Mini 5101 to a 6 in our ratings. Here’s a snippet from our review:

We love the matte, full-sized keyboard — soft on the fingertips, but just firm enough for precision typing. The glossy trackpad is comfy, too, although it collects smudges quickly.

Performance for the Mini 5101 is solid. The machine cranked out roughly the same benchmark results as the Asus 1000HE, the fastest netbook we’ve tested this year. But the Mini 5101 fell behind Asus when it came to battery performance: four hours in our tests compared to the 1000HE’s impressive five-hour stamina. (Both netbooks ship with a six-cell battery.)

Speaking of video playback, the Mini 5101 comes equipped with the new Intel Atom N280 processor — a 1.66-GHz chip designed to deliver smoother video playback. That improvement is evident in Flash videos, but QuickTime files and YouTube clips played with more chop than an afternoon with Paul Bunyan.

Visit Wired.com/reviews to get our full take on HP’s sexy but imperfect netbook, among other new gadgets.

See Also:

• Toshiba Mini NB205 Netbook
• Separated at Birth? $500 A2 Netbook and MacBook Air
• Asus Eee PC T91 “Touch”
• Dell Mini 10 Netbook
• Samsung NC20

Image: HP

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:02 pm

Microsoft Unveils Hands-Free Controller To Public

Microsoft’s revolutionary hands-free controller technology made its first public debut Friday at the "gamescom" convention in Germany.Microsoft’s project “Natal” is a hands-free controller that consists of a microphone as well as visual and infrared cameras for the Xbox 360.Natal first appeared at the E3 Expo in June, but it was only previewed and members of the public audience were not permitted to test it out."The current controller is a barrier to some people using our console," Kudo Tsunoda, Xbox 360's general manager and creative director of Natal, told BBC News."To many users, the vast array of buttons and analogue sticks is plain confusing."Natal works by calibrating itself to the room’s temperature and seeking out warm human bodies in the room.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:00 pm

Inaugural Game Developers Conference(R) Europe 2009 Hosts Nearly 1,500 Industry Professionals

COLOGNE, Germany, Aug.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 21 Aug 2009 | 1:00 pm

Feds study climate change effect on pikas

The first-ever study of its kind could help determine if the American pika is at risk of disappearing from western U.S.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 21 Aug 2009 | 12:50 pm

Mario Kart Power-Ups Come to Indycar Racing

The "power ups" that have reinvigorated the Indy Racing League are the result of a cool software hack. We probably won't see the push-to-pass in road cars.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 21 Aug 2009 | 12:50 pm

Feds halt fishing expansion in Arctic

The U.S. government won't allow commercial fishing to expand in federal Arctic waters until more is known about climate change, authorities said. Climate change is causing the Arctic sea ice to recede, opening more water and prompting an interest in expanded fishing, U.S.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 21 Aug 2009 | 12:49 pm

The Perils of Oversharing on Facebook [Voices]

By Marisa Taylor, Reporter, The Wall Street Journal

Over-sharing on Twitter and Facebook has always been annoying, but in recent months over-sharing has been in the news for getting people fired from their jobs.

Digits rounded up a few of the most notable stories from this summer as cautionary tales:

One of the most dramatic tales that surfaced this month was the unnamed woman in the UK who was fired after she insulted her boss and wrote “OMG I HATE MY JOB!!” in a Facebook status update, without realizing that he was her Facebook friend.

Her boss responded on Facebook: “You also seem to have forgotten that you have 2 weeks left on your 6 month trial period. Don’t bother coming in tomorrow….And yes, I’m serious.” Screenshots of the whole Facebook exchange have spread virally all over the Web.

Read the rest of this post on the original site

Source: All Things Digital | 21 Aug 2009 | 12:40 pm

Scientist Awarded Prestigious European Research Council Starting Grant

Rui Costa, principal investigator of the Champalimaud Neuroscience Program at the Institute Gulbenkian de Ciencia (IGC), in Portugal, is one of only 219 recipients of the prestigious European Research Council Starting grants, out of 2503 applicants for the 2009 edition of this flagship award scheme.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 21 Aug 2009 | 12:35 pm

Convert: A Gorgeous, Versatile Unit Converter and Calculator for iPhone

Neer. Let’s put on our super nerdy caps for a second and explore this iPhone app called Convert. It’s a gorgeous unit converter and calculator, and it’s as simple as that. It makes unit conversions for everything from money and time, and from air pressure to energy.

Because of Convert’s flexibility, there are plenty people who should find it useful. When cooking, for instance, if you’re trying to triple a recipe and need to convert tablespoons into cups, you can simply punch some numbers into this app. Or if you’re traveling to Japan and need to convert dollars into Yen, this should come helpful, too. You select unit types with a slick scroll wheel; a built-in calculator spares you the need to leave the app to crunch numbers.

There have been plenty of unit-conversion apps in the App Store, but this is the first we’ve seen to address so many types of units in an elegant, intuitive interface. We love it.

Convert is currently a buck in the App Store. See a video demoing the app at developer Tap Tap Tap’s website.

Download Link [iTunes]

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 21 Aug 2009 | 12:27 pm

$25 Incubator

Xeni spots an incubator that will save the lives of prematurely-born infants in the developing world. It costs $25: "They realized they didn't need to design a cheaper incubator. They just needed a way to keep babies warm."

