Category: News

According to ID Insight’s latest report, The State of Broadband Competition in America – 2010, Minnesota ranks number 13 in terms of the most competitive broadband environment. (You have to sign up to get access to the report; however, the report is free.)

The ranking is interesting – but the good stuff, in my opinion, really is in the details. They found that:

There is a strong correlation between income and home value and the level of competiveness in a state. As income and home values show an increase from state to state, the level of competition – as measured by the report – decreases.

States with the largest percentage of Internet users and the highest available speed tend to be less competitive.

The bulk of broadband stimulus funding did not go to states with the least competitive environments.

At first this seems a little strange – but it makes sense. Where there are profitable customers one of two providers have stepped in to supply service. In areas where this is less true the market is still pretty open. The researchers raise some good questions about these findings:

If more lucrative markets tend to become less competitive, will this trend continue?

If the most lucrative markets tend to become less competitive, what will incent those providers to increase their networks and available speeds?

In the areas with lower incomes that have more competitive environments, what factors will increase broadband adoption (an assumption being that there are barriers either to constituents buying services from these competitors, or competitors selling services)?

Also interesting is that these findings are true for Statewide perspective, but do not hold at a countywide level. Here is what they say…

In reviewing the data, this does not appear to be the case, especially as we moved to more rural counties. What we saw instead was noise. As we got down to the county level, it appeared that the competitive environment was much more volatile. Some counties are extremely competitive while others are even more monopolized. The highly competitive areas appear more the result of local communities having a greater hand in determining their broadband future than areas where the larger providers are acting mainly for financial reasons.

Troubled ex-child star Gary Coleman is hoping love will be sweeter the second time around after recently reuniting with his estranged wife, Shannon Price.

The Diff’rent Strokes star, 42, was arrested in January after police were called to the couple’s Utah home following reports of a fight.No criminal charges were filed at the time, but Coleman was cited for failing to appear in court for a hearing into a separate altercation involving his wife in April 2009. He pleaded guilty to one count of domestic violence criminal mischief and was fined.

Gary and Shannon decided to patch up their differences after Gary was hospitalized twice for seizures earlier this year.

A source tells The National Enquirer: “Shannon has moved back in (and) Gary’s like a new person. Gary really thought he could die at any time and it (recent health crisis) made him realise how much he really loves Shannon. They’ve never been happier and all their friends are hoping their love will stick this time.”

The couple — who wed in August 2007 — are reportedly setting up a dog-breeding business.

(photo: Grove Park Inn)

The Obama family is headed to the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2010

DAILY GUIDANCE AND PRESS SCHEDULE FOR
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010

In the morning, the President will deliver remarks at a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members in the Rose Garden. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano will deliver the oath of allegiance. The President will also present the Outstanding American by Choice Recognition. This event is open press.

In the afternoon, the President and the First Lady will travel to Asheville, North Carolina. The departure from the South Lawn and the arrival at Asheville Regional Airport is open press.

At 2:00PM, Austan Goolsbee, Chief Economist of the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board, will participate in a live video discussion following up on the President’s speech on Wall Street Reform, via WhiteHouse.gov/live or Ustream.tv/whitehouse.

In-Town Travel Pool
Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg
Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP
TV Corr & Crew: CNN
Print: Tribune
Radio: AURN

Out-of-Town Travel Pool
Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg
Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP
TV Corr & Crew: CNN
Print: Politico
Radio: CBS

EDT

8:45AM In-Town Travel Pool Call Time

10:00AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 9:00AM – Final Gather 9:30AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

11:45AM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart The White House en route Andrews Air Force Base
South Lawn
Open Press (Pre-set 11:15AM – Final Gather 11:30AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

12:00PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Andrews Air Force Base en route Asheville, North Carolina
Out-of-Town Travel Pool (Call Time 11:00AM – Virginia Gate, Andrews Air Force Base)

1:20PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive in Ashville, North Carolina
Asheville Regional Airport
Open Press

##

Aproveitando a postagem:

Da série cultura inútil: você sabia que o slogan do McDonald´s é:

Me encanta. (espanhol)
C’est tout ce que j’aime. (francês)
Ich lieb es. (alemão)
Amo muito tudo isso. (brasileiro)
Ja’ tyck’ om ä’. (sueco)
вот что я люблю. (russo)
işte bunu seviyorum. (turco)

A coalition of groups representing various medical fields has come up with new ethical guidelines that aim to severely limit the influence of industry on medical policy. 

The new code for interactions with companies was released on April 21 by the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS), which represents 32 major medical professional societies and represents 650,000 physicians across the U.S. Overall, the new codes seek to prevent and disclose conflicts of interest and financial ties, promote more independent program development and promote the rise of medical leadership without industry ties.

The new guidelines include a rule to prevent industry from underwriting the development of medical guidelines, and restrictions on allowing industry to promote and give free gifts at medical conferences. The new code also calls for a ban on consulting deals from top medical society leaders and medical journal editors.

“Physicians and patients count on medical societies to be authoritative, independent voices in science and medicine,” said one of the code’s authors, Dr. Allen Lichter, CEO of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. “By adopting this code, societies demonstrate their commitment to the highest level of ethical standards in their activities and to providing the best possible care for patients and populations.”

The new guidelines come in the wake of a sustained media interest in reports that industry-paid doctors and consultants have frequently ghostwritten articles in medical journals, and researchers have repeatedly failed to disclose ties to companies that could be considered a conflict of interest regarding papers they’ve published.

In March, an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) blasted GlaxoSmithKline’s research over the side effects of the diabetes drug Avandia, which some say are responsible for tens of thousands of heart attacks and deaths. The authors called for new, stringent, medical and scientific journal reforms that would ensure integrity and minimize the ability of corporations to obfuscate scientific data.

The editorial was written in response to findings by a Mayo Clinic investigation that found an alarming number scientists and medical experts, who supported Avandia after it was linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, had undeclared financial ties to GlaxoSmithKline. The Mayo Clinic study found that 87% of scientists who downplayed Avandia side effects had links to the drug maker, and about a quarter of them failed to declare the potential conflict of interest.

Adhering to the code is voluntary for medical societies, and not required to stay a part of the CMSS. However, those who do sign are expected to either adhere to the new ethics code or put in place policies that are even more stringent. In addition, medical associations outside of the CMSS organizations are invited to sign on as well.

Robert Downey Jr. walking to his Mercedes-Benz S400 HYBRID on set. (Photo: PRNewsFoto/Mercedes-Benz USA, Clark Samuels at Startracks)

From Green Right Now Reports

Mercedes-Benz has figured out that many of today’s Hollywood stars are looking for something “green” in their ride. So the luxury automaker is touting that its lineup of hybrids — including the 2010 S400 HYBRID luxury sedan and the ML450 HYBRID SUV — is pulling in the star power.

Mercedes-Benz says its eco line-up is making it easy for celebs to have green transportation by offering the best of both worlds: supreme luxury, safety and technology with “solid environmental credentials.”

And the company is happy to name names. Here are a few:

S400 HYBRID — This new Mercedes-Benz luxury sedan is the vehicle of choice for Robert Downey Jr., who drove the luxury sedan when off-camera while shooting his upcoming film Due Date, and Gerard Butler, among others.

ML450 HYBRID — This mid-size SUV uses a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine, two electric motors and sophisticated electronics to produce more than 46 percent better fuel economy than a comparable V8-powered ML550 model, and is the vehicle of choice for international pop star Miley Cyrus.

Mercedes-Benz’s BlueTEC and ML Hybrid deliver “20-30 percent higher fuel economy” than a comparable gasoline engines, according to Mercedes.  The Hollywood elite you’ll see behind the wheel include:

• Sarah Jessica Parker
• Liv Tyler
• Rosario Dawson
• Christina Applegate
• Molly Sims
• Giles Marini
• Felicity Huffman

So how far does Mercedes go to super-serve the “greenerati” with exclusive rides? Well, for 2010 the automaker plans to offer a limited number of B-Class hydrogen fuel cell vehicles available for lease in …California. Essentially an electric car that makes its own power on board, the company says the new F-Cell has a range of about 240 miles before needing refueling. Running on compressed hydrogen, the F-Cell is expected to deliver an equivalent fuel mileage of 86.6 city-highway combined miles per gallon and water is the F-Cell’s only emission.

That’s one vehicle that might cause even the biggest names to queue up for a chance to own one.

Windows XP was one of the most successful operating systems in Microsoft’s history. However, now it is starting to become a thorn in its way, as millions of Windows XP users around the world are refusing to let go. Nevertheless, Microsoft is making it clear that it is ready to move on.

