America

Spotify Signs On EMI for U.S. Launch. At Least One More to Go…

Peter Kafka in Media on February 17, 2011 at 11:52 am PT

It’s getting closer: Spotify has finalized a U.S. distribution deal with EMI Music. That won’t get Spotify to America–at a minimum, it’ll need Universal Music Group on board as well–but it’s a step in the right direction. Now, about those Apple subscription fees…

Obama Wants a Wireless Broadband Network for Everyone

Arik Hesseldahl in Enterprise on January 26, 2011 at 8:00 am PT

Technology references were numerous in the president’s speech to Congress last night. His call for for a national wireless broadband network will reignite a long-simmering debate over spectrum allocation, pitting TV broadcasters against the FCC.

Verizon Wireless Touts 4G Network, Shows Off Devices

Ina Fried in Mobile on January 6, 2011 at 1:03 pm PT

Verizon showed off 10 devices coming in the first half of the year and said it will cover another 140 cities with the high-speed network by year’s end.

Blip.TV Raises $10 Million for More Web Video You (Probably) Won’t See on Hulu

Peter Kafka in Media on May 19, 2010 at 5:00 am PT

It’s no YouTube, but Blip.TV is turning five, too. That’s impressive enough for any Web video outfit, but CEO Mike Hudack also has a good story to tell: He’s figuring out how to make money from the clips small-time producers make–and how to get the producers enough money to make more clips. Repeat.

Conan O’Brien’s Angry YouTube Rant

Peter Kafka in Media on May 17, 2010 at 5:00 am PT

YouTube’s videos are now generating two billion views a day. Here are Conan O’Brien’s favorites, plus his views on YouTube: A time-sink that doesn’t make anyone any money, just like the rest of the Web. Angry!

Bill Gates on the iPad: Hey, Apple, You’re Doing It Wrong

John Paczkowski in Mobile on February 10, 2010 at 4:29 pm PT

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has long been an evangelist for tablet PCs, but he’s not impressed by Apple’s new variation on the device, the iPad. In an interview with BNET, Gate–who evidently finds the iPad neither magical nor revolutionary–diplomatically dismissed it.

Departing Sun Co-Founder to Employees: “Kick Butt and Have Fun!”

John Paczkowski in News on January 26, 2010 at 3:10 pm PT

With European Commission approval of its $7.4 billion buyout by Oracle in hand, Sun’s leadership is saying its goodbyes. Last week, we heard from Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz, who–as I reported yesterday–will soon resign his position. Today, it’s Sun co-founder Scott McNealy who is bidding farewell. Sources close to the company tell me that he too will leave Sun following the close of Oracle’s $7.4 billion buyout. His all-hands memo to employees after the jump.

[UPDATED]AT&T, the iPhone and New York City’s Newly Discovered Fraud Epidemic: What Doesn’t Add Up?

Peter Kafka in Media on December 27, 2009 at 8:22 pm PT

Live in New York City? Want to buy an iPhone? Don’t try ordering one from AT&T’s Web site: The wireless carrier, at least for now, won’t sell New Yorkers a new phone online, citing “increased fraudulent activity.” Huh?

EU Hearing on Oracle-Sun Set for Dec. 10

John Paczkowski in News on November 25, 2009 at 12:16 pm PT

Come early December, Oracle will meet with European Commission regulators to urge their approval of its merger with Sun Microsystems. “Two people with knowledge of the matter” tell Reuters that “Oracle has asked for a hearing which has been fixed for Dec. 10.”

Spotify Expands Its Reach, but Still Can’t Get to the U.S.

Peter Kafka in Media on November 23, 2009 at 5:36 am PT

Another expansion for Spotify, the much hyped European streaming music service: It’s now going to be available on Nokia phones and other handsets that run the Symbian platform. That’s good, because the service is supposed to work best as a mobile play. But Spotify has yet to make a key expansion: To the U.S., where the big music labels worry that consumers will love everything about the site except paying for it.