How Google did the right thing with the NASCAR crash video, and why it matters

At a NASCAR event on Saturday, debris created by a serious crash flew into the stands and injured a number of fans. As with many such events, a bystander caught the disaster on video and quickly uploaded it to YouTube, but within a matter minutes it was removed due to a copyright claim by NASCAR. It seemed like yet another case of a commercial entity taking advantage of copyright law to smother free speech — until Google reinstated the video and said NASCAR had overstepped its bounds. In this case at least, the search giant did the right thing.

The NASCAR crash followed much the same pattern so many news events do now, in the age of real-time and social media: moments after the crash occurred, there were multiple eyewitness photos and videos of the incident, including one particularly horrific one captured by university sophomore Tyler Andersen, who was sitting just to the left of the section that was hit by the debris — including a tire that flew off the race car in question. Soon, a link to the video on YouTube was racing through Twitter and other channels.


In this case, Google decided to over-rule NASCAR

Suddenly, however, the video was no longer available, and in its place was a standard YouTube message about the content being removed because of a copyright claim by NASCAR. This raised a host of questions for those who were trying to access it, including: How could the racing entity remove the video so quickly? Why didn’t YouTube protest that it should be protected by the principle of fair use, since it was a news event? And how could NASCAR claim that it had copyright over a video that was created by a fan?

When debris hits the crowd, NASCAR’s precious video rights should be superseded by the right of the crowd to tell their story.


The latter question was answered hours later when YouTube reinstated the video and released a statement saying that partners such as NASCAR are only allowed to remove content that breaches their copyright, and the content in question didn’t pass that test (even though NASCAR asserts in the fine print when you buy a ticket that it owns everything fans produce while at an event). Said the YouTube statement:

“Our partners and users do not have the right to take down videos from YouTube unless they contain content which is copyright infringing, which is why we have reinstated the videos.”

The other two questions people had are even easier to answer. In a nutshell, Google provides its YouTube partners with an easy way to have content removed almost immediately: it’s a tool called Content ID, and it’s essentially a back-door to the YouTube content-management system. When a company like CNN or NBC or some other partner sees their TV shows or news clips being shared on YouTube without permission, they can submit a form and have it pulled down.


Copyright claims favor the owner, not the uploader

One of the main reasons why Google does this — and why it doesn’t bother (except in extreme cases) to protest or demand an explanation for takedown requests — is that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act or DMCA only gives services like YouTube “safe harbor” from copyright-infringement charges so long as the company acts quickly when it receives a takedown notice. In effect, there is virtually no leeway for protests or attempts to get a provider to defend their demands


As a number of observers — including Jillian York of the Electronic Frontier Foundation — noted during the NASCAR incident, this is just one of the many ways in which the DMCA actually fosters bad behavior, or at least behavior that seems bad if you believe in free speech and freedom of the press. The fact that Google acted quickly to put the content back up is admirable, but it shouldn’t have to do this, and there are no doubt many other important cases in which it hasn’t that don’t involve something as attention-getting as a race-car crash.

And as Jason Pontin of MIT’s Technology Review pointed out in a recent essay on free speech in a digital era, our speech is to a large degree controlled by private corporations like Google and Twitter and Apple, and in many ways we are still coming to grips with what that means for us as a society.

Why Carriers Just Love Firefox O

First off, carriers love anything that threatens to lessen the power of Apple and Android. It’s why they always express hope and optimism for any new release of Windows or BlackBerry and have for years.

“Duopolies are not beneficial for any industry,” Telefonica CEO Cesar Alierta said onstage at Mozilla’s press conference on Sunday. Telefonica is betting very big on Firefox OS, bringing it to several countries this year and to all its markets by the end of next year.

Even with BlackBerry and Windows Phone, Telecom Italia CEO Franco Bernabè says there is enough opportunity for Firefox and even Tizen, a mobile version of Linux.

“I think there is room for all of them,” Bernabè said in a brief interview at the Mozilla event. “The only thing we don’t want is to have two monopolies dominating the market.”

But Firefox offers two additional benefits beyond just offering carriers a chance to knock Google and Apple down a peg.

The first of these is cost. The operating system, like Android, is free. But even more than that, it is designed to run well on low-end hardware where Android performs poorly or can’t run at all.

