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Kevin Newcomb / ClickZ:
Amazon Hosting Author Blogs — Adding to its user-generated content, Amazon.com has launched a program to allow authors to blog on the Amazon.com site. — The Amazon Connect program, in beta for the past month, aims to increase the engagement between readers and authors, and between readers and Amazon.com.
Discussion:
Things That, michael parekh on IT, a shel of my former self, Guardian Unlimited and Somewhat Frank
Guardian:
Robot car: streets ahead in cities of the future — · Architects and engineers rethink auto technology — · 'Easy to drive, stackable vehicle for people to share' — The MIT Smart Cities research team's car. Image: Franco Vairani/MIT Department of Architecture
David Pogue / New York Times:
10 Greatest Gadget Ideas of the Year — ON New Year's Eve, don't be surprised to witness more heartfelt celebrating than usual; 2005 was not a year noted for its tidings of good cheer, and plenty of people will be happy to see it go. — Still, there were inspiring and gratifying success stories …
Nate Mook / betanews.com:
Preliminary Settlement Filed in Sony Suit — Lawyers in a class action lawsuit filed against Sony BMG, First 4 Internet and SunnComm last month have submitted a preliminary settlement, which calls for Sony to stop manufacturing CDs with XCP and MediaMax DRM, provide replacement discs, and make cash payments to affected customers.
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Wired News:
Hackers Rebel Against Spy Cams — BERLIN — When the Austrian government passed a law this year allowing police to install closed-circuit surveillance cameras in public spaces without a court order, the Austrian civil liberties group Quintessenz vowed to watch the watchers.
Nick Wilson / Performancing.com:
John Battelle Talks to Performancing about FM Publishing — Over the holidays I had a chance to talk to John Battelle of FM Publishing, a new but much discussed blog ad network that's currently in beta. FM has a whole bunch of high profile bloggers working with it already …
Discussion:
John Battelle's Searchblog
Burt Helm / Business Week:
Curling Up With a Good E-Book — Is the iPod of e-readers at hand? Previous models haven't caught the public's fancy, but some major publishers seem to think Sony is about to change that — Can Sony make the iPod of digital books? That's the plan. At the Consumer Electronics Show …
ABCNEWS:
iPod Replaced With Meat — Unsuspecting Mom Gives Son iPod for Christmas — Discovers Mystery Meat Inside — HAWAII, Dec. 29, 2005 — Rachel Cambra couldn't wait to see the look on her 14-year-old son's face when he opened a very special present on Christmas morning.
Discussion:
The Unofficial Apple Weblog
New York Times:
Spy Agency Removes Illegal Tracking Files — By The Associated Press The National Security Agency's Internet site has been placing files on visitors' computers that can track their Web surfing activity despite strict federal rules banning most files of that type.
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Jeremy Reimer / Ars Technica:
Microsoft predicts Xbox 360 to become profitable by July 2006 — Microsoft has taken the bold step of announcing that the Xbox 360 will become profitable by the start of the company's 2007 financial year, which begins in July 2006. While this is an admirable and ambitious target …
Discussion:
Xbox 360 Fanboy
Clint Ecker / Infinite Loop:
Trade your CDs for an iPod — How important are CDs to you? Do you read your liner notes? Do you like to display your CDs in your place of dwelling? A company out of Charleston, South Carolina is offering those of you that have no real attachment to your collection an interesting proposal …
Ken Belson / New York Times:
Offspring in Charge, and Ma Bell Gets a Makeover — NO one will ever fault the new AT&T for not having big ambitions. — AT&T became the country's largest phone company in November when SBC Communications, one of the original seven Baby Bells, bought AT&T, the old Ma Bell.
Discussion:
IP Democracy
Associated Press:
'Ear bud' headphones can cause hearing loss, experts warn — All those ears ringing from newly gifted iPods and MP3 players may not be able to hear next year's Christmas bells as well if music lovers aren't careful, hearing specialists are warning. — "We're seeing the kind of hearing loss …
Discussion:
The Consumerist
Danny Sullivan / Search Engine Watch Blog:
Google Base Switches To Force All Searchers Through Jump Pages — When Google Base first launched, one of my key questions was whether people could click on a entry and go directly to the submitter's web site. Yes, you could. Now, you can't. Instead, you're forced to go through a …
Seattle Times:
"Absolutely terrifying" flight after ground-crew mistake — Alaska Airlines Flight 536 was 20 minutes out of Seattle and heading for Burbank, Calif., Monday afternoon when a thunderous blast rocked the plane. — Passengers gasped for air and grabbed their oxygen masks as the plane dropped …
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