Episode 636

You'll get most of a really great podcast today, just not quite ... all of it. First day of CES jitters mean we sort of lost the first 10 minutes or so of today's podcast, but that's ok, it gets really good after that. Trust us... and no, Jason didn't do it! 
Watch the video
===Stories Covered===
Buzz Out Loud live stream Tuesday and Wednesday at 12:30pm PST 
[CES] coverage 
Gates: Curtain call for crystal ball 
Bill: This video makes Bill Gates look cooler than Steve Jobs 
Report: Apple close to winning over studios 
Sony BMG trades cards for downloaded tunes 
Sony BMG to offer gift cards for unprotected MP3s 
And Napster goes back to the MP3 future 
Wikia launches open-source search engine 
Microsoft admits Office 2003 'mistake'
Sony to add Skype Web phone function to PSP-Nikkei 
Buzz Out Loud wiki--still awesome (Don't think you need a link)
===From The Phones===
* No VoiceMail Today
===In the Forums===
Thread name here, thread URL to left
===Emails===
==== HD war better not be over ====
I cannot believe, for one second, that Blu-Ray has won. HD DVD is so much better. I have seen screenshots of a first-gen Blu-Ray player displaying an error message that it cannot play the disc. That's what Sony does. They don't standardize anything on the first release, so in a year they can say "Hey, we have new features on our discs, and oh, by the way, now you have to buy a new player." HD DVD has not, and as far as I believe, will never do that. They just offer firmware upgrades for the players (which I have already successfully done). I hope that Blu- Ray doesn't win and that people come to their senses.
HD DVD is so much better.
Kevin (slonkak)
Toshiba 'disappointed' over Warner Bros. decision 
==== Problem with Amazon ====
Hi. Michael from Saranac Lake, N.Y. w/a comment on the problem w/Amazon MP3. I've written to Amazon and I'll let you know if I get a response.
1) No way to create an "allowance" for children
In order too use Amazon MP3, you have to have an account w/a valid credit card and you have to use 1-click. You can't even use gift certificates without having an account tied to a credit card.
Right now, my two teens get a $10/month allowance at iTunes. I and they would much rather have high quality DRM free music but Amazon does not make that possible without me giving them complete access to my Amazon account and credit card.
Believe me, after burning numerous CDs to use the analog hole just so the kids can put their music on their Sony Walkman phones, we'd like an Amazon MP3 solution.
Michael
===Quotes===
"...but you also, get to pick the best of CES by going to our peoples voice page at CES.cnet.com, and I mean you, BELMONT" - Tom Merritt
==See also==
*Episode 636 Video
636