Also: Yahoo tops Google on customer service | The next Google? | Lime Wire to launch music store | iTunes gets 16 Lennon albums | iPhone bill | The game-controller bra
AT&T is in trouble with its broadband customers after censoring some of a Pearl Jam concert to take out Eddie Vedder's anti-Bush comments. A performance from the Lollapalooza tour was bleeped out, just as the band's cover of Another brick in the wall launched into "George Bush, leave this world alone" and "find yourself another home".
Pearl Jam was not impressed, issuing a statement that said the incident was "a wake up call - it's about something much bigger than the censorship of a rock band". SaveThe Internet.com was quick to point out that AT&T has form here, claiming the company has previously handed private phone records to the government and developing spying technology. The company admitted this kind of censorship has happened before but said it wasn't intentional and won't happen again, although that seems to imply that AT&T didn't intentionally edit the footage. (CNET)
Yahoo tops Google on customer service
Some rare good news for Yahoo: the Michigan Customer Satisfaction Index puts the company ahead of Google, credited to the site adding several new features. Yahoo scored 79% on the "satisfaction scale", ahead of Google at 78%. Google may be falling behind because of a lack of innovation in its basic product, according to the head of the index. (Wall Street Journal)
The next Google?
Software company VMware, you will have noticed, made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange yesterday -described by the FT as "the most hotly anticipated initial public offering in the technology sector since Google". The firm is valued at $19bn - ahead of Ford Motors - and shareholders include Intel and Cisco. But Om Malik points out discussion elsewhere on the web that questions the longevity of the company's core offering, VMware ESX, because it is proprietary. (FT)
Lime Wire to launch music store
Filesharing service Lime Wire is going legit and opening a digital music store. The initial version will be a standalone service linked to from the Lime Wire client, but ultimately the store will be built in so that users can buy music within the application. All songs will be sold in MP3 format, available to buy either by song or through a monthly subscription. The first partners are IRIS and Nettwerk Productions. (Release)
iTunes gets 16 Lennon albums
John Lennon's entire solo back catalogue will be available on iTunes following a deal between Apple and EMI. George Harrison and Ringo Starr's back catalogues are to follow. Selected video content will be added with some albums including John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Working Class Hero, although only for 30 days. (Reuters)
iPhone bill
Justine Ezarik's bill ran to 300 pages and even detailed every text message, so she urges other iPhoners to use e-billing instead. She's lucky she's not on Orange, or they'd be charging for a printed statement to boot. (Tasty Blog Snack)
The game-controller bra
Perhaps not the most appropriate celebration for the centenary of the bra.
