The biggest Internet names are talking about joining forces in an effort to raise awareness for SOPA, the Stop Online Piracy Act. This is a measure your lawmakers are contemplating passing into law while you’re reading this. Supported primarily by large record labels, movie studios and conservatives in Washington, SOPA would essentially allow judges to arbitrarily order any website to block any content it chooses.

Sound scary? It is. In a coordinated effort to raise awareness and convince the confused crew in D.C. to drop the dictatorship-like law from passing some of the Internet’s most influential powerhouses are joining forces. Among those are Google, Facebook, Amazon, Yahoo, eBay and others. They’re calling it the “nuclear” option.

This “nuclear” option may be a temporary inconvenience for many of us, but if it works, it’s worth it.

GoDaddy, on the other hand, originally supported SOPA. This caused an uproar and an attempt at a mass boycott of their domain registration services. There was a significant effort to convince and support GoDaddy customers in moving their domains to other domain registrars. Other services were even giving discounts for doing just that. As a result, GoDaddy has since renounced its public support of SOPA, but we here at ErixClix don’t believe the driving force behind GoDaddy’s politics actually changed their minds on the subject.

Regardless, it’s time to raise awareness of the oppressive, free-speech clobbering, law they are considering and fight it until it’s dropped.

A few days ago Boxee announced two things…1) There will be a new release of Boxee for PC, Mac and Linux coming, and 2) That will be the final release of the Mac, PC and Linux version.

The reasons stated indicate that Boxee believes the future of the Home Theater will become increasingly centered on the Set Top Box and less on Home Theater PCs. This is a non-sensical and simply untrue statement as hardware manufacturers, lawmakers, and most importantly consumers are all heading quite aggressively in the opposite direction of closed media solutions.

More and more Home Theater PCs are flying off the shelves and nearly all Video Card models and manufacturers include HDCP support (allowing you to connect your computer to a TV and play encrypted content…with proper sources).

Further, we already have the laws in place that require cable companies to provide “CableCard” support so you aren’t forced to rent a cable box. CableCards go into HDTV Tuners that connect to your PC. This enables full premium cable, DVR, guide and extra capability because of the computer’s resources and connectivity. In fact, the trend is finally moving so aggressively toward this goal as more companies have released CableCard devices (e.g. ATI, Hauppage and SiliconDust), and even more have been announced.

Ever wonder why your cable box’s user experience is so antiquated? Because the cable companies and the cable set top box manufacturers benefit by giving you the absolute minimum they can get away with and still provide service. Sticking you with a proprietary, closed and expensive solution that just barely gets the job done.

However, with a central PC in your home, you can have central storage and access for video, live cable tv, music, streaming media, updated tv guides and more from anywhere in the home. And, until it becomes outdated and dies, Boxee’s PC software version could have been at the core of your “Media Center of the Future.”

Strangely enough, while Boxee discontinues its PC software, they will simultaneously be releasing a new hardware product for Home Theater PCs, a tuner device for bringing over-the-air, local HD channels to your computer.

So why discontinue the software? Because Boxee not long ago started selling proprietary hardware. You don’t need a Business degree to know that by releasing PC software they are cannibalizing their new hardware sales.

Also, their final PC software release “gesture” will strip out Netflix and other premium playback capabilities. ..they cited “extensive DRM and Certification Requirements.” Interesting these concerns all popped up for the final version of the PC software and for ALL premium apps (Netflix, VUDU, Pandora).

On the surface and underneath this sounds like a classic corporate greed sellout…maybe not even solely by Boxee. It’s too bad as I (and many other upset consumers) would have paid for the Boxee PC software as many others are begging to be able to do. (And I mean FULL Boxee software with all of the Netflix, VUDU and Pandora streaming goodness we’ve had for some time now.)

By the way, a Boxee Box is actually just a Home Theater PC. A closed, proprietary, limited PC. I don’t want one. The trend is to move AWAY from these limited, controlled and closed systems. Anyone that doesn’t see that for the long term is either brain dead or lying to you. Yep.

There are several new reports on the Boxee Forums that the new Mac OS version of Boxee 1.5.0.23267 crashes when the iPhone Boxee Remote App tries to connect to it.

