Now it’s clearly too early to judge Google TV on its own merits. I expect the service will run very smoothly and will integrate nicely with Android and the upcoming Chrome OS. Regardless, Google is beginning to control the entire ecosystem. You wake up to the tune of Google TV, check your messages in android, and log onto your Chrome OS notebook, all through your google fiber Internet connection.

This past week Google announced that they beat the Viacom lawsuit and wouldn’t have to pay any settlement, securing the future of YouTube. Fortunately for the millions of users on the popular social, video sharing website. However, Google continues to have complete dominance over their users. Any monetization of youtube videos goes through Google and for the most part Google inherits control over your videos. Don’t think about easy podcasting support either, what happens on YouTube stays on YouTube.

Google is always collecting data on you. Have you ever considered that Google knows your search trends, friends via email, and location? Well, its true. I mean, how else to do they target ads? Let’s consider two big issues with one conglomerate possessing so much information about you: invasion of privacy and security issues.

I’m not sure about you, but I don’t want anyone knowing that much about me. Nothing good can come from big brother knowing my location and my friends. It is valuable for Google to know that I like technology and therefore show me tech focused sponsored ads but I truly dislike location services. It is just creepy when they show me an ad of a local computer shop. It makes me peer over my shoulder expecting to see a Google camera or spy following me around.

Speaking of email, have you ever considered what happens when you delete an email. Well, when you press delete the message is actually stored on Google’s servers for another six months or longer. In fact, sometimes the message gets flagged and will never be deleted from the Google archives. Do they have a right to keep my personal information indefinitely even though I want it deleted?

No one expects Google to collapse anytime soon but what if their servers are compromised. I mean, if China can hack Google who’s to say someone else can’t do it again and collect your personal information. Think about it, all your personal information exposed to the public eye or worse, to someone looking to harm you. As the old proverb goes, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” The fact that Google is continuing to collect more and more information from us is simply dangerous. No one should have this much influence over our daily lives.

In a different world, let’s say Google does shut-down. Or, what if Google decides to suspend or delete your accounts? All your videos, emails, contacts, pictures, and more are lost forever. I’ve been having some issues with Google as well and the process is extremely irritating. It’s almost impossible to get through to a real person and the automated system is simply useless when you have an issue. It’s not easy for a massive company such as Google to manage all this, don’t get me wrong, but they are simply unable to service their huge volume of users. And to them, if a small percent of users have an issue, it doesn’t matter. A small minority will always have problems so its cheaper to simply ignore those people than it is to offer better service.

I’m not suggesting you stop all contact with Google. At this point, it is simply impossible. But I do recommend that you diversify your online usage. Perhaps upload videos to another service or use a separate email operator. Google isn’t intentionally trying to harm you, but insulating yourself from Google’s power isn’t a bad idea either.

When it comes down to crunch time however these lawsuits have done nothing to help the cause. Content is being downloaded in larger numbers then ever before. Plus, the costs for the RIAA have been astronomical. But are there any better options?

Well, after years of lawsuits the recording industry has announced they will drop their current methods as they search for better ways to combat this theft. To start, the RIAA will begin working with ISP to crack down on illegal file sharing. When the RIAA finds someone is stealing files they will alert the ISP who will in turn discipline the customer. Depending on the ISP, the costumer will be forwarded the information. If the file sharing continues, the costumer risks slower service and even cancellation of service all together.

But can this work? In a time with a poor economy and people cutting back will service providers risk losing large chunks of their businesses? I don’t think they will. When you consider how many people and therefore how much money these ISP’s would loose it is almost comical to consider that these companies will enforce these laws. Of course there will be a moral impact on their decisions but from a business prospective there is too much money to loose.

Furthermore, what actually is stooping you from downloading? I mean if an ISP terminates your service you can just move to another provider. From their you can continue your habits only to repeat the process if you are caught again.

What does this mean for us everyday folks? Well, to combat this file-sharing we could see an increase in metered plans and more strict bandwidth limits. Overall though, these precautions are just crippling American technology advancements. When you consider the speeds at which other countries enjoy all these restrictions to stop illegal downloading is just hurting American advancement. Hopefully this realization and the poor economy will stop ISP’s from following in the footsteps of the RIAA.

[Via. WSJ]

Verizon has recently announced that Fios, Verizon’s fiber optic network, will see an increase of speeds. This update is pretty significant considering Verizon is announcing extremely fast speeds compared to average American ISP’s. In a press release Verizon announced:

The 50/20 Mbps service will be available in New York and Virginia for $89.95, and in other States for $139.95 a month with an annual service plan. The 20/20 Mbps FiOS tier is available in all FiOS markets for $64.99 a month with an annual service plan

Verizon went on to say that their mid-tier plan will be upgraded from 15/2 Mbps to 20/5 Mbps and their basic tier will be upgraded from 5/2 Mbps to 10/2 Mbps.
Press Release

Verizon also mentioned their plans to extend their coverage area to major cities. Verizon expects to cover all residents of new york city, in all five boroughs, in the next 5 to 6 years. Verizon also mentioned their interest in Philadelphia and Washington D.C.

I have fios available in my area and have been seriously looking at switching. For most, the decision would be instant to move to fios but other family members have comcast email addresses and aren’t so sure they want to switch. With increased speeds for the same price my hopes for switching are renewed. Plus, in the future with more people having the opportunity to subscribe to this great service I can see fios’ market share increasing.

With all this in mind, if available, do you plan on switching to Fios? I mean, you are getting relatively great speeds at a pretty good price. Plus, you can expect good quality consider all the fiber lines fios is running on have been installed in the past years. So, for the best speeds on a new network, check out fios.

Update:
Well, after much discussion and comcast continuing to screw with us by serving us unreliable cable at very high prices, I have signed up for Verizon Fios. My service will be installed July 2 so look for more information around that time.

I find this highly ridiculous. I have a connection from comcast rated at 6Mbps and I am pretty happy with it. Sure, it takes a long time to upload youtube videos and live streaming has issues but come on. I would kill for 40Mbps while a lot of Koreans find this just average. Some US businesses don’t get these speeds yet there are people who complain about it.

More importantly I think this survey shows a huge problem with american service providers. With ISP’s charging outrages fees upward of $40 you would think you would receive first rate service. Wrong. For me at least I get fluctuating uptime and slow speeds atop my $45/ month charge. It’s time for us as consumers to stand up and demand a lower price or faster speeds with better reliability.

Overall, I find it hard to believe that 46Mbps is just decent. However, it brings up the even bigger issue of american ISP’s ripping off their customers. South Korea is at the forefront of internet connectivity and I think America should take some tips from Korea. I mean, the tech world would be much better if everyone could complain about 46Mbps.