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We’ve all done it: type your name into your search engine of choice, and find out what type of information is online about you. Sometimes called Google-stalking, companies are doing it for potential job candidates, and some individuals are Googling potential dates. A lot of pertinent information can be found about someone because of their online presence, and not all of it is good. What would you do if you found a damaging story or even an outright lie about yourself online?

With the spread of blogs, social networks, wikis, and community forums, just about anyone has the power to influence the reputation of an individual or business. A good example of this is found on bitterwaitress.com, a website dedicated to outing bad tippers and rude customers in restaurants around the country. Many posts include the names of the offending customers, which could prove a very embarrassing situation for those who are written up. For businesses, the stakes are even higher. Sites like Yelp exemplify the other side of the coin, and users post scathing reviews of restaurants and wait staff, gyms, and just about any other service-oriented business you can imagine.

A new kind of business is popping up to help people manage their online reputations. Victims of negative online publicity can turn to companies like ReputationHawk, a specialist in the emerging field of online reputation management (ORM). ReputationHawk’s CEO Chris Martin spoke with Business Report about his company’s mission. “What we do is kind of a mixture of PR and SEO…Say you have a negative Web site in the top ten [search results], when we build positive content, it starts to put a lot of pressure on [the results].”

ORM companies like Martin’s build or find positive content, and use traditional SEO techniques to move it to the top of search engine results. Since most of us look at only the first few pages of search engine results, any negative publicity can be made to virtually disappear. Though the content is still out there, it isn’t likely to be discovered by a casual search.

ReputationHawk sometimes has to create positive content for clients, though often it’s already out there. Search engines favor newer content packed with keywords. By republishing or creating favorable articles, blog posts, or commentary, companies and individual can hide from bad publicity online. However, this service is not available to those who are receiving well-deserved negativity from customers or clients. ReputationHawk’s website urges potential clients to address the sources of the negativity before contacting his firm. Companies who have tried to resolved outstanding complaints or have been targeted by competitors are Martin’s preferred clients.

While some might scoff at the idea of managing one’s online reputation, our web activities are increasingly creating a mirror image of our offline selves. Whether it’s our Facebook activity feeds, our personal or professional blogs, or our photos on Flickr, each of us has a web-based persona. For professional reasons, we must ensure that this persona is the best possible reflection of our true selves.

To quote Winston Churchill, (as Martin does on his website), “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” In the digital age, I’d argue that lies can travel even faster than that. My guess is that more businesses and individuals will need the services of entrepreneurs like Martin in the future.

TSheet Touch is an iPhone friendly app designed to help small business owners keep track of their remote workforce in the most intuitive, easy to use form available.  Launched just before the release of Apple’s 3G iPhone, TSheet Touch joins a host of other iPhone apps that offer business functionality to a platform most users equate with fun.  Blackberry still leads the pack when it comes to business supported smart phones, but as more software firms create iPhone friendly or native applications, users will have a choice as to which solution will bear more fruit.

TSheet Touch allows workers to track their time when they’re out of the office but on the clock.  As TSheet’s website explains, “With the unique ‘One Touch Job Code Switching’ feature, you’ll never find yourself scrolling through multiple menus or jostling drop downs just to find what you’re looking for ever again. Simply open the TSheets iPhone app, locate the job code you’re looking for, and give it a tap. You’re now on the clock. That’s it!”  The program doesn’t need to keep running to track your time.  Simply shut down the iPhone, complete your task, and log back in to stop the clock when you’re done.
 
Back at the home office, TSheet software allows for simple management of projects and workforce.  Managers can see who’s clocked in and working on what in one easy screen.  New job projects and codes are easy to create and assign to employees so that there’s no confusion.  No more worries about mismanaged man hours and lost revenue.  “Keeping the end user and simplicity in mind was our goal from the beginning,” says Matt Newbill, TSheet’s iPhone aficionado. “We wanted something that was not only a perfect match for the iPhone, but fun, easy to use, and good looking, all at the same time.”
 
The TSheet group is acting on what the iPhone has promised since it was unveiled and others will, and are, following suit.  By integrating voice to text, easy touch navigation, and GPS functionality, the iPhone offers an excellent platform for an increasingly mobile workforce.  The iTunes store offers a host of business, finance, reference, and productivity software designed for the iPhone and iPhone touch technology.  While the majority of programs are more social in nature, (it is a phone, remember?), players like Oracle, the New York Times, Google, and Salesforce have put their names behind iPhone business apps.  Conversion applications for everything from measurements, frequency modulation, flight calculation, to languages are available.
 
TSheet Touch adds another valuable program to the growing arsenal of iPhone business tools.  By offering a remote version of its desktop manageable time tracking software, TSheet is exploiting available technology to give it an edge over competitors.  Back in the dot com era, the question was “Do you have a web presence?”  Moving forward, the question may be “Do you have smart phone capability?”  TSheet Touch creators put in the extra hours to get the job done right.

For months, speculation has swirled among the Scrabulous playing public about the fate of their favorite time waster. The Facebook application, developed by Indian brothers Rajat and Jayant Agarwalla, has faced lawsuits and take-down orders from Hasbro Inc., the owner of the old board game Scrabble. Last Thursday Hasbro took decisive action, filing a lawsuit in New York to stop the online game in North America. Now, when avid Scrabulous fans try to access their Facebook games, the application is missing. Scrabulous’ website version of the game still appears to be up and running.

Hasbro is based in Rhode Island, and they own the trademark rights to Scrabble. The Facebook app closely mimics the look and feel of the original board game. Players can place tiles on double and triple word or letter tiles, which are arranged and shaded in the same colors as the classic Hasbro game. Part of the reason the Facebook version is so popular is that users can start games with friends across the country or around the world, taking turns whenever they log on.

Facebook reportedly received a removal order from Hasbro, which cited the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, but the social network has not commented on the issue or released a statement about their involvement in Scrabulous’s shut-down. However, the news is not all bad for Scrabulous players who have developed an addiction-like need to play the game. Hasbro and Electronic Arts have developed their own version of Scrabble for Facebook. Though the user base does not come close to that ofScrabulous (500,000 vs. 8000), many former Scrabulous players are looking for alternatives.

One alternative comes from the Agarwalla brothers themselves. They recently rolled out Wordscraper, a build-your-own word game with much the same rules and feel of Scrabulous. A Time magazine article explains the possible loophole that will keep Wordscraper up and running: “Once a user installs the application-which, coincidentally, looks like a big, blank Scrabble board, he can create his own word game by adding special “double word” and “triple letter” tiles in any configuration he chooses. If a user happens to create a board that’s identical to the original Scrabble and saves those settings — a feat that takes less than two minutes — he can elect to save the template and re-use it, over and over again. It’s a free world after all and what you do in the privacy of your online gaming world is private, presumably.” The idea, though more visible, is presumably no more a violation of copyright than a child making a cardboard version of the game for home use.

Some Facebook users have started a “Save Scrabulous” campaign, calling on fans to boycott the EA version of Scrabble and pressure Hasbro to work out a licensing deal with the Agarwalla brothers. However, even avid players are split on the issue of intellectual property rights. One comment on the New York Times’ Bits blog about Scrabulous ‘ legal woes says, “That Hasbro is completely right regarding its intellectual property rights will earn them NOTHING in regards to profits or customers.” Another jokes, “Drat this news! I guess I’ll have to scratch development on the apps I’ve completed for FaceBook: Risko, Monopolous, Unoz, CandyLandy, Battleshin, and Trivial Persook.”

Whether or not Scrabulous will triumphantly return to Facebook is now a matter for the courts. However, those of us who are fans of the application can decide whether or not Hasbro and EA’s version will win our hearts the way Scrabulous did.

On the surface, Microsoft and Netflix seem like unlikely business partners. Netflix provides a service for home DVD delivery, making them a major force in the entertainment world. Microsoft, on the other hand, is most valuable in the business world, where high-level software is king. However, these two forces in different industries have teamed up to provide live streaming video through the web-enabled Xbox Live game console.

Netflix offers free online streaming for its existing customers already; the service lets users either watch selected Netflix titles on their computers, or hook their laptops up to their televisions. For Xbox users who already have a device connected to their entertainment centers, Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” feature is a very convenient way to access on-demand movies. More than 10,000 DVDs and counting are available through Netflix, and the company promises to add additional films over itme.

A Netflix press release claims, “Through this agreement, along with the existing Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store, Xbox 360 will be home to more movies and TV shows on demand than any other device connected to the TV.” Clearly, the two companies are taking aim at rivals like Apple TV, a set-top box that allows users to access web videos through their TV sets. However, the Xbox deal might conflict with Roku’s Netflix Player box, which also gives subscribers a PC-free way to watch streamed titles. For the price of a $99 set-top box and a monthly Netflix subscription of at least $8.99, Roku is offering yet another alternative to Apple TV.

Xbox also hopes to compete with rivals in the live streaming industry. Sony’s popular Playstation 3 console features a built-in Blu-Ray player, a format pioneered by Sony itself. The dynamic high-definition format has beat out HD-DVD, and Playstation owners are taking advantage of the special interactive features included on Blu-Ray discs. It seems that by partnering with Netflix, Microsoft hopes to promote Xbox as more than simply a game console. Xbox may become a launching point for Microsoft’s forays into music and video content, something at which rival Apple has excelled.

With reports circulating that the slumping economy has not slowed down either home DVD rentals or video gaming, Netflix and Xbox could turn out to be a deadly duo.

Many advancements have been made in robotics in recent years. Indeed, all of us who had envisioned a world like George Jetson’s with home helpers like Rosie just might get our childhood wish. At the robotics industry’s biggest gathering, AUTOMATICA 2008 in Munich, Germany, many innovative companies revealed surprisingly sophisticated machines. With 5 trade show halls, more than 30,000 square meters of exhibition space, 900 exhibitors, and 30,000 visitors, AUTOMATICA 2008 did not disappoint. Robots are becoming more human, and they are starting to take on some incredibly complicated tasks.

Toyota’s Partner Robot is one of the more humanoid robots being exhibited at trade shows around the world. Partner Robot is particularly impressive in that it walks on two legs, and can even run. Partner Robot can even stop itself from falling over if someone bumps or shoves it. Unlike many industrial robots, designed with a single grip for a specific task, Toyota’s design has “hands” just like a person’s. This enables it most sensation feat, playing musical instruments. Partner Robot plays the violin decently, and the trumpet with amazingly good tone.

Scientists call these advances in robotics “mechatronics,” which according to Economist is “the union of mechanics, optics, electronics, computers, and software.” New innovations in software have enabled different varieties of robots to perform tasks exceptionally well. They are developing a sense of touch, a sense of sight through optics, a sense of hearing and responding to voice commands, and the ability to learn specific tasks. Economist provides an example of this: “Giving robots touch allows them to be gentle and to handle things that come in many shapes and materials. Different grippers may be needed for different jobs, and instead of using several robots, some machines now automatically swap hands; for instance choosing flat paddles to lift a box onto a production line and then hands with fingers to pick up small things to put into the box.”

Robots with different specialties are now being used in conjunction with one another. This is a phenomenon we have all seen in the auto manufacturing industry. Large robotic arms easily lift frames into place, while other smaller machines take care of painting or attaching body panels. However, robots are moving from factories to the service sector and even to homes.

Roboshaker is a good example of this. Manufactured by Japanese company FANUC, Roboshaker is a specialized machine for mixing drinks and running a bar. Roboshaker is equipped with a camera to “see” how to open cans and bottles, and mix perfectly balanced cocktails. Some are suggesting that it could be used in conjunction with Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute’s creation, Care-O-Bot, a sort of domestic robot. Economist’s recent robot profile points out, “[It] is the type of service robot that is closest to production. Care-O-Bot can sidle up to Roboshaker, fetch a drink and serve it on a silver salver.”

As robots become more and more advanced, the public becomes more and more suspicious of this “artificial intellience.” With movies like Pixar’s Wall-E providing robots with personalities, one wonders if we are indeed being replaced. In some sectors, like the auto industry, workers are literally losing their jobs to robots. Does this trend violate science fiction writer Isaac Azimov’s first law of robotics, stating, “A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm”?

Some would argue that job losses and economic downturn is indeed do to robotics advances, though one could not exactly blame the robots. However, as humanoid machines become more prolific, and mechatronics find a home in more models of robots, we will need to find a balance between automation and humanity. In the meantime, however, can someone tell the Roboshaker I’d like a mojito?

Ever watched a television interview with a favorite author and wanted to buy their book?  Then you get involved in something else and the thought skitters off into nowhere land.  You’re not the only one who bemoans the lost opportunity.  Now, advertisers and consumers alike have a cool new way to connect.  Amazon has partnered with TiVo to offer subscribers a unique experience: interactive ordering through your television.  Impulse buying meets secure purchasing.  Handled correctly, this new way to buy could be a beautiful thing.

According to TiVo’s press release, “If a guest on the Daily Show or Oprah has a new book, CD, or DVD out, you can purchase it on Amazon.com using your TiVo remote without missing a second of TV, whether the viewer is watching live or recorded.”  Advertisers are now able to partner with TiVo to offer products at a time when viewers are most interested in them.  While the specifics of how the advertisements would appear are a little vague, there are allusions to pop up tickers beneath the main viewing area which would allow audiences to use their TiVo remotes to put an advertised item into their Amazon shopping cart.  Another possible ad slot would run at the end of shows during the rolling credits.  Viewers can watch multiple shows on different channels and store items in their Amazon cart for purchase at a later time.  Tax and shipping costs will be presented on a confirmation screen prior to finalizing purchases authenticated by entering Amazon’s customer profile PIN.  Initial shows participating in this venture include The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Colbert Report, and Burn Notice.
 
The concept of TiVo linking up with advertisers in such a way has some eyebrows raised.  TiVo’s subscriber base is estimated at about 4 million.  These are folks who enjoy storing and watching TV shows when they want, and fast forwarding through television ads.  TiVo chief executive, Thomas S. Rogers explained to the New York Times, “It is critical that there be a form of advertising and a transactional solution that underpins the DVR, or the economics of television are going to be substantially undermined.”  This new alliance offers just such a solution.  Still, Ars Technica article posters are a little leery while some are outright belligerent about the idea of commercials infiltrating their viewing. As forum poster qst330 put it, “I honestly was going to buy a Tivo. Not now. I hate placement adds. Even the silly references to them from actors in movies/Television are getting stupid. It doesn’t make me want to buy a product that intrudes. They just don’t get it but when I see it I now go out of my way to buy their competitor. Netflix for the win once again. They are the only company that seems to get it. I enjoy watching stuff but only on my terms.”  Understandable, considering that TiVo subscribers pay for a service which allows them to have a fairly uninterrupted viewing experience.
 
Amazon and TiVo’s interactive advertising is a great idea.  My movie collection is incredibly sparse considering the amount of movies I watch on DVD.  This is certain to change if I’m offered the ability to buy a movie with the click of a remote button.  While perusing the soundtrack bin at a local store is an amusing past time as I wander the mall, the chances of me finding what I want is hit or miss.  Whereas clicking on “Purchase Soundtrack” via TiVo has a 100% success rate.  Books, movies, and CDs are the initially mentioned choices for purchase.  However outfits, furniture, and other items that figure prominently in a show could all be offered at the end during the credits.  TiVo and Amazon are offering advertisers a sleeker, more sophisticated way to market versus the tacky product placement that seems to have become common place in most modern movies.  It may be a jungle out there, but Amazon and TiVo are helping to blaze a new path where sellers and buyers connect.

