YouTube has just announced that it is going to start offering full-length TV episodes on its site.
Many internet users already watch shows online with sites such as Ninjavideo and Joox, while nervously awaiting them to get shut down for copyright infringement. YouTube has made deals with TV companies including CBS, which will allow you to ‘legally’ watch shows such as ‘Dexter,’ ‘Beverly Hills, 90210,’ and ‘Star Trek’ on their site.
For those of you who are unaware, YouTube is owned by dot com giant Google. Google intends to run advertisements in longer videos, before and after each episode. YouTube owners prevented this from being implemented on shorter videos as it would deter viewers. They are probably right, who wants to watch a 15 second commercial before a 30 second video clip? Instead, for the short videos they have come up with in-video overlays, which are basically banner ads that will appear frequently over the bottom of videos.
Hopefully YouTube continues to sign deals with TV companies and is able to provide us with a decent selection of shows.
Have you ever left your house fearing you forgot to lock the front door? Well not to worry, in the near future you will be able to lock and unlock your home on the internet.
At the CEDIA expo this week, a unit was displayed that can be wirelessly set or opened via the Internet, from a mobile phone or a computer. The battery operated locks have keypads that are locked and unlocked with 4 digit access codes; an old fashioned key can be used as a backup as well. If you forget to lock your door you can hop online and enter the code remotely. The password-protected portals also allow people to change, activate, or disable the codes.
I know your probably thinking – how is this safe? Quite frankly I feel this news will light up the eyes of many online hackers, however, the company behind the device claims that the wireless signals sent to the locks are encrypted.
A kit that includes the lock and wireless bridge to communicate with it will cost about $299. There will also be a $13 monthly charge to use the remote applications. The device will be available late next month.
The browser wars are about to get fierce; watch out Microsoft, Google Chrome is on its way.
This week on the Google Blog, it was announced that they will be launching a beta version of ‘Google Chrome’ for Windows, with versions for Mac and Linux to come in the next few weeks. Apparently the browser is streamlined and simple to use, while running clean and fast (like the classic Google page we’re used to). This release will definitely raise tension between Microsoft and Google, as Gates’ crew now has another product to compete with.
I find it interesting that after the past few years of pushing Mozilla Firefox, Google has decided to develop a browser. Google must obviously feel they offer something unique, and it will be interesting to see how everything turns out.
Have you ever left your house fearing you forgot to lock the front door? Well not to worry, in the near future you will be able to lock and unlock your home on the internet.