Secondly, Firefox is open. Carriers can do whatever they want, from running their own apps and services to branding and anything else.

That could give Firefox and Tizen a leg up on BlackBerry and Microsoft, Bernabè said. “In our opinion, who will prevail will be the open source platforms.”

There is still a huge challenge, though. Firefox OS actually has to run well. And that’s where the carrier’s dreams could end.

The list of companies that bet too early and too heavily on HTML is a long one that includes, most notably, Facebook, which has since reversed course and focused heavily on native work for iOS and Android.

Analysts say Firefox has lined up an impressive array of partners but still has a lot of work to do in order to deliver a product that will sell.

“The real acid test for Firefox OS and its long-term prospects is the quality of the software itself and the user and developer experiences that it fosters,” said Ovum analyst Tony Cripps. “What is clear from the Firefox OS demonstration handsets that we have seen was that they are still some way from being market ready, being both slow and buggy.”

Even low-cost smartphones have to work well, Cripps said, noting that there is increasing competition from Android as well as the latest generation of feature phones such as Nokia’s Asha touch line and Samsung’s Rex phones.

Meanwhile, the U.S. could prove an even tougher nut to crack. The home market is on Mozilla’s radar, but not the top priority, says CEO Gary Kovacs. The company announced Sprint as a partner, but didn’t give any details and Kovacs said the U.S. probably won’t see its first Firefox OS devices until 2014.

Nvidia’s Tegra 4 and Tegra 4i benchmarked at MWC 2013

NVIDIA’s Tegra 4 and Tegra 4i processors were demoed today at MWC in Barcelona. NVIDIA’s new processors have been said to be more efficient with battery life while simultaneously delivering supreme performance for future smartphones and tablets. The Tegra 4, based on ARM’s latest Cortex A-15 platform, was benchmarked at 4,166 using the Geekbench 2 benchmark. To put things into perspective Google’s flagship 7-inch tablet , the Nexus 7, scored a 1,536 which is far from bad compared to the current array of tablet.

The Tegra 4 chip also takes advantage of the emerging 1080p screens that we are seeing on tablets and smartphones, producing elements like accurate shadow detailing, smooth and high frame rates and high definition graphics capabilities. While ordinarily this might take a toll on battery life, the Tegra 4 works to save around 25 percent battery life on devices running the processor.

The Tegra 4i processor was also shown at MWC and while not much was said about the processor in terms of benchmarks, it has been noted that the 4i is meant for mid-range tablets and smartphones. It features a quad-core CPU, but less GPU cores than the Tegra 4, while delivering 2.3GHz clock speeds.

Switched On: Moving forward with leaning back

Just a few months have passed between the introduction of the Droid DNA and the new HTC One, but it seems that HTC has been turned upside down in that time. While the Droid DNA was introduced in conjunction with Verizon and can’t be a wholly representative picture of how HTC might have introduced the device otherwise, it was a spec- and design-driven product — a 5-inch, 1080p display with a 440-ppi density that appeared to spill over onto sides that included a microperforation.

In contrast, little was said about the HTC One hardware itself until later in the device’s introduction, surprising because the HTC One is not only the most attractive handset the company has ever built, but also certainly one of the most attractive on the market. While it is an Android device, the casing builds upon the tapered, Windows Phone-inspired 8X, substituting aluminum for polycarbonate. That said, there is also the spillover glass effect found on the Droid DNA. The HTC One retains the 1080p display found in the Droid DNA. However, since the screen is smaller, the pixel density is even higher (468 ppi) than in that record-breaking device.

Key specs continue to influence the HTC One, sometimes in surprising ways. Many companies have declared the megapixel wars over through the years, but few have actually stood behind that claim by reducing resolution as HTC has with its 4-megapixel “UltraPixel” camera. Other hardware choices such as the integrated stereo speakers and dual microphones also enabled key functionality and differentiation.

However, what provides direction for that functionality — indeed, what HTC devoted the first half of its introduction to — is the software experience. A theme that ran through the features was the way the One will take what is often a lean-in, 1-foot experience and imbue it with elements of a bigger-screen, lean-back experience. Examples of this included:

BlinkFeed

While HTC Sense has previously sought to be a bubble-up experience across a wide range of activities, those have now been concentrated into a Flipboard-like scrolling mélange of social- and media-driven updates. As with other content aggregators, it takes some time to set up, but once it’s in place, it’s time to feed at the content trough.

BoomSound

Applying amplification and Beats processing to those stereo speakers enables the One to rise above the tinny monophone of most cellphone speakers to create a tiny theater experience. You’ll still probably want headphones for most listening, but there’s no work to be done here. Just lean (slightly) back and enjoy.

Sense TV

Adding an infrared emitter and TV program guide to a mobile device is the kind of thing you might expect from TV vendors such as Sony and Samsung. Indeed, both have put such a port on their tablets and paired it with guides. But for HTC this is a step forward beyond the Media Link it introduced with the first One.

Zoe

“Shall I take a picture or video?” So much to think about. Not anymore. Taking advantage of the One’s bigger pixels and fast processor for automatic HDR, Zoe (inspired by the “zoetrope”) is a nifty photo / video combination that includes capabilities seen in Microsoft Photosynth as well as from Scalado. HTC’s new photo and video experience can even automatically create highlight videos, a process that takes an extra step on the iPhone or BlackBerry Z10.

Speaking of BlackBerry, rumors have recently swirled that Lenovo has been interested in acquiring the smartphone pioneer. The kind of personal and professional productivity optimizer that the former RIM has targeted is very much in line with Lenovo’s resonant slogan, “For those who do.” The HTC One, on the other hand, seems designed “for those who would rather not” — rather not dig through separate feed apps, rather not strain to hear a music video, rather not even pick up a separate remote control. And that’s OK. It can require a great deal of overachievement to enable underachievement.

Why Google Made Its Own High-End Laptop, the Chromebook Pixel

Google today unveiled the Chromebook Pixel, a laptop that it designed and built itself. Unlike prior Chromebooks, whose main draw was their value, this one is built to compete with the top end of the market.

The three biggest appeals of the Pixel will likely be its touchscreen and high-density display, its elegant design, and the fact that it’s a Web-based device.

Google set out to build the best possible device for “power users living in the cloud,” said Sundar Pichai, Google’s SVP of Chrome, speaking at a launch event in San Francisco today.

Like other Chrome OS products, the Pixel does not support desktop software, and would have its users live entirely in browser windows using Web-based applications.

The Pixel, which will ship as early as next week and starts at $1,299 for a Wi-Fi-only model (more specs analysis here), evolves from previous products Google made with partners such as Samsung. But it’s a far step above them.

Most notably, the screen has more pixels per inch than any other laptop, Google said.

The focus on detail and design is unheard of for a Google product. Where the company had tiptoed into hardware before, it’s striding in wholeheartedly now.

The smooth device’s hinge gives “the feeling of a luxury car door opening and closing,” Pichai said. The touchpad is made of glass, and has been tuned with a laser to have a maximally grippy surface. There are three microphones, with an additional one set below the keyboard so typing noises can be canceled out.

At one point, a Google hardware designer at the event started waxing poetic about “tuning the force function of the mechanical keys to be more responsive.” Really.

In many ways, the Pixel is similar to Google’s Nexus device line, which sets the bar for production of Android mobile phones.

But the Pixel goes beyond that, because Nexus devices are explicitly built with hardware partners, and Google isn’t even naming the Taiwan-based OEM it is working with for the Pixel.

At the same time, this is very much a first-generation device. Some of the Pixel’s hardware capabilities — like the third microphone, and gestures on the touchscreen — aren’t even supported by Google’s own services yet.

And that’s not the only awkwardness. The Pixel brings Google back to the perpetual question of why Google is building two operating systems, Chrome and Android, that are converging on each other.

“What we are showing here is once you build a touchscreen laptop, the lines blur,” Pichai allowed. But he added, “We’re comfortable at Google with two viewpoints, and we are doing both.”

Lenovo announces new Android tablets at MWC 2013

Lenovo has announced three new Android tablets at Mobile World Congress 2013, including a pair of 7-inch devices and a 10-inch tablet. Lenovo’s new entry level tablet is the A1000 powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 16GB of internal memory, a microSD card slot capable of holding another 32GB of memory, and running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The other 7-inch device is the A3000 packing a quad-core 1.2GHz processor and able to hold up to 64GB of total memory between internal and external sources.  Lenovo says an HSPA+ version will be available. Stepping up in size, Lenovo also announced the 10-inch S6000. The S6000 will have a cellular option available like the A3000.