Boxee is no-cost Home Theater PC (HTPC) software that is easy to use and quick to setup. It allows users that have their Mac, Windows or Linux PCs connected to an HDTV to easily navigate music, movies, tv shows and other media using a powerful and intuitive interface with large on-screen controls similar to that of a cable box or other familiar set top box.

Aside from a few tweaks to their simple keyboard interface I highly recommend this solution. And when the iPhone Remote issue is fixed, it’s a dream to use your iPhone to navigate the media on your computer without a mouse or keyboard.

Boxee can be found here: www.boxee.tv

If you have a Boxee box of your own, post your experiences, comments and opinions here. Let us know what you think!

This week Apple announced their highest quarterly earnings in the history of the company. Sounds like a typical Apple success update doesn’t it? The stock probably went up, yet again, right? Actually, no, it didn’t. And for the most ridiculous reason.

It’s one thing to fear Apple’s future on the recent loss of their co-founder Steve Jobs, therefore causing a dip in stock price. It’s one thing to question where the innovation will come from. These can cause valuation decreases in a company’s shares.

However, this rather significant 5% drop is due to something more Wall Street manufactured. AAPL dropped over $20 in one day because Apple’s highest earning quarter was a tad shy of analyst’s precious quarterly projections, and for the first time in history, Apple missed its own guidance, which has historically been rather conservative.

So, does this warrant the fear and abandonment of the stock? Does this slight, but unprecedented miss justify the panic? I don’t think so. A success story like Apple missing their own guidance for the first time, while simultaneously having their best quarter ever is hardly ‘material’ enough for me to run for the exit.

The real issue is that the stock’s devaluation may be justified for other reasons. It’s no secret that Apple’s non-stop success for the past decade was the sole result of the leadership and vision of the late Steve Jobs. And it’s no secret that everyone is wondering where the innovation for the next 10 years will come from.

It’s almost certain that Steve left not only a great corporate culture and legacy, but also a road-map, at least for the near future. A few more significant upgrades to the iPhone (NFC Near-field communication for mobile payment, larger screen, pre-approved form factor changes), iPad (Retina display, additional smaller screen model, lighter, faster), etc, etc. But what happens after that? Who will invent the next super-cool thing that we didn’t know we needed but have to have? Tim Cook? While a very nice guy, and very capable of leading Apple through the existing road-map, is he capable of world changing innovation? Scott Forstall? Phil Schiller? A great team, a world class team. But, I don’t think so.

And it is for that reason, Apple’s monumental rise will, at some point, level out. Hopefully, the legacy, culture and pre-laid plans are enough to get Apple through the next 5 to 10 years safely and securely. At least until the next Walt Disney, Henry Ford or Steve Jobs emerges.

Early early early birds waiting patiently for the 12am start of iPhone 4S pre-orders were faced with a rather frustrating pre-order process using Apple’s web site or the iOS “Apple Store” app. First, the “Come Back Soon” message, which is customary just before the midnight timeline, stuck around quite a bit past midnight. About 45 minutes past. Then rumors on various Mac blogger sites started to come in that pre-orders from the Verizon web site were working since BEFORE midnight. Frustrating the rest of us trying to access through AT&T, Apple or Sprint’s web sites.

Next, accounts started coming in consistently that Sprint’s site was taking orders flawlessly, next AT&T’s site, the same, meanwhile Apple’s sites were still locked down. Finally, when Apple’s services became available, the method I chose, mistakenly, was unbelievably inconsistent. Shopping cart erroring, validation forms erroring, checkout processes erroring. Then, after many reloads, and start overs, it seemed as if I was actually able to complete a pre-order, then the final checkout/payment process timed out after a minute of ‘spinning’ with an error.

After that, I was ready to go straight to my carrier, whose site and order process worked perfectly. I was even able to retain my Unlimited Data Plan for the same price. Initially the shopping cart complained about it. It then forced me to exchange the plan for the 4S Unlimited Data Plan, which was just 2 clicks. After that, my checkout, receipt and confirmation email came through smoothly.

I wonder, 2 hours later, after all the clicking and frustration, would it have been worth waiting in line?

If you have had a similar or different experience tell us in the comments below.

I am very sad to report Apple visionary and co-founder, Steve Jobs has passed away. 2-24-55 – 10-5-2011.

