Great Rant by Slate: In Google We Trust?

Keeping Secrets - A simple prescription for keeping Google's records out of government hands. By Tim Wu: "
Keeping Secrets
A simple prescription for keeping Google's records out of government hands.
By Tim Wu
Posted Monday, Jan. 23, 2006, at 4:19 PM ET

In Google's Mountain View, Calif., campus, there's an LCD showing what's being searched for at any moment. A passing glance may reveal that information on "Depression" "martial counseling," or "anna kournikova" are all hotly sought after at a given time. The revelation that Google is fighting a Bush administration subpoena seeking to get hold of search records like these has, unsurprisingly, hit a lot of nerves. In part because it pits the Bush administration against Google—making the case a kind of a showdown of East coast against West; religion vs. science; Jedi Masters of information-seeking vs. Jedi Masters of information control, and so on.

(continued)

Google Refuses to Submit to DoJ Pressures to Release Search Data

InformationWeek | DoJ. Vs. Google | Protect Kids Or Kill Trust? | January 23, 2006: "Protect Kids Or Kill Trust?



By Thomas Claburn
InformationWeek

Jan 23, 2006 12:09 AM

The Justice Department is pressuring Google to turn over records on millions of searches to bolster a law it claims will help shield kids from Internet porn. Google is resisting on grounds the request would identify users, expose trade secrets, and impose an undue burden. Even if privacy isn't at risk, as Justice claims, Google recognizes that the request risks diminishing customer trust--and with that, market share.

Justice is out to prove the Child Online Protection Act, which requires sexually explicit sites to verify that visitors are of legal age, doesn't violate the Constitution. COPA was enacted in 1998 but suspended that same year after a suit by the American Civil Liberties Union."

Apple's ad sinks to such great lows - Engadget

Apple's ad sinks to such great lows - Engadget: "Apple's ad sinks to such great lows

Posted Jan 21st 2006 5:34PM by Ryan Block
For those of you who haven't been following the underground drama surrounding Apple's latest commercial, here's what you need to know: first, the ad bears an absolutely uncanny resemblance to band The Postal Service's music video for 'Such Great Heights.' Second, the both videos were produced by the same duo, Josh Melnick and Xander Charity (aka 'Josh & Xander'). But it looks like the final piece to the puzzle's in; Apple's commercial, which 'sets free' the Intel chip for its new life in a Mac, was in fact a surreptitious replication of the 'Such Great Heights' video -- at least according to The Postal Service and their label, Sub Pop. Here's what band frontman Ben Gibbard had to say:

It has recently come to our attention that Apple Computers' new television commercial for the Intel chip features a shot-for-shot recreation of our video for 'Such Great Heights' made by the same filmmakers responsible for the original. We did not approve this commercialization and are extremely disappointed with both parties that this was executed without our consultation or consent.

Was it an illegal move on Josh & Xander's (or Apple's) part to produce this ad? Depends on who ultimately owns the copyright to the original (p"

Brand Ping Pong: Google Outbrands Apple Computer; Apple Maintains Position in U.S.

In 2005's results, Google took the lead from Apple in what is shaping up to be a back and forth contest through the years for these two innovative tech companies. Each year one out-does the other, and this time it is Google's turn to shine.

Mugshot of Google's Phantom OS

As has been oft-surmised, here is a snapshot of Google's own OS that they purportedly use in house. However, something is suspicous. We tracked back to the original posting.

Question:
Who took this picture? There is a source at the bottom but no context of how they got the picture or why the blogger now has it?

Other questions:
Is this really Linux?
Is this open source?
Is this really what Google uses?
Does anyone care?

Send anonymous tips to newscyclist at gmail.com

Kill Bill: Because SunDance Has It Right

SunDance has it right that it's ok to give away content to build buzz (thanks Techdirt!). With that premise, let's kill this bill (thanks Boing Boing). And by the way, what a great site that tipped this off to Boing.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Broadcast Flag is back, this time it covers iPods and PSPs, too
The Senate has introduced the "Digital Content Protection Act of 2006," a bill that will create "Broadcast Flags" for all digital radio and television, leading to FCC oversight of all new digital media technologies from iPods and PSPs to TVs and DVD recorders.

