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Saturday, April 2, 2011

Twitter tax deal creates classic San Francisco row (AP) : Technet

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Twitter tax deal creates classic San Francisco row (AP) : Technet

Twitter tax deal creates classic San Francisco row (AP)

Posted: 02 Apr 2011 07:36 AM PDT

By MARCUS WOHLSEN, Associated Press Marcus Wohlsen, Associated Press – Sat Apr 2, 10:36 am ET

SAN FRANCISCO – In the shadow of San Francisco's stately City Hall, sidewalks abound with transients, drugs and crime. Into this neighborhood, one of the world's hottest social media companies has promised to stride, offering urban rebirth in exchange for a tax break.

Tax incentives to bring businesses to blighted streets are not unusual. But this is San Francisco. And Twitter. The mayor supports the plan, but progressive politicians — and now the city's largest public employee union — call the proposal a poorly crafted giveaway to the rich.

The conflict comes at a time when the city's high tech economy teems with energy not seen since before the first Internet bubble burst more than a decade ago.

At issue is the city's payroll tax. San Francisco is the only city in California to levy its business tax based on how much companies pay workers, rather than how much money they take in.

Since Twitter emerged as a side project of a San Francisco podcasting company in 2006, the business has grown from a handful of employees to a few hundred. With investors pouring money into Twitter, the company expects to grow to more than 3,000.

To do that, Twitter needs a lot more space. One option would be to flee to a sprawling suburban campus in Silicon Valley, where adding more employees would not mean adding to the tax bill.

But earlier this month, recently appointed Mayor Ed Lee announced what seemed like a winning solution for everyone. Twitter had signed a letter of intent to sign a six-year lease on several hundred thousand square feet of office space in a historic building in the struggling Mid-Market neighborhood. The only condition: The city must agree to exempt Twitter from paying any new payroll taxes on any additional hires.

For a company that expects to add thousands of new of employees in the next few years, the savings would add up quickly.

"This is the moment we have been waiting for," Lee said of the proposed deal. "The transformative nature of an anchor tenant like Twitter will revitalize this community."

Yet in San Francisco, where an overall economy largely untouched by the recession has kept real estate prices among the highest in the country, some low-income residents worry that revitalization will just lead to higher rents. And city employees facing layoffs and contract concessions thanks to a massive budget shortfall resent what they see as a giveaway to venture capitalists and a bailout for landlords.

"Who are the (Twitter) investors?" Supervisor John Avalos told The San Francisco Examiner. "Probably some of the wealthiest people in this country. And we are giving them more wealth."

Last Tuesday, members of a neighborhood group protested outside Twitter's current headquarters, about a mile from the proposed new offices.

They accused Twitter of not living up to its pledge to be a good neighbor. They complained neither the city nor the company have considered the low-income residents who would be adversely impacted by rising rents spurred by the prosperity Twitter could bring.

"The residents are feeling that if they're not going to benefit from this revitalization that the city is pushing for, it really doesn't make sense for these companies to stay in San Francisco," said Angelica Cabande, director of South of Market Community Action Network.

Twitter declined to comment on the tax-break fracas.

As a result of the controversy, a lawmaker on the Board of Supervisors' progressive wing, Ross Mirkarimi, has proposed an alternative measure he says will fix an underlying legal flaw that has led to anxiety among hot tech companies looking to grow.

San Francisco's payroll tax is unusual enough, but one provision makes it even more unique. The city in 2004 added language to the tax code to make clear that tax collectors considered stock options a part of employees' compensation and hence taxable as part of the payroll.

For tech startups, stock options are one of the most common ways to hold onto employees, especially when a lack of funds doesn't allow them to offer competitive salaries. When lucky companies reach a point where they can make their initial public offering of stock, those options can turn into a major windfall for workers.

But for companies in San Francisco, that windfall sticks employers with a huge tax increase right at the time they've issued the stock in an effort to expand. Mirkarimi's proposal would place a two-year moratorium on taxing any company's stock options to ease the fears not just of Twitter, but other San Francisco-based startups like social gaming leader Zynga and consumer review website Yelp.

"You don't want to write law in a way that only helps one company or one neighborhood in one part of the city," Mirkarimi said.

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote Tuesday on the Twitter package, and Mirkarimi predicts it will pass even without his vote. If that happens, Service Employees International Union Local 1021, the public employees union, may seek a ballot measure that could delay the deal until voters weigh in.