Huddle up! It’s time to gather and learn about a new social networking tool called Huddle. It’s basically a football-oriented version of Facebook and has already been introduced to the National Football League. With it, the possibilities are potentially endless.

Huddle was born from combining two passions: technology and Nebraska Cornhusker’s football. The network was developed by University of Nebraska students, notorious for their dedication to their team. An article in the Daily Nebraskan even advises engaged couples to avoid wedding dates that conflict with Cornhuskers’ games. One couple told the newspaper, “”Neither of us wanted to have it on a Husker game day, it would be stupid…We even looked at trying to get a non-game Saturday, and (churches) were booked up like a year in advance.”

Because of the local culture of dedication to football, it’s no surprise that a tool like Huddle came out of the University of Nebraska. The social network is by football teams, for football teams. Some features included in Huddle are videos, pictures, video games, instant messages, calendars, and even playbooks. It uses the same technology that powers the Xbox 360 video-game console and the same controller, according to a recent New York Times article. Its home page looks like it would be one from either Facebook or MySpace, but the tools and functionality are all football-related. There are scouting reports, news about top players, and photos to share with friends and teammates.

There are a lot of different types of information that can be obtained from this site, but what can people actually do on it? It is designed not for fans, but for teams. Players and coaches can really make good use out of it. They can both meet to review their playbook and watch video to scout opposing teams. Messages can be left in voice mailboxes and plays can be drawn on the screen. They can also query their messages to certain parts of the team. Coaches can send a message to quarterbacks only, for example.

So far, the New York Jets are the first NFL team to implement the system. This is because former head coach of the University of Nebraska, Bill Callahan, became an assistant coach for the Jets and took Huddle with him. David Graff, one of the developers of Huddle (who works for Agile Sports Technologies), says in the New York Times that he hopes Huddle will eventually change the way teams store, access, edit, and use video.

What are the advantages of Huddle? Players and coaches can do their jobs in remote places, not just the stadium or practice facility. In the New York Times, Graff said Jets quarterbacks Kellen Clemens and Chad Pennington told him that they love Huddle because they can watch more film at home, and spend more time with their families and friends. The newspaper also said that rookies like linebacker Vernon Gholston and tight end Dustin Keller were able to log in while still in college so they could start learning the Jets’ playbook and developing relationships with teammates.

Are there any disadvantages? Some question the security of Huddle. The Spygate scandal, where the New England Patriots were suspected of video taping the signals of opposing teams during games, has some people skeptical of the use of technology in the game in general. No one wants to see technology take over the game of football. However, Graff said that Huddle was tested by experts from Harvard and Microsoft and deemed secure. Plus, any player who was cut from a team or transferred would lose access to his Huddle account (and team’s playbook) immediately.

With security and technology, possibilities for Huddle’s involvement in professional football are endless. It can make things easier and more convenient for both players and coaches. For now, the Jets have an exclusive deal with Huddle. When the social network becomes available to more teams, it could potentially lead to more impressive functionality and expanded features. Will we see computers with Huddle on the sidelines of games someday so players and coaches down on the field could communicate with general managers and owners up in the seats?

“There is a world of possibility,” said Graff.

A newcomer to the search scene rocked the technology blogs yesterday, but unfortunately not in a good way. Cuil, pronounced “cool”, was started by Anna Patterson, a Google alumnus, and her husband Tom Costello, a former IBM employee. Patterson’s work at Google was revolutionary, and analysts expected great things from Cuil. Unfortunately, users are not impressed.

Cuil was launched to fanfare and backed by $33 million in venture capital dollars. Their plan was to rework the way web pages are analyzed and cataloged. When Google processes a search, the query is handled by hundreds of networked computers, and each of the machines scour a different portion of the index. Cuil handles search queries a little differently. Their formulas route similar links to the same machine, allowing each individual computer to contain targeted information.

This means that Cuil can theoretically index more pages with fewer servers. Cuil’s main page claims to 121,617,892,992 web pages, while Google’s index size is unknown. The search giant stopped counting its catalog three years ago when it reached 8 billion pages, though a recent blog post (a veiled response to Cuil’s launch) says that Google has crawled 1 trillion web pages.

Cuil also attempts to turn conventional search interfaces on their heads. The attractive interface displays search results in three columns, with longer synopses than typical. The result is a magazine-like reading experience, which could convert users looking for a more in-depth view of the pages they’re seeking. The results will also allow for more images, sidebars with related info, and sponsored links.

Despite the more efficient cloud and the more attractive interface, Cuil is not a hit with users. A three-column display is only as good as the results returned, and users are reporting some glaring gaps. For example, a search for “Talkibie” returns just 388 results, compared with Google’s 3310. Google’s top link is the main page of Talkibie, whereas not a singleCuil result points to any Talkibie pages (only links to our articles on other sites, or irrelevant links). Even a word-for-word search for various article titles yielded nothing.

Some commenters on the New York Times’ article about Cuil report that even common search terms are not covered by Cuil’s index. One writes, “I tried a basic search: I searched my city name plus the word “churches” in Cuil. Apparently, according to Cuil, there are NO churches in my city because I received a “We didn’t find any results” message!” Another user points out, “If I was a VC investor in this company, I would be livid.”

While many new internet companies have seen a buildup of news stories upon launch, Cuil may have actually suffered because of the buzz and media coverage surrounding their product. Those 140 servers, which have stretched their budget and maximized their index, may not be enough to keep up with the curious who are testing their claims.

Earlier this month Intel launched its Centrino 2 mobile chipset which promises faster performance, enhance video capability, and longer laptop life through built in power management features.  The event had Mooly Eden, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of the company’s Mobile Platforms Group, on hand to present an array of laptop products utilizing the Centrino 2 chipset and highlight the improvements.  While Apple was notably absent, rumors are running rampant about whether or not the Centrino 2 will be utilized in upcoming Macbooks.  For the PC side of the house, there are some obvious benefits, but experts are withholding final judgment until benchmark tests are complete.

 
“Today, notebooks outsell desktops in the U.S, and we’re paving the way to HD entertainment, rich online gaming, faster broadband wireless speeds and an easier and more secure way for businesses to manage, update and repair their notebook fleets,” states Eden.  To meet these needs, Intel’s Centrino 2 chipset, codenamed Montevina, is comprised of Penryn chips that clock a full Gigahertz faster than its predecessor, Centrino Duo.  Add to that a 1066MHz front side bus, which doubles the speed that components of the system can communicate with each other and that offers DDR3 memory users a significant boost.  In power management, Centrino 2 utilizes what Eden calls HUGI or “hurry up and get idle” technology.  This allows the chipset to use Intel’s Deep Power Down Technology to turn off core clocks and cache memory during lulls, thus extending laptop battery life by 27%. 

Also, users are able to actively or automatically manage their video display based on settings built into Centrino 2.  This allows for discrete video, such as Blu-Ray video or games, to be displayed with the richness needed, or for video quality to be scaled back to Intel integrated graphics level when viewing documents or spreadsheets.  In keeping with Eden’s vision, Intel’s website declares, “For consumers, Intel Centrino 2 processor technology delivers the horsepower and battery life to enjoy a typical full-length, Blu-ray high-definition video on a single battery charge for the first time, plus the ability to play a variety of online games, download music or post videos faster than before.”
 
In an Ice-Man versus Maverick epic battle in the “need for speed”, chipset competitor AMD is not sitting still.  AMD released it’s Turion X2 Ultra chipset, codenamed Puma, at the beginning of June.  While offering similar automated video management capabilities, AMD had a slight advantage over Intel in that it had acquired industry graphics processing unit (GPU) giant, ATI.  By integrating both companies strengths, AMD is hoping to keep one step ahead of Intel in power management, speed, and video.  Not content to rest on the outcome of that strategy, AMD is also exploring the idea of external GPUs.  This would allow AMD to offer lighter notebook designs that consumed less power while incorporating a way for dedicated gamers and video enthusiasts to have all the power they desire, when they need it.
 
