When you log in to your account you are offered a selection of magazines to choose from. The membership section also breaks down all of your magazine choices by month. An approximate delivery date is also displayed so you can get a feeling for when the magazine will arrive.I first signed up of the service in late August and it took about 4 weeks for my first two magazines to arrive. My third magazine didn’t arrive for almost two months, but it was National Geographic traveler which ended up being a bi-monthly magazine. However I could have opted to substitute with another magazine during the first month.

Overall, I’m enjoying the MAGHOUND service very much, it’s a good value and the system is very easy to use. And I think it will allow people the opportunity to try out magazines that they ordinarily wouldn’t have. I also think that MAGHOUND has the potential to breathe some new life in to the ailing magazine industry by allowing people to break free from subscriptions. My only complaint is that while the selection is pretty robust, there are a couple of my favorite reads that still aren’t offered in their catalog. However, MAGHOUND says that they’re continuously working on expanding their selection of magazines. It’s also worth mentioning that MAGHOUND is currently offering a great sweepstakes where folks can win a trip to New York and a $1,500 shopping spree.

The Good:
Hassle free system, get to experience a variety of different magazines, say goodbye to 12 month Magazine subscriptions

The Bad:
Would like to see an even bigger selection of magazines

However, this settlement is good for two reasons: one, it gives AMD a stronger chance of coming back and truly becoming a competitor to Intel. And two, the money from this lawsuit is actually going to AMD rather than the bureaucratic black hole of the NY state government, which will be the result of the court case. On the other hand, the settlement is bad because it’s not really ending any legal problems considering that Intel is still going to court to face the NY state government in this antitrust law suit. The general consensus is that Intel will be found in violation of the US antitrust laws and be forced to pay more huge fines. This raises the question of whether the microprocessor industry will be set back a few years for consumers when in comes to innovation and low prices, without its lead-off batter Intel, and will AMD be able to step up to the plate?

In my most recent story about the AMD v. Intel legal drama, I questioned whether or not government intervention was the best choice in this case. With Intel offering consumers huge customer rebates and regular innovation, is it timely for the government to intervene? Why now? Also, will penalizing Intel result in a less innovative and more expensive microprocessor market? The response I got was astounding. Most people agreed that even if Intel’s practices are benefiting the consumer, the government should intervene if they believe that the law is being broken. Others argued that if AMD is wiped out all together, then Intel’s low prices and innovation would surely not survive, making it an obligation for the government intervention. People even argued that AMD is in fact a superior chip and that I was crazy for stating that Intel’s chips are better.

What this debate comes down to is opinion. Some laissez-faire economists believe that government should not intervene in cases like these and that in can in fact impede innovation by penalizing companies like Intel. On the other hand, if the government doesn’t penalize Intel, will they continue to dominate the market share and wipe out AMD? Probably. And we all agree that this is a bad thing because without AMD as a competitor, there is a good chance that Intel wouldn’t continue to offer lower prices and better innovation. Competition is generally a good thing. When it comes to which chip is truly superior, well, I think there will always be opinions on both sides, but generally benchmarks speak the truth. The point is that there is a product cycle going on here, where AMD and Intel continually come out with improved technology. This innovation is prompted by the fact that there is competition. So let’s give AMD the chance to prove themselves as true competitors by giving them some money. The question that remains is whether or not this $1.25 billion will be enough for AMD to turn around their current fortune. In an attempt to do just that, AMD announced on November 12th two new processors geared towards the server and mobile sectors. With Intel still dominating 80% of the market, could these new technologies be enough to put AMD back at the forefront?

The other problem we face is whether or not Intel will be able to bounce back after the seriously large sums of money they will potentially have to pay in this antitrust law suit. Many argue that these huge legal suits will deter other governments or organizations from taking action against the company because no one really wants to see Intel go down. For example, although the Federal Trade Commission normally files charges immediately after the state does in these antitrust cases, they have yet to file charges. Regardless of whether Intel faces further prosecution, one thing is clear: they will probably incur even more penalties when the case goes to court in the spring. Is Intel strong enough to thrive despite these huge monetary penalties, or will the microprocessor market be set back a few years without innovative leader Intel? Can AMD step in as the most innovative and low priced chip manufacturer? Only time will tell.

