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February 2010
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Tech companies should unite to fight Italy -- and abandon it if necessary MagicJack seems to be a quality product made by a questionable company NBC Olympic fail: Technology edition AT&T 3G network is fastest of the big carriers, PCWorld finds Apple clumsily bans (most) sex-related apps on iPhone, iPod Touch Chart of 2009 smart phone OS market share shows why Microsoft needs to hurry up Some retailers already taking pre-orders from suckers for first batch of 3D televisions Atari discussing "Missile Command" movie with Hollywood studios Microsofts talks to me (a little bit) about Windows Phone 7 Series Categories
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February 25, 2010
Italian courts have just made a ruling that endangers civilization: Basically, technology company workers are subject to prison sentences the instant their technology enables viewers to see any image that the subject of that image really dislikes. It sounds impossible. It sounds like hyperbole, but it's not, which is why technology companies should take serious measures -- truly serious measures -- immediately. They should present Italy with this ultimatum: Enact true freedom-of-speech protections and sane business laws within the next month or we will abandon you. Totally. What constitutes total abandonment? Web site operators should block Italian users. International telecom companies should decline any traffic that begins or ends in Italy. Software makers should stop supporting Italian customers and, where possible, remotely disable software installed on Italian computers. Yes, this would utterly destroy Italy. Companies large and small would cease operation. Even its government would be unable to function. No, this isn't an overreaction akin to bulldozing your house to silence a squeaky door. Such a big step is perfectly legitimate for two reasons. First, neither nations, nor companies, nor individual people have any God-given right to continued service from the technology industry. Just as customers have every right abandon companies when a relationship no longer serve their needs, companies have the right to abandon a customer when the relationship no longer serve their needs. And when a customer suddenly assumes the power to arbitrarily jail your employees, the relationship with that customer is no longer serving your needs. Second, Italy would always have the power to immediately undo all the horrific damage. A few simple votes to protect free speech and establish some reasonable idea of corporate responsibility would result in immediate reinstatement. Failure to act, on the other hand, will only encourage Italy and every other dysfunctional nation to further shackle the Internet -- a trend that would imperil the development of the world's most precious resource. It's worth taking a stand. (Will any tech company, let alone the entire industry, take such a stand? God, no. Radical action involves the sort of obvious risk that can get executives fired. Inaction, aside from some behind-the-scenes lobbying, poses far less career risk. No exec will get the blame for any of the countless speech restrictions that countries. Such restrictions, while annoying to Silicon Valley execs, are less annoying than unemployment. There will be no real response to this. Bad governments will continue to keep increasing Internet censorship.)  Comments (2) Leave comment
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|  E-mail entryThe entry "Tech companies should unite to fight Italy -- and abandon it if necessary" is tagged: arbitrary arrest , boycott , censorship , EU , freedom of speech , google , italy , politics , technology industry
Since Wal-Mart announced its acquisition of video streaming service Vudu, there's been a burst of speculation over how Apple should respond. Should Apple make its own line of TVs with the Apple TV service integrated into the set? Should Apple just upgrade the Apple TV box? Or should Apple focus on the mobile and PC space and abandon the living room? It's tempting to want Apple to get into the TV business, selling its own displays. The company already makes a line of highly regarded (if expensive) computer monitors. Why not just release those in bigger sizes with built in tuners and Internet connectivity? But the TV industry is an extraordinarily low-margin business, and Apple hates being in the commodity space. And I'm not sure how much innovation Apple could bring that would justify higher prices. So upgrading the Apple TV box (say, by adding a Blu-ray player or negotiating exclusive movie launches with the studios) would seem the most logical step. But I wonder if Apple is simply spread too thin right now to give Apple TV the attention it needs to thrive. Apple, despite its huge profits, is not a very big company overall. As Cnet notes, it's only the 71st largest U.S. company. I think a lot of people who don't necessarily buy Apple products want to see the company expand into as many consumer tech categories as possible, just to see what Apple comes up with and how it forces competitors to respond. But Apple, despite Steve Jobs' wizardry, isn't all-powerful. So they may just sit this one out. Comments (3) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "Should Apple start making televisions, improve the Apple TV, or just get out of the living room altogether?" is tagged: Apple , Apple TV , living room , streaming , television , video , Vudu , Wal-Mart February 24, 2010