Then there’s the world of Macbooks.  Apple has relied on Intel chipsets in the recent past to power their popular notebook series.  However, the rumor mill is running fast and furious as to when, and what parts, of the Centrino 2 will be used by Apple in their new line of notebooks.  Macworld thinks that some flavor of Centrino 2 will be the powerhouse behind the new Macbook.  Meanwhile, AppleInsider forecasts “The next hardware transition will be away from Intel chipsets—but not CPUs—and towards… something.”  From aluminum cases to modified Intel chipsets, the new Macbook rumors are all pushing for lighter, leaner, and faster.
 
Centrino 2 is a step forward in the CPU design world but it is not the breakthrough that heralds a new age for laptop design.  Intel’s latest offering delivers what it promises, the ability to work longer.  The Centrino 2 gets the job done exceedingly well for business folks and casual users.  However, gamers looking for a laptop that can deliver integrated video that will sustain their past time should still expect to invest in a separate, dedicated GPU.  The quest for a chipset that can deliver quality video for an extended period continues.

Just as the faces of the young athletes change every four years when the Olympics roll around, so does the media coverage change. During the 2006 Games in Turin, NBC Universal streamed just one hockey game online for users to view. This year, 2,200 hours of live events can be watched at NBCOlympics.com, with almost the entire Olympics (4,000 hours) available on the website to watch again or catch up on missed events.

NBC Universal Sports & Olympics Chairman Dick Ebersol said in a recent press release, “For the first time, the average American will be able to create their own unique Olympic experience whether at home, at the office or on-the-go. With 25 sports streamed live at NBCOlympics.com and significant live coverage on our cable platforms and NBC, highlighted by all swimming finals, the biggest nights of gymnastics and beach volleyball live in primetime, the viewer has plenty of options for live coverage.”

In addition to airing the Games on seven NBCU-owned networks (with different events on different channels), NBC’s online efforts will keep sports fans up to date on their favorite events. Athlete profiles, video clips, up-to-date news stories, and analysis of the contests will help meet the needs of a diverse audience. Ebersol says, “”In the 41 years since my first Olympics, it’s staggering to me to be involved in a Games where we are producing 2,900 hours of live coverage - especially from an Olympics half-a-world away. It’s more live coverage from a single Olympics than the total of all previous Summer Olympics combined. The enormity of what we’re doing just blows me away.”

Part of the reason for the expanded coverage is a growing audience for the Olympics. Approximately 203 million U.S. viewers watched the 2004 Athens Games, a 14 percent increase over the 2000 Sydney Games. However, with the popularity of video sharing sites like YouTube and online video portals like Hulu, audiences are shifting their attention away from standard TV sets. Many people are accessing online video not only on their computers, but also on their mobile phones.

Perkins Miller, SVP Digital Media, NBC Sports and Olympics spoke with CNN about the change: “YouTube is now sort of the lingua franca of what’s happening (on the Internet), and that’s really expanded in the past two years. The driving force is about entertaining the viewer, and … viewer appetites and points of contact have changed. That’s not just putting it online, but (viewer on demand) transmission, moving content onto mobile phones. The ambition is to reach as many viewers as possible.”

By reaching out to mobile and online viewers, NBC can expect not only large live audiences, but a flurry of activity in archived footage. Beijing, after all, is 12 time zones away from the Eastern United States. Only the most hardcore fans will be watching equestrian events at 3 a.m., so by providing archive video online NBC will capture a much larger audience than with TV coverage alone.

NBC has been working with Microsoft Silverlight technology to provide the online Olympics coverage. Silverlight, a rival to Adobe’s Flash player, provides a rich internet application (RIA) experience for video clips. Video interviews with athletes, clips of record-breaking events, and emotional medal ceremonies will be delivered through Silverlight’s platform.

NBC Universal’s focus on internet Olympic coverage reflects the new expectations of TV viewers. They are still willing to gather around the big screen, high-definition TV, but they want additional videos and news on the web and on their phones. As the trend of web video reaches audiences around the world, expect other big sporting events to follow NBC’s lead. The diversity of coverage (and subsequent advertising revenue) will lead to another type of gold entirely.

One of the hottest buzzwords in business-speak these days is “elevator pitch.” The concept refers to a concise, attractive business plan that an entrepreneur could present to a potential investor, client or partner during an elevator ride. These spiels have to be catchy and fascinating from the start, and many new businesses are incorporating the elevator pitch into their initial planning processes.

TechCrunch is taking the proverbial elevator pitch to the next level. Their site, TechCrunch Elevator Pitches, allows anyone with an idea to put it out there for the whole world to see. The loyal readers of the technology blog can then help weed out the good from the bad. As the site says, “Vote the best pitches up and the stinkers down, and tell them exactly what you think of their businesses in the comments.”

The project was started so that entrepreneurs would have a large audience to vet their business plans. Anyone can submit an elevator pitch by creating a YouTube video (no longer than 60 seconds), tagging it with “tcpitch”, and submitting a form to TechCrunch. The format is simple, the commitment is minimal, and the potential feedback is invaluable. TechCrunch readers can comment on the idea presented, and vote their favorite business plans to the top of the stack.

One popular pitch comes from robotics company UGOBE, which has created a life-like robot of a dinosaur called Pleo. Their TechCrunch pitch video shows the “reactions” of the creature when petted or held from its tail.

Another pitch comes from Loudclick.net, a service allowing anyone to create and manage multiple websites from a single login, without any programming knowledge. Their CEO keeps the TechCrunch video short and sweet.

Many more interesting and unique ideas await readers at TechCrunch Elevator Pitches. The forum is a great way for both business people and techies to come together to refine and work on new business ideas. Commenters frequently offer useful feedback and constructive criticism of both videos and content. TechCrunch has truly created a revolutionary community on the web, and my guess is we’ll see more ventures of this kind, where users and innovators can interact and influence each other.

Game Show Network and WorldWinner online games have created  Catch 21, what they believe is the first television game show based off a popular web game.  Catch 21 will feature contestants who are screened from top scorers of the online game.  While the rules have changed slightly to accommodate TV viewer tastes, the original game goals and pace will satisfy fans while enticing new viewers to log on and play.  Based on executive producer Merrill Heatter’s past record, GSN’s marketing, and internet talent pool, Catch 21 has a very good chance of being a winner.

Catch 21 has dealt itself a good starting hand.  With GSN tapping into WorldWinner’s testing grounds for cash for play game base, they have effectively managed one of the riskiest components of any starting venture: is there a large enough interest base?  With game players across multiple sites such as AOL, GSN, MSN, and Pogo, it was easy to determine which web based games had the biggest followings.  Backers also did not skimp when it came to choosing a suitable developer to transform the online game into a successful television show.  Creator executive producer Merrill Heatter has made such favorites as Hollywood Squares and Gambit, while executive producer Scott Sternberg is responsible for The Gong Show.  Finally, the choice of host brings a charismatic and fun Alfonso Ribiero to the set to interact with guests and keep the energy high.  Ribiero, known for his character Carlton Banks on the 90s sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, is a fun and friendly face that viewers recognize and trust.
 
The television version of Catch 21 will incorporate more trivia and personal interaction than the web game.  Initially, three contestants match wits and card hands against each other.  By either answering trivia questions correctly or getting a helpful card in making a strong hand, players get a chance to move to the final round or “bust” an opponent by passing a card over to push someone else’s hand over 21.  At the end of the game, the player in the lead earns the chance to take on the house and play for $25,000.  As GSN press release explains, “The day’s winner draws from a larger-than-life deck and gets three concurrent chances to build 21, and the use of up to three “power chips” (collected for each round won) to discard unwanted cards. With the potential cash prize increasing with every hand successfully built to 21, the jackpot is theirs if the player is able to build all three hands to 21.”
 
