Buzz Out Loud Blog

Amazon's trying to compete with PayPal with a new service that brings one-click shopping into the rest of the non-Amazon world. We also kick around a rumor of Netflix coming to the Wii and discuss Google and Yahoo music searches. Oh, and then Cooley and I get deep about business models and copyright. That's near the end, though--if you don't like lectures.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Google music search announced. Still doesn’t work for Tom
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10385755-93.html

Yahoo yells that it’s had it since June
http://www.ysearchblog.com/2009/10/28/play-that-funky-music-with-yahoo-search/

Amazon to take on PayPal with PayPhrase
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE59S0FH20091029

Confirmed: Netflix streaming coming to the Wii very shortly
http://blog.streamingmedia.com/the_business_of_online_vi/2009/10/confirmed-netflix-streaming-coming-to-the-wii-very-soon.html

Google tells FCC it’s still blocking calls, but fewer of them
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2009/10/google_voice_tells_fcc_its_sti.html

Microsoft and Yahoo delay signing search deal
http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-and-yahoo-delay-signing-search-deal-2009-10
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10385671-56.html

NBA brings League Pass to iPhone, Android; out-of-market package runs $40
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-nba-brings-league-pass-to-iphone-android-out-of-market-package-runs-40/
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE59S2NM20091029

Twitter users warned about new phishing attack
http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10385661-245.html

Xerox claims printable electronics breakthrough
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/10/29/038210/Xerox-Claims-Printable-Electronics-Breakthrough

40th anniversary of Internet working without a crash
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/AheadoftheCurve/today-internets-40th-birthday/story?id=8945743

VOICE MAIL
Joe about LSU and Gmail

Sloan on his experience in Gmail

RogueTess on the Slate name

E-MAIL

Hey Buzzers, I just read a rather startling article on Slashdot. The article says that amazon has patented a new ‘invention’ that will replace words in all kinds of text documents(book, reviews, etc) with synonyms in an effort to track pirating. As an author I find this very disturbing, I don’t want amazon to go changing my hard work just so they can track piracy.
So my question to you is, is this for real and am I understanding it right. Please advise.

Future best selling author,
JoshuaCaleb

P.S. Keep up the great work.
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/10/28/2236235/Amazon-Patents-Changing-Authors-Words

**********

BOL folks:

My son is approaching the age where a cell phone may come in handy for communicating and coordinating activities. Things like “Running 10 minutes late.” “Meet me at Field 3 after soccer practice.” I’ve been looking for a cheap and light texting-only device. Perhaps the TwitterPeek can do that? Hmmm.

Keep on buzzing,
ymt

**********

Holiday Help Desk
November 23-December 23
4 PM ET/1 PM PT
Coming soon to http://live.cnet.com/
More details to follow!

Rafe is being drawing in to a love story with the new Motorola Droid. Dare we call it a Dro-mance? It's certainly a flashy new phone for Verizon which hasn't always been known for flashy new phones. We also congratulate Google on getting the contract to provide email to the city of Los Angeles. Well congratulate and fear for them. Because if they mess this up, it is so over.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Los Angeles adopts Google e-mail system for 30,000 city employees
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/10/city-council-votes-to-adopt-google-email-system-for-30000-city-employees.html

Verizon and Motorola unveil the Droid
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10384994-266.html

Droid Eris: Verizon’s other Android phone?
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-10384533-251.html

Google Maps adds turn-by-turn to Android phones for free
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10384544-265.html

Microsoft to shut down MSN Direct traffic service for GPS (in 2012)
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/10/shutting-down-msn-direct-traffic-service-for-gps-units.html

Microsoft Signature computers dump crapware
http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2009/10/microsofts_signature_pc_shows_its_vision_of_computing_perfection.html

Peek silling Twitter-only device. Why?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002R5AG50?ie=UTF8&tag=livedigitally-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002R5AG50
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/the-twitterpeek-is-a-peek-for-twitter/

FCC Considers Shifting Some TV Airwaves to Broadband
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703574604574499730302393274.html

Stalqer mobile social app finds friends in new ways
http://news.cnet.com/8301-19882_3-10384727-250.html

How to Solve the Net Neutrality Issue
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/How-to-Solve-the-Net-Neutrality-Issue-68491.html

Ares I-X successfully launched
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/ares/flighttests/aresIx/index.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8330424.stm

VOICEMAIL
Paul on call forwarding

EMAIL

Hey Guys
Remember Redlasso, where you could use their servers that are recording stuff from cable and local stations 24/7 to make clips to emvbed in your blog?
I was on the list for beta testing and they somehow made it back into service this week?
Who’d have thunk it?
J’Tao
in San Francisco
http://redlasso.com/

**********

Hey Buzz Crew,
Yesterday you asked if there is still a Universal Service Fund fee on phone bills, and the answer is YES! I currently work for a telco as customer service, and I get about 10 calls a week asking what that charge is on their bill. And of course no one ever likes the answer. In fact, I often have people tell me that our company should eat the cost of the taxes and fee’s. Yes, it would be nice if the telcos did that, but the taxes and fees are so high many companies would go out of business. If we had enough people complain about the USF fee or taxes to our elected officials we could probably reduce them. But don’t get angry with companies that are required by law to have them. I bet that most telcos would be fine will lower taxes or fees on their customers bills, because a happy customer is a customer who will generally stay. Love the show.

~Justin~

**********

Howdy Buzzians

I know the DMCA is last years hot topic, but I thought people would still enjoy this nonetheless. the EFF (Electronics Frontier Foundation) has set up a new site for their “Takedown Hall of Shame” displaying some of the most insane and ludicrous takedown notices people have recieved. Some of them are downright hilarious while others just make you contemplate the depths of human stupidity. Eitherway thought you guys might enjoy it

Buzz on
~Phillip from the Boonies

P.S. The degree of my adoration for this media outlet is unmatched

http://www.eff.org/takedowns

MySpace and Facebook are hooking up? In a way. Maybe. But the real meat of the news today is all the e-book hype. Barnes and Noble will sell the Que, Bridgestone has a color one coming out, and Barnes and Noble may not always have its own Nook eReader. But does anyone want them?

Listen now: Download today's podcast

MySpace and Facebook?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10383501-36.html

Google Voice makes steps to work with your phone number
http://news.cnet.com/8301-27076_3-10383573-248.html

Microsoft pulls out of “Family Guy” special
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=8923276

Plastic Logic Que will be sold in Barnes and Noble.
http://www.plasticlogic.com/news/pr_quedistributedbybarnesandnoble_oct272009.php
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/que-proreader-hitting-barnes-and-noble-retail-stores-in-2010/

Barnes & Noble won't sell Nook to go in all stores
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-barnes-noble-wont-sell-nook-to-go-in-all-stores/

Bridgestone announces flexible touch-screen color e-reader
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/bridgestone-announces-flexible-touchscreen-color-e-reader/

Lost Northwest pilots were trying out new software
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/10/27/0613244/Lost-Northwest-Pilots-Were-Trying-Out-New-Software
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/26/airliner.flyby/

Japanese OnStar-like system tells emergency responders if you’re just gonna’ die anyway
http://blog.taragana.com/n/now-an-emergency-medical-service-system-that-predicts-callers-fate-201661/

Facebook memorializes the dead…with a profile
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10383015-36.html

Nintendo to launch a big screen DS for old people
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/afp/20091027/tc_afp/entertainmentjapangamecompanynintendo

Mantis shrimp eyes could show way to better DVD And CD players
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091025162459.htm

Voice mail
Joe on France’s three-strikes law

Jimmy the clan-jumper is frustrated

E-mail
Hey Buzz crew,

I wasn't sure whether to send this one to mylifeisaverage.com or you guys, but I think I made the better choice

It's my yearly exams this next two weeks, so I went to the school library today to get the CD version of my commerce textbook. I went to the librarian, asked for the CD and she went to get it. When she came back, I told her that borrowing that wasn't necessary because I could just copy the PDFs onto my notebook here and now and be gone.

Then the dragon came out.

She snapped and said, "I don't want to know about it. What you are suggesting is a highly illegal act. You can't copy the files because of copyright law."

I looked at her slightly strangely (for effect, of course) and told her, "That's what we've been told to do with the CDs ever since we came to this school."

She said, "Very well, but borrow this and copy it at home, not at school. If you want to pay the fine, that's your problem." She loaned it out to me and off I went.

I'm still amazed that I had that conversation. Isn't it perfectly reasonable to copy context from the CDs in the back of the textbook to study and peruse when I need to? What are they good for otherwise?