In addition to the news regarding their new tablets, Lenovo also announced Lenovo Mobile Access. This is a new cellular service that will be pre-loaded on Lenovo tablets. Consumers will be able to instantly access the Internet using the service. Lenovo does not provide any information as to how much data or time will be available, but consumers will be prompted to either renew or select a different provider when the initial batch of service expires.

Lenovo indicates the devices will be available in the second quarter of 2013. Hit the break for the full press release from Lenovo.

Lenovo Announces New Android Tablets

Series includes new functionality and various configurations, tailored for distinct customer segments

BARCELONA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Lenovo (HKSE: 0992) (PINK SHEETS: LNVGY) today announced a line-up of new Android tablets, offering configurations and form factors to match consumer needs for both ultra-portable tablets and multimedia performers. The portfolio, which also boasts unique connectivity features, will be available starting in the second quarter 2013.

“We believe that our Android family of tablets will appeal to customers across the world as we’ve built our products to be highly accessible and flexible to serve multiple needs and budgets.”
The range starts with two new A-series tablets, seven-inch devices, designed for optimal mobility while still packing a performance punch. The A1000 is ideal for first-time tablet buyers and features enhanced audio, while the A3000 offers quad-core processing for speedy performance whether for gaming or web-browsing. Alongside these models, Lenovo also announced the new 10-inch S6000, which offers extended I/O options, a large, vibrant screen and a super-slim profile that looks sophisticated and elegant, whether the user is web-surfing in the coffee shop or enjoying movies and games at home.

“Lenovo’s latest Android tablet family is designed to meet the demands of a wide range of customers, particularly young, active users who are always on the go, and have adopted the seven-inch form factor as their own. With these latest additions to our tablet portfolio, we’ve created devices that address these customers’ needs, as well as devices for more demanding gamers and multimedia users,” said Chen Wenhui, vice president Lenovo and GM Mobile BU, “We believe that our Android family of tablets will appeal to customers across the world as we’ve built our products to be highly accessible and flexible to serve multiple needs and budgets.”

S6000, Mobile “Home Entertainment” Center

As tablets have continued their march into the mainstream, increasing demands with regards to larger screen devices have raised the bar for tablet makers. Lenovo has responded with the S6000, a sleek and powerful option for customers looking for a device that switches seamlessly from entertainment to social media and beyond. Powered by the MTK 8389/8125 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, the S6000 shines as a multimedia and gaming tablet fronted by a 10.1-inch IPS 1280X800 display with a wide, 178-degree viewing angle, micro HDMI port and digital microphone. The S6000 also offers a number of additions to optimize its performance as a connectivity tool for social networkers including optional HSPA+ and a substantial battery that allows for more than 8 hours of continuous WiFi web browsing. Even with these specifications though, the S6000 does not lose track of style and convenience; it is all tied together in a super slim (8.6mm) and light (560g) frame that feels good and helps users look good.

A3000, Full Performance in a Compact Package

In today’s connected world, devices must be mobile, without skimping on performance. The A3000 bristles with specifications typically found in a much larger device, all packed into a seven-inch form factor that is thin and light. Powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core, MTK processor, the A3000 optimizes the user experience for games, video, photo-sharing and web-browsing, offering seamlessly fluid navigation and highly responsive performance. The benefits of the seven-inch form factor are not ignored on the A3000 either. The tablet, which sports an IPS 1024×600 screen, weighs in at less than 340g and is only 11mm thick, but can still hold a wealth of content with an extensive memory, which can be extended to 64GB with the external micro-SD card. Optional 3G HSPA+ support ensures users stay connected on the go with Lenovo’s ultra-portable tablet.

A1000, Pocket Studio with Dolby®

The A1000 delivers an audio experience normally reserved for more expensive tablets in a seven-inch device. With Dolby Digital Plus integrated into the device and large, front-facing speakers that ensure the sound is directed at the users’ ears rather than the floor, the A1000 is perfect for music lovers and those seeking a “pocket studio” for either music or movies. The A1000 runs Android Jelly Bean 4.1 on a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and has on-board storage of up to 16GB, extendable to 32GB with a micro-SD slot, so users can load content up and take it to the gym, the office or anywhere else they want to experience high-quality sights and sounds. It also comes in either black or white, allowing users to customize their Lenovo pocket studio to their lifestyle.