Additionally, Catch 21 is gaining a different venue for viewership than most traditional game shows.  Catch 21 will air regularly weeknights at 7:30PM EST/6:30PM CT, with reruns on Tuesdays through Saturday nights at 10:00PM EST/9:00PM CT and on Sunday at 10:00PM EST/9:00PM CT and 10:30PM EST/9:30PM CT on GSN.  The unique twist is offering Catch 21 on Thomson’s Premier Retail Networks (PRN).  Thomson’s Premier offers programming at over 1,000 supermarket locations through their checkout programming service.  Instead of staring at tabloids as they wait in line, grocery shoppers will be able to see Catch 21 episodes.  By showcasing Catch 21 in supermarkets across the country, producers are likely to entice more viewers who fit their demographic and keep the ranks of those watching and competing, full.  “This alliance provides an integrated way for GSN to promote one of their new shows on our network while providing shoppers with fun and engaging content that helps our retail partners leave a positive experience with their customers” Richard Fisher, president of PRN, told Mediaweek.
 
Much like YouTube offered a venue for aspiring writers, actors and videographers to showcase their talent, online games can be a test pool for puzzle solvers.  By having a portal which allows potential contestants to compete against others, game show producers are more likely to get the best and the brightest competing in front of a national audience.  This should make for entertaining viewing and appropriately higher ratings.  It will be interesting to see if other game show producers tap into sites like WorldWinner to help them sort through potential competitors.  In the meantime, we can all test our luck trying to Catch 21.

Glimpses of the future of aerial combat can be seen in Afghanistan. Remote control unmanned aircraft are being used to hunt for insurgents and bomb targeted areas according to a recent CNN article. These fighter-bomber aircraft called UAVs, or unmanned aerial vehicles, are being operated from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada. Pilots and operators of these planes never have to leave the command center.

This way of aerial warfare is without a doubt much safer than traditionally operated aircraft. There is no question a pilot would rather bomb a target via remote control from the United States rather than physically fly over Afghanistan and potentially end up being shot down in battle. It could also offer pilots a more routine and flexible work day. They are able to work from a secure location, keep regular hours, and be at their best for every “flight”.

“Seeing bad guys on the screen and watching them possibly get dispatched, and then going down to the Taco Bell for lunch, it’s kind of surreal,” Captain Matt Dean told CNN.

This Air Force video shows one of the new UAVs, the Reaper, in action.

The original UAV aircraft was the “Predator.” Then the Reaper was developed, which can carry four times the fire power as the Predator. Reaper pilots and operators have been prolific Afghanistan operations, dropping seven 500-lb. bombs and launching 64 missiles, according to CNN. According to FAS.org, the United States Navy has studied the possibility of operating UAVs since the early 1960s. The web site says that high costs and technological immaturity have “precluded acquiring and fielding operational UAV systems.” However, the success of the Reaper in Afghanistan may change minds and budget allocations.

With the convenience and safety for pilots that the Reaper offers, there is a high demand for the aircraft from commanders, but there aren’t enough for every command. That is all likely to change though. Reapers have been flying only two separate round-the-clock shifts over Afghanistan for the past year, but now the Air Force is looking to allocate more money in its budget to purchasing many more remote-control aircraft just like the Reaper.

It seems as though the success of UAVs might change the nature of air operations in future warfare. These high-tech planes could save not only the lives of U.S. soldiers, but also those of civilians on the ground. By removing pilots from immediate danger, it’s possible for them to think under pressure and act more deliberately when their plane is under fire.

So far, the remote control UAVs such as the Reaper have made it a safer and more accommodating experience for those who operate the aircraft. But now as we look toward the future, the safety and security of American pilots lives might not even be an issue with these types of aircraft. Just like with any other new technology, these aircraft must be used carefully and for the right reasons. The more the United States uses these UAVs, the more other nations will feel the need to make plans to do the same.

“The cost of doing business” is being recalculated in London, as former London Mayor Ken Livingstone’s energy conscious mandates are taking affect.  A city with countless historic buildings and landmarks, London unfortunately holds the dubious honor of consuming more energy than bustling New York City according to a recent Wall Street Journal article.  However, London Mayor Boris Johnson is looking to change that in preparation for the expansive growth he envisions in the coming decade along with the honor of hosting the 2012 Olympics.
 
In the former London Mayor’s “Green Light to Clean Power” report, experts found some alarming trends.  London’s business entities and government agencies are responsible for 30% of the energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions within the city.  Historical buildings which have been partially renovated for business use, are doggedly inefficient when it comes to heating and lighting requirements.  There are lost opportunities to redistribute existing heat generated by businesses into much needed residential heating.  As the report states, “Estimates suggest that energy savings of 15 to 20 per cent are possible from existing buildings, if organisations adopt a range of cost-effective measures from introducing more efficient appliances, to improving the efficiency of boilers and air conditioning systems.”  The solution:  make sure the future construction going up in an Old World city is held to a greener building code.
 
Some of the recommendations include:

• 250 photovoltaic applications on commercial and public buildings
• 500 small wind generators associated with public or private sector buildings
• Expecting major developments to generate at least ten per cent of their energy needs from renewable sources
• New buildings can incorporate natural lighting and ventilation, and efficient supply technologies such as combined heat and power, to contribute to reducing energy demands further

To accomplish these measures means dealing with historic structures of the past and guiding construction of the future.  In tackling the problem of inefficient older public structures, former London Mayor Livingstone announced a plan to retrofit hundreds of public buildings.  As ClimateBiz reported, “Energy service companies are guaranteed a certain amount of energy and financial savings, allowing them to fund improvements like insulation, low-carbon heating and cooling, and energy management technology.”   Looking to the future, two London buildings that lay claim to energy conscious measures are The Gherkin and the “Shard of Glass” tower.  As reported in the Wall Street Journal, “The Gherkin has a ventilation system that uses natural air currents. The ‘Shard of Glass,’ a skyscraper slated to be completed in 2011, will reduce typical energy use by 30% by drawing on excess heat in offices to heat its hotel and apartments.”  An additional measure which fits old and new structures is a green roof, or a living garden which is sustained on a building’s rooftop.  At an April convention, Greenbuilding.com found that “Firms that have installed green roofs have reported a 25 percent reduction in energy use in the floor directly under the roofs, and reduced usage at a lower percentage in other floors.”  Altogether, London’s goal for a greener downtown looks very attainable.
 
Addressing the issues of carbon dioxide emissions, rising energy costs, and resource management should be a top priority for every major metropolitan city.  London’s forethought and initiatives help not only their citizens but serve as a valuable test case for other municipalities worldwide.  Businesses who save money on operating costs can invest that money back into its people and products.  Here’s hoping London Mayor Johnson can continue his predecessor’s vision towards a long term solution that will benefit the whole world.

In an unexpected move, stock photo house Getty will be finding new talent among Yahoo!’s Flickr community. The partnership will allow Getty editors to sift through Flickr photos to find interesting photos and photographers with potential. Those lucky selected for inclusion in Getty’s catalog will become paid contributors to the photo house, which is the world’s largest provider of pictures and video.

Flickr photographers who are selected will be paid at the same rate as contract photographers. Images pulled from Flickr albums will be branded as such on Getty’s website, keeping the dynamic, spontaneous feel that so many advertisers are seeking these days. Rather than a staged shot of a family around a dinner table or a young boy riding a bicycle, Flickr’s contributors will be able to provide a more natural looking image.

A Getty press release details the advantages for the photo house. “Our customers will be able to select and use the best imagery from a fresh collection of high-quality images chosen by us from Flickr’s diverse and prolific community,” says Jonathan Klein, Getty’s co-founder and CEO. “Flickr is the ideal partner as we continue to move the imagery industry forward by offering the broadest range of high quality digital content to our customers.”

