Three InSight

GoogleTV has basically pulled out of CES, and by consequence, their hardware providers are out as well (in conjunction with Google). Is this a downward path for Google TV being competitive in the market? Which leaves CES wide open for the deluge of tablet announcements, again. The FCC has "ruled" on net neutrality… See if you can make some sense of it all. Windows Phone 7 has sold 1.5 million devices "sold." This number may be a little misleading, find out why.

Michael shares an anecdote about his son's telling of his Christmas traditions. Which leads into todays conversation about the state and perceptions of live vs recorded television. The two major areas where live seems to play an important part is news and sports, but for how much longer… Mark Cuban (not an actual guest) is promoting "Day and date" releases, a model which could be a game changer for feature film distribution.

The big talk going on, all over the web and off, with some potentially far reaching effects is Wikileaks. How responsible are his actions? What if his actions get someone seriously injured or killed? Can this be equated to a digital terrorist attack? Chrome is having a pilot program to test their new OS (http://www.google.com/chromeos/pilot-program-cr48.html). Apply now to see if you can get one!

2 million songs downloaded in the first week!!! "Who?" you ask… THE BEATLES! Keeping in line with massive downloads, Angry Birds is expanding. Expect a movie and plushies. Digital distribution is having an incredible impact on how we consume or acquire entertainment. Acer is getting into the tablet fray, they have announced a 7" & 10" tablet. Dave gives us a history lesson with Osborne computers, what NOT do to with marketing… iOS 4.x has been released, 'nuf said.

"I Want to Hold Your Hand" episode… The Beatles record collection is going to be available on iTunes! *YAWN* Facebook announces its new integrated communication services. Do we need yet another email service? And how effective can it be with more businesses blocking access to Facebook and Twitter type interactions. The guys also discuss a possible future for distribution of content in relation to premium membership.

Boxee has FINALLY announced that they will be shipping their set top boxes. Now the competition should finally heat up, as up until now the only real one on the market was AppleTV. How has your online experience with these services been? Are the set top boxes really necessary, why not just connect a computer to a big HD TV? Thy guys have discussed the pricing structure previously, and review it again today.

A piece of our past is on it's final legs, Sony's last run of cassette based walkmen are coming off the line… The guys reflect on their first experience with the Walkman and how the personal music/media arena has evolved. Michael has ordered the new Macbook Air! Doyle postulates that the 11" could make a very good portable device that could replace his iPad. Amazon is now selling more Kindle books than paper books combined…

In Dave's words, one of the most profound inventions that allows him to enjoy music. That would be iTunes and iPods… My, how things have changed! Remember making mix tapes? Dave, Michael and Doyle do. They discuss the process of when they converted from CD to digital. And the actual use time of the CD player/radio in the car. How many discs did you have?

Doyle purchased the new Apple TV, and then an HD TV to use with his Apple TV… Which is an interesting segueway into applications that use mashups. Combining layers of information to achieve a whole new product. Do the programmers have a certain amount of responsibility when providing said information? HP has a new CEO, who has a questionable employment history. Are they "DOOMED"?!?! Goldman Sachs has downgraded Microsoft stock, stating they are weak in mobile. This comes at a time of their mobile OS launch. Plus, the TV experience. Is it sit up or sit back experience?

This is "The Audience is the Guinea Pig" episode, and we are looking for some feedback. Would you prefer to hear more short discussions, or do you like fewer topics with more detail? Some of the things covered today are AOL's purchase of TechCrunch, Apple TV, Blackberry's new tablet, Office for Mac 2011, Netflix with NBC content, evolution of the Kindle, Gmail's priority inbox, and the Silicon Valley "No Poach" agreement.