Technology

SOPA Delayed

by

Looks like SOPA is not going to the House, hearings to resume later.  Techeme, as usual, has a roundup, the latest being here.

This is good news as far as I'm concerned – SOPA/PIPA are hideous, and the longer debate goes on, the more chance to rally against them.  It gives time for the truth to come out – and for folks like us to raise hell about it.

A few takeaways:

  • Lamar Smith either doesn't get what he's doing or doesn't care (my guess, both).  He actually didn't feel it was necessary to discuss the security issues of altering the internet.  Attempts to modify that part actually failed.  I'd keep an eye on whatever he does in the future if you work in tech or media, because he's clearly happy sponsoring hideous life-and-job-destroying legislation.
  • There are massive security concerns as well as legal concerns – more intense than I expected when I first encountered SOPA (I focused mostly on the legal).  If you work in tech, I'd do a deeper examination of this – it will help you lend your voice and also help you understand how the internet works and how people can still mess it up.
  • This delay is good for everyone since it's a chance to bring down SOPA and PIPA, it's tweedledum.  Stay on top of this issue.
  • This is bad enough that I think it shows certain big media companies are very desperate.  If they loose this (and I think they will between time, a presidential veto, and potential legal challenges), they will resort to something else.  Hopefully some companies will get a clue and try different methods of income, distribution, etc. – which could mean opportunities for people.
  • This fight also let us know who to trust to go with an open internet versus a hideous legislation.  You may want to decide your career options based on what you learned here.

– Steven Savage

 

Giant Mess of News 12/9/2011

by

Yeah, yeah I know news was moving away from roundups to more detailed posts and analyses, but damn, today had a lot of news.

Games:
Games were the largest share of Android's first 10 billion downloads. Yes, this is from the department of 'duh', but it's a reminder of the power and size of that market share.

B.S.:
Zynga tells investors it can double it's paying customers. I do not believe this possible in the short or medium term – but they didn't promise WHEN it could happen.

Legal Messes:
Apparently there are hacking charges against Groupon. This is more changing contracts/contacts, but also . . . well read the article.  Groupon's having bad times lately.

On Windows 8? Microsoft can change/remove apps apparently, at least that's the current plans. That's gonna go over well (anyone remember the infamous Kindle glitch?).  Watch this if you're a developer (or a lawyer)

There's some foofaraw in German where Motorola won seriously against Apple over a patent issue, but the resolution is anything but clear. This may come back later – or accelerate into further nastiness. Also remember who Motorola is part of now . . .

Also Apple lost in Australia over It's attempt to ban the Samsung Galaxy tablet, over – you got it – patents. This gets into ugliness involving countersuits and general stupidity.

Yes, patent suits are out of hand.  Yes they are killing innovation.  No, it's not being called out enough.

– Steven Savage

Gree Has New Social Game Platform

by

OK gamers, Gree's got a new social game developer platform coming and there's a look at it now.

They're promising:

  • Access to their current amount of players (A sweet 150 million)
  • iOS and Android integration
  • A ton of tools

So sounds interesting for gamers, you're going to want to watch this (and I'm wondering if their iOS integration will cover all Mac devices eventually). It might be something you have to know.

I'd also note that Gree is locked in an increasingly bitter rivalry with DeNA, and this may be one of may ways they take them on (or out).  Hmm, and where are some of the others in all of this . . .

– Steven Savage