City economic officials paint any failure of the deal not as a loss to Twitter but as a loss for the neighborhood, where more than half of the available commercial real estate sits vacant. While Twitter is the big fish the city is seeking to catch, any businesses within the geographic zone defined by the legislation would get a similar tax break.

"The benefit we want, which is jobs in this area, is not happening without some incentive," said Jennifer Matz, director of the city's Office of Economic and Workforce Development. Without such incentives, she said, the neighborhood has not seen improvement for a generation. "It resisted the last dot-com boom."

Sweden's Ericsson suing Chinese rival ZTE (AP)

Posted: 02 Apr 2011 06:28 AM PDT

– Sat Apr 2, 9:28 am ET

STOCKHOLM – Swedish wireless equipment maker LM Ericsson on Saturday said it is suing Chinese rival ZTE Corp. for alleged infringement of several of its patents in handset and network technology.

Fredrik Hallstan, a spokesman for the Stockholm-based group, said lawsuits were filed in Britain, Germany and Italy on Friday, after several attempts to get the Chinese telecom equipment maker to sign a patent licensing agreement had failed. "This has been going on for many years," Hallstan said, declining to give any details on the total sum demanded in the lawsuits or exactly how many patents are concerned. "This is a last resort."

The Italian and British lawsuits regard handset technology, while the one in Germany covers both handset and infrastructure patents.

"We want them to pay going forward, but we also want payment for past usage," he added.

Ericsson would not disclose how many patents it is accusing ZTE of infringing.

Ericsson is also asking the courts in the countries where the lawsuits have been filed to block ZTE from selling mobile phones that contain the alleged patented technology, as well as some network products.

Hallstan said this is the first time that Ericsson has mounted a legal action against a Chinese rival for infringing its patents.

iPhone 5 Rumor Roundup [INFOGRAPHIC] (Mashable)

Posted: 02 Apr 2011 12:00 PM PDT

Charlie White Charlie White – Sat Apr 2, 3:00 pm ET

Not since the first iPhone was rolled out in 2007 has there been so much chatter about one gadget. There have been so many rumors about the iPhone 5, it's difficult to keep them all straight, but those talented French artists at Nowhere Else have laid them out for us here in beautiful style. Merci beaucoup, mes amis!

Be sure to check the blue progress bars for the likelihood of each one of these rumors to actually occur. They look mostly accurate to us, with one exception: After last night's revelations about Sony's involvement with the next iPhone's image sensor from Sony's Sir Howard Stringer, that 50% chance of a better camera seems like it ought to be around 80 to 90%.

Let us know in the comments if you think these predictions are accurate.

Co-founder Page returning to Google helm (AFP)

Posted: 02 Apr 2011 08:27 PM PDT

by Glenn Chapman Glenn Chapman – 12 mins ago

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) – Google co-founder Larry Page on Monday takes back the reins of the Internet powerhouse that he and Sergey Brin created as Stanford University students some 13 years ago.

Page is expected to bring an entrepreneurial spirit and a computer engineer's intensity to the chief executive position being ceded by Eric Schmidt, who helped turn Google into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.

"I get the impression that Larry Page is going to be more hands-on," technology analyst Tim Bajarin of Creative Strategies told AFP.

"Especially with mobile," he said. "Mobile is key to Google's future."

Bajarin said he believes Page was behind recent moves to make it easier for developers to design hip, fun, or functional applications for smartphones and tablet computers powered by Google-backed Android software.

Google makes Android available for free to device makers to use and modify as it seeks to compete in the fast-growing smartphone and tablet arena with Apple, maker of the iPad and iPhone.

"When Larry is in charge of the total strategy, he has to be able to look at it in terms of devices that are going to connect to the Internet," Bajarin said. "Everything is pointing to mobile being the dominant platform."

Brin, who along with Page and Schmidt has led the "triumvirate" at the helm of the Internet search titan, is going to be responsible for strategic projects and new products in the new management structure.

Schmidt, 55, a former chief executive of Novell, is to remain with Google as executive chairman, focusing on deals, partnerships, customers and government outreach.

Schmidt replaced Page as chief executive in August 2001 to provide "parental supervision" at the company the college pals launched just three years earlier. In recent years, Page has headed Google's product development while helping with day-to-day operations.

"To some degree, Eric's heart has been much more toward the structure side of the business as opposed to the entrepreneurial side," Bajarin said.