Sean

PS. I went to an empty classroom and copied the files to my hard disk anyway. I returned the disc to the library within the space of fifteen minutes. My life is average

**********

Hey buzz crew,

I was listening to episode 1092 and heard you talking about a survey that shows the time wasted by employees using twitter. Tom mentioned, what about time spent at toilets, as a joke. I would just like to make mention of a stunt pulled by the Australian Government branch know as Medicare where that was just the case.

Workers at the Parramatta centre were actually required to log the time spent on the loo and were also given surprise “pop ins” by their team leaders while doing their “business”.
It ended when the media caught wind of what was occurring, when questioned Medicare denied knowing of the practice then stated “A log of time away from work was only ever a local practice and never a national policy”.

http://safetyinaustralia.com.au/latest/safety-news/151009-nswact-toilet-police-bullying-employees–200910143092.html

– Ian from Australia

**********

Looking at BOL 1092 on the RSS feed, I see that “Kevin” has sent in an email with some invalid assumptions about Net Neutrality, and who has paid for the infrastructure build-out of the existing Internet.

If you look at http://eldotelecom.blogspot.com/2009/09/fcc-more-subsidies-needed-for-us.html you’ll see that in 2009 *alone* the Federal government has provided $7.2 billion in grants and loan subsidies.

If you look at http://www.theamericanmind.com/2008/04/09/study-finds-us-internet-infrastructure-fourth-worldwide/ you’ll see that the US currently ranks 4th in the world for broadband infrastructure. That means to me that, in spite of Federal subsidies and municipal monopoly grants, US telecom providers have NOT brought the American broadband infrastructure forward as rapidly as other nations where the infrastructure is heavily regulated. And the logical conclusion to be drawn from that is that lassez-faire capitalism *does* *not* *work* if you want the world’s best broadband infrastructure. If it did, we could take back all the tax money that has been poured into the telecoms, turn them loose, and have what we want in a year or less.

Net Neutrality means we *all* play on a level field; consumers, competing ISPs, telecoms, content providers, and government. No more secret bandwidth caps (I’m talking to you, cable modem ISPs)), no more blocking content that competes with *your* content so you can charge more (I’m talking to you, Time-Warner/Roadrunner), no more force-moving customers off DSL and onto fiber so you can steal them from third-party ISPs (I’m talking to you, Verizon).

Net Neutrality means *fair* and *real* competition. And that’s what American broadband needs.

– “Morely” aka “Icesnake”

Bill Keller from the New York Times let slip he's been working on a version of the New York Times for the Apple Slate. Great! What the hell is the Apple Slate? well obviously it's a much-rumored Apple Tablet. We also discuss T-Mobile's unlimited plans and hope against all hopes that they are truly unlimited.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Bill Keller: Apple Tablet ‘Impending’
http://gawker.com/5389636/bill-keller-apple-tablet-impending

T-Mobile Adds ‘Even More Plus’ Plans
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2354721,00.asp

Netflix Movies Stream to Sony's PlayStation 3
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/netflix-movies-stream-to-sonys-playstation-3/

Hollywood wants share of Netflix’s windfall
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-10382717-261.html

Microsoft Offers Windows 7 on USB Drives for Netbooks
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Windows/Microsoft-Offers-Windows-7-on-USB-Drives-for-Netbooks-225258/

$180 BlackBerry Storm2 hits the shelves on Wednesday
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9139892/_180_BlackBerry_Storm2_hits_the_shelves_on_Wednesday

Sprint Announces Nov. Launch Date for Palm Pixi
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2354726,00.asp

Mobile net ‘heading for data jam’
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8325634.stm

Verizon profit dips, but wireless stays strong
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10382841-266.html
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-earnings-verizon-profit-down-wireless-unit-revenues-jump/

Has AT&T Wireless data congestion been self-inflicted?
http://blogs.broughturner.com/2009/10/is-att-wireless-data-congestion-selfinflicted.html

Surgeon Performs World’s First 4X HD Surgery
http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/10/25/2010236/Surgeon-Performs-Worlds-First-4X-HD-Surgery

VOICEMAIL
Ted from Berkeley on hacking the Pre

Ralph on Windows 7 problems

EMAIL
Hey Buzz Out-louders,

Was on my way to class this morning when I saw this article in the Chicago Sun-Times:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/1846104,CST-FIN-apple26.article

Apparently Apple may pay to upgrade a station at the North and Clybourn red line L stop. They are set to open a new retail location close to the stop. I live near it and I can say with full confidence that that stop is pretty nasty and run down (like most of the CTA's L stations.) I guess Apple thinks it's not very becoming to have your flashy products available via a not so flashy station stop and is willing to fork over the cash to fix that.

