News Of The Day 5/26/2011

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Akira's heading down, Sony's meandering, and Microsoft continues in their race.

Anime and Manga:
Albert Hughes leaves Akira as director. Which I'd understand – it sounds dismal. I think this project is headed to the dustbin of history.

Net Freedom:
Comcast isn't going to do meeting billing apparently.

Technology:
Microsoft is going to show off a Windows Tablet next week. Sounds like they're on a roll – catching up, but still a roll. So let's see how this goes.

Woah. Amazon introduces a Mac store. Yes, a Mac store. This is a bit weird to see, since I can't quite figure the point – unless it's Amazon taking a Google-like shot keeping a finger in every pie or show what they can do. (I suspect both). Now I await Apple's response . . .

Video Games:
So just what is 'Zelda Universe'. I admit now I'm curious- the article has a few ideas. Admittedly the Zelda property could be used, consolidated, or so on, so I'm wondering. Another keep-an-eye-on.

Playstation 4 under development? If so at this rate it's more like the usual console cycle is just going to change. Though I also suspect at this rate Sony may just want a distraction.

Sony's Playstation division returns to profitability. Let's see how long that lasts.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: So Playstation 4?  How long or is this just BS?

– Steven Savage

Late Breaking Geekery – And Analysis

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Well I was going to just do a post analyzing Window's "Mango" but things got a bit wild out there, so it turned into a roundup of some late breaking geekery!

 

First Google's Mobile Payments Platform.  Big?  Well, yes, Google is doing it, and this follows the Google finger-in-every-pie strategy.  However this ties right into Android, could let them get a leap on other companies (while pissing off some startups), and works well with the ecosystem.  A few things:

  • I suspect this was one reason they wanted Groupon – they could tie it into this.
  • I think this was accelerated so as to give them a leap on competition – which may mean they're still hiring.
  • This puts them further into the financial area – which is often more restrictive legally.
  • Everyone else will accelerate their efforts.
  • Their big competitor is Square.
  • If you do apps, line up to learn more about this.

Next up, Windows Phone Mango is revealed.  My impressions:

  • First of all, a lot of this is catch-up.  Let's be honest.
  • However this is really good catch-up.  Microsoft is definitely learning from others.
  • It's a bit late, but Microsoft may, hopefully for them, get momentum.
  • It's a very integrated, Apple-like, friendly, frankly "non-Microsoftish" OS.  I think this indicates Microsoft is shifting away from their usual . . . well, whatever that was.
  • I think this is part of Microsoft pretty much retooling.
  • If you program you need to know about this – because there will be development based on it.
  • I really see no reason why Nokia had to be involved, but oh well.

So, some big news in the tech field.  Let's keep watching . . .

– Steven Savage