The folks at Flickr seem just as excited for the deal. The official blog says, “Team Flickr has long wanted to create a way to make it easier for those who use photos as a part of their daily business to do so in a way that respects the talent and rights of our members. The great folks at Getty Images and Flickr are joining forces to create a collection of royalty free, rights ready and rights managed photographs.” Presumably individual photographers will be able to work out the management terms for their photos with Getty directly.

By offering to stock and manage Flickr images, Getty may be able to help talented amateur photographers protect their copyrights. Many businesses and individuals do not realize the implications and laws governing the use of photos, and I’ll bet more than one Flickr photographer has had a photo used without permission or payment. By associating with a rights management agency like Getty, Flickr may be better able to educate and protect photographers. It could also provide much needed exposure for those looking to go pro.

At the same time, Flickr has developed into an autonomous creative community of its own. I doubt that all Flickr photographers would jump at a chance to be represented by Getty. Though microstock is an increasingly popular way for publications to grab photos, it does erode the value of professional photographers’ work. However, since Getty will be treating Flickr photos like any other, perhaps they aim to curb talented photographers from entering the microstock arena.

Whatever the motive, I imagine Flickr’s service will see a jump in users as amateur talents seek to hit the big time.

It’s a familiar story or, at least, it should be to comic book fans.  Misunderstood outcast with a dual nature becomes the central figure that can change the world:  Batman and Bruce Wayne, Spiderman and Peter Parker.  Sometimes these heroes come up against someone they initially think is a villain.  Later, it’s unveiled that the bad guy is actually someone they are friends with:  Two-face and Harvey Dent, the second Green Goblin and Harry Osborne.  So riddle me this, true believers:  What is it that can save the comic book industry from ever decreasing sales, slow losses in readership numbers, and increase a profit margin being whittled away by the rising costs of print production and distribution?  Answer: the very thing they saw as the problem, technology.

The comic industry has recently come around to a few solutions.  The two biggest names in American comics, DC and Marvel, are testing the waters in different arenas to help rejuvenate profits.  DC comics has recently announced it is working with Sony Online Entertainment, (SOE), to create the first massively multiplayer online role playing game, (MMORPG), based upon the DC Comics universe.  Marvel has taken the controversial step of creating online subscriptions which give readers the ability to access hundreds of titles for about the cost of one comic book.  Add to this all the success of super hero movies like The Dark Knight, Spiderman, and Iron Man, and it looks like the comic industry isn’t going down without a fight.
 
The DC Universe Online MMORPG venture is receiving a lot of interest. “The rich, storied world of DC Comics has never been available to players like this before,” said John Smedley, president of SOE. “For the first time, gamers can actually open the door and step into the vast world of DC Comics and choose their own fate. Who wouldn’t want to infiltrate Batman’s cave or fly over Metropolis as you speed toward a mission to help Superman?”  Players will be able to create their own super heroes, acquire side-kicks, and battle in cities like Gotham City and Metropolis. 

The true innovation is the idea of Halo-esque style action and less traditional turn based action like other MMORPGs.  As Jim Lee, DC comics artists and avid gamer explained to USA Today, “It’s chaotic, but it’s organized and it’s very, very dynamic. It’s fun because you can throw people into billboards and the billboards explode and then you can take the water towers and smash them with that. To me, that is kind of how superheroes fight. It’s not like they stand there and trade blows. The cities are their playgrounds and they demolish them.”  As a final touch, story arcs from the comic books will be carried into the game, although whether it will be after the comics are released or before is still up in the air.
 
Marvel Comics is trying to utilize the web to solve the problem of accessibility and profit margins.  Gas prices are affecting the cost of shipping as well as production of hard copy versions of comic books.  Publishing content on the web gets rid of a lot of overhead costs.  The success of online web comics like Home Star Runner, Dominic Deegan, and Order of the Stick prove that a dedicated readership via the web can be profitable. 

While collectors argue that such a move is the death knell of printed comic books, others see it as a strategic effort by Marvel to use the internet to reach a more tech savvy generation of readers.  Inroads made to create brand loyalty is a smart move, even if you have to make a deal with the perceived devil.  Although the titles that are offered are not the most recent, Marvel appears to have made a serious effort to offer a wide variety of back issues up to January of 2008 for some titles.  The slight lag in pushing content to the web may be Marvel’s way of working with comic book retailers across the country, so as not to jeopardize established business partners.
 
The business that cannot incorporate change into its business model is doomed to failure.  Batman was never too keen on Superman’s vigilante style.  Spiderman always came to loggerheads with Professor X’s theory of mutant powers.  But in the end, when the fists started to fly, (along with buses and water towers), even those with slight disagreements had to grudgingly admit that there was a time and place for each other’s style.  In the war between print and electronic publications, the business world is able to make out a silhouette standing tall among the dust and ashes.  The comic industry has found a new way to fight potential obsolescence and it’s never looked stronger.  As Stan Lee would say, “Excelsior!”

A lot of anger and speculation has circulated about Comcast and net neutrality lately. The internet service provider serving 14.1 million high-speed customers has drawn criticism for blocking or slowing BitTorrent traffic. Now the FCC has announced that Comcast must stop interfering with the P2P filesharing traffic. As a result of the ruling, many high speed customers are seeking compensation from the ISP.

BitTorrent is a protocol for sharing files among a group of users. Instead of one distributor incurring the cost and bandwidth associated with a popular file, each user who downloads contributes a small piece of the data to the subsequent users. Many different clients have popped up to deal with the popularity of BitTorrents, and ISPs are struggling to keep up with bandwidth demands of BitTorrent users.

Comcast had admitted to interfering with BitTorrent traffic, but claimed that it was only during high-traffic periods. However, the Max Planck Institute conducted a study to find out if this statement was true. As TorrentFreak, a popular forum for BitTorrent users reports, “The findings reveal that the BitTorrent connections of half of Comcast and Cox’s customers are being cut. In addition, the data shows that these practices take place 24/7, disproving Comcast’s earlier statement to the FCC.” Not only was Comcast targeting BitTorrent traffic, but the ISP was cutting it off altogether.

The FCC ruling has led to class action lawsuits against Comcast by users who had paid for unlimited bandwidth usage. According to TorrentFreak, damages paid to users could add up to $5 million. Despite the legal implications of the FCC’s ruling, the news also brings up lingering issues regarding net neutrality. Congressional leaders have looked into net neutrality legislation in the past that would guarantee some measure of privacy and protection from ISPs, but nothing concrete has ever been decided.

It is likely that ISPs will continue to push against net neutrality, as they would like to act as gatekeepers to the internet. In Comcast and AT&T’s estimation, they should be able to shape the future of the net, which is now open to user-generated content and entrepreneurial individuals. However, public support for net neutrality has never been stronger. The FCC’s subsequent fine and further class action suits just may convince Comcast to maintain the status quo.

While much has been made of Senator Obama’s and Senator McCain’s presence on the web, the focus has been on popular social networks and YouTube channels. The candidates have embraced many Web 2.0 trends like never before, and their online strategies have helped to mobilize groups of voters that were not a priority for past candidates. Web 2.0 sites like Facebook and MySpace are great ways for politicians to get a message to the masses, but how are the masses to send messages back?

Both Obama and McCain have tapped into LinkedIn’s Answers function to help voters communicate their priorities to the candidates. LinkedIn is the responsible older brother to Facebook, and users’ profiles center on professional achievements and relationships. Users can connect with friends, colleagues, and business associates in much the same way as other social networks, but the drunken photos and silly games are replaced with job openings and company profiles. The “Introduction” function lets job seekers search for important players at companies of interest, then virtually introduce themselves through common connections.

One dynamic feature allows business leaders or marketers to ask questions of fellow users. Some ask “How to” questions for using LinkedIn, others ask for advice in handling difficult employees, or how to collect feedback from customers. Obama and McCain, on the other hand, are essentially interviewing with the entire country for the most prestigious job opening in Washington D.C. They are asking the public what are their biggest concerns for the future, and how they can improve the lives of America’s business community.

