http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/ A Technology Blog From The Washington Post - (washingtonpost.com) en Copyright 2008 Mon, 02 Apr 2007 11:35:42 -0400 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.36 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss So, there are probably plenty of people excited about the joint Apple-EMI announcement in London this morning -- that Apple's iTunes will begin selling songs that are not burdened with digital-rights management (DRM) restrictions. The DRM-free tracks will cost $1.29. You can still buy EMI tracks with DRM for $.99.... http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/04/no_beatles_on_itunes_yet_1.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/04/no_beatles_on_itunes_yet_1.html Frank Ahrens Mon, 02 Apr 2007 11:35:42 -0400 There's an intriguing announcement this evening out of EMI, one of the Big Four music companies and, more importantly, home of the Beatles catalog. At 8 a.m. Monday, EDT, EMI and Apple Inc. topper Steve Jobs will reveal an "exciting digital offering" at EMI's London headquarters. Could the Beatles finally... http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/04/beatles_to_itunes.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/04/beatles_to_itunes.html Frank Ahrens Sun, 01 Apr 2007 21:04:19 -0400 Two years ago, Verizon began rolling out its fiber-optic service, or FiOS, in the Washington area and across the country. Now, FiOS is launching some original programming. FiOS combines consumers' telephone, television and high-speed Internet services in a "triple-play" competitive counter to cable and satellite television providers and phone companies.... http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/03/fios_to_launch_washington_tv_c.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/03/fios_to_launch_washington_tv_c.html Frank Ahrens Wed, 28 Mar 2007 06:00:41 -0400 It's hard to make net neutrality sexy. Sure, it affects everyone -- will access to the Internet remain free or will companies be allowed to erect toll booths for entry? It's important stuff and the minute that the 'Net no longer is free, and users wonder why their favorite Web... http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/03/rem.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/03/rem.html Frank Ahrens Tue, 27 Mar 2007 06:00:44 -0400 It is a rule of consumer electronics that early adopters pay a higher price for gadgets than latecomers and, in fact, the early adopters probably pay for the lower prices enjoyed by latecomers. Now, apparently, mp3 players are so cheap, companies are giving them away as vehicles for video press... http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/03/disposable_mp3_players_1.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/03/disposable_mp3_players_1.html Frank Ahrens Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:52:19 -0400 Premiere magazine, which for 20 years applied some rigorous journalism to celebrity and entertainment reporting, will stop publishing an ink-on-paper copy and move entirely to the Web and mobile devices, the mag's publisher said this week. Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. , which also publishes Car and Driver, Elle and Shock,... http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/03/premiere_mag_ankles_print_goes.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/03/premiere_mag_ankles_print_goes.html Frank Ahrens Wed, 07 Mar 2007 06:00:00 -0400 Today, Reps. Rich Boucher (D-Va.) and John Dolittle (R-Calif.) introduced what they call the "Freedom and Innovation Revitalizing U.S. Entrepreneurship" (or FAIR USE) Act they say will make it easier for digital media consumers to use the content they buy. The lawmakers seek to amend the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright... http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/digital_fair_use_bill_introduc.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/digital_fair_use_bill_introduc.html Frank Ahrens Tue, 27 Feb 2007 11:40:49 -0400 Over the weekend, I wrote that the Federal Communications Commission is readying to slap Spanish-language media giant Univision with a record $24 million fine for trying to pass off telenovelas as kids' programming. Two things about this: a) Univision's growing reach and potential influence over Spanish-speaking media consumers is unmatched... http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/univision.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/univision.html Frank Ahrens Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:10:26 -0400 JetBlue founder and chief executive David Neeleman has taken his apology directly to consumers on this YouTube video called "Our promise to you." Jet Blue founder David Neeleman The 2 minute 51 second video is an informal mea culpa and a promise to never let the airline's troubles of the... http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/from_jetblue_to_you_youtube_th.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/from_jetblue_to_you_youtube_th.html Frank Ahrens Wed, 21 Feb 2007 11:50:53 -0400 I have subscribed to XM Satellite Radio since December 2001, three months after the service launched. I have written that I am a fan of the service, but have always been skeptical about its survival as a business. Comes now this proposed merger with rival Sirius Satellite Radio. I understand... http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/xmsirius_merger_why.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/xmsirius_merger_why.html Frank Ahrens Tue, 20 Feb 2007 12:34:46 -0400 I'm not a parent but yesterday's discussion on the MySpace vs. parents of the child assaulted by a MySpace predator case brought up some fascinating points from a parenting vs. technology standpoint. One person left this comment on the posting, which I found really got to the nub of the... http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/protecting_kids_on_the_interne.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/protecting_kids_on_the_interne.html Frank Ahrens Fri, 16 Feb 2007 13:37:54 -0400 Yesterday, a Texas judge tossed out a lawsuit against MySpace, the world's biggest social-networking site brought by the family of a 13-year-old girl assaulted by a man who found her through her MySpace page. The man, 19-year-old Pete Solis of Texas, lied about himself on his MySpace page to gain... http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/judge_myspace_guiltless_in_chi.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/judge_myspace_guiltless_in_chi.html Frank Ahrens Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:37:43 -0400 Today in Barcelona, Warner Music Group President Edgar Bronfman Jr. addressed a meeting of mobile operators, tech vendors and content companies about downloading music to your cell phone. Bronfman is an interesting cat. He comes from a long, wealthy line of Canadian liquor moguls. But he got the entertainment bug.... http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/bronfman.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/bronfman.html Frank Ahrens Wed, 14 Feb 2007 12:38:18 -0400 In the world of p.r. and marketing, "astroturfing" is not a new term. It is the practice of creating a fake grassroots movement, or buzz. Companies will hire "influencers" in specific demographics to spread the word about a product or service, hoping to give it some street cred among consumers... http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/crackdown_on_fake_blogs.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/crackdown_on_fake_blogs.html Frank Ahrens Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:54:45 -0400 Wal-Mart launched a beta-version of its video-download service this week, entering a rapidly growing space. By one account, the system leaves a lot to be desired. But beta is beta; that's why it's called that. Kinks get worked out. The real story here is what the presence -- finally --... http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/walmarts_video_download_servic.html http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/walmarts_video_download_servic.html Frank Ahrens Fri, 09 Feb 2007 14:25:57 -0400