Source: Boing Boing Gadgets | 21 Aug 2009 | 12:27 pm

Testing Environmentally-friendly Rocket Propellant

NASA and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, or AFOSR, have successfully launched a small rocket using an environmentally-friendly, safe propellant comprised of aluminum powder and water ice, called ALICE."This collaboration has been an opportunity for graduate students to work on an environmentally-friendly propellant that can be used for flight on Earth and used in long distance space missions," said NASA Chief Engineer Mike Ryschkewitsch at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 21 Aug 2009 | 12:25 pm

Ten Ways To Destroy a Hard Disk

Barence writes "Following his blog last week about the home-made hard disk destroyer, Bustadrive, Mike Jennings was deluged with comments from readers, both on the blog and here on Slashdot. Most seemed to like the product, but also offered up far more innovative and madcap methods of hard disk destruction, with a wide range of implements used — household and otherwise. In this follow-up post, he rounds up the best of an imaginative bunch of hard disk destruction methods."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Source: Slashdot | 21 Aug 2009 | 12:18 pm

Google wants to help you Listen to the web while on the go

Good news, Androids. Google Labs has busted out a new podcast / web audio-centric app, Listen, for your droiding pleasure.

In particular, Listen from Google Labs:

lets you search, subscribe, download and stream. By subscribing to programs and search terms it will create a personalized audio-magazine loaded with fresh shows and news stories whenever you listen. In this release Listen is indexing thousands of popular English-only audio sources.

Google Listen joins Doggcatcher, another podcatcher, in bringing podcasts to your ‘droid. However, besides the fact that Doggcatcher isn’t free (whereas Listen costs nothing), the biggest difference between the two is, well, Google being Google. Where Doggcatcher requires users to enter in the particular RSS feeds they want to follow, Listen allows users to search for any and all podcasts / other web audio from across the Nets.

For example, say you want to learn more about oh, I don’t know…healthcare. Or perhaps you’re interested in listening to something slightly less controversial, say NFL pre-season analysis. With Listen, you’d simply enter in some keywords (”public option” / “Washington Redskins”) and “press on a result to start listening right away or press and hold (long-press) to see more options.”

Not only can you search and subscribe to podcasts, but you can also create playlists with the “My Listen Queue” feature. Listen also works with Bluetooth headsets.

At the moment, Listen is available only for Android-powered devices and is limited to English-only audio podcast.

Crunch Network: CrunchGear drool over the sexiest new gadgets and hardware.

Source: MobileCrunch | 21 Aug 2009 | 12:15 pm

Sonoma Partners Chosen for Inc. 5000 List of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America for Second Year in a Row

CHICAGO, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonoma Partners, a leading provider of Microsoft Dynamics CRM in the United States, is pleased to announce it was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the country's fastest-growing private companies.
Source: RedOrbit News - Technology | 21 Aug 2009 | 12:05 pm

Ganging Up on Google [Digital Daily]

Source: All Things Digital | 21 Aug 2009 | 12:00 pm

BlizzCon 2009: Latest Buzz From Blizzard Blowout

Get the news from Blizzard Entertainment, straight from the World of Warcraft maker's massive convention floor in Anaheim, California.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 21 Aug 2009 | 12:00 pm

First 'Avatar' Trailer Reveals Pandora's Intoxicating Alien World

New footage offers the first glimpse of James Cameron's sci-fi epic. The trailer is loaded with exotic terrain, intimidating beasts, military machinery and the love story that will unfold on distant moon Pandora.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 21 Aug 2009 | 11:59 am

Sirius XM to Introduce iPhone and iPod Satellite Radio Dock

Sirius XM, the satellite radio service provider, is set to introduce a satellite radio dock called XM SkyDock for the iPhone and iPod Touch, says the XMFan.com website.

The company has scheduled a press event on Wednesday to talk about new products.

The SkyDock will turn the iPhone or the iPod Touch into a satellite Sirius XM radio receiver. And it is expected to come with a wallet-friendly price tag of $100. Customers will still have to pay subscription fees for the service but this product makes satellite radio an exciting possibility for iPhone or iPod Touch users.

In June, Sirius XM released an iPhone app for their service. But the application left out many of the most popular shows on the network such as Howard Stern, MLB games and NFL because of  contract issues over the right to stream to phones.  We hope the SkyDock won’t be crippled with similar problems.

Sirius also plans to introduce a new XM radio with color screen for $80, says XMFan.com

Photo: (ckelley/Flickr)

See Also:

• Sirius XM Releases ‘Lite’ iPhone App. WTF?
• Sirius Hops on Podcast Bandwagon
• Finally, a Sirius IPod Threat

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 21 Aug 2009 | 11:50 am

Fossil Hunters Flock To Angola For Important Finds

Paleontologists say Angola is fast becoming a "museum in the ground" for rare dinosaur fossils, where some are actually sticking out of the ground, AFP reported.Louis Jacobs of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, is part of the PaleoAngola project, which is hunting for dinosaur fossils.
Source: RedOrbit News - Science | 21 Aug 2009 | 11:50 am

Oh, Speaking of Broadband–What the Hell Is It? [Digital Daily]

Before the Federal Communications Commission begins doling out the $7.4 billion in federal grants up for grabs through national broadband stimulus programs, the agency must answer an important question: What is broadband? And so, in a public notice issued today, the Commission is requesting “tailored” public comment on what the definition of broadband should be.