"If you can get back to an entrepreneurial management approach, that allows for more innovation," he said. "That gives Larry a foot up in this particular case."

Schmidt will also continue to serve as an adviser to Brin, 37, and Page, who turned 38 last week.

Google has grown over the past decade from a startup battling other Internet search engines into a technology giant with nearly 25,000 employees and annual revenue of nearly $30 billion.

Google continues to dominate the Internet search market but has been coming under pressure from social networking rivals such as Facebook and Twitter.

Silicon Valley will be watching to see how the famously aloof Page handles being the public face of the Mountain View, California-based colossus.

"I think it's fair to say that Larry Page will not be a conventional CEO -- he's not been much of a public figure for the past 10 years," John Battelle, author of a book about Google and technology rivals, said in a blog post when Page's return as CEO was announced in January.

"It will be interesting to see if that changes, or if Page chafes at the relentless public demands of running a massively scrutinized public company."

Schmidt, explaining in January why he was stepping aside for Page, said it was an attempt to "simplify our management structure and speed up decision making."

Page was "ready to lead," Schmidt said, adding that he anticipated working "for a long time to come" with the two Google co-founders.

New York Times service costs more, but it's worth less (Appolicious)

Posted: 02 Apr 2011 08:23 PM PDT

Great Accessories for Your Android Tablets (PC World)

Posted: 02 Apr 2011 02:00 PM PDT

Agam Shah Agam Shah – Sat Apr 2, 5:00 pm ET

Some Android tablets have unique features that set the devices apart from Apple's iPad 2. Toshiba is offering its Tablet with a replaceable battery option, which users can buy for $89. Keyboards for Motorola's Xoom and Samsung's Galaxy Tab are available with specific keys that make it easy to use and navigate the Android OS. Other handy accessories such as M-Edge's Convertible Sleeve can be used for both e-readers and tablets.

Motorola Xoom Accessories

Some accessories, such as the Wireless Keyboard, provide additional functionality to Motorola's Xoom. The full-sized Wireless Keyboard enables users to type on the Xoom via a Bluetooth wireless connection. The feature that sets it apart from other wireless keyboards is shortcut keys designed to provide quick access to Android applications. But at $69.99 it is expensive. The keyboard also works with Motorola's Atrix 4G smartphone, so the accessory may be worth the price if you own both devices.

Motorola is also selling a speaker dock for $129.99 and a standard dock for $49.99, both for the Xoom. Motorola's online store also offers an HDMI cable at $39.99 to connect the Xoom to high-definition TVs. The site also offers cases and covers for $29.99.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Accessories

Samsung's Galaxy Tab is available with a 7-inch screen, though a 10-inch version is due out later this year. The company offers the Full Size Keyboard Dock, which offers more features than the product name suggests. A dock at the top can keep the Tab charged and connect the tablet to the keyboard. Another cool feature is a headphone jack outlet at the back of the keyboard, which could be handy when trying to maintain silence. It's unclear if the dock will accommodate the upcoming 10-inch Tab. The Keyboard Dock is priced at $79.99 on Samsung's website.

Other Tab accessories include Samsung's $19.99 Conductive Style, a digital pen stylized like a "premium writing instrument," according to the company. A range of covers and cases are available on Samsung's website, with the protective covers priced at $29.99, and leather cases starting at $49.99.

BlackBerry PlayBook Accessories

Staples also houses some accessories for non-Android tablets like Research In Motion's BlackBerry PlayBook, a 7-inch tablet that will begin shipping in mid-April starting at $499. Included are a $69.99 Rapid Charging Pod, a $49.99 Leather Convertible Case and a $59.99 Leather Book Binder, which looks like an e-reader case. Accessory maker Targus has listed a nylon Truss case for the PlayBook, which is listed at $34.99, though it is not yet available for order. Targus is also offering a leather Zierra portfolio case for the PlayBook priced at $54.99.

Multifunctional Sleeves

M-Edge is selling a $29.99 sleeve that can be used not only for Samsung's Galaxy Tab, but also Amazon's Kindle and Barnes & Noble's Nook e-readers. Calling it "Convertible Sleeve," M-Edge says the jacket gives users the "best of both worlds by combining the functionality of a jacket with the security of a sleeve." The front of the sleeve has four small pockets on the edges to hold a tablet or e-reader when in use.

