TechCrunch ? Google releases GTalk API, Puts Gun To Skype?s Head

It has a name, and it's 'VoIP 2.0' the race by the big guys to dominate the next generation of telephony. Google is making available a public API which will allow 3rd parties to create a range of interesting services and plug them into other Google tools, which seems like a very wise approach. I still think that the best overall commercial offering is going to be very attractive... per my earlier post about Yahoo Messenger VoIP for $29 a year w/ all the regular bells and whistles (voicemail, call forward etc..).
Talk the talk.

Recipe: Simple Chocolate Layer Cake - New York Times

If you can apprciate good chocolate cake and would like a rock-solid recipe w/ a video article on the process... this New York Times online article is a great source. I made it yesterday and it was met with enthusiastic reviews.

let them eat cake

Yahoo Phone Service

Another recent discovery and one that I've been anticipating is the beta release of the new Yahoo Messenger with phone service. I'm calling Qwest and saying goodbye this month. Yahoo will be offering one year of phone service (unlimited) for $29 and supposedly provide a wireless headset. I spend more than that per month for Qwest. This release of the beta does not have the phone service active, but the link is in place and should support phone service as soon as the service sign up page is in place. This is really what a phone should be...! Yahoo!!!!!

Movielink - Movie downloads for your PC, TV, or laptop

Recent Discoveries... after switching from NetFlix to Blockbuster for their DVD delivery service, I've now cancelled Blockbuster and am downloading my movies. With Comast cable DSL I can download a feature film in 18 minutes. This is the future now. I also have to say that with Blockbuster/Netflix I was always receiving films in my queue which I was not particulary interested in when they arrived. With the download services I'm a little more selective. Check out CinameNow too... they have HD content and a lot of alternative material. http://www.cinemanow.com/default.aspx?grpID=0

Calif. Regulators Unveil Solar Power Plan - Yahoo! News

California is leading the way in identifying renewable energy options and making them a practical solution for citizens. It's a shame that the Federal government only can throw up roadblocks (tax deductions for large SUV's and trucks). I also have heard a number of stories recently that suggest Portland is a hive of entrepreneurial activity for renewable energy and alternaritive energy.

There has to be some great business opportunities for these green initiatives as our nation and planet face the reality of letting so much regulation slide for the last six years.

Sleep less, live longer?

Health study indicates that you really only need 6.5 hours sleep a night, but 7 hours will give you the best survival rate and 8 hours can get you killed...!

start.com

Many pundits have been dismissive of the new Microsoft Live software and Internet inititiave, but I have to say that there new Start page is great. The ability to build a MyYahoo type page with drag and drop and to plug in RSS feeds is really cool and useful. It's akin to the user sandbox where you can experiment incrementally until you arrive at a really cool personalized page.

Yahoo! Widgets Gallery

If you aske me, this is evidence of Web 2.0. These are a new type of application (widget), which can be deployed on the desktop independent of the browser and provide utility or an application.

A Record Amazon Drought, and Fear of Wider Ills - New York Times

With Clinton speaking out on the reality of global warming, and the worst drought on record in the amazon, it seems that the legacy of lack of interest for the environment is making itself evident.

Internet satellite imagery under fire over security - Yahoo! News

I'm sure this is a security concern for more than just a couple Asian Governments. Google Earth has got to be in the terrorist bag of tools. How ironic that they use western technology to thwart us.

ongoing � New North America

This is a very interesting map. It's interesting to contemplate what would come of N. America divided like this. How about all the finance, technology and world improving science coming from the Federation and all of the tabloid, bible thumping political and corporate shenanigans coming from the Republic.ongoing � New North America

Amazon.com: Sports & Outdoors: Coleman 12 x 7 Montana 5-Person Tent

This is a great deal on a family size, weather proof tent.

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Thin skin will help robots 'feel'

Robot Skin is around the corner. The japanese are truly the early adopters in the technology realm.BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Thin skin will help robots 'feel'

Experimental Hybrid Cars Get Up to 250 Mpg - Yahoo! News

Think how inexpensive it would be very every American to make a significant change to the world by buying one of these. Turn around global warming, eliminate oil dependence on the middle east and save money on gas...Experimental Hybrid Cars Get Up to 250 Mpg - Yahoo! News

If It's Civil War, Do We Know It - Iraq - New York Times

Can you say 'Disaster'. It would appear that the plan for Iraq is truly unfolding and a light at the end of the tunnel is not apparent. If It's Civil War, Do We Know It - Iraq - New York Times

Edge Perspectives with John Hagel

Edge Perspectives with John Hagel: " Amazon and Google
Chris says that these new brands probably won�t be held by companies at all, but rather by people, but then goes on to mention Amazon and Google as providers of filters that helped them become trusted aggregators. There�s a lot to be learned by contrasting the two.
Google is extraordinarily helpful in navigating through the Long Tail of the Web. Yet it is still a very traditional product-centric brand. Its brand promise? �Trust us because we have a great algorithm to help you find what you need.� Google doesn�t even pretend to know me as an individual � it treats me as a transaction. Each time I come, it is like they have never seen me before. They do not use any persistent profiles of me that will enable them to be even more helpful to me. They are a tool company. As soon as someone comes along with a significantly better tool, people will switch rapidly.
Contrast that with Amazon. Amazon strives to get to know me and then, based on that knowledge, seeks to connect me not only with books that I might like, but also with experts (in the form of lists) that can also help me. Again, this is far from perfect at this stage (Amazon recommends that I buy the book that I just wrote, not realizing that I�ve been there, done that, don�t need to read it again). But Amazon is on its way to building a customer centric brand. It is becoming my expert friend on steroids. Question for Chris: why won�t Amazon become a viable customer-centric brand? Why won�t its value ultimately far exceed the value of an individual tastemaker or expert friend?"

Marc's Voice

Marc's Voice: "Who cares if Google has the most Phds - word on the street is that Google is the new Netscape - and that's not a good thing."

Interesting quote off of Marc Cantor's blog. Google has a fairly solid business model compared to Netscape, but is it sustainable and can they live up to their Marketcap?

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Universe 'too queer' to grasp

Interesting report from the new Global TED conference. Where Richard Dawkins (a favorite scholar of mine) is a presenter.BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Universe 'too queer' to grasp

Are they going to nail Karl... for treason?

Talking Points Memo: by Joshua Micah Marshall

This could be the Bush Watergate.. The chief political advisor outs a CIA Operative and trys to cover his tracks.. Watch this unfold.

Honda FCX: What a Gas! A Week in Suburbia With a Hydrogen Honda - New York Times

We can see the future, and it's not coming from an American manufacturer...Honda FCX: What a Gas! A Week in Suburbia With a Hydrogen Honda - New York Times