If you ever watch late night TV, you've seen the magicJack ads. Basically, it's a little device that plugs into your computer and lets you make low-cost phone calls over the Internet. It's advertised incessantly, but by all accounts, it works pretty well and is reasonably priced. Yet, for such a solid product, the company that makes it is generating a lot of bad headlines. And customer complaints are legion. Any magicJack users out there? What do you think of the product and company? Comments (1) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "MagicJack seems to be a quality product made by a questionable company" is tagged: complaints , lawsuit , magicJack , telephone , voice over internet protocol , VoIP
Many others have already slammed NBC's Olympic coverage, but nothing I've seen hammers the massive failure that most annoys my tech-geek friends. The people who run NBC seem completely unaware that technology developed since the 1970s could actually enable viewers to understand and enjoy the otherwise obscure sports on display... Comments (4) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "NBC Olympic fail: Technology edition" is tagged: NBC , Winter Olympics February 23, 2010
Dallas-based AT&T is boasting today of a new survey by PCWorld that found that AT&T's 3G network is much faster than the 3G networks of Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile: After registering the lowest average download speeds in our 3G performance tests last spring, AT&T's network turned in download speeds that were 84 percent better than the numbers from eight months ago; in our latest tests, AT&T's download speeds were 67 percent faster on average than those of the other three largest U.S. wireless providers--Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Unfortunately, Dallas wasn't one of the cities tested. But this seems like a pretty solid endorsement of AT&T's 3G coverage. On the other hand, if you care more about voice call quality than 3G data download and upload speeds, J.D. Power recently found that Verizon Wireless is the top performer in that area. Notably, in the southwest region, which includes Texas, Verizon Wireless was best and AT&T was worst. Comments (0) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "AT&T 3G network is fastest of the big carriers, PCWorld finds" is tagged: 3G , AT&T , download , network , PCWorld , speed , Sprint , T-Mobile , test , Verizon Wireless
Apple has recently cracked down on sexually-suggestive apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch, and, as with everything Apple does, the move has generated controversy. You've got developers who were profiting from the racy apps up in arms over the new policy -- which eliminated about 5,000 apps -- and critics who cry hypocrisy because Apple is letting a handful of sexual apps from big name publishers Sports Illustrated and Playboy stay in the store. And honestly, this is a pretty terrible quote from Phil Schiller, Apple's head of worldwide product marketing: When asked about the Sports Illustrated app, Mr. Schiller said Apple took the source and intent of an app into consideration. "The difference is this is a well-known company with previously published material available broadly in a well-accepted format," he said. Blah, blah, blah. What Schiller really meant, but couldn't say, is that SI, unlike the various little piss-ant developers producing titillating apps like SlideHer and Sexy Scratch Off, represents real money and Apple desperately wants Sports Illustrated on the iPhone, iPod Touch and the upcoming iPad. So when Schiller says this: Mr. Schiller said Apple had to prioritize its customers. "We obviously care about developers, but in the end have to put the needs of the kids and parents first," he said. You can add the implicit caveat "unless those developers make us a lot of money" to the end of that last quote. But still, as two-faced as Apple is being on this issue, so what? So a bunch of sleazy apps get flushed down the memory hole and life goes on. Plus, the iPhone and iPod Touch and iPad won't be losing their single biggest porn conduit: the Web browser. Comments (2) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "Apple clumsily bans (most) sex-related apps on iPhone, iPod Touch" is tagged: app , Apple , ban , iPhone , iPod Touch , Playboy , sex , Sports Illustrated
That chart pretty much looks how you'd expect: Nokia dominant but declining, RIM, Apple and Google growing strong, Palm floundering and Microsoft starting to tumble off a cliff. Which is why I don't understand the lack of urgency on Microsoft's part with Windows Phone 7 Series. I think Microsoft thinks it can just throw buckets of money at the problem and push Windows Phone to glory. But I'm not sure that's going to work. Comments (1) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "Chart of 2009 smart phone OS market share shows why Microsoft needs to hurry up" is tagged: market share , Microsoft , smart phone , Windows Phone 7 Series February 22, 2010
A fool and his money are soon parted, and now, thanks to the pre-order process, idiots can squander a fortune faster than ever before. Case in point, a handful of retailers are now taking pre-orders for the first wave of 3D televisions. Sears, for example, sent out a press release this morning touting two new Samsung 3D LCD sets now posted for pre-order on Sears.com for delivery in March:
