Adobe Makes P2P Flash Video Available to Developers [NewTeeVee]
Adobe has released to developers a version of their Flash 10 product that uses an implementation of peer-to-peer to stream video. Is P2P the future of video sharing sites like YouTube, which uses Flash to embed videos in its site? No, Flash 10's P2P is designed for video streaming applications in which a P2P connection is more efficient than a server connection. Think videoconferencing or multi-player online gaming.
While the technology is P2P, Adobe's announcement tries to steer clear of some of P2P's negative connotations due to P2P's widespread use for illegal file sharing. Adobe calls the new technology "client-to-client streaming," and says "Flash player 10 will not enable swarming, multi-cast or broadcast quality live video." Regardless of what it's called, the new technology enables the possibility of web embedded videoconferencing applications that run faster with better quality video.
Malware is becoming a real threat to Facebook users, and the newest threat is called Koobface. If a Facebook friend's account becomes infected with Koobface, that friend messages all the people who are friends with a message that contains a link which, when clicked, installs Koobface on a user's computer. Koobface relies on users trusting messages from their Facebook friends to transmit itself. Once installed, Koobface goes looking for things like credit card numbers that it can steal. It's very bad news, and means that there's a need for you to become very vigilant about the messages you receive from your Facebook friends. If you're unsure about a message - even if you trust the sender - don't open it or click on links.
The NFL broadcast last night's game between the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders in 3D. EngadgetHD has one review of the technology, which makes the 3D broadcast sound pretty cool, even though the game wasn't all that great. More 3D broadcasts of sporting events are in the pipeline. FoxSports plans to broadcast the BCS National Championship in 3D on January 8th in select theaters and at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Track price drops with ShoppingNotes.com [CNET News]
CNET profiles a neat tool for those looking for holiday gift bargains online. If you've got your eye on a specific product online, ShoppingNotes.com allows a user to track price drops with email alerts. Just provide the product URL that you'd like to track to the site and when the price drops, you'll automatically be emailed with the new price. Sounds like a good thing for those of you shopping for a new HDTV, with prices dropping sharply each week.
Adobe's first priority should be that multi-platform version of Flash that works for mobile phones. Modern SmartPhones are capable of HTML, images, JavaScript, and most other stuff, but there is still not a Flash client out there. Stuff like YouTube videos won't work without some sort of special app. (YouTube has their mobile site, but it only spits out crappy 100x100 videos.)
Posted by: sineswiper | Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 09:25 AM