Hasta La Gadget!

Did you honestly think Eric Schmidt went all the way to Seoul just to launch the Nexus 7 for South Korea, hang out with Samsung’s JK Shin and moan about the patent war with Apple? Of course not. The Google chairman also found some time to learn the legendary “invisible horse” dance with PSY, the charismatic oppa in the Korean chart-topper Gangnam Style. While Google Korea was happy to supply a few photos, the only video we could dig up was a surprisingly short one hosted by Daum — it’s embedded right after the break.

Brian: “Man, not being the CEO of a multinational corporation sure is hard work.”

Terrence: “I see you are a fellow disciple of the Carlton Banks school of dance.”

Don: “Gangnam Style, 2012-2012.”

Billy: “This song is really about the time I set my socks on fire. I see you still have yours. One moment.”

Edgar: “Hm… I think we forgot the horse.”

Richard Lai: “OK Eric, now let’s do the elevator scene.”

Dan: “Doenjang Girls, would you like to buy a Nexus 7? It’s wayyy more expensive than a latté.”

Darren: “Soooo glad this guy put this video on YouTube and not Vimeo. $$$$$$$$”

Jon Fingas: “Oppan Google sty– no, even I can’t go that far.”

Continue reading Caption Contest: Eric Schmidt does ‘Gangnam Style’ with PSY

Filed under: Misc

Caption Contest: Eric Schmidt does ‘Gangnam Style’ with PSY originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yep. This really happened on a recent Asian business trip to help launch the Nexus 7. Good for Schmidt. Homeboy knows how to have fun. Next up, Steve Ballmer doing the Macarena.

If Rahm Emanuel has his way, then Chicago’s broadband access may very well give Kansas City a run for its money. The mayor of the Windy City has now revealed a rather ambitious initiative that would (ideally) overhaul the city’s broadband infrastructure and provide affordable, gigabit-class fiber internet to areas that primarily serve industry, higher education and entrepreneurial startups. The idea came to Emanuel through Eric Schmidt, who suggested the upgrade be coordinated alongside the city’s overhaul of its aging water / sewer system. Before any of this can happen, however, Chicago must first secure commitments from companies that would be willing to install and pay for the new upgrades. As a potential incentive, it’s been suggested by Crain’s Chicago Business that the city may offer some of its own unused fiber resources on a favorable lease.

In addition to the hopes for ultra-fast broadband, Emanuel’s project, dubbed the Chicago Broadband Challenge, also seeks to extend low-cost, high-speed internet to underserved areas of the city and to bring free WiFi access to all public spaces such as parks and plazas. Although mostly a token gesture, mayor Emanuel announced the immediate availability of free WiFi in Chicago’s Millennium Park. The city is currently soliciting plans and proposals of how to approach the ambitious project, and you’re invited to become a bit more familiar with these grand ambitions with the PR and source links below.

[Chicago photo credit: Nimesh M / Flickr]

Continue reading Chicago mayor targets affordable gigabit broadband, free WiFi throughout city parks

Filed under: Internet

Chicago mayor targets affordable gigabit broadband, free WiFi throughout city parks originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 10:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google knows that there’s a looming EU antitrust lawsuit if it doesn’t volunteer some kind of change to its search practices, so it’s not entirely surprising that chairman Eric Schmidt has sent a letter offering a settlement to the European Commission’s competition chief Joaquin Almunia. The details of just what that potential truce entails are under wraps, although Almunia has long broadcast his concerns that Google might be unfairly favoring its own services above those of others — he’d be most happy if the results were more organic. It’s hard to say whether or not Google is prepared to follow along, but a peace gesture is a sharp break from the company’s previously firm view that there’s no need to change. We wouldn’t be surprised if the EU’s recent success in fining Microsoft has left Google hesitant to take its chances in court.

Google offers to settle with EU over antitrust gripes, olive branch now fully extended originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Jul 2012 14:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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