Nancy Drew for your computer and the Internet and used books

I have to admit that I’ve never read any Nancy Drew books. However, considering that Nancy has been around since 1930 I have to give her mad props because people still read her mysteries and she is as popular as ever. USA Today reports that Her Interactive has released another Nancy Drew Mystery entertainment software package. The article indicates that the program is appropriate for kids as young as 10 and that it would be a great program for kids and parents to play together.

A study released Wednesday confirms that the Internet is a huge venue for selling used books reports the L.A. Times. According to the Book Industry Study Group sales of used books on the Internet topped 2.2 billion in 2004. That is an 11% increase over the previous year. The lower prices are the biggest factor in purchasing used books over the Internet.

Old rivals collaborate, the butler didn’t do it and the next generation of DVDs

The Washington Post announced that former rivals Palm, Inc. and Microsoft have introduced a new wireless phone (TREO?) that uses Microsoft software and has a high-speed Internet connection. The phone, which will not be available until next year, should attract more business users who use their phones outside of the office.

If you know any Ask Jeeves users you will have to break some news to them: the butler is out of here! USA Today reports that the new owners of Ask Jeeves just don’t feel that the butler conveys the image they wish to project. The name may also change to Ask or Ask.com.

Today, Microsoft Corp. and Intel Corp. announced that they are backing HD DVD as the next generation of DVD. Sony Corp. backs the Blu-ray format of DVD. Both formats offer crisper pictures and both formats are heading to market yet they are, unfortunately, incompatible. Since neither side is conceding, get ready for another VHS/Betamax war!

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Google plans wi-fi service and keystrokes reveal passwords to researchers

Google may be planning to launch its own wireless Internet service. The company declines to comment yet some folks have come across information right on the Google website. The site refers to a product called Google Secure Access designed to “establish a more secure connection while using Google WiFi.”

In scary news… researchers have figured out how to eavesdrop on your computer by listening to the “clicks and clacks of the keyboard.” Scientists took those noises, processed them through a computer and we were able to translate them with up to 96% accuracy. So, your double-secret password may not be a double-secret to some! How James Bond of them!

Digital movies and high-tech parking meters

WALT DISNEY CO. will be the first movie studio to help finance the digital distribution of its movies. They want to bring movie theaters into the electronic age and phase out traditional film. Why? Because digital pictures are sharp and will not scratch, fade or degrade like film.

Disney’s Buena Vista Pictures Distribution plans for “150 new digital movie screens to be up by year’s end and as many as 4,000 by the end of 2007”

HIGH-TECH PARKING METERS are appearing in parts of southern California. The new meters are being tried out in West Hollywood and will take credit or ATM cards.

There are approximately 5 million traditional meters in the United States. The new meters will allow you to swipe your credit or ATM card in a slot to pay for parking and will then give you a receipt indicating where you are parked, how much you paid and when the meter will expire. There is also a phone number you may call to pay for more parking.

Wifi in Central Park and IPTV!

This October, Wi-Fi Salon will launch 8 wifi access points in NYC’s Central Park thus offering free Internet access to the public. Wi-Fi Salon is using sponsorships and partnerships to fund the project.

Also, in the news… IPTV (Internet protocol TV). The BBC reports that a company has studied IPTV and predicts that within a decade it will be common to deliver TV shows over the Internet. Million of shows will be available for download… and I can’t keep up with the shows I tape now!

PS – Good news. My iBook was at my front door when I went home for lunch. Apple provided excellent customer service. DHL picked up my iBook at about 3:30 Monday afternoon and I’ve already got it back! It was the logic board.