Vann's also seems to be taking pre-orders on some 3D televisions. Note, these TVs do not include 3D glasses, so, whenever those become available, you can tack on a few hundreds bucks to each of those price tags. Second, there is no actual 3D content available yet on regular TV that I know of. (Am I wrong here? Are any cable or satellite providers broadcasting anything in 3D right now?) So these companies want you to throw a bunch of money at a product you literally cannot yet use. And by the time there's any 3D content worth watching, prices on the TVs will already be falling. So not only are suckers being asked to pay a huge early adopter premium on these TVs, but they're being asked to pay a premium for no actual benefit. Look, you may have convinced yourself that 3D is the next big thing and you want to get in on the ground floor. Great. Good for you. But this isn't getting in at the ground floor. This is digging four hundred feet down into the dirt and waiting for the building to be constructed over your head. Bottom line: don't be an idiot. Comments (4) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "Some retailers already taking pre-orders from suckers for first batch of 3D televisions" is tagged: 3D , pre-order , Samsung , Sears , television , Vann's
Just a reminder, here's the game we're talking about:
The LA Times isn't really sure what to make of this: There are traces of science-fiction elements to the game (the story is putatively set in another galaxy) as well as military overtones. And the film would likely be shot in 3D, tapping into the current vogue. But how a studio could turn Missile Command into a full-fledged action movie remains a question. Both the look and story behind Missile Command were, as they were with so many titles from the so-called golden age of video games, spare to say the least, though a manual did offer some detail: players were defending cities on Zardon from the invading armies of Krytol (aren't you glad we told you that?). Oh, c'mon LA Times! Use your imagination! That screenshot above has everything: love, war, betrayal, laughs, tears, missiles and commands! Comments (0) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "Atari discussing "Missile Command" movie with Hollywood studios" is tagged: Atari , Missile Command , movie February 21, 2010
I chatted Friday with Karen Wong-Duncan, Microsoft product manager for the mobile communications business, about the recently-unveiled Windows Phone 7 Series mobile operating system. I was able to glean some new info, but overall, Microsoft is playing its cards pretty tight to the vest, at least until its MIX conference in March. Before we go on, though, you should probably check out either the video of the unveiling and demo at Mobile World Congress, or this video showing a more in-depth walk-through of the software. And you should definitely play with Microsoft's interactive demo. Some highlights from my interview: Microsoft thinks the "hub" design in Windows Phone 7 makes more sense than the list of icons popularized by Apple with the iPhone. So, for example, the music+video hub opens your various music and video options, and you have to drill down from their into, say, your podcasts or downloaded songs or streaming radio.
"It's a very typographically-driven design," Wong-Duncan said. "There's just a lot more print rather than focusing on icons or generic iconography. it's just a lot more easy to digest." Comments (1) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "Microsofts talks to me (a little bit) about Windows Phone 7 Series" is tagged: Karen Wong-Duncan , Microsoft , music , operating system , smart phone , social networking , video , Windows Phone 7 Series , Xbox Live , Zune February 19, 2010
Here's my review that ran in today's paper. Bottom line: If you're interested in the Pre, the subtle upgrades in the Pre Plus version available on Verizon Wireless are just enough to make this handset superior to Sprint's version. HOWEVER, you need to do the math before jumping at the Pre Plus. If you buy the Pre from Sprint, your minimum monthly plan (including unlimited data, unlimited text messages and 450 voice minutes per month) will cost $69.99 On Verizon, the minimum Pre Plus plan (including unlimited data, no text messages and 450 voice minutes) will cost $84.98. So if you get the original Pre through Sprint, over the course of a two-year contract (which is required to get the lowest price on the handset -- $149), you'll pay $1,679.76 in monthly fees, not including taxes and fees. But on Verizon you'll pay a total of $2,039.52. That's a difference of $359.76. Now, the additional memory, slightly more solid construction and ability to turn the Pre Plus into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot (for an additional $40 per month) might be worth it to you. But look before you leap. Comments (0) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "Review: Palm Pre Plus on Verizon Wireless offers upgrades, but more expensive plans" is tagged: Palm Pre Plus , plan , price , review , Sprint , Verizon Wireless February 18, 2010
Well, not too old, exactly. I still love massive, complex games like Mass Effect 2. I could easily spend days cruising the galaxy, meeting interesting aliens and shooting them in the face. But that's the problem. I don't really have days and days to devote to roleplaying games anymore. For example, I found that as much as I loved Fallout 3, I played for 30-40 hours, then had a few weeks go by where I was busy with other stuff, and then came back and tried to get back into the game. By that time, I'd forgotten where I was in the plot, had to relearn some of the controls, and half-expected my character to stare at me in disgust for abandoning him for nearly a month. But I sank another 10 hours or so into the game. And that was, oh, three or four months ago. I still haven't finished the game, and it nags at me, like a loose tooth. So I here I am, about five or six hours into Mass Effect 2. I'm entranced by the graphics, immersing myself in all the backstory that I'd forgotten from the first game, slowly leveling my character up and exploring the motivations of the other characters.
