BREAKING NEWS: Egyptian protest coverage online

I'm not a fan of Al Jazeera but you can watch a live feed from Cairo via Al Jazeera on the net at the Al Jazeera English Web site.

Larry

[EDIT:  Loyd] In addition, those with the TVU Player installed on their computers or app-enabled devices, there are several Arabic news stations streaming that have had off and on coverage of the protests.  A search in the TVU search field for 'Egypt' brings up two stations:  Nile TV International (which can also be found at this link) and Al Masreya (which can be found at this link), although neither station seems to be streaming or operating full-time.  Considering that Nile TV is the official state run television station, I wouldn't expect a lot being broadcast at this time.

In addition to streaming video coverage, there are several radio stations streaming from Egypt, mostly from Cairo.  You can find a list of those stations at the RadioTime Web site linked here.  Keep in mind most of these are going to be in Arabic, and like the TV stations, some don't appear to be operational full-time.  This could be due to the shutdown of Internet services in Egypt, but it is worth checking often to see if coverage resumes.

[EDIT:  3:29PM 1/30/11]  I have also found a list of television stations from Egypt that are streaming online.  I haven't checked all of these yet for reliability, but it is worth a glance.  You can find that list at this Web site.

I will add more streaming video and audio sources as I come across them, including any other outbreaks of protests or violence in the Mid-East that pop-up as a result of the Egypt protests.  There are reports out of Jordan, Yemen and Albania of similar anti-government protests.

[EDIT:  3:51PM]  Found a streaming video from Jordan onTVU, this is a Web cam at a radio station.  It is in Arabic, so I can't be sure of what they are talking about, but during my listening session, the presenter was taking calls from listeners.  It might be worth a look, especially if you know any Arabic.  The stream is the Radio Rotana Jordan Webcam.  You can search for it in the TVU search field.

As always, if you find a source of streaming news from Egypt or any other related area, please email it to me:  loyd@globalnetmt.com or message me on Twitter:  @GlobalnetMT.

73s

Loyd

Podcast is on hold - for now....

Hey everyone;

Unfortunately, I am going to have to put the podcast on hold for now......I might be able to make it a monthly podcast, instead of the current weekly format, but we will have to see how things go this next month or so.

The podcast is an extensive amount of work to produce, and I have a full-time job that takes the majority of my time.  In addition, there are some costs associated with hosting the podcast and having the equipment and resources to produce a weekly podcast that can get expensive rather quickly.

Rather than let the blog suffer from lack of attention, I am going to shift my focus to the blog and hold off on the podcast for now.

In the interest of making sure the podcast comes back....and that the blog continues to bring you the latest in streaming news, I am including a button on the blog to make donations.

If you like what you see around here and enjoyed the weekly podcast, a donation is sincerely appreciated.  It just helps to help keep things running smoothly on this end.

I thank you for your understanding and look forward to continuing to bring you the latest in streaming news and information each month in MT, and regularly here on the blog!

Best;

Loyd

Pandora radio app cruises into cars

By Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY
LAS VEGAS — Before the iPhone, Pandora was a struggling Internet radio service fighting to stay alive.
Thanks to the iPhone, Pandora's audience doubled in a year, and now, with 80 million listeners, it's by far the largest and fastest-growing Internet music service.

Founder Tim Westergren's next horizon: the car.

By tapping into the Internet from the iPhone (and, in some cases, Android and BlackBerry phones) Pandora now can be played in many cars with special dashboard controls, including Ford Fiesta, new Minis and most new Mercedes-Benzes. Coming this year: Pandora in the new Toyota Prius V, Hyundai Veloster, new BMWs and Buick Verano.

Additional story at USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2011-01-26-pandora26_ST_N.htm

BBC announces plans to restructure BBC Online

The BBC is to reshape BBC Online by 2013 to deliver its public service mission in the digital age. The reorganisation will mean the service licence budget for BBC Online is reduced by a quarter. It will also require the closure of up to 360 posts.

The changes, which have been approved by the BBC Trust, will deliver:

*A better quality service based on the BBC’s five editorial priorities
*A 25% reduction in service licence budget and a halving of the number of Top Level Domains
*Commitments and clarity on what the BBC will and will not do online
*A pledge to engage with industry twice a year about its plans
*Action to double the number of referrals to external websites by 2013/14 to around 22m each month
Under one unified strategy, BBC Online will be transformed into 10 distinctive products: News, Sport, Weather, CBeebies, CBBC, Knowledge & Learning, Radio & Music, TV & iPlayer, Homepage and Search. Each of them will share common technical features such as consistent design, improved navigation, and the ability for licence fee payers to personalise and access them across a range of devices, from computers and mobiles to tablets and TVs.

