Michael's Insight

Amazon explains and apologizes for cloud service outage

Amazon Apologizes For Cloud Disaster [Silicon Alley Insider]

Last week, Amazon experienced a severe outage for its cloud data service resulting in customers, many of which were start-up companies, losing access to their data. 

Now Amazon is explaining what exactly happened to its cloud service that led to the disaster. In a very long and extremely technical response Amazon provided a lot of detail about why the collapse occurred, why it's safe now, and how they're trying to prevent this type of disaster from ever occurring again.

Basically, the collapse was brought about because of the U.S. East region's volumes of the Elastic Block Store (EBS) suddenly became unable to read and write operations that are responsible for distributing, storing, and retrieving data. On April 21st the U.S. East region was scheduled to undergo a network change to upgrade its capacity. During this procedure, traffic is shifted off of one of the redundant routers in the network. This traffic shift was executed improperly and ended up shifting the traffic to a lower capacity network which couldn't handle the traffic it was receiving. This change ended up isolating the primary and secondary networks and several EBS nodes of data within a cluster lost connection. These nodes became "stuck" continuously searching for the necessary storage space. This seemed to have a domino-like effect, impacting a number of databases.

Amazon goes into much greater detail regarding the crash and even greater detail on its efforts to fix the problem and prevent future, similar crashes. Amazon is looking into its network changes and auditing the situation to prevent this triggering mistake from happening again. They are also working to provide further protection to EBS for any possible failures in the future. Further, Amazon is working on a strategy to have EBS fully recover more quickly. 

Amazon admitted that they had some problems with the way they were communicating to customers and those procedures will be reviewed as well. Customers in the affected area will even receive a 10-day credit for 100% usage regardless of whether they were fully impacted by the outage.

Finally, Amazon did apologize for the outage. They committed themselves to learning from the event and improving their services in the future. 

 

Microsoft considering video service via XBox 360

Microsoft Still Considering Internet TV Via Xbox [Broadband Reports]

A report has surfaced (originally released by Advertising Age) that indicates Microsoft is considering adding an Internet TV service to its Xbox 360 gaming system.  

Xbox 360 has a customer base of roughly 30 million that use their Xbox (and Xbox LIVE subscriptions) to play online games. Further, Microsoft has developed IPTV software for other companies in the past, so they have some expertise in this area.

The launch of any Microsoft Internet TV service is not immenent. In fact, the original report suggested that Microsoft was having a fierce internal debate over whether or not to continue with the plans. It is clear, however, that the idea is definitely up for consideration. 

At the same time, Xbox Live Gold subscribers can now access Hulu Plus with their $60 annual subscription to Xbox and the $8 monthly Hulu Plus price tag. 

Sony PlayStation Network victim of hack involving theft of user data

Sony admits utter PSN failure: your personal data has been stolen [ArsTechnica]

You may have heard by now (and if you're a PlayStation gamer, you've likely experienced it), but Sony has been dealing with one of the more devastating hacks in recent memory. As a result, Sony's PlayStation Network has been down for more than a week and every user's data is at risk. 

The PlayStation Network is Sony's online gaming service for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable (PSP). On April 20, hackers were able to attack the system and compromise all of the data user's input. Sony shut down the service quickly after the attack was discovered and stated that it would remain down until they could resolve the situation and restore security. It also appears that Sony is using this time to seriously strengthen its security features on the network.

So far, Sony is certain that personal information for every user has been compromised, including name, address, country, email address, birthday, and login information. It is also possible that histories of purchases made over the network and corresponding billing addresses could have been obtained through the hack, and Sony is not ruling out the possibility of credit card information being compromised as well.

At this point, it's better to be safe than sorry and assume that if you've entered credit card information over the PlayStation Network, it has been compromised. 

There's been no timeline released for when Sony expects everything to be back up and running, but at this point that seems like that should be the least of PlayStation network users' concerns.

 

Nielsen data indicates consumer preference for Android

Nielsen: Consumer Desire For Android Grows, Unlike iOS and Blackberry [TechCrunch]

Nielsen runs monthly surveys of mobile consumers to see which devices and operating systems they are most interested in purchasing. Over the past six months the percentages for the top three mobile operating systems - Android, iOS, and RIM - have changed rather drastically. 