Under the DCPA proposal, digital media technologies would be restricted to using technologies that had been certified by the FCC as being not unduly disruptive to entertainment industry business-models.

There are two things to be certain of this century:

1. Everything that can be expressed as bits will be expressed as bits

2. Bits will only get easier to copy

The entertainment companies are convinced that their businesses depend on copy-proof bits. This is ridiculous: there's no such thing, there never will be.

Governments that try to protect businesses that demand copy-proof bits are like governments that try to protect businesses on the sides of volcanoes, who demand an immediate end to business-disrupting lava.

If the current entertainment companies can't or won't adapt to a world of bits, that's too bad. Let them die, and let new businesses that thrive in the new technological reality take their place. If you can't stand the heat, get off the volcano.

Back in the mainframe days, IBM made its money by giving away computers below cost and then charging a bundle for keyboards and printers. Hitachi killed the mainframe business by introducing cheap peripherals for IBM mainframes.

Killing mainframes didn't kill computers: it made them better. IBM was forced to get into the minicomputer business, which led to the personal computer.

If computer industry complaints got the same attention as the entertainment crybabies get from lawmakers, there'd be 10,000 computers total in the world, running punchcards, with three companies making modest sums servicing them and shipping a new model every three years.

Hollywood's crybaby capitalists accuse us of being "communists" with one breath, and in the next, they go begging to Congress to turn the FCC into device czars who keep the market from being disrupted by innovation.

Andy Setos, the Fox executive who invented the Broadcast Flag, once told me that his objective was "a well-mannered marketplace." The entertainment industry's version of a planned economy is bad policy.

Send a strong signal to your lawmaker: if you break my TV, radio, and computer, I will campaign tirelessly for anyone who will promise to throw you out of office and undo your deeds.

Watch this space for opportunities to write to your Senator and send this message. Link (Thanks, Alex!)

posted by Cory Doctorow at 02:36:55 AM permalink |

The Hidden Meaning of Rumors

Time to wax philosophical.

Thanks for Wade Rough for taking the painstaking time (over 3 pages!) yesterday as a reporter/columnist showing an anatomy of a rumor - in this case the Sun-Google rumour. I think it probably gets much more complex and wacky than what he said, but most important we think it points to the fact that rumors are part of a truth that we are all wanting something, some cure for something, and we all want something new and breakthrough (we being people who have been swept up by the tech frenzy of the last twenty years).

Dare we say rumors are the result of a mob mentality - a mob sped up by the speed at which information travels and can now be published.

The Impact of Emerging Technologies: Google, Sun, and a New PC: Anatomy of a Rumor - Technology Review: "Thursday, January 19, 2006
Google, Sun, and a New PC: Anatomy of a Rumor

Talk on the Internet of a 'Google PC' has proved false, so far. We look at how the rumors got started -- and whether they may contain a shred of truth.

By Wade Roush

For more than three months, the Internet has been abuzz with talk of new technologies that might emerge from a collaboration between search giant Google and networking and software provider Sun Microsystems."

Techdirt:Why Google's Copy Protection Raises Privacy Issues

Great reporting by TechDirt today. We've talked about Google privacy concerns before, though we didn't realize it crossed into the DRM realm, which we have also generally covered as potentially the biggest stories in 2006.

Techdirt:Why Google's Copy Protection Raises Privacy Issues: "Contributed by Mike on Friday, January 20th, 2006 @ 12:28PM
from the tradeoffs dept.
We've already noted our concerns about Google's decision to create their own copy protection scheme. Beyond the incompatibility issue (which is a big one), it also raises questions about security and privacy, as copy protection schemes, by their very nature have tradeoffs when it comes to privacy and security. Ed Felten is digging into Google's copy protection and believes that the company made some bad choices concerning your privacy. Basically, of the options they had for setting up the copy protection, the one they chose is the one that stores the most amount of information -- basically, who you are, what you're watching and when you're watching it. Because the system calls home to Google every time you want to watch a video you purchased, they basically have a complete record of your viewing habits. While it's nice that, so far, Google is willing to go out of its way to protect the data they have on you from your friendly government officials, that doesn't mean they'll always be able to. It should, however, reinforce the questions people should be asking about just how much they trust Google."

