Why Do I Care About The Google Phone?

I have to spend a few sentences on the announcement by Google that they would be developing a new mobile phone platform, called Android. The interesting part about the announcement is that they have teamed up with over 30 high profile companies in the mobile space, including T-mobile and Sprint, as part of an initiative called the Open Handset Alliance. Why should you care? Well, for starters, maybe we can finally get to a point where we can break the death grip of the US wireless carriers. Wouldn't it be great to have a phone that is capable of working on any network in the US and isn't exclusive to one carrier (i.e. Apple's deal with AT&T to have the iPhone running on the AT&T network fo the next 5 years.) Google's genius is that they are out to crush the smartphone makers out there by offering their technology as opensource free to most handset makers. The handset makers will have the ability to add features to the operating systems to differentiate themselves from the herd.

Two carriers, AT&T and Verizon, opted out of the OHA while one company, Qualcomm, who developed the BREW platform that only runs on Verizon opted in. While AT&T and Verizon will try to keep their death grip on their partners and their subscribers for the time being the signing of Qualcomm makes you think that the old way of US Carrier's doing business might be changing. Don't forget, they tried this once before when they would not open up their networks to the mobile internet. Instead, they subscribed to the "walled garden" theory of life. Lock your customers into browsing only what you allow them to and purchasing only the content you offer them. This, of course, came crashing down and I suspect its just a matter of time before AT&T and Verizon sign on to the OHA.

Writers Strike, Who Cares

Does anyone really care that the writers have decided the go on strike? I see the story posted on MSNBC's Breaking News wire right next to stories like 'Pakistan Cracks Down On Protests'. Surely, the writers going on strike isn't as important as national unrest in Pakistan, or is it? I am sure that there are going to be millions of people in America who will be devastated to learn that tonight they will see a repeat of The Tonight Show. Unfortunately, you won't be able to see some crappy actor talk about his new movie. What are we going to do? This also means that in a few months you won't be able to see what Dr. McDreamy is going to do on Gray's Anatomy or what will happen on Wisteria Lane because there are only a half of a season of shows taped so far. American's will be panicked. What will they do between 7:00pm and midnight if their stories aren't on the tube? Perhaps, we are headed for some unrest ourselves.

Most networks are claiming that there is no need to worry, 'We have plenty of reality and news shows ready to go' to fill the time. Fantastic! Extra helpings of The Bachelor, Big Brother, Amazing Race and whatever else they throw out at us. But don't get your hopes up, this also means extra helpings of 20/20, Dateline and other horrible 'news' shows. Don't tell anyone, but, if I'm really bored, I'll definitely sneak a peak at some extra episodes of Dateline: To Catch a Predator...those are great.

Here's my hope for the salvation of America...I hope that the writers strike goes on for years and by the time all interested parties come to terms, America has moved on from Ugly Betty. My hope is that we, as Americans, discover some of the other joys that life has to offer. Maybe parents might actually talk to their kids, maybe kids will actually read a book (my guess is they will go back to playing x-box live) and posting shit on Facebook. The point is, this is a perfect opportunity for all of us to do something that we would have never have done because we were sitting in front of your television. Carpe Diem, bitches. And, thank you writers.

She's a Bad Bitch

Just look at the eyes, folks. Trina would be proud. Heather Mills (who?) has made herself out to look like one bas ass crazy bitch. Now, in the spirit of full disclosure, I am a big time Beatles fan. I love the music but I could care less what Paul, Jon, George and Ring do/did in their private life. But, when you see Paul McCartney's kinda ex-wife all over the news ranting and raving about how badly she's been treated in the press you kind of get the feeling that she's gone nuts. Look, I'm not any kind of show-biz show watcher. I am not celebrity obsessed and I usually don't give a shit what is going on in any of these "stars" lives but television is jamming Heather Mills down our throats. Did anyone in this country know who the hell she was before she appeared on Dancing With the Stars? I'm a Beatles fan and all I knew about her was that she had one leg and was tying to get millions from McCartney during their divorce. Guess what Heather, divorce sucks. And here's another piece of information, divorce sucks even more when there are hundreds of millions of dollars at stake and when your husband is one of the most famous men in the world. Take my advice and add yourself, as the fucked up handi-capable newest neighbor, to the shitty gold digger Bravo show The Real Housewives of Orange County. I think you'd fit in well there.