From January 2011 through March 2011, 31 percent of all customers planning to get a new smartphone said they would prefer Android's operating system, while only 30 percent said they would get an iOS powered iPhone. RIM continued its slide, dropping to only 11 percent. About 20 percent of respondents said they were unsure which operating system they preferred.

This is the first time Android has topped iOS in these surveys. In July to September of 2010, iOS was the operating system of choice of 33 percent and Android was only 26 percent (RIM was 13 percent). 

Nielsen reports that Android and iOS broke even around the first of the year and Android has continued to grow since that time.

Further, it appears that Android isn't just the preferred operating system of prospective buyers, but actual purchasers as well. Of those who purchased a smartphone in March, an impressive 50% chose an Android device. During that same period 25 percent bought an iPhone and 15 percent purchased a Blackberry.

Could Adobe Flash make it into iOS after all?

Google launching YouTube Movies service

YouTube To Partner With Fox In Movie Rental Expansion [TechCrunch]

Google has announced plans to launch YouTube Movies, a new on-demand movie rental service. YouTube Movies was seen immediately as a challenge to iTunes and Netflix.

Coupled with the launch of YouTube Movies was the announcement that a number of major Hollywood studios were on board, including Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Brothers, Universal, Lionsgate, and Kino Lorber. The initial launch did not include any mention of Paramount, Disney, or Twentieth Century Fox. 

On Tuesday, it was widely reported that Fox had officially jumped on board as well. This was relatively big news because of the controversy around Google TV and Fox's blocking of its content to the device. A Fox deal with YouTube movies could signify improved relations between the two.

While many media outlets ran with the Fox story, it was soon discovered that Fox may not be as on board as originally thought. Google's initial announcement said that YouTube Movies would launch once Fox was on board. At that point Google believed the service would have enough content to successfully launch. 

By the end of Tuesday it was discovered that Fox had not signed a deal with YouTube, and the announcement may have simply been a ploy by the other studios to get Fox to buy in. Still, the rumors are saying that Fox will join officially sometime within the next week.

Research firm predicts 30 percent growth of broadband-connected televisions

More than 123 million connected TVs by 2014 [Rapid TV News] 

DisplaySearch, a market research and consulting firm, has released a new report for the first quarter of 2011, which attempts to predict the future market of Internet-connected TVs. 

By their estimates, Internet-connected TVs will grow by 30% to reach a total of 123 million worldwide by 2014. 

The report also indicates that Internet-connected TVs will vary in complexity ranging from basic TVs that simply have access to Netflix and other streaming video services, allowing the TV experience to remain fairly passive, to more complex sets with many apps, web search and navigation, and more sophisticated user interfaces.

Internet-connected TVs are already fairly well-established in North America and Western Europe, though the DisplaySearch report does believe connected TVs will experience another wave of high growth.

It's in other parts of the world, however, where DisplaySearch sees the most drastic overall growth. In places like Eastern Europe, connected TVs could grow from the current 2.5 million to as much as 10 million in 2014. In China, nearly a third of flat panel TVs will be connected by 2013.

As these regions continue to develop their broadband infrastructure, TVs that take advantage of this connectivity will continue to grow.

TWC iPad channel lineup now sits at 73, while legal warfare continues

TWC Clicks iPad App Channel Count Up To 73 [Multichannel News] 

Time Warner Cable launched its iPad app and was immediately hit with backlash from many programmers, resulting in some channels being pulled from the app. However, over the past couple weeks Time Warner Cable has slowly added a number of new channels, including some that are owned by the programming companies who were originally some of the most outspoken critics about the legality of the app. 

Recently, 14 new channels were added to the Time Warner Cable iPad lineup, bringing the total number of channels to 73. This is less than Cablevision's app which launched with a full 300 channel lineup, along with over 2,200 on demand titles, and seemed uninhibited by any negative programmer reaction. 

When Time Warner Cable first launched its app, it was quickly hit with cease-and-desist letters from programmers such as Discovery, Fox, and Viacom. Deals were eventually reached with Discovery and Fox, while a number of programmers, including Turner Broadcasting System and Disney, were in full support of the app. 

