XplanaZine

Here’s our take on news that matters for Tuesday, May 2. Today’s theme is they’re still here , and here are a some links to headlines about technology that is changing the way we live and learn.

• Gaming — Looks like we can expect details on Nintendo Lite pricing and launch info later this week. Also, Electronic Arts will be releasing the new role playing game “Orcs & Elves” to Verizon Wireless customers this month.
• Blogging, mediacasting, and online creations — If you haven’t been following this controversy, The Los Angeles Times has taken action against Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Hiltzik for blogging under anonymous names. The editor’s note at the Times read: “The Times is discontinuing Michael Hiltzik’s Golden State column, which ran in the Business section, because the columnist violated the newspaper’s ethics guidelines. This follows the suspension last week of his blog on latimes.com, which also has been discontinued. Hiltzik has acknowledged using pseudonyms to post a single comment on his blog on latimes.com and multiple comments elsewhere on the Web that dealt with his column and other issues involving the newspaper.”
  
  
• Handhelds – Visa and Nokia are testing a new Cell Phone/RFID combo in Malaysia that will allows users to make purchases of in-store goods using their cell phones. This technology is aimed at eliminating the need for customers to carry credit cards. “Houston, we have confirmation. Apple and the record labels have agreed to stick with their pricing of $.99 per tune.”
• Social Networks – beginning today, you can get your new Helio phone and service. This is the newest venture by Earthlink founder Sky Dalton and is aimed at the younger generation who want social networking and other rich media extended to their cell phones. Pete Cashmore has this review of kSolo, an online karaoke site. Yep, you heard me. I’ll even hum a few bars if you like.
• Technology Talks — Microsoft has announced that it will spend an additional $2 billion on technology acquisition in the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1. This jives with Microsoft’s commitment to position itself more competitively against Yahoo! and Google, as well as the company’s historical pattern of being a second mover in technology trends. The New York Times has this good article on how the battle between Microsoft and google will shape the future of how we access information.