Microsoft appears to be considering a different angle in regards to future software sales and pricing models. At least that’s what a new patent recently submitted by the computer giant would indicate. Their newly applied-for patent would essentially have them charging users for software on a new pay-per-use system.

For example, instead of doling out a large amount of cash to say, tinker with Photoshop or the suite of Microsoft Office applications, users could try out the products on a per-use basis. Now, normal, full purchases of software would still need to be available, unless Microsoft has lost their sanity as well as a solid business model.

A lot of folks seem to be doubting whether the new system indicated in the patent will ever see the light of day, but it is something interesting to ponder. I can certainly see the cost-benefit to it, especially for those looking to try out a new software. Perhaps some will even stop downloading software they can’t afford from torrent sites, as paying a per-use fee may be easier.

Also, it’s speculated that if the new system is implemented, there could be a very inexpensive range of PCs launched, which would include only a very small amount of full-version software.

Google is bringing ancient Rome to modern-day life by opening a detailed virtual tour of the city, for history and tech buffs alike to explore.

The Ancient Rome offering is brought to us via the popular Google Earth software, and allows users to view ancient Rome as it is thought to looked in 320 AD, complete with over 6,500 buildings that stood at the time. Some even offer interior views.

As with regular Google Earth cities, users have the ability to zoom in and out, enjoying the city at a variety of levels. Google also provides informational blurbs for users to read in regards to a variety of the structures.

It will be interesting to see if this is a one time thing for Google, of if they will continue to build more online ancient cities in the coming months. Personally, I’d be interested in seeing an ancient Chinese city.

Google has officially unleashed their Android source code for the world to see! They unabashedly proclaim that “this is probably the largest repository of open source code that has been released at any one time” – with the code being a very large 2.1GB, that could certainly be true.

In case you were wondering (and out of the loop), the iPhone is a closed-book kind if gadget, with Apple taking a completely opposite approach from Google. In fact, this is the only instance where a mobile’s complete OS code has been released. Geeks are certainly rejoicing.

The code is all-inclusive from the Linux built OS to the Java applications, which include a web browser, email, and instant messaging clients. The Android website provides further details and instructions.

What is it? Search Perks is Microsoft’s latest stab at a paid search program, and features a toolbar that rewards users with “tickets” for every search performed. When the program ends in April, users will be able to redeem their accumulated tickets for prizes. Of course, users will need to continue with the program in its entirety in order to redeem their tickets.

The toolbar does not collect personal or sensitive information, but simply keeps track of the number of searches performed. Each user is awarded 500 tickets at sign up, and can earn up to 25 tickets a day, depending on how many searches they perform.

It’s not as easy to abuse as first meets the eye, as Microsoft is limiting the amount of eligible searches to 250,000. The most valuable prize available appears to be a Microsoft Xbox controller, so don’t sign up expecting to receive a big screen plasma television in the mail.

The rules? You must be located in the US and sign up by January 1st to enjoy the perks. Also, you’ll need IE 6 or higher to use their toolbar.

The G1 Google Android

wireless phone is certainly a rising star, hitting Sarah Palin levels of interest this week. I’m not sure which one is garnering more interest, but it’s clear in either case, that people want to know more. I’ll leave the political news media to pursue Palin, while I consider the Android Google “Gphone” cell phone.

The G1 device, which is being produced by Taiwan’s HTC and sold in the US by retail wireless carrier T-Mobile, surely appears to be serviceable mobile, but with all the hype surrounding the G1 device, that’s hardly going to be enough to win over many critical tech-fanatics – which are, of course, used to the Apple iPhone’s sleek design and abundance of features.

Gphone features include a good sized touch screen, (hidden) QWERTY keyboard, 3G, Wi-Fi, 3-megapixel camera, navigation ball, dedicated internet button, and built in web apps. To build on this foundation, many more applications are offered through Google’s Android marketplace.

The heart of this endeavour and the hype going a lot with it, is Google’s open-source Android software, which is a Linux-based, open-source operating system for wireless phones that will work with Google applications. Google has promised that it will be free for manufacturers to work with, though there has been some debate throughout the blogosphere on whether that is entirely accurate or not.

As for cost, the price tag is a lot more decent than previously speculated, at $179 with two data plans available for $25 and $35 respectively. Currently, the G1 phone is only available to current T-Mobile customers through their website, however look for the new device to be featured at all T-Mobile locations by the end of October.

For a retro viewpoint, check out our previous Gphone update here.

Google G1 Phone

Since dumping Seinfeld, Microsoft has launched a new ad – kind of a parody on the whole “I’m a Mac” thing – and it’s surprising good. Surprisingly human, too. If they want to hit back at Apple, this is the direction they need to be going in. Remind people of all that Microsoft is, and that they’re still the preferred platform.

** I have both a PC and a MAC and consider myself an unbiased party. Check out the ad below:

This one is over four minutes long, but I must say – I found it much more entertaining than the previous commercial. However, the general feel from around the blogosphere is that Microsoft is still missing the mark with this ad. Check it out for yourself:

What are your thoughts? Is this a home-run, total dud or somewhere in between?

                                                    
If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out Microsoft’s new commercial, featuring Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld – check it out below:

Some people apparently enjoyed this ad, but, really, I have never seen Jerry Seinfeld so unfunny. The whole time watching, I was waiting for a rib-tickling line, or at least a smirk-worthy barb, but neither was to happen, and it’s sorely disappointing. Was this really the best they could do to compete with Mac’s popular ad campaigns?

You could say I’m bipartisan in the whole Mac versus PC debacle, but I found this new Microsoft ad to be simply sub par – especially after so many tech blogs abound spent time hyping up the Seinfeld-Gates partnership.

Well, watch it for yourselves. Am I wrong? Is it good?

Yahoo had its annual meeting this past week. In case you missed it, not much happened. Yahoo is pretty determined to go it alone and apparently has some wowy-zowy plan for making a comeback. Whether or not the comeback will amount to the $20 billion it gave up is unknown at this point. My personal take is that this is an example of how the Wall Street financial system is broken. Whatever the case, Yahoo got what it wanted (well, at least what its board members wanted).

A recent post of mine about Firefox and my general view of corporations and organizations caused a bit of a stir. It even caught the attention of Asa Dotzler, a prominent Mozilla employee. In Mr. Dotzler’s rebuff of my post he said something that has really bothered me. He said “It’s really hard for me to believe that either [Microsoft or Adobe] have the free and open Web at heart when they’re actively subverting it with closed technologies like Flash and Silverlight.” But are they really subverting it? Where exactly is the line between serving the consumer and subverting the web?

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