MagicJack, where is the magic?

Endgadget.com reports on a law suit instigated by MagicJack against bongbong.net.

For those of you that are not familiar with the MagicJack device, it is a USB dongle that connects your standard landline telephone to the computer allowing you to make VOIP calls for very cheep. OK actually very cheep is a misnomer because MagicJack only charges a yearly fee for unlimited calls.

boingboing.net reported some time ago about a few problems with the Magicjack EULA. The problem seems to be that the execs at MagicJack state that they can examine the numbers you call and that you do not have the right to sue them. These items are stated in the EULA (End Users Licensing Agreement)

The biggest issue seems to be that there are no links to the EULA from the website. No EULA shown to you when the SW installs or when you buy the device. SO, as a user you are expected to know and understand the EULA but MagicJack never gives you the ability to read it.

So, MagicJack CEO sued boingboing stating that the company was subjected to “Hate, ridicule and obloquy (ridicule)”

Thankfully the court system is smart enough to realize these things are wrong and boingboing was right, magicjack lost the suit and had to pay $54k in fees and assessments.

The original story at Engadget

The original story at Boing Boing

Wall-Mart Movies, Comcast Death?

Well as most of you know, Wall-Mart is the largest reseller of DVD and Blue ray movies. They also are the largest retailer with Redbox stations in each store.  This really makes them the Leader in new-movie distribution.

According to the New York Times, Wall-Mart has purchased the vudu service. Vudu is a hardware solution for live streaming media over the internet. Vudu is already in many HD ready TV’s and has a thriving Pay Per View service and the largest HD movie availability with over 2000 HD titles available.

This does make Mall-Mart the worlds largest supplier of not only physical new to own media and Rental Media but now also Streaming HD Media? What’s next?

I wonder if this is going to give Netflix or Amazon streaming movies any worries. Netflix has a massive DVD subscription rental service with many movies available for live streaming through your Personal Computer and other devices like the ROKU box.

If we add these services along with the streaming media available from sites like Hulu and ABC, NBC, CBS, and the other networks, what do we get?

The end of Cable and Satellite Television? I think so, bye bye Comcast Direct TV and the others, your history if you do not change your market placement ASAP!

Seems to me like it is time for fully subsidized TV entertainment. All commercial based and streamed from the internet. They could easily offer free televisions and free streaming content by keeping everything advertising based. Imagine heading out to Wall-Mart to pick up your new free 42 inch LCD HD TV take it home and plug it into the wall for power, plug it in or connect wirelessly to your network and watch what you want when you want!

I think it’s time for my favorite show from when I was a kid, maybe the episode where Timmy gets saved 😉

The story from the New York times website

Springtime Happyness

Well The spring weather will soon be upon us, the season will be right behind..

To get a jump on it and to help pull it together…

A little Springtime for Hitler from The Producers by Mel Brooks. A very funny movie!

Enjoy the Video if your so inclined