Let’s discuss why antitrust laws exist and why we care as consumers. Antitrust laws were put in place to protect consumers from monopolistic practices, which often result in astronomical prices and lack of diversity. Without competition, there’s no incentive for a better product, there’s no way to drive costs down, and innovation is lost. To ensure competition, the U.S. government puts antitrust laws into practice to keep costs reasonable for the consumer and to foster innovation. With Intel’s history of innovation and low costs, is going after them really in the consumer’s best interest? AMD is considered Intel’s main competitor in the microprocessor arena, and this is not the first time the companies have gone head to head. In 2005, AMD sued Intel for violating antitrust laws. Most recently AMD was in the news for insider trading and low earnings, causing their stock to drop a dramatic 6% in October, 2009. And then emerges Cuomo’s movement to file suit against Intel. Seemingly AMD’s last ditch effort to extort funds from Intel, this could explain why the government is pursuing Intel now. People are left wondering why the government is going after Intel, when the cost of microprocessors and the computers that house them are lower than ever.

Reminiscent of the Microsoft antitrust case filed in 1998, Microsoft was also sued for violating the laws of competition. The allegation was that when Microsoft bundled Internet Explorer with their Windows operating system, they unfairly wiped out competing Internet browsers. Microsoft argued that Internet Explorer was the most compatible with Windows, making it an obvious choice and the best product for Microsoft customers. They also argued that consumers could easily download another Internet browser if they weren’t happy with Internet Explorer. Microsoft didn’t block the use of other browsers, they simply bundled Internet Explorer with their operating system. In the end, Bill Gates stepped down as Microsoft Chairman and the company was found in violation of antitrust laws. Throughout the trial, both Microsoft and other economists defended the company’s actions. In a full-page ad that appeared in both The Washington Post and The New York Times on June 2, 1999, the Independent Institution, a group of well known economists, ran the ad entitled “An Open Letter to President Clinton From 240 Economists On Antitrust Protectionism,” and stated:

“Consumers did not ask for these antitrust actions – rival business firms did. Consumers of high technology have enjoyed falling prices, expanding outputs, and a breathtaking array of new products and innovations…Increasingly, however, some firms have sought to handicap their rivals by turning to government for protection. Many of these cases are based on speculation about some vaguely specified consumer harm in some unspecified future, and many of the proposed interventions will weaken successful U.S. firms and impede their competitiveness abroad.”

One Nobel Peace Prize winner, Milton Friedman, went so far as to say that the Microsoft antitrust case set a dangerous precedent for government interference and that progress in technology is likely to be impeded as a result. Even after all of this, Microsoft was able to bounce back and reinvent themselves into a company that didn’t solely make operating systems, thanks to innovations like the xbox and other ground breaking products. Netscape however died away….so what was the point in the end? Microsoft may have had a set back, but the main losers were the taxpayers whose hard earned money went to a case that benefited no one in the end. Like Microsoft, Intel is facing similar antitrust action prompted by the poor sales of a rival company. Previously forced to pay fines by the European Commission, Intel faces a $1.45 billion dollar fine in Europe, and another law suit for $25 million presented by the South Korean authorities in June 2008. Currently in a dispute with the Japanese government, this newest law suit becomes that much more important to Intel’s survival.

