Today’s Guests: Sebastian Rupley, Co-Crank, Editorial Director, PCMagCast.com Rob Enderle, President, Enderle Group Dan Goodin, Reporter, The Register
The Topics: Is a Wave of Tech Consolidation Looming?CNET Editor-in-Chief Dan Farber is predicting a far-reaching wave of consolidation in tech. He writes that: “sharks–Microsoft, Google, HP, IBM, Cisco, and Oracle–are looking at the landscape to see what fits best into their portfolios at discounted prices. Web startups aren’t immune to the economic circumstances. Whatever the future holds, the threat level has gone from to yellow to red alert, and CEOs are preparing for the worst.” Problems With the Google PhoneThe Open Handset Alliance, a group that includes Google, T-Mobile, HTC, Qualcomm, Motorola and others, is billing Android as the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices. Android is expected to allow handset manufacturers and wireless carriers to customize the platform. Jerry Seinfeld Sacked by MicrosoftMillions of people watched comedian Jerry Seinfeld and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates chatter about practically nothing as part of Microsoft’s $300 million ad campaign. Now those lengthy “teaser ads” are relegated to the YouTube archives and Microsoft is forging ahead with the next phase of its campaign to connect with real people. The next campaign run aims to hit Apple square between the eyes with an “I’m a PC” series that features celebs like green architect Edouard Francois, astronaut Bernard Harris and celebrities such as Eva Longoria. Aerosmith: Who Needs Records When There are Games?Activision says the game Guitar Hero: Aerosmith has earned the band more royalties than any of their albums. “Merchandising, concert sales, their ability to sign a new contract [have] all been unbelievably influenced by their participation in Guitar Hero,” officials said. Are videogames the answer to the music industry’s woes? Is Gigabit Home Networking for Real?The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has organized a committee to develop a standardized home-networking protocol called G.hn (as in “Gigabit home networking.”). The protocol would work with all current networks, from Wi-Fi to Ethernet to power-line. Does this show any promise for home theaters and other home technologies? Will it really happen?