The remnants of Yahoo are going to have less remaining, Apple has an App Store for the Mac dates, and find out just how people are using your game consoles!
Economics/Geekonomics:
Should Netflix have bought Blockbuster? Buying internet companies isn't as easy as it looks.
Barry Ritholz is not happy with the Republican members of the FCIC who released a weird, BS-filled document on the financial crisis that . . . ignores the causes of it. Politicization of the economic crisis is extremely dangerous since it can keep us from recovering – and stop it from happening again.
Massachusetts startups snag lots of cash just so you know. As if we haven't been telling you.
Comics:
People without anything better to do complain about a black actor playing a Norse god. Yep they're upset about the guy playing Heimdall. The group involved is rather obviously racist, but thanks to them now the film gets a fresh new bit of publicity, if only from people that plan to see it to annoy them. I was going to see it anyway, but now I'll take a bit more pleasure in annoying them (I still expect it to be awesome). Also a reminder of how big superhero films are getting – people like this are paying attention and complaining about it.
Marvel revives the sadly-passed CrossGen line which showed promise before it fell into oblivion. Disney had the rights to it and . . . you get the idea. A fascinating possibility for the Disney/Marvel future is that Marvel could handle imprints of other properties Disney has or can get with their large bankroll – and that just launches more multimedia options. CrossGen had a good fanbase and some clever ideas, so this can probably pay off easily.
Geek Law:
President Obama calls for a Federal Internet Privacy Policy Office. Most of this is at the "discussion" level but it is interesting since, if this moves forward, it is going to affect industry. It's also a potential massive battleground politically and financially, and I can easily see it veering into the Net Neutrality area. On the plus side at least there's some thought going into this.
Tablets:
Flipboard adds Google Reader to its features – and more. Why big? Flipboard is a huge sensation on the iPad, aggregating feeds into a magazine-like interface. Adding Google feeds on an Apple device is an attention-getter, and frankly makes me wonder if we'll see Flipboard for Android.
Technology:
The Apple Store opens on January 6th. This is pretty much the App store for Mac, down to hosting independent apps and providing assorted app-finding tools. The big news is the focus on extending the metaphor and mindshare Apple has for App delivery, and the developer focus – because trust me there are some great Mac Apps that could use more love (Jutoh being one). This builds goodwill among developers, users, and the ever-increasingly omnipresent Apple.
Meanwhile in Apple-land, Nokia launches more lawsuits against Apple. Nokia really is lathering it on – and I can't quite divine their motivations here.
Not to go all-Apple-all-the-time but it may become the most valuable company in America by stock value this Christmas.
Google's App Inventor is now open to all. I'm played with it a bit and it's pretty straightforward and clever – give it a shot if you feel courageous or like coding.
Also don't miss this handy guide on what to use to make mobile website.
Finally, Yahoo. The product shutdowns and integrations are coming.
Video:
Vimeo to release online tutorials for film/video making – We're not talking a handful, we're talking hundred. Interesting move to cultivate more original content, and it's a goodwill-builder. Presented to see if it inspires you to similar actions in your own endeavors – and to speculate what kind of mindshare it can yield . . .
Video Games:
We've got great infographics on how people are using their game consoles. Looks like the Wii isn't getting much love anymore, and the PS3 is Mr. Multimedia. Some great statistics to digest.
Magic the Gathering Tactics is coming – Though the gameplay may get a lot of attention, I'm curious about the pricing model. A free game, but you buy tickets to participate in tournaments (that have prizes). Not quite freemium, so what can we call this? freenaments? Tourafrees? Either way a pricing model to consider for you devs out there.
Gakai isn't too worried about the OnLine Patent statements.
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
– Steven Savage