Thoughts?

I've been listening to your podcast for about three years now. Love the show!

-Casey the performing arts management student in Chicago

**********

Hey buzz crew, I don’t if you saw this BBC news item about twitter and other social networking sites costing UK companies 1.4 billion pounds a year. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8325865.stm. The assumption is that because their survey of 1460 office workers indicated that people spent an average of 40 minutes a week on these sites that “such online behaviour clearly had a “productivity strain” on firms.” I call shenanigans, and I wish I could get my hands on the actually study so that I could fully debunk the it, but no such luck. My worry is that I read this at 8 am ET and I am sure by this afternoon mainstream media is just going to run with it with no thought or insight.

Love the show.
Marlon “the guyfromtrinidad”

**********

“Net Neutrality,” not allowing ISP to charge extra for special serves,
will kill the internet. If we don’t allow ISP to make profit from
investing in infrastructure, they will not invest money in
infrastructure. Unlike broadcast television, the internet does not
travel through a common good. Every inch of the internet in America is
built, owned, and maintained by private actors. In order to continue to
have good internet service, we have to allow those actors to make profits.

If you want better service, kill the government interference that
currently exists. Primarily this interference is cable monopolies that
are granted by localities. Since most broadband access comes in via
cable connections this directly hurts the quality of internet access in
America.

Kevin

So the French have passed a three strikes law that will disconnect your Internet if accused three times of piracy. At least there's some judicial review. Also, John McCain moves against Net Neutrality and Windows 7 seems to truly be good news for Microsoft.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Microsoft: Strong Windows demand helps earnings
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10381774-56.html
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200910230938dowjonesdjonline000584

Windows 7 student upgrade installer not working for many
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/23/windows-7-student-upgrade-installer-not-working-for-many/

Win 7 users shout: Where’s my bloody ballot screen?
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/23/windows_seven_ballot_browser/

Motorola Droid makes appearance on Motorola's Web site
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/10/22/motorola-droid-makes-appearance-on-motorolas-site/
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/22/motorola-droids-website-published-a-bit-early-with-specs-galor/

Prepare for disconnection! French “3 strikes” law now legal
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/10/french-3-strikes-law-returns-now-with-judicial-oversight.ars

McCain moves to block FCC Net neutrality
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/174221/mccain_moves_to_block_fcc_net_neutrality.html

Chase Carey: Hulu to charge in 2010
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/blog/ADverse_Atkinson_on_Advertising/23941-Chase_Carey_Hulu_to_Charge_in_2010.php

We have no plans for Blu-ray on Xbox 360
http://majornelson.com/archive/2009/10/22/we-have-no-plans-for-blu-ray-on-xbox-360.aspx

Psystar releases Mac clone software
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10381419-37.html

Nigeria actually arrests, shuts down online scammers
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/10/nigeria-actually-arrests-shuts-down-online-scammers.ars

Pay what you want for World of Goo
http://hellforge.gameriot.com/blogs/GameRiot-The-Blog/You-cheap-bastards-Pay-what-you-want-for-World-of-Goo-a-success-1

Yellowgold album
http://www.yellowgoldmusic.com

Geocities closes Monday
http://www.webuser.co.uk/news/top-stories/427768/yahoo-geocities-to-close-down
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/3596/

VOICE MAIL
Mike reports on a new scam

Thomas has some advice for fanboys

E-MAIL
Quick note…actually found myself on the Wolfram Alpha site on my Pre. That might be the first and last time anyone uses that combination…that said, it was easy enough to use and pretty helpful (some integrals for an E&M physics class).

Side note: got an email from my 62 year old Mom saying she is interested in the Nook…I don’t think she’s ever heard of the Kindle. Draw your own conclusions.

Time to run, Professor is looking at me.

-Adam in Seattle

**********

Dear Buzz Crew,

Barnes and Noble has now posted their FAQ, which is actually a bulletin board where they respond.