But man, I just don't know if I want to do this again. I love this game. But I'm not a college student anymore. Last night, I fell asleep on the couch with the controller in my hand. If I had but world enough, and time, I'd happily give myself to Mass Effect 2. As it is, I'm more of a Modern Warfare 2 guy these days: eight hours of non-stop action, game completed, and then back on the shelf. But if you've got the time, Mass Effect 2 may well be enough game to last you the rest of 2010. Comments (1) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "First impressions: Mass Effect 2 for Xbox 360 - I'm getting too old for this $&#%" is tagged: first impressions , Mass Effect 2 , review
AT&T is the last of the big four carriers to release a phone based on Google's Android OS, but the Android-powered Motorola Backflip seems like a nifty device if you're a big Facebook/Twitter/other social media user. A physical keyboard flips out from the back (hence the name), and also doubles as a stand, if you want to set your phone down to watch a movie. See? Nifty. The Backflip is also compatible with the faster HSPA 7.2 flavor of 3G that AT&T is rolling out (and has already activated in parts of Dallas). The Backflip goes on sale March 7 for $99, after $100 mail-in rebate and with a two-year contract. Here's a little demo video from AT&T: Comments (0) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "AT&T announces its first Android device, the Motorola Backflip coming March 7" is tagged: 3G , Android , AT&T , Backflip , Google , HSPA 7.2 , Motorola , smart phone
Steve Jobs is apparently doubling down on his hatred for Flash. Rather than bending to market realities and just putting Flash on the iPad, Jobs is insisting that the various content providers (in this case, The Wall Street Journal) he needs to make the iPad a success dump Flash in favor of... something. As Valleywag reports on a meeting Jobs had with top execs at the paper: Jobs reportedly said the Journal would find "It's trivial to create video in H.264" instead of Flash. Depending on how the Journal handled the video conversion, that could be true, and for the moment H. 264 is a cheap and effective way to distribute Web video. But we assume Jobs didn't mention that H. 264 is patented, privately licensed and could get expensive fast. If I were running the Journal, I'd tell Jobs that, "Hey, we're happy to dump Flash for Java or HTML5 or whatever, and since it's so trivial, surely you and your team at Apple won't mind footing the bill for the switch? No? Okay, then how about we get a larger slice of the revenue on sales of our iPad app to compensate us for dumping Flash. Still no? Okay, well, thanks for coming by. Please leave your visitor's badge at the front desk on your way out." Comments (4) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "Steve Jobs commands/begs Wall Street Journal to dump Flash for iPad app" is tagged: Apple , Flash , iPad , Steve Jobs , The Wall Street Journal
Here are AT&T's plans for Texas in 2010: *70 new cell sites, down from 130 in 2009 *upgrade more than 550 additional cell sites to 3G, up from 280 in 2009 AT&T said it spent nearly $1.1 billion on its wireless network in Texas from 2007 through 2009, but is not disclosing its 2010 investment total. Including both wireless and wireline, AT&T invested about $6 billion in Texas from 2007 through 2009. The fact that AT&T is slowing down its construction of new cell sites in Texas but increasing the number of existing sites being upgraded to 3G is interesting. [UPDATE: AT&T told me the decline in new cell sites isn't any kind of a trend, but fluctuates based on customer demand.] And you can see why AT&T wants to boost its 3G offerings as quickly as possible. From AT&T's announcement: Wireless data traffic on the AT&T network has grown more than 5,000 percent over the past three years, largely attributed to today's advanced smartphones that are generating dramatically increasing volumes of network traffic. In fact, roughly 40 percent of AT&T's postpaid customer base uses a smartphone today, representing twice the number of smartphone customers than any other U.S. provider. AT&T isn't getting any sympathy from the rest of the wireless industry, though. In fact, Verizon Wireless, which built 122 new cell towers in Texas last year, but which has not yet released its 2010 plan, just keeps churning out those 'map' ads: Still, I expect AT&T's Texas roadmap for 2010 will be welcome news to many of its customers. Comments (0) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "AT&T announces Texas wireless network investments for 2010" is tagged: 2010 , 3G , AT&T , cell site , investment , Texas , Verizon Wireless , wireless February 17, 2010
First shown at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. I convinced Google to show this off now to bolster my argument. Sergey and I are tight. Comments (2) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "Google unveils new translation technology" is tagged: foreign language , machine translation
