Technology

Giant Mess of News 12/9/2011

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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

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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

Microsoft To Turn XBox into Media Device

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Well Microsoft just upgraded Xbox live with a ton of services.

It's got:

  • The usual stuff – Netflix, Hulu, Zune.
  • 26 TV channels from Verizon
  • Comcast's on demand movies.
  • A bunch of other stuff.

I've been a bit cynical that any company can make a Killbox for cable, but Microsoft might just do it – certainly it seems they are trying.

This also gives us an idea of Microsoft's future – it appears they're going for integrated media devices. In many cases this leapfrogs Apple, leveraging their game platform to make an entertainment platform in a way that makes Apple TV look kind of sad. Throw in the huge XBox userbase, and . . . well you get the idea.

Is this Kill Your Cable, the return of Microsoft, etc.? I don't know that, but I do know:

  • This is (and I hate using this phrase) a game-changer. It represents a definite viable Microsoft strategy, a challenge to others, a lot of alliances built by Microsoft, and a smart move. Microsoft is basically back with this (now let's see if anyone notices).
  • This demands a response from Sony, Google, Apple, and possibly Amazon and OnLive. Microsoft is good at making enemies, but they just challenged everyone else in this space with a hell of a delivery. Oh, and they did it during the holiday season. Look for companies to accelerate or modify plans.
  • This is immensely consumer-friendly. It's also delivered as an update which means people get it with (in theory) no fuss, no mess. This means people will get used to such things because it's delivered on an existing device. This is good for Microsoft and changes expectations (remember how the Nook was a stealth tablet?).
  • It changes how people deliver content – note the XBox still lacks a real browser. That locks out a lot of content, so it may lock some people out of delivery methods – and may lock out others depending on what deals Microsoft makes.

Things just got crazypants this holiday season with one update.  What follows is going to affect a lot of companies, and quite likely you and your career plans.

– Steven Savage