That might seem an inane question, coming from the FCC, but when you think about it, it has never really been answered, not even by broadband carriers, which would undoubtedly prefer that the term be ambiguous enough to allow for all manner of throughput/delivered speeds, usage caps, and latency. So it’s a good time to ask it. As senior adviser Carlos Kirjner explains in a post to the FCC blog today:

• If we want to decide who has and who does not have broadband, we actually need to agree on what we mean by broadband.
• If we want to decide who can take advantage of one type of application or another, we need to know what they are actually getting today, and what is the gap between that and what they actually need to get.
• If we need to know how much it would cost the country to enable all or a subset of its households and businesses to take advantage of one application or another, we need to know what the gap is between where we are and where we want to be.
• If we want to ensure that consumers have a clear and accurate view of what they are getting for their money, we need to decide what are the important metrics, and how to measure them.

Good points, all. But allow me to suggest one more:

• If we’re going to start handing out $7.4 billion in federal grants for broadband improvements, we should make damn sure that broadband is improved.

Because the last time we invested in our broadband future, we didn’t see much return on that investment.

In the run-up to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the incumbent telecoms promised to provide fiber-optic connections to millions of households across the country. In exchange, they were given some $200 billion in tax cuts and higher service rates to pay for it. But the telecoms didn’t spend that money on fiber upgrades; they spent it on long distance, wireless and inferior DSL services.

“By 2005, if the Bell companies had actually delivered on their broadband promises, approximately 86 million households would have had fiber-optic-based services,” Bruce Kushnick, executive director of New Networks Institute, explains in “The $300 Billion Broadband Scandal.” “These state commitments also would have rewired schools and libraries, hospitals and government offices. And in most states, the plan called for ALL customers to be rewired equally, whether they were in rural or urban areas, rich or poor. Universal broadband was to be accomplished state-by-state because customers were, in essence, de facto investors funding these network upgrades.”

But that’s not what happened (click on image below to enlarge). Know anyone in California who had Pac Bell fiber in 1996? How about 2000? Yeah, didn’t think so. And that’s something worth mulling today.

Source: All Things Digital | 21 Aug 2009 | 11:49 am

Feds Urge Dismissal of High-Profile Spy Case

The Obama administration is urging a federal judge to dismiss, once and for all, a 5-year-old lawsuit weighing whether a sitting U.S. president may lawfully adopt a warrantless electronic surveillance program without congressional authorization -- as President George W. Bush did in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 21 Aug 2009 | 11:46 am

Your iPhone 3GS can play 1080p video just fine (but will Apple let you?)

Go ahead, I dare you to explain to me the utility you derive from playing 1080p video on your iPhone 3GS. A post on a Chinese forum suggests that the phone is perfectly capable of playing 720p and 1080p when encoded with H.264; Apple currently limits playback resolution to 640×480. The angle right now is, “How dare Apple artificially limit the resolution that we can play?” Well, one, it’s Apple, what do you expect and, two, can image how quickly the battery will deplete when playing 1080p video?

A forum-goer was able to get around Apple’s restriction, playing a 1080p video at 30Mbs. (Really? My stupid MacBook would scream in horror trying to play a 30Mbps video, even when using Plex.) So, technically, yes, it does appear to be possible to play “Full HD” video on your iPhone 3GS.

Of course, watching such video on your iPhone is probably overkill, but I guess Apple could, one day, release an adapter that would allow you to output 1080p video from your phone and onto an HDTV. You’d probably need to keep your iPhone plugged in for the duration of that playback, so it’s not exactly going to be elegant.

But, if it can be done, mazel tov in your general direction.

Crunch Network: CrunchBoard because it’s time for you to find a new Job2.0

Source: MobileCrunch | 21 Aug 2009 | 11:30 am

Ka-shing! Spotify Investors Include Chinese Billionaire

Chinese plastics, real estate, electricity, shipping and communications baron Li Ka-shing now owns a minority stake in Spotify, already valued at around $250 million.

Source: Wired Top Stories | 21 Aug 2009 | 11:16 am

Video: HTC Click previewed - Runs Donut, lacks Sense

I do believe this is a first: not only has someone at Vietnamese mobile site Tinh Té managed to get their hands on an HTC Click before it’s even official, but it looks like they’ve had it for long enough to laser etch a bunch of crazy crap onto the back. Fortunately, they’re not just sitting around basking in the exclusive warmth of their unreleased phone - they were nice enough to give the Click a 5-minute video rundown.

As expected, it continues to look as if the HTC Click won’t do too much damage to your wallet. The LCD appears to be a good amount smaller than the 3.2″ screen found on the G1 and the myTouch. We’re not too sure about the rest of the specs, though; while the absence of HTC’s fairly resource intensive Sense UI leads us to believe it may be a bit lacking in the CPU/Memory department, the fact that it’s running the “Donut” build of Android (while rumors as of late indicate that the G1 is stuck at the previous build, “Cupcake”, due to memory limitations) plays with our head a bit.