I'm setting up an interview with Microsoft execs to take place in the next few days, and the subject is going to be the new Windows Phone 7 Series operating system unveiled a couple days ago. I've got some questions of my own I plan to ask, but I'm curious what you folks want to know, as well. So post your questions below, and I'll pick the best ones and pose them to the Microsoftie I end up interviewing. Comments (6) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "I'm going to talk to Microsoft about Windows Phone 7 Series. What should I ask?" is tagged: interview , Microsoft , questions , Windows Phone 7 Series
An eye-opening look at just how prevalent green screen is in television shows that you wouldn't think of as special effects-heavy. Via kottke.org. Comments (0) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "Video: The use of green screen in TV shows" is tagged: green screen , special effects , TV
My post suggesting that schools consider ditching foreign language instruction drew nothing but criticism. Most of it was silly criticism, but some of contained elements of valid argument, so I decided to respond to it here. I've arranged the complaints in what I believe to be the reverse order of their merits, starting with the weakest and ending with the strongest. Before I start with that, however, let's take a step back and generalize. I think the gut reaction that some people had to my post went something like this: Education is a good thing, and studying foreign languages is educational, so where does this idiot get off suggesting we get rid of it? I don't want to get rid of foreign language instruction because I think kids should learn less. I want to get rid of it to create free time for other study. Kids spend a limited time in school, and there is far more cool stuff to learn than there is time to learn it. If technology makes one course of study less important than it once was, then it may be time to substitute another. There are plenty of excellent substitutes available: I, for one, think all kids should get basic instruction in all the major branches of engineering before they leave high school. Engineering is the basis of humanity's prosperity but most people never spend an hour learning about it. And it's just one of the worthy subjects our kids never study. That said, it's time to demolish my critics. Complaint: I don't get out of Texas much, if ever, if I don't see the value of foreign language instruction. Comments (7) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "Eliminating foreign languages: Response to critics" is tagged: foreign language , machine translation February 16, 2010
The HD2 from HTC is quietly shaping up to be one of the most intriguing new phones launching in the first half of this year from T-Mobile. And Dallas-based Blockbuster has just made it a little more interesting. I told you a few days ago that Blockbuster is trying to reinvent itself with new technology, and here's the latest example: Blockbuster has signed a deal with T-Mobile to be the exclusive movie download service on the HD2. You'll be able to buy or rent movies on the device, and then watch them on the HD2's gigantic screen. Really, the 4.3-inch screen on the HD2 is, by all accounts, so massive that watching movies on it might actually be an enjoyable, non-squinty experience. Here it is side-by-side with the iPhone:
But what's really cool about Blockbuster's service is that you can buy or rent your film on the HD2, press 'stop,' and then resume playback on an Internet-connected TV, Blu-ray player or other device that supports Blockbuster's On Demand service. So you could start watching a movie on your HD2 on your bus ride home, stop it when you get off, and then resume playback from that exact spot on your TV. That's just neat. My own reservation with the HD2 right now is that it is scheduled to launch with Windows Mobile 6.5, a.k.a. the crappy version of Windows Mobile. But, there are all sorts of rumors and official non-denials that the HD2 will be upgradeable to Windows Phone 7 Series, the hot new OS that Microsoft unveiled yesterday. If that happens --- and I'm checking to see if T-Mobile has any comment on this -- then the HD2 will become an unquestionable juggernaut of a phone. And the Blockbuster app will just be the cherry on top. Hmm, a cherry on top of a juggernaut. I need a new hyperbole generator. Comments (0) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "Blockbuster to offer exclusive movie download service on 4.3-inch HTC HD2 phone" is tagged: Blockbuster , HD2 , HTC , On Demand , T-Mobile , video , Windows Phone 7 Series