They say that you will be able to connect to any b and g wireless network. If you are in the store, you will get special offers and reading recommendations, and be able to read any ebook in full-text that they have stocked. If they could enable this for libraries, that would be perfect.

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/eBooks-Help-Board/nook-Wi-Fi-access/m-p/401505#U401505
–Sam

**********

My concern is that the government’s definition of “Net Neutrality” and
ours/yours is different. I think they’ve hijacked the term. It is my
belief that they will apply FCC like content and access controls (they
have stated as much) to the internet such as the “fairness doctrine” and
“hate speech” rules, turning it into a Government “information”/
propaganda outlet. The devil is in the details and government is very
adept at saying one thing and doing something else when the laws and
regulation are actually written.
I also object to the telcos/cables/satellites being content providers
unless they are completely separate from the pipes and the pipes are
open at the same price to everyone. At least on principle. But that’s
just a money issue.
I object more to the government managing and controlling access to the
pipes. That's a freedom issue.

Sigh… any ideas for another internet like system? Maybe using quantum
networks over dark matter?

Love the show… s

Roger
Palm Beach County, Florida

OK yeah, we talk about Windows 7 and it's lovefest but it's so over. Time to get into the rumor mill again for the Windows 8 release. Why is Microsoft being so quiet about it?! We also cover the unnatural marriage of Verizon and Google over Net Neutrality. And Craigslist is not a pimp according to the law.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

500 people line up for Windows 7 in London
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8319083.stm

Burger King selling a Windows 7 Whopper in Japan
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/22/burger-king-selling-a-windows-7-whopper-in-japan/

Businesses love Windows 7, survey says
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/174130/businesses_love_windows_7_survey_says.html

Microsoft adds PC’s and third-party software to its online store
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10381031-56.html

Eight things you need to know about Windows 8
http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/8-things-you-need-to-know-about-windows-8-643699

Blu-Ray coming for Xbox, sort of?
http://gizmodo.com/5387238/ballmer-talks-natal-says-blu+ray-add+on-for-xbox-coming

FCC moves forward on Net neutrality rule-making in unanimous vote
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2009/10/fcc_moves_forward_on_net_neutr.html
http://www.fcc.gov/

New BFFs Verizon, Google agree on Net neutrality, except for wireless
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2009/10/new_bffs_verizon_google_talk_o.html

Google strikes a Twitter search deal, too
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10380615-36.html

Coming to Google Labs: Social search results
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10380739-36.html
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/21/web-2-0-summit-marrisa-mayer-shows-off-social-search-results-from-your-social-netowrk/

Nokia sues Apple, says iPhone infringes 10 patents
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/22/nokia-sues-apple-says-iphone-infringes-ten-patents/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8321058.stm

The iPhone is still a good thing for AT&T
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=26417

Judge: Craigslist not liable for prostitution ads
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-10380799-261.html

Standard charging connector for cars about to be ratified
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17912_3-10380010-72.html

Voice mail
Heather has an idea for ebook sellers.

CJ on BlackBerry love

E-mail
Just want mention that most of Sony laptops are not going to be supported by Sony to upgrade to Windows 7. They suggest you by a new one and to shop on their web page to get one. I check many models and was told the same thing. You can upgrade, but Sony will not provide support for there drivers.
I bought my SR series laptop in Feb this year, P8400 dual core 3 gig mem w/Vista Home Prem – no Sony support. But, I could update an IBM C100 (old and slow) – IBM wil provide support. – rgolab

**********

I just received a Kindle as a gift last week from my wife and we went
with the $259 U.S. version for the “new low price” of.. well.. $259. I
considered the International version as we often vacation outside of
the U.S., especially during the holidays but opted out of the $20
premium.

Well, while perusing the Amazon site tonight I noticed that there is
already a thread on the Kindle board discussing the fact that the
“U.S.” (only) version of the Kindle is now gone and the $259 version
is the U.S./International version.

Is it just me or isn’t this a bit weird as the price decrease FOR the
U.S. version was only a week or so ago? New hardware just post-Holiday
season? Hmmmm.

Just thought I would share,

Tracy in Newport Beach, CA (SOOOO much better than Atlanta!)

**********

hey buzz crew!!!

