Motorola Bootloader Policy
Motorola has recently come under fire regarding their bootloader policy. Motorola’s devices are developed so that the bootloader is locked. This means you can’t root them. So, even though they make some of the best and most popular Android handsets on the market, many Android fans steer clear. When one of these Android users expressed their displeasure in a comment about the situation, a Motorola employee fired back:
if you want to do? custom roms, then buy elsewhere, we’ll continue with our strategy that is working thanks.
Harsh words, but it looks like this employee was a bit hasty. Motorola later added a note to their Facebook page distancing themselves from this comment. They say they are actually “working closely” with their partners to offer a solution which will allow developers to use their devices as a development platform without compromising their users’ interests. We’ll see how that works out.
via Phandroid
Blog Beef: TechCrunch vs. Engadget
I’m assuming Michael Arrington is bored because he was going in on Engadget earlier this week. It makes sense that the two sites might go at it every once in a while as they both cover the same niche and are good at what they do. They are the top two breaking news tech sites around. More recently, TechCrunch was acquired by AOL, which means the sites are now sisters…or brothers…whatever. In any case, Arrington decided to poke a little fun at Engadget for buying ads on Google. Later, Arrington posted another tirade detailing the blog fight rules of engagement. In that post, Arrington made some claims against Engadget editor in chief Joshua Topolsky, who then responded in his own post. Arrington basically said Joshua attempted to tank the TechCrunch+AOL deal.
At the end of the day, this is like Lil Wayne and Drake falling out and having a fist fight instead of going at it on the mic. Nobody wants to see tech blogs beefing, we want to see tech blogs talking about tech. If we wanted to see drama, we’d watch Basketball Wives. To their credit, Engadget has posted no responses on Engadget.com.
Netflix Wants to Kill DVDs
A post by Jamie Odell, director of product management at Netflix, on the Netflix blog seems to indicate that Netflix is trying to move away from DVDs.
We’re removing the “Add to DVD Queue” option from streaming devices. We’re doing this so we can concentrate on offering you the titles that are available to watch instantly.
He goes on to say that providing the option to add to your DVD queue “complicates the instant watching experience and ties up resources that are better used to improve the overall streaming functionality.” Last I checked, an interface element like an Add to DVD Queue button has nothing to do with the ability to stream video. It’s like removing the record button from your DVR to improve video quality. The reason may actually be that Netflix wants to put more focus on their streaming video efforts, and less on mailing DVDs. This would also explain the price bump on existing plans to make room for a cheaper streaming-only plan.
via Netflix
Starbucks Launches Mobile Payment Network
Even if you don’t like coffee, this is a big step for mobile payments. We’ve heard of NFC possibly becoming the future of mobile payments, allowing you to pay or check-in by tapping your phone on a special surface, but Starbucks has launched something much simpler.
To use the system, Starbucks cardholders load an application onto their iPhone or BlackBerry smartphones. The application displays a barcode that’s scanned at the register to pay for drinks. Users can also manage Starbucks accounts and find nearby stores with the application.
It’s simple in that there is no special hardware required, just your standard every day smartphone. The app has also appeared for Android as well. Starbucks is now claiming to be operating the largest mobile payment program in the country, which should have other companies looking into mobile payments. Good news for those of us tired of carrying and swiping hunks of plastic, which is so 2010.
via Seattle Times