Oh, and another first: Pretty sure this is the first time we’ve ever seen a hands-on video performed by someone with an extra thumb.

[Via SlashGear]

Crunch Network: TechCrunch obsessively profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies

Source: MobileCrunch | 21 Aug 2009 | 11:05 am

Who’s on Crack in Tech: 08.21.09

Section: Communications, Smartphones, Mobile, Gadgets / Other, Features, Originals, Columns, Who's On Crack

Yes, as summer steams toward a close the tech world gears up for fall intros and even CES is on the horizon.  PR folks have been huddled in corners trying to figure out how to make their widget the “bomb-diggity” for the holiday buzz and into January.  The result?  Some hits, but mostly excitement over some repackaged dog poo.  Here are my faves of the week:

• Google Voice thinks I want to call Canada
• “It was AT&T, in the drawing room, with the lead pipe”- WSJ
• Camera quandary
• Dell backpedals phone outing

Google Voice says, “eh?”

Despite pressure from the FCC regarding a good long look into why the Google Voice app wasn’t up to snuff for Apple/AT&T, the service soldiers on introducing new features.  Our Robert Nelson reports, “Google Voice, the service that many people are still waiting to get an invitation for, as well as the service that is now tempting many iPhone users to jailbreak, has been steadily rolling out some improvements and tweaks.”

One of these tweaks is calling Canada for free.  Grand Central (the service that became Google Voice after some cash exchanged hands) offered this perk, but taken away by Google.  Now it is back, so presumably you can call a Mountie or hockey player of your choice.  Just kidding, though my calls to Canada are very low in number.  Perhaps we should talk more?

AT&T holds smoking gun?

According to an opinion piece that ran in the A section, opposite important things like health care reform, why the Economist magazine should change from Red to Black with the economy, and why we should build more F-22s, the WSJ gave credence to the theory that AT&T wants Google Voice to eat it.  That was the thrust behind Andy Kessler’s piece citing no source, no statements, no evidence other than circumstantial. 

It was an all out battle cry for an attack on AT&T.  Kessler’s not new to throwing mud; he ridicules Walter Cronkite   What prompted Kessler to jump on AT&T?  Kessler’s personal crusade against the current administration for bailing out things that are “too big to fail.”  The FCC better not treat AT&T and Verizon like Citigroup, GM, and the Post Office.  Cellphone operators aren’t too big to fail. 

That’s a big jump and wouldn’t a FCC informal investigation (something I’ve said before is silly) be contradictory evidence of them not using kid gloves on the carriers?  You’re pushing too much BS to make a hill of this. 

Will cameras outside of phones die?

For consumers, that answer must be yes.  Just this week it was announced that the iPhone has become the most popular camera on Flickr, a web photo sharing site.  That is huge and points to just one thing: we love access.

While on vacation last week, I was torn on which to take on day trips: my Casio camera to get quality shots and video or my iPhone that lets me instantly shoot photos to Facebook, Twitter, or just email.  I imagine this same debate happens with a lot of folks and those that don’t have a digicam probably don’t even think about having one too much. 

That isn’t to say I love the iPhone’s camera, it is kinda crappy, but what isn’t crappy is how I can share them immediately.  Maybe that is the answer for digicams, stick in an always on data connection, a la the Peek device.  I have an Eye-Fi SD card that hooks into Wi-Fi but it isn’t enough, I need more control on where the images go and how. 

Obviously, I am not a photog like our Exec. Editors Berger and Berger (no relation, which makes me think of Simon & Simon TV show, but they were related).  They love their massive giant cameras that can catch the crazy eyebrows of Steve Ballmer from 20 rows back.  Like most consumers, I use what I have or can get for the least amount of money and/or hassle.  Outlook: expect a decline in digital camera sales this year.

Dell lets smartphone get waved around, says “Pretend you didn’t see that.”

The actual words were “The only thing that we’re confirming is that we’re in product development with China Mobile,” Dell said, “We were there as a development partner for the [Google Android-based] oPhone platform,” according to Sascha Seagan of PC Mag.  This week, a Dell smartphone was shown off as China Mobile announced some new services.  The phone looks pretty good.

So China Mobile execs wave around your phone and it isn’t an announcement?  OK, are you planning a huge launch party?  Expect customers lining up in the street?  What’s so secret?

By the way, Dell, shrewd move on going to China to compete in an market that hasn’t moved to the smartphone yet; the US would be a tough road to hoe right now.

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Source: Gadgetell | 21 Aug 2009 | 11:05 am

WATCH: Engineering Tissue

Regrowing tissue may seem like the work of a mad scientist, but the reality isn't so crazy.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 21 Aug 2009 | 11:00 am

Flexible, Stretchable LEDs Promise Better Displays

New, flexible LEDs could be used in everything from brake lights to television screens.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 21 Aug 2009 | 11:00 am

Restless Workers in Silicon Valley Seek Ways to Cash In Early [Voices]

By Pui-Wing Tam and Jessica E. Vascellaro, Reporters, The Wall Street Journal

As Silicon Valley’s stock-driven wealth machine sputters in the recession, technology start-ups are exploring new ways for employees to tap their holdings.