After Internet Explorer 9, Microsoft has decided to drop Windows XP support from the next generation of Windows Live Essential applications. Microsoft confirmed this through a comment posted on the WindowsTeamBlog:

We know many customers use Windows XP and are happy with their experience, and of course we will continue to support our current release of Windows Live Essentials on XP and the new versions all of our web-based services (including Hotmail and SkyDrive) will run on XP. As some have noted on this blog, Windows XP is nearly 10 years old and simply doesn’t provide the same level of platform support for graphics, and we recognized early in our work on Wave 4 that we could do much more in our software on a modern graphics platform. As a result our new version of Essentials will require the new graphics platform and controls that are only available on Windows 7 or Windows Vista and therefore will only run on these platforms. So if you are happy with XP, you can keep running the current version of Windows Live and our new services. When you move to Windows 7 and Windows Vista, we will have a new version that will let you do more on a modern platform.

Windows Live Essential bundles various Microsoft utilities for home users including Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Writer, Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Photo Gallery. Microsoft is currently getting ready to begin the public beta phase of Windows Live Wave 4. However, an early version has already been leaked on torrent websites.

Don’t miss these Related Posts:

• Download Windows Live Writer 2009 [Microsoft Live Essentials]
• Windows Live Wave Release Dates Leaked
• Download Morro, Microsoft Security Essentials
• Windows Live Wave 4 Leaked, Reviews
• Download Windows Live Wave 3

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Sloopydrew says Sony sent him a new terms of service email with some harrowing declarations about the company’s rights to screw with your gadgets as it sees fit — sort of a retroactive justification for taking away the ability to install another operating system on the PS3 hard drive.

He writes:

In the new Terms of Service released yesterday (and announced in an email that I was sent today), Sony has added stealth updates that may take away any and all functionality of the PS3 and/or PSP with no recourse against Sony from the customer. From the new User “Agreement”:

“From time to time, it may become necessary for SCEA to provide certain content to you to ensure that Sony Online Services and content offered through Sony Online Services, your PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system or other SCEA-authorized hardware is functioning properly in accordance with SCEA guidelines.

“Some content may be provided automatically without notice when you sign in. Such content may include automatic updates or upgrades which may change your current operating system, cause a loss of data or content or cause a loss of functionalities or utilities.”

If you don’t like it? Go f*ck yourself, says Sony. From the email Sony sent me an hour ago:

“If you do not agree with the new Terms of Service and User Agreement or Privacy Policy, please contact Customer Service to terminate your PlayStation(R) Network account(s) and do not visit PlayStation(R) Network or our websites.”

Wow.

Is everyone excited about this joyous new announcement?

It’s Friday and we know what that means boys and girls. Time for another look at the week in Mobile Tech Manor. This is one of those weeks that it’s hard to believe it’s almost over already. It seems as if yesterday was Monday, which is a good thing. I have long lamented the fact that I have cell phones on all four major U.S. carriers, especially the part where I pay for them. I recently dropped one of the four (T-Mobile) and this week I dropped Verizon. It’s the first time in a decade I have no Verizon service, and it feels a bit strange. When I wasn’t dropping carriers I was testing a bunch of apps for the iPad and have been impressed with how fast developers are updating their apps to improve them and add features. Come on in and let’s gab about the week.

Big Red Down

I didn’t just drop my Verizon cell phone, I also dropped the data line I’ve had for years. It was attached to the MiFi but since I signed up with Sprint and bought the Overdrive I didn’t need Verizon any longer. This move will save me a nice chunk of change each month and I’m happy I did it. I now have a voice line and the data line on Sprint, along with the iPhone line on AT&T.

This has me down to just two smartphones, the iPhone 3G and the Palm Pre. I’m still quite happy with both of them truth be told, even with all of the fine phones on the market. I’ll say one thing, I am so anxious to get my hands on the Sprint EVO to give it a test, so if you’re listening Sprint… Seriously, the EVO has all of the hardware greatness of the HD2 I tested a while back but adds 4G on top of it. How can a geek resist that? Summer can’t get here fast enough (release date for the EVO).

iPad Update(s)

My past experience with many tablet computers made it clear to me that I would find the iPad useful. The slim, light form factor coupled with a mobile OS that is made from the ground up to be a tablet OS would make for a useful device; I said that more than once prior to the launch of the iPad. Even so, I am surprised how much I am using the iPad. I find I use it more every day.

It’s not just the newness of the device, it has more to do with how useful the iPad is becoming the more I use it. I wondered how limited I would find the device for real tasks; I shouldn’t have wondered as I am finding it more than adequate to do just about everything I do with a computer of any kind. I find I grab it and just do things, which sounds a bit trite but it’s the truth. I don’t think about doing things — I just do them.

