Saturday, September 8, 2007
MyStrands Launches Music Video Discovery Service, MyStrands.tv
MyStrands, provider of a music recommendation service, has launched a slick new website at MyStrands.tv for finding music videos hosted on YouTube.
Users can browse music videos by artist or genre and play them in a large player. The system also recommends videos based on your viewing habits and input.
A social network of sorts is integrated into the service. You can view friends’ favorite videos and artists and set up your own personalized channels. There is also a stumbling feature in which you can view another video based on the artist of the video you are currently watching.
Similar music video discovery services include Middio, MOG, and iLike. Of course, you can always just browse music videos on YouTube itself, many of them legal.
It certainly makes sense to build services that exploit the music videos hosted on YouTube, as the majority of the top 10 videos on YouTube are music-related.
MyStrands recently raised $25 million in Series B funding.
Users can browse music videos by artist or genre and play them in a large player. The system also recommends videos based on your viewing habits and input.
A social network of sorts is integrated into the service. You can view friends’ favorite videos and artists and set up your own personalized channels. There is also a stumbling feature in which you can view another video based on the artist of the video you are currently watching.
Similar music video discovery services include Middio, MOG, and iLike. Of course, you can always just browse music videos on YouTube itself, many of them legal.
It certainly makes sense to build services that exploit the music videos hosted on YouTube, as the majority of the top 10 videos on YouTube are music-related.
MyStrands recently raised $25 million in Series B funding.
Labels: $, Discovery, Google, Music Video, MyStrands Launches, MyStrands.tv, Service
Yahoo! Acquires Ad Network BlueLithium
Todd Teresi has announced over at Yodel Anecdotal that Yahoo! will acquire online global ad network BlueLithium for about $300 million in cash.
According to the announcement, BlueLithium is the fifth largest ad network in the United States and the second largest in the United Kingdom with 145 million unique visitors per month.
Teresi describes the acquisition of this company with over 100 employees as important for making Yahoo! “one of the world’s leading online display ad networks.” Apparently, Yahoo! believes that BlueLithium’s data analytics and behavioral targeting tools will help them get there.
Yahoo!’s acquisition of the company comes less than 5 months after Google acquired DoubleClick and less than 4 months after Microsoft acquired aQuantive, albeit for much larger sums ($3.1 and $6 billion respectively).
BlueLithium was founded in 2004 and named 2006 Innovator of the Year by AlwaysOn. Details are available in Yahoo!’s official press release.
According to the announcement, BlueLithium is the fifth largest ad network in the United States and the second largest in the United Kingdom with 145 million unique visitors per month.
Teresi describes the acquisition of this company with over 100 employees as important for making Yahoo! “one of the world’s leading online display ad networks.” Apparently, Yahoo! believes that BlueLithium’s data analytics and behavioral targeting tools will help them get there.
Yahoo!’s acquisition of the company comes less than 5 months after Google acquired DoubleClick and less than 4 months after Microsoft acquired aQuantive, albeit for much larger sums ($3.1 and $6 billion respectively).
BlueLithium was founded in 2004 and named 2006 Innovator of the Year by AlwaysOn. Details are available in Yahoo!’s official press release.
Labels: $, Acquires, Ad, Blue, Chairman, Coming, Google, Lithium, Network, Yahoo
Microsoft Officially Launches Silverlight
Microsoft has officially launched its Flash rival Silverlight .
Silverlight 1.0 provides cross browser support under both Windows and OS X, and in a partnership with Novell will also be available for Linux.
Silverlight was initially released to rave reviews in late April, with Michael Arrington saying that it would become “the platform of choice for developers who build rich Internet applications.”
Microsoft has rolled out a number of Silverlight powered applications since then, including Live Station, Popfly and Tafiti.
Microsoft has also announced that a number of content providers will be providing Silverlight enabled content online, including Entertainment Tonight, HSN and World Wrestling Entertainment.
For a full explanation of what Silverlight does read here.
