Week of November 27, 2006

DRM For iPods Not Sold Through iTunes

Friday, December 1, 2006

For content companies looking to sell DRM content to iPod users they have one option: Apple, because the Fairplay DRM that Apple uses is owned by, well, Apple. That may change in the near future, as famous software deconstructionist Jon Johansen has reverse engineered the Fairplay DRM. He is now licensing his DRM, compatible with the iPod, to companies that want to sell to iPod users but not be beholden to Apple or the iTunes Music Store.

Wimax Phones Due In 2008

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Nokia has announced that it expects to have WiMax-enabled phones in 2008. WiMax phones will allow seamless and constant broadband Internet connections through the phone, allowing things like streamed video and audio.

When Anti-social Acts Kill Social Software

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Less than a week after placing its click-to-call service into its local map search, Google has pulled it and replaced it with a text messaging function. Click-to-call was a highly regarded social application for businesses: The service allowed you to click a "phone us" link next to businesses listed in Google Local, and then type in your phone number. Google would then use VoIP protocols to ring the business and your number, connecting the two.

There was only one problem: No one considered the possibility of using the service for prank calls, and early word is that the service was swamped with prank phone call usage (e.g. connecting two friends that had just broken up or two businesses that compete with each other).

So now Google has removed the service with no word on whether it is coming back.

Next-Gen Game Console Connectivity

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

We'll be investigating the impact of the latest generation of gaming consoles on consumers in-depth in our upcoming New Media Landscape: 2007 report, but one of the major changes in these consoles is their Internet connectivity. With a hat tip to GigaOm, here's an overview of console online capabilities and services.

Ninento Wii

Supports all standard protocols.
Includes connectivity via Bluetooth, USB ports, and a LAN adaptor
Integrated web browsing via the Opera browser
Services include an automatic download and update service, a game download service, an Internet portal featuring news, shopping, and photo services. The portal service is the only one expected to be available this year, although the download and update service may roll out sooner if required.

Sony Playstation 3

Connectivity via Bluetooth, Wi-fi (with premium systems), USB port
Integrated web browser included
Services centered around the PlayStation Network, with player matches, ranking, friends, and text/voice messaging; upload and download services; subscription downloads and pay-to-download.

Xbox 360

Connectivity via ethernet port, wireless adaptor.
No integrated web browser
Services are the mature Xbox Live, with a robust messaging, player reputation, and friend network, currency system, and a marketplace for downloading games and other content.

Using Liability As A Competitive Advantage

Monday, November 27, 2006

One of the more stunning pieces of news from before Thanksgiving was an agreement between Novell and Microsoft over Novell's linux operating system business. Novell and Microsoft signed a deal where Novell paid Microsoft a lump sum for a guarantee that Microsoft would not sue Novell clients over their use of Linux, which Microsoft claims contains patent infringing code, and Microsoft agreed to the same with Novell.

The deal was a no-brainer for Novell, which paid Microsoft $40 million in the deal, while Microsoft paid Novell $348 million. Not only did Novell gain $308 million in the deal, Novell can now also go after customers of competitor Red Hat, with the threat that there is a possibility of Red Hat clients being sued by Microsoft, since Red Hat didn't sign a similar agreement.

For Microsoft, the deal stands as a chip in its battle with Linux. Microsoft can now point to the Novell agreement as an indication that there are patent-infringing parts in the Linux codebase, despite the fact that Microsoft has never said what patents are involved and which rights are being infringed.

For the open source community, Novell's leveraging the Linux liability for cash is seen as having taken advantage of a loophole in the current Linux usage license (the GNU General Public License). The license is currently being re-written to include a clause that a promise not to sue be applicable to everyone, which is the agreement between Microsoft and Novell.