There are many things that I am growing to prefer doing on the iPad over other devices. I attribute that to both the comfort factor and the enjoyment I get from doing them on the iPad. Using the iPad is as simple as picking up a magazine and leafing through it. It has become a window into the world, but one I can interact with effortlessly. It’s hard for folks who’ve never used an iPad for any length of time to understand.

I’ve been impressed with how often iPad app developers are updating their apps. I check two or three times a day for updates, and usually find one. Apps are getting fixes and new features that are sometimes impressive. Many apps get simple updates that turn out to provide major usage benefits. This was the case with an update to SugarSync.

I use SugarSync to keep my files in sync across multiple computers, and to provide access to those files on the iPad using the free app. It worked well, but got much better after the update this week. The developers added a way to open spreadsheet, documents and presentations directly in Numbers, Pages and Keynote on the iPad. I just tap a document in the SugarSync app and then hit a button to open it for editing. It’s easy, useful and clean. The edited file has to be emailed to the SugarSync account to get updated in the cloud but it’s not a big deal. Hopefully, they’ll add a “sync up” function in a future update to eliminate this extra step.

I am constantly trying new apps for the iPad. Here’s a list of my most-used apps (right now):

• Twitterific
• NewsRack
• Kindle for iPad
• Tweetdeck
• WordPress
• Remember the Milk (iPhone version)
• iWorks (Pages, Numbers, Keynote)
• LogMeIn Ignition
• SugarSync
• Speed Test (iPhone version)

I am starting to test Dragon Dictation, and already see it can be a useful way to get text into the iPad via speech. I need to spend some time with it to get good at using it, and to determine the best practices for speaking text into various programs.

LogMeIn Ignition is working so well on the iPad that I find myself doing more and more with it. I can be controlling another computer in just seconds, so I am jumping on to do single tasks when I need to without putting it off. It is so powerful, and turns the iPad into a full Windows PC or Mac. It is the killer app for the iPad for me, without question. I keep getting asked how bad the lag is when controlling another computer, and truthfully there is almost no lag whatsoever. I guess I need to shoot a short video showing how well this works so others can understand this.

I admit I’ve gotten hooked on The Pinball HD, a fantastic game on the iPad. The sound and graphics are top-notch, and the way the game fluidly changes the viewing angle during the action is very well done. It is so addictive that I have to restrict myself to playing it when I have free time.

I’ve also started playing Red Alert: Command and Conquer and it’s pretty fun. The control interface is easy for most things but a little clunky for others, but otherwise it’s fun.

I have deliberately avoided getting Scrabble for the iPad. I love Scrabble and am sure I will waste far too much time playing it once I get it for the iPad. I’m sure I’ll break down and get it at some point but I’ve been strong enough so far.

Cool Stuff on the Web

I don’t always find stuff on the web that is cool enough to share, but this week I found two videos that must be watched. The first video was recorded during a baseball game between Florida Atlantic and Western Kentucky. There was an extended rain delay and the players for both schools got bored and then creative. The four minute video showing how these guys relieved the boredom is priceless.

I took my iPad over to my Mom’s house right after I got it, and was impressed that when I handed it to her she started using it right away. She had previously refused to even touch a computer, but the simple slate form didn’t intimidate her and she used it as soon as she grabbed it. The second cool video this week was recorded when an iPad was handed to 99 year-old Virginia. It was also her first time to ever touch a computer, and to watch her happily using the iPad is pure joy. She even writes limericks using her iPad. Great stuff.

e-Book of the Week

The e-book I am reading this week is the newest Stephen King novel, Under the Dome. It’s a great story told as only King can tell it. A mysterious force field-like dome suddenly appears over a small town in Maine, cutting it off from the rest of the world as no one can enter or leave through the translucent dome. I can barely wait to see where this story goes. It’s a testament to how much I like Stephen King’s work — it’s the most expensive e-book I’ve ever bought ($17).

Wrap-up

That’s the week as it happened in Mobile Tech Manor. I hope you enjoyed sharing it with me and if you have any questions about anything you’ve read here just leave a comment. I enjoy hearing from you.

Google has traditionally spent very little on advertising. Surprising perhaps for an advertising company, but Google has mostly relied on word-of-mouth and, more recently, on plugging its newer products in its more popular ones. In the early days, Google Chrome was promoted on YouTube with a link and an invitation to ‘try a new browser.’ That thinkin… (read more)

Organic fruits and vegetables now represent 11.4 percent of all U.S. fruit and vegetable sales. (Photo: Green Right Now)

From Green Right Now Reports

U.S. sales of organic products continued to grow during 2009 despite the distressed state of the economy, the Organic Trade Association announced yesterday. Organic product sales in 2009 grew by 5.3 percent overall, to reach $26.6 billion. Of that figure, $24.8 billion represented organic food and the remaining $1.8 billion were sales of organic non-foods, according to the OTA’s 2010 Organic Industry Survey.