I am a walmart employee and work in their connection center. The prepaid service you have talked about is called Straight Talk, and is owned by the same people who brought you TracFone. The service uses Verizon’s network as well as their data network. The 45 dollar a month plan includes unlimited data, voice and text. We have even gotten new phones, one of which has a slide out qwerty keypad! Our store was a market test store and we have had it for a few months and people are going crazy over it. Very good deal if you ask me. Keep up the good work guys… love the show

Chris Decker in newnan, georgia

Molly and I go off on the Net neutrality debate, not so much about what the meaning of it is, but more on why you shouldn't use lies to defend your position. We also discuss the attractiveness of the Nook from Barnes and Noble, and Molly and Rafe have a BlackBerry fight. About the phones. Not the fruit.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Retail distribution may tip e-reader race; Barnes & Noble rolls out Nook
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=26305

Barnes & Noble’s Nook: A virtual e-reader tour
http://www.pcworld.com/article/173999/barnes_and_nobles_nook_a_virtual_ereader_tour.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/10/21/barnes.noble.nook/

BlackBerry Bold 9700 (Onyx) now official
http://www.intomobile.com/2009/10/21/blackberry-bold-9700-onyx-now-official.html
http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-10379329-85.html

Google to blend search, music in One Box
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-10379922-261.html

Exclusive: Guess who else is coming to dinner? Twitter-Microsoft Bing deal confirmed, but so is Facebook-Bing
http://kara.allthingsd.com/20091021/exclusive-guess-who-else-is-coming-to-dinner-twitter-microsoft-bing-deal-confirmed-but-so-is-facebook-bing/

Time Warner testing fix to hole in home router
http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10379477-245.html
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/10/time-warner-cable/

Amazon: Windows 7 is ‘the biggest preorder product of all time’
http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/44377/140/

AT&T enlists employees to oppose Net neutrality
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10379360-266.html

Verizon CEO slams Net neutrality at conference
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10379932-266.html

Nvidia targeting real-time Cloud rendering
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/10/21/1354224/NVIDIA-Targeting-Real-Time-Cloud-Rendering

LHC reaches operational temps, collisions start in 5 weeks
http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2009/10/final-lhc-segment-reaches-operational-temperature-at-19k.ars

GE shows off pocket-size ultrasound scanner
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10379692-2.html

VOICE MAIL
Frank L has a crafty Windows upgrade plan

E-MAIL
Hey BOL
U2 is live streaming their Sunday concert form the Rose Bowl! How cool is that?! http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10379610-52.html. I went to the Vertigo Tour in LA in 2005, so I know this will utterly fail in comparison, but still, a free, online concert from one of my favorite bands? Sign me up, cuz now I’ll definitely be waiting for the DVD (maybe Blu-Ray?) to come out. Hope this becomes a new trend with music in the very near future. Plus, I also think this lines up with someone’s New Years prediction if I’m not mistaken.

LTS,
Ben the Industrial Engineering Grad Student from Arkansas

New technology allows organic brain cells to control robots, leading us to conclude that eventually we'll all be brains in a data center. Also Apple announces a bunch of updates to its computer line as well as a new magic mouse. And the PS3 is now the King of the console hill. Who saw that coming?

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Apple redesigns iMac and 13-inch MacBook, revamps Mac Mini
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10378884-1.html
http://www.apple.com/macbook/
http://www.apple.com/magicmouse/
http://www.apple.com/imac/
http://www.apple.com/macmini/

Barnes & Noble ‘Nook’ e-reader with color touch screen out Thursday for $259
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/barnes-and-noble-nook-color-e-reader-out-tuesday-for-259-says/
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/barnes-and-noble-officially-launches-nook-e-reader-259-pre-orde/

Google actually getting into the phone business?
http://www.thestreet.com/story/10614007/1/exclusive-google-plans-its-own-android-phone.html

PS3 finally wins a month
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10378392-52.html

Xbox 360 update will lock out unauthorized storage
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/09/10/19/1959249/Xbox-360-Update-Will-Lock-Out-Unauthorized-Storage

CIA branch invests in tech firm that monitors blogs, Twitter, social media
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/10/19/cia-branch-invests-i.html

Car glass rules could impair cell, GPS, and radio signals in Calif.
http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/10/19/1844258/Car-Glass-Rules-Could-Impair-Cell-GPS-and-Radio-Signals-In-CA

Internet Archive’s BookServer could ‘dominate’ Amazon
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10378573-52.html