Also comparable to Microsoft, Intel offers what many people deem a superior product, and the fact that they are able to offer it at a cheap price (via rebates) has huge benefits for consumers. If Intel goes down and suffers significant monetary losses, the consumer will be left without rebates and processor prices are likely to rise. So if antitrust laws aim to enhance innovation and keep prices low, then why is the government prosecuting a company that excels in both of these fields? Without Intel, the consumer is the one losing with higher prices and less advanced innovation. Not to mention the ridiculous amount of taxpayer money wasted on a competing company’s last ditch effort to stay afloat. If Intel goes down and AMD were to be the last company standing, there is no guarantee that they will actually step up to the plate and truly become innovators on the same level as Intel. So if Intel does lose, whose to say where the winnings will end up, and if they will be rewarded to AMD, or not just some other bureaucratic blackhole.

Those of us interested in technology, of course welcome additional options and choices for other processors besides just Intel. In the 1990’s and early 2000’s AMD processors were a chipset to be reckoned with, but over the past few years Intel’s flagship Quad Core processors have been down right outperforming AMD. Regardless, we know that many people still love and use AMD processors and they still provide good value and performance.At the end of the day, giving people options is what American capitalism is all about, but not by penalizing a company that has been consistently innovative, inexpensive, and devoted to offering consumers the best product possible. We just wonder if AMD had kept up the pace and had been truly competitive rather than slipping, would this lawsuit even be taking place. The best case scenario is that AMD will come roaring back to become a true competitor to Intel, something that’s good for everyone. Unfortunately there are lots of questions and no clear answers. Many will offer commentary but the final verdict will be when the judge rules, we just hope for all of us consumers it’s truly done with our best interests at heart… but how often does that happen.

At the session, director of Intel’s User Experience Group, Dr. Genevieve Bell, talked at length about mobile manners. Genevieve pointed out that mobile manners are very situational and dependent on how a technology is used. She also discussed how every-time there is a new technology, there are new mobile etiquette questions to be asked. Dr. Bell offered some suggestions about how to practice correct mobile etiquette, and how to determine just what is the correct mobile etiquette in a particular situation. When deciding on appropriate mobile etiquette, users should ask themselves, is it appropriate right here? Who is around me at the moment? The reality is that most people don’t mean to be rude when they get wrapped up in a conversation with someone on the other end of the device.

One story that she related particularly stood out in my mind. During her travels as an anthropologist, she came across a church in Korea that had a sign warning church parishioners “to switch off your cell and wait for the call of G-d”. She also mentioned that there is an edict in the Philippines that no Catholic confessions could be made via SMS or fax. This was done because people were starting to attend church less and less.

Genevieve also spoke about how there modern day phenomena of this era is that people think that they need to constantly be  connected, and that that is normal. However her theory is that this mindset will change and it will eventually balance out. She bases this observation on the fact that she sees younger generations figuring out ways to disconnect their connectivity.

Genevieve was also joined by Anna Post, the great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post and the author of Do I Have to Wear White? and Emily Post’s Wedding Parties. Anna also weighed in the topic of mobile manners and she discussed one issue that I have always struggled with. She said that in her opinion, it is indeed ok to not accept people as a friend on Facebook. But if they are a business contact, it’s wise to go and connect with them on LinkedIn. Now that is sound advice! She also told us personally that when it comes to children it’s important for parents to train their kids about mobile etiquette, just as they would with regular etiquette.

Some of the other findings of Intel’s Holiday Mobile Etiquette survey include these four facts:

•    One in three online adults (30 percent) would be offended to receive an online gift wish list from a friend and/or an immediate/extended family member.
•    An overwhelming majority of online adults have no tolerance for mobile technology etiquette violations at holiday services, with 87 percent agreeing that it is inappropriate to use a mobile device at religious venues.
•    Travel can be a little bit tense around the holidays, and some feel that it is no time for multitasking  36 percent of online adults agree that it is inappropriate to use a mobile device in an airport security line.
•    A majority (60 percent) of online adults consider using a mobile device while on a date as inappropriate.