Apple Boombox: The Real Beginning of DIY Radio

The Newscyclist has learned from our friends at AppleInsider perhaps the most exciting thing AppleInsider has ever speculated onis about to come out: a Boombox that streams DIY internet radio directly from an Apple Boombox. This could change the face of radio forever. Imagine the possibilities. Only thing I would worry about is that Apple would rule the universe. Well, worse things have happened.

AppleInsider | Sources: iPod products pulled from Macworld, event may follow: "By Prince McLean and Kasper Jade
Published: 11:15 PM EST

Rumors that something may have been missing from Apple's keynote presentation at Macworld Expo last week may be true, AppleInsider has learned.

Individuals often familiar with the Cupertino, Calif.-based company's plans say Apple's iPod and music-related announcements at the annual trade show were uncharacteristically slim as a result of changes made in the days leading up to the event.

Specifically, Apple is said to have postponed the release of the previously rumored iPod Boombox product due to either: last minute product concerns, component availability or a change in the introduction climate. Apple chief executive Steve Jobs was reportedly less than thrilled with the outcome.

'Other intros got canned at the same time,' said a reliable source.

Nevertheless, Apple is expect to take a second stab at introducing the missing products in the near future, and is rumored to be planning a special media event or other high-profile launch that could be announced soon, sources have said.

In the weeks leading up to Macworld, multiple reports indicated that Apple was preparing to extend its foray into the consumer electronics market with a series of new iPod-related products deemed 'iPod companions.'

Only one such product -- the iPod Boombo"

TV Week: iTunes Boosts TV Ratings

As commented on Slashdot.

TV Week: "TelevisionWeek

January 16, 2006
NBC: iPod Boosts Prime Time
'The Office' Scores Demo High Following Top Download Ranking on iTunes
By Daisy Whitney
NBC's 'The Office' delivered a 5.1-its highest ratings ever-last Thursday among adults 18 to 49, a bump the network credits in large part to the show's popularity as an iPod download.

In fact, the series is NBC's top-performing video podcast available on Apple's iTunes, where it has been available since Dec. 6.

Such a connection between podcast success and broadcast ratings success is particularly significant because the NBC data is among the first available evidence of what network executives have been gambling on when striking their new media deals-that the new video platforms are additive because they provide more entry points into a show for consumers.

In the case of 'The Office,' the series was one of 12 NBC Universal shows that have been available since NBC struck a deal with with Apple in early December. (NBC added 'Saturday Night Live' to the lineup last week.) In that short time period, 'The Office' has accounted for one-third of all the NBCU downloads on iTunes, clearly the lion's share of NBCU content ava"

Pharmaceutical Industry Going Down The Hole: Donut Hole Worse Than the K-Hole

My friend Barry is experiencing this, and while it doesn't pertain necessarily to technology we thought it was worth posting.

Tue Jan 17, 2006

Medicare debacle

I just got off the phone with my dad, who is a pharmacist and small businessman. He manages and is the sole pharmacist in a small town store he owns with 2 employees who work part time.

Seems this medicare switchover that happened on January 1 is more than a little headache. He is spending every available waking hour dealing with medicare - the whole system is so screwed up it's got most people enrolled in medicare baffled, plus the person behind the counter at the drugstore.

For my father what has gone from a demanding job that requires long hours in managing the store, ordering, doing the books, and finally being there as the staff pharmacist (after all, it's a pharmacy and there always has to be a registered pharmacist present in a pharmacy) to now dealing with the medicare switch has turned his normal 10+ hour days into 16 hour days plus both days on weekends to straighten it out. After 40 years working as a pharmacist he is reconsidering - talking about selling the store, something.

I really can't believe this is happeing - this was supposed to be a reform. I don't know much about medicare - and I haven't got all the details from my dad about why exactly this is taking so much time, just that what was a fairly simple process before has become a nightmare. The government has help lines, but you can spend an hour on hold, disconnected, or transfered. All for the pharmacist to actually get paid for the medicine he or she dispenses.

As I have read, the new medicare plan is a step on the way to privitization - 'consumer driven'. I read that in New Hampshire there are 41 different plans you could sign up for. I also read that an entire class - barbituates - were cut out under the plan. So just don't plan on getting any seizures if you are on medicare.

