Netflix asks FCC to stop Comcast/TWC merger citing ‘serious public interest harm’

As it promised, Netflix has filed a petition to the FCC demanding that it deny the proposed merger between Comcast and Time Warner. The 256-age document claims that such a merger would result in “serious public interest harm,” and no discernible public interest — two red flag items for regulatory bodies. Netflix cited several examples of harm already inflicted on it by Comcast or Time Warner Cable. The most familiar one was to “shift Netflix traffic to paid interconnections,” in other words use network congestion as an excuse to push Netflix to paid “fast lanes.” It also argued that consumer data caps are another tactic that have been used to deter consumers from streaming companies like Netflix.

Netflix added that a merged cable giant would have huge leverage over it and rivals like Hulu. It said Comcast and TWC’s claims that there is enough competition in the market are disingenuous, since DSL offerings from AT&T and Verizon often have insufficient speed for Netflix streaming. It added that those companies offer their own streaming services (like paid video-on-demand), and thus have “incentives to interfere” with third-party companies like Netflix.

It also argued that it’s prohibitively expensive for consumers to switch broadband services, and that even if they wanted to, there are often zero alternatives — a situation that would worsen with a merger. Finally, it complained about the problem of “terminating networks,” or the point at which user data switches from one network to another, saying that providers can deliberately congest such routes to extract fees — and in fact, have no incentive not to.

There are many more arguments listed, and most of them are well known to the public. But Netflix’s legal challenge to the FCC is significant, since it (and its customers) may suffer the most from a merger. It has now joined the Dish Network in filing a formal brief along with numerous consumer groups.

Filed under: Networking, Internet

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Source: Netflix

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Moleskine now has Livescribe-compatible notebooks

If you’ve always wanted to take the plunge and get a Livescribe smartpen but shudder at the thought of giving up your beloved Moleskine notebooks, well, have we got great news for you. Yep, you guessed it: Livescribe has partnered with the iconic paper notebook maker to produce special edition Moleskine notebooks filled with the special Livescribe paper required for the smartpen to do its job. If you don’t know already, Livescribe smartpens have the ability to record audio so that they’re paired with simultaneously written notes. Different pen models offer different features — the Sky WiFi pen hooks up to Evernote while the Livescribe 3 uses Bluetooth to sync those notes with a corresponding iOS app. No matter which pen you want however, all will work with the limited edition Moleskine book. It’s got the look and feel of traditional Moleskine tomes, complete with elastic closure and an expandable inner pocket (which, incidentally, comes with a handy cheat sheet of smartpen controls). If you want to snag one though, you better act soon — there’s a limited supply and each book will cost you $29.95.

Filed under: Misc

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Source: Livescribe, Moleskine

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Evernote’s getting physical (again) with a new line of office accessories

The idea of Evernote selling physical goodies might have seemed weird at first, but people took to it quickly, enough (the company says) for the merchandise to rake in $8 million in revenues since fall. If that’s true, then it’s not surprising that the company’s come up with a new line of items, this time focusing on ones a bit less intriguing than Evernote-branded socks. The app’s creators have partnered with California designer Eric Pfeiffer to put their own spin on stackable cups, trays and tablet docks for your office. While the tray and the tablet dock are made of wood and only come in one variant each, you can choose between cups with wooden and brightly colored bases. These items are now available on Evernote Market for $20 to $50, with the dock being the most expensive of the bunch. Also, the company’s launching Evernote Market in China at the same time, loaded with items both from this new line and the old one.

According to a company rep, Evernote’s conjured up a new line of physical goods, because it “wants to own both your digital and physical workspace, and help you keep it organized and pleasing.” In fact, it’s launching even bigger desktop furniture on October 4th, at this year’s Evernote Conference in San Francisco

Filed under: Misc

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Source: Evernote Market

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Laser-equipped robot printer will hunt you down and print your expenses

[Image credit: Getty Images, Nikkei (Fuji Xerox machine)]

Filed under: Robots

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Source: TechOn

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European Space Agency chooses potential landing sites for its comet probe

Now that the Rosetta spacecraft is orbiting its target comet, the European Space Agency is finalizing the plans for the ship’s Philae lander ahead of a historic touchdown on November 11th. The team has picked five potential landing sites that meet its requirements, all of which should keep Philae in contact with its mothership, minimize terrain hazards and offer just enough sunlight to maintain power. Don’t expect a quick decision-making process after that, though. The ESA won’t rank its candidates until around September 12th, after Rosetta has had time to double-check the sites, and there isn’t going to be a firm commitment until October 12th. Mind you, it’s easy to understand the agency’s trepidation — choosing the wrong landing spot could either limit the amount of potential research or destroy Philae outright.

[Image credit: ESA/ATG medialab]

Filed under: Transportation, Science

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Via: Space.com

Source: ESA

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