Microsoft today released to the Web Silverlight 1.0, a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering richer user experiences on the Web. In addition, Microsoft plans to work with Novell to deliver Silverlight support for Linux, called Moonlight, and based on the project started on mono-project.com.

According to Microsoft, Silverlight reduces development and deployment costs and provides enhanced Web audio and video streaming and playback.

“Our expectations for compelling, immersive experiences on the Web are increasing daily,” said Ray Ozzie, Microsoft’s chief software architect. “With today’s release of Silverlight 1.0, we’re making it possible for developers and designers to deliver to individuals the kind of high-def experiences they crave by integrating data and services in rich and unique ways. Silverlight will further accelerate the growth in rich interactive applications by giving developers and designers new options for delivering great experiences that span the Web, PC, phone and other devices.”

Micirosoft’s move highlights the growing significance of video on the Internet, and is a sign that we may see a return of the browser wars – but this time the battle will be to determine the platform for Internet video.

Here’s Microsoft’s into for Silverlight:

Microsoft is slashing the price of the Zune:

Tomorrow we’re dropping the suggested retail price for Zune to $199. It’s part of the normal product lifecycle, something we’ve had on the books for months. We just got some research back and customer satisfaction with the 30GB device is really high (around 94%) and we expect even more consumers will now want to discover the Zune experience at the new lower price.

The Zune has already been available at many places for $199, so this is likely to drop the online price even further.

There’s a lot of speculation about what’s coming tomorrow from Apple. It certain that new iPods on the plate, but beyond that, sites are¬†taking educated guesses (aka, making stuff up).

Here are the top 5¬†new iPod predictions we’ve seen:

Radio iPods – this is the least interesting of the predictions. The new iPods will be able to receive digital radio, and will include a ‘buy-now’ function to allow the user to download and buy tracks as they are being played. vnunet

Touchscreen iPod – Apple will introduce an iPod that borrows the touchscreen interface from the iPhone, but leaves off the phone features. Think Secret.

Enterprise iPhone – Apple might start making enterprise-class iPhones or incorporate more enterprise-friendly features into existing models. Gartner

iPod shuffle with screen – The shuffle is getting competition at the low end from players with tiny screens. ITWire

iPhone nano – a cheaper, smaller version of the smartphone killer. Bloggingstocks

Safer predictions include a 16GB nano.

Here’s what we’d like to see…..

Here’s something we won’t be buying anytime soon – the world’s most expensive iPod.

The jewel-encrusted necklace, by Heyerdahl Juvelèr, is based on the Apple iPod shuffle.  It features 18 karat white and pink gold, 430 diamonds and a US $41,000 price tag.

If you’re thinking about getting a couple, note that it’s an exclusive¬†edition of 1.

The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), an international, nonprofit association of computer, information, and communications technology firms, is asking consumers to complain to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection about statements and warnings attached to CDs, DVDs, and broadcast programming that forbid copying and sharing.

According to the CCIA:

“These warnings intimidate average people and hinder free expression. They depict as illegal many legitimate and beneficial uses made possible by the high-tech industry, and cast a pall over the high-tech marketplace represented by the Computer & Communications Industry Association. Moreover, these misleading warnings represent an assault on the open communications and free expression vital to our society.”

Many media companies have pursued a zero-tolerance policy towards the reproduction of digital media, disregarding¬†the history of fair use. This has led to cease & desist warnings that effectively have limited independent media producers’ ability to excerpt content from news shows, movies, sporting events and other media for the sake of commentary or discussion.

In August, CCIA filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission stating that such practices constitutes unfair and deceptive trade practices as defined by the Federal Trade Commission Act.  Specifically named in the complaint are the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball, NBC-Universal, Morgan Creek Productions, Dreamworks, Harcourt, and Penguin. CCIA demands an immediate end to these deceptive practices.  In the complaint, CCIA asks the FTC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the copyright holders systemic misrepresentations of consumer rights and order appropriate relief.

via DefendFairUse

PCAudioLabs has introduced the Eclipse server, an AMD-based dual processor monster media server, featuring 14 terabytes of storage housed in a 3U rack using Windows XP x64 software.

If you’re always running out of space for your media files, this may be what you need….as long as you’ve got an extra 14k to spare. The server can hold up to 3.5 millions songs.

