michael

MP3tunes: iTunes will benefit if we win copyright case

Michael Robertson, a well-known technology entrepreneur, has tweaked the music industry for years. But in his latest copyright fight with EMI Music, the founder of MP3tunes.com could be betting all the marbles.

"EMI is suing me personally," Robertson said today. "My personal assets are on the line."

EMI, the smallest of the four top record companies, accused Robertson and MP3tunes.com of copyright infringement three years ago. Robertson filed for summary judgment on Friday, and that means the case is nearing an end. The judge still needs to hear from EMI and then allow both … Read more

Google the vote

Links from Tuesday's episode of Loaded:

Google launches search tools to help Americans vote

Sophos unveils free antivirus software for Mac users

T-Mobile announces a $10 Android phone

Hotmail now works with other e-mail accounts, even Gmail

Google blurs images of homes and faces in Germany on Street View maps

Ubisoft's Michael Jackson Experience game will come with a free sparkly glove if you preorder the Wii version

Martha Stewart launches an iPad app to help you make the best holiday cookies on the block

Wii gamers get sparkly glove with new Jacko title

Those looking forward to the Michael Jackson Experience, raise your hand. Now put a rhinestone-bedazzled glove on it.

Ubisoft says it's giving those who preorder the game--it launches for the Wii, PSP, and DS on November 23 and other platforms later--a holiday gift. Yep, it's a glove just like the one Jacko was famous for wearing the night he introduced the world to the Moonwalk.

It's a free extra for those who preorder the Wii version only, and the company isn't raising the cost of the Wii version to make up for it. The price will … Read more

NBA 2K11: The one and only (this year)

Looking for a basketball game this season? The choice is simple: NBA2K11. EA has pushed its contender, NBA Elite, to 2011, so your only option for any action this fall comes courtesy of 2K Sports. Though that might make those who like choice a little apprehensive, the good news is that 2K11 has pulled out some extra surprises to turn what was already a really strong game into a classic overall package.

Adding Michael Jordan on the cover seemed like a publicity stunt at first, but the extra challenge modes and authentically re-created vintage playoff games help add something timeless to a game that's destined to be replaced next year. Maybe the idea's pretty smart: collector's features could make certain editions of sports titles worth keeping.

Jeff: 2K Sports has dominated the basketball video game market for years now, so it's no shock that NBA 2K11 is the most realistic basketball game ever made. Though the game's laundry list of tweaks and improvements are all welcome additions, we were floored to see how deeply detailed the game's Michael Jordan mode has been developed.

The amount of painstaking detail that must have gone into crafting the Jordan Challenge mode in NBA 2K11 should not be overlooked. Sure, we've seen sports games opt for a gimmicky add-on before, but the Michael Jordan features in 2K11 are anything but.

Just getting his Royal Airness to even grace the cover is an achievement in itself, but giving the player the chance to participate in 10 of his most legendary games is something any basketball fan--casual or die hard--can instantly relate to. Not only are 10 of his most iconic games represented with astonishing attention to detail, the opposing teams in which he faced are sized up right down to game-accurate plays. Each of the 10 challenges transports the player back in time--complete with uniforms and fashion styles of that specific era.

Jordan himself has been captured with mind-blowing precision, from his casual mannerisms, shooting technique, even down to his iconic tongue that came out during his spectacular slam dunks. The Jordan Challenge is one of the most substantial side quests we've been presented with in a sports game, and something fans of basketball should not miss.

Scott: As for me, I'm not actually a basketball fan at all. Other than attending a few NBA drafts and watching the Lakers three-peat in the late '90s when I lived in Los Angeles, I've lost touch with who's even playing in the NBA, other than the lineup for the Miami Heat. I've treated sports games as my educational tools. I learned a ton about the NFL through Madden over the years. I'm banking on NBA2K11 to do the same for me and hoops.… Read more

Digital City 99: Social Networks, laptop tans, and dreams of PS3/360 friendships

Can you believe we're only one episode away from No. 100? We can't either, and we discuss our various plans for next week's very special podcast. But, while Dan is away in Texas, it leaves Joey, Scott, and Julie feeling restless in the rainy city.

Scott's finally seen "The Social Network," and he finds it oddly self-contained but very well-made. But, as Julie points out, where are the other movies based on computer pioneers? Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were relegated to a 1999 made-for-TV movie. We wonder what other tech endeavors deserve feature treatment...the Palm Pre story?

Also, we discuss "Toasted Skin Syndrome" and whether we fear hot laptops on our skin; Andy Rooney's latest rant goes off on car gadgets, but we find them useful; Joey wonders why PS3/360 multiplatform games can't play with each other (can't a person dream?); and Scott talks about some recently-released games he's played, including the potential sleeper Enslaved and Nintendo's latest Mii-fest, Wii Party.

See you next week on Episode 100!

… Read more

Report: Dell's 7-inch tablet due in 'next few weeks'

Dell will unveil its second Android tablet in the next few weeks, this one sporting a 7-inch screen. And a 10-inch model could arrive sometime in 2011.

The new tablet's debut was confirmed by Dell Greater China President Amit Midha in a Wall Street Journal interview published today. The news follows CEO Michael Dell's appearance last week at Oracle World in which he teased the audience with a brief glimpse of a 7-inch tablet but was mum on any details.

"It was showed off at Oracle World by Michael last week and we'll be launching very, … Read more

AOL acquires TechCrunch blog network

AOL has added another blog to its stable, snapping up Michael Arrington's TechCrunch for an undisclosed fee today.

Tim Armstrong, AOL's CEO, made the announcement on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2010 along with TechCrunch founder and co-editor Arrington and TechCrunch CEO Heather Harde. They actually signed the deal before the conference audience, although they did not say anything about valuation during a conference focused almost exclusively on start-ups, venture funding, and exit strategies.

TechCrunch will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary and Armstrong promised Arrington that he would have complete editorial freedom over content posted on TechCrunch. AOL operates … Read more

Analyst: Apple grabs huge chunk of phone profits

Apple turns a significantly bigger profit from each smartphone it sells than do handset makers in general, giving the company a huge chunk of the overall market's profits, according to an analyst's assessment.

Apple analyst T. Michael Walkley of investment firm Canaccord Genuity said in a note to investors this week that Apple sees a gross margin of 50 percent and operating margins of around 30 percent on its iPhone. That's within an industry where most handset makers struggle to turn a profit, or reach operating margins of even 10 percent.

As a result, he said, Apple … Read more

Michael Jackson to get his own MMOG in 2011

Earlier this month, Ubisoft announced that the Xbox 360 and PlayStation versions of its game based on the career of Michael Jackson would be delayed until early next year. As it turns out, 2011 will finish with another game based on the so-called "King of Pop"--a massively multiplayer game with entire realms dedicated to each of his albums.

This morning, Los Angeles-based SEE Virtual Worlds announced that it will publish a Michael Jackson-themed MMOG, Planet Michael (PDF), based on the works of the late singer. The company is behind the Entropia engine, which powers the free-to-play MMORPG … Read more