Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft et al. corporations connected to the NSA's top secret PRISM program are clearly engaged in a mass violation of their customers' privacy. For shame. But it isn't just privacy we should be concerned about. The secretive nature of this program represents a blatant subversion of the free market economy - one that affects every nerd, startup entrepreneur, or business owner alike.

This economy you work so hard to earn a living in is being gamed by 'cheaters'; intent on subverting the natural flow of the market and gaining unfair advantage by working in secret with agencies of government.

When you have a 'free market' corporation; a public facing company. That has a back-door, secret working relationship with a non-free market entity; a government funded agency like the NSA - it creates a dangerous 'link' between the two.

Google has a secret relationship with the NSA. That much is fact.

But what we don’t know is how this relationship may affect you and me: Google users. Because, well - its’ a secret.

This in and of itself is concerning. But specifically, regarding privacy policies... I got thinking... as a corporation - wouldn’t a secret relationship with a military intelligence agency make ALL your privacy policies null & void?

Sure, the Gmail privacy policy may very well be a valid corporate document that is adhered to by Google staff. However, as far as users are concerned - it’s toilet paper because even if Google adheres to this policy - the NSA probably doesn’t have too. These guys may literally be roaming the offices at Google for all we know.

So I assume, but can only speculate since the Google NSA deal is secret, that the NSA can violate Google’s privacy policies anytime, get access to whatever they want, and use that data however they want.

Google has drawn a line in the sand. To manufacturers, the message is clear: if you are not Motorola, the happy days of Android are over.

Before long, Googorola will begin launching its Google branded devices - alienating the remaining Android partners. Forcing the likes of HTC, Samsung, and Acer to abandon Google's twisted idea of an ‘open platform'.

So what is next for these non-Motorola Android partners? Let's not forget - aside from the main players - other companies have recently jumped in the game with their own Android powered tablets including LG, Lenovo and ASUS. Just as the Android ecosystem was getting really interesting, Googorola happened - and now the rug has been pulled out from under everybody.

The Ubuntu Tablet

Here is what the manufacturers need to do: embrace a new platform. One that is truly open. One that is championed and safeguarded by a company with true values and roots in open source. HTC, Samsung, Acer, LG, Lenovo, and ASUS need to partner with Canonical to make the Ubuntu Tablet a reality. And a viable, popular alternative to the iPad & impending Google branded tablets.

Do you have an iPad? Or a Motorola XOOM ? Frankly, they're both awesome devices. But personally, I prefer the XOOM. Here's why: POWER... you can do more on the XOOM. Here are 10 things you can do on the XOOM that you can't do on the iPad 2.

Firefox !!

Mozilla's latest Firefox 5 mobile web browser is the best tablet browser yet. The slick new mobile tabs implementation is a splendid UI innovation. And the bookmark syncing feature, that enables you to sync bookmarks with a desktop computer or any number of other computers and devices - is a must have.

Live Wallpapers

On the XOOM, I can go to the Android Market and download any kind of wallpaper imaginable. Including Live Wallpapers, the kind that animate in the background. Or change depending on the time of day.

Going to keep this one brief. Because frankly, not much has to be said.
But it does have to be said (if it wasn't already obvious)...

Google has a secretive working relationship with the NSA.
Google has a ridiculous amount of data.
Data that can be used to identify, profile, locate & track you.
The NSA can make Google give them this data. In real time.

DuckDuckGo is awesome. Here are 10 reasons why.

10. !bang

DuckDuckGo has its own syntax. The !bang command allows you to search another site directly. For example, if you wanted to find out how bad the new Tron movie is you can type: !imdb Tron and you'll instantly see the results on IMDb.

Need some quick comedy? Type !youtube funny cats and you'll see the results directly on YouTube. Or use !yt for short.

Troubleshooting python code? Add !python to your query and it will automatically search the official Python documentation.

For every query there is usually a vertical search engine somewhere that answers that query better than a general search engine.

In light of recent news that Google will soon be launching it's own web browser (code-named Chrome) - there is now a real possibility that Mozilla will launch it's own search engine.

In a pre-emptive counter measure to Chrome, Mozilla may now launch it's own new competitive product to google: Mozilla Open Search. That's right Google, two can play at this game.

And why wouldn't Mozilla release it's own search engine? The gloves are off. And Google dropped them first.