Top Items:
Paul Graham / paulgraham.infogami.com:
The Kiko Affair — There's a lot of talk lately about Kiko's founders putting the site up for auction on eBay. There's both less and more than meets the eye here. — I think Dharmesh Shah is overreacting, for example, when he implies this somehow signals the end of "Web 2.0:"
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David / Signal vs. Noise:
Google does not render resistance futile — From the ashes of Kiko, Paul Graham reads that Google is unstoppable. That all hope is lost when fighting big G on its home turf. That resistance is futile: … What a depressing conclusion from a man who has inspired so many and gives hope to those who dare challenge the incumbents.
BBC:
Apple admits excessive iPod hours — Apple Computer has said a report of labour conditions at its iPod plant in China found workers did more than 60 hours a week a third of the time. — Staff making the world's most popular MP3 player also worked more than six consecutive days 25% of the time.
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John Markoff / New York Times:
Apple Finds No Forced Labor at iPod Factory in South China — Apple Computer said Thursday that it had found no evidence of forced-labor conditions at a Chinese factory that makes iPod digital music players. — But it said that a company investigation found several violations of Apple's code …
Damon Darlin / New York Times:
Profit Falls by Half at Dell — Three days after its announcement of a vast safety recall, Dell reported little but bad news yesterday: profits down by half, and an informal Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into its accounting. — Speaking from China to Wall Street analysts …
Wagner James Au / GigaOM:
Second Life & The Metaverse Business Expo — Whatever happens at the second Second Life Community Convention this weekend, I'm fairly sure the highlight won't be Linden Lab CEO Philip Rosedale appearing onstage in a sequined codpiece. — That was last year, when the inaugural convention …
Griffin Wright / Wired News:
Putting Google-Fi to the Test — MOUNTAIN VIEW, California — Google launched its citywide Wi-Fi service here this week, and Wired News decided to put it to the test. — Our first stop: Off the freeway at the southwest end of town, and the coverage was not bad.
Discussion:
Public Knowledge
JoelGeek / geek.com:
Excalibur Smartphone exposed and Q to launch on Sprint soon — A very reliable source confirmed that a number of Microsoft Smartphones are hitting the streets soon. My source was also kind enough to share some of the best pics I've seen of the Excalibur (see below). — The Excalibur
J. LeRoy / J. LeRoy's Evolving Web:
Somebody's Thinking Out There — One of the greatest things about community is that intent and good will are primary commodities. Yet, as Paul Simon says, "Proof is the bottom line for everyone." Today, the Washington Post shows intent and good will with a strong hinting of proof.
Michael Arrington / TechCrunch:
Ready To Party? — The TechCrunch August Capital party is tonight, Friday, at August Capital in Menlo Park (map). The fun starts at 6 pm. Additional details are on the wiki. — There will be plenty to eat and drink, lots of companies will be demo'ing, and as always Pandora is piping in the music.
Discussion:
ComparisonEngines.com
Marguerite Reardon / CNET News.com:
DNS could slow broadband service — A broadband provider's claim of superfast speeds may only be as good as its weakest link, which could be its domain name server software. — A report issued Thursday by Nominum, a company that sells domain name system (DNS) server software …
Darren Murph / Engadget:
Japan planning intelligent road systems — Finding real-time traffic data is becoming less unusual thanks to nav units popping up more frequently in vehicles nowadays, but real-time data about about potential road hazards, pedestrians in the way, and other random tidbits that could prevent a serious headache …
Alan / gedankengang:
Amazon's Digital Video sneak peek: "Amazon Unbox" — It seems Amazon might soon be launching their digital video download store, called "Amazon Unbox Video". According to what I can find, it'll have purchase and rental capability, as well as support for devices other than your PC (Your TV and Creative Zen Vision at least).
Discussion:
B2Day, TechCrunch, Gizmodo, Download Squad, InfoWorld Tech Watch, paidContent.org, Reuters Newsblogs, eHomeUpgrade and Hacking NetFlix
David Chartier / The Unofficial Apple Weblog:
SecureWorks admits to falsifying MacBook wireless hack — Remember those hackers in the Washington Post story who claimed to have hacked a MacBook's wireless drivers to gain control of it? Then remember the follow-up story where the author, Brian Krebs basically, um, how shall I say …
Thomas Crampton / New York Times:
Boeing to End Its Service for Using Internet Aloft — Maybe it was the Internet bubble in the sky or perhaps it was just that the business plan could not fly. — Boeing announced on Thursday that it planned to scrap its in-flight Internet service, saying there was not enough demand.
Discussion:
michael parekh on IT, Message, Sadagopan's weblog …, Kevin Burton's Feed Blog, Rough Type and A VC
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Lifehacker:
Track popular videos with the Internet TV Charts — You can keep track of the Internet's most viral videos with the Internet TV Charts. — Right now, the service is following Google Video, YouTube, Digg, and VideoSift, and I'm hoping that the creator plans to add in some more (Yahoo Video, SingingFish, maybe even some news sites?).
Microsoft:
Microsoft Announces Preliminary Results of Tender Offer — Company expects to acquire 155 million shares at $24.75 per share; boosts ongoing share repurchase program by $16 billion. — Microsoft Corp. today announced the preliminary results of its modified "Dutch Auction" tender offer …
