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YouTube Cutting Off API Access To Set-Top Boxes

J.R. Bookwalter — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:00:34 -0600

Since Google purchased YouTube, the wildly popular video sharing site has endured a number of growing pains as it works to reinvent itself into a more commercial-minded portal. One of those pains came to light this week as YouTube announced it’s cutting off API access to at least one maker of set-top boxes tied to televisions.

The move comes as YouTube is ramping up its efforts to insert advertising into the service in an effort to monetize content and share the rewards with their creators. But it’s grim news for companies like Syabas, who makes a set-top box called Popcorn Hour.

Apparently, Syabas and YouTube had a “loose” agreement allowing the company to stream content for free, with YouTube having the freedom to change the terms of the deal at will, which they have now done.

“As a result of Google’s decision, Syabas is no longer allowed to access YouTube through its APIs,” company COO Alex Limberis explains. “To be clear, Syabas is not being singled out. With the exception of a few strategic partners Google has chosen to work with, the company has informed Syabas they are asking all over-the-top device makers that are currently connecting to YouTube content through its APIs to take down the service.”

The API is important, since it’s what allows a device to access the content directly, rather than through its regular Flash-based web interface, explains Gizmodo. Come December 2nd, Google is shutting off the tap.

For their part, YouTube claims it’s just business as usual. “Since July of 2008, YouTube’s Terms of Service has restricted implementations for television based on our APIs,” a statement reads. “YouTube has been in active discussions with various developers on how best to implement YouTube on set-top boxes and TVs. Companies that have negotiated agreements to use our APIs, like TiVo, Sony, Panasonic and Sony’s PS3 are not impacted.”

“There are several companies, however, that have deployed solutions, like video scraping technology, to circumvent and violate YouTube’s Terms of Service,” the statement concludes.

Go Get It: Google Chrome OS Source Code!

J.R. Bookwalter — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:15:24 -0600

Can’t get enough information about Google’s just-announced Chrome OS? Like to flex your programming muscle on source code? Then we have just the tip for you!

Ahead of Google’s Chrome OS event this morning, the company’s own Matt Cutts announced via Twitter that the source code was online and ready for download. The code is available here, and following is a screenshot of the files currently available there.

If you plan to dig into the source code, Chromium.org is a great place to get started for both the Chrome browser as well as Chrome OS. In addition to links for source code updates, there are a host of how-tos and troubleshooting, design docs, discussion groups and even videos showing various aspects of Google’s hot new OS.

So what are you waiting for?

Google's Chrome OS Event

Florence Ion — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:16:03 -0600

You may have heard around the Internet rumor mill that Google is currently hosting a Chrome OS event where journalists and bloggers alike were invited to preview the brand new operating system from everyone's favorite search provider. Well, we're not there, but Gizmodo is! We'll provide you with some key highlights from the event as time progresses. Stay tuned! And check back at the end of the day for all the relevant Apple/Google Chrome OS information.

- In Chrome OS, every application is a web application

- Google is a YEAR away from announcement, but no beta as of yet.

- Chrome for Mac will be coming "this year", "very close to launch.."

- Google Chrome OS hopefully be as close to a regular OS in functionality as possible while still being web based.

- All this is open source so you can download AND build it today.

- All Chrome OS devices will be solid state drives. No moving parts.

- Chrome OS devices will be in the price range that people are used to, which means it depends on the hardware partners.

- Chrome OS will run Android apps (possible to have an application store, Google toying with idea)

- To get Chrome OS up and running, you'll need a netbookand a screwdriverfor recommended components

- Google working on performance intensive deksktop apps to be writtein in Chrome OS andno plans yet to work with Microsoft

- Hardware details announced in middle of year; for now it may just be netbooks

- Google working on reducing disk space

- Only supporting web apps

- Same advertisement experience as you now have with Google

- You can use the source code with virtual machine

Don't know what Chrome OS is? Watch the video:

Microsoft Announces Silverlight 4 Beta, Adds Chrome Support

Cory Bohon — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:46:32 -0600

Today, Microsoft announced version 4 of their Flash-like software for web browsers.

According to TechCrunch, the software, which is currently in beta, now has support for Google's Chrome browser. The new version also includes support for fluid animations, webcam, microphone, and printing support. TC is also reporting that the software has a 200 percent faster start time than its predecessor.

Silverlight 4 also comes with the ability to take web applications and sites like Facebook and turn them into a seperate application on your desktop, similar to the functionalities of Adobe-AIR.

Silverlight 4 makes it seem that Microsoft is closing in on Adobe and their Flash software that could turn out to be clunky in comparison. You can read the full details and see more screenshots on the TechCrunch website.

Google holding special Chrome OS Event Thursday

Andrew Villa — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:31:35 -0600

According to TechCrunch, Google is planning on holding a special Chrome OS even tomorrow at its headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. Google plans on giving technical background information and showing off its new open source operating system.

The company will also present a "complete overview" of the new OS, which is due for widespread release next year. Sundar Pichai, Google's VP of Product Management, and Matthew Papakipos, Google Engineering Director for Chrome OS will also be speaking at the event and headlining a Q&A session afterwards.

Previously announced in July, Google gave very few details on the Chrome OS, but hinted that it will be open source and targeted towards netbook users.

TechCrunch: Google Chrome OS Available Within a Week

Arvind Srinivasan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:04:44 -0600

Did you hear that collective nerdgasm 10 minutes ago? Yeah, that was because of a new rumor that Google Chrome OS will be available for download soon. TechCrunch, while vague about whether this will be an alpha release (i.e. download from source and proceed at your own risk) or a legitimate beta release, says that you will be able to download it within the next week.

Of course, as with any OS, driver support will be weak at first -- presumably, Google has been talking to big hardware vendors to get them to support their OS. Furthermore, if they release the source, any other smaller developers will be able to get their hardware supported as well. TechCrunch says that Chrome OS may launch with support for ASUS's EEE PC netbooks.

Google has said that the Chrome OS will boot directly into a browser, but they haven't released any more details about features, let alone screenshots. It is based off of a Linux Kernel, so some features will be predictable, but you can expect a full Google re-skinning.

You can read the TechCrunch post here, and the original Google blog post announcing Chrome OS here.

Long-awaited Chrome Beta May Be Near

Brian Proffit — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:49:01 -0600

CNET reports that the long-awaited Chrome browser from Google will be released into beta in early December. The information came from a post in Google’s online discussion group for developers of extensions to Chrome. In it, Nick Baum encourages extension developers to be ready “for our Beta launch in early December.”

The post was in reference to new Browser Actions technology in Chrome that Google is encouraging all extension developers to use. Frustratingly, though, Baum continued to urge developers to look at adopting the Linux and Windows versions, saying, "We’ll bring you cross-platform parity as soon as we can.”

Google hasn’t yet confirmed the beta release date on their Chrome site or in their official blog.

Google Gives Free Wi-Fi for the Holidays

Cory Bohon — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:01:33 -0600

Google is hoping to make the upcoming holidays a little better by offering free Wi-Fi access at 47 airports.

On the promotional website, Google mentions, "When you’re traveling this holiday season, you can enjoy free WiFi at 47 participating airports and on every Virgin America flight. Just bring a WiFi-enabled laptop or mobile device and stay connected to family and friends for free while you travel now through January 15, 2010."

We're sure that this deal will make waiting in the long airport lines a bit easier to bear. In addition to free Wi-Fi at the 47 select airports, Google is also giving free in-flight wireless on all Virgin America Flights from now until January 15, 2010. Check out the FAQ for details.

So when you're stuck at the airport this holiday season, just thank Google for helping you pass the time without pulling your hair out.

via Electronista