Advances in shaving technology are now so absurd that the parodies have stopped being funny. But the "upgrades" just keep on coming: The company that brought the spring-loaded razor, the five-bladed cartridge and battery-powered vibration to what had seemed like a simple morning operation will launch Gillette Fusion ProGlide in June. I never realized that my razor was hydroplaning on my face (which kind of sounds like a snowboarding event at the Winter Olympics), but apparently we've all been doing it wrong. I'm actually a bit surprised that the industry hasn't come up with a computer chip of some kind to stuff into a razor. Gillette already has something called the Gillette Fusion Power Gamer razor. I guess it helps you trim the Cheetos out of your four-day-old beard with one hand while you steer your character through Azeroth with the other. But we need more than that. Perhaps some kind of real-time optical scanner that automatically adjust the blade based on the contours of your face. Next thing you know, we'll be having to upgrade the memory in our razor blades. 2 gigs? You lamer. No wonder your face looks like steak tartare run over by a lawnmower. Comments (0) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "Cutting-edge technology: Gillette's new Fusion ProGlide razor ups the silly factor" is tagged: Fusion ProGlide , Gillette , razor
Andrew mentioned in the post below that YouTube recently celebrated its fifth birthday. I wasn't as surprised at the company's young age as Andrew was, though, because back in 2006, I wrote an article about this upstart new video service that looked like it had legs. Here's an excerpt: Anyone can post videos for free, and the videos are tagged with keywords, so you can find any files related to video games, guitars or basketball. YouTube now claims hundreds of millions of video views per day, with hundreds of thousands of new videos added every day. So, yeah, my article seems charming and quaint now, in the wake of YouTube's stupendous growth since then and its $1.65 billion acquisition by Google later in 2006. However, one thing hasn't changed since YouTube was launched: it's still not profitable. Google has said the video service will eventually make money, although it's hard to see how. Anyway, happy birthday YouTube. Comments (0) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "Speaking of YouTube, here's the first article I wrote about the company in 2006" is tagged: Google , video , YouTube
No, I mean it. Actually commit yourself to a number before clicking through to the answer. Don't try to remember when YouTube got big or when you first heard of it. Guess when it actually began, when the founders registered the YouTube domain on the Internet. Now click for the answer. Comments (1) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "Guess how old YouTube is" is tagged: Youtube
I recently took issue with a New York Times story that lamented the decline of foreign language instruction in America's elementary schools. The story quoted assorted "experts" who predicted that this short-sighted policy would isolate the next-generation of Americans in an ever more cosmopolitan world. I countered that language instruction seemed useless because today's elementary school students will become adults in a world where technology makes translation instantaneous. Not two weeks later, The Times of London illustrates my point with a story about Google's efforts to instantly translate telephone conversations between two people speaking different languages. The company has already created an automatic system for translating text on computers, which is being honed by scanning millions of multi-lingual websites and documents. So far it covers 52 languages, adding Haitian Creole last week. Decades away? No. Google expects to launch a beta by 2012. N.B. For those who don't click through to my earlier post, I acknowledged one reason why schools might want to continue foreign language education, even if automatic translation works: I'd only support the teaching of foreign language in this day and age if they served as some sort of unique mental exercise that would develop young brains in ways that other, more practical instruction cannot. Comments (6) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "It's stupid to learn foreign languages: Google helps my case" is tagged: babel fish , education , foreign language , google translate , machine translation February 15, 2010
Sling Media said this morning that iPhone users can now download the 3G-compatible SlingPlayer Mobile App from Apple's App Store and stream their TV channels over both Wi-Fi and 3G to their phones. The app is $29.99 for new buyers, or a free upgrade for owners of the original, Wi-Fi-only version. As cool as this is for iPhone users, though, it could be an even bigger deal for iPad buyers. Because now all of a sudden the iPad is a 10-inch television, in addition to being a Web browser, e-book reader, etc. Assuming, that is, that Apple allows the 3G SlingPlayer app on the iPad, since that could seriously undercut the iTunes store. Comments (0) Leave comment
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| E-mail entryThe entry "SlingPlayer 3G app now available for iPhone from App Store" is tagged: 3G , app , Apple , iPhone , iTunes , SlingPlayer |
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Bio
In this particular case, they only rece
FROM VICTOR: Actually, I suspect that t
Has Apple even added blu-ray to Macs ye
I have a magicjack. It works pretty we
people says the same thing with iPhone,
A recipe for success:
Puree one
Bigger NBC tech fail: If you hav
If I were going to fake comments, I'd b
I'm pretty sure Andrew himself left the
Thanks! I was unaware (until now) that