CourseCast of the Week

Episode 112, 08/01/2009

Title/Description: Microhoo, Thinking Machines, and other tech headline stories

Welcome to Course Technology's CourseCast of the Week, Episode 112, recorded Aug 1st, 2009. This is Ken Baldauf bringing you this week's technology news and information.

This CourseCast is brought to you by Course Technology. Check out www.cengage.com/coursetechnology for innovative textbooks and creative electronic learning solutions.

Visit the CourseCasts Website at CourseCasts.course.com where you will find links to the full stories covered in this CourseCast, related discussion questions for use in your technology courses, and the CourseCast Archives.

And now the news….

Story 1: Microhoo a Reality

After two years of on-again off-again negotiations, Microsoft and Yahoo have finally signed a partnership. The deal has Microsoft providing the search technologies for both companies, and Yahoo managing advertising. The agreement means that soon searches performed at Yahoo.com will utilize Microsoft's new Bing search algorithm. Both companies will continue to compete in the area of content, so not much change will be apparent from the consumer's point of view. The companies feel that their combined market share in the search industry will make them more attractive to advertisers giving them a better chance to compete against Google. Upon news of the deal, Microsoft stock went up, while Yahoo's stock plummeted 16 percent. "Nobody gets it," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in response to the negative market reaction. Google claims that the new partnership is unhealthy for competition and bad for consumers. The FTC is scrutinizing the deal, but is expected to grant its approval.

• Bing! Yahoo, Microsoft exchange vows for search and ads [Ars Technica]
• Ballmer surprised by market's reaction to Microsoft-Yahoo [Computerworld]
• With Microsoft deal, Yahoo tosses in the search towel [Computerworld]
• Microsoft-Yahoo deal may hurt competition, Google exec says [Computerworld]
• Bing was tipping point in Microsoft-Yahoo deal [Computerworld]
• Analysts: Microsoft-Yahoo deal won't put Google on red alert [Computerworld]

Story 2: The Promise and Dangers of Thinking Machines

Henry Markram, director of the Blue Brain Project, told attendees at the TED Global conference, that his team could build a detailed, functional artificial human brain, within the next 10 years. Researchers in the Blue Brain Project have already simulated elements of a rat brain in a supercomputer, and have been working on simulating the functioning of the neocortical column of the human brain. Their work involves reverse engineering the functions of tens of thousands of neurons in the human brain, each neuron requiring the computing power equal to one notebook computer. With simulated neurons interacting simultaneously within a supercomputer, the researchers are able to accurately simulate the physical functioning of the brain. Whether or not a simulated brain will eventually think like a human, or perhaps better than a human, is difficult to predict , however the research is extremely valuable for finding treatments for mental illness.

While Markram addressed the audience in Oxford, other computer scientists met in California to debate whether to place limits on research "that might lead to loss of human control over computer-based systems." Leading computer scientists, artificial intelligence researchers and roboticists are concerned over autonomous systems that could pose a threat to humans. Such systems include experimental medical systems that interact with patients, computer worms and viruses that have reached an intelligence level of cockroaches, robotic predator drones that have the ability to kill autonomously, and personal robots that are able to find a wall socket and plug themselves in to recharge. The researchers are determining what threats may soon emerge from autonomous systems gone amok or falling into the wrong hands, and what steps can be taken to address those threats.

• Artificial brain '10 years away' [BBC News]
• Scientists Worry Machines May Outsmart Man [NY Times]

