Google Picks Kansas City for FTTH Network
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, April 4, 2011 · 
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Back in February, Google announced it was launching an experimental 1 Gbps FTTH network in a small number of trial locations across the United States. The Internet giant received more than 1,100 applications from communities nationwide and took its time evaluating the contenders.
Last week Google officially announced that it has chosen Kansas City, Kan., as the first place that will get its ultra-fast broadband network. Google signed a development agreement with the city and it plans to work closely with local organizations, businesses and universities to bring a next-generation Web experience to the community. (See the video after the jump.) Read more
YouTube in Talks with Pro Sports Leagues to Stream Live Games
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, February 28, 2011 · ·
Following on the heels of a successful broadcast of cricket matches from the Indian Premier League last summer, Google Inc.’s YouTube is in talks with “most pro sports leagues” about streaming live games.
Google is remaining mum on the details, but according to a report published last Wednesday by Bloomberg, the video site has been speaking with the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL).
Gautam Anand, Google’s director of content partnerships for Asia Pacific, said the company plans to stream more live sports this year. ”It’s fair to say that there will be a lot more appealing sports content you’ll see on YouTube,” Anand said. “We have ongoing conversations with pretty much everyone.” Read more
Google Voice (Officially) Launches Number Porting
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, January 31, 2011 · ·
Just a few days after I reported on Google’s beta test of this new feature, the Internet giant officially launched a number porting service which allows a user to port his/her mobile number to Google Voice. At this time there is no mention of number porting for landline numbers.
Google charges $20 for the service, and the user may incur additional charges, including early termination fees, from his/her wireless carrier. Number Porting is currently available for existing Google Voice users and will become available to new users within the next few weeks.
Google Voice Enables Number Porting
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, January 24, 2011 · ·
Last week Google Voice quietly enabled a new feature: port your existing phone number to their service. The tech blog Engadget broke the story, noting that Google was charging $20 for the feature.
Google quickly fired back a response stating that number porting is still in beta mode. “We’re continually testing new features to enhance the user experience,” Google said. “For a limited amount of time, we’re making the Google Voice number porting process available to users. We don’t have any additional details to share at this time, but plan to offer this feature to all users in the near future.”
Although this service is still in beta testing – and there are conflicting reports if it will allow a user to port a landline number or only a mobile line – I question where Google is headed with this service. Read more
Google Buys Widevine
Posted by Steve Fravel on Monday, December 6, 2010 · ·
Citing the ongoing improvement in broadband and wireless speeds and the relative ease ”to watch video wherever….and whenever you want,” Google announced the purchase of Widevine. Widevine provides video security products in the form of encryption, control and quality optimization. Read more
Google Begins Fiber Network Trials at Stanford
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, October 25, 2010 · ·
Google announced late last week that is moving forward with its plans to build a FTTH broadband network. After conducting experiments of various fiber technologies on its corporate campus, Google reported on its blog that it will create a beta network at nearby Stanford University, the alma matter of the company’s co-founders.
The Internet giant will build an ultra-high speed broadband network for the university’s Residential Subdivision, a group of approximately 850 faculty- and staff-owned homes on campus. Through this trial the company plans to offer Internet speeds up to 1 Gbps, more than 100 times faster than what most people have access to today.
However, James Kelly, a product manager for Google, was quick to point that the Stanford University project is completely separate from its community selection process for Google Fiber, which is still ongoing. Google announced last February that it would build an experimental FTTH network in a small number of trial locations across the United States which will service between 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people. Hundreds of communities, many with their own creative gimmicks, launched campaigns to win Google’s attention. Read more
OTT Wars: Apple, Amazon and Google
Posted by Jesse Ward on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 · ·
Apple's new video device and service
The video device market is heating up as new entrants battle it out for the consumer’s attention and a share of the $180 billion global TV advertising market.
Last week Apple unveiled a new generation of Apple TV, an Internet-connected set-top box which will stream content from Apple’s iTunes store, eliminating the need for storage or syncing. The new Apple TV is a small black box that features an HDMI port capable of 720p output, OpticalAudio and Ethernet.
Apple will offer first-run HD movie rentals for $4.99 and HD library titles for $3.99. Apple also offers standard definition movies for $3.99 for new releases and $2.99 for library titles. Rentals be watched within 30 days; once you begin watching a movie, you need to finish it within 24 hours.
Perhaps most importantly, Apple has negotiated for streaming TV rentals from News Corp.’s Fox, The Walt Disney Co.’s ABC, ABC Family and Disney Channel, and BBC America. HDTV rentals will cost 99 cents per show and be available for 48 hours after purchase. Read more