Technology Microsoft's Zune Bids for Piece of iPod's Turf November 14, 2006 • After watching Apple dominate the portable mp3 player market, Microsoft offers its challenge to the iPod: the Zune, which is being released today. In addition to its built-in radio, the Zune offers the ability to share songs with other Zune owners wirelessly. Microsoft's Zune Bids for Piece of iPod's Turf Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6487340/6487341" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Microsoft's Zune Bids for Piece of iPod's Turf Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6487340/6487341" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Education Video Game Programs Look for New Ways to Use Games November 14, 2006 • This year, the University of Southern California enrolled its first class of undergraduate students who will major in video-game development. The school is not the first major university to have a program in video games. But the curriculum is not all about car races and shootouts. Video Game Programs Look for New Ways to Use Games Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6484624/6484625" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Video Game Programs Look for New Ways to Use Games Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6484624/6484625" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Technology Sony, Nintendo Stake Different Video Game Bets November 13, 2006 • Sony and Nintendo are introducing their new game console platforms within a week of each other. The PlayStation 3 and the Wii represent different strategies for achieving big holiday sales. The stakes are especially high for Sony, whose PlayStation Portable was trounced by the Nintendo DS during the last round of format wars. Sony, Nintendo Stake Different Video Game Bets Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6479565/6479566" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Sony, Nintendo Stake Different Video Game Bets Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6479565/6479566" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Technology Google Raises the Stakes for Amateur Videos November 4, 2006 • Google and other Web sites have begun paying for amateur videos. The impetus was a popular film showing the explosive relationship between Mentos and Diet Coke. Google Raises the Stakes for Amateur Videos Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6433980/6433981" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Google Raises the Stakes for Amateur Videos Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6433980/6433981" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Technology Microsoft to Work with Novell's Linux November 3, 2006 • Microsoft and Novell have been, and still are, bitter business rivals. However, they have reached an agreement that will allow Windows to work with the open source Linux system used by rival Novell. Microsoft to Work with Novell's Linux Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6427409/6427410" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Microsoft to Work with Novell's Linux Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6427409/6427410" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Technology iPod Digital Music Player Turns Five October 23, 2006 • On this day five years ago, the iPod music player from Apple was introduced. It caught the attention of music lovers, both for what it could do -- allow them to fit much of their music in their pocket -- and for the way it looked. iPod Digital Music Player Turns Five Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6366659/6366660" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
iPod Digital Music Player Turns Five Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6366659/6366660" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Art & Design Artist Kiki Smith: A Profile October 9, 2006 • Artist Kiki Smith is known for her use of female imagery and bold experimental sculptures. Laura Sydell visited the retrospective of Smith's work that is traveling the country, and offers this profile. Artist Kiki Smith: A Profile Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6225036/6225037" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Artist Kiki Smith: A Profile Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6225036/6225037" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
No Expense Spared at Google October 6, 2006 • I just was visiting Google, where they were in the midst of the company's three-day annual "Zeitgeist" forum: a gathering of high-level business and political leaders. Colin Powell and Al Gore were among the guests. But, I was surprised that everyone wasn't spending their time in the bathrooms. Google's free organic gourmet lunches are famous, but no one's mentioned the bathrooms. Each stall in the woman's room had heated seats (!) and an individual bidet, with its electronic controls on the wall. It was a chilly fall day and I didn't want to leave. Nonetheless, I went out into the cold to listen to Colin Powell speak. And I didn't want to miss my lunch with Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page. Unfortunately, I must report that lunch -- a cheesy lukewarm lasagna -- was much less spectacular than the bathroom.
Technology Privacy of IM Chats not Guaranteed October 5, 2006 • Rep. Mark Foley has been brought down not by e-mails, but transcripts of instant message (IM) "chats" his underage correspondents saved. Many people haven't thought much about where their IM messages go, and who can read them. Privacy of IM Chats not Guaranteed Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6200960/6200961" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Privacy of IM Chats not Guaranteed Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6200960/6200961" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
All Things Considered Tower Records May Fall Before a Deal Is Done October 3, 2006 • Tower Records, which has been for sale for three years, may go out of business. Tower was an oasis of what was known in the trade as "catalog" - a cornucopia of back titles, imports and hard-to-find classics. It all sounds quaint today, now that music fans have virtually every album ever made at their digital fingertips. Tower Records May Fall Before a Deal Is Done Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6189889/6189890" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Tower Records May Fall Before a Deal Is Done Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6189889/6189890" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Media Yahoo! Donation Prompts Fellowship Controversy September 29, 2006 • A recent decision by the Knight Fellowship at Stanford to take a million dollars from Yahoo! has resulted in arguments among alumni of the program. The fellowship is for journalists working in countries with censorship or other obstacles. But Yahoo's affiliate in China has offered up information to Chinese authorities that put at least two journalists in prison. Yahoo! Donation Prompts Fellowship Controversy Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6165657/6165658" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Yahoo! Donation Prompts Fellowship Controversy Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6165657/6165658" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
National Plans for WTC Memorial Dogged by Controversy September 10, 2006 • In the years since the Sept. 11 attacks, controversy has marked the plans for a memorial at the World Trade Center site. With so much riding on this memorial -- history, the economic revitalization of lower Manhattan, the need for a mourning place -- ongoing struggles over its design seem likely. Plans for WTC Memorial Dogged by Controversy Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5784992/6041304" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Plans for WTC Memorial Dogged by Controversy Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5784992/6041304" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Technology New Google Service Helps Dodge Traffic Jams September 7, 2006 • Google is beginning to roll out new software that allows cell phone users to get a heads-up on traffic jams, and also provide directions to avoid them. The software isn't compatible with all mobile devices just yet, but Laura Sydell takes the system on a test drive in San Francisco to see whether it lives up to the hype. New Google Service Helps Dodge Traffic Jams Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5781946/5781947" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
New Google Service Helps Dodge Traffic Jams Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5781946/5781947" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Movies Israeli Director Deconstructs a Troubled House August 18, 2006 • House, the first significant film by Israeli director Amos Gitai, told the story of a Jerusalem home in Jewish hands that had once been owned by Palestinians. His latest movie, Free Zone,, stars Natalie Portman as an American caught up in Israeli-Palestinian quarrels. Gitai is Israel's most well-known movie director, but his movies are controversial because of the difficult questions he raises. Israeli Director Deconstructs a Troubled House Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5671741/5671742" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Israeli Director Deconstructs a Troubled House Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5671741/5671742" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Culture Internet Offers Twist on Fictional Motif of Disguise August 5, 2006 • Despite an atmosphere of increased security and monitoring technology, it's never been easier to assume another identity -- at least, for a little while. Filmmakers and writers are finding fodder in the ability to easily diguise oneself online. Internet Offers Twist on Fictional Motif of Disguise Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5617624/5617625" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Internet Offers Twist on Fictional Motif of Disguise Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5617624/5617625" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript