The most popular online RSS reader (depending on what stats you believe) just got better. Google has announced that Google Reader now has search. The search box is located directly above the reading panel to the right of the Google Reader logo. Users can search all subscribed feeds or search by category/ tag. Google Readers biggest competitor Bloglines recently released a completely new version that has been getting positive coverage; adding search to Google Reader (a feature Bloglines has had since May 2006) shines the spotlight back in Google’s direction. It may be completely unrelated, but at the time of writing anyway Google Reader is experiencing difficulties with showing read/ unread items in the reading panel, showing all items as unread since roughly the same time search went live. The sidebar list of tags though is working fine. → Read More
http://progressive.playstream.com/playstream/progressive/flashplayers/FLVPlayer.swf As many have been saying — lots of selection, no clear winner. This is probably a calculated move on Apple’s part but they’re really zeroing in on some sort of sweet spot device, which could be the Touch if the iPhone hadn’t stolen its thunder. I just pulled the trigger on an 8GB iPhone, BTW, so I’m a sucker too. → Read More
Online self publishing company Lulu has filed suit against the NBC/ News Corp joint venture Hulu for trademark infringement, unfair and deceptive trade practices and for federal cyberpiracy. Lulu alleges that Hulu have intentionally attempted to create confusion in the marketplace in that the name Hulu represents a definitive encroachment on Lulu’s name. Lulu also claims Hulu’s trademark filing of August 22 identifies various products and services, many of which are related to, and even identical to, the services that Lulu provides under its Lulu marks. Lulu CEO Bob Young said in a statement that the legal action was about defending Lulu’s brand; for everyone else it’s yet another part of the ongoing trainwreck soap opera that Clown Co (Hulu) has been since pretty much day one. The ultimate irony of course is that Hulu, which translates to cease and desist in Swahili, may never get off the ground due to someone taking the meaning of the name seriously. → Read More
http://progressive.playstream.com/playstream/progressive/flashplayers/FLVPlayer.swf → Read More
Something HP launched. It might be a phone or it might be some kind of shaver. Ummm…. yeah so HP launched some stuff. Like the Blackbird 002. And like some other stuff like a phone with in iPod wheel and like some laptops… what’s that? iPod Touch. Yeah. Not now. Ummm… so it has a touchscreen? Wow. Ummm… some laptops and the Blackbird which is like a $2500 gaming PC. And… what? Vortex? No, I don’t need another nano, thanks. Umm… video? Oh wow. Video. Guys… there’s a gallery after the jump. I have to take this call. → Read More
The ability to download songs via iTunes directly to your iPod is something that’s long overdue. It’s also the one feature, among many, that really sets the iPod waaaaay out in front of the competition. Sure, devices like Sandisk’s Sansa Connect and the MusicGremlin have had a similar feature for some time now, but the iTunes + iPod connection will likely make previous efforts look downright clunky (or clunkier). → Read More
More on the Starbucks-Apple deal, straight from whoever writes Apple’s press releases. Most of the info hastily typed during Sir Jobs’ keynote is spot-on: Users with an iPod or iPod Touch will be able to walk into participating Starbucks—New York and Seattle Starbucks bat first starting in October followed by San Francisco ones in November (other cities will get their chance as the months go by)—and wirelessly log onto the iTunes Music Store. You’ll pay no T-Mobile fee to log onto the store. Once there, you’d use the store just like you do on your Mac or PC, complete with free previews of every song in the store. → Read More
So… new iPod… pretty cool, pretty cool. Except, despite what the fanboys will tell you, it ain’t perfect. Nope. Far from it. What do I mean? Yeah, what do I mean? John? Anyone? → Read More
MOSH is basically Nokia’s user-generated content for mobile devices — by registering, you can upload and get free ringtones, videos, images, applications and games for pretty much any device (not just Nokia’s). Check it out. In order to hammer home the point that any phone is welcome, Nokia’s taking out cheeky Google search ads targeting the recent iPhone price drop. Sorry, early adopters. → Read More