Samsung Tab on the Wall

Vogel's offers Ringo mounts to place the Samsung Tab and iPad tablets on walls or car backseats. The Ringo Wall Mount can be screwed into a wall, and tablets can be placed into a holder that can rotate 360 degrees. With the Ringo Car Mount, a tablet can be mounted on a backseat. The tablet mounts will become available worldwide in late April, and are priced between $69.99 and $99.99.

Toshiba's "Screwdriver Savvy" Tablet

Toshiba Tablet, an upcoming 10.1-inch tablet, will include the unique ability to replace a battery, a feature not available in competing tablets. Toshiba says consumers have to only be "screwdriver savvy," and a replacement battery is already available for pre-order on Staples' tablet promotion site priced at $89.99. Other accessories for Toshiba Tablet listed include a case ($39.99), a back cover ($19.99) and a tablet pen ($14.99). In all, the Staples tablet website is a good one-stop shop that lists accessories for Toshiba Tablet and other devices. The release date and price for the Toshiba Tablet have not yet been announced.

Why Sprint Should Dump WiMax: The Battle for Your Smartphone Dollars (PC World)

Posted: 02 Apr 2011 10:00 AM PDT

Jeff Bertolucci Jeff Bertolucci – Sat Apr 2, 1:00 pm ET

The latest LTE vs. WiMax tests can't be good for Sprint's morale. Analyst firm BTIG Research ran more than 1,000 speed tests in New York City to determine which 4G network was faster, Verizon's LTE or Sprint's WiMax.

According to Boy Genius Report, BTIG's 4G deathmatch had two smartphone combatants: Sprint's HTC EVO 4G running on WiMax vs. Verizon Wireless' HTC ThunderBolt on LTE. BTIG analyst Walter Piecyk and his team of testers found that Verizon's LTE was dramatically faster and more reliable. Average LTE speeds were 9Mbps downstream and 5Mbps up. WiMax was downright poky by comparison: About 1Mbps both downstream and up.

Here's the Boy Genius chart of BTIG's results:

BTIG's LTE-vs.-WiMax findings are similar to the recent Big Apple test results of our sibling publication, Computerworld . CW contributor Brian Nadel says Verizon LTE's download and upload speeds were significantly faster than those of Sprint WiMax.

"When I tested Sprint's WiMax network in 10 locations in and around New York City, I was mighty impressed. I recorded a peak download speed of 11.2Mbit/sec., with an average of 4.1Mbit/sec.--about seven times faster than Sprint's 3G service in the same areas."

"But the results I got in those same locations with Verizon's LTE network blew WiMax away. I recorded an astoundingly fast peak download speed of 26.1Mbit/sec., with an average of 13.3Mbit/sec. - more than three times faster than Sprint WiMax," Nadel writes. Here are the specifics:

These tests are specific to one city, of course, and WiMax may perform better elsewhere. But Sprint, the third-place U.S. wireless carrier behind Verizon Wireless and AT&T, can't afford to be saddled with a slowpoke 4G network that can't keep up with LTE.

Not surprisingly, Sprint has revealed plans to migrate to LTE in the near future. At Mobile World Congress in February, Sprint executive Bob Azzi told PCWorld's Mark Sullivan that the carrier is planning to build an LTE network that would complement, not replace, Sprint's existing WiMax system.

The sooner Sprint embraces LTE, the better. Assuming AT&T's proposed $39 billion takeover of T-Mobile USA is cleared by U.S. regulators, Sprint will have a tough time competing against its much larger competitors. Trying to do so with a slowpoke 4G network would be the kiss of death.

Contact Jeff Bertolucci via Twitter (@jbertolucci ) or at jbertolucci.blogspot.com

Best Celebrity Twitter Pictures (The Daily Beast)

Posted: 02 Apr 2011 05:38 PM PDT

Report: Next iPod nano to Feature a Camera (PC Magazine)

Posted: 02 Apr 2011 09:32 AM PDT

Leslie Horn - PC Magazine Leslie Horn - Pc Magazine – Sat Apr 2, 12:32 pm ET

The seventh-generation iPod nano might have some new bells and whistles. Apparently, the forthcoming iPod nano could feature a camera, according to a report from 9to5Mac.

The report came from a post originally published to Chinese site Apple.pro that said Apple would retain the same compact size of the sixth-generation nano, but would add a camera to the music player.

The fifth-generation iPod nano was larger; it included a video camera, widescreen display, and video playback. For the current sixth generation nano, Apple stripped the device of the aforementioned features, made it smaller, and added a belt clip and a multitouch display.

