7.11.2014
GOOD TO KNOW: The Internet is the new television. Emmy nominations came out yesterday, and Netflix’s programming picked up 31 nominations for its hit shows like “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black” – over twice the amount the online service received last year.THE SKINNY.
SO, BASICALLY …
Netflix and Verizon aren’t feeling each other right now.
THROWING SHADE WITH THE BEST OF ‘EM.
Despite a recent agreement allowing Netflix direct access to Verizon’s network, the blame game over which party is responsible for slow streaming speeds continues. Yesterday, Verizon said in a blog post that Netflix’s streaming issues is the online service’s own fault. The telecom company says these problems exist because Netflix chooses insufficient third party providers to deliver a huge amount of its traffic to Verizon even though the providers can’t handle it.
DON’T COME FOR ME, UNLESS I SEND FOR YOU.
Netflix responded and thanked Verizon for making its point. A Netflix spokesperson said that the ISP’s failure to upgrade its interconnection causes congestion. Ultimately, everyday people like us are paying the price for it when we can’t watch our favorite shows online without any interruptions. Netflix continues to call for strong net neutrality rules that also addresses interconnection.
WHAT IS NET NEUTRALITY?
Net neutrality is the idea that all Internet traffic should be treated equally, and preferential treatment should not be given to any one application, content, platform, etc. based on who pays for what.
IT’S COMPLICATED.
We’ll let John Oliver take it from here. His breakdown of the net neutrality debate is EPIC. Watch it. Trust us, you won’t regret it.
WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON?
THE COST OF APPS IS TOO DAMN HIGH.
The Federal Trade Commission claims that Amazon allegedly permitted unauthorized in-app purchases by kids without parental consent. This action comes after the Commission received complaints presumably from parents who had to foot the bill for these apps, which the agency says collectively cost millions of dollars. Amazon is ready to put up a fight.
FREE CELLPHONES.
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee just cleared a bill that would allow cellphone users to “unlock” their devices. If this bill turns into law, users will be able to use their phones on the wireless network of their choice.
I AM WHO YOU SAY I AM.
Aereo says that it should be treated like a cable company and now wants authorization to pay for a license to transmit broadcast channels. In the wake of the Supreme Court decision that found Aereo’s technology illegal, the startup says that a decision on whether it gets a license needs to happen sooner rather than later. Otherwise, stick a fork in them … they’re done.
THE STREETS ARE TALKIN’
Lyft is set to debut in New York City today and doesn’t think it should be subject to the city’s for hire regulations. Why? Well, the ride-sharing app says regulations need not apply because its drivers use their own cars to give rides to other for a “suggested donation.” The New York Taxi Commission disagrees.
The Yo app has gone viral, but it’s value is less than $10 million. For an app that literally lets its users only send the word ‘yo” to each other, we’d say that’s pretty good.
Cover, a new mobile payments app that allows restaurant goers to pay for their checks without actually waiting for the check and all the hoopla that goes with it, just raised $5.5 million.
NOTE TO SELF
It pays to have technical skills. Happy weekend, ya’ll!