Bush's Medicare plan is going to cost 750 billion dollars, and is turning out a nightmare for a small business person. Seniors get out of this plans that are in many cases less comprehensive than what they had before, with the full deductible hitting in the 'doughnut hole' in the plan when you've spent more than $2500 and less than $5000. Hmm.

The weird thing about this is, why? It seems like it's engineered for failure. Did they consult anyone when writing this? Yes, maybe someday there will be an educated populace making good decisions about their choices in healthcare. As I understand that's what this plan is supposed to do - make people make choices about what plan is right for them, and saving the insurance companies lots of money. What do seniors get out of it? Well, just be sure and don't get sick with an illness that is not covered by your plan. And save up for the part in your plan where the full deductible kicks in.

Maybe these kind of bills written by the Republican congress is a big wet kiss to the big Pharmacutical companies and big business, screw the consumer, and screw the small business owner who has to make sense of it.

It would seem to me that the small pharmacy is set in front of a firing squad in an atmosphere that already favors big business in attempting to decode this.

Someone told me Bush said that the elderly who are having problems with the new program should "have their children help them, ask someone at their church to help them or someone at the community center.."

Networking Pipeline | Blog | Google: We Won't Pay Broadband Cyberextortion

Thanks to Networking Pipeline, More on the telcos trying to get Google to 'share the costs' with them. Nice try. We're all for asking anyone for money but this does not seem absolutely kosher.

Networking Pipeline | Blog | Google: We Won't Pay Broadband Cyberextortion

BellSouth and Verizon have been trying to force big Web sites to pay extortion-type fees if the sites want adequate bandwidth, with Google a prime target. But Google has news for them: It won't pay.

Google told Networking Pipeline's Paul Kapustka in no uncertain terms that it won't give in to the cyberextortion. And despite reports to the contrary, Google says, it isn't talking with any carriers about the issue.

Google's Barry Schnitt (Google's official spokesperson and PR guru) told Paul in an email: "Google is not discussing sharing of the costs of broadband networks with any carrier. We believe consumers are already paying to support broadband access to the Internet through subscription fees and, as a result, consumers should have the freedom to use this connection without limitations."

Google has that absolutely right. We're all already paying through the nose for Internet access, especially compared with the low access prices in the rest of the world. Good for Google for standing up to this cyberextortion.

The BellSouths and Verizons of the world should focus on offering better services at lower prices -- not trying to fine-tune the Tony Soprano business model. That's been tried already, by a company you may have heard of, called Enron. And look where it got them.

Marketers Interested in Small Screen - New York Times

Marketers Interested in Small Screen - New York Times: "Forget the 30-second spot on a 50-inch high-definition TV. How about a three-second message on the tiniest of screens?"

The only way I would tolerate this is if my cell service was free. But I am sure I will have no choice. The providers would rather just hike up my monthly bill and call it 'commercial free calling'.

Ugh.

Techdirt:Google, Apple, Yahoo: Call The Telcos' Bluff

Techdirt:Google, Apple, Yahoo: Call The Telcos' Bluff: "Google, Apple, Yahoo: Call The Telcos' Bluff
Say That Again Contributed by Mike on Wednesday, January 18th, 2006 @ 03:08AM
from the tell-'em-to-go-away dept.
People keep submitting to us the story that's making the rounds about BellSouth saying it's 'pursuing discussions' with internet companies to charge them extra for preferential treatment on their network. We didn't post it because it's not new. The same guy said the exact same thing a month and a half ago. We're not sure why his repetition is newsworthy on its own. Nowhere does it say that Google, Apple, Yahoo or any others are playing along with this -- which actually would be news. However, instead of just hoping that these companies recognize what a dangerous precedent this would set, it's time that people call them out and tell them to call the telcos' bluff publicly. Jeff Pulver is leading the charge with a direct appeal to Google's Eric Schmidt that he tell BellSouth (and the others, we presume) to take a hike. Even more directly, Pulver suggests that if BellSouth pesters them about it, simply stop allowing BellSouth customers to reach Google -- and see how long BellSouth keeps saying that Google needs to pay them. The reason the telcos have so many DSL customers is because of the valuable services that companies like Google, Apple, Yahoo and others provide. It's time the telcos realize that they're not the ones in the power seat here."