For the seventh generation device, Apple will maintain the smaller design, but will add a camera again, 9to5Mac says.

Apple.pro reportedly obtained the image two days ago. 9to5Mac notes that Apple.pro has been accurate in the past. Previously, it has leaked images of the Verizon iPhone 4 from Foxconn, photos of the miniature touchscreen currently found in the iPod nano, details about the recently released iPad 2, and other rumors that later proved to be true.

9to5Mac also speculated that the addition of a camera in the nano would mean that Apple would have to rethink the position of the belt clip. The images show that the camera would be located similarly to where the belt clip is fixed in the current device.

In other Apple rumor news, remarks from Sony CEO Howard Stringer have led many to believe that the iPhone 5 will have an 8-megapixel camera produced by Sony.

Although Apple usually sticks to an annual product update cycle, there has been speculation that the next iPhone won't be released until this fall, rather than the summer debut that has been expected.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

Top 5 Facebook Marketing Mistakes Small Businesses Make (Mashable)

Posted: 02 Apr 2011 09:23 AM PDT

Leyl Master Black Leyl Master Black – Sat Apr 2, 12:23 pm ET

This post originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum, where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business.

While Facebook marketing is on the rise among small businesses, many are still struggling to master the basics.

"Many people have difficulty with just the basic Page set up," says social media marketing consultant Nicole Krug. "For example, I still see people setting up their business as a profile page instead of a business Page. I have other clients who jumped into Groups when they came out and have divided their fan base."

Here are five more common Facebook marketing mistakes to avoid:

1. Broadcasting

Ask any social marketing consultant what the number-one no-no is on Facebook, and he'll likely tell you it's "broadcasting" your messages instead of providing fans with relevant content and engaging on an continual basis.

"With Facebook, marketers of any size can do effective, word-of-mouth marketing at scale for the very first time. But Facebook is all about authenticity, so if your company is not being authentic or engaging with customers in a way that feels genuine, the community will see right through it," says Facebook spokeswoman Annie Ta.

Peter Shankman, social media consultant, entrepreneur and author of "Customer Service: New Rules for a Social Media World," agrees.

"Your job is to interact, not just to broadcast," says Shankman. "Fans are looking for a reason to connect with you, and they̢۪re showing you that by clicking 'Like.' Your job is to give them a reason to stay."

According to Andy Smith, co-author of "The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Effective and Powerful Ways to Use Social Media to Drive Social Change," many businesses immediately ask how Facebook is going to make them money and have that be the focus, as opposed to trying to engage customers and provide a meaningful, authentic online experience. "Marketers need to recognize that people go to Facebook to make a connection or feel like part of a community," says Smith.

2. Not Investing Adequate Time

Another common mistake is underestimating the amount of time a successful Facebook strategy entails. Many social media consultants report seeing a pervasive "set it and forget it" mentality among small businesses.

"Some small business owners are under the impression that if they set up a Page on Facebook, that's all they have to do. They think people will just naturally come and want to be a fan of their product or service," says Taylor Pratt of Raven Internet Marketing Tools. "But it takes much more of a commitment than that."

It's not just fan growth that will suffer from this approach -- it may also hurt your relationships with existing fans, particularly customers who have come to expect timely responses to their posts and queries.

"Unlike traditional advertising methods such as a radio spot or a Yellow Pages listing, you can't just create a Facebook Page and just let it run its course," says Alex Levine, a social media strategist at Paco Communications. "Creating a Facebook Page is the first of many steps, but the Page needs to be updated and monitored constantly."

3. Being Boring or Predictable

When they're thinking about marketing, some business owners forget that Facebook is a social place where people share things they find funny, interesting or useful with their friends. Think about what kind of content your fans would actually want to share when planning your posts.

Shankman also cautions against becoming too predictable. "Status updates by themselves get boring. But then again, so do photos, videos and multimedia as a whole. Your job is to mix it up. The moment you become predictable, boring or annoying, they'll hide you from their feed. So keep it varied and personal -- a video here, a photo here, a tag of one of your fans here."

Creating too much "filler" content by auto-publishing content from your blog or Twitter feed can also derail your efforts. Joseph Manna, community manager at Infusionsoft, recommends using Facebook's native publishing tools to gain the most benefit from Facebook.