This creative pioneer and inspirational industry trailblazer was suffering from a very rare form of pancreatic cancer and finally succumbed to his illness.

Steve, we will miss you.

Just minutes after the iPhone 4S announcement, the Apple.com web site is reporting “Access Denied.” However, you can go directly to the store, store.apple.com, however, that has a message to come back soon while they’re updating for the new iPhone.

Meanwhile, the new iPhone 4S has some great new enhancements. A largely expected 8 megapixel camera, with more sophisticated features for low light handling and detail. Video shooting up to 1080p. And, the amazing Siri, voice control. Previously, iPhones could take voice commands for playing music and dialing contacts. With Siri, however, it looks like the sky’s the limit. From asking the time, the weather, directions to a nearby fast food establishment, to dictating emails. Siri, looks like a great new technology.

UPDATE! Since we posted this, Apple has restored the home page of their site. Yay.

As recently as last night (Saturday night) I have actually seen those ‘Glee’ commercials for the HP Touchpad. You’d think they could pull these since the product has been discontinued. Then, we see a $99 blowout of the price, but the only confirmed reports I could find for these prices were in Canada. The US, UK and EU hadn’t had these clearance prices yet. (If you have a confirmed $99 purchase in the US please post in the comments!)

After doing some of my own “Googling” in my area, it showed all of the Office Depot locations having this product for $130. So we made an effort to get up early this Sunday morning (9am is early for us on a Sunday) and try to get our own blowout HP Touchpad. Unfortunately, they were sold out. A drive by the nearby Staples confirmed the same thing.

Oh well. Regardless of the phantom $99 Touchpads, we were able to use a demo unit at Office Depot (which they said they weren’t selling because they weren’t “full, normal Touchpads.”) After tapping around, holding it, etc, I can confirm, this thing is slow, bulky and heavier than our iPad 2.

The reason we wanted one is that I am a developer and there’s rumor that Android will be ported to the Touchpad. I figured, for $99, it was worth it.

I guess we have to wait until the next ‘iPad killer’ arrives, or buy one of the many HP Touchpads on eBay for under $250.

Windows users are celebrating the world over now that a few Mac users have fallen victim to one piece of malware “Mac Defender.” Typically, Mac users pride themselves on escaping viruses, and malicious computer attacks, through obscurity, through security and the robust BSD *nix-based operating system.

I suppose they (Windows users) have cause for celebration, there are now only 249,999 viruses and malware separating the Mac / Windows security gap.

By the way, Apple has acknowledged a quick fix to this security breach which still must be triggered by clicks and logins to fake web sites.

There is either a blatant inconsistency in eBay’s Final Value Fee policy or an intentional loophole for the online auction site to squeeze even more gratuitous fees out of its customers.

Last month I listed an item for sale on eBay, a buyer placed a bid on the item, after several days, the buyer never paid. The buyer also wasn’t responding to contacts or re-sent invoices so I used eBay’s support system to open a “case” associated directly with the item. Unpaid items are so common with the eBay experience there’s a ready-to-click Open “Unpaid item” Case button, how convenient. So, I opened one.

After several weeks of no response, from either eBay’s support team or the buyer, suddenly there was some action taken on the item in question taken by eBay. But it wasn’t an update on the case, eBay actually charged me their “Final Value Fee” on the UNPAID item! The Final Value Fee is what eBay charges the seller once an item has sold and is the largest of eBay’s seller fees. (See eBay Policy) How can they do this? I haven’t received payment from the buyer on this “sold” item, and the eBay system knows this as it says “Awaiting Payment For 1 Item” yet they still assess this fee?

eBay even knows there was a case open for this item related to non-payment. I haven’t made a penny yet, and now I am under water on an item I haven’t been paid for yet. Thanks eBay!

And this is where the ‘loophole’ lies; I was charged a “Final Value Fee” on an item that hasn’t yet been paid for! It looks like I am fee-Bay’s latest victim. But before making assumptions, let’s read the policy on this matter…

Looking at eBay’s “Final Value Fee” policies. As of the writing of this article, under “What’s a final value fee?” it clearly states “When your item sells, your seller account is charged a final value fee.” That’s a simple statement, but if the buyer hasn’t paid yet is the item still considered sold?

