Comcast-NBCU deal breaks new ground for Internet TV
In December 2009 Comcast purchased 51% controlling interest in NBC Universal, which raised eyebrows in the cable subscription business and in the emerging Internet TV business. Specifically, the concern was based on NBCU’s 30% interest in Hulu, the leading Internet TV site. In late August, the story has re-appeared as reports surfaced that the Justice Department is “seriously investigating” a debate raging throughout the media business.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the Justice Department is focusing on how Comcast Corp.’s bid to purchase control of General Electric Co.’s NBC Universal television and movie unit as competitors have complained that the combined powerhouse could stunt the Internet industry’s quote.
Here is what some of Comcast’s competitors are reported to have stated to the FCC on August 19…
“[T]his transaction would give Comcast the tools to exploit an ‘online loophole’ under which Comcast could migrate NBCU programming to the Internet or to mobile or on-demand platforms, where Comcast could then deny it to competitors or restrict access for consumers.” – Direct TV
“[O]nline video, an innovative, disruptive new distribution platform – which includes NBCU and its online properties, including its ownership interest in online video service Hulu – is being neutralized and rendered les of a threat to its incumbent acquirer, Comcast.” – DISH
Industry experts predicted the controversy to thicken back in December when the deal went in to effect. In fact, Bloomberg reported at that time that the planned takeover would draw scrutiny from Obama administration regulators who said consolidation of media companies may thwart competition.
Comcast’s response to the FCC regarding the matter is that “the combined entity will lack the market power required to pursue a foreclosure strategy by withholding online content from other distributors.”
Clearly Comcast is downplaying the matter while its competitors are feeling a bit vulnerable with their backs against the wall. Regardless, the story pushes the envelop to points in the media business that have not been breached yet but that were inevitably bound to occur. With the FCC now getting involved, new regulation is expected.
Bill Gates behind funding for eco-friendly engines
EcoMotors recently received $23.5M in venture capital from software mogul Bill Gates and Khosla Ventures for a new kind of engine, one that is environmentally friendly.
The engine is called Opposed Piston Opposed Cylinder (OPOC). That’s a fancy way of saying 2-cycle engine. The idea is to place a crankshaft betwixt two cylinders, each with two pistons that move in opposite directions. The new design eliminates the valve train and cylinder head for a lighter, more compact engine that is also more efficient and produces lower emissions. It still runs on gasoline.
While this does not put the internal combustion engine behind us, it is a step in the right direction for generating equivalent power with less dust. The engines are designed to work with existing infrastructures to easily replace engines like the four-stroke combustible engines used in many passenger cars. They will also be less expensive than these engines.
EcoMotors makes engines that run on diesel or gasoline but have greater power density, weigh less and produce lower carbon emissions than conventional engines. OPOC engines are being developed for passenger vehicles, as well as for commercial vehicles, aerospace and power generators.
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China’s Novel Approach To Trans Management
China is the world’s most populous country. It’s also the world’s second biggest economic superpower having just recently surpassed Japan. When you put the two together it’s not hard to see that China is growing by leaps and bounds, in a number of ways. Including technologically.
You’ll have to watch this video demo of a proposed solution to China’s ever-growing transportation issues which shows a bus-like vehicle designed for vehicles to pass under it. Bus passengers are escorted in an elevated area above a moving underpass that allows vehicles (up to a certain width and height of course) to continue driving through regardless of whether the bus is moving, slowing down, or stopped.
Kind of brings new meaning to the phrase, “Thrown under the bus”. Doesn’t it?
All jokes aside, this actually looks feasible. Rather than build a massive subway system, large urban centers can have electronic buses that move through the streets in traffic lanes. Passenger cars can drive through them as if they were bridges. It almost makes perfect sense, but then, so do most good ideas.
Bill Kurtis Finds the Internet
There is a subtlety in this AT&T ad with Bill Kurtis “finding the Internet” on a deserted island with an Amelia Earhadt plane replica in the back drop. See if you can identify it.
Notice when he shows his laptop screen that you see Microsoft Outlook. Every time I see the commercial on TV I chuckle because while I get the point in showing the screen, there is nothing on the screen to indicate an Internet connection.
Apparently, someone picked up on that because the other night when that add came on and Bill showed the screen, the visual was different and appeared to be downloading email messages. I noticed this of course and was quite humored by the fact that they enhanced the ad.
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