Many of the moves have been triggered by Facebook Inc., which this week paid current and former employees who participated in a program that let them sell a portion of their shares in the privately held social-networking site. Current workers were allowed to sell up to $1 million worth of Facebook stock or 25 percent of their vested shares, whichever was greater, according to people familiar with the terms.

Read the rest of this post on the original site

Source: All Things Digital | 21 Aug 2009 | 10:45 am

BLOG: The Best Animal Sleepers

Sleep is nature's way of making animals more efficient; so who are the top sleepers?
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 21 Aug 2009 | 10:40 am

Important Importables: Pokemon Centers

FROM GAMERTELL - Important Importables talks about the Japanese Pokemon Center stores, discussing where to find them, how to identify them and what kinds of products you can find there - like the limited edition DS lite units.
MORE »

Full Story » | Written by NEWS for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Source: Gadgetell | 21 Aug 2009 | 10:35 am

AT&T 3G should now suck less in San Francisco and New York

Since the launch of the iPhone brought a few million data-devouring 3G users onto AT&T’s towers, dealing with 3G in any major city was just a wee bit more efficient than sending a carrier pigeon. Well, things ought to be a whole lot better in San Francisco and New York now: like they’ve been doing in other places over the past few weeks, AT&T has fired up their 850 Mhz network in both major cities.

AT&T has long used their fairly hefty allotment of the 850 Mhz spectrum for aging TDMA technologies. By instead devoting this bit of radio to 3G communications, the network can handle significantly more users before grinding to a halt. As a little bonus, the 850 Mhz spectrum does a heckuva better job penetrating the concrete and iron bar walls of an SF or NY skyscraper - so expect general signal improvements indoors on top of the ability to actually, you know, use 3G.

Update: Maybe not? While AT&T says the upgrades are in place, comments are indicating that speeds in NY are as nasty as ever. Share your experiences in the comments.

Crunch Network: CrunchBase the free database of technology companies, people, and investors

Source: MobileCrunch | 21 Aug 2009 | 10:24 am

Mind the Gap: A compendium of disturbing British public information films

What cinematic horrors compare to the schadenfreude of a British public service announcement? When it comes to illustrating our poor judgment and feeble bodies, knifecrime island has no peer. Imperious accents, marbled with black humor, dwell on the dangers that lurk everywhere. Foolish teens scream along to diskfuls of bone-crunching sound effects; tentacles assault the female ones with crude metaphors, and they never, ever forget. Life is an orgy of risk: escape it while you can!

Warning: disturbing British PSAs are disturbing.

Let's start with the all-time classic: The spirit of dark and lonely water

Julie knew her killer

Get out and stay out

The Natural Born Smoker

He also had a baby.

Electricity substation

Unbelted car passenger turns into elephant during crash

Children see, children do

"And to think, he'd only just come from the hospital"

Escalators

Get out alive

Welcome to the Battery

Unlicensed cab drivers will rape you

The last place to leave a bottle

Do you know where your child is?

The second time this week

Behind the painted smile

Tentacle (Made in Britain for international use)

Want more? Maxie The Third uploaded a roundup that illustrates well the technique used in the olden days: establish the humanity of the subject with a story, then bring it down to earth suddenly in a blast of deadly bathos.

An adroit observer will note that even perfectly innocuous British advertisments aren't an awful lot more uplifting. Perhaps you would like Hannibal Lecter to sell you a big bank account. Of course, no roundup of British folk panic is complete without some paedogeddon.

Some were just nasty and mean: we'll destroy all the foxes if you let rabies in.

Bonus British horror of childhood: animated classic Watership Down.

Not all British PSAs are scary. Here's some scare fail. And someone should remix this already?

Source: Boing Boing Gadgets | 21 Aug 2009 | 10:13 am

Review: My two favorite sport headphones for running

I've been running a lot lately, mostly because I committed myself to running a half-marathon after a BBG story I wrote four months ago. On shorter runs, I listen to music or nothing at all. On longer solo runs, I listen to podcasts, usually This American Life or Studio360, because they're long and very engaging. I've tried several kinds of headphones made specifically for sport use or otherwise designed to withstand sport conditions, and have found that the Philips-Nike Sport Flow headphones and the Sennheiser MX 85 are my favorites.

Let me start by saying that headphones, in general, can be really annoying while you're running. The cord gets tangled with my arms or flaps around in front of your face, the earbuds fall out, and in strong wind conditions they tend to make a swoosh-swoosh noise in my ear canal that often results in me flinging the headphones away, only to pick them up and hold them in one hand the whole time to avoid tripping over them.

The Sport Flow headphones are a collaborative product that Philips and Nike made to be as unnoticeable as possible &mdash and it works. The rubberized earhooks are super lightweight and they allow the earbuds to sit in place by my ear holes without feeling overly invasive. They're white, so it goes with any outfit. And perhaps most importantly, they come with a little white cable managing disc for winding unused lengths of cord around that clips onto a shirt sleeve or collar so the cord doesn't get in the way. The Sport Flows are $25 on Amazon.