Obama has asked two LinkedIn questions: “How can the next president better help small business and entrepreneurs thrive?” and “What ideas do you have to keep America competitive in the years ahead?” McCain asks, “What is the biggest challenge America faces?”

Obama’s questions have together attracted nearly 5000 responses from LinkedIn’s community (as of the date of posting). People from all professional backgrounds and parts of the country have added their suggestions to the forum. To the first question, one LinkedIn user answers, “Get behind alternative energy. Green energy is perhaps the biggest new initiative taken up by entrepreneurs and investors in the past 12 months.” The second question inspired this answer: “I have noticed especially recently that there have been quite a few people who have lost their jobs because of companies relocating overseas. If we can make it more attractive for companies to stay in the US I think we can stay competitive.”

McCain’s open question also garnered many responses, with nearly 3000 answers from professionals on LinkedIn. One user writes, “Global warming is the most important challenge not only facing the United States but the entire world… If you are elected President, please take this topic seriously.” Another advises, “Make it much easier and less expensive for small companies to provide quality health insurance to their employees.”

Any business leader can use LinkedIn to gather feedback from employees, clients, and peers. It’s refreshing to see political leaders taking the same strategy, and the active community at LinkedIn has certainly given them plenty of insight into the priorities of professionals in this country. Now if only we had some assurance that the campaign aides reading our LinkedIn Answers were passing along our advice…

Most successful bands and musicians aim to sell out concert halls, make huge profits on record sales, and have a hit song stay on the Top 40 list. But now, with the success of the popular video game Guitar Hero, is something new on the checklist for rock bands?

The band Aerosmith has become a headliner and cover band for Guitar Hero’s newest video game called “Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.” It was released by Activision Inc.

According to a Wall Street Journal article, this is the first Guitar Hero game where playing along with the music is centered on one individual act. Activision also plans on featuring the bands Metallica and Van Halen in future versions. Activision is not the only company that is taking further strides in this direction. Viacom’s MTV Networks Rock Band video game is also talking to bands about licensing their music to be played on video games.

These happenings stay with the latest theme of the music industry: less money from CD sales and more from video, gaming, live music, and merchandise. This is why bands such as Aerosmith are signing contracts to have their music on video games. In addition to the exposure and the chance to build a new, younger audience, there is simply more money to be made.

With music being sold on iTunes and downloaded from Internet sites, album sales bring in less and less revenue for bands and record companies. By cutting deals with video games such as Rock Band and Guitar Hero, Aerosmith has reinvented themselves as a 21st century band. Those who become familiar with hits like “Walk This Way” or “Sweet Emotion” by pressing the buttons on a fake guitar just might be the same fans who buy concert tickets and download MP3s from iTunes. Indeed, it can even reinvigorate album sales. Irving Azoff, Aerosmith’s manager, told the Wall Street Journal that sales of the album “Same Old Song and Dance”, the title track of which is included in Guitar Hero 3, rose by 130% in the week after the game’s launch.

The gaming industry is increasingly successful at expanding beyond its boundaries and reaching new interests. Coming up with new forms of entertainment, such as it did with Guitar Hero in 2005, has just added to the unpredictability of the industry. Everyone involved whether they are a creator, deal-maker, or consumer can’t help but notice the endless opportunities and possibilities. Innovative games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band, coupled with new interfaces like Nintendo Wii, are expanding gaming beyond the traditional young, male demographic.

So far, Guitar Hero has raked in $820 million in sales, according to NPD Group Inc. It was the top-selling video game franchise in the United States last year. About 10.8 million copies of Guitar Hero were sold last year while 1.1 million copies of Rock Band were sold.

With a large amount of copies being sold and so much revenue from sales being generated, it is no wonder that artists like Aerosmith are signing on to have their songs on video games. As this trend continues and more artists make deals with video game companies, it would be interesting to see what changes it might bring to the music and gaming industries alike.

In a recent agreement, Microsoft has teamed up with targeted advertising firm, YuMe, for managing video advertisement during heavy traffic spikes for its online video content.  The new alliance helps both companies.  Microsoft gains the ability to dynamically view, analyze, and target video advertisements across multiple channels in one convenient place through YuMe’s sophisticated dashboard product.  YuMe gains a significant audience in addition to its existing base of smaller, independent video sites.  Consumers gain less annoying ads, more entertaining advertisements, and their favorite web videos sites continue to offer free content.  Still, privacy rights groups ask, “At what cost?”
 
YuMe, an innovative start-up company out of Redmond, WA, offers an integrative service that monitors, manages, and distributes online advertising across multiple platforms.  Whether its smartphones, laptops, home computers, or broadband television, YuMe can monitor the viewing habits of consumers and place companies’ video advertising in the most appropriate segments.  This increases the chance that consumers see something they are interested in, want to purchase, and actually click on for more information.  As YuMe’s website states, “YuMe is the largest video advertising network, representing over 400 premium video sites with over 500 million monthly streams. We are unique in that we are both an ad management platform for publishers plus a video advertising network that provides advertisers with the audience scale and premium reach they desire.”
 
Microsoft and YuMe’s partnership isn’t something that happened overnight.  In typical Microsoft fashion, great deliberation occurred prior to sinking its sizable assets into a third-party ad management product.  Back in 2007, Microsoft tested the waters with YuMe’s capabilities when it launched the beta version of Internet TV.  Apparently, Microsoft liked its return on investment.  This month’s announcement to utilize YuMe for ad placement during heavy traffic sessions, usually seen during breaking news videos or immensely popular video snippets, is a big vote of confidence from the blue chip company. 
 
While Microsoft will still maintain the majority of its video ad placement responsibility, the move is another step closer to YuMe.  After failed negotiations with web powerhouse Yahoo!, Microsoft’s attention towards smaller, independent web companies is making headlines.  Where Microsoft failed in the pursuit of search engine technology, it may succeed in another area: web based advertising.  By working closer with other web savvy companies, Microsoft may fulfill its dream of competing on more even ground with Google.  However, don’t expect any hostile takeovers.  YuMe is still a privately held company.
 
Targeted advertising is experiencing phenomenal growth.  This can be attributed to two factors: technology and lack of government oversight. 
 
Never, in the history of marketing, has there been the ability to observe, capture, and accumulate the depth of information in regards to a consumer’s actions.  Survey results always have a bit of questionable validity due to participants responding in a less than honest fashion, either on a conscious or subconscious level.  By being able to track when a consumer fast forwards or replays an advertisement on their TiVo, studying how long a consumer hovers over a advertisement at the bottom of a video, or note the types of video watched, companies can more effectively spend marketing dollars.   As Michael Sprague, president of secure broadband distribution company Wavexpress attests, “YuMe’s ad platform enables our advertisers to reach viewers whether they are watching TVTonic online, offline or on their living room TV.”
 
As technology grows at an exponential rate, the ability of the federal government to keep up with changes appears to have an inversely proportional relationship.  At a recently held Senate committee meeting, the Center for Democracy and Technology, (CDT), observed “ECPA [Electronic Consumer Protection Act] was passed more than 20 years ago, long before there was a World Wide Web and the Internet became integrated into Americans’ daily lives. The application of the law to common online activities including Web search remains unclear and the legal protections it provides for the enormous amounts of personal data stored online are far too low.”  As covered in a recent Talkibie article, the ever extensive reach of marketing is capturing the attention of Capitol Hill.
 
Microsoft and YuMe will, no doubt, create a dream marketing case study for the effectiveness of targeted marketing in an online video world.  Combining Microsoft’s huge consumer base and YuMe’s successful marketing model, there will be enough information to build a strong case for the benefits of targeted advertising.  Still, expect upcoming legislation based on the recommendations of the CDT to impact the way companies can collect personal information and thereby tailor online advertising.