Still, Viacom is holding out and remains locked in a legal battle with Time Warner over the right to distribute the content on the iPad. Time Warner Cable initiated the legal action by seeking a declaratory judgment stating that a cable operator has the right under the current retransmission agreement to deliver the content to any device within a customer's home. Viacom counter-sued alleging breach of contract, as well as copyright violation.

Yahoo acquires social TV app maker three months after formation

Yahoo Moves Fast - Real Fast - To Scoop Up IntoNow For $20 - $30 Million [TechCrunch]

IntoNow is a brand new start-up that is viewed by many as a game-changer for the "check-in" social media market. It's a social networking service that allows users to share their favorite television shows with their friends.

In fact, it's viewed as such a game-changer that Yahoo quickly swooped in and purchased the start-up for $20 to $30 million, even though IntoNow launched a mere 12 weeks ago. It appears Facebook, Shazam, and Twitter were also eyeing IntoNow, but didn't quite act fast enough.  

IntoNow includes services for television similar to what Shazam offers for music. Users can receive information down to the exact episode name about the show they're watching just by hitting a single button. Further, IntoNow lets users share and discuss the programs they are watching and helps them discover other shows they might enjoy. 

As for how Yahoo might end up using IntoNow, the possibilities aren't entirely clear. For one, Yahoo simply has greater resources that can help the start-up expand to other devices (IntoNow is currently not available on Android or the iPad). Expect Yahoo to also begin integrating IntoNow into many of its other services.

Google Android stores location information similar to iOS

Google: Of Course Our Location-based Services Require Your Location Info [All Things D]

Last week Apple found itself in hot water after programmers discovered that the iPhone stored users' location-specific data. Not long after, Google found itself in a similar position for location-specific information that is recorded on Android devices (though it appears that the data is not as easily accessible on Android devices). Google's response was simply, "of course our location information is stored."

A number of Google's mobile services rely on location-specific information. Google Maps and Google Places, for example, rely on the user's location to provide detailed mapping and local service information. In Google's opinion, all of these services are opt-in for the user. If a user doesn't want Google to have access to location-specific information, he or she can simply not use the location-based services. 

However Google claims that if a user chooses to use Google's location services, it shouldn't come as a surprise that location-specific data is being stored. How else could these services provide location-specific services?  Frankly, I think there is one missing fact though, in their response -- how is one to know the location data is being stored.

Further, Google says that the information archived does not include any personally identifiable information. Any data stored may be device specific, but it's anonymous and not tied to any other information. 

Google is a young company that has grown to a mammoth size in a very short time span.  It's really interesting to watch them totally misunderstand what the world far away from Mountain View, CA is thinking and how that affects another inside-a-bubble place -- Washington, DC.

 

Netflix poised to become largest video subscription service in U.S.

Netflix to Become Largest Subscription Entertainment Business in U.S. [Hollywood Reporter]

Given its significant subscriber growth, it shouldn't be a surprise that Netflix is now standing on the precispise of becoming the nation's largest subcription video company based on the number of subscribers. Analysts are predicting the online and DVDs through the mail service will have gained enough subscribers to surpass Comcast, the largest cable provider with 22.8 million video subscribers.

Consider that Netflix added nearly 8 million of its 20 million subscribers during 2010 and Wall Street analysists expect it to add around another 3.7 million for the first three months of this year. 

Much of Netflix's success can be tied to its streaming video plan and the fact that is available on a variety of consumer electronics devices ranging from broandband-connected televisions to gaming consoles.

But, all that success has come at a steep price. One analysist quoted by the Hollywood Reporter believes that Netflix will pay $1.1 billion for content rights this year, up half a billion over last year.

Welcome to the world of ever-increasing programming costs!

Google asks Roku to remove YouTube channel

Google puts the kibosh on Roku's unofficial YouTube channel [EngadgetHD]

Roku burst onto the scene as one of the first devices available for streaming online video directly to a television. When it was first released in 2008, it was marketed as a Netflix video streaming box. While it was originally tied to Netflix, Roku has added numerous other streaming services.

One such service is a YouTube channel, which of course is a fairly important feature for an Internet video device. However, Roku's YouTube channel is not officially authorized by Google, YouTube's owner, and Google has now sent a notice to take down the channel to Roku.

Roku has not yet removed the channel and is apparently entering negotiations with Google for official access. While this may not be as troublesome for Roku as losing Netflix would be, YouTube is a feature that Roku simply has to have to remain competitive considering all the other devices and Internet-ready TVs on the market.

