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Thoughts on Beacon — About a month ago, we released a new feature called Beacon to try to help people share information with their friends about things they do on the web. We've made a lot of mistakes building this feature, but we've made even more with how we've handled them.
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Zuckerberg Lives, Is Sorry For Beacon — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has finally come out from hiding after the two-week privacy donnybrook that ensued over the company's marketing program Beacon. Zuckerberg posted his response on the Facebook blog. In short, he's sorry.


Facebook Beacon: Privacy Disaster or PR Blip on the Road to World Domination? Let's look at the data. — thanks to Jay Meattle at Compete for some data & a reality check. — note: i *still* think Facebook should have have stuck to their "Beacon is opt-out" guns, but they also should rollout …


Zuckerberg Apologizes, Allows Facebook Users to Evade Beacon
Discussion:
Fast Company Now


Google Pre-Launches New iPhone Interface — We heard a rumor that Google was going to launch a new interface for users accessing the site via an iPhone in the next few days. But an anonymous tip let us know it actually launched without any warning or announcement this evening.
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Google apps get faster on iPhone — Google has optimized its applications for the iPhone so they are integrated into a single interface and operate faster. — Now, if you go to Google's home page on your iPhone you'll see the Web search box and links to Gmail, Calendar and Reader up at the top of the screen for quick access.
Discussion:
Reuters

Google Announces launch of iPhone Application — Today, Google announced the release of a new iPhone application that integrates its multiple services into a single interface, making it easy for iPhone users to find, use and switch between Google search, Gmail, Calendar, Reader, and more.

Google updates iPhone interface; ties apps together
Discussion:
Computerworld

AN OPEN LETTER TO SAM SETHI — Please Note: This is an open letter to Sam Sethi, Founder and CEO of Blognation. I have elected to write this letter after having been one of the principal Blognation authors since August of this year. In all that time I have not received the pay promised …
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Blognation Meltdown: Writers Never Paid, Promises Not Kept — There's big trouble over at the UK based BlogNation network today with US editor Oliver Starr resigning. In a parting shot to network owner Sam Sethi, Starr alleges that he and other BlogNation writers have not been paid.

Blognation: The Blogger's Prelude and Tale
Discussion:
Global Neighbourhoods


Postal Rate Change to Wallop Netflix, Help BBI? (NFLX) — Another reason for Netflix (NFLX) to hurry up and transition to a purely digital model: A potential postal rate change could cut the company's operating income per subscriber by two-thirds, say Citi analysts Mark Mahaney and Tony Wible.
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Cellphone could be boarding pass, too — Continental Airlines passengers in Houston will be able to board flights using just a cellphone or personal-digital assistant instead of a regular boarding pass in a three-month test program launched Tuesday at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Nielsen to Be Video Cop — For years, media and technology companies have been ensnarled in a battle over the rights to video posted online. Now ratings giant Nielsen wants to be the policeman. — Nielsen is rolling out a new service that aims to ensure that video is distributed and viewed …


Marc Orchant Updates and Information — This page is dedicated to providing information and updates concerning the status of my good friend and colleague, Marc Orchant. — As you know, Marc suffered a massive cardiac infarction on Sunday morning, December 2nd 2007. My original post is copied below.

Free Universal Music Downloads on New Nokia Phones — Nokia, the telecommunications company, and the Universal Music Group, the recording company, said on Tuesday that they would offer unlimited free downloads of Universal songs to buyers of certain Nokia phones as a way to promote cellphones …
Discussion:
Virtual Economics, The Globe and Mail, Digital Daily, mathewingram.com/work, hypebot, 901am, Reuters and CrunchGear
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Nokia's unlimited "Comes With Music" plan misses the boat due to DRM
Discussion:
paidContent.org, last100, Crave at CNET UK, The Register, p2pnet, Gadgetell, zedgeHeadz, I4U News, Engadget, Gizmodo and mocoNews.net

Microsoft and Industry Partners Gear Up for Biggest Enterprise Launch Wave in the Company's History — Microsoft delivers next milestone for highly anticipated Windows Server 2008, makes RC1 (release candidate one) ready for testing; industry readies for worldwide launch wave with "Heroes Happen Here" launch theme.
Discussion:
CNET News.com, Windows Server Division WebLog, Microsoft Watch and Addicted to Digital Media
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Flickr + Picnik = Web Photo Editing Made Easy — It was a craaaaazy night on the town. You took dozens of photos with your pocket-sized digital camera. But you don't have Photoshop, and all you want to do is upload your pics directly to Flickr (something you could even do wirelessly …

Apple Wants To Make DRM Extortion Explicit — For years, DRM critics have been arguing that the technology isn't so much about stopping piracy as it is about taking away traditional fair use privileges and then selling them back to you. I've agreed with this for a while …
Discussion:
Slashdot


Navigators Everywhere, Especially on Holiday Gift Lists — JUDGING from the holiday-season popularity of G.P.S. navigators, there are few gestures more satisfying than telling the person you love, "You have no sense of direction, but don't worry — modern technology can help."
Discussion:
Gizmodo