Adobe-Macromedia vs Microsoft in Web App Dev

While my first thought when I heard about the Adobe-Macromedia merger was about Dreamweaver, the reality is that Flash has more to do with it. And, it's not really about us "creative professionals" who are the primary market for the obvious Adobe and Macromedia products. Rather, this merger is all about the enterprise market. That's where the big money is for software companies; and on that mission critical battlefield, Macromedia will help Adobe wage war against the evil empire, Microsoft. Silicon.com explains it well.

Video Activists Defeat Prosecution of Most Republican Convention Protesters

Yes, there IS power in the video camera and the way that today's technologies make that video power more accessible.

The New York Times reported that of the 1,670 people arrested during the street protests that were organized around last summer's Republican National Convention in NYC, 91 percent have ended with either charges dropped or a verdict of not guilty. In particular, the Times said: "A sprawling body of visual evidence, made possible by inexpensive, lightweight cameras in the hands of private citizens, volunteer observers and the police themselves, has shifted the debate over precisely what happened on the streets during the week of the convention."

Read more on WorldChanging.com or at the New York Times

New iPod Photo as Digital Camera Backup

Apple has significantly reduced the price of the iPod Photo and that event combined with an accessory that enables a direct connection between digital cameras and iPod Photos has a Washington Post reviewer explaining why this device has become more attractive to digital camera enthusiasts. Read the review.

Google Maps' Satellite View: Even Better!

I forgot to mention (because I missed it originally), that Google Maps also has a satellite view with the same zoom and drag/pan functionalities as the map view. In fact, you can toggle directly between the map view and the satellite view. Awesome! http://maps.google.com

Forget MapQuest: Google Maps Rules!

If you're like me, MapQuest is useful, but clumsy. Navigating around those maps, clicking up and down is such a pain. Finally, there's a better solution. A much better solution. And wouldn't you know it comes from the "ease of use" folks at Google... another "beta" program. But the zoom and dragging is state-of-the-art, and you can just enter a location name and boom, you have the relevant map with complete zoom in and zoom out all the way down to fine detailed street maps. Oh yes, and driving directions too. More more intuitive and natural using local search. I guess you get the idea that I like it. Try Google Maps for yourself.

Voice over IP Phones Expanding Rapidly

Very few people realize how huge VoIP (voice over IP a.k.a. the Internet) is becoming. The quality is now totally viable. The costs are significantly less than from the traditional phone companies. All you need is a high speed Internet connection and some moxie. Soon you'll easily be able to do this wirelessly as well. Personally, I haven't made the move to VoIP, but when I do I'll probably use Vonage. Meanwhile, perhaps this AOL announcement will open more eyes as to how significant this technology is becoming.

Google to Support Video Blogging

Here's one of many stories about this on the web today: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/2298.html OR you can test their "beta" video search engine for yourself: http://video.google.com/

Podcasting is, like, SO "last week"! Meet PSPCasting

Could the Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) be the next iPod? Maybe. In any case, it's already being used for a new kind of video broadcasting that is built on the inspiration of podcasting (see earlier posts in this blog). The facilitating technology is a new PSP-compatible video format called PSP Video 9 and the new phenom is illuminated in this article, Meet PSPCasting (Podcasts? So Last Week) from ClickZ Network.

Steve Jobs Joins Ikea (happy april fools!)

Stranger things have happened than a guy with no furniture heading up a consumer furniture design and manufacturing company, right? Hey, if he can make the iPod a smashing success, why not dining room sets? Enjoy, and Get the gag at the UK's The Register