Yahoo Shares Plummet On Flat Earnings; GOOG Hurt As Well

Yahoo Shares Plummet On Flat Earnings; GOOG Hurt As Well

By Nathan Weinberg

Yahoo delivered a weak earnings report, sending shares crashing almost 13% in after hours trading. The crossfire knocked other stocks for a loop, including Google, which fell $18.

Yahoo didn’t lose money or anything, it just had flat growth and missed estimates by a penny, which may indicate the market has been a tad too exhuberant about the size of the internet ad market. I’d worry about Google’s earnings report in two weeks.

Several financial analysts said the Yahoo’s earnings shortfall — it missed the average estimate by a penny — reflected flat growth in gross margins and higher than expected operating expenses. Chief Financial Officer Susan Decker said expenses were up as the company invested in high-growth areas.

Yahoo stock has also been weighed down by competitive concerns over the faster growth of rival Google and the imminent loss of key advertising customer Microsoft, which is gearing up to compete more actively itself in online ads by the middle of this year.

Yahoo: After Hours ECN: 34.96 -5.15 (-12.84%) 17 Jan at 7:59PM ET

Google: After Hours ECN: 449.01 -18.10 (-3.87%) 17 Jan at 7:59PM ET

Very Odd: Google Doesn't "Talk" About Opening AIM Here

Mike Jazayeri, Google's product manager for Google Talk, talks about opening up Google Talk, allowing other clients to work with it so we can all communicate on whatever IM client we wish, which I think might be news that has been recycled from before.

Not sure what difference this has from earlier discussions about using this cool open protocol called XMPP. Oddly, he doesn't mention the AOL-Google relationship and what this means to Google Talk. It does reference using SIP in the future, though am unfamiliar with if that is AIM's proprietary protocol. I don't think so, that's a guess.

From what I understood AIM will now be compatible with GoogleTalk. Just wondering why this wasn't mentioned here.

"Google To Go" Missing Custom Content

The above is what we were expecting. But not what we got.
According to Abhijit Kalamkar, Google To Go is finally here. But is it really? We just did a test of it and it is missing all of our custom feeds (ie. wherever we have 'added content'). Just shows Reuters.

Note that Abhijit's homepage has been removed and so we are using Google's own cached copy, thanks.

Nobody: Mobile Me Part of Ipod-In-Every-Ear" Strategem

That image comes from an earlier AppleInsider post. Now Mobile Me patent? Newscyclist speculating there is a connection.

AppleInsider by Katie Marsal reports:

A series of recent trademarks and patent filings made by Apple Computer indicates that the company is preparing a connected ecosystem consisting of a mobile product and/or service, says Pacific Crest Securities.

The independent investment bank believes company filings consisting of an antenna apparatus within an laptop, a method of transmission using a portable device, and a new trademark on the phrase 'Mobile Me' all hint at a major development in the mobile space."

Newscyclist would be surprised if they don't make the iPod itself mobile so that folks can download music and videos directly to the iPod within the next year. It's not outside realm of possibility, though we'll have to do more research to see if Apple or analysts have already hinted at this.
Unfortunately, The Newscyclist cannot claim that this is news (hence its name). There are approaching 100,00 results on this speculation in various forms already. The question is, when.

Startup Tech Firms Need to Slow Down- Get an SMS When Entering Speedtrap

Jim Downing blogs on text tipoffs on Smartmob.com
In Australia,the 'Queensland government is seeking advice on whether it can shut down a text messaging service which warns motorists of random breath test and speed trap sites',news reports.'Road Spy was launched yesterday on the Gold Coast by security company director Adam Bush.Mr Bush said the SMS alerts,about the locations of RBT,radar and speed camera sites as well as traffic jams,would encourage motorists to slow down and deter then from drink driving.However,acting premier Anna Bligh today said she would seek police advice on whether the service could be shut down'."

Bottomline: Startup Tech Firms Need to Slow Down

TV Shows Now Cost Money - Studies Show Google Won't Win

First spotted on Techdirt and verified on the source, only 17% of some 800 consumers polled in a new survey said they would prefer paying $1.99 (the seeming standard price per episode being put forth via most outlets) instead of watching the program free, but with ads. According to Multi-channel News, Apple announced at MacWorld that they've sold 8 million programs via the iTunes video store since the system debuted in October. Of course this ignores the pink elephant in the room."

Bottom line: What was already free cannot now be charged for unless you add something special. If it came with bonus tracks or clips that makes some sense but not the exact show. Google Video has a long way to go, Mr. Matthew Vosburgh.

Beware: Ipodding Your Product Is Not Proven Sales Booster

This was recently spotted on multiple blogs including popgadget. I don't know what to think, other than, would I ever even want my honey to wear this?


Original Story here (Thanks, Mia). There is no shortage of wearable iPod cases, including ones incorporated into belts, but the TuneBuckle miraculously manages to look non-geeky enough to actually wear. It's made for the Nano, which is small and thin enough to pass as a normal belt buckle. The key here is that iPod or no iPod, it's a nice belt, made with quality leather and metal, not the glittery spangly plastic or cheap stretch fabric that most wearable cases are stuck onto. Alright, it's still quite geeky, but you'd have to get up fairly close to realize that. Looks like sturdy protection for your iPod too. TuneBuckle is available for pre-order for $49.95, in black or white, but sizes start at 30". Waifs will have to wear their Nano at the hip.


And let's not forget that struggling Levi's who has lost marketshare year over year since 2001 or so just iPodded their highend line in hopes of upping their business. It's only a matter of time before the iPod fad dies and all these marketeers get snow in their face.

This goes back to what I said this Monday.
-AC

Intel Inside Apple? Boring.

Matthew Yi of the SF Chrionicle does a good job of summarizing Apple's non-announcements.

What he doesn't say, and which I don't know, is is this a blow to Motorola? But that's not that interesting either, though Mr. Zander may think it is and may not want that highlighted much.

What Yi also doesn't say is if there will be Intel Inside branding stickers on the outside of iMacs.

The answer, according to Bloomberg, is that those Intel Inside stickers have been dropped too. The question is whether they dropped those stickers (which made them famous, by the way) so they could start selling to Apple, who is obsessed (and rightly so) with its brand identity. But if that is the case, why would they make such fanfare about working with Intel.

As I said, a non news keynote as far as I'm concerned. Consumer shouldn't care about that stuff. That's what Apple does so well is keep their stuff consumer friendly. Who cares about the guts except geeks on Slashdot?

Prediction: DRM Will Be Biggest Story in 2006

Sounds like the real war for 2006 is going to be a hornlocking between Apple and Google over DRM as suggested in uncertain terms by Antone Gonsalves from Techweb Either way, the user loses out and will have trouble transferring its digital content from one device to another. I think Google may have a leg up on Apple, though, because their good stuff (ie. apps) are based on the webtop, where Apple is based on a proprietary OS. This would put Apple at a disadvantage.

You heard it hear first. The Newscyclist predicts DRM will be the big story in 2006.

Marketwatch Misses Point of 'Google More Foe than Friend' story - Interesting Headline but Body Lacks Teeth

In Bambi Francisco's Marketwatch piece today she does a good service by capturing a reader's attention but then doesn't follow up with good logic of why Google might be more foe than friend. Nowhere in the article does it appear she has mentioned why they're a foe. Her main point is that Google's video search technology doesn't trump Truveo's small operation (who has a successful and accurate search). And then she pats herself on the back for her 2006 predictions, then on interviewing Truveo. In her defense it's commentary, not actual hard news.

She also doesn't clearly delineate between what is different from Apple's business model and Google's, though repeats the point numerous times that they are different.

Must be a slow news day, huh.


Net Sense: Google Video setback gives big media time to improve - Internet Services - Internet - Opinion: " Google is more foe than friend
Commentary: Great idea, poor search, still a threat"

Ipod Integration is Not Innovation

Chrysler Group and Apple announce iPod integration. I am really trying to read between the lines here. I haven't looked up how they're doing as a company (Chrysler), but I do know the time it takes to build a new feature in a car is a longtime (that's my technical answer). I heard it's like 36 months or something...

