So for all those Mac lovers out there, it sounds like Apple wants another fiver to get functionality that is in the Intel based Macs already. The 802.11n wireless networking functionality is currently disabled, but with a simple firmware update (all PC users are a little too familiar with) on their machine.

Source News article: Apple’s $5 Wi-Fi Fee Stirs Global Strife

If we all can ignore the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) mis-information ramblings, does anyone see anything wrong with charging for things that already exists in a product, but was not enabled because their were originally issuses?

If you bought a car, but noticed that the stereo wouldn’t play your CD’s and had to go back to the dealership and pay a couple extra bucks, would you be happy? “Oh you wanted the stereo to actually play CD’s? That feature costs extra for us to turn it on.”

Not cool. $5 firmware upgrade, what a shame. Sounds like Jobs has been hanging out with Sony management on their Playstation Store (which is free with your overpriced PS3) and will charge you for everything else. Can anyone say micropayments for your games to just have the cars and features you thought you got by actually BUYING the game? Does micropayments make it easier for us to all consume? I feel a bad trend starting here!

UPDATE:

Well it is not quite $5.00! You get to keep 3 singles and a penny in your pocket! Apple says it will be charging only $1.99, and it’ll be available for purchase on Apple’s website. How nice of Jobs. Apple said it is required under generally accepted accounting principles to charge customers for the software upgrade. You mean generally fattening of your bottom line.

“The nominal distribution fee for the 802.11n software is required in order for Apple to comply with generally accepted accounting principles for revenue recognition, which generally require that we charge for significant feature enhancements, such as 802.11n, when added to previously purchased products,” said Teresa Brewer, Apple’s Mac hardware public relations manager.

If it was a nominal distribution fee, why not charge 10 cents? Or better yet, Steve why don’t you put the dime in for all your Mac follower and just give them the “patch” for free!

Anyone seen this yet? wikileaks.org

“uncensorable Wikipedia for untraceable mass document leaking and analysis”

Is this a good thing a bad thing or will make things better or worse.

If anything it might put Tor maybe in a more favorable / grown stance along with Freenet.

Well it finally happened, I gave into the VOIP solution. I was not going to pay another baby bell coin for a land line. Nope not going to happen.

Skype did not have all the features that would fit in with my west coast folks. The half a dozen other companies wanted too much. Heck not jumping on the let me do everything cable bandwagon either, they already get too much for their broadband services. So if I am already going to pay for broadband, I am getting my money and full use out of it!

I picked Vonage for several key reasons. Price (of course who doesn’t) and features. No real revelations there you say. I would agree. Price was not the cheapest, but not the highest. (Sweet sign up freebies and discounts are always good incentives).

The real winner for me, the features though, dang! Some of them are just awesome. Love the click to call feature (sorry mac folks). Nothing like sitting at the computer, highlight the number to call and have the phone ring (not your computer, not a IM window, no headset or computer mic, just the good ole phone) with the number dialed and your ready to talk. Lovin that! Heck the idea of a virtual phone number anywhere in the US. Not to mention that you can pick your number anywhere they have service. Not restricted to the area code where you live.

Call forwarding, simuRing, enhanced voicemail (get emailed when you have voice mail, heck even as an attachment if you want). So far the quality has been the same or better than my cell and even land lines that I have used.

Vonage should be commended on their actual user account web site as well. Nice orange, ok, could do without the orange. I have flash backs to my early childhood bedroom, yes, it was painted ORANGE. I guess I had picked the color. Kids do the darnedest things aye!

Can see incoming and outgoing calls, real-time on the website. You hang up the phone from a call, boom it is on your dashboard with number, length, caller id info.. awesome. Just the way it should work! Complete config of your features from your secure web admin sections. A geeks nirvana!

Of course as with anything these days, your mileage might vary. I have read some pretty nasty reports about Vonage users problems. Happily, I have not had any of them. Also I would see a big issue between a DSL and a Cable user. 90K outbound for a call could impact a busy DSL line, while I have not noticed any even with downloads going on.

Lastly, the saving grace here I believe is a good router. Got a dime store router and I think you might have some performance and reliability issues. (Same goes for your internet provider, if that constantly goes down, so will your phone).

Last side note, there is something about technology that just works. I setup the VTA (Voip Tele Adapter) which was basically:

• Plugging it into a router (tough)
• Waiting about 5 minutes for it to update and setup everything with Vonage, ALL ON ITS OWN!
• Plug in a normal plain old telephone, viola, dial tone.

That is the way it should work for all tech. Just plain work. No tweaking (unless you really want to start playing). Just work. Amen!

Vonage, just dont let me down now. I hate retracting a good word about someone / something.

If MS promise of IPTV on the X360 comes true, there might just be another reason to own a X360 in your home. Ditch the old cable box and get TV goodness from the gaming console the “knows it can, it can, it can”.

The biggest problem? Holiday 2007! DOH
UPDATE:

It currently sounds like that IPTV will not be available in the current version of the 360. To support the new functionality you would have to get v2 of the X360 to be released near the end of 2007. If this is really true that is going to really stink for the 10.4 million that have their current version of the 360. Plus the HDMI rumor is now related to this v2 version. So far I have not found any 100% proof that this is true or not.