Ars Technica - Cached 0 minutes ago.
Judge: transcoding doesn't block Veoh "safe harbor" defense
Universal Music Group says that user-generated content sites like Veoh can't dock in a "safe harbor" if they do anything except store videos—even transcoding destroys immunity. A judge is having none of it.Read More...
Apple, labels both win with DRM-free iTunes, tiered pricing
Apple has apparently crafted a compromise with the major record labels, dropping DRM and introducing tiered pricing.Read More...
Judge doesn't buy state secrets privilege, OKs wiretap suit
An Islamic charity has established its right to sue the government over warrantless surveillance, a federal court ruled Monday.Read More...
AMD's Neo processor debuts in HP notebook
AMD talked up its new ultra-portable lineup in November and is partnering up with HP to showcase actual products at CES this year. The companies have designed an ultra-portable that's gunning for the narrow space between netbook and notebook, with features they hope will appeal to users wanting just a bit more power, or those wanting to save money without compromising weight, screen size, and f...
Apple reveals 17" MacBook Pro, iTunes going DRM-free
Apple today announced a handful of new products at Macworld Expo '09 in San Francisco. It may be the company's last time attending the trade show, but Apple had a collection of both new software and hardware products to show off on stage.Read More...
Macworld.Ars: Macworld 2009 Keynote live on Ars
Ars Technica will be reporting live from the 2009 Macworld Phil Schiller keynote. A full running transcript of the event will appear here once the event starts.Read More...
Comcast starts new year with new network management system
As promised, Comcast has turned off its "P2P specific technique" throughout its network, the company says. Now, it will handle congestion by identifying the problem, not the protocol.Read More...
MediaSentry may be gone, but RIAA tactics will live on
While the RIAA has dropped long-time P2P investigator MediaSentry, the music industry actually needs such services now more than ever. Denmark-based DtecNet will be handling the P2P identification chores in future.Read More...
Debian 5 release approaches... binary blobs included
The developers behind the Debian Linux distribution have voted to proceed with the release of the next major version despite ongoing controversy over the inclusion of binary firmware in the kernel.Read More...
Constable HaX0r loose in the UK? Well, yes and no
ZOMG, did you hear about how British cops are elite haxx0rz in ur base killing all ur d00dz!!!1! Let's all take a deep breath, shall we?Read More...
Fair Warning: Ars Technica at CES 2009
We're headed out to CES in Vegas this week, so here's a quick heads-up on what to expect. And as always, we'd love your input as we roam the show floor looking for the ultimate gear.Read More...
Android netbook port leaves some pondering Google OS
Will Google aim its OS sights at the PC market? A recent port of Android to a common netbook suggests that Google Linux could become a reality.Read More...
$1.5 billion Microsoft Vista-Capable booty hardly ill-gotten
New information from an economist's deposition suggests that Microsoft made around $1.5 billion from the Vista Capable program, but shoving that number around without some perspective as a garnish changes the entire situation. Read More...
What piracy? Movie biz sees record box office in 2008
Domestic film box offices broke multiple records this year, grossing an estimated $9.78 billion. Thanks to both major and not-so-major releases this year, films from studios like Warner Bros, Paramount, and Sony all contributed to the highest-grossing year in film history.Read More...
Norwegian podcast puts entire Beatles catalog online?legally
This may be a case of unintended consequences. The NRK, Norway's national broadcasting service has scored permission from the country's music rights holders to release podcasts of any programs that it's done that are less than 70 percent music. A notable component of the NRK's collection is a series of broadcasts that includes the entire Beatles catalog. Read More...
Last call for tech policy "Who's Who" nominations!
It's the last week for nominations to our first-ever "Who's Who: People to Watch in Tech Policy" list.Read More...
Twishing attacks steal data in 140 characters or less
2009 is barely underway, and already we see new fun emerging from Twitter-phishing, also known as?you guessed it?twishing. Predictions for the effect this could have on the failwhale-powered service are numerous and varied as bloggers and journalists weigh in on whether phishing could sink Twitter in 140 characters or less. Read More...
Used game prices tank as the market rewards big hits
The gaming industry may look recession-proof, but new data shows the price of used games is going down, and poorly-planned new IP is wiping out smaller developers. 2009 could be rockier than we assumed. Read More...
2009: science celebrates 400 years of Galileo, 200 of Darwin
It's a big year for science, as anniversaries of major scientific accomplishments by Darwin and Galileo are set to kick off celebrations of progress in astronomy and biology.Read More...
Netflix bypasses US mail, set-top box with new HDTVs from LG
If you don't like having handfuls of set-top boxes for every little thing, LG Electronics hopes that its new line of "Broadband HDTVs" will help cut down on the clutter by integrating Netflix streaming directly into the TV.Read More...