News Briefs

• No doubt you've heard of netbooks, with over 24 million sold, there's a strong possibility that you own one! Now meet the nettop, a small but growing category of small inexpensive PCs designed for the desktop. Like its mobile equivalent, the nettop is designed for light computing, and Web browsing and typically sell for around $300 without a display.
  'Nettops' Are an Alternative to the Desktop PC [NewsFactor]
• You may recall me reporting on Google Voice, the Web-based phone system that provides users with a Google phone number which routes calls to phone numbers that you specify. Google Voice is now available as an iPhone App.. or rather it WAS available until Apple pulled it from its App store citing that it duplicates iPhone features. In other words, the app would take away business from Apple and AT&T. The FCC is questioning Apple over its decision to pull the app.
  Apple Boots Rival Google Voice From Its App Store [NewsFactor]
  FCC questions Apple over Google Voice [MacWorld]
• Computer manufacturer HP received a less than subtle message from Greenpeace and actor William Shatner regarding its use of dangerous chemicals in its manufacturing processes. The words "Hazardous Materials" were emblazoned across HP's roof in huge letters painted in children's finger paints and a barrage of automated phone calls to HP featuring the voice William Shatner berated the company for going back on its promise to manufacture toxic-free PCs by 2009.
  Greenpeace Vandals Target PC Maker in a Big Way [NewsFactor]
• Microsoft is opening its own retail stores. Microsoft stores will feature Windows PCs,Windows Mobile cell phones, Xbox 360 gaming consoles, the Zune digital media player, and of course Microsoft software. Not surprisingly, its first stores will open near existing Apple stores.
  Microsoft Will Open First Stores Near Apple Locations [NewsFactor]
  Microsoft Takes Another Crack At Retail [Information Week]
• Barnes and Noble will soon provide free Wi-fi to customers in its stores. Besides providing a valuable service to draw customers into the store, the wi-fi will provide a convenient method for customers to shop in Barnes and Noble's online ebook store.
  Barnes & Noble Offers Free Wi-Fi To Sell E-Books [NewsFactor]
• An old computer worm has arisen to become a major threat to businesses. Clampi, also known as Ligats, Ilomo and Rscan, has infected as many as a million PCs around the world to create a very dangerous botnet. The botnet is being controlled by an organized-crime group based in Eastern Europe and is programmed to attack the Web servers of 4,500 businesses around the world, taking advantage of flaws in Microsoft Windows, to steal usernames, passwords, PINs and other personal information from the business and its patrons.
  Clampi Worm Puts Online Financial Transactions at Risk [NewsFactor]
  Researcher reveals massive 'professional thieving' botnet [Computerworld]
• Hackers discover chinks in Apple's armor. At last week's Black Hat security conference, hackers demonstrated successful attacks against both Apple Mac OS X, and the iPhone. Shortly after the demonstration a patch was made available through an iPhone update that protects iPhones from the attack.
  Black Hat: Mac OS X Rootkit Debuts [Information Week]
  Update: Apple rushes critical iPhone SMS patch [Computerworld]
• The founders of The Pirate Bay, who currently reside in a Dutch prison, have been ordered by a Dutch court to close the file-sharing service to users in the netherlands or face daily fines of $42,000.
  Dutch Court Orders Pirate Bay Out of Netherlands [ecommerce times]
• The fate of a Boston University student hangs in the balance as a jury decides his punishment. The student, who was sued by the RIAA, faces up to a $4.5 million fine for admittedly sharing 30 songs over the Internet.
  Only question in Tenenbaum music piracy trial is size of fine [Computer World]
• The cell phone industry has further consolidated as Sprint Nextel acquires Virgin Mobile for $483 million.
  Sprint Nextel to acquire Virgin Mobile USA [Computerworld]
• Last week Barnes & Noble claimed to have the largest ebook catalogue available on line. This week Sony acquired access to 1 million free public domain books though the Google Books project, and claimed that it now has the largest selection of ebooks. It appears as though the ebook battle is ramping up with the three big competitors being Google with its Kindle ebook reader, Sony with its E-reader, and Barnes and Noble with its upcoming ebook reader from Plastic Logic.
  Sony e-readers get access to 1M free public domain books from Google [Computerworld]

That's it for this week's CourseCasts. Email me with your comments and suggestions for the show at CourseCasts@gmail.com. Let me know how you use CourseCasts in your classes and I'll give you and your school a shout out on my next CourseCast. Until next time have a great week and be sure to take advantage of the Power -- of Technology!