Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Google patent keeps airwaves competitive by selecting the cheapest

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/404796049/

Google's persistent interest in ensuring that the US' 700MHz spectrum would give rise to a network open to any and all devices reinforced its belief that carriers can and should be nothing more than the proverbial "dumb pipes" -- leave the content and hardware to the people who know how to do it and don't necessarily have a vested interest in the carriers' bottom line. That attitude foretold that it had some interesting ideas up its sleeves (this is Google, after all), and while it's never been entirely clear what those ideas are, Android's "please use it, it's free" attitude certainly plays a role. Here's another piece of the puzzle: rather than be tied down to any one carrier, why not keep changing carriers in real time based on whomever's going to give you the best deal? A new patent filed by Mountain View's finest proposes exactly that, bringing together heterogeneous technologies -- "community-wide" networks like WiFi and WiMAX along with GSM, CDMA, and so on -- and an "auction system" that would let the user select (or allow the phone to automatically select) the best deal at the moment depending on their needs (available features or minimum speeds, time limits, and so on). It's an amazing idea that totally turns the contract concept on its head, and it's an idea that carriers would fight to the death. We're not seeing it happening, but hey, Google, we like the cut of your jib.

[Via textually.org and New Scientist]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

ASUS doles out gold and blue Eee PCs

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/405035756/

Filed under: Laptops

With the introduction of the well-received N10, we thought maybe -- just maybe -- ASUS was moving beyond its disgusting obsession with mutilating the Eee brand. Instead, we're now faced with fresh hues of two old faces: the blue 901A and the gilded 900A. Looks as if all the internals have remained the same, though there's no indication what kind of premium (if any) you'll have to pay for your color of choice.

[Thanks, Sascha]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Friday, September 26, 2008

Samsung's Nabee Connects Cameras to PCs, Cables Not Required [Wireless]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/403866721/samsungs-nabee-connects-cameras-to-pcs-cables-not-required

Samsung's Nabee system is a way of adding Wi-Fi sync-up capabilities to simpler digital cameras that lack them. It uses the Alereon AL5000 wireless USB chipset that operates at 3.1 to 10.6 GHz over a 30-foot range and has two parts: a small dongle that goes into the camera's USB socket and one that goes into the PC. It's due out in December, though there's no info on pricing. [FarEastGizmos]

Pandora, Nearing Survival Deal, Gets New Threat From NAB [Pandora]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/404216670/pandora-nearing-survival-deal-gets-new-threat-from-nab

CNet earlier today broke a story about how the National Association of Broadcasters—traditional broadcasting conglomerates and others who think HD Radio is more vital than the internet—is trying to kill a brand new bill that could save Pandora and other web radio services. We've done some reporting of our own, and the situation does indeed seem dire. If you love your Pandora, here's what's going on, and how you can help save its very existence:

Though we had previously feared the worst, Pandora honcho Tim Westergren told us today that he and other web broadcasters were about to reach a settlement with SoundExchange, the RIAA and the Copyright Royalty Board. They needed a bit more time, which would be granted by a new bill, HR 7084. Though the bill, introduced by Congressman Jay Inslee and others, only extends the negotiation period, Westergren told us that it's the clincher. "We've negotiating for over a year, but people on both sides are now feeling optimistic about getting a deal done," he says. "This bill is a signal of that. We need more time, but we're getting there."

Enter the NAB, who issued the following statement to us and others from Executive VP Dennis Wharton:

NAB has concerns related to Congress attempting to fast-track a bill introduced less than 24 hours ago that could have serious implications for broadcasters, webcasters, and consumers of music. NAB spent more than a year trying to work out an equitable agreement on webcasting rates, only to be stonewalled by SoundExchange and the record labels. We will continue to work with policymakers on a solution that is fair to all parties.
T he funny part about this, at least to Westergren, is that this bill and subsequent settlement would actually grant broadcasters lower fees on the internet, too. "If this falls apart, [NAB members] pay more for their webcasts, too," he says. "So there's only one interpretation, that they are trying to kill us."

Man, Pandora, why is everyone out to get you? If you feel like forming up in Pandora's defense, tell your congressperson that you support HR 7084, aka the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008. Congressional switchboard is (202) 225-3121, and you know your congressperson has a website, right? [Pandora]

Read More...

Summary only...

Security Hole in Adobe Software Allows Free Movie Downloads [Adobe]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/404216669/security-hole-in-adobe-software-allows-free-movie-downloads

An exploit has been uncovered in Adobe software that could be used to download free copies of movies and shows from Amazon's Video on Demand service (and other similar services). Apparently, Adobe sacrificed a "a stringent security feature" that protects the connection between Adobe software and its players in order in increase download speeds.

In tests using the Replay Media Catcher from Applian Technologies, Reuters successfully downloaded movies from Amazon and other sites that utilized Adobe software to deliver media. Amazon insists that their movies and TV shows cannot be pirated using video stream catching software, but it seems clear that Adobe's flaw combined with the way Amazon streams content makes it open season on thousands of movies and TV shows for anyone willing to shell out about $40. [Yahoo]