For more details on the study, check out the press release

My first reaction was – sweet, how forward thinking of them!  But once I started reading other people’s reactions to the story, a few other questions came to mind like, how? Why should the government take the time and effort to implement broadband throughout the country?  Is it a trivial waste of time and money? When considering this debacle, I turned to Ville Vesterinen, Finnish Editor and Co-Founder of Arctic Startup, a website and information source that focuses on technology start-ups and growth entrepreneurship in the Nordic and Baltic countries. When I asked Ville (pronounced Vill-lay) his thoughts on the matter and what implications the law may have, he responded:

Well functioning Internet access – which today means Broadband access – will be one of the corner stones of our equalitarian society in the future and comparable to the universal suffrage in importance. The first European country to introduce women’s suffrage was the Grand Duchy of Finland. Finnish women got the right both to vote (universal and equal suffrage) and to stand for election in as early as 1906. Today Finland is again among the first to advance the principles of a truly egalitarian society. Well functioning Internet access should be a birth right in every modern country.

What Ville helped me understand is that there is so much more to this decision than just a Finnish nerd’s dream of 100 MB of broadband. It’s about the wealth of information and connectivity that the Internet provides. This form of Finnish “egalitarianism” is more about leveling the playing field and providing everyone with the same tools to succeed, if they choose to use them. I wonder if perhaps when universal suffrage was announced whether people had the same type of reaction; How? Why? Is this a waste of time and money? The Finnish government not only recognizes the value of the Internet, but sees it as an invaluable resource, one that its people should not, and will not go without.

(Via TechCrunch)

WikiReader

 

One of the aspects that makes Wikipedia so unique is the fact that its data is always dynamic with users constantly updating and editing entries. However, the WikiReader does not connect to the internet wirelessly for updates. Quarterly updates will be available for users to download on to the device, or for a $29 per year fee, the company will send updates to users on microSD cards.

In a lot of ways, the WikiReader reminds us of those electronic dictionaries and thesauruses that were popular in the late 90s. The WikiReader will retail for $99 and it seems to be especially aimed at older generations, students and kids. Either way, we think that $99 is way to high a price tag for something that people can easily pull up on their mobile phones or Wi-Fi capable device when they’re on the go. After all, there already is a mobile phone optimized version of Wikipedia. That said the device is well done, and we can see some of our parents using this device – but they definitely wouldn’t pay $99 for it. Especially in a world where $99 gets you half way to an iPod Touch. If the company can bring the price down on this device, they could do well with it.

So here’s how it works: companies can purchase the RunToShop widget and integrate it into their e-commerce store. When customers are looking at a particular product in the store, they can easily pull up information about what other customers are saying about the product including reviews or recommendations.  If they want to leave a review or recommendation, the customer can quickly log in through a social network like Facebook. The added benefit of using social networks in conjunction with this tool is that a) it’s easy to leave a review because you probably already have a Facebook or other social network account  and b) a customer’s product recommendation will be pushed out through those channels, giving the product free publicity.

RunToShop has a website that lets users search for various products and reviews, which is currently only in Finnish but will soon be in English too. Besides just searching for reviews, the website acts as it’s own social network that lets users create profiles that highlight their favorite products. Users become “experts” in a particular genre, increasing trust and brand awareness. RunToShop hopes that by using the familiarity and trust that comes from social networking will enhance a buyer’s experience and ultimately lead to more sales.  Also with a Facebook app, RunToShop is using social networking to change the way people shop, search for, and buy products.

What makes Brizzly really cool is the fact that links are expanded to their original size so you can see where a link will take you, photos are revealed, and videos are embedded directly into the feed so you can easily start watching. Since I started using Brizzly, I’ve seen Twitpics that I never thought I’d see before by just glancing – no clicking required! Also, I check out a lot more videos now, which I might’ve have otherwise missed. Brizzly reveals links from twitpic, Yfrog, Flickr, etc., maps from Google Maps, and video from YouTube and Vimeo.

Direct messages appear in an IM style box to the right of your Twitter feed along with an alert, which is a hell of a lot easier than clicking on “direct message” everytime you want to check your messages. You can also add up to five different Twitter accounts and manage them all from the Brizzly interface.