(via Beet.tv)
Silverlight 1.0 provides cross browser support under both Windows and OS X, and in a partnership with Novell will also be available for Linux.
Silverlight was initially released to rave reviews in late April, with Michael Arrington saying that it would become “the platform of choice for developers who build rich Internet applications.”
Microsoft has rolled out a number of Silverlight powered applications since then, including Live Station, Popfly and Tafiti.
Microsoft has also announced that a number of content providers will be providing Silverlight enabled content online, including Entertainment Tonight, HSN and World Wrestling Entertainment.
For a full explanation of what Silverlight does read here.
(via Beet.tv)
Labels: $, calendar, fashion, Google, Launches, Microsoft, Officially, Silverlight
Universal Finally Sues Veoh
After one too many “unreasonable threats”, video site Veoh preemptively sued Universal Music last month in federal court, seeking a declaratory injunction to bar Universal from taking legal action. Now it seems Universal has finally made good on some of those threats.
Universal is suing the startup for copyright infringement, using some strong language in an L.A. court hearing today. Universal said, “Veoh follows in the ignominious footsteps of other recent mass infringers such as Napster”. Adding, “Veoh’s rampant infringement will not stop until Veoh, and those who own, control, and run it, are enjoined and held financially responsible”.
The suit joins a heap of lawsuits UMG had launched against MySpace, Grouper (Crackle), and Bolt (since deadpooled).
Veoh is partly financed by Time Warner and Michael Eisner’s Tornante Co.
Update: Veoh CEO Steve Mitgang has delivered an official response:
“UMG’s action is not surprising and reflects their limited understanding of Veoh and of the online video space as a whole. Veoh is recognized by many media companies as a DMCA-compliant company and is committed to respecting the rights of content owners. In fact, we’re currently working cooperatively with major media companies and the MPAA to develop standards for copyright protection. It’s unfortunate that UMG prefers to continue their pattern of litigation rather than contribute to the important discussions going on within our industry.”
Universal is suing the startup for copyright infringement, using some strong language in an L.A. court hearing today. Universal said, “Veoh follows in the ignominious footsteps of other recent mass infringers such as Napster”. Adding, “Veoh’s rampant infringement will not stop until Veoh, and those who own, control, and run it, are enjoined and held financially responsible”.
The suit joins a heap of lawsuits UMG had launched against MySpace, Grouper (Crackle), and Bolt (since deadpooled).
Veoh is partly financed by Time Warner and Michael Eisner’s Tornante Co.
Update: Veoh CEO Steve Mitgang has delivered an official response:
“UMG’s action is not surprising and reflects their limited understanding of Veoh and of the online video space as a whole. Veoh is recognized by many media companies as a DMCA-compliant company and is committed to respecting the rights of content owners. In fact, we’re currently working cooperatively with major media companies and the MPAA to develop standards for copyright protection. It’s unfortunate that UMG prefers to continue their pattern of litigation rather than contribute to the important discussions going on within our industry.”
Labels: Finally, Gmail, Google, Sues, Universal, Veoh
Nokia Marketing Team Reaches Out To Angry iPhone Users
Nokia’s marketing department did some quick thinking yesterday. They’re targeting iPhone users who are angry about the fact that they paid $200 more for their phone than they would have if they waited.
They’ve taken out ads on Google that suggest users check out Nokia’s new Mosh mobile social network. The ads, which appear for searches on “iphone price drop,” say “Sorry, Early Adopters” and suggests they salvage their iPhone experience by checking out Mosh.
There isn’t much to suggest that any angry iPhone users will be turning to Nokia Mosh to ease their pain. But it is some good thinking by a Nokia marketer nonetheless.
Update: Steve Jobs has issued an open letter announcing Apple will be giving a $100 store credit to everyone who purchased an iPhone from Apple or AT&T and isn’t eligible for any other credits.
They’ve taken out ads on Google that suggest users check out Nokia’s new Mosh mobile social network. The ads, which appear for searches on “iphone price drop,” say “Sorry, Early Adopters” and suggests they salvage their iPhone experience by checking out Mosh.