Organic fruits and vegetables, which represent 38 percent of total organic food sales, grew the most to reach nearly $9.5 billion in sales in 2009, up 11.4 percent from 2008 sales. The OTA said organic fruits and vegetables now represent 11.4 percent of all U.S. fruit and vegetable sales.

Since the approval of the final National Organic Program rule published in 2000, sales of organic fruits and vegetables have grown from $2.55 billion, which is approximately 3 percent of all fruit and vegetable sales, to the nearly $9.5 billion level and 11.4 percent penetration level. Meanwhile, during that time, organic food sales have grown from $6.1 billion to $24.8 billion in 2009, jumping from 1.2 percent of all U.S. food sales to 3.7 percent.

“These findings are indicative that even in tough times, consumers understand the benefits that organic products offer and will make other cuts before they give up products they value,” Christine Bushway, the OTA’s executive director, said in a statement.

The mass market channel had the lion’s share of organic food sales in 2009, with 54 percent of organic sold through mainstream grocers, club stores and retailers. Natural retailers were next, with 38 percent of total organic food sales. Although still representing a small percentage of sales, farmers’ markets, co-ops and CSA (community-supported agriculture) operations gained interest as consumers increasingly look for locally and regionally produced organic foods.

In the organic non-food sector, organic supplements led, with $634 million in sales, representing 35 percent of total organic non-food sales, Organic supplement sales were 12 percent higher than in 2008. Organic fiber (linen and clothing) totaled $521 million in sales, up 10.4 percent, while personal care products, at $459 million, were up 3.7 percent from 2008 sales.

Materials: Tullsta, old chair base

Description: The back legs on the Tullsta chair quickly began to weaken and threatened to break if someone sat down too quickly.  We had an old rocking chair from the 70’s; orange, worn and ugly. But I was very lucky because it had an excellent base which was easily mounted to the bottom of the Tullsta with eight lag bolts.  Then, it was just a question of moving the spider further back to achieve perfect balance.

~ Colin

Greek media reported that the Greek government would formally ask for a bailout from the IMF and Europe. Greek 10-year bonds rallied, with its yield dropping below 8%.

Then Greece’s prime minster George Papandreou started talking.

AP:

“The moment has come,” Papandreou said, speaking from the remote Aegean island of Kastelorizo.

…

“We inherited a ship that was ready to sink. A country bereft of prestige and credibility, which had even lost the respect of its friends and partners,” said Papandreou, who came to power in October elections.

…

However, he said, “markets did not respond. Either because they did not believe in the will of the EU or because some decided to continue speculating. And today, the situation in the markets threatens to deconstruct, not only the sacrifices of the Greek people, but also the smooth course of the economy itself.”

Now Greek bonds are routing again, with the yield back to 8.19%. Ouch, Mr. Papandreou’s words don’t come cheap.

(Chart via Bloomberg)

Join the conversation about this story »

“Awful” is the word Australian actor Alex O’Loughlin uses to describes his awkward sex scene with Jennifer Lopez in their new romantic The Back-Up Plan, Sydney’s Daily Telegraph reported on Friday.

“Really, it’s awful and anyone who thinks filming sex scenes is hot would be wrong,” O’Loughlin, 34, told reporters during the New York red carpet premiere for the film on Wednesday night. In fact, Alex was so uncomfortable pretending to share his bed with The Artist Formerly Known as J. Lo, he’s sworn off sex scenes — declaring that he would “be happy to never do another one again.”

In the film, Jennifer plays an unmarried woman named Zoe who is desperate for a child and is artificially inseminated through a sperm bank. Still unaware of her pregnancy, she meets Stan (O’Loughlin), and the two start dating.

Will you be watching Jennifer Lopez’s new comedy this weekend or do you have your own back-up plan?

Burning Oil Rig Sinks in Gulf
An oil platform that burned for more than day after a massive explosion sank into the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard said. Eleven workers remain missing.

Early Morning Swim: Rachel Maddow and Rick Perlstein Discuss GOP’s Southern Strategy
And the backlash against Michael Steele begins.

And the backlash against Michael Steele begins.