As I continue reading I find eBay actually does clear up the policy with this fee but with a seemingly contradictory statement; A few paragraphs below under “How can I get a credit or refund for the final value fee?” the policy states “This fee applies whether or not you complete the sale with the buyer.” What?! Didn’t they just say a few paragraphs before that the fee is charged when the item sells? And here it says “whether or not” it sells!? I’m quite sure that most retail businesses don’t consider an item sold until it is paid for. But eBay says “whether or not” you complete the sale so not only does it contradict the first statement, it says we’re charged their highest seller fee regardless of a completed sale!

These two statements, shown clearly on the policy page, don’t make sense, at least not for eBay sellers. This is either an oversight in the policy department or a blatant, intentional hole to charge additional fees on even unpaid for items. If eBay sellers were shown this policy in large print BEFORE listing an item that they would be charged eBay’s highest seller fee whether or not their items sell, most of them would run away screaming!

The Final Value Fee is the largest single fee eBay charges its sellers. Amazing how many ‘fee oversights’ policy departments of major corporations have these days, and it’s even more amazing how many are actually in favor of the corporations themselves.

UPDATE – A poll taken on Squidoo.com asking eBay auctioners if they’d move their auctions to a Google-run Auction site received renewed votes with overwhelming results…Take a look here!

eBay announced this morning changes to their fee structure that, after getting past the sugar coating, is just another fee increase for sellers, cutting even deeper into their profits.

The popular auction website has been known for some time now as being an ‘expensive place to sell your goods.’ And with this newly announced policy, they may be pushing their most dedicated sellers out the door once and for all.

To support their members with the new fee change that goes into effect April 19th, eBay launched a special 2-day discussion board for any questions their members may have about the new policy. Link here.

However, instead of questions, the members posted mostly rants and expressions of anger and frustration to the tune of not being able to profit enough, and ‘I’m leaving eBay!’ it is true that within 2 hours the discussion board had nearly 1000 posts, 99% of them complaints directly to the eBay staff that was there to answer questions.

Has eBay finally hammered the last nail into it’s own coffin? How can they be so out of touch with their own customers? I thought the days of the Meg Whitman ‘Fee-for-all’ were over. And, finally, most importantly, where is Google with a fast, friendly, and profitable alternative?

Apple has long been known as a ‘premium products for a premium price’ electronics maker. Along with others such as Bose, Lutron, and more, the quality and customer satisfaction for all of these brands is well established. Another quality these labels share is they are not known for exceptional giveaways, deep discounts or super savings package deals.

So, that being said, why does Apple give “Free Engraving” with the purchase of iPods and now their famed tablet, the iPad?Knowing how business savvy this company is how can this free service, which many customers would likely pay for, be worth giving away? Many “giveaways” are used to incent someone to make a larger purchase. But when someone makes the decision to buy an iPod, iPhone or iPad, there are no real competiors for these products as they are at a premium and the customer has already decided to go with a unique product and experience so the decision to purchase has already been made hasn’t it? So why add this free service?

It’s relatively simple…it hinders you from being able to resell the device later. If you add a message “For Sue on her 16th Birthday” it will make the item very personal (for you, not someone on Craigslist looking for a bright, shiny, gently used iPod). So when the new model comes out, you will likely hang on to the old one and still make the new purchase. And it devalues the device for the buyer as it’s not desirable to own an iPod and every time you use it see “Love Always, Tom.” Who’s Tom?

So, essentially, Apple is helping you “deface” your little Christmas gift, in the name of sentimentality, only to lower its resale-ability thus keeping the market demand up for more new products. In the long run, it’s worth every penny. Of course, the used iPods and iPads that are sold and transferred still have a secondary potential revenue stream through the iTunes store, app and music purchases, etc.

Don’t get me wrong, taking advantage of a free engraving to send someone special a birthday message, or a message of love is a great thing. It will also guarantee the item is not “re-gifted.”

