Top Items:
Google Talkabout:
Merry Christmas, God Jul and — OK, I cheated. I don't really speak Chinese. But I know a bot that does, and we're releasing it today together with number of other translation bots. For those not familiar with bots, a (ro)bot is a piece of software that acts as a chat contact and provides some fun or useful functionality.
Discussion:
Download Squad, Google Operating System, Search Engine Land, PSFK, Mashable! and Compiler
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Duncan Riley / TechCrunch:Google Talk Gets One Step Closer To The Ultimate Babel Fish
Discussion:
VoIP Blog
Lane Hartwell:
My statement regarding the new version of the Richter Scales video — As the Richter Scales stated in their blog, the video that used my image - without my permission - was viewed just under one million times on YouTube. In the end, the band opted not to work with me toward a fair resolution of the issue.
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Kara Swisher / BoomTown:
Here Comes (Another) Another Bubble! — The take-down of the popular Web 2.0 music video, “Here Comes Another Bubble,” didn't last too long. The Richter Scales, a San Francisco singing group that did the piece, have posted a new one-Version 1.1-that it hopes is copyright safe.
Discussion:
mathewingram.com/work, Don Dodge on The Next …, Guardian Unlimited, TechCrunch and i-boy
Mark Cuban / Blog Maverick:
My New Facebook Strategy and the FB Power Level — I had heard there was a 5k friend limit on Facebook. I just didn't take it to heart. Until I reached 5k and tried to add 5001., at which point FB reminded of the limit. — It was a weird moment ,but actually one that I have come to respect and appreciate.
Discussion:
Insider Chatter, Mark Evans, All Facebook, LucaFiligheddu.com, michael parekh on IT, Alec Saunders .LOG, Mashable!, Reel Pop and Steve Sloan …
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Justin Smith / Inside Facebook:
Facebook Friend Lists let you manage your “friends” more effectively — This morning Facebook launched a new “Friend Lists” feature that will make the problem of organizing your hundreds of Facebook friends a little easier. — Facebook wants their “social graph” (your friend list) …
Discussion:
ReadWriteWeb
Scott Morrison / Wall Street Journal:
Glitches Bug Google's Android Software — SAN FRANCISCO — Google Inc. claims its Android mobile-phone software will usher in a new era of wireless communications. But for developers like Adam MacBeth, Android has so far brought headaches and frustration.
Discussion:
Ars Technica, Silicon Alley Insider, Search Engine Land, GigaOM, InformationWeek Weblog and BloggingStocks
Bill Ray / The Register:
700MHz attracts Paul Allen — Chunk of spectrum latest must-have accessory for the super-rich? — The FCC has revealed the list of bidders interested in owning a little 700MHz, a spectrum due for release in January next year with the switch off of analogue TV.
Discussion:
TechCrunch, Electronista, Epicenter, IP Democracy, Reuters, WebProNews, Digital Daily, Gearlog and Phone Scoop
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Mike Masnick / Techdirt:
Forget Google, Watch Out For Chevron In The 700 MHz Auction — Everybody's been buzzing about the likelihood of Google bidding on the 700 MHz spectrum that's up for auction in a few weeks, that's allowed a few other interesting characters to get in on the auction below the radar.
Ryan Paul / Ars Technica:
First look: Firefox 3 beta 2 officially released — Mozilla has announced the official release of Firefox 3 beta 2, the tenth major developer milestone in the Firefox 3 development timeline. The new beta, which is available for download from Mozilla's web site, includes interface improvements and a lot of extra polish.
Discussion:
Tom Raftery's Social Media
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Beltzner / Mozilla Developer News:
Firefox 3 Beta 2 now available for download — Please note: We do not recommend that anyone other than developers and testers download the Firefox 3 Beta 2 milestone release. It is intended for testing purposes only. — Firefox 3 Beta 2 is now available for download.
Sara Rimer / New York Times:
At 71, Physics Professor Is a Web Star — CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Walter H. G. Lewin, 71, a physics professor, has long had a cult following at M.I.T. And he has now emerged as an international Internet guru, thanks to the global classroom the institute created to spread knowledge through cyberspace.
David Kaplan / paidContent.org:
Microsoft Signs Online Ad, Content Deal With Viacom; Value Of Agreement Pegged At $500 Million — Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) has signed a five-year deal with Viacom (NYSE: VIA) covering on ad serving, content distribution, event promotions and games. The agreement marks the software company's latest effort …
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Forbes:
The Web Celeb 25 — Things change fast on the internet —and fame is no exception. Nearly half of the online celebrities identified in the inaugural edition of the Forbes.com Web Celeb 25 failed to place on the list in this second edition. Among the casualties: YouTube star LonelyGirl15 …
Wall Street Journal:
MTV Taps Bruckheimer to Craft Videogames — MTV is bringing some star power to its videogame business. — Jerry Bruckheimer, the producer behind blockbusters including “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” will expand his entertainment footprint with a deal to create original videogames with MTV.
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Michal Lev-Ram / Business and financial news:
Pricey battle over tomorrow's cellphones — Half the world doesn't even own a mobile phone but wireless carriers are already fighting over the next-generation cellular network. — Consumers may care less about whether they'll be using WiMAX, LTE or UMB to download video to their phones or browse the Web faster than ever before.