A GOP aide involved in the 2010 election effort emails angrily: “Why the hell is Steele, chairman of the RNC (!!), talking about a southern strategy from decades past when today’s GOP can win 50 seats in the House and 10 in the Senate this cycle in districts north/south/east/west?”

Oops.

?

Jealous much?
Michael Steele discovers political parties are supposed to raise more money than they spend, is offended.

Michael Steele, a high-living and exquisitely inadvertent quote machine is the best RNC Chair a Democrat ever had. Two days ago he managed to admit what is well-known but never spoken by a Republican, that the Party of Lincoln’s strategy the last two generations has been to become the Party of Jefferson Davis.

After a series of reports of lavish spending, from bondage-clubs and single-malt office supplies to keeping the Hawaiian tourism economy afloat, he had the kindness to send me this email yesterday:

Barack Obama is crisscrossing the country shaking down his fat-cat pals for campaign cash:

* Boston, April 1: $2.5 million.
* Miami, April 15: $2.5 million.
* Los Angeles, April 19: $3.5 million.

These are the latest stops on his whirlwind fundraising tour.

Yes, Michael Steele has discovered that politicians, especially powerful ones, have the incredible ability to RAISE cash, not just spend it. This is something even Sarah Palin knows — incredibly well. And when Sarah Palin is wiser to the ways of the world than you, well, you are the best RNC Chair a Democrat ever had.

?

Late Late Night FDL: Addams Family Masochism Tango
Scenes from The Addams Family movie set to The Masochism Tango peformed by Tom Lerher becomes The Addams Family Masochism Tango.

Scenes from The Addams Family movie set to The Masochism Tango peformed by Tom Lerher becomes The Addams Family Masochism Tango.

What’s on your mind?

?

Obama Pitches Financial Reform to Wall Street Execs
President Obama spoke before a group of fat cats—or rather, “titans of industry,” as he called them—from Wall Street on Thursday at Cooper Union in New York City, the same site where he’d delivered his pre-bailout, pre-presidential speech on the economy two years ago, in an attempt to recruit them to support his cause of reforming the financial industry. Good luck with that one, Mr. President.  —KA Read the text of Obama’s speech here. USA Today: “I’m sure that some of these lobbyists work for you and they’re doing what they are being paid to do,” Obama told invited guests—“titans of industry,” he called them—during a speech at Cooper Union in New York City. Even so, Obama argued that new regulations on the financial industry would help businesses, customers, and the U.S. economy as a whole. “We need to enact a set of updated, common-sense rules to ensure accountability on Wall Street and to protect consumers in our financial system,” he said. Read more

President Obama spoke before a group of fat cats—or rather, “titans of industry,” as he called them—from Wall Street on Thursday at Cooper Union in New York City, the same site where he’d delivered his pre-bailout, pre-presidential speech on the economy two years ago, in an attempt to recruit them to support his cause of reforming the financial industry. Good luck with that one, Mr. President.? —KA

Read the text of Obama’s speech here.

USA Today:

“I’m sure that some of these lobbyists work for you and they’re doing what they are being paid to do,” Obama told invited guests—“titans of industry,” he called them—during a speech at Cooper Union in New York City.

Even so, Obama argued that new regulations on the financial industry would help businesses, customers, and the U.S. economy as a whole. “We need to enact a set of updated, common-sense rules to ensure accountability on Wall Street and to protect consumers in our financial system,” he said.

Read more

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Dos noticias casi simultáneas que apuntan hacia los modelos a los que tiende el vídeo en internet: Youtube comienza con su modalidad de alquiler y Hulu anuncia modelo de suscripción. Ambos movimientos ya habían sido anticipados: el alquiler de películas en Youtube (de momento sólo funciona en Estados Unidos, nada de contenido disponible para IP / cuentas españolas) y Hulu de pago (al final propone un esquema de 10 dólares al mes como tarifa plana).

Aunque las cifras de ingresos / beneficios de Youtube han sido muy discutidas, lo que parece cada vez más claro es que la fórmula de que el vídeo en internet sea gratis y mate varias ventanas de explotación no sea directamente viable para quienes producen contenido “premium”. Si la apuesta de Youtube es más bien tímida – poco contenido, escasemente promocionado – lo de Hulu apunta a experimento como señala Gonzalo, toda vez que el análisis de las cifras que hacen en AtD: los productores van a tener que decidir si su apuesta online exige mantener los márgenes que tenían en la televisión por cable y siguen subiendo su apuesta de pago por visión.