During Apple’s press conference on July 16th about the iPhone 4′s exposed antenna weakness, Steve Jobs offered all iPhone 4 customers a free case to remedy the problem. During the conference he expressed that there would be a way to place orders for the case “by the end of next week.” Which was last Friday. I received an email requesting that I download the iPhone 4 case app to place my order…

After going online to view the details of all the case options available, some from Belkin and other 3rd party manufacturers. The ordering process only took a minute. It was quick and simple. So far all seemed fair and good. Then, as I completed the order, the ship date on the product appears on the screen nearly 5 weeks into the future. This didn’t sit well with me but Apple had expired their inventories. I wanted a free case but I didn’t want to have to worry about my shiny, brand new iPhone 4 getting scratched up. I had already ordered and received a Zagg invisibleShield screen protector, now I just need the Apple Bumper case to completely protect the device. Needless to say, I’m a little anxious to get my new baby fully covered and waiting over a month will not be easy.

Then, yesterday happens, I receive an email from Apple Shipping Notification telling me my black iPhone 4 bumper has shipped and will be here within a week! Yay! Not sure how many people out there also received a happy notification like this about their cases, I also would like to know if the 3rd party cases offered are shipping now as well.

Anyway, thank you Apple, and thank you Steve Jobs for doing the right thing.

UPDATE! 2010-07-28 – It’s arrived! EVEN EARLIER!

Guess what showed up in the mail today? Estimated delivery date showed Aug. 3rd, but here it is, almost a week early! Thanks Apple. Unfortunately my Griffin iPod USB cable doesn’t plug in all the way when the bumper is on, eeks. Otherwise, I’m completely covered now

Apple iPhone 4 bumper

Big headline! “Tropical Depression Races Toward BP’s Leaky Well.” How does the reporter that wrote that article know this? Are they a meteorologist? Do they have some weather prediction skills the rest of us don’t know about? No and no. Actually, after I read that one and researched a couple other sources meteorologists don’t quite know yet if it’s headed in that direction. The author wasn’t predicting the weather, they were attracting eyeballs to their article. Why? I think a couple of reasons, not the least of which is because they value their job. The more people that read or click on that article the more money their news reporting agency makes, therefore meaning more job security. So where’s the harm in that?

Well, in America, these news reporting agencies (and you know which ones to which I am referring) are the most visible, reprinted and republished. The vast majority of Americans get their news from these kinds of sources, not just on TV but online as well. So the harm is rather significant since the information is misrepresented, you’ve now misinformed hundreds of thousands, if not millions of readers. When the true objective of News Media is actually to inform…not entertain.

Another example that’s made headlines lately is the Apple “Antennagate” issue with the new iPhone 4. After about 3 weeks Apple held a press conference (which you can view on Apple’s web site here) explaining to detail the cause of the signal problem with the iPhone. Then they proceeded to demonstrate the exact same issue with other popular phones from the RIM Blackberry to Samsung to an Android phone. Steve Jobs, who led the conference, after showing how common a problem this is, continued to make a strong point of how the media has blown this issue out of proportion. Now, this accusation is not flattering to the media, even though it is newsworthy, now do you think it was reported? Do you think the media would report news about themselves…no matter how newsworthy the story actually is? No. The media reported ONLY the parts of the conference that backed up their own original claims. Article after article, news organization after news organization reported about 1/10th of the conference’s information to protect its own image. Virtually nothing about the tests with the other popular phones, virtually nothing about how they themselves may have blown this issue up. The result of this hypocrisy? The news hungry public, as usual, is only partially informed. Ok, so we have SOME information…where’s the harm in that?

Having only some of the facts associated with a news making story can be dangerous. There’s a bright shining example of that making headlines in the last day or two. The African American, former USDA employee, Shirley Sherrod. She was fired from her job recently due to a ‘selectively edited’ video of a speech she gave not long ago appeared as if she was intentionally not assisting a white farmer. The Obama administration reacted to this report and fired the woman. However, after further investigation, watching the original video, uncut, they see they took these remarks out of context and now our President is begging for her to come back to her job with a huge apology.

So what can we do about this? How can we become more informed? Unfortunately, there’s no clear answer. Just try to get your news from multiple sources. Try to get your news from organizations other than the “big ones.” There are many smaller news reporting agencies all over our country that are non-profit and therefore have no monetary gain from reporting sensationalism and over-hyped headlines.

Now don’t get me wrong, the storm that’s not even in the Gulf of Mexico yet (as of the writing of this article) may hit “BP’s leaky well” dead on. But at this point, that’s uncertain. So, with all of the sensationalism, fear tactics and profit-mindedness the news media maintains the only problem I see with the media seems to be the media.

