Today's most interesting stories in technology, media and entertainment:
After selling 120,000 iPads on the first day of pre-orders, Apple announced that it will give iPad owners who need to replace the battery a new iPad. The shift in warranty policy is a bonus for consumers, and may signal that Apple either made a superior battery for the iPad or is expecting the worst. In the end battery replacement won't be entirely fee, as users will have to pony up a $99 service charge. (Which is still better than the iPhone battery replacement policy.)
While studios have discussed premiering films on YouTube, PBS is set to premiere its new documentary on Facebook. Earth Day, scheduled to air on television on April 19th, will hit the social network a week earlier. Viewers who partake in the social screening will be able to communicate with the producers live in-real time, making it a more interactive viewing experience. Is this where you want to experience a feature length documentary? We'll see.
A recent court decision requires that cable companies must make any channels or sports rights thats they own available to rival companies. The decision comes after cable providers like Cablevision and Comcast refused to give other providers access to exclusive sports programming. The cable companies are disappointed, but consumer should be thrilled.
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Shelly Palmer is a consultant and the host of MediaBytes with Shelly Palmer a daily show featuring news you can use about technology, media & entertainment. He is Managing Director of Advanced Media Ventures Group LLC and the author of Television Disrupted: The Transition from Network to Networked TV. Shelly is also President of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. You can join the MediaBytes mailing list here. Shelly can be reached at shelly@palmer.net For information about Get Digital Classes, visit www.shellypalmer.com/seminars