“Modern recording and composing require a lot of storage, transfer and fast access. Be it for sample libraries or high resolution tracking, the process of sharing information with multiple systems can cause chaos and bog down your whole production. The Eclipse server provides the power to easily manage all of these issues,” said Gregory Butler of PCAudioLabs.

Here are the specs on the server…..

A new book, The Business Podcasting Book (Amazon listing), has been published that features a supergroup of podcasting experts, including Michael Geoghegan, Greg Cangialosi, Ryan Irelan, Tim Bourquin & Colette Vogele.

The book is intended to offer practical experience that you can apply to your own business podcast. It covers planning, content creation, legal considerations, branding, marketing, advertising, monetization, and more.

The authors bring a wide range for podcasting expertise to the book:

• Geoghegan was an early corporate podcaster, creating podcast for Disneyland and others;
• Cangialosi has worked on corporate podcasting initiatives for Verizon Wireless, GM/ Pontiac, Disney, Dow Chemical and Ortho-McNeil;
• Irelan publishes Podcast Free America, which offers podcast advice;
• Bourquin is a podcaster and also the Founder of the Podcast and New Media Expo;
• Vogele is an expert on podcasting law and the author of the Podcasting Legal Guide.

NBC’s and Apple’s negotiations over terms for digital video download sales has turned into a PR war.

Apple announced earlier in the week that it would no longer be carrying NBC shows for download, because of failure to reach an agreement over terms. According to Apple, NBC wanted to double its wholesale pricing for shows.
At the time, Eddy Cue, Apple‚Äôs vice president of iTunes, said “We are disappointed to see NBC leave iTunes because we would not agree to their dramatic price increase. We hope they will change their minds and offer their TV shows to the tens of millions of iTunes customers.”

Now NBC is disputing Apple’s statement. Here’s what Cory Shields, EVP Communications of NBC Universal, had to say about the matter:

We are also disappointed in not being able to successfully negotiate a new iTunes agreement with Apple. We’re hopeful that we can reach a resolution before the existing contract expires. However, we felt it important to set the record straight.

We never asked to double the wholesale price for our TV shows. In fact, our negotiations were centered on our request for flexibility in wholesale pricing, including the ability to package shows together in ways that could make our content even more attractive for consumers.

It is clear that Apple’s retail pricing strategy for its iTunes service is designed to drive sales of Apple devices, at the expense of those who create the content that make these devices worth buying.

In addition, we asked Apple to take concrete steps to protect content from piracy, since it is estimated that the typical iPod contains a significant amount of illegally downloaded material.

Furthermore, we want consumers to know that all our returning series, including new episodes, will be available on iTunes through the remainder of the contract, which expires in early December. Our content is also available on NBC.com, Amazon.com, and the soon-to-launch hulu.com.

Unfortunately for NBC, none of these other digital video stores are selling anywhere near the volume that Apple is.

DJ Premier has announced that the Live From HQ podcasts have been cancelled as the result of threats from the RIAA.

Here’s Live From HQ’s A.C.’s explanation of the situation:

Our site has been hit with a cease & desist order from the RIAA for broadcasting copywritten material. Additionally, our relationship with SIRIUS has been up and down since day one, and more recently has been difficult because of their concerns relating to a pending corporate merger and subscription rates. I feel that we have enough cause to fight this challenge-yet we don’t have the time, money, or legal resources to do so.

The site plans to continue publishing mixtapes, interviews, remixes and other content, but no more Live From HQ episodes.

Homewood Suites by Hilton, a brand of residential suite style hotels, is using video iPods at all of its 204 properties in the United States and Canada as part of their Mobile Training program.

One of the goals of the Homewood Suites iPod Mobile Training is to offer employees the opportunity to train directly in their own work environment. The company decided that the on-demand functionality of iPods would be ideal for on-the-job coaching and guidance, letting team members to take charge of their own learning styles.

“The Mobile Training video iPod program contains a variety of two-minute modules highlighting specific brand skills that are both essential and valuable to our employees and their growth,” stated Dawn Koenig, vice president of hotel performance services. “The next phase of Mobile Training will provide refresher training.”

After filming and editing Phase I training content, and completing 40 hours of beta testing, all Homewood Suites properties will be participating in Mobile Training going forward.