To deliver the new BBC Online, the BBC will implement new ways of working around product management, including enhanced collaboration between teams from editorial, technical, design and audience research.

BBC Director-General Mark Thompson said: “BBC Online lies at the heart of the BBC’s digital future. As in television and radio, licence fee payers look to the BBC to inform, educate and entertain them online. As digital technologies advance, internet delivery of content becomes more important and more profound in our lives.

“BBC Online is a huge success, but our vast portfolio of websites means we sometimes fall short of expectation. A refocusing on our editorial priorities, a commitment to the highest quality standards, and a more streamlined and collegiate way of working will help us transform BBC Online for the future. I know that these changes will be painful for affected staff. But I firmly believe that they are right for the BBC at this time.”

The BBC is also announcing a reduction in scale and scope of the website and is spelling out areas of refocus, closures and reductions, along with clarity on areas BBC Online will not cover at all.

Editorial focus of the new BBC Online:

*High quality news focused on up-to-the-minute news updates backed up by rich multimedia content from correspondents across the UK and the world
*BBC News Entertainment & Arts section will have more culture and arts coverage
*Dynamic ‘editions’ of BBC Online for each [home] Nation that reflect the interests of the audience
*Clearer focus of local sites on news, sport, weather and travel
*Sport will focus on fast, reliable and in-depth news and dynamic coverage of the best live events that bring the nation together
*Safe, creative spaces for children
*A single merged offer in Knowledge & Learning, making the most of BBC content, from science to literacy, arts to maths – for adults pursuing a passion or brushing up a basic skill, and for children learning at home and school
*Radio will focus on live output, and the discovery of new music as played and recommended by BBC DJs and iconic musicians
*BBC iPlayer will be reshaped into a unified television offer, bringing together TV channels, programme information and live and on-demand content
*Selected archive content will be featured in TV & iPlayer and Radio & Music
The BBC is announcing a set of closures and reductions as follows:

*The closure of half of the 400 Top Level Domains (with 180 closing ahead of schedule later this year)
*The replacement of the majority of programme websites with automated content
*The automation of bespoke digital radio sites 1Xtra, 5 Live Sports Extra, 6 Music and Radio 7
*The closure of RAW, Blast, Switch, Video Nation and the disposal of h2g2
*The removal of non-News features content from Local sites
*A substantial reduction in showbusiness news on the News website
*Fewer News blogs, with more focus on the updates from leading editors and correspondents
*A reduction in the overall amount of Sports news and live sport
*Stand-alone forums, communities and message boards and blogs to be reduced and replaced with integrated social tools
*The closure of the 606 community site and the closure of the BBC iPlayer message board
BBC Online will not

*Launch its own social network
*Offer specialist news content for specialist audiences
*Publish local listings
*Develop encyclopaedic propositions in Knowledge
*Provide continuing professional development materials for teachers or a managed learning environment for schools
*Become a video-on-demand aggregator in BBC iPlayer, although it will link to other on-demand providers
*Produce online-only music sessions
*Offer track-by-track music streaming
*Invest in exclusive online sports rights
The BBC Online service licence budget will be reduced by £34m from £137m today to £103m by 2013/14. As a result, there will be up to 360 proposed post closures which will be phased in over the next two years.

As announced by the BBC Trust in December last year, BBC Online’s three-year strategy and business plan will be reviewed annually by the BBC Trust. In addition, BBC Online will engage with industry twice a year about its plans.
(Source: BBC Press Office/Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

New podcast is up!

This week, we look at the Verizon iPhone, Australian flood coverage, and head over to the U.K. for a little footie in our Stream of the Week.

The podcast should be available on iTunes soon......make sure you subscribe!

http://itunes.apple.com/ee/podcast/globalnetcast/id409705579

Verizon iPhone, some things to consider

One of the major components of Internet Radio technology is the impact that smartphones has had on the industry.  The combination of mobile apps and the ability for users to take their favorite radio stations and streams with them anywhere they can access a cell phone signal has revolutionized what is possible for Internet Radio.