Sennheiser's MX 85 sport earphones have a different design &mdash they have what the company calls a twist-to-fit system, which basically means that the earbuds wedge into a secure spot between the top and middle of the outside of the ear to prevent too much movement. The two things I like the most about the MX 85s are the color combination &mdash gray and orange! &mdash and the sound quality. Songs were much crisper but not as loud compared to the Sport Flows, and I was able to hear my music slightly better in windy conditions with these. The MX 85s have a longer right earbud cable than the left so that it's easier to sling behind the neck while running. However, the clip that comes with it is shoddy and kept falling off while I ran along Krissy Field. These are listed as $70 on Sennheiser's web site.

Source: Boing Boing Gadgets | 21 Aug 2009 | 10:00 am

War's End Opens Up Angolan 'Jurassic Park'

Dinosaur hunters say that the once war-torn Angola holds a bevy of rare fossils.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 21 Aug 2009 | 10:00 am

Verizon BlackBerry Storm gets V CAST Video

We’ll openly admit it: We haven’t touched Verizon’s V CAST video service in years. We tend to avoid most feature phones as if their outer casing is made of unstable explosives, and V CAST and smartphones don’t tend to mix - until now.

This morning, Verizon is announcing that V CAST Video is now available on the BlackBerry Storm. It doesn’t come cheap: it’ll set you back $10 a month, and that’s before you factor in any per-download charges for the premium stuff. They’ve upped the resolution of the video to take advantage of the BlackBerry Storm’s screen, but it looks like they’re still chopping shows into little tiny bit-sized sections. If this all sounds good to you, you can nab the V CAST download right from the VZ Today section of the browser.

[Via Phone Scoop]

Crunch Network: CrunchGear drool over the sexiest new gadgets and hardware.

Source: MobileCrunch | 21 Aug 2009 | 9:37 am

Yahoo targeted for posting illegal prescription drug ads

Section: Web, Websites

Yahoo has been accused of accepting ads for use on their various websites from online pharmacies that are suppliers of illegal prescription drugs.  These companies allow customers to order prescription without requiring a valid prescription.  Two reporting firms, Legitscript.com and KnujOn.com monitored Yahoo for a three month period and found that the company accepted ads from dozens of these types of pharmacies, sometimes even after directly speaking to them.

The researchers that clicked on the Yahoo based ads found that they were able to fill prescriptions, such as Ambien and Tramadol by merely completing a simple online form.  More than eighty percent of the pharmacies researched on Yahoo were found to be dispensing prescription drugs illegally, according to the report.

The firms have recently also indicated Bing as violating the same state and federal laws by placing these ads.  Bing representatives have said that they plan to increase security for ad reviews.  Yahoo has a verification system in place through PharmacyChecker.com to validate that drugs are purchased legally, but both companies were still able to buy the prescription drugs easily.  In response to the report, Yahoo has stated that they have strict guidelines in place and quickly remove all companies that they find in violation of their regulations.   

Read: [CNN]

Full Story » | Written by Heather Wood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Source: Gadgetell | 21 Aug 2009 | 9:11 am

Rumor: T-Mobile Pulse (Huawei 8220) details revealed?

Oh, Internet. You give it a little bit of information and a reason to dig, and some super sleuth will uncover all there is to know. Such is the case with the Huawei 8220 Android phone; once it was given a name and a carrier by the Wi-Fi Alliance’s filing for the “T-mobile Pulse”, the Android detectives were off.

The latest bit of information they’ve uncovered comes from a Dutch online retailer. While it could very well be conjecture on the retailer’s part, it certainly wouldn’t be the first (or the hundredth) time a European seller disclosed information before the handset was even announced.

According to BelSimpel.nl (as uncovered by the readers of tweakers.net), we can expect the Pulse to launch some time in early October. The pre-order price pins it at €257 ($368 USD) - and that appears to be before contract subsidies and rebates. For comparison, the G1 and myTouch cost 399 and 499 respectively before such discounts. We might be looking at a not-too-shabby price for the Pulse, considering some of the specs that have been uncovered.

Known Specs:

• FM Radio, Mp3 Player
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• 3.5″ HVGA (480×320) screen (That’s .3″ bigger than the G1 and myTouch screens, for example)
• 2 GB internal memory, microSD support

[Via EngadgetMobile]

As long as they slap a decent CPU and enough memory in this thing, T-Mobile won’t be able to keep us off of it.

Crunch Network: CrunchBoard because it’s time for you to find a new Job2.0

Source: MobileCrunch | 21 Aug 2009 | 9:10 am

Last call for the iSkin BlackBerry case giveaway

Consider this a friendly reminder that if you have a BlackBerry Curve, Bold, or Storm, you have a good chance to win an iSkin case for your beloved phone. Just head over to the contest post, and drop us a comment with what BlackBerry you have. That’s it. Nice and easy. The contest ends on Monday, the 24th.

