And pen testing

Software is progressing nicely, but I think the next major step will be along the lines of neuromorphic computing and the use of memristors in neuromorphic devices.

I have just come out of working with Android Automotive for the last 6 years and being the first to deploy it in a real car (whilst also working on lots of other very large OSS platforms previously)
Upstream is the only way, our SOC vendor was having to manage 500+ patches against android and linux which was an awful lot to manage everytime upstream changed.
I see the price of being able to use OSS is to be a good citizen and upstream those patches you have which will also benefit your by reducing your maintenance burden, and as stated in the article keep down fragmentation.

That said, Android will be changing to Fuchsia soon right so Linux will be a dead end for Android soon.

I have met several aliens, so this cannot be true.

Only it's not practical, a jet, or a pack.

After how GM completely mishandled SAAB, and continue to mishandle SAAB in my hometown, I have no sympathy for them (but of course sympathy for the workers).

Came out of a long Slashdot slumber to say that all of your advice is solid and holds.

you get some letters after your name...

Typically a better solution is to use radar or infrared, laser tends to have problems penetrating cloud cover and the like. Space based radar altimeters are nothing new, and yes you could theoretically set up a tsunami warning system in space. Radar technology has come a long way in terms of power and range. I work in the radar altimeter industry so maybe I am biased.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-Based_Radar

What's the problem, there are open source SEU tolerant CPUs you can use out there

http://www.gaisler.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=4&Itemid=33

Leon FT, space grade, VHDL IP cores available.

I hear what you are saying and I agree of course, although there are higher quality streams available in the paid service (the free streams sound better than an average MP3 to me though!).

The plan is that for the free service they will get paid enough via advertising to make money, so the paid or free is included in their model. I have noticed more frequent adverts in the free service lately though, I think they are tryin to make the free service somewhat less attractive.

Who wants to "own" music these days anyway, I don't want to buy CD's or files, I want instant access to everything ever recorded at superb quality and with a nice interface wherever I want - as you say with some help for me to find the things I might like.

They seem to be adding things fast so expect the music you might like to work better in the near future.

Here in Sweden 1 in 5 of the population has a Spotify account. I think Google would do themselves a service by coughing up a huge sum of money and buying Spotify which already has pretty much all music you would want, android, ipod, apple, pc applications, high quality ogg vorbis streams and a very loyal user base.

Spotify is the next big thing, the US just hasn't seen it yet, their business model is great, and their software works really well.

Spotify may not be for sale, but Google has deep pockets and a link up would knock out MS and Apple easily I think.