Not so fast Google! Why are you trying to secretly discontinue one of your mobile phone ventures? Yes, the once purported “iPhone Killer” has itself died. Or at least put out of its misery by it’s creator. Google is discontinuing it’s Nexus One smart phone, the latest death, in what I believe will be a series of tragic, albeit, silent deaths of the many smartphones that just can’t hack it in the mobile jungle. Many will try, many will fail.

So why is Google trying to keep this one under wraps? Mostly because of one thing…they don’t want to stoke the successful fires of the iPhone. While Apple recently released the iPhone 4 to sell 3 million devices in as many weeks, breaking all records, RIM is seeing their market share shrink by the day. Google has seen some success with Android, although it was also just discovered that a recent estimate of Apps in Google’s App Store was over exaggerated. That kind of shady news as well as the discontinuation of the Nexus One can’t feel good to the search giant.

Although Android phones are quite functional, reports from the field indicate the customer satisfaction is quite a bit lower than that of iPhone users. Even with this latest iPhone 4 antenna debacle, Apple and AT&T are seeing HALF the return rate with the iPhone 4 as with the previous generation iPhone 3GS which had no purported antenna problem.

So, it’s no secret why Google must try and keep this secret. Goodbye Nexus One…thank you for trying.

Apple held their long anticipated (2 days) iPhone 4 “antenna problem” conference just moments ago. Opening the conference with a video poking fun at the media for over-hyping the whole thing to begin with. Wait, the media over-hyping something!? NOOOooooo!!! As Steve Jobs emerges to present this morning, he indicates that this will be a brief 15 minute announcement.

With a history of world class customer service, and lately, unprecedented transparency and communication from CEO Steve Jobs on every issue from no Flash support on their mobile devices to this antenna issue. We’ve seen open letters and open emails on every subject. This conference is the latest in what seems to be an emerging culture of openness.

The conference started out by showing how gripping almost any mobile, wireless device in the “wrong way” can cause signal loss. The first example being quite dramatic as they show a RIM Blackberry Bold 9700 dropping from 5 bars down to 1 bar when gripped the wrong way. Other popular smartphone platforms and manufacturers were mentioned, Android, Samsung, etc etc.

Jobs goes on by showing and explaining how the way antenna signals work, that all of these phones, any wireless device, will have this bad grip problem. It’s the laws of physics. Wait! You mean Apple hasn’t innovated enough to the point of defying the laws of physics!?!? I want my money back! He then explains how the iPhone 4 also went through shielded room tests etc.

Support issues…if this is such a big deal, as the media likes to portray, then out of the 3 million devices sold since it’s launch, there must be a ridiculous number of support calls about this problem. Actually, Steve reveals, that only .55% of all iPhone 4 owners have called about this problem. A little over half of one percent. While that’s probably higher than it should be, this is not the epidemic the media and class-action legal teams would have you believe.

Return rates…Wow, the previous generation iPhone 3GS averaged a 6% return rate with AT&T stores. Jobs indicates that this is below industry average. However, with the iPhone 4 and all of its supposed ‘issues’ the return rate is at a mere 1.7%. What’s going on here?

Jobs then goes on to reveal that the iPhone 4 actually does drop calls slightly more than the 3GS, however, it’s only 1 call per 100 more than the 3GS which is an ever so slim difference. He then theorizes, that because the previous generation iPhone 3GS is the same shape as its predecessor the 3G, that people could continue to use their old cases or even go to the store to buy one of many available cases for the existing shape. The case, thus shielding the 3GS from a percentage of dropped calls. Many iPhone 4′s are still ‘naked’ due to the fact that the case manufacturers are still getting the cases out to the retailers with the new form factor products…interesting theory.

And to help us all test his theory, Steve is putting his money where his mouth is and buying everyone a free bumper who buys their iPhone 4 up until September 30th. You’ll be able to apply for the free case late next week at the Apple Store online.

Well, I think this was yet another good communication from Apple. Another successful exercise at openness and transparency. All of the information given was logical and now the media must move on to another topic…oil spill? Haiti? War? Yeah, those are definitely bigger than cell phone reception stories. What do you think?