There isn’t much to suggest that any angry iPhone users will be turning to Nokia Mosh to ease their pain. But it is some good thinking by a Nokia marketer nonetheless.
Update: Steve Jobs has issued an open letter announcing Apple will be giving a $100 store credit to everyone who purchased an iPhone from Apple or AT&T and isn’t eligible for any other credits.
Labels: Angry, Gmail, Google, iPhone, london, Nokia Marketing, Out, Reaches, Team, To, Users
Facebook: Opening Up, But on Its Own Terms
Last week we began talking with a independent programmer who ran into a bit of trouble with Facebook over a snippet of code he developed and published that allowed users to update their Facebook status without visiting the site.
Christian Flickinger, who runs the blog Technologist for Hire, posted some PHP code here last April that took advantage of Facebook’s mobile service to perform this simple task. While Facebook offers an RSS feed to export status updates, unlike Twitter it fails to provide a way to import status updates. Christian’s code was meant to fix this shortcoming and consequently help others innovate with the way Facebook status updates are handled. He did not use the code to create a website for updating Facebook statuses; he simply made it available for others to modify or run as is on their own servers.
One such way to use Christian’s code was to incorporate it into a program that takes status updates and pushes them out to multiple status handlers such as Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Adium, and Quicksilver. Another use could be to take information from a music player, instant messaging program, or blogging platform and automatically make Facebook status updates from any activity (such as newly played songs, away messages, or post headlines). After publishing the code, Christian indeed found that several other developers used his code to create programs around the idea of “federated status”.
This past Thursday, however, Christian received an email from a Facebook engineer that requested he take down the code from his blog. While recognizing that Christian was simply trying to provide something useful, the engineer insisted that the code was, and had always been, against Facebook’s terms of service (see “User Conduct” section, bullet #3). As a way of explanation, he suggested that allowing people to automate against Facebook from outside of the site would create a “slippery slope”. The engineer backed up his request by insinuating that he would disable Christian’s Facebook account and/or take legal action if he refused to remove the code.
After Christian stood by his post, Facebook demonstrated on September 4th that it wasn’t bluffing and shut down his account. Christian soon realized that Facebook meant more to him than fighting this out and took down the code; Facebook has since reactivated his account. Several others who had used his code also caved and took down their enhancements.
While Facebook certainly has the right to contact users about violations of their terms of service, I must ask myself “what is Facebook so worried about?”. The company has made great strides in opening up the network with the developer platform, data feeds, and people search. These developments suggest that Facebook wants to make the components of the Social Graph available for wider consumption and utilization.
And yet, it has quite aggressively quelled certain developers that have built Facebook-integrated services. Last fall, the same Facebook engineer involved in this case sent the creator of UnFaced, a compatibility calculator, a similar cease and desist request. Facebook declined to provide a substantive reason for their actions in either of these cases.
Changes to Facebook’s terms of service over the last half year may also suggest that the company has become increasingly cautious about how and when they open things up. Their terms currently prohibit the “use [of] automated scripts to collect information from or otherwise interact with the Service or the Site.” However, archives show that this line was added sometime after February 10, 2007. So, instead of slackening their policies for independent developers, they seem to be tightening them.
What do you think? Was Facebook overbearing or reasonable in the way it handled Christian’s code? Generally speaking, is Facebook “developer-friendly”? If you have developed for Facebook, please share your experiences below.
Christian Flickinger, who runs the blog Technologist for Hire, posted some PHP code here last April that took advantage of Facebook’s mobile service to perform this simple task. While Facebook offers an RSS feed to export status updates, unlike Twitter it fails to provide a way to import status updates. Christian’s code was meant to fix this shortcoming and consequently help others innovate with the way Facebook status updates are handled. He did not use the code to create a website for updating Facebook statuses; he simply made it available for others to modify or run as is on their own servers.
