Latest Techdirt Comments http://www.techdirt.com/ Easily digestible tech news.... http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c225 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:18:38 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c225 "An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games

I forsee all Xbox One games being sold as "online games" There will be no "offline" games offered.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c223 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:16:50 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c223 Re: Re: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c211 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:16:47 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c211 See http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130613/01121423439/hollywood-studios-keep-saying-its-employees-must-get-paid-now-may-be-forced-to-pay-its-interns.shtml#c1442 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:16:40 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130613/01121423439/hollywood-studios-keep-saying-its-employees-must-get-paid-now-may-be-forced-to-pay-its-interns.shtml#c1442 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c190 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:16:24 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c190 See http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130606/11475923344/sweden-makes-it-illegal-to-take-photos-private-environments-without-permission.shtml#c382 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:15:57 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130606/11475923344/sweden-makes-it-illegal-to-take-photos-private-environments-without-permission.shtml#c382 See http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130614/11384823471/how-overclassification-makes-secrets-less-likely-to-remain-secret.shtml#c549 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:15:12 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130614/11384823471/how-overclassification-makes-secrets-less-likely-to-remain-secret.shtml#c549 See http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/07515923527/leaseweb-deletes-megauploads-servers-without-warning-destroying-key-evidence.shtml#c973 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:14:26 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/07515923527/leaseweb-deletes-megauploads-servers-without-warning-destroying-key-evidence.shtml#c973 Still won't get it http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c184 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:14:15 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c184
On a PC, I can mod my games. I can add custom content, like new maps or textures. I can tweak settings. Consoles have none of that (well, depending on the homebrew community; the Wii had a lot of it, but it wasn't particularly easy)]]> See http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130617/17584023513/new-orleans-cops-set-up-private-company-to-fill-pockets-with-red-light-camera-cash.shtml#c180 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:13:41 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130617/17584023513/new-orleans-cops-set-up-private-company-to-fill-pockets-with-red-light-camera-cash.shtml#c180 See http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130613/18243923466/hollywoods-new-talking-point-gatekeepers-are-awesome.shtml#c570 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:12:45 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130613/18243923466/hollywoods-new-talking-point-gatekeepers-are-awesome.shtml#c570 See http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/10213023529/fbi-admits-to-using-drones-to-spy-americans.shtml#c627 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:11:45 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/10213023529/fbi-admits-to-using-drones-to-spy-americans.shtml#c627 See http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130613/02025423448/company-claims-patent-pop-up-ads-sues-porn-travel-companies.shtml#c247 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:10:59 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130613/02025423448/company-claims-patent-pop-up-ads-sues-porn-travel-companies.shtml#c247 See http://www.techdirt.com/blog/innovation/articles/20130619/10395523531/next-time-someone-says-twitter-is-killing-deep-thinking-with-short-quick-messages-show-them-this.shtml#c370 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:08:40 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/blog/innovation/articles/20130619/10395523531/next-time-someone-says-twitter-is-killing-deep-thinking-with-short-quick-messages-show-them-this.shtml#c370 Re: http://www.techdirt.com/blog/innovation/articles/20130619/10395523531/next-time-someone-says-twitter-is-killing-deep-thinking-with-short-quick-messages-show-them-this.shtml#c348 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:07:53 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/blog/innovation/articles/20130619/10395523531/next-time-someone-says-twitter-is-killing-deep-thinking-with-short-quick-messages-show-them-this.shtml#c348
The only thing that is accelerating is the number of laws. 20 years ago politicians wrote laws, 10 years ago you needed a few pHds to scan for compliance with other laws. Today you need a larger department to researh where it is possible to make changes to laws, while new laws are written by lobbyists/interested parties.

Since it is almost impossible for politicians to change laws, they prefer adding new ones and because of the increased rights of companies it has become a very lucrative deal for government contractors to write new laws.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c178 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:07:06 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c178
Also, I expect very gradual creeping-in of the DRM. Everything might be okay for now, but I strongly suspect the DRM software will be on the Xbox One just waiting.

And I have always had this suspicion with Sony.

And do I even have to mention iTunes? Or even Steam?

Any software that demands too much online connectivity I shall regard as suspect.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c168 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:06:39 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c168
YET ANOTHER UPDATE (5:24 Eastern): Microsoft has confirmed to Kotaku that the "family sharing" and digital cloud library access features that were planned to be in the Xbox One are indeed gone thanks to today's policy reversal. Xbox one users will also apparently have to download a "Day One" patch to enable the offline mode.


http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/06/rumor-microsoft-set-to-reverse-controversial-game-licensing-policies/

I can't open the Kotaku article at work, but the URL is here:

http://kotaku.com/surprise-xbox-one-drm-reversal-requires-day-one-patch-514419715?rev=1371676969]]> See http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c160 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:06:05 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c160 www.kep2.cℴm]]> Re: Re: Lots of room to debate drones http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/10213023529/fbi-admits-to-using-drones-to-spy-americans.shtml#c618 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:59:00 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/10213023529/fbi-admits-to-using-drones-to-spy-americans.shtml#c618 Under
Drones:
Death,
Injury, and
Trauma to
Civilians...civilians should be changed to "Everyone".]]> They listened to consumers http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c158 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:57:47 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130619/13581923535/microsoft-capitulates-removes-online-drm-xbox-one.shtml#c158
This seems like a very good thing and Microsoft should be applauded to shifting to a better model and listening to their customers.]]>