Quick test’ for airport liquids
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8314419.stm

Robot controlled by human brain cells
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/09/10/20/1236208/Robot-Controlled-By-Human-Brain-Cells

VOICEMAIL
Daniel about Verizon

Paul FROM Verizon

E-MAIL
Hey buzz crew,
Before this app came out (wolfram) there was a mobile iPhone formatted
wolfram alpha site that was amazing! I saved it to my home screen but
when I clicked on it today, it led me to a add for the app. **sigh**

Yours truly,
Cameron Tora

**********

Love the show, but you should clarify the Google Voicemail story. Users choose to 'share' those messages – users shared them. Google is now protecting people from their own stupidity which is cool, but please blame stupid people not Google!

thanks,
Natron from Madison, WI

Have a Google Voicemail account? Have some voicemails in there? I may have listened to them today! Thanks to some leaks in the Google cloud (rain?) it seems some folks voicemails are searchable on Google. Glad that eye appointment went well! Also Verizon and Motorola are bringing it to the iPhone. But will Verizon have to make a switch next year if the rumors are true?

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Verizon’s anti-iPhone gets its first commercial: ‘Droid Does’
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/17/verizons-anti-iphone-gets-its-first-commercial-droid-does/
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/18/verizon-droid-is-the-real-deal/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10377603-1.html
http://fonefrenzy.com/2009/10/18/bigger-news-for-verizon-than-motorolas-droid/

Google Voice voicemails appearing in public search results
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/google-voice-voicemails-appearing-in-public-search-results/

Facebook and Twitter Founders Join Net-Neutrality Wars
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/10/18/facebook-and-twitter-founders-join-net-neutrality-wars/

Telcos and Hollywood ask Canadian govt for right to secretly install spyware, listen in on your network
connection http://www.boingboing.net/2009/10/16/telcos-and-hollywood.html

Wolfram Alpha iPhone app is cool but overpriced
http://news.cnet.com/8301-19882_3-10377493-250.html
http://mashable.com/2009/10/18/wolfram-alpha-iphone-app/

Plastic Logic Shows Off a (Quick) Look at its Kindle Killer: Meet the Que
http://mediamemo.allthingsd.com/20091018/plastic-logic-shows-off-a-quick-look-at-its-kindle-killer-meet-the-que/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10376178-56.html

Barnes & Noble gets FCC nod for e-reader
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10377573-56.html
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/spring-design-alex-dual-screen-android-based-e-reader/

New camera promises to capture your whole life
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17992-new-camera-promises-to-capture-your-whole-life.html

MIT Researchers Develop Autonomous Indoor Robocopter
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/09/10/18/1320259/MIT-Researchers-Develop-Autonomous-Indoor-Robocopter

VASIMR Ion Engine Could Cut Mars Trip To 39 Days
http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/10/19/1324222/VASIMR-Ion-Engine-Could-Cut-Mars-Trip-To-39-Days

EMAIL
Hey Guys,

I thought you might want to know that Best Buy is getting into the highly profitable used games market here in Canada. I went yesterday (Oct 17) and they had a whole shelf including several major releases from the last 6 months or so. Discounts were not deep, somewhere in the neighborhood of $5-10 less compared to a brand new disc. Looks like Best Buy is trying to eat EB Games’ lunch.

Love the Show,

Kevin the Psychiatrist
Kingston, ON, Canada

***********

I first found a Vook in the iPhone app store from my iPhone … having
just heard Tom’s desire for some innovative new approach to books …
I forwarded the link to that so ya’ll could check it out … here is
another link in this regard http://www.vook.com/

***********

I really don’t think the type of phone matters to people who use prepaid
plans. We all don’t live in a big city with the greatest 3G access and
wonderful plans. I love new technology but can’t afford it currently with
kids and other expenses. Also people have no idea what 3G access is
because we can’t get it. I currently have one ATT phone for my family that
is 46 dollars a month (that locks me into a two year contract) and use
magic jack for cheap landline. The ATT plan gives me no Text message, no
Data, and 450 minutes only. I think this Wal-Mart plan sounds great for us
“dumb people” that don’t have the luxury of the big fancy city. What
matters to us is how good the phone service is and I am not sure how good
Wal-Marts(I know Wal-Mart doesn’t do the service) phones service will be?

Thanks,
Jeff from OHIO