Linked List: January 11, 2012

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

The Dead Kindle and What Warren Ellis Learned About Amazon Customer Service ★

This story exemplifies why I think Amazon is Apple’s best and strongest rival. They work hard so that their customers are happy and loyal.

Real-Life Examples of How Google’s “Search Plus” Pushes Google Plus Over Relevance ★

Great explanation by Danny Sullivan:

The new Google “Search Plus Your World” feature — which I’m now simply calling “Search Plus” — has just gone live for me. Huge debate erupted yesterday over whether it somehow favors Google+. I can see now that it clearly does, even more than I thought. Here’s a closer look at the changes, including how they turn Google+ into an essential social network for any search marketer.

Another Amazing Samsung Design Coincidence ★

The weather widget on Samsung’s new “Display Window” looks familiar. Can’t quite put my finger on it.

(Via Radar Design.)

CES Trailer ★

Without question, my favorite ongoing CES coverage. Hilarious.

Misdirection, Doublespeak, Non-Answers, and Straight-Up Bad Decisions ★

MG Siegler on Eric Schmidt’s bizarre interview with Danny Sullivan regarding the new Google Plus integration:

I give Google a lot of shit. Some think it’s justified, others don’t. But I honestly just don’t understand what they’re doing here. It’s like they’re suffering from brain diarrhea. They’re not handling this situation well.

It’s one thing for Google to tightly integrate their own social network with their web search results, using their monopoly (or, if you prefer, monopsony) to give Google Plus a significant competitive advantage over Facebook and Twitter. Some see this as anticompetitive behavior; others see this as good clean competitive hardball. Are they unfairly abusing a monopoly, or fairly using their best strength to their own advantage? That’s up for debate.

But to deny that they’re doing it at all? It defies belief.

I honestly don’t know what’s worse: if Google is so institutionally delusional that they actually believe this isn’t giving Google Plus a tremendous advantage (fair or unfair) over every other social network in the world, or if Google thinks so poorly of everyone outside the company that they think anyone is actually going to buy this line of bullshit. The best case scenario for Google is that Eric Schmidt, in his new role as chairman, has turned into a loose cannon who should just shut the fuck up.

Eric Schmidt: Google Plus Not Favored Over Twitter or Facebook in Search Results ★

Danny Sullivan:

Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt says Google+ content is not being favored over Twitter and Facebook by Google’s search engine. Rather, those companies can be treated the same if they grant Google the right permissions to access their content.

Does Google actually believe this? Do they expect anyone else to believe this? Serious questions. I don’t understand why they would say this.

Fever Dream of a Guilt-Ridden Gadget Reporter ★

Mat Honan reports from CES.

Apple to Hold ‘Education Announcement’ in New York Next Thursday ★

At the Guggenheim Museum.

U.S. Carriers Don’t Want Stock Android Phones ★

Chris Ziegler, interviewing Motorola Mobility CEO Sanjay Jha for The Verge:

We also talked about OEMs’ perennial press to skin the operating system — a trend that looks poised to continue in Android 4.0 — which developed into a full-blown conversation about the conflict between the mythical “stock Android device” and the realities of business between manufacturers like Motorola and carriers. “Verizon and AT&T don’t want seven stock ICS devices on their shelves,” he said, insisting that he “has to make money” and that there simply isn’t a way to profit on a device that isn’t differentiated. “The vast majority of the changes we make to the OS are to meet the requirements that carriers have.”

Negotiations with the carriers:

Android handset makers: Here are our phones. How would you like us to change them so that you will sell them?

Microsoft: Here’s $200 million. Please sell our phones.

Apple: Here is our new phone. It comes in black or white. We will let you sell it.