The Technologist

Newsweek senior editor Steven Levy, whose column now also appears in The Washington Post, was online to discuss the latest buzz in the tech industry Wednesday, March 26 at noon ET.

He recently wrote about losing his MacBook Air and today's column focuses on astronomy programs created by Google and Microsoft.

A transcript follows.

Levy started covering the digital revolution more than 25 years ago while writing a story for Rolling Stone about computer hackers. Since then, he's written books about hackers, Apple, artificial life and the iPod.

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Steven Levy: Hi, everyone. This week I wrote about the "space program" of Google and Microsoft. (I'm talking about programs that scan the sky, not Google's initiative to encourage people to go to the moon). But I'm happy to take on larger questions of the Google-Microsoft competition, questions about my missing MacBook Air from the previous column, or just about anything in the wide world of tech.

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North Bethesda, Md.: So I have to ask: did you ever find your MacBook Air?

Steven Levy: No, I didn't. I'm still favoring the theory that either my wife or I tossed it out with the newspapers, though my wife doesn't endorse that supposition. I've gotten a huge response, with some people saying that they can really see how that could happen. Others are just laughing. Also, if you are an Air owner, be extra careful when you take it out to get through airport screening -- apparently it can easily blend in with the color of those plastic bins.

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Washington, D.C.: Can you elaborate more on the Google v. Microsoft relationship? Is their "respect" toward one another on the space applications a one time thing - or do you think the companies are moving in a different direction?

Steven Levy: There is a heated competition between Google and Microsoft, and there's more blood in Microsoft's eye than in Google's. Probably because Microsoft is a more traditional kind of zero-sum competitor than Google, though the Googlers certainly don't seem above sticking a finger in the Microsoft eye here and there. But in the case of these astronomy programs I wrote about, the people involved see their projects as educational and inspirational, and seem (at least as they presented themselves to me) less focused on blasting their opponent than making a great connection with the stargazing public. This is easier to do when the project isn't monetized, and in this case, both Google Sky and WorldWide Telescope are ad-free and cost nothing to the user.

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Alexandria, Va.: Do you have any thoughts on the announcement that Motorola is splitting in two? Does this speak just to the company (since they've been struggling to find themselves recently) or about the mobile industry?

washingtonpost.com: Motorola to Break Into 2 Companies

Steven Levy: Motorola is in a bind because after a good period following the Razr success, its handset division is lagging. YOu can say it's unique, but I do think that you have to view it in the light of the flawed model of the telecom industry, where headset manufacturers and software developers are not free to unleash innovations because of the harsh gatekeeping of the companies who control the mobile networks. These are giants whose genetic origins are monopolistic, and unless a company like Motorola gets it just right, it's easy to see losses pile up. It will be interesting to see how Apple deals with this situation in the long run.

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Washington, D.C.: If these programs are ad-free and cost nothing to the user, what are Google and Microsoft getting out of creating these programs? Just good-will?

Steven Levy: The short answer is yes, by releasing these programs to the public, they perform a service. But there are solid business reasons for this, too. From Google's point of view, Sky is one of a number of services that draw people to the company's Web sites. It's not just on the Web, but it's built into Google Earth, a client-based program that's a companion to ad-supported Google Maps. So by coming to the Google camp to look at stars, you're a click away from the ad stuff.

Microsoft has other reasons to justify the expense of WorldWide Telescope. It comes from its research division, which typically pushes the envelope to come up with innovations that they can build into their software that brings in big cash. The strength of WorldWide Telescope is in its interface and its handling of multi-media, both of which are huge parts of Microsoft's commercial software business. So by launching this program, Microsoft might be finding new ideas that will eventually make it money.

Still, it's a win for astronomy and users. And the people working on both projects are truly excited at the response.

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WorldWide Telescope: I'm guessing that folks running Mac are disproportionately represented on Google Sky and other cool astronomy programs (celestia etc.). Will Microsoft make a Mac-native version of their WorldWide Telescope available?

Steven Levy: Well, let me put it this way -- Mac users who download WorldWide Telescope will be disproportionally under represented. I asked Microsoft about whether they would do it in other platforms and got a flat no -- the answer was that the company knew Windows so well that its resources would be best spent working only on a Windows XP/Vista program. Google, on the other hand, not only offers Google Earth/Sky on multiple platforms, but now has a Web version of Sky.

Of course users of recent Macs can run Windows on those Intel machines, and thus use WWT.

I think this is an interesting question as Microsoft goes forward -- and Apple gains more market share. Will it sacrifice some of its application business to prop up Windows? Right not market share of Windows is so large it hasn't been much of a question. But if Apple keeps gaining share, this could be a tougher question for Redmondites in the future.

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Arlington, Va.: I loved "The Perfect Thing" and love pretty much all my Apple products for most of the reasons you outline in the book, their design and ease of use. Do you see Apple finding a way to bring their design excellence to the e-book market? I have always wanted to want an e-book reader, but have yet to see one that makes me want to make the switch. On a related note, have you tried out the Kindle?

Thanks!

Steven Levy: Have I tried out the Kindle? Ahem. Our Newsweek cover was first to write about it, and I've had a lot of experience with it. My basic take is that it is groundbreaking (especially in the way it wirelessly connects with the Amazon store) and fulfills its basic goal of "disappearing" like a physical book when you're reading, well, a book. But it needs to improve its interface and design, and is costly. One might think that Apple is eyeing this market, but when Steve Jobs was asked he made a strange statement to the effect that Apple isn't interested because Americans don't read much. I bet, however, that Apple people, including Steve, read plenty and like the iPod, which was driven by the goal of its designers to create a device they wanted themselves, an Apple e-reader would benefit from the same principle.

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New York, N.Y.: Which program do astronomers like better, Google Sky or Worldwide Telescope?

Steven Levy: The ones I talked to like both programs, but a couple things about Microsoft's WorldWide Telescope appeal in particular. Microsoft is working on a "pro" version that will allow astronomers to actually perform science (one astronomer told me that some work that previously required a trip to some remote telescope could be done via desktop). Also, Microsoft uses a slightly more standard version of coding information, though Google is moving towards standardization too. Professional astronomers, though, have contributed "user content" to both projects, and see both as great tools to fire up young minds.

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Steven Levy: Looks like some potential questioners are so excited about Google Sky and Microsoft's WorldWide Telescope that they're already off in some distant galaxy. Thanks to everyone for questions and attention, and see you next time.

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