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Comment Re:I predict that app fatigue will happen soon (Score 1) 140

Nice thought, but apps have access to certain features that web pages don't. App developers want access to those features. The hardware/os producer wants the developer to use apps (a) because they get a cut of in-app purchase revenue, ad framework etc. and (b) the app ties the user and the developer to the device/os. The phone features could be opened up to web sites, but the producer won't, trotting out security concerns and comments about consistency and performance.

Comment Re:How will the providers like this? (Score 1) 140

If they don't then MS has a case for unfair treatment. I believe you can't give preferential access to APIs (or shouldn't) so, if they open up to others, but somehow block MS's calls, then that's not on

some on here may say that it's just a case of what goes around - MS having built in checks on websites and degrading, or refusing access to certain browsers, and similar stunts. But two wrongs don't make a right

Comment How will the providers like this? (Score 1) 140

Only gave it a cursory glance, so apologies if I've missed the crucial differentiator -

Windows Phone combines all your contacts from different sources, all your chats from facebook, twitter, Skype and SMS, all your emails (if you want) into linked mailboxes.

This just seems like a natural progression. however the above is incorrect. some of these features, which were so useful in one place, had the providers changing the APIs or Policies to prevent it. I used to be able to chat seamlessly with a friend on sms, then swap over to facebook chat mid flow. But then Facebook insisted MS remove this, as they wanted everyone in the app, so they could control what they see, make it more difficult to swap to another chat method, and place ads. even worse they then decided they wanted to spin out the chat functionality from the main app into a new one....

so, are all the media providers going to be happy with their products to being intermingled with other providers, and limited opportunity to redirect them to complementary services or 'upsell' content? I think the answer is probably not, and we'll see moves to disrupt it, or insist on greater control over what gets pulled alongside the content into these 'scopes'.

it's a shame, as it's a simple system for the user, and great workflow, but that's not important is it?

Comment Re:Yeesh (Score 1) 584

"but ultimately both were interested in the cars"

maybe you missed the bit "For reference the female apes in the program exclusively picked up 'girl' toys."
basically it's not that both were interested in the cars and the females "may have been interested in a different way" - the male apes went for the traditionally male toys, and the females were completely disinterested in them. I blame the larger ape society that keeps forcing sexist stereotypes on them.

Comment Re:Google is a freaking genius (Score 1) 319

Yes, but with this they can identify you, not your device or the IP you're behind. You have paid for the service and to get it on all your devices, and in all your browsing sessions, you need to identify yourself. This service completes the loop for google and instead of guessing that the tracking info from mobile device at this address, and pc at this address and so on, is all the same individual - you're consolidating it for them.

Comment Re:How Will I Even Notice? (Score 1) 319

But if they remove the boxes and the site reflows, how are you aware that you're receiving the service (no ads) that you paid for?
May seem strange, but the absence of ads wouldn't really be noticed (the same way you mainly tune them out at the moment anyway) but a box not showing an advert, or thanking you for a contribution, where an advert should be gives you that positive confirmation that you're getting something for your money.
I made the same point in my submission on this, that you'd prefer a better laid out, easily read site. But the weird thing is, you'd probably not appreciate it!
There's also the danger of a protection racket angle on this - "hey nicely presented site you're reading here, be a shame if any adverts came along to spoil it" but I may be going to far....

Comment Re:How do they split the budget into small chunks? (Score 1) 319

they do it in exactly the same way as they do for adverts (using the same mechanism). You're paying for your own advert, essentially. When you visit, it's logged in googles ad network alongside the rest, and paid to the website's account periodically as part of the same process.
Although the amount you're paying seems small, the amount per eyeball will work out very close to that of a traditional google ad. they will only get microcents from google for your single visit if you see an ad from Chrysler, or you pay yourself.

Comment Re:Google is a freaking genius (Score 1) 319

Made my very first submission http://slashdot.org/submission... which made that very point (though they've chosen one by an AC, which I couldn't find by searching, that doesn't mention anything like that - oh well)
I'd mod you up to get this point made, but no points.
Yes, they're taking money and to make use of it you have to give them more in depth information about your life online.

Comment Re:logic (Score 1) 292

Having got past the urge to tell you to read the article (I know, why would you?):
Walruses can't stay indefinitely in the water like seals and similar mammals, so need somewhere to rest. Usually this is on ice, but the ice has apparently receded past the continental shelf so it's over deeper water. As the Walruses dive to feed off crustaceans and other tidbits on the seafloor, their larder is beyond reach if they stayed on the ice. Putting all this together, they had to find somewhere else to rest which just so happens to be here.
And just in case you wondered, they live in large groups anyway - it's not like roaming walruses decided to all congregate at once in this spot.

Comment Re:Microsoft account? (Score 1) 292

save your outrage, there's no need for an MS live account here. Click the link, read the article as you would on any news site and return here to make a positive contribution. Why on earth do you think you need a Live account?
there's been a few linked articles behind paywalls before, but this doesn't even need you to login to anything to read, what's your problem?

Comment Re:Misleading Article Summary (Score 1) 70

Well, it all depends on where you get your electricity. The vehicle is purely electrically driven. It does have a petrol driven generator to top up the battery, but the engine is not involved in driving the wheels, so could easily be described as all-electric as you can rip out the engine and the car still drives.
The tesla has a large amount of batteries, charged from an external generator.
The fisker has slightly fewer batteries, charged from an on-board generator in the space created (and external as needed)
both are driven by an electric motor powered by those batteries.

Comment Blackberry Missed Out.... (Score 1) 405

All things considered, Blackberry missed out on the action - relaunching their tab with sponsorship of the NFL would have made a sensible tie-in. "The coach is referring to his playbook" (but possibly could have got "Things are getting tough out there, He's going to have to throw away the playbook" - win some, lose some in Marketing I suppose)
as an interesting aside, my mother refers to any tablet (ipad/android or other) as "that playbook"... shows it's all down to first contact.

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