One such way to use Christian’s code was to incorporate it into a program that takes status updates and pushes them out to multiple status handlers such as Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Adium, and Quicksilver. Another use could be to take information from a music player, instant messaging program, or blogging platform and automatically make Facebook status updates from any activity (such as newly played songs, away messages, or post headlines). After publishing the code, Christian indeed found that several other developers used his code to create programs around the idea of “federated status”.
This past Thursday, however, Christian received an email from a Facebook engineer that requested he take down the code from his blog. While recognizing that Christian was simply trying to provide something useful, the engineer insisted that the code was, and had always been, against Facebook’s terms of service (see “User Conduct” section, bullet #3). As a way of explanation, he suggested that allowing people to automate against Facebook from outside of the site would create a “slippery slope”. The engineer backed up his request by insinuating that he would disable Christian’s Facebook account and/or take legal action if he refused to remove the code.
After Christian stood by his post, Facebook demonstrated on September 4th that it wasn’t bluffing and shut down his account. Christian soon realized that Facebook meant more to him than fighting this out and took down the code; Facebook has since reactivated his account. Several others who had used his code also caved and took down their enhancements.
While Facebook certainly has the right to contact users about violations of their terms of service, I must ask myself “what is Facebook so worried about?”. The company has made great strides in opening up the network with the developer platform, data feeds, and people search. These developments suggest that Facebook wants to make the components of the Social Graph available for wider consumption and utilization.
And yet, it has quite aggressively quelled certain developers that have built Facebook-integrated services. Last fall, the same Facebook engineer involved in this case sent the creator of UnFaced, a compatibility calculator, a similar cease and desist request. Facebook declined to provide a substantive reason for their actions in either of these cases.
Changes to Facebook’s terms of service over the last half year may also suggest that the company has become increasingly cautious about how and when they open things up. Their terms currently prohibit the “use [of] automated scripts to collect information from or otherwise interact with the Service or the Site.” However, archives show that this line was added sometime after February 10, 2007. So, instead of slackening their policies for independent developers, they seem to be tightening them.
What do you think? Was Facebook overbearing or reasonable in the way it handled Christian’s code? Generally speaking, is Facebook “developer-friendly”? If you have developed for Facebook, please share your experiences below.
Labels: $, But, Facebook:, Gaming, Google, GPRS, Its, on, Opening, Own, Terms, Up
Orbitz Offers User Generated Airport Advice
Orbitz TLC Traveler Update is a new service from well known online travel company Orbitz - it provides quick, P2P generated travel reports. That means travelers can get information on delays, cancellations, weather and other issues way before official announcements are made.
orbitzupdates.pngTraveler Update starts with the basics; users have access to TSA wait times, weather information, traffic (pulled from Google Maps), and general information including WiFi access and parking details. Where the service is trying to be different is with the remaining feature: user generated advice.
People using any airport in the United States are encouraged to submit airport advice to the site from the airport itself. Tips can be made anonymously or by registered Orbitz members, and the service also includes a mobile version for easy access via cell phone.
Like any service that relies in user generated content, it’s only ever as good as the number of users contributing to it; the service went live Monday so it’s not extensive yet, but it is already seeing contributions from airport hotspots. Earlier today there were delays at Chicago O’Hare Airport and there were several pages of user advice direct from the airport, including details of flight delays and cancellations, where Taxi’s were readily available, security delays and other information that someone heading for the airport, or at the airport might find useful.
It’s a good idea, and if it builds user numbers it will become an even better service. Worth a look the next time you are flying in the United States.
orbitzupdates.pngTraveler Update starts with the basics; users have access to TSA wait times, weather information, traffic (pulled from Google Maps), and general information including WiFi access and parking details. Where the service is trying to be different is with the remaining feature: user generated advice.
People using any airport in the United States are encouraged to submit airport advice to the site from the airport itself. Tips can be made anonymously or by registered Orbitz members, and the service also includes a mobile version for easy access via cell phone.
