All Blog Posts from Tech Talk

To begin, a disclosure: I do not, nor have I ever, owned any Apple stock. I do, however, own a few Apple products like an iPhone, a Shuffle, and Apple TV. But then it's hard to find someone who doesn't own an iSomething these days. I write all this to preface my comments about Steve Jobs' mysterious health problems. Just what is the truth about his situation?

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The announcement hit the tech world today like a ton of iPhones: Steve Jobs will not be appearing at MacWorld 2009 in early January and Apple is pulling out of future MacWorlds going forward. Everyone has an opinion on what this means and why it's happening. Theories range from the Apple company line (non-Apple trade shows are no longer necessary or relevant), to Jobs being unwilling to front a relatively newsless event, to a sign of the economic downturn, to a slow transition of power within the company to someone like Apple VP Phil Schiller, to (of course) the rumors about Jobs' health. Whatever the real reason(s) it's clearly a changing of the landscape. MacWorld has historically been THE place to witness Apple's big announcements and the most visible platform for its iconic CEO. It certainly leaves one scratching one's head. I'll try to post more thoughts on this tomorrow but in the meantime I'm curious to read people's comments.

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If video games serve as your entertainment distraction from the current political campaign then you might do a double take the next time you're playing certain titles via Microsoft's Xbox Live service. Digital billboards featuring Democratic presidental candidate Barack Obama are being featured in a number of games from Electronic Arts ranging from "Burnout Paradise" to "Madden '09."

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A healthy contingent from CBS and (our corporate colleague) CNET attended today's T-Mobile press conference where the G1 was unveiled for the first time. Corporate executives from handset maker HTC, Google, and T-Mobile were onhand, as well as a "surprise" visit from Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. So what's the deal? Read on!

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Quick posting today -- wanted to mention that CBS (and our corporate colleague CNET) will be on hand at tomorrow morning's T-Mobile press conference when it unveils the new HTC smartphone that runs Google's open source operating system called Android. Who cares about a phone operating system? Well, Google is trying to re-shape the cell phone market by letting you install applications on your device that you choose much like your computer. Think of it as a buffet versus a six-course meal. It's an idea that Apple is pursuing with its iTunes "Apps" store, but Google claims to offer more flexibility. However, Google will have to compete with the likes of Windows Mobile and Nokia's Symbian. So will Android be an iPhone or smartphone "killer"?

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From fear over black holes to creating your own universe. From seeing back in time to the "blue screen of death." It's been quite a week. Curious?

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It got off to a blockbuster opening, but software and network glitches have plagued the iPhone 3G in the past six weeks since its launch. Now, before all the Apple fans flip out, there's certainly no way to measure the exact extent or scope of the reported problems. But the blogs and news sites continue to be abuzz about dropped calls, a slower network, and connectivity issues among other things. And anecdotally I've heard from several people who are frustrated by its less-than stellar performance, especially since the 3G network is such a key selling point. AT&T has simply encouraged people to download the latest Apple software updates, and because the problems seem to be occurring worldwide analysts aren't pointing the finger at AT&T so much as Apple.

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Our energy sources, they are a changin'. With apologies to Bob Dylan, it's absolutely true. Alternative ideas abound from solar to biomass to nuclear to wind and more. But which is best for the environment AND the most practical? Earlier this week, the CBS Evening News featured a story about solar options, Katie Couric did an interview with tycoon T. Boone Pickens about his porposed wind "farm," and tonight on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric I'll have a story about some of the hidden complications and promises with wind power. We traveled to the town of Sweetwater, TX, and even climbed up inside a massive wind turbine to see firsthand what's happening in that state -- now the country's biggest user/generator of wind energy. I hope you'll tune in.

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What a week! Between iPhone 3G in San Francisco and the Webby Awards here in New York there was a lot going on. (By the way, Stephen Colbert's five-word acceptance speech managed to be both funny and reflect the current narcissism often associated with the Web and social networking: "Me, me, me, me, me.")

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Daniel Sieberg blogs live from Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, June 9, 2008.

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