An added feature totally unique to Brizzly is the “groups” function, which lets you filter the conversation based on network. For example, you can add the people you’re following to various groups like “Work,” “Friends,” “Celebrities,” etc. Brizzly basically has all the features of regular Twitter with added helpful things like the IM feature, tweet drafts, trends explained, and expanded URLs and pictures. Although unavailable to the public yet, you can sign up for this free tool on Brizzly.com. Pretty much, Brizzly rules.

Spawned from this online Star Wreck revolution came Wreckamovie.com, an online platform that is designed to connect movie actors, translators, graphic designers, producers, and straight up movie lovers in an online collaborative environment so they can be a part of a movie’s production. Wreckamovie.com is described as a social community where film producers can create tasks and ask for the online community’s input. For example, let’s say Star Wreck is missing an Albanian translation. Translators can submit their own subtitles to movie producers, thus building their resume and making them a part of the Star Wreck team. This online social community builds communities around film productions and allows everyone from fans to professionals to get involved with the movie making process. This not only connects the movie making community but it does it cheaper and in a crowd-sourced way that produces the best product possible with the farthest spanning reach possible.

Their newest flick is called Iron Sky, a movie about Nazis that went to the moon in 1945 and return to Earth in 2018. The movie currently has 1279 collaborators working on production from around the world, but that number is sure to grow. Show them what you got! Join the online collaboration.

[CNN.Com]

For example, the Nokia team showed us an idea for an interactive audio guide that would allow users to point and receive information about specific landmarks recommended or reviewed by friends. For example, if you’re interested in that coffee shop down the street, point your cell phone at it and get a little sampling of what people are saying about. Or download the menu. Maybe even order coffee in advanced. All in preliminary stages, Nokia is going from being a voice and data provider to an interactive and engaging company on the cutting edge. The idea is to make travel and everyday life easier, faster, and better with your cell. Probably the coolest idea to come out of the lab are Nokia’s Gaze Tracking Glasses. Put the glasses on and you can navigate the Internet with your gaze. Kind of like a jedi mind trick.

In testing stages, the researchers showed us a smart social networking application for your Nokia phone that would allow you to group all social network sites into one, easy-to-use application. Check Facebook, Twitter, geographically tagged pictures, etc. from a central smart application that would suggest content based on your preferences and habits. Another cool app was the Nokia Brail Reader, which allows the visually impaired to send text messages using audio cues.

So I made it out of the lab alive to tell my story. What really impressed me about Nokia’s R&D process was their development process. There was no static idea. Ideas were dynamic, tested, practiced, and talked about. Nokia’s Beta Labs website is a prime example of their company spirit, allowing users to submit ideas on new product development projects and comment on what features they would like to see. This direct input from the consumer shows Nokia’s dedication to creating a quality product that really embodies what the customer wants and needs.

Finland is a country with a strong tradition on technology and design, with the prime example being mega mobile company Nokia. Hoping to expand upon their successes in technology, the Finnish government is putting major money into funding aspiring entrepreneurs and start-up companies across Finland. Hosting the MindTrek conference in Tampere, Finland, chosen start-up companies including Everyplay, Dazzboard, MultiTouch, Oppifi, Virtual Air Guitar Company and Zokem, competed for funding. Winner MultiTouch stole the show with a first ever touch screen LCD screen designed for multiple users at the same time. A truly exciting time for Finland, a Finnish start-up culture is emerging. So I hope you enjoy the coverage over the next few days that we will be posting about the start-ups and latest tech coming out of Finland.

They have also announced that as of September 29th they are going to offer the Color Book Creator that will let authors easily produce children’s books, cookbooks, comic books and coffee tables books. The new Color Book Creator lets writers focus on the visuals too, instead of just the copy. You’ll be able to import images and illustrations to pages and see your vision come alive in real time.