Crunch Network: TechCrunch obsessively profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies

Source: MobileCrunch | 21 Aug 2009 | 9:08 am

Traffic Puts a Damper on Frogs' Sex Lives

Traffic noise is drowning out the seductive croaks of amorous male frogs.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 21 Aug 2009 | 9:00 am

Recently at Boing Boing Gadgets

• Failing retailer Circuit City made creepy inspirational videos for its workers as destiny loomed. • Apple is, for reasons unknown, selling first-gen iPhones again. • Plantronics' bluetooth headset is modeled an the window crank handle from a 1974 Lincoln Continental. • There is the Benz of Bling. • Steven reviewed the Chrome Warsaw bag. • Kodak wants to call its next HD pocket camcorder something better than Zi10. You can help it. • Behold! The most hideous cellphone in the universe! • Urban Outfitters scored the last Polaroid film kits. • Qclocktwo gives the time in plain English -- for $1,600. • Apple analysts are at is again. Today's prediction: a television set! • Stephen Fry has one of those wristphones from LG. • Oscar Diaz's RGB Vases look like science fiction movie props, hold flowers. • Behold! A Diplo-dock-us. • Sony's WX1 point-and-shoot camera works great in low-light conditions. • Need to fix a typewriter? Ask Andrew Leman if you can borrow his repair kit. • Instructions were found on how to make a steampunk flash drive. Someone's already selling Terminator Skull ones. • "This is going to be such a rad tweet!"


Source: Boing Boing | 21 Aug 2009 | 8:38 am

"This Is Going To Be Such A Rad Tweet..."

Source: Boing Boing Gadgets | 21 Aug 2009 | 7:30 am

Steampunk flash drive

A how-to is up at English Russia.

Source: Boing Boing Gadgets | 21 Aug 2009 | 6:56 am

How many minutes do people in your city have to work to buy a Big Mac?

From The Economist, a chart showing "how long it takes a worker on the average net wage to earn the price of a Big Mac in 73 cities."

The more important question is how long you have to work to eat something less gross than a Big Mac, of course.

An alternative Big Mac Index (via Digg)


Source: Boing Boing | 21 Aug 2009 | 6:51 am

Terminator thumbdrive

Product page [Japan Trend via CrunchGear]

Source: Boing Boing Gadgets | 21 Aug 2009 | 6:49 am

How to repair a typewriter

There's something gorgeous about Andrew Leman's typewriter repair kit, with its compartments, metal trays and myriad of strange tools. [Make]

Source: Boing Boing Gadgets | 21 Aug 2009 | 6:46 am

Test Rides: Virtual Bike Fitting Room in Your iPhone

Test Rides is a “virtual bike fitting room”, an iPhone application which puts you inside the computer and measures you up for the perfect-sized bicycle. Think of it s a little like Tron, but with real bikes instead of light-cycles. And math instead of impossibly exciting CG death-races.

First up, you snap a picture of yourself sitting down. This needs to be taken from the side, with arms and legs visible — you might get a friend to help. You then place crosshairs over your joints: elbows, ankles, knees and so on. With this information, Test Rides will go ahead and tell you what size and shape of bike you need, from the length of the forks to the drop of the bottom bracket.

You’ll need to do some work. While the app has a few bikes already input, these are really just for demonstration purposes. You’ll need to pore over the actual geometry measurements of your prospective steeds to determine the right machine, which makes Test Rides more of a helpful number cruncher than a true “fitting room”.

The good news is that detailed geometry specs are available online for many better bikes. The bad news is that they aren’t always measured in the same way so you’ll have to do some sleuthing. Also, while $5 isn’t much, this is a rather specialized and possibly single-use application. Still, if that $5 saves you from buying an ill-fitting bicycle, it might just be worth it.

Product page [Wild Ride. Thanks, Genmei!]
Product page [iTunes]

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 21 Aug 2009 | 6:37 am

Sony's WX1 shoots great in low-light

The New York Times' David Pogue reports that Sony's DSC-WX1 is the best bet if you want a point-and-shoot camera that shoots well in darkness.

Sony says that in its new Exmor R sensor, the circuitry layer has been moved to the bottom, so that less light is lost en route through the stack. Does any of this make any difference? It sure does. ... It's truly amazing; there hasn't been an advance in small cameras this important since image stabilization came along.

Of course, you still have to use Memory Sticks. DPReview has more analysis.

Photo: DigitalCamera.jp

Source: Boing Boing Gadgets | 21 Aug 2009 | 6:37 am

Diplo-dock-us

Source: Boing Boing Gadgets | 21 Aug 2009 | 6:34 am

Adobe boosts Photoshop.com features, now with video and albums

Section: Web, Web Apps, Websites, Online Music/Video

Adobe’s Photoshop.com web app just got some new features.  Now users can upload video and create Group Albums.  There are limitations on video uploads: if you upload via the web app, videos must be no larger than 200MB.  If you upload using the Adobe AIR Uploader, videos can be up to 2GB.  That’s quite a difference in size restriction—maybe Adobe is trying to push Adobe AIR apps to more people.  Keep in mind that there is a 2GB cap on storage on Photoshop.com free accounts.  Once you upload a video, it must be converted so it can be played on Photoshop.com. 

It took about 10 minutes to convert a 117MB 36 second Quicktime movie to a flash video.  Flash video can be played back in full screen and there is a small controller on the bottom of the player.  Unlike other video players, there is no share feature on the video player itself.  A user would have to go to his or her library, select the video, and then click “Link” either at the bottom of the screen or using the video options section.  Videos are not editable via Photoshop.com.