I guess it seems there should be a better way than hardwiring the most popular gadget at the time into the car. With open standards you would think they'd be able to have something connect directly from any device into the car, using Java or Bluetooth or whatever.

We should be sticking with standards, lest we be stuck with another Microsoft on our hands. That is why I'm a proponent of Google, even though I worry a lot about them not being as 'good' as they said during their IPO.

Help Google Spy On You Even More!

According to Google's Blog, they say your computer "will just work" if you install their nifty Google Pack.

Is this the beginning of Google taking on Microsoft's own strategy? I read somewhere that there are now too many MBAs at Google, probably at Slashdot; I don't like it and don't understand it. How can Google expect to keep all the loyal fans if they have 'auto update' in their pack?

Are people that naive that that is going to be another one of those popups on your screen that asks you if you want an upgrade? I already have Itunes, Windows Media Player, Norton Anti virus among others. This webservices thing is killing the user. It makes me want to unplug the computer immediately from the internet altogether.
----------------------
Official Google Blog: Make your computer just work: "So you bought a new PC for yourself or a relative during the holidays. There was the initial excitement about its speed and the nice screen – and then it came time to actually get it running. Which meant embarking on some real work -– downloading a browser, a couple of multimedia players, a PDF reader, a toolbar, and maybe something for voice and instant messaging. Don’t forget the anti-spyware and anti-virus apps – you’ve got to have those. Hours, maybe even days, go by. How many wizards have you clicked through, not to mention license agreements and preference pickers? And then you have to ask: did I get everything? And how am I going to keep all of this up to date?"

MySpace Uprising

This was just as I suspected would happen. I was just surprised how long it would take. Goes to show you how unsavvy most internet users are.

Where oh where are all these users going to go? I personally think LinkedIn is too nerdy and not as fun to use. Friendster is way too dorky. I think what users are about to suffer is calling the 'internet burn' or 'internet burnout'. They've seen so many technologies (both digital and hardware) get bought out, changed, or whatever, that they aren't going to have the patience to continue using it.

Just wait, there is going to be a backlash. You heard it first from The Newscyclist.

I can imagine in the future some sort of mutiny occuring, or major politial wars taking place in cyberspace. This is just be beginning!

Forbes Disses User Generated Content

According to Forbes and others Google and Larry Page Unveils Video Download Service. I have a couple problems (ok, one) with the opening of this story by assistant News Editor at Forbes Chris Noon.

First of all, the article is a tad offensive (ok, that's a bit of an overstatement) in that it starts out by making fun of what he calls 'esoterica.' As everybody knows by now user content is going to rule the airwaves very soon. Remember folks like CurrentTV and others.

Anyway, I'd rather learn about the Numa Numa craze "started by a bespectacled teenager flailing wildly to the Moldovan-Romanian pop song Dragostea Din Tei" than the crap on Survivor. He calls "killer" content Survivor?

MacWorld Rumors Don't Wow Me

According to Duncan Martell at Reuters: "Apple may offer new laptops at Macworld."

Seems like there could be something shining more newsflash in terms of rumors at our annual MacWorld lovefest other than new shiny laptops. I know they're in need for a touch of a makeover/refresh but come on, with Apple releasing a new whatever every millisecond it seems like it's pretty likely that they'll be announcing something more exciting, and hopefully not just new 'strategic relationships' with TV Land. And that means Reuters should write something impactful, not just the press release.
Isn't the real story something around the Apple/Google showdown?
----------------------

Google News

When reading:
Google News: "Microsoft Releases First Patch of '06
TechNewsWorld - Jan 6, 2006
Labeled MS06-001, Microsoft has been working on the patch since last week, but had made no formal announcement that a pre-Patch Tuesday release was coming. In fact, Microsoft had said it would not release ...
Microsoft Security Bulletin mobility Today"

I realized that I am completely sick of Microsoft's patches. i stopped patching Microsoft years ago when I realized that patches are actually not really patches all the time but actually excuses to put more spyware or DRM software, etc.

CES disappointment

OK, was I the only one disappointed with today's CES news?
I was really expecting at least a few of the rumors to come true.
Low and behold, all it is is Google Video that you can pay for.

I don't know why I fell for the googlecube.