Amazon web services crash, taking several web companies with it

Amazon Cloud Goes Down, Takes Every Hot Startup With It [Silicon Alley Insider]

Amazon's EC2 Cloud Service rents out portions of Amazon's massive servers to companies in need of computing power. Many of the companies that take advantage of this service are well-known startups including Reddit, Quora, and Foursquare.

This week Amazon's EC2 service went down, leaving all of these young startups helpless until Amazon rights the ship. I'm sure Amazon will be back up and running soon (probably by the time you read this post), but this incident does highlight the most significant negative of cloud computing.

Amazon is one of the most robust cloud services, there's no better evidence of that than the number of sites that were taken down by the outage.

Amazon to launch book lending service for the Kindle

Amazon Launches Library Lending, But Who Owns the Books? [GigaOm]

It feels a little like back to the future. Later this year, Amazon take a page from history when the company launches the Kindle Lending Library which will allow Kindle users to borrow e-books from various libraries across the country. Very few details are known at this point, other than the fact that users will be able to keep any notes made to an e-book while it’s checked out. 

But in a dose of 21st century reality, questions are being raised about the unknown details of the Kindle Lending Library regarding the rights and ownership of the books involved. For instance, it’s not clear whether Amazon or the over 11,000 libraries actually own the content of the e-books, so there are still questions over who has the ultimate say over the terms of the lending service. 

Further, it is not known at this point how long books will be allowed to be “checked out” and who ultimately gets to set the time limit. Also, there are no details about how many times one particular book may be borrowed. Some publishers, such as HarperCollins, have begun placing check out limitations on its e-books used in physical libraries, so it’s possible similar limitations could be imposed on Amazon’s new venture. This, of course, outraged libraries who believe that they should be allowed to purchase e-books and lend them as many times as they’d like, much in the same way they do with physical books.

 

Programmers discover secret iPhone tracking file

3G Apple iOS Devices Are Storing Users’ Location Data [NYT Bits]

It was widely reported that there are hidden files on Apple’s iPhone 4 and iPhone 3G that keep track of each user’s location information. Two programmers discovered the file, named “consolidated.db,” which stores GPS data on any 3G iOS device that is regularly updated with the user’s location. 

The programmers have reached out to Apple (as has the New York Times), but have not yet received a response. One of the programmers, Pete Warden, built a free app that any user could download to map out their activity over 3G networks. In other words, if you used your iPhone at home, at work, or across the country, each location would be plotted on a map shown in this app.

In the past, location information has been stored by cellular providers, but those carriers could only access the information through a court order. Making the information readily available opens it up to not only Apple’s use, but anyone who gains access to a user's iPhone.

Because there are many questions surrounding the existence and use of the iPhone's up-to-now secret tracking, inquiries are already going out from the FCC and members of Congress to Apple requesting additional information about its privacy practices in this area.

CableLabs demos share DVR content using Tru2way

Tru2way Guides Fling DVR Content in CableLabs Demo [Multichannel News]

Tru2way is the brand name given to the technology being developed to create new interactive digital cable services. It has been an ongoing project of CableLabs in an attempt to develop a common hardware and software standard for digital cable devices in the hopes of promoting competition in the set-top box and digital cable device industry. 

The development of Tru2way has hit its share of speed bumps, but the latest demos from CableLabs provide some reasons to be optimistic. 

Three of the nation’s largest cable providers (Comcast, Time Warner, and Cox) showed off some demos of Tru2way at a recent CableLabs Home Networking event. The technology was used to transmit data from a user’s DVR to other devices on the home network. Using Tru2way, DVR content was sent to other Internet-connected HDTVs, computers, and videogame consoles. 

Tru2way technology was paired with multi-room DVR technology that the providers have in place, allowing the content to be shared with set-top boxes equipped with Tru2way technology or other devices created by the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA). This group was started by Sony and now has many other manufacturers on board to pursue the goal of common technology standards in order to promote competition among devices.

It’s exciting to see technology like Tru2way developed to the point that it can bring multiple devices, created by different manufacturers, together to share DVR data and other digital cable features. Hopefully, this is all a sign of good things to come.