Lenovo Mobile Access

All the new Android tablets come with Lenovo Mobile Access, a unique service that allows users to connect instantly “out of the box”. When customers first power up their Lenovo device, they will see an icon indicating Lenovo as their access provider. Without having to set up a special data plan, they can immediately start browsing web pages, accessing their email and sharing content with friends using HSPA+ 3G access or through WiFi according to their specific configuration. When the initial Lenovo Mobile Access service expires users will be prompted with the option to easily renew their plan or select an alternative service.

Pricing and Availability

The newest Android tablets will be available worldwide from Q2, 2013. Although pricing varies according to market, configuration and model, each tablet in the range is competitively priced to ensure maximum accessibility to a premium user experience for all customers.

HP Announces HP Slate 7 at MWC for $169

Today at MWC, HP announced its entry into the 7-inch tablet market with the HP Slate 7. The Slate 7 runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, has a 1024 x 600 display, features a 1.6 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 processor, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage with a micro-SD card slot for expandable storage. The Slate 7 also features a 3-megapixel camera on the back and a VGA camera on the front along with Beats Audio. To top it all off, the device weighs 13 oz all together.

What do you guys think of HP’s entry into the 7-inch tablet market? Check out the press release below and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Don’t forget to check out our complete MWC coverage here.


HP Unveils Android Consumer Tablet

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 24, 2013 — HP today announced the HP Slate7, an affordable Android Jelly Bean consumer tablet that provides customers with easy access to Google Mobile services.

With a 7-inch diagonal screen and weighing 13 ounces, the HP Slate7 is an ideal trusted personal companion, featuring a stainless-steel frame and soft black paint in gray or red on the back. It also is the industry’s first tablet to offer embedded Beats Audio, for the best-sounding, richest audio experience available on a tablet.

The HP Slate7 delivers the Google experience with services like Google Now, Google Search, Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive and Google+ Hangouts for multiperson video chat as well as access to apps and digital content through Google Play.(1)

“To address the growing interest in tablets among consumers and businesses alike, HP will offer a range of form factors and leverage an array of operating systems,” said Alberto Torres, senior vice president, Mobility Global Business Unit, HP. “Our new HP Slate7 on Android represents a compelling entry point for consumer tablets, while our ground-breaking, business-ready HP ElitePad on Windows® 8 is ideal for enterprises and governments. Both deliver the service and support people expect from HP.”

The HP Slate7 joins the recently introduced HP Chromebook as part of HP’s push to offer access to the Google experience.

HP’s tablet offerings reside in the company’s newly formed Mobility Global Business Unit, established in September 2012 with the hiring of Torres. Torres joined HP from Nokia, where he was executive vice president and oversaw the MeeGo products and platform.

HP Slate7 makes computing easy while on the go

Powered by an ARM Dual Core Cortex-A9 1.6 GHz processor, the HP Slate7 is fast and responsive. Integrated wireless allows customers to access email, the internet and key applications, while the High-aperture-ratio Field Fringe Switching (HFFS) panel offers wide viewing angles that provide easy viewing of documents, games, photos and videos—even in outdoor lighting conditions.

The HP Slate7 includes a 3-megapixel camera on the back and a VGA camera on the front for chatting, videos and photos.

With the HP ePrint (2) application, customers can easily print while at home or on the go, and the exclusive native printing capability enables customers to print directly from most applications. A micro USB port allows customers to easily transfer files, and a suite of applications from HP spans exclusive games to productivity tools.

HP will provide an array of simple and easy-to-access support tools and resources to help customers take full advantage of all of the features the HP Slate7 has to offer. In addition to extensive phone and online support offerings included with the HP Slate7, HP is offering customers the opportunity to add to the standard product limited warranty with its HP Care Pack services. HP Slate7 customers will have the option to protect their investment with a two-year HP Care Pack for $29 or a two-year HP Care Pack with Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) for $49.(3)

Pricing and availability(3)

The HP Slate7 is expected to be available in the United States in April with a starting price of $169.

Additional information about the HP Slate7 is available at www.hp.com/slate and The Next Bench.