So France got a head start on getting in my crosshairs again. This is getting old. I’m so mad that I might just start calling french fries, freedom fries. Beyond that, we have possible reveal of Windows 8 tablet offering next week, HTC moving forward with 10 inch device, Google mobile payments service on the move, A senator doesn’t make me want to say screw the government, and more goodies. Holler after the jump.
French “three strikes” anti-piracy software riddled with flaws.
Why? Why do you make me do this to you, France? Why must you be such a lolfailure. You march yourself to your room right now and suck on some pastries and wine! No! I’m keeping your white flag! Basically, their stupid software can be used to do the thing it’s supposed to stop, because it’s stupid.*
On the topic of internet freedoms: Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) places a “hold” on the Protect IP Act.
Why is this a good thing? The Protect IP Act was practically written by the Music and Movie industry and would make it easier for the govt. to seize domains or shut down people for the tiniest infraction. Whatever you feel about that, it gets worse. Even regular companies like Google would be under the gun. Imagine Google being forced to pay licensing fees for every picture that comes up on a google image search, if someone just asked for one. The law would screw with the standard definition of fair use allow these vampiric companies that refuse to innovate, to bilk everyone and everything no matter where they are in the world for even the accusation without proof of infraction. It’s the type of law that would be thought up by Onion News.
From Senator Wyden: “The Internet represents the shipping lane of the 21st century. It is increasingly in America’s economic interest to ensure that the Internet is a viable means for American innovation, commerce, and the advancement of our ideals that empower people all around the world. By ceding control of the Internet to corporations through a private right of action, and to government agencies that do not sufficiently understand and value the Internet, PIPA represents a threat to our economic future and to our international objectives. Until the many issues that I and others have raised with this legislation are addressed, I will object to a unanimous consent request to proceed to the legislation.”
Microsoft is said to plan preview of Windows Tablet software.
This is presumably Windows 8’s Tablet edition running on a Tegra system. I already posted this yesterday, but it was rumor and conjecture then. At this point it’s starting to sound like it may be true. At least if Bloomberg’s inside sources are to be believed. Even if it’s demoed, the odds of release before the holiday are still small. It’s possible but not set in stone. Especially if there is no official timetable for the rest of the OS (Unofficially expected in mid-late 2012, with a beta ready toward the end of this year). We want it faster, but too fast and there could be another Vista incident.
Well, at least Amazon didn’t call it the Mac App Store.
Amazon just launched a Mac App Store called Mac Download Store. It’s a beautiful thing, giving people more choices. It also extends the increasingly tentacle-like reach of Amazon. Say what you will about all these other larger tech companies, but Amazon is building or arguably has the largest consumer ecosystem. Like Walmart, someday you may never need to step into another store in your life, no matter your system.
Nokia chooses “rhythm method” for Windows Phone 7 release.
What this means is carpet bombing, and that’s a good thing. Nokia intends to flood the market by keeping a steady flow of designs. This isn’t new. Nokia reached it’s point of dominance much the same way without sacrificing on build quality and design aesthetics. While design aesthetics are still a matter of taste, it’s no question that Nokia has the best build quality in the world. So what you should see is numerous phones being released every 3 months. At that pace, Nokia will have more WP7 phone models than any other manufacturer within 6 or 9 months. Possibly more than Android devices within a few years. All with the same build quality, and the same consistent OS. They have indicated that may also look into CDMA phones for once. Now we don’t know how long they’ll keep up this pace, but Microsoft will now have access to their pipelines. Everyone seems to forget that as mighty as iOS and Android are, Nokia still sells more handsets, including smartphones, worldwide.
Ex-Myspace exec to launch a Facebook alternative with funding from DFJ.
Bahahahahahahahaha! This was just an intermission.
Google Wallet mobile payments service, Google Offers announced.
This is something genuinely exciting and quite a bit frightening. There are serious security issues that they have to ensure are under control. Say what you want, but walking around with a phone able to purchase things is like walking around with your credit card number visible. since we don’t know how it’s being implemented, we don’t know how they are addressing the security. Assuming those security issues are adequately addressed, this is a technology that I look forward to. I don’t mean I want or need it, I just mean, I appreciate the progress. For a good look at thoughts on it (that I largely share), check out Eric’s write-up.
Microsoft’s E3 Badge hints at Kinect, Halo, and Star Wars.
This isn’t really that important. Halo should retire on a high note, I couldn’t care less about Star Wars, but Kinect is still interesting to me for now. There is so much potential and I’m hoping we start seeing some real games and some real innovative uses from developers. Some of the big guys initially balked at developing for it, but then it became the fastest selling consumer electronics device of all time, out selling the iPod, iPhone, and iPad… so… check mate to major developers?
HTC to begin volume production of “Puccini” 10 inch tablets in June.
The HTC Flyer is grossly overpriced but brilliantly made. I’m excited to see something in the 10 inch range. I have no love for the 7 inch devices. However, with their current pricing madness, this just will not do.
Word. That’s it for tonight. See y’all tomorrow. For the Pirates of the Caribbean fans out there, Here’s a Jack Sparrow song featuring Nice Peter (Epic Rap Battles of History fame).
*I don’t really hate France. They’d have to matter in the least for me to care enough to hate them. trollface.jpg
That’s not the best or worst Pirate Rap I’ve ever heard. Check out Captain D and the Scurvy crew sometime.