DVDs still far more popular than streaming video

Streaming growing, but consumers still love DVDs [Ars Technica]

NPD Group, a market research firm, has released a survey examining how people watch videos. Despite the growth of OnDemand movies, Netflix, Amazon's streaming service, and other streaming options, the majority of video watchers still spend money on DVD or Blu-ray discs. In fact, the study shows that more people still watch and spend money on DVD or Blu-ray than all other digital options combined.

The survey asked over 9,600 people over the age of 13 about their personal video usage and spending habits for the first three months of 2011.  Seventy-seven percent said that they had watched a movie on DVD or Blu-ray. Further, the DVD/Blu-ray users averaged about 4 hours each week watching videos on discs. Fewer than half of the respondents went to see a movie in the theater over the same period, and only 21 percent used some type of on-demand service to watch a video. 

From a budget standpoint, the people surveyed said that an average of 78 percent of the money they spent on videos went to DVDs and Blu-ray, while Netflix accounted for 15 percent of the spending and all other digital video streaming and downloading made up 8 percent. Interestingly, among those buying discs or some other form of physical video, only 11 percent of the total was spent on Blu-ray, while 59 percent spent their video budget on DVDs.

There’s no doubt that DVD rentals are decreasing at the same time digital video streaming is on the rise. In fact, rentals and purchases of physical discs have fallen 9 percent year-over-year. However, it appears that, for the time being, most people are still using physical media.

Google maintains that open wi-fi networks are not subject to wiretap law

Google Wi-Fi Judge Asks if Packet Sniffing Is Spying [Wired]

The ongoing Google wi-fi saga appears to be turning on the definition of "radio communication" under the Wiretap Act - a law designed to prevent spying. 

A number of class-action lawsuits over the collection of data transmitted over unencrypted wi-fi networks by Google's Street View vehicles have been joined in San Jose, California and now sit before U.S. District Judge James Ware.

The case has been going back and forth between the plaintiffs and Google over whether open, unencrypted Wi-Fi networks are deserving of protection. Google contends that it is not illegal to intercept data from wi-fi networks that have not been password-protected. The owners of the networks at issue maintain otherwise. 

Judge Ware has taken this dispute in a different direction and asked the parties to define "radio communication" under the Wiretap Act, and state whether home wi-fi networks fall within the definition. 

Google argued that wi-fi networks are similar to "radio communications," which include AM/FM radio and police or fire bands. Google argues that wi-fi networks travel over radio spectrum and there is nothing in the Wiretap Act that would exempt wi-fi from the definition.

The plaintiffs, on the other hand, contend that the signals are only briefly transferred over radio waves and most data transmitted over them comes via a terrestrial broadband network which would be considered protected under the Wiretap Act.

The Wiretap Act does exempt the interception or access to electronic communications that are readily accessible to the public. While it will be up to the judge in this case to decide whether data transmitted on unencrypted wi-fi networks are subject to the Wiretap Act, its too bad that Google has taken the position that communications that most people would consider to be private could be legally snooped on by other individuals (or should I say "companies") just because they take place on an open wi-fi network.

Netflix working on family streaming plans

Next Up for Netflix: Family Plans [GigaOm]

Details remain unclear, but it looks as though Netflix will soon be offering subscriptions similar to the family plans that wireless carriers have used for years so that a single Netflix account can initiate multiple video streams.

Netflix's website recently hosted a session for investors, where the company revealed it was working on a single subscription plan that would allow for video streaming on multiple devices at the same time.

Netflix discussed two potential options for this type of plan. For one, Netflix could simply set a single price point that would allow for multiple streams in one household.

Another option would be to charge an additional monthly fee for each additional stream, much like Netflix did with their DVD mailers which allowed customers to pay an a larger subscription price for the ability to request more DVDs.  

Currently Netflix streaming customers can only stream one video on one device at a time. However, customers who subscribe to Netflix's higher-priced DVD plan can stream as many videos simultaneously as they have DVDs on their plan.

 

Insight’s Multi-room DVR now available

When we launched the Digital 6.10 Upgrade throughout our markets last year, we promised that it would allow us to deliver 100 HD channels, a Multi-room DVR and other great programming features.  

We’ve previously announced that the new HD channels are now available in Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky and Columbus and our Evansville and Bowling Green markets aren’t far behind. Well, I’m proud to announce today that we’re now able to deliver on the second part of that promise – a Multi-room DVR service which is now available in all districts that Insight serves.

With Insight’s Multi-room DVR, you’ll be able to watch TV in a whole new way in a cost-effective way by recording up to 6 shows at once with a tremendous amount of storage available. 

Multi-room DVR has the power to connect your home's TV viewing experience by allowing you to take your recorded shows with you all over the house so you can watch what you want, when you want, where you want. Some features include:

• Pause, rewind and replay Live TV.
• Record up to 6 shows at once (2 per receiver) using three receivers.
• 95 hours of HD and 350 hours of standard definition storage,
• Stop a recording in one room and resume playback from the same spot in another room.
• Recordings can even be watched on multiple TVs at the same time, while being controlled separately.

This is yet another big step towards delivering the most advanced, reliable technology to Insight customers. We’re committed to keeping our customers on the cutting edge and I look forward to making even more product announcements in the very near future.

Did Cablevision's iPad app preempt lawsuits from programmers?

Is Cablevision's iPad App More Lawsuit-Proof Than Time Warner Cable's? [Bit Rate - Multichannel News]

Todd Spangler makes note of the fact that while Viacom is fighting Time Warner Cable's iPad app in court, maintaining it doesn't have distribution rights for Viacom programming on the iPad, it's held off legal action against Cablevision's iPad app, which includes Viacom's content. Is there a reason why?

Spangler speculates it may be because Cablevision's lawyers and developers came up with a technical process to transmit video content to the iPad that met the letter of Cablevision's existing agreements with Viacom. For instance, instead of streaming video across the open Internet, the Cablevision app connects directly to a Cablevision server. Users aren't required to have broadband service to access content on the iPad app - Cablevision will supply a cable modem that only connects to their video servers to non-broadband customers. 

Additionally, Cablevision's app provides parental controls and require blackouts for certain sports events - both issues that haven't yet been addressed by the Time Warner Cable app.

It's unfortunate that companies like Cablevision and Time Warner, who have chosen to lead in this product launch, have to be so defensive about not tripping over issues that deflect their attention from product development to legal defense. 

It will certainly be worth watching to see whether Cablevision has threaded the needle in such a way to deliver cable programming on the iPad while meeting their obligations to programmers and avoiding legal action against their app.

A number of you have asked if we have plans to launch an iPad product.  Cable companies choose their leadership roles very carefully and, you may recall that we were among the first operators to launch a 10 meg Broadband product and to launch ESPN360 (now ESPN3) for our Broadband customers.  As for the iPad product, we certainly are very interested in what Cablevision and Time Warner are doing and are watching their launches very closely.  We expect to develop our own plans as the legal, technical, and consumer issues become clearer. 

Skype's Android app has flaw that leaves data vulnerable

Skype For Android Vulnerable to Private Data Hack [Broadband Reports]

I checked this one out closely as I recently signed up for Skype on my iPhone to video chat with my daughter who is traveling.  Unfortunately for those with an Android device, it might be time to uninstall the app while the developer works on a patch for a flaw that could expose personal data to hackers. A blog focusing on Android issues was able to access the data stored within the Skype app - which includes account and message data - because it was not encrypted securely. The blog testing the Skype data storage used code embedded within a proof of concept app to infiltrate and download the Skype data.

Hackers could use the same method with a malicious app that users download and install on their Android device. Just a few weeks ago, Google removed several such malicious apps from the Android Market. 

It's good practice not to install apps onto Android devices from any but the most trusted developers. Because Google's mobile OS subscribes to an open source philosophy, it's more open to malicious developers that attempt to take advantage of users' trust.

Google to send YouTube infringers to copyright school

Google to sentence YouTube violators to ‘copyright school’ [Politico]

Users posting videos to YouTube that infringe on a copyright, could find themselves having to attend Google’s new copyright school to keep their YouTube account in good standing.

Ever since YouTube came on the scene, Google has been dealing with allegations of copyright infringement and has been forced to find new ways to curb the number of unlawful videos on the site. Many lawmakers and copyright holders have criticized Google for failing to take sufficient precautions to prevent copyright infringement.

The latest Google tactic aimed at preventing copyright infringement, and thus silencing its critics, is YouTube Copyright School. If a user posts a video on YouTube that results in a notification of infringement, that user will be forced to complete the YouTube Copyright School before being allowed to post any additional videos.

The “school” consists of a tutorial video and, to prove that the user did indeed watch the video, a quiz to test the user’s understanding of YouTube’s copyright policies.

Google’s current policy suspends any users who have three copyright strikes against them. However, these users can now participate in the “school” to remove strikes from their records and improve their status. So long as the users continue to abide by the rules, they can get back on the good list and back to posting videos.

It’s an interesting way for Google to educate its users about copyright infringement. Hopefully, this education will lead to overall fewer cases of infringement on YouTube.

Online ad revenues outpace newspapers for first time

Web Advertising Eclipsed Newspapers in 2010 [Wall Street Journal]

For the first time, total annual ad dollars spent online surpassed that of all newspapers' ad revenue in 2010. That's according to a report by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) that was prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Last year, total web ad revenue increased by 15 percent to $26 billion. Compare that to $22.8 billion spent on advertising in newspapers.

IAB's report indicates that most growth in online advertising occured in display ads, which grew 24 percent since 2009. Search ads remained the largest share of online advertising revenue, which accounts for 46 percent of the total.

The IAB report's findings aren't that much of a surprise, since web advertising has been gaining on newspapers for several years. It's more of a confirmation, and the gap between the two is only expected to widen in coming years.

NCTA study reveals BIP waste and overbuilding

NCTA: Broadband Subsidies Are Wasting Millions [Broadcasting and Cable]

The NCTA has released a comprehensive study examining investments made under the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) that was part of the 2009 economic stimulus. While the program's funds have now been exhausted, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) allocated over $3.5 billion over its two year lifespan.

NCTA's study found that the program has led to millions of dollars being used to build broadband in areas that already were already being served by other providers. The FCC originally estimated that it would take around $23.5 billion to ensure that broadband reached every household.

Now, because so much has been spent on building areas already served, it appears that it will take as much as $87.2 billion to achieve the FCC’s goal.

The goal of the broadband stimulus portion of the economic recovery act was to provide broadband access to areas that may not be financially feasible or beneficial for private providers to build.

Since the program began, the NCTA and many others have expressed concern over the funds being used as government competition in the form of overbuilding in areas where private companies already invested their own capital to provide broadband access.

This latest study shows that those concerns were legitimate. It examined three particular BIP projects, and a total of 85 percent of the households in the areas that received the funding were already being served by another provider. In fact, in one area, over 98 percent of the people in the awarded areas already were being served.

Using taxpayer dollars to build out high-cost areas that aren't already served by a private provider is a laudable goal.  But when it results in government investment competing with private companies and wasting millions of dollars, while many Americans still don't have access to the promised broadband access, it's probably time for a serious review of the existing plan.

New study looks at why people aren’t buying 3DTV

What turns people off from buying 3D TV [CNET News]

More and more 3DTV’s are being pushed into the market, but at the same time research indicates that most consumers aren’t yet convinced that they really want a 3DTV.

The NPD Group recently released a study on the issue showing increases in the numbers of people who won’t be buying a 3DTV either because they don’t want to pay the high price tag or because they don’t want to wear glasses. Six months ago 37 percent thought prices were too high on 3DTV’s and 32 percent thought the glasses were the main prohibiting factor. In the newest study those numbers have jumped to 45 percent who cite price as the top factor and 42 percent who cite the glasses.

Interestingly, the numbers citing glasses as the top factor saw greater growth than the price numbers. This is bad news for 3DTV makers because, much like HDTV’s did a few years ago, the prices will eventually drop. Over time, 3DTV’s will be much more affordable.

However, if glasses continue to be a growing concern for consumers, lower prices won’t have the booming effect that they had on HDTV’s. The glasses requirement adds another obstacle, and it seems to be a growing one.

As manufacturers try to overcome this obstacle by making less expensive, lighter weight glasses, the question will be whether the glasses issue is really about the price and ease of use of the glasses or whether it’s simply that people don’t want to have to wear special glasses at all while watching TV. If we find that it’s the latter, manufacturer’s better hope the early buzz around glasses-free 3DTV is for real.  I've seen an early model of one and, although it does indeed exist, work remains to widen the viewing angle and improve the video quality.