Adobe has published a full page ad in the latest chapter in the ongoing Apple, Adobe, Flash saga. The ad’s headline reads “We Love Apple” with a giant heart representing the word “Love.”

The ad goes on to say what Adobe DOES NOT Love about Apple.

Now, I’m not going to write an extensive piece on Tech Titan Passive-aggressivism. This is simply meant to be an extension of the original article Apple, Adobe…The New Tech War?.

Many are trying to paint Apple as an evil corporate tech giant trying to control the world and its content. However, all of Apple’s developer tools for the devices in question (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch) are free of charge. Anyone can develop HTML 5 (Apple’s replacement for Flash video on these devices) for free. No licensing, no paid developer tools, no plugins. Adobe is the one who loses money if Flash finally dies its overdue death. Adobe is the Desktop Publishing industry’s Microsoft.

I’ve downgraded my Adobe “rating” from “I like them” to “I accept them.”

Steve, thank you for protecting the integrity of your products and the unparalleled user experience of your products. Keep up the good work!

Since the release of Apple’s iPad, and with it Apple’s ongoing commitment to HTML5 and open standards for video,there have been tech industry pot shots going back and forth between Adobe and Apple virtually everyday about Apple’s decision to discontinue support for Adobe’s Flash technology. Now, with an open letter written by Steve Jobs made public the other day, it seems these pot shots have now become all out war.

Today, Adobe returned fire with a response slamming Jobs’ claims that Flash is unstable, insecure and hinders performance. Jobs further decried Flash as an outdated, closed technology that is not suited for mobile devices with touch screen interfaces. On the surface, these claims seem like in your face insults to Adobe and this technology platform that has been well established since the late 90′s.

The Facts
The truth is, Steve Jobs is right. From industry developers, consultants and techies across the web and around the world. Flash is not only dead, it has had its hey day and simply never caught on as it was intended to.
Since the late 90′s me and my tech buddies were dreaming of a day when all web sites would be 100% Flash based. HTML was dead (we thought) and today, there’s some amount of Flash on what seems like nearly every web site we visit, but those sites are still primarily HTML and Javascript based. Flash became the de-facto standard for showing cross platform, cross browser video on a web page.
So what’s the problem with Flash? Why hasn’t it truly taken over the world? Why has CNN, Wall Street Journal and many many other sites removed Flash based video from their web presences?

Because Steve Jobs is correct. Flash is difficult. The development tools, originally created by Macromedia (later acquired by Adobe in April of 2005) are cumbersome, unfriendly and non-standard to web developers. Flash, as a technology platform is CLOSED, you must rely on Adobe (a corporate monolith, slow to adapt) to update its tools, close security holes and support new hardware platforms. To view Flash on the web you must also install a 3rd party plugin for your web browser. If the plugin does not exist, you cannot view the content. This has been a confusing issue for users over the years.
Flash, as Steve Jobs implies, is an outdated technology, and Adobe with their “return fire” is trying to paint Apple as a controlling tech entity blocking out others’ technology for their own greed and corporate interests. In reality, all of the claims that Jobs made in his open letter are true and accurate, from a technical as well as user experience perspective. Apple simply wants to move forward away from closed standards and a technology that was needed in its day but has long since been deemed outdated.
So what do we do? What replaces Flash…especially video?
As I’ve read recently in a headline, it really was HTML5 that killed Flash, not Apple. HTML5 is cross browser, cross platform and requires no special plugins. It runs natively to a web browser, runs on existing iPhones, Blackberries, iPads and other smartphones and is an OPEN Standard.
So, Adobe, let it go. Let’s move forward. Flash is dead.

Advance warning…this is a bit of a rant (but an accurate, informative one!)

In typical Microsoft fashion, their CES 2010 Keynote Address was sleepy, boring and just plain uninspiring.  These were the comments coming out of the industry not long after it was over.  In a new year where we are all looking for a new beginning, Microsoft has the stage and chooses to put us to sleep.

I’m not sure if they’ll ever get it.  I don’t really care anymore.  It simply isn’t in their DNA.  Trying to beat Apple to the punch with a tablet won’t work either.  Apple’s is better.  It’s always better.  Their success proves it.  With a PC market that’s grown non-stop in the last 10 years, Microsoft’s market share has remained stagnant.

