Earlier today, Google and Verizon made headlines by unveiling a joint proposal for the future of net neutrality.

The plan calls for "a new, enforceable prohibition against discriminatory practices. This means that for the first time, wireline broadband providers would not be able to discriminate against or prioritize lawful Internet content, applications or services in a way that causes harm to users or competition."

Google and Verizon's proposal leaves open the ability for ISPs to charge Web sites extra if they offer certain services.

Almost immediately after the announcement, MoveOn.Org Civic Action, Credo Action, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and ColorofChange.org released a statement describing how tens of millions of Americans would be harmed if the proposal was to be followed. The groups already have a petition with over 300,000 signatures protesting the proposal.

Most seem very upset by Google's turn against net neutrality, the concept that all sites and bandwidth on the Internet should be free of restrictions. Because smarpthones would be exempt from any of the future changes, many also see the proposal as a way to push Android well into the future.

The FCC responded to the proposal, mainly showing off its muscle in the discussion. Says Commissioner Michael J. Copps: "Some will claim this announcement moves the discussion forward. That's one of its many problems. It is time to move a decision forward—a decision to reassert FCC authority over broadband telecommunications, to guarantee an open Internet now and forever, and to put the interests of consumers in front of the interests of giant corporations."

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Bill Gates, one of the richest men in the world after he co-founded Microsoft in the 70s, has made some interesting comments today in relation to the college experience.

Gates says that soon college educations will be irrelevant, thanks to the Internet.

"The self-motivated learner will be on the web. And there will be far less place-based [college] things...College -- except for the parties -- needs to be less place based," says Gates.

Additionally, he says traditional college studies will soon be "five times less important than it is today."

It is notable to remember that Gates dropped out of Harvard University to found the company that has since become the largest tech company in the world.

Gates was quick to note that he feels K-12 education is very important, especially charter school programs that immerse the children in learning: "If you want to take intercity fifth grade kids and get them to think 'Hey learning is fun...I do that with other kids.' you need to have at least 80 percent of their waking hours devoted to your thing or otherwise you lose -- and these charter schools do that."

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The Motorola Droid 2, easily the worst kept secret since the iPhone 4, has now had its price leaked, along with another confirmation on its launch date.

Motorola's new flagship smartphone will be available starting August 12th (this Thursday), if the leak is to be believed.

Pictures from Best Buy give us the price, which is $200 with 2-year contract, and $600 if you want the device without contract.

Additionally, Verizon's wireless page is showing the original Droid as currently "Out of Stock," an almost sure sign that the Droid 2 is ready to go.

The Motorola Droid 2 has a 1Ghz processor, runs Android 2.2, has 8GB of internal memory, a 5.0MP camera with IS and autofocus, and comes with an 8GB MicroSD card.

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Google has continued its strong expansion into the social gaming market, purchasing the virtual currency start-up Jambool for $75 million.

Jambool was founded in 2006 and has been a hit with its Social Gold virtual currency product.

Social Gold can be used in MMOs, virtual worlds, regular online games and social gaming applications.

The company was started by former Amazon execs Vikas Gupta and Reza Hussein.

Neither company has confirmed the purchase price but multiple sources place the price at $55 million, with another $20 million based on incentives.

Last week, Google purchased the social gaming developer Slide, for $182 million and earlier in the year, Google invested about $150 million in developer Zynga, the company behind hits like Farmville.

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The popular developer/hacker Comex, the man behind the Web-based iPhone jailbreaking site, has released Frash today for the smartphone, certain iPod Touch models and the iPad allowing for Adobe Flash support on jailbroken devices.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has long said that the company will not support Flash on "i" devices.

If you own the iPhone 3GS with iOS4, the iPhone 4, the iPod Touch 3G or the iPad you can now run Flash from within the Safari browser.

The installation is pretty simple. Add a custom Cydia repository, install the program and reboot your "i" device.

While the app is a great start, the developer is quick to note that the beta (version 0.02) can only support very simple Flash animations, making it useless for the most part unless you love invasive Web ads.

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AT&T, the U.S.' second largest wireless carrier, has announced the launch of their U-Verse Mobile App, now available through the iPhone/Touch App Store.

U-verse subscribers can now download and stream TV shows on their iPhone.

The app will also allow users to manage their DVR and download and watch the selected shows.

Additionally, U-verse subscribers can browse the full U-verse TV program guide, view descriptions of the content, and watch them in full screen mode on the iPhone.

AT&T says 100,000 U-verse subscribers already use the Web app and an early beta of the Mobile App, dubbed Mobile Remote Access.

"We're making it possible for you to watch TV shows on your iPhone at no extra charge. It's just one more valuable and innovative feature available on U-verse TV," added David Christopher, CMO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "Our U-verse multi-screen promise is now a reality for millions of U-verse TV customers, with content available on U-verse TV, U-verse Online, and today, U-verse Mobile. No cable provider comes close to matching the cross-platform experience we're delivering today, and we'll continue to add unique features that further integrate these screens."

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