The Brooks Review

Category: Links

  • First FaceTime Porn Service Launches For iPhone 4

    Four dollars a minute.

  • How Google routed around Sun’s IP-based licensing restrictions on Java ME

    This could be tricky for Google to get out the Oracle lawsuit without paying up something. Also be sure to check out this link with some more information about the lawsuit – apparently Oracle knew about the potential to sue and was a marketing factor in the sale of Sun.

  • Voogle Wireless

    An attempt to get Google to wake up.

  • Justin Blanton’s Magic Trackpad Review

    Justin Blanton:

    I think another reason I’m enjoying the Magic Trackpad is because it doesn’t require my hand to move very far to get to it. I’m a keyboard guy — if it can be done with a keyboard instead of a mouse, I use a keyboard. Always. Having the trackpad so close to the keyboard in my case, just a few inches to the right of it; much closer than my mouse makes it feel more like an extension of the keyboard, and less like a separate device.

    Just got back from the Apple store where I tried to pick one up for myself – none in stock. I hope to get one next week, from toting around with it in the store I can see how appealing it is.

  • CourseSmart eTextbooks for iPad and iPhone

    I wish they would have had this when I was a kid. The iPad is not light, but have you seen how heavy kids’ backpacks are these days?

  • Google, Just Cut The BS And Give The Gordon Gekko Speech Already

    MG Siegler:

    And I have to agree. Further, Google’s response to the backlash today stating the “facts” about their proposal with Verizon sort of pisses me off.

    and:

    Instead, Google’s intentions are much more transparent: greed. Greed also tends to have a negative connotation, but I’m of the Gordon Gekko mentality that “greed works.” It’s what drives this country. And as a public company, whether we want to admit it or not, it’s what drives Google.

    This is what I have been saying all along Google is getting greed. I do disagree with Siegler with respects to Google being ‘evil’ – no they are not a Bond villain – but by their own definition they seem to be teetering on the edge of evility (is that a word?).

  • Notion Ink’s New Tablet

    Looks great and has some truly interesting features. What concerns me is the price point and the company that is making it – this most likely is vaporware, I hope though, that I am wrong.

  • Even Oracle is Pissed at Google

    Be interesting to see what Oracle really hopes to gain from this lawsuit – seems odd to sue over the use of Java. Seems even more odd that Google didn’t get the licensing that was needed.

  • Gruber on the Possible January Verizon iPhone Launch

    Personally I think it will come out for all (U.S.) carriers next, not just Verizon. It is market share time, best way to do that is to be everywhere.

  • Debunking Google’s Pathetic Fact Post

    Google:

    MYTH: Google has “sold out” on network neutrality.

    FACT: …With that in mind, we decided to partner with a major broadband provider on the best policy solution we could devise together. We’re not saying this solution is perfect, but we believe that a proposal that locks in key enforceable protections for consumers is preferable to no protection at all.

    Google’s Original Stance (2007):

    The nation’s spectrum airwaves are not the birthright of any one company. They are a unique and valuable public resource that belong to all Americans. The FCC’s auction rules are designed to allow U.S. consumers — for the first time — to use their handsets with any network they desire, and download and use the lawful software applications of their choice.

    It’s regrettable that Verizon has decided to use the court system to try to prevent consumers from having any choice of innovative services. Once again, it is American consumers who lose from these tactics.

    That looks like selling out to me.

    Google:

    MYTH: This proposal represents a step backwards for the open Internet.

    It changes nothing, in reality. Though it certainly allows for a lot of work arounds, many of which Google is conveniently forgetting about in this blog post.

    Google:

    MYTH: This proposal would eliminate network neutrality over wireless.

    FACT: It’s true that Google previously has advocated for certain openness safeguards to be applied in a similar fashion to what would be applied to wireline services. However, in the spirit of compromise, we have agreed to a proposal that allows this market to remain free from regulation for now, while Congress keeps a watchful eye.

    So really that is not a Myth then, it does eliminate that and they are only defending it by saying the free market will correct itself. Except according to Google’s 2007 blog post (linked to above) that is not the case:

    Apparently, one of the nation’s major existing wireless carriers doesn’t think consumers deserve more choices.

    Earlier this week, Verizon Wireless filed a lawsuit against the FCC’s rules that would require the eventual winner of the spectrum offer open devices and applications. They called the rules “arbitrary and capricious, unsupported by substantial evidence and otherwise contrary to law.”

    Google:

    MYTH: Google is working with Verizon on this because of Android.

    Why are they even bothering to lie about this one???

    This is the most pathetic excuse for defending your actions I have ever seen. So much so that I am moving our corporate email from Google apps and I urge you to do the same. Pathetic Google.

  • [VIDEO] Quick Intro to SoundPrism

    Awesome looking new music app for the iPad.

  • Don’t Tweet Steven Slater Jokes Or JetBlue Will Chastise You – The Consumerist

    JetBlue is supposed to be a modern company, clearly they were just posing as this shows a serious lack of humor that is needed in today’s social world.

  • iOS 4.0.2 Update for iPhone and iPod touch

    Fixes the PDF bug that allowed you to use Jailbreakme.com to well Jailbreak your device – update also out for the iPad. Update to these now – before some dick head gets a malicious PDF out in the wild.

  • Ditching the Cell Phone Can Be a Power Move

    The above headline is MSNBC’s, mine would read: “Ditching the Cell Phone is a Power Move and a Dick Move”. I can certainly see the appeal of no cellphone, I think we all can. Doing so is selfish – you are essentially saying that you are more important so people need to figure out how to contact you for themselves.

    If you really want to be less distracted by the cellphone, turn the ringer AND vibrate off. You are welcome.

  • RIM Reportedly Bows To Pressure From Saudi Arabia, Hands Over Blackberry Access

    Luckily for RIM they decided to be bastards at the same time as Google, so their stories are getting lost in the clutter. This however is a huge deal for Blackberry users – we don’t fully know what RIM has conceded to yet, but it seems clear they have conceded some things.

    One way or another Saudi Arabia is getting to eavesdrop on Blackberry customers in their sovereign nation. This is nothing new, as usually they would just do this through the Telcos and that would be that. The problem though is that whatever concessions RIM made to satisfy the Saudi’s they are likely going to have to make in most other countries. How would they be able to justify not allowing it?

  • Excellent Insight

    Matt of 37Signals.com”

    Let’s be honest. “Sent from my iPhone” really means “I’m not going to bother to proofread and correct this because it would take me an extra 30 seconds.”

    Get rid of that signature and proof read, if for no other reason that it making you look smarter.

  • A paper trail of betrayal: Google’s net neutrality collapse

    Ars Technica offers this great walk through of just how big of a Flip Flop Google has pulled on Net Neutrality in just a few years time.

  • Macworld Interview: Author Susan Orlean on her life with the iPad

    Susan Orlean:

    I don’t think of the Internet as a danger. Its funny…we just bought a new car and we were looking at getting a DVD system, a built in one, factory installed. And they’re ridiculously expensive of course, and all they do is play movies. So a friend of mine said what a waste. Just get Austin an iPad.

    And that way if I get him just the small one without 3G, loaded up with a bunch of games and download some movies for him, it would take us like three years before we come close to the price that you pay for DVD. And she said its old technology anyway and it will be useless and they charge about $2,000 for them.

    My wife and I recently got a new car (new to us) and when we were looking I had already decided that I couldn’t care less about having a navigation system in it – I would rather have an iPod connection. I use my iPhone for directions, I don’t need a navigation system, I need music. In the end we ended up finding the car we wanted at quite a deal because it did not have navigation that so many ‘normal’ consumers must have these days.

  • Why Google Became A Carrier-Humping, Net Neutrality Surrender Monkey

    Google’s Spokeswoman, via Wired:

    We have taken a backseat to no one in our support for an open internet. We offered this proposal in the spirit of compromise. Others might have done it differently, but we think locking in key enforceable protections for consumers is progress and preferable to no protection.

    No, actually standing your ground and not rolling over in the hopes of profiting is preferable.

  • Google Agonizes on Privacy as Advertising World Vaults Ahead

    The fourth leg in Google becoming evil: they are going to start selling more of your data.