Gadget News from Around the World

Cubans to go Cellular

The Tunes and the Taxman

Wii while on the Road

Cubans get Celled:

Up until recently Cubans, who count among the lowest cell users in Latin America, would have to be government employed before they could get their hands on a cell phone. However, with Raul Castro at the helm, Cuban citizens are free to text until their hearts content. The service is to be offered by Cuban telecommunications monopoly ETECSA and is being touted as part of a ‘change in mentality’ in the government’s policy.

Source: [Reuters]

Is it time for a Music Tax? Warner thinks so

Recently it was reported here on GA that iTunes was potentially considering a subscription service, at least that's what the record labels are hoping for. Now comes word that Warner music is pushing for a ‘music tax’ to keep the blood flowing from the masses as they rampantly download tunes. So what’s the proposal? Warner would like to see a $5 ‘tax’ appended to everyone’s internet bill in exchange for unlimited music access.

Now, as appealing as unlimited music sounds, critics, such as Michael Arrington, have pointed out that this would not only double the industry’s revenue (from $10 billion to $20 billion) it would also stifle innovation in the industry. However, in all fairness, the industry itself has shrunk over the recent decade by nearly $5 billion.

Another option being considered by Warner’s ‘save-our-souls’ go-to businessman, Jim Griffin, is the way of advertising; those wishing to opt out of seeing ads can do so for a monthly fee, otherwise watch ‘this’ and listen for free.

Either way the industry is due for a big shakedown.

Source: [Gizmodo][TechCrunch]

Hotels to get Wii-ed:

Perhaps in an effort to make hotel rooms ‘hip’ and ‘phat’ various hotel chains have begun snatching up Wiis and placing them in the hands of their guests. Some even feature theme nights, with Guitar Hero being played in the bar. The catch (because there’s always a catch when major companies do something right): $50 per hour of Wii time! Though the idea is certainly a good one, charging an arm and a leg for a console that is the most popular in North America, might just remind people that their own system is small and portable enough to lug along with them while their on the road.

Source: [Engadget]