It’s just two weeks until TechCrunch40 kicks off on September 17 in San Francisco. Last week we announced that we’ve doubled the number of presenting companies from 20 to 40. And today we’ve announced the two keynote sessions to be held at the conference, in addition to the 40 new products (see our partner Jason Calacanis’ blog post about this here). The first keynote session, “Humble Beginnings,” features Sequoia Capital partner Michael Moritz interviewing three legendary founders – Marc Andreessen (Netscape, Opsware, Ning), David Filo (Yahoo) and Chad Hurley (YouTube) about the early days of their startups – when money was scarce, users were few and far between and most of the quality coding was done in a garage or other low-rent office space. The second keynote session is a talk I’ll be having with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Facebook is the hottest startup on the planet right now and has gone through significant strategic evolution this year. I’ll have 45 minutes to talk with Mark about the early days of Facebook, their recent growth and transition to a platform, as well as the future of the company. The full agenda for the two day event is here. The event is quickly selling out, although we made a couple of hundred more seats available two weeks ago by removing some tables and otherwise rearranging things to accommodate more people. A list of some of the financial and press attendees is here. Register for TechCrunch40 here. → Read More
Everyone was wrong! The Beatles catalog is not coming to iTunes like we all expected. So what was the special announcement from Sir Paul McCartney all about? → Read More
Oh noes. I know the sweet new deals on the iPhone have you frothing, but hold off a bit longer. The ISF team has released this announcement regarding the software unlock they were supposed to start shipping on Monday. Hmm. Is this really going to happen? Did Apple’s rabid pack of lawyers shut ‘em down? → Read More
The market, she’s a fickle mistress. I’ve been holding out for quite some time for a new music player because nothing’s turned my head in the last couple of years but I can tell you unequivocally that I’ll be buying the new iPod without hesitation. Apparently, Wall Street doesn’t have the same feeling that I do — Apple’s stock has been declining since the minute Steve took the stage. I know, it doesn’t make sense to me either. I’m sure we’ll hear why over the coming days (probably has something to do with all the price cuts) but for now, here’s a pretty graph. AAPL: 138.10 -6.06 (-4.20%) – Apple Inc. [Yahoo! Finance] → Read More
Hey, pal, wanna buy an iPhone? $299, and it’s yours. No really, totally legit. No, it didn’t fall off a truck, who do you think I am? Apple’s just unloading what’s left of the now-defunct 4GB models for $299. It’s a pretty sweet way to get in on the iPhone hype for not a lot of dough. Sure, you’ve gotta sign up for that 2-year AT&T plan, but do you know how laid you’ll get showing off your iPhone? Totally. Oh, you need the 8GB model? No problem, man. We’ve got you there, too. It’ll run you another $50, and it’s a refurb, but that’s ok, right? I’m sure it’s fine, and it has the same warranty as a brand new one. No scratches. And I’ll give you free shipping. $299 4GB iPhone [Apple Special Deals] → Read More
Pretty self explanatory. Product Page → Read More
OMFG. I’m so upset right now. I just scampered on over to the Soho Apple Store to pick up a Touch and/or Nano, but none were in sight. Dude at the store tells me they’ll, “probably be in on Friday”. Ugh. → Read More
So the iPhone is now $399. That’s awesome, as that’s the perfect pricepoint for the device. But you feel foolish. You just bought an iPhone! Well fret not, early adopter, as many of you will be getting a refund. → Read More
No words can describe the joy I feel right now. → Read More
http://progressive.playstream.com/playstream/progressive/flashplayers/FLVPlayer.swf And so to train myself to remember that the “touch” part of iPod touch is lowercase. Fun times ahead. Anyhoo, here’s the guided video tour of Apple’s newest, coolest doodad. iPod touch – Guided Tour [Apple.com] → Read More
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