Senator Ted "Tubes" Stevens Guilty On All Counts: MediaBytes with Shelly Palmer October 28, 2008

A jury convicted Senator Ted "Tubes" Stevens on all seven felony counts which violated federal ethics laws. Stevens is guilty of failing to report thousands of dollars in gifts and home renovations. Stevens, who was until recently Alaska's most prominent political figure, will always be known for his idiotic tirade on the Internet, which he described "as a series of Tubes."

Verizon posted a 31% increase in profit for the third quarter. Verizon noted that much of the profit is due to an increase of 2.1 million customers for Verizon Wireless, bringing the total to 70.8 million subscribers. The communications company's stocked jumped 10.1 yesterday on the positive report.

Microsoft unveiled a plan to offer companies access to its cloud computers. The new service, Windows Azure, allows company's to rent space on computers and subscribe to Microsoft's software online. Microsoft is the latest tech company to jump on the cloud computing trend, following both Amazon and Google.

Analysts have noted that both retailers and manufacturers are dropping the price of Blu-ray players. Target, Walmart and Best Buy have each dropped entry-level Blu-ray players to below $230, with analysts predicting could fall as low as $150 on Black Friday.

Plus, today's consulting question, "Why is Hulu having problems selling ads?" Shelly has the answer on today's MediaBytes.

Shelly Palmer is a consultant and the host of MediaBytes 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 (2008, York House Press). Shelly is also President of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, NY (the organization that bestows the coveted Emmy® Awards). You can join the MediaBytes mailing list here. Shelly can be reached at [e-mail]