Like any service that relies in user generated content, it’s only ever as good as the number of users contributing to it; the service went live Monday so it’s not extensive yet, but it is already seeing contributions from airport hotspots. Earlier today there were delays at Chicago O’Hare Airport and there were several pages of user advice direct from the airport, including details of flight delays and cancellations, where Taxi’s were readily available, security delays and other information that someone heading for the airport, or at the airport might find useful.
It’s a good idea, and if it builds user numbers it will become an even better service. Worth a look the next time you are flying in the United States.
Labels: Advice, Airport, Generated, Google, Offers User, Orbitz
Netscape Digg Clone Is Kaput
We’ve known about it for weeks (despite Netscape’s claims that our post was innacurate), but now it’s confirmed: AOL has announced the end of Netscape as a social news portal.
In a statement, Tom Drapeau spun the decision as being AOL listening to its customers and as part of their “desire to better serve our community.” On the decision itself, Drapeau stated:
We received some feedback that people really do associate the Netscape brand with providing mainstream news that is editorially controlled. In fact, we specifically heard that our users do have a desire for a social news experience, but simply didn’t expect to find it on Netscape.com.
The new (old) Netscape home page is not live quite yet, but can be viewed at netscape.aol.com. All traffic to Netscape.com will shortly be redirected to this site.
Drapeau claims that the social news service will go on at a new site, but failed to name the site or when it would be launched; certainly not a good sign for the current Netscape editorial team.
In a statement, Tom Drapeau spun the decision as being AOL listening to its customers and as part of their “desire to better serve our community.” On the decision itself, Drapeau stated:
We received some feedback that people really do associate the Netscape brand with providing mainstream news that is editorially controlled. In fact, we specifically heard that our users do have a desire for a social news experience, but simply didn’t expect to find it on Netscape.com.
The new (old) Netscape home page is not live quite yet, but can be viewed at netscape.aol.com. All traffic to Netscape.com will shortly be redirected to this site.
Drapeau claims that the social news service will go on at a new site, but failed to name the site or when it would be launched; certainly not a good sign for the current Netscape editorial team.
Labels: Clone, Digg, Google, Is, Kaboodle, Kaput, Netscape
Skype Phishing Scam
Like most people, I thought I’d seen everything in terms of phishing scams. Paypal and bank phishing emails are a regular occurrence in most people’s inboxes. Then I received this:
picture-22.png
Why in the world would a scammer want my Skype details? I have about $12 AUD in credit, which I suppose could be used to make calls, but it hardly seems worth the effort.
Notably, Gmail did not pick the email up as being a scam.
I checked the html for the email: the alleged skype link goes to a page on cec-icmc.org that is set up to look just like a page from Skype.
A quick search on Google results in other instances of Skype scams, but I didn’t find one exactly like this. In context, I don’t use Skype Out that often and Skype occasionally sends emails telling me that I have to use Skype Out to maintain the Skype Out credit, along with my Skype In number. This phishing scam keeps to the similar theme, in that Skype legitimately does on occasion request account updates.
A word of warning to the many, many Skype users out there: don’t trust emails claiming to be sent by Skype. If you’re already smart to this: good for you.
picture-22.png
Why in the world would a scammer want my Skype details? I have about $12 AUD in credit, which I suppose could be used to make calls, but it hardly seems worth the effort.
Notably, Gmail did not pick the email up as being a scam.
I checked the html for the email: the alleged skype link goes to a page on cec-icmc.org that is set up to look just like a page from Skype.
A quick search on Google results in other instances of Skype scams, but I didn’t find one exactly like this. In context, I don’t use Skype Out that often and Skype occasionally sends emails telling me that I have to use Skype Out to maintain the Skype Out credit, along with my Skype In number. This phishing scam keeps to the similar theme, in that Skype legitimately does on occasion request account updates.
A word of warning to the many, many Skype users out there: don’t trust emails claiming to be sent by Skype. If you’re already smart to this: good for you.
Labels: Google, Phishing, Scam, Skype
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