Best Damn Tech Show, Period.

Redlasso.com (Jim McCusker), Rachel. Schmidt, Drdrew

Best Damn News Headlines
Answering question from last week as to 4th most popular search engine….AOL
Google extends lead over competition last month growing to 61.6 percent, up from 59.8 percent in March seemingly proving unstoppable. Also proving that even a merger between Yahoo and Microsoft would not be enough to topple the giant.

Larry Page made the trip to Washington to appeal to the powers-that-be for access to the unused TV whitespace in an attempt to blanket the whole country with free wifi. He also talked up a possible Yahoo-Google deal citing a near monopoly in communications if Microsoft and Yahoo were to bed together.

Microsoft launches cash for search service that pays users a rebate for buying products they found through the company’s Windows Live search engine. Gates claims that MS will partner with more than 700 retailers including eBay Inc, Barnes & Noble, Sears and Home Depot.

The One Laptop per Child program is planning to resume its BOGOF program where users can purchase the laptop and donate one to a third world child. They announced plans for the 2nd gen, dubbed XO that should be closer to the $100 goal. They also announced a partnership with Microsoft to offer their operating system for cheap (but not cheap enough at this stage as they still have to work out the licensing agreement.) They also have a new domain at www.laptop.org

Schmidt faced
http://badvista.fsf.org/blog/don-t-give-microsoft-the-remote-control
Microsoft plays a little too nice with the FCC.

Iris on the Virus
http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/05/22/vulnerabilities-in-ical-pose-potential-security-risk

Tech Tips

Around the World Wide Web
Europe is planning a ‘big brother’ campaign in a bid to counter terrorism. Their plan includes the creation of a digital vault which will contain information on every email, internet visit and phone call. This central repository will be made available to Home Office officials.

Tech this out
- This one straight from the “Oh my God, this is the biggest news ever!” files. Facebook is planning a redesign. They’re talking about tabs folks. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=509854&id=21073243776#pid=509854
- Napster launched its new mp3 store touting some 6 million unprotected tracks not without its bugs though
- HP launches a green initiative for printers…the HP DeskJet D2545 Printer is made almost entirely out of recycled plastic.
- Mahaolo are opening up to everyone. The editors will be monitoring but anyone can edit content.
- Speilberg has entered the gaming arena with Boom Blox. Teaming up with EA, it has been described as “This is a wacky, addictive puzzle game with precious little story and surprisingly bland characters”

Drewmors

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