Wireless HD on the horizon; YouTube to make money?; Usage meters and caps

Cutting the HDTV Cable [NYT Gadgetwise Blog]  

Several years ago, the introduction of wi-fi routers allowed broadband users to cut the cord to their portable computers so that users could access broadband anywhere in their home. Now, we may be on the verge for a similar cutting of the cord for HD video signals. Several companies are developing technology that will allow wireless transmission of HD - eliminating the need for a cable running from your set-top box or DVD player to your HDTV. This article profiles one company, SiBeam, which is partnering with HDTV manufacturers Panasonic and Samsung to market a device called HD wireless that promises to beam an HD signal up to 30 feet. The technology promises to be autosensing - meaning you just plug in your devices and the technology makes the connection automatically. 

Wi-fi has given broadband users a lot of additional freedom in the way they use the Internet. This technology promises to create these kinds of freedoms for HD video.

Windows 7 beta in January? [CNET News] 

If you're looking to replace Windows Vista on your PC, word is coming out of Microsoft that the first Windows 7 beta version will be available to select users in January. If you're a software developer and are registered to attend an upcoming Microsoft Developer Network conference, you are going to have the opportunity to get your hands on the beta testing version of Microsoft's newest operating system. The good news for the rest of us eager to upgrade - after the beta testing period works out the bugs, Windows 7 is expected to be released late next year.

YouTube’s Hoffner: Monetization is Coming [Multichannel News]
 

The director of YouTube's content partnerships, Jordan Hoffner, spoke to the OnScreen Media Summit yesterday about YouTube's plans to develop a profit model for the popular video sharing site. Hoffner's answer to the YouTube monetization question? Developing partnerships with programmers and movie studios to offer professionally produced content on YouTube. While millions of web viewers have viewed videos like "Charlie Bit Me," those amateur videos aren't creating a profit for YouTube. Last month, YouTube announced it's first partnership with a movie studio to provide YouTubers access to feature length films on the site.

Comcast To Offer Bandwidth Use Tracker In January [Broadband Reports] 

Recently, Comcast announced a monthly download cap of 250 GB for broadband users. While 250 GB is more than 99% of Comcast's users' downloads in a month's time, Comcast has announced that they will be providing a download meter. Comcast subscribers can input the MAC addresses of each computer on their home network, and the aggregate usage of their broadband is tracked to make sure they don't exceed the download limit.