"Whatever you do, DON'T automate everything," says Manna. "It's nice to 'set and forget,' but the risk is two-fold: publishing systems sometimes have issues, and Facebook places low-priority on auto-published content."

4. Failing to Learn About Facebook Mechanics and Tools

Since Facebook is a relatively new medium, some businesses have yet to explore all its functionality and they're missing out on creating an optimal brand experience.

"Many small businesses do not take advantage of the tools to introduce themselves to the Facebook audience," says Krug. "For example, the 'Info' tab is rarely utilized well, and very few small businesses [create] a custom welcome page."

Krug also sees frequent mistakes around one of the most basic elements of Facebook presence: the profile image. "Most companies upload a version of their logo, but the resulting thumbnail image that shows up in news feeds often only captures a few letters in the middle of their logo -- this partial, meaningless image is then how they're branded throughout Facebook," says Krug.

Facebook Insights, Facebook's built-in analytics system, is also often overlooked, and with it the opportunity to analyze post-performance to see what types of content gets the most engagement.

5. Violating Facebook's Terms

Not only is it critical to know how Facebook works and what tools are available, it's also important to know the rules of the road -- something that many businesses miss.

"Every day I see organizations endangering the communities they are growing by violating the terms they agreed to when their Facebook presence was created," says small business marketing consultant Lisa Jenkins.

What are the most common violations? Some build a community on a personal page instead of a proper Facebook Page. Others fail to abide by Facebook's rules around running contests. And don't even think about "tagging" people who are in an image without their permission.

"Tagging people to get their attention is not only a violation of Terms but can be reported by those you are tagging as abusive behavior on your part -- which brings your violation to Facebook's attention and opens your Page's content to review," warns Jenkins.

To avoid these common mistakes, invest time in learning about the Facebook platform, educate yourself on how to build and sustain an audience, and don't forget to engage with people like you do in real life.

"What sets small businesses apart from large companies is their ability to make personal connections with customers," says Ben Nesvig of FuzedMarketing. "They tend to forget this when they join Facebook, yet it's their biggest strength and asset."

More Facebook Resources from Mashable:

- 4 Ways to Set Up a Storefront on Facebook
- HOW TO: Add Social Sharing Buttons to Your Website
- The Future of Social Search
- 5 Creative Facebook Places Marketing Campaigns
- Dog: Man's Best Facebook Friend, Too? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Get your local news Fwix here (Appolicious)

Posted: 02 Apr 2011 11:30 AM PDT

Cablevision launches iPad app to watch TV at home (Reuters)

Posted: 02 Apr 2011 03:52 PM PDT

– Sat Apr 2, 6:52 pm ET

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Cablevision Systems Corp is launching an app for customers using its Optimum package to watch television on their iPads at home, the company said on Saturday.

The service, available at no extra charge, will allow the cable operator's more than 3 million customers to watch some 300 channels, search programing by genre and enable customers to record programs.

The system uses Cablevision's digital cable television network to deliver programing to the iPad, so customers do not need to have Internet access on their devices to use the app.

"This application allows the iPad to function as a television, delivering the full richness and diversity of our cable television service to a display device in the home," Tom Rutledge, Cablevision chief operating officer, said in a statement.

The move by New York-based Cablevision comes weeks after Time Warner Cable launched its own iPad app in mid-March.

The Time Warner version allows users to watch live programing from 32 networks so long as they are at home using their Wi-Fi network.

But Time Warner's app sparked controversy.

A few days ago, after getting several "cease and desist" notices, the No. 2 U.S. cable company said it would no longer carry networks owned by News Corp's Fox, Viacom and Discovery Communications.

The media companies believe the cable company needs to pay for new licenses in order for customers to use the iPad app.

(Editing by Xavier Briand)

Earth eclipses the sun in this stunning image (Digital Trends)

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 01:30 PM PDT

Jeffrey Van Camp Jeffrey Van Camp – Fri Apr 1, 4:30 pm ET

NASA has released a new image of the sun from March 29, 2011. The portion of the sun that's covered is actually the Earth. This photo was taken by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), a spacecraft that orbits the Earth at a distance of 22,000 miles. 72 minutes a day the SDO witnesses the sun being eclipsed by the Earth like this. In February, two NASA probes also gave us our first simultaneous shot of the entire surface of the sun, all 360 degrees. High resolution versions of this image can be found on Flickr. It's strange, but our sun is a bit creepy when you look at it.

nasa-sun-spring-eclipse
at 9:29 PM

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