As the world prepares for the Olympic Games in Beijing, Chinese bloggers prepare to have their writings censored and deleted. China’s strict laws carefully monitor dissent, both online and in print media. However, unlike traditional media, citizen journalists using the web are finding clever ways to avoid the censors and bring their message to the world.

Reporters Without Borders, an international free press watchdog organization, has listed China among nations with a “very serious situation” for journalists. According to their annual report on China’s press censorship, authorities have launched a campaign against what it called “bogus journalists,” those without official credentials, and the crackdown has spread to the blogosphere. The report states, “The government announced several weeks later that it had identified 150 such “bogus journalists” and 300 unlicensed media…The GAPP took advantage of the campaign to file details of the almost 30,000 foreign journalists accredited for the Olympic Games.”

While many foreign correspondents are finding it difficult to operate in China, even harsher restrictions are placed on Chinese journalists. Internet service providers (ISPs) cooperate with the government to identify and censor the writings of dissidents. Those who defy the government or cover potentially embarrassing stories are regularly imprisoned, beaten, and intimidated by police. Reporters Without Borders details the conditions they face: “They frequently endure harsh prison conditions: They share overcrowded cells with criminals, are condemned to forced labour and are regularly beaten by their guards or by fellow prisoners. Ill-treatment is at its worst in the first weeks in custody when police try to extract confessions. At least 33 journalists were in prison in China as at 1st January 2008.”

Despite the potential risks involved, Chinese bloggers are still writing about the situation in their country. They are finding new, clever ways to beat the censors and get their message out the world. One censorship system is colloquially known as the “Great Firewall”, an automated system that monitors keywords and tracks down dissenting posts. Bloggers are using a web-based software system to easily encode their writings before posting.

A recent Wall Street Journal article explains the technique: “One recent strategy involves online software that flips sentences to read right to left instead of left to right, and vertically instead of horizontally.” While I hesitate to share the URL of the program that Chinese bloggers are using (so it won’t get shut down), I will include an image showing how the tool works.

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Others are beating the censors with Web 2.0 sites. One citizen journalist has resorted to “sharing snippets of information via Twitter, a kind of public instant-messaging feed that delivers information more quickly than censors can block it.”

As quickly as censors can detect, delete, and find the offending posts and bloggers, new writers, both professional and amateur, will take up the banner. Technology makes it possible for those without a voice to speak to the world, and Chinese journalists and bloggers are using it to its fullest advantage. With the Olympics just weeks away, it seems likely that both government censors and China’s reporters will step up their efforts.

People from all walks of life, across the country, are unsuspectingly surfing the web and having their actions tracked by companies like NebuAd and Phorm.  While these companies and their clients assure the public that no personally identifiable information, or PII,  is stored by their businesses, not everyone feels comfortable with the idea of having even an anonymous profile of their interests bandied about the internet to be given to the highest bidder.  In fact, earlier this month the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a special hearing to investigate the current state of targeted advertising and whether its assurances are valid.
 
A good deal of websites are powered by ad generated revenue.  As Senior Privacy Counsel for Google Jane Horvath testified before Congress, “The revenue that we generate from online advertising makes it possible for Google to offer dozens of free products to our users — everything from search and email to our word processing application, GoogleDocs.”  By receiving funds from sponsors, website hosts are able to offer the public information for free.  The original web business model survived through contextual ad placement strategy, or basically placing ads whose products jive with the site’s theme.  So, if you were on a website about gardening or farming, you could expect to see advertisements about greenhouses, plant food, and gardening equipment.  This necessitated either the dealer seeking out a well known site, or the website owner soliciting a manufacturer to place advertising with them, a fairly labor intensive process for either party.  Then came the idea of targeted advertising.
 
Target advertising seeks to track information based on a person’s interests and then seeking the correct advertisements from a list of subscribing businesses to place before a customer as they surf the web.  While the concept certainly is efficient, the manner in which it is being performed has privacy advocates and members of Congress raising their eyebrows.  Back in 2006, AOL assured users when it released over 21 million searches of 650,000 “anonymous” users, that there was nothing to worry about.  That is, until a team of New York Times reporters found that at least one person was able to be identified based on the information provided.  This raises the question, “Who has the right to intercept and track information, even in a transient form for seemingly benign purposes?”  The Center of Democracy and Technology raises the bar by asking, “Is this legal?”
 
At the US Senate Committee meeting held on July 9, 2008 the topic was Privacy Implications of Online Advertising.  Both Senate Minority and Majority representatives were on hand to participate in a panel discussion delving into the specifics of targeted advertising.  Representatives from major industry players like Microsoft and Google were present along with target advertising firm, NebuAd and social networking company, Facebook.  For government technical expertise on the subject, the FTC was also on hand.  Seemingly the only chicken among foxes on the panel to discuss the safety of the hen house, the Center of Democracy and Technology appeared, as well.  Notably absent was the presence of any ISP company.
 
On the one hand, NebuAd argues that their “category-driven online advertising solutions deliver naturally relevant online ads that benefit consumers and meet or exceed industry benchmarks for consumer privacy protection. NebuAd’s innovative suite of behavioral advertising solutions enables advertisers to reach target markets with highly relevant messages.”  According to their website, NebuAd gathers the following types of information to assist in targeted marketing:

• Web pages viewed and links clicked on
• Web search terms
• The amount of time spent at some
• Web sites Response to advertisements
• System settings, such as the browser used and speed of the connection
• ZIP code or postal code

However, they refrain from collecting the following types of information:

• Email Addresses
• Names
• Street Addresses
• Telephone Numbers
• Social Security Numbers ⁄ Social Insurance Numbers
• Numbers associated with your health plan insurance or other coverage
• Financial information, including credit card numbers, login IDs, passwords, or bank account numbers

As NebuAd CEO, Bob Dykes, testified, “NebuAd’s service is designed so that no one - not even the government - can determine the identity of our users.”
 
The Center of Democracy and Technology holds that targeted advertising is not just immoral, it’s illegal.  In its submitted statement, the CDT asserts that “we believe that the Wiretap Act requires unavoidable notice and affirmative opt-in consent before Internet traffic content may be used from ISPs for behavioral advertising purposes.”  In essence, since an ISP is not in the business of advertising, it has no right to collect and forward that information to someone who is.  However, the CDT acknowledges, “On the other hand, the ISP could argue that part of its business model—part of what keeps its rates low—is deriving revenue from its partnership with advertising networks.”
 
So where does that leave the U.S. public?  For the immediate future, consumers should take a proactive stance and become informed.  Ask your ISP if they have an agreement with targeted advertising firms and, if desired, how one can opt out.  Long term solutions should be pursued along the lines of increased pressure on Congress to create an independent review board.  This board could monitor and enforce standards of information collection when it involves private citizens’ web activity.
 
Done right, targeted advertising really is a great solution to myriads of “shot in the dark” ads.  They create higher click through rates which helps free content stay free on the web.  However, the methods of the past can’t assure the right to privacy that Americans hold dear.  It’s time for targeted advertising firms to become more creative.   No one wants a smaller version of “Big Brother” in their homes, no matter how helpful he is.

With the launch of the 3G iPhone thankfully behind us, the attention of Apple fans is now turning to applications developed for the device. Back in March Apple released a tool kit to help independent developers create innovative new apps. The company has kept a tight leash on third-parties, only allowing selected developers to access the API and charging a $99 fee as a type of “quality assurance” tax. Reportedly over 25,000 developers or groups applied to create add-ons for the new iPhone, but only 4,000 were allowed “behind the curtain.”

Whether Apple’s strict standards helped or hampered creativity, some surprising and innovative apps have emerged from the iPhone app store. Here’s a brief sampling of some buzzworthy products for your 3G iPhone.

Twinkle
This Twitter tie-in goes a step beyond the rest, giving users the ability to chat and get updates from friends nearby. Twinkle uses a location-aware network, and works for iPhone and iPod touch. The drawback? Users must sign up for the Tapulous (parent company) network in addition to their Twitter account.

