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{ Monthly Archives } January 2006

In-car Computer Software – StreetDeck

The company I work for, MP3Car.com released our StreetDeck software at CES a few weeks ago. It’s clever in that it uses gestures, not fixed-position buttons, on a touchscreen to control stop, next, rewind, and other functions of the navigation and media playback.

Next stop is the DEMO conference…

RocketBoom (#1 video blog) selling advertising space on Ebay!

This is awesome. The perennial question is “what is the videoblogging business model?”

Well here’s one of them: build an audience of over 100,000 viewers then sell one million ad impressions… on ebay.

I’ve snapshotted the ebay link here ; the ebay link will go away after a while.

Privacy vs. Convenience – ACLU’s technology example

This movie is very illustrative of where our database culture is going. I actually have a very high personal tolerance of privacy invasion, especially on an opt-in basis.

What will be funny is when we watch it and say, “I dont’ get it.” in about 5 years.

Of course if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. I’ve got the VC’s lined up – who wants to join me in a startup to developing the application shown here?

USB Adapter for CardBus PCMCIA Wireless Modem Cards (i.e. EVDO!)

Finally, we’ll be able to use our EVDO cards via a USB connection!

We’re Cracking the Neural Code, the Brain’s Secret Language

“Chances are you have never heard of the neural code. And yet, from both a practical and philosophical perspective, the neural code is the most important remaining scientific mystery. Analogous to the machine code of a digital computer, the neural code is the software, set of rules, syntax, that transforms electrical pulses in the brain into perceptions, memories, decisions. A solution to the neural code could – in principle – give us almost unlimited power over our psyches, because we could monitor and manipulate brain cells with exquisite precision by speaking to them in their own private language.”

If we ever discover a human soul or other postulated independent consciousness, this line of research will not pan out, as the orders to the organism will not be coming from neural code. However, under the brain-as-a-system-bus theory, if such a soul exists then this research could also help find it, as the location of a supposed soul-to-brain interface would inevitably show up.

SignalWide SiWi Signal Boosters // 3W of EVDO signal!

I need a 3W signal booster for my home. I remember when I had a 3W analog cell phone that couldn’t drop a call if I drove underground and wrapped my car in tinfoil. I met these guys at CES – put one of these in your home or car, and get the repeater going. It’s technically a mini-cell tower repeater I think.

Cutting Through the Patent Thicket

Good succinct summary of the anti-patent argument, including how VC’s look at patents and get duped by them.

War of the Worlds: Hollywood Opts Out of the ‘Google Economy’

Good article on disintermediation (video over IP changing traditional broadcast models)): “Hollywood believes large-scale broadband video distribution would only destroy proven value, fail to provide alternative value, and alter a business model that is still far from being in decline. With near-total control of the most valuable program libraries and the business models governing their distribution, a shift towards broadband media will come largely on Hollywood’s terms and at an incremental pace.”

About Damien Stolarz

Damien Stolarz is an inventor, entrepreneur and writer who has spent
most of his life making electronic devices talk to each other.
Damien is currently the Chief Technology Officer of MP3Car.com, developers of the StreetDeck car PC software and the leading [...]

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