With that in mind, I have been watching very closely the build-up and subsequent fall-out from the announcement that iPhones will be available through Verizon in the U.S. starting in February. There are somethings that standout to me from the announcement, and it seems others are starting to notice it as well.  Here are my concerns/observations:

• Verizon customers better enjoy your unlimited data plans while you can. iPhone data usage is going to bog your network down, a lot.  Verizon will have no choice but to follow AT&T's lead and implement a cap on their data plans.  Users can only hope they can grandfather in to an unlimited plan, like AT&T allowed us to do.
• Likewise, the much-touted Verizon network is going to get a serious strain test through iPhone usage.  The fact that it is a CDMA network, which does not allow simultaneous voice and data usage, might help a little, but I don't see it being enough.  
• If you rush out an buy iPhone 4 right now, you will be sorry.  Apple releases a new iPhone every summer in June and the rumors are flying about what is in store for iPhone 5.  There is talk of Apple doing away with the home button and replacing it with a bigger screen that has multi-touch capabilities.  Tech-bloggers are pointing to clues in the beta release of iOS 4.3 as evidence of this.  There is also talk of iPhone 5 having a multi-core processor and a Qualcomm chip that enables both CDMA and GSM use.  That means, Verizon users shouldn't have to wait for iPhone 5 when it is released, they can jump on when everyone else does.
• If you are switching to Verizon from AT&T mid-contract, it is going to cost you a pretty penny.  The early-termination fees are going to be pretty high, depending on how far you are into your contract.  When you add in the cost of the phone itself, plus all of the other fees associated with a new contract at Verizon, you are looking at a pretty significant investment.  
• The AT&T network might actually run a bit better, with reduced usage as customers jump-ship to Verizon.  This also coincides with AT&T's push to shore up their network, and make a concerted effort to launch a 4G network.
• As evidence, AT&T is considering allowing a feature to iPhones on their network that probably wouldn't have happened prior to a Verizon iPhone:  personal WiFi hotspots.  The latest announcement from AT&T is that they are "looking in" to allowing iPhone users to use their phones as a personal WiFi hotspot, using the 3G network signal to create a small, personal WiFi hotspot that users can use to access the internet on other devices.  This comes on the heels of Verizon announcing that iPhone 4 users will be able to do this on their network.  This is something I have been wishing for for quite some time in my iPhone.  There are of course going to be concerns, among those battery life and fees associated with the service.  However, this move tells me that AT&T is either about to make their network much more reliable, or they are certain that those jumping ship will do it for them.

I am not the only one preaching this, Consumer Reports is also wary of iPhone 4 on Verizon, suggesting that consumers wait until June when the new iPhone is released.  Consider this from Top Tech Reviews:

Consumer Reports gave the iPhone 4 the highest ratings last summer but now it warns the consumers to wait before buying the Verizon version. It doubts that Verizon can back its claim of unlimited data contracts.

In a blog posting, Consumer Reports state that the Verizon iPhone 4 looks promising but its glitter can be short-lived. Apple is said to be releasing the iPhone 5 for GSM/UMTS networks this summer. This is just six months after the launch of the Verizon iPhone 4.

Consumer Reports lambast the Verizon iPhone 4 being 3G when carriers, including Verizon, are already launching their 4G networks. Verizon did roll out its 4G LTE data network last December but the coverage is limited and not usable for voice calls.

The Verizon iPhone 4 can’t use data and voice at the same time because the CDMA network doesn’t allow this function at present. Global roaming is also non-existent. The iPhone 4 comes with a 3.5 inch screen. Consumer Reports state that Verizon has two Android models with four inch or larger screens.

There’s also the question as to what Verizon’s data package would be. As stated in their iPhone FAQ, iPhonecustomers have to choose from any of the present nationwide plans. Customers are required to activate a data package and the pricing will be announced in the future. That’s a big question mark on how much iPhone 4 users must pay for their data.

 So, my suggestion is for users to hold their horses on a Verizon iPhone until the new iPhone 5 is released.  This way, you can get the latest technology from Cupertino, in the shortest amount of time and for the least amount of money.

Australian flood coverage

The flood waters are starting to recede a bit in Australia in the wake of the historic flooding there, but the effects of this disaster is still on the forefront of much of the media coverage in Oz.

Regular GlobalNet contributor, Kelly, AE4FG in Raleigh, NC, sent us a link this week to ABC Brisbane, which has had nearly non-stop coverage of the flood and recovery efforts.

"My wife mentioned the Australian floods to me yesterday, in Brisbane and I quickly checked TuneIn Radio on my iPod Touch and found ABC Brisbane.  Every time I tune in, they are interviewing somebody about the flood.  Something similar to the hurricane coverage that we get here in North Carolina.  Here's an example of what they are dealing with.  A video of the flood from an office building:  http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/incredible-images-of-australia-flooding-23824222.  It seems like all of the action monitoring is happening "down under" these days. "

 The floods are now spreading to the state of Victoria, with thousands of residents there being forced to evacuate.  There are a limited number of streaming radio stations from Victoria, and none of the stations I listened to during a recent listening session were carrying any coverage of the floods, but they might bare observation over the next few days, just in case.  You can find the stations, along with links to their streams at the RadioTime Web site.  (HINT:  If you can't get the stream to work through the RadioTime player, go to the station Website and try using theirs.)

