The Switch: How the cable industry is trying to reshape the economics of the Internet

Today's technology and tech policy news  •  Mon., Jan. 26, 2015 View in your Web browser

How the cable industry is trying to reshape the economics of the Internet As it waits for the regulatory shoe of net neutrality to drop next month, the cable industry is going on the offensive.Lobbyists are taking preemptive aim at other Internet rules that might come down from the government soon. And meanwhile, Cablevision has become the first cable company to act in a wider battle over the future of phone calls. If the industry gets its way, it'll enjoy tremendous advantages when it comes to the economics of the Internet. Here's how.  Read full article »

Innovations: Too big to innovate: Get excited for the coming disruption of banks

Don’t worry, banks. Video stores, newspapers and film cameras can offer a shoulder to cry on. They know how you are about to feel. Welcome to the world of disruption, where businesses get upended. The race is now on to chip away at banks’ businesses with cheaper and superior services that customers love.  Read full article »

Only in Washington: Drone lobby throws free OK Go concert to promote responsible flying

In the latest OK Go video, members of the rock band ride around on robotic unicycles amid a crowd of umbrella-wielding women creating geometric patterns. A camera attached to a drone flies overhead, with each umbrella becoming a mere dot as it soars through the sky.  Read full article »

The drone lobby isn’t excited about the latest White House fence hopper

A small drone flew onto White House grounds in the wee hours of Monday morning -- and the drone lobby isn't happy about it."This incident represents a clear misuse of [unmanned aerial systems] technology," Brian Wynne, president of the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, told the National Journal. "Flying any aircraft around the White House is a serious violation of the restricted and prohibited airspace in Washington, D.C. We hope the individual or individuals responsible are found and held accountable."  Read full article »

Innovations: Looking for an exotic vacation? Here’s why moon travel may be only 20 years away

Five teams competing for the $30 million Google Lunar X Prize have just been awarded a combined $5.25 million for meeting significant milestones in developing a robot that can safely land on the surface of the moon, travel 500 meters over the lunar surface, and send mooncasts back to the Earth. A tiny start-up from India, Team Indus, with no experience in robotics or space flight just won $1 million of this prize. It stood head to head with companies that had been funded by billionaires, had received the assistance of NASA, and had the support of leading universities.  Read full article »

The fight for smartphone owners is netting us all some pretty good deals

There's a lot of poaching going on in the wireless industry right now. And that makes it a pretty fun time to be a consumer.T-Mobile has been a on a tear for the past several months, offering one maverick move after the other, from agreeing to pay the termination fees customers incur if they leave other carriers to an announcement this week that bad credit will no longer bar loyal customers from getting good smartphone deals. That program starts next month.  Read full article »

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