They are a company that touts innovation, ease-of-use and inspiration.  I think it’s because their products actually have none of those qualities, so reinforce it in marketing to get you associating the words/brand.  Meanwhile, Apple doesn’t use those words in their marketing, yet they have all of them, built right in.

Their most popular product Microsoft Office’s most commonly used components a Word Processor and a Spreadsheet were also not invented by Microsoft.

Honestly, I’m tired of people trying to “pump up” potential Microsoft technology like their tablet before it’s even seen.  Haven’t you already learned that they don’t possess the ability to truly excite people?  The Zune, a bomb if there ever was one.  Windows CE, stagnant, unimproved piece of garbage for years.  Or are you prematurely excited about a guaranteed flop because Micro$oft pays you so much in advertising pay off dollars?

Why would ABC News report the headline that George Bush pardoned Microsoft from receiving the punitive action the Supreme Court prescribed after finding out they abused their monopoly in 2000/2001? This is news, but don’t report it if you still want M$ to pay millions to advertise on your network.

After doing extensive research, it seems everything they have that is or was remotely successful was either stolen or illegally obtained through abuse of the market (see education lawsuits from 1999, 2000 and US Supreme court, abuse of monopoly cases from the same time period, also investigate Red Canyon software and Windows Video incident from the mid 90′s)  These guys are the tech version of the oil companies and always have been.  Microsoft is the clean coal of Tech.  There’s no such thing as “clean coal”…or…”Microsoft Technology.”

Now Microsoft isn’t 100% bad, after all many thousands of people are employed by them, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation donates millions to the best charities.  So I guess it’s ok they were found guilty overcharging schools for their Windows product in a market manipulation scam.  What you never heard about this?  Oh and don’t forget the hundreds of millions the European Union fined Microsoft for the same improprieties they were found guilty of in the US.  It’s just George Bush wasn’t president of the EU at the time so he couldn’t excuse them from that punishment.

They were even 30 minutes late starting the keynote.

So on every news station and every tech blog and web site, the airwaves and the web pages are buzzing with speculation about Google’s Nexus Smartphone.  The video I keep seeing shows a touchscreen smartphone with a 3D spinning galaxy in the background.  Woooooooo how nifty!

Ummm…can you explain something to me?  How does that spinning 3D galaxy help me make a better phone call or organize my contacts more efficiently?

Regardless, I’m not commenting too much on this, but I wanted to get this out the night before the big announcement.  These smartphone names and gimmicks are just that, and honestly, it’s a little hokey.

My favorite smartphone’s name isn’t so fantastical or intergalactic…it’s called the iPhone.  It’s easy, it’s affordable, it’s even fun to use, and there are no spinning galaxies in the background.

Every phone that’s come out since the iPhone was released 3 years ago was dubbed “the iPhone killer” and so far, none have even come close.  The Palm Pre even gained traction in the media/hype arena, but where is it now?  I don’t know a soul who has one.  The Droid?  I do know some people that have that one…I think 3.  But I’ve actually even heard consistent COMPLAINTS about it.

Now, on the more practical front, Google’s smartphone idea is good…an open phone, open to development and, if you’re willing to shell out the unsubsidized price, free from a contract. I don’t like that Apple & AT&T have this monopoly on my iPhone experience. I had a smartphone 4 years ago, yes a year before the first iPhone, that I could tether to my laptop for wireless Internet.  Here we are 4 years later, and AT&T still doesn’t allow it with the iPhone.  Yet I pay $30/month for an unlimited data plan.

Regardless, the Google Nexus won’t kill the iPhone either…the name is too fancy.  The spinning galaxy simply isn’t practical and they’re releasing it on the T-mobile network, one of the worst for coverage and accessibility.

So, here we go again, more launch hype, probably more talk of “I think this could be the real iPhone Killer this time” and more good reviews, but I bet in the next 3 years (the time the iPhone has been out) the Nexus doesn’t make a dent in the 30 million iPhones out there.

Finally, with rumors that the iPhone will be available on Verizon’s network possibly this year, that’s it.  The other phones have no chance.  Apple will lock up “the rest” of the market.  I love Google, their products, services, corporate culture, and social policies, they’re innovative and they have the right idea.  I hope they’re successful with this 2nd phone technology release.  I just don’t think the iPhone’s dead yet!