Four Alternatives to Google Video. No, Not Including YouTube.

Why didn't we appreciate Google Video and its free unlimited storage facility more when it was around?
On Sunday Google announced that it was shutting down Google Video, the video sharing site that was effectively replaced by YouTube when Google acquired it in 2006.
Unlike YouTube, Google Video didn't restrict your file size or number of uploads. Sure it stopped accepting videos in 2007, but it did remain as a valuable storage facility for 2.8 million (unofficially) videos, many of which featured long academic talks.

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Yale Mail Moving to Gmail

Starting next September, Yale students will access their University mail using new Gmail accounts.
Provost Peter Salovey approved a proposal last week to run the University’s email through Google Apps for Education — a software suite that includes Google Mail, Calendar, Docs, Talk and Sites applications. Despite previous security concerns, Chuck Powell, associate chief information officer for Information Technology Services, said ITS has negotiated a contract with Google that addresses those concerns. He said he hopes to begin migrating student accounts from the current Horde email service to the Google platform Sept. 15, followed by faculty and staff accounts.

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Can A BlackBerry Tablet With No Email Impress Wall Street Professionals?

Wall Street executives who like the iPad but are addicted to their BlackBerry now have a solution: RIM's new PlayBook tablet, which launched last Tuesday. But will it strike a chord with CrackBerries?
Well, according to initial reports of empty stores, it's off to a slow start. Or at least it's failed to whip up a similar frenzy to the iPad (or any new Apple product, for that matter.)

But analysts in this CNBC video think the PlayBook could be a sleeper hit, since it is targeted at enterprises and professionals who love their BlackBerries (and that's a lot of them) .

For those who think that Apple is the only company that can stir up any kind of passionate emotion from its users, think again: www.crackberry.com is a site dedicated to BlackBerry users and abusers featuring news coverage, how to guides, forums and BlackBerry software, themes and accessories. So will BlackBerry lovers flock to the PlayBook? After all, Wall Street professionals - particularly institutional investors, retail traders and financial advisors - have already embraced the iPad. Firms like Morgan Stanley, TD Ameritrade and Barclays Capital are just some of the big firms that have recently launched popular apps for the Apple device.

Well, the RIM tablet only works with WiFi, unlike the iPad which also works on cellular networks. That's actually a plus: it means users can get online using the BlackBerry's cellular connection. You don't have to pay an extra $15 or $20 a month for a tethering plan, as you do with the iPhone or Android.

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Uh, Oh: Epsilon Email Breach Exposed Medical Info

The Epsilon data breach just got more serious — or at least, more embarrassing. When the database hack that compromised the subscriber lists of over 100 companies was first revealed, Epsilon said that only names and email addresses were exposed — meaning all the millions of people affected had to fear was a lot of spam and possibly some targeted phishing attacks. But now there’s a drug company on the Epsilon breach list; its client list included the drug websites to which its customers subscribed — and thus implies which medical  conditions they may suffer from.
The Wall Street Journal reports that GlaxoSmithKline sent a letter to consumers over the weekend who had “registered with Glaxo Web sites for some prescription and nonprescription drugs and products,” warning them that their email addresses and names had been hacked, and that the stolen information “may have identified the product website on which you registered.”
Glaxo has websites for products ranging from HIV, bipolar disorder, and depression medication to Nicorette gum. And if you’re a Beano registrant, some hacker out there may be having a gas at your expense.

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Paying Taxes for Online Purchases?

You probably don't want to pay sales tax for online purchase, but you should. There's no strong argument that Internet commerce should receive more favorable tax treatment than shopping at a store in person. A post I wrote earlier this week argued this point. It posed the question: why aren't states doing more to pursue collecting sales tax from online retailers? In fact, some are.

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Beats by Dre -- Review

You like beats?

You like Dr. Dre?

Then check out this review for Beats by Dre!

The good: The Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones offer a stylish and comfortable design as well as exceptionally crisp audio response. Sound quality is mostly balanced, with warm mids and thumping bass. Included are a nice carrying case and a music-phone-compatible cable.
The bad: The Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones cannot be used without batteries. Glossy black design is very smudge-prone, and a few songs sound harsh. Right earcup rattles while you walk.
The bottom line: The unique and stylish Monster Beats by Dr. Dre headphones offer solid audio, useful accessories, and a look that's anything but copycat. For fashion-forward folks with cash to spare, they're a great option.

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Giant futuristic batteries to power 2,000 households

Renewable energy like solar and wind may help to save the planet, but a key challenge is storing the power they generate for dark or low-wind periods.
One approach for large-scale energy storage systems are redox flow batteries, which are basically large tanks with flowing electrolytes.
Researchers from several Fraunhofer Institutes are working jointly to develop these scalable fluid batteries with a goal of one day building a handball-court-sized battery installation with a capacity of 20 MWh – enough energy to provide power to roughly 2,000 households through a long winter’s night or an overcast day.
They still have a long way to go. Currently, they have a working demo based on a 2-kW plant that is on display at the Hannover Messe conference this week. A 20-kW plant is scheduled to go into operation at the end of next year and the researchers hope to cross the megawatt threshold in roughly five years.

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Toyota Teams Up With Microsoft on In-Car Tech

Ready for a talking car?

TORRANCE, Calif. -- One of the world's largest technology companies just linked up with one of the world's biggest car makers.
Toyota announced Wednesday a $12 million partnership with Microsoft aimed at building out the Japanese auto makers’ in-car technology.
The initial investment was a pittance compared to the overall size of the vehicle “infotainment” market, but it was “an important step in developing” the burgeoning technology, according to Toyota President Akio Toyoda.

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Facebook to Buy Mobile App Developer Snaptu

Facebook has agreed to buy Snaptu, an application developer for mobile devices that are less sophisticated than smartphones, as the world's largest Internet social network focuses on expanding its mobile services.

Facebook will pay up to $70 million for the London-based Snaptu, according to the Israeli newspapers Calcalist and The Marker.

Snaptu confirmed the deal, which is expected to close in a few weeks, on its website on Sunday.

Facebook spokesman Jonny Thaw declined to comment on the deal's terms, but said in an email, "As part of Facebook, Snaptu's team and technology will enable us to deliver an even better mobile experience."

The site has been increasingly focusing on building up its mobile phone services for its 500-million-plus member online social network, and is in the market for more deals. Last week, Facebook said it had hired a member of Google Inc's corporate development team to lead its fledgling merger and acquisition efforts.

Snaptu, founded in 2007, develops applications for feature phones, which have fewer capabilities than smartphones. The company helped develop a feature phone Facebook app earlier this year.