The Group Albums feature allows you to have your friends add photos to a particular album.  So if you and your friends took a bunch of pictures at a party, you can create a group album that contains all the photos.  Looks like Photoshop.com just got a bit more social network-y. 

Photoshop.com is Adobe’s web app that allows you to upload and edit your photos.  While nowhere near as powerful as the Photoshop software, Photoshop.com allows users to correct common photography problems like red eye and create layers to add titles and text easily. 

Full Story » | Written by Iyaz Akhtar for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Source: Gadgetell | 21 Aug 2009 | 6:20 am

PS2 backwards compatibility not coming back to PS3, ever

FROM GAMERTELL - Sony claims PS2 backwards compatibility “not as big as a purchase intent driver as you may be hearing…”
MORE »

Full Story » | Written by NEWS for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Source: Gadgetell | 21 Aug 2009 | 6:07 am

Grease? New Coating Comes Clean With Water

A new coating promises grease stains can be wiped away with plain old water.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 21 Aug 2009 | 5:30 am

Camping Kits Stows Inside Single Saucepan

Going camping? Like to eat something a little better than a can of cold baked beans? You could take along the MSR Flex 4, a set of utensils which packs up into a single saucepan and weighs just 3 lbs 10.8 oz. The picture shows the kit in its before and after states, and consists of plastic plates and storage containers and a couple of pots, in 5.3 and 3.2 liter sizes. Those storage cans can also work as dividers letting you cook several things together in the same pan.

The saucepans are both aluminum and have a non-stick coating for easy campsite cleaning, and the big one has a clip to keep the lid on. I could have done with this at the first and last music festival I ever went to. I tried to travel light, but you can probably guess at how much kit I was carrying just by the fact that I took two kinds of salt with me (a jar of Malden sea-salt and a pack of regular). The most useful thing I took? Two bottles of overproof rum. $160.

Product page [REI via Uncrate]

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 21 Aug 2009 | 5:10 am

Google Voice bits: Now with punctuation, free calls to Canada, and more

Section: Communications, Web, Web Apps, Google

Google Voice, the service that many people are still waiting to get an invitation for, as well as the service that is now tempting many iPhone users to jailbreak, has been steadily rolling out some improvements and tweaks.

First up, Google has decided to once again offer a feature that was available when Google Voice was still known as Grand Central—free calling to Canada.  Personally, I had not realized that it was taken away, nor can I imagine why they did take it away, but from now on Google Voice users can now make free calls to Canada, as well as the US.

Moving on, Google has also tweaked a few other features.  In regards to the voicemail transcripts, it seems they may be a little easier to read now that Google has given us punctuation.  Again, that’s another little item that I had not noticed was missing before.  This update was fun, mostly because it did not even warrant a special post on the Google Voice blog, it appears to have only been announced on Twitter.

“we added punctuation to voicemail transcripts. Hope you like it. Feedback welcome”

And yes, they did leave the leading “w” as lowercase and in what can only give me a little chuckle, the ending punctuation was left off.

Finally, another tweak that apparently only warranted a Twitter update, the Google Voice answering options have changed.  Basically, this means that from now on, you will be presented with the following options when answering a call:

• 1 to accept a call
• 2 to send the caller to voicemail and listen in
• 4 after answering will allow you to later listen to that recording

Read [Google Voice Blog]  Via [Twitter @googlevoice]

Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

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Source: Gadgetell | 21 Aug 2009 | 5:01 am

Lightning Helps Forge Artificial Blood Vessels

Blood vessels created with lightning may help to produce artificial organs.
Source: Discovery News Top Stories : Discovery Channel | 21 Aug 2009 | 4:30 am

Snow Leopard On Sale In a Week?

Snow Leopard, the next iteration of Apple’s OS X operating system, is due in September. Usually when Apple specifies a month, it means the very last day of that month, but the folks on the Snow Leopard team may be taking some time off: It looks like OS X 10.6 is done.

The UK Apple store briefly listed a ship date of August 28th, or next Friday. When we combine this with the strong possibility that build 10A432 was designated a “gold master” (feature locked and ready to start pressing install DVDs), and the early ship date looks likely. Can’t wait that long? The final build is already available on torrent sites, although given that previously pirated Apple software was riddled with malware, you’ll probably get just what you deserve.

Apple’s UK Online Store Lists August 28th Ship Date for Snow Leopard Up-to-Date Program [MacRumors]

Mac OS X Snow Leopard Build 10A432 Designated ‘Golden Master’? [MacRumors]

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 21 Aug 2009 | 4:21 am

Screw Key Turns Your Key-Fob Into a Toolbox

The Screw Key is an old concept brought up to date. County Comm, supplier of tech toys to the law-enforcement market, has put back into production something your grandfather may have used: a pair of small screwdrivers which hook onto a key-fob. The flat-blade and Phillips-head drivers have a small handle for turning between finger and thumb, and they’re fashioned from hardened steel, so they should last a little longer than the junk you buy from the dime store.

That’s not to say they’re expensive. The keys cost just $5 a set, and look to be very handy indeed.

Product page [County Comm]

Source: Wired: Gadget Lab | 21 Aug 2009 | 3:50 am