News and Analysis

Link Roundup 10/10/2013

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We need a name for this thing.  Where are we?

  • Agendas of SHIELD got picked up for a full season despite mediocre results (and yours truly is NOT impressed).  That’s a bet on Whedon, let’s see where it goes.
  • John Malone wants to compete with Netflix – by banding together cable companies.  An interesting suggestion and a reminder that there’s a lot of power out there that could oppose Netflix.  Will it happen . . . I have no idea.  Could provide a market shakeup – and quite a few job opportunities I imagine . . .
  • Smartphones are getting larger, tablets are getting smaller.  Which suggests some kind of convergence along with a heavy dose of the incredibly obvious.  Also a pain for programmers and media producers trying to deal with the insane footprints.
  • Actually one player in smartphones is Samsung, and they along with other companies in Aisa are targeting Silicon Valley.  Beyond the opportunities in Silicon Valley for employment it keeps cementing the Valley’s reputation (especially as I think it’s splitting a bit between SF and Silicon Valley properly).
  • Maybe you’re looking at a startup, and Amazon wants to support you.  That’s a smart move for them with all the services they provide and the opportunities people need.  May even be useful for you.
  • From success to failure, it looks like Blackberry may end up being taken to pieces.  OK gang, if you’re there you know it’s time to go, and if someone buys a chunk of it that could change opportunities.
  • Game developer?  Valve is hosting a developer-only event for their Steam Machines.  You know you want to go . . . even if you’re not a developer.  Damn it.
  • If Washington doesn’t crash the world economy there’s more hope with a decline in Greek Youth Unemployment, though it’s still pretty bad.

– Steven “Smartphone Tablet” Savage.

Link Roundup 10/9/2013

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  • Victory for Science – LA Times won’t be publishing letters of climate-change denials.  I find this interesting in light of Popular Science’s decisions.  Controversy aside, it’s a vote for responsibility over random yelling by people and acting like “all sides are equal.”  Wether this takes off is something to watch.
  • On the subject of calling out stupidity, and the possibility of economic meltdown, here’s six CEO’s who think Washington is stupid and are willing to say it.  Hopefully there’s enough pressure here.
  • Washington may be incompetent, but the publishing industry is actually . . . doing better than you may think.  Here’s a fascinating deconstruction you’ll want to read.
  • Also ever liked Asmov’s ‘Foundation’ but wished it was a manga?  Well now it’s going to be a manga.  I didn’t see that coming – and kind of wonder if that could lead to anime or movie adaptions.  It’s often been talked about but never done  . . . but this may be a gateway.
  • Get your hand on 1,661 pulp novels as free e-books!  Our culture preserved, like Hari Seldon would do . . . if he read novels with names like “Whip Hand.”  Know what?  I pushed that metaphor too far – but an interesting idea of how literature can be preserved.
  • From books to music, a Github for musicians?  That’s Splice, actually.  Interesting bit of innovation there – makes me wonder what else could be done with this method . . .

Finally, some job news

– Steven “Climate Change is Real Dudes” Savage