Buzz Out Loud 1389: Steve says Comcast/NBCU will be ok (podcast)

On today's show, we've got a new meme, new details about the Comcast/NBCU merger, and new comments from Apple dismissing Android tablets as both 'bizarre' and 'vapor.' Ok, guys, whatever you say. Verizon offers $200 off iPhone 4 upgrades, in case that takes the sting out a little, and we discuss the rise of universal app stores, consumer confusion over 4G, and sharks in the streets of Australia. It's a wide-ranging show, folks. --Molly

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EPISODE 1389

NEWS

Nintendo 3DS hits shelves March 27 for $249

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2011/01/nintendo-3ds-hits-shelves-march-27-for-249.ars

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20028802-1.html

Comcast will retain NBC stake in Hulu, but is stripped of control

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/01/comcast-will-retain-nbcs-stake-in-hulu-but-is-stripped-of-control.html

Justice Department approves Comcast/NBCU merger, with asterisks

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/18/AR2011011806440.html

Apple’s bright view outshines Jobs’ plight

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70G2Y320110119

Tim Cook dismisses Android tablets as “bizarre,” “vapor”

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/01/18/apples_tim_cook_dismisses_android_ipad_competitors_as_bizarre_vapor.html

AD BREAK

Recent Verizon phone buyers get $200 toward iPhone 4 upgrade

http://www.bgr.com/2011/01/18/recent-verizon-phone-buyers-get-200-toward-iphone-4-upgrade/

iOS 4 has 90% adoption rate; Gingerbread has 0.4%

http://www.pcworld.com/article/216952/bump_ios_4_has_90_adoption_rate_android_23_only_4.html

Samsung: we are not charging carriers for Android updates

http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=7346

Coming rises of all in one app stores

http://www.zdnetasia.com/analyst-get-ready-for-all-in-one-app-stores-62205538.htm

Nielsen probes consumer confusion over 4G

http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/4g-phones-are-here-but-are-u-s-consumers-ready/

Survey erodes stereotype of the internet loner in their own little virtual world

http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/The-Social-Side-of-the-Internet/Summary.aspx

Quick Hits

Starbucks launches mobile payment system

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/technologybrierdudleysblog/2013970537_post_18.html

Notion Ink Adam shipping?

http://notionink.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/delayed/

Google launches 4th Doodle for Google scholarship contest

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2375961,00.asp

Gadgets

World’s first full HDR video system unveiled

http://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/01/18/2133229/Worlds-First-Full-HDR-Video-System-Unveiled

Happy Ending

Playboy on iPad

http://www.slashgear.com/entire-playboy-back-catalog-coming-to-ipad-19127171/

VOICEMAIL

Kyle: Facebook phone

Jim: Facebook is at cross-purposes with itself!

EMAILS

Buzz Crew (sans Tong),

After listening to yesterdays episode, I was trying to think of a historical situation similar to the NBC-Comcast merger, as Cooley said it was unprecedented. I just finished reading Tim Wu’s book Master Switch, so an example came readily to mind, the movie industry from the 30s onward. All the major studios controlled all aspects of film, from writing, to production and owned the only theaters that could show the films. This seems to me to be remarkably similar in its implications. What can we look forward to as a result? If nothing else, the ability for groups outside government oversight to exert censorship over media, a la the Motion Picture Production Code. Luckily the FCC is putting in regulation to ensure that other networks will have access to NBC-Universal content at reasonable prices. That’s a relief, although I can think of no examples of giant multi-billion dollar conglomerates using their money to influence policy, this is going to be awesome for consumers!!!!!

Rich in Lovely Cleveland

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Barring some miracle on Thursday, the Buzz Out Loud Brian (BOLB) Appearance Streak will end at 50 shows. A Brian has appeared in an official BOL episode since 10/29/10.

Here a list detailing the streak…

I was hoping that this streak would surpass the Ripken IronMan Streak, but sadly this will not be the case unless there is another Brian in CNET that can talk about tech for a couple mins on episode 1390

but congrats to Tong and Cooley for a job well done

Rich

PS… as I was about to finish typing this e-mail there’s probably a BOLM (Molly) streak or BOLT (Tom) streak that is a lot longer that the BOLB of 50… so maybe this streak is not so special and I’m probably the only person who tracked this

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Au-5u4n3i4_mdFNWa1kyeW85NXJaQ09CbndtdkZ6WlE&hl=en&authkey=CN_g5d4D

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http://bol.cnet.com, 800-616-2638 (CNET), buzz@cnet.com