If you find any other streams with Australian flood coverage, shoot it to me at my email address:  loyd@globalnetmt.com, and I will be sure to post it here on the blog.

73s

Loyd

Podcast is coming....send me your links!

A little behind this week due to the big snow/ice storm that hit the Southeast this week....but trust that the podcast for this week is coming!!!

In the meantime, I am taking submissions for upcoming streams of the week!  Have a stream you want to see featured?  Send it along:  loyd@globalnetmt.com

73s

Loyd

French company makes 'smart' car radio for the Internet

French mobile technology firm Parrot yesterday showed off a “smart” car radio that can find cheap fuel, free parking, and speed traps while taking music requests and placing phone calls. The Asteroid in-dash receiver will be available in Europe by the end of March and the company is working to get it to the United States by the middle of this year, according to project manager Hocine Belkhoudja.

Parrot is in Las Vegas to show off Asteroid at a major Consumer Electronics show that officially opens tomorrow. Asteroid has USB ports for MP3 players, GPS devices, and the types of 3G network wireless Internet service keys that people use for laptop computers.

The 3G keys link the radios to the Web, enabling applications to access online services or data and allowing motorists to use the radio to make hands-free telephone calls, according to Mr Belkhoudja. “You can listen to all the radio in the world on the Web,” he said. “You can search for coffee or restaurants nearby, gas stations with the lowest prices or free parking.” The radios can also provide maps and driving routes.

Parrot tailored a version of open-source Android mobile operating software for Asteroid to handle a host of software applications. Music features on the radios include taking spoken requests for specific songs or artists, with the device scouring connected devices and the Internet for tunes.

Parrot did not reveal the price it would charge, but Mr Belkhoudja promised it would be “very impressive.” Parrot also demonstrated a touch-screen, dash-mounted version of Asteroid that it is working on as a “next step” but would not discuss when it might come to market.
(Source: AFP/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Google Working on Digital Newstand

Google Newstand Aims to Muscle in on Apple

By RUSSELL ADAMS and JESSICA E. VASCELLARO
Google Inc. and Apple Inc. have stepped up their battle to win over publishers, as the two companies vie to become the dominant distributor of newspapers and magazines for tablet computers and other mobile devices.

Google is trying to drum up publishers' support for a new Google-operated digital newsstand for users of devices that run its Android software. With the effort, it is chasing Apple, which already sells digital versions of many major magazines and newspapers through its iTunes store.

Read more on this story from WSJ.com
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704543004576051800714082180.html

Android Tablet for $ 200 ? Buyer Beware

Taiwanese electronics manufacturer AOC is unveiling a $200 Android tablet this week at CES. But you'll probably get what you pay for.

Never heard of AOC, the "world's largest display maker"? Perhaps you haven't shopped for electronics at Target, one of the major purveyors of AOC's low-cost, no-frills LCD monitors and HDTVs.

Additional story from PC Mag.Com
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2375038,00.asp

Firefox more popular in Europe than Internet Explorer

Microsoft’s Internet browser, Internet Explorer, has been overtaken by Mozilla’s Firefox as the most used browser in Europe. This has been revealed from figures released today by Internet research firm Statcounter. The European market share of Firefox in December was 38.1 percent, while Internet Explorer fell to 37.5 percent. Google’s Chrome browser saw its market share rise from 5.1 percent to 14.6 percent.

Since March last year users of the Windows operating system in the European Union have been allowed to choose which browser they want to use at the time of installation. The option arose from a settlement between Microsoft and the European Commission.
(Source: ANP/Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

New podcast is up on iTunes!

After taking a week off for the holidays, the new GlobalNetCast is ready for download (it should be on iTunes shortly).  This week, we take a look at TVu, a popular streaming video program and mobile app that allows you to tune in TV from around the world.  Also, we visit our stream of the week:  CKRW 96.1 The Rush in Inuvik, Canada.  Fans of the popular Ice Road Trucker program might recognize some of the names, and might enjoy some of the regular road reports.

Check us out on iTunes at this link.

Till next time, 73s

Loyd

Vizio Introducing Phone & Tablet

Popular TV manufacturer Vizio is extending its product line to include an Android powered smart phone and a tablet. The Via Phone will have dual cameras that shoot video and a 4-inch screen, while the Via Tablet will be an 8-inch WiFi only device with a camera for video chatting. The devices are expected to launch this summer.
(Source: Shelly Palmer/Digital Living)

Read additional story at WSJ.com
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703820904576057622268407558.html