Top Items:

What's up with those ads? — As I did previously, I'm posting this on behalf of my colleague David Webster. — Since my last post here as a guest blogger a few weeks back was to give you some context on the Mojave Experiment, I figured I should do the same for the other little campaign we're running on TV right now.
Discussion:
Between the Lines, Technologizer, BetaNews, Windows Vista Weblog, Business Technology, Digital Daily, Reel Pop and VentureBeat
RELATED:


Bill Gates/Jerry Seinfeld Commercial #2: I Remain Confused — I'm starting to feel bad for Microsoft PR, who've been tasked with defending these Microsoft ads featuring Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld. I just didn't connect with the first ad, which barely mentioned Microsoft and didn't do much to tell …

We've been Googled! — Disclaimer: The contents in this post may pertain to the author's personal interests. — They say “All good things come in threes” - well, the year 2008 was the living proof of that phrase for me. Firstly, Sara and I had our first baby son, Issac, who is our biggest blessing.
Discussion:
GigaOM, Epicenter, Portfolio, p2pnet, InformationWeek, WebProNews, Open Gardens, AppScout, PC World, The Next Web, The Blog Herald and Profy
RELATED:


Yahoo Open: Finally, a real answer to Google — SUNNYVALE, Calif.—On Friday, 300 programmers will descend upon Sunnyvale, Calif., to plant the seeds of what Yahoo hopes will be an answer to Google's Internet might. — The event is called Open Hack Day 2008, and at it the coders …
RELATED:


Yahoo Details Plans To Open Up Web Sites
Discussion:
SitePoint Blogs, Between the Lines, The Open Road, Mashable!, Practical Blogging, Guardian and OStatic blogs


MySpace sets music free — Coming soon to MySpace pages everywhere: Kid Rock, free. Christina Aguilera, free. T.I., free. Just about any music out there, free. (With ads, of course.) — (Fortune Magazine) — Myspace founders Chris DeWolfe and Tom Anderson have had an uneasy relationship with the music industry.
RELATED:


First look: iPhone OS loses beta feel with 2.1 update — We're back after updating to iPhone OS 2.1, and we're happy to report that the install process went well. Really well, actually. Now that we've had some time to play with the new features and fixes, we have some hands-on info and screenshots for you.
RELATED:


Apple Estimates Trimmed By AmTech: Shift Toward Cheaper Macs (AAPL) — Not even Apple (AAPL) is immune to a downturn: AmTech's Shaw Wu says he's cutting his September quarter, December quarter, and 2009 revenue and EPS estimates, for three main reasons: — People buying cheaper Macs …
RELATED:

Analyst trims Apple estimates, says Air seeing decreased demand — American Technology Research trimmed its estimates for Mac maker Apple Inc. on Friday, saying that while the company's near term prospects look fine, future quarters may be met by muted demand, particularly for higher-end products like the MacBook Air.
Discussion:
Macsimum News

iTunes 8: If Windows Vista displays a blue screen error message when connecting iPhone or iPod — Symptoms — After installing iTunes 8 for Windows, some users may see a blue screen error message when connecting iPhone or iPod to a Windows Vista computer.
Discussion:
CNET News, ReadWriteWeb, The iPhone Blog, BetaNews, Homotron.net, Gizmodo, AppleInsider, Technology Live, Mobility Site, webmonkey and AppScout
RELATED:


Apple rolls back problem driver in new iTunes 8 update — Apple has responded quickly to reports that its initial release of iTunes 8 caused STOP errors (AKA the Blue Screen of Death) on some Windows machines. — The issue is documented in support article TS2280, “iTunes 8 …


End Runs Around Vista — The operating system is turning off users, so HP and others are trying to capitalize on its weakness — The ecosystem that Microsoft (MSFT) has built up around its Windows operating system is showing signs of strain. In one of several recent moves by partners …


Google Adds Location To Mobile Web Search — Last November, Google introduced its My Location feature in Google Maps for Mobile. It uses cell tower IDs to triangulate the location of the phone and then identifies that location on the Google Maps interface.
Discussion:
Epicenter, eWeek, Search Engine Watch, Crave, Computerworld Blogs blogs, WebProNews, wmpoweruser.com and MarketingVOX

AMAZON HIRES AD EXEC FROM M'SOFT — Amazon has tapped a senior Microsoft exec to head its national ad sales in a sign that the company is ramping up its online ad business. — Lisa Utzschneider, who worked at Microsoft for 10 years, will become senior vice president of national ad sales for Amazon …
Discussion:
paidContent.org, Epicenter, Tech Tracks, Valleywag, Silicon Alley Insider, ClickZ and The Inquisitr

Pew: 69 Percent of Americans Use Cloud Apps — Most Americans don't yet understand cloud computing, but are using cloud-based online applications, according to a new survey from the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Sixty nine percent of online Americans use cloud computing in some form …

So That's Who Uses AOL — In honor of a redesign of AOL's home page, we asked Bits readers earlier this week “Who Uses AOL and Why?” So far, we've heard from more than 380 of you. — The sheer range of opinions about AOL, built up over a complex two-decade history …
Discussion:
Valleywag