Tag: Media

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Google to acquire Motorola Mobility.

Google has just announced its upcoming acquisition of Motorola Mobility, the maker of Droid line.

This is an interesting development since recently Google accuses Microsoft of violating confidentiality agreement. Microsoft in its lawsuit against Motorola was said to show Android source code to an expert witness without Google’s consent.

I’m a bit confused why showing Android source code needs Google’s consent. I always heard that Android is an Open Source project. Well, apparently it is not. -editor

Motorola on January 4th, 2011 separated its core business into two companies; Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions.

By acquiring Motorola Mobility, Google will be able to control both Android software and hardware.

This should make HTC really happy. -editor

This is so unlike Microsoft and Nokia “partnership”.

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Google is buying Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion while Microsoft acquired Nokia without buying it. – editor

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Amazon.com and California, the Sales Tax War Rages On.

Previously on Amazon.com and California:

Amazon.com terminates its Associates Program in California in response to Governor Jerry Brown signing the law that requires online retailers to collect sales taxes even though they don’t have any physical presence in California.

The New York Times reports that:

Amazon said this week that it would push a voter initiative in California that could eliminate sales tax for virtual sellers with only a modest physical presence in the state.

Amazon.com founder and CEO Jeff Bezos supports the streamlined sales tax initiative, which should be legislated by the federal government.

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Dear Netflix, what?

Netflix introduces new subscription plans and price changes.

So for instance, our current $9.99 a month membership for unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs will be split into 2 distinct plans:

Plan 1: Unlimited Streaming (no DVDs) for $7.99 a month
Plan 2: Unlimited DVDs, 1 out at-a-time (no streaming), for $7.99 a month.

The price for getting both of these plans will be $15.98 a month ($7.99 + $7.99). For new members, these changes are effective immediately; for existing members, the new pricing will start for charges on or after September 1, 2011.

If you are currently a Netflix subscriber, check your plan and act accordingly.

I have streaming only service and I’ d have to pay another $7.99 to get the DVD by mail. I’d be completely happy to have streaming only service if there were more newer movies available.

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Futurama: Law & Oracle

Futurama: Law & Oracle
Original air date: 2011-07-07

Some kind of spoliers:

  • Law & Order
  • Police Academy
  • Avatar
  • Tron
  • Schrödinger’s cat
  • Minority Reports

Loving it.

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Microsoft demands royalties from Samsung over Android phones.

Microsoft is sure to make profit on mobile phone business, not from Windows Phone 7 but from Android phones. Reuters reported that Microsoft wants Samsung to pay smartphone license, specifically for the Android phones.

Microsoft Corp has demanded that Samsung Electronics Co Ltd pay $15 for each smartphone handset it makes based on Google Inc’s Android operating system as the software giant has a wide range of patents used in the mobile platform, local media reported on Wednesday.

Microsoft has been asserting that Android operating system is violating Microsoft’s patents. Previously Microsoft went after HTC to sign patent deal over Android phones. Microsoft also sued Motorola over Android phones.

Recently Microsoft also claims that Google’s Chrome OS is violating its patents.

This is not the first time Microsoft going after Open Source Software. Microsoft was asserting patent ownership on Linux operating system and signed a deal with Novell.

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editor’s note post now, fix later – busy.
37′

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Lodsys is on suing spree again.

Lodsys filed more patent infringiment lawsuit against six companies as reported by FOSS Patents blog. The six companies are:

  • DriveTime Automotive Group
  • ESET
  • ForeSee Results
  • LivePerson
  • OpinionLab
  • The New York Times Company

ForeSee Results and ESET previously issued challenges against Lodsys’ patent portfolio.

Lodsys has filed lawsuits against numbers of iOS and Android developers. Apple has filed motion to intervene on Lodsys Patent Lawsuit against iOS Developers. Apple and Google are licensees of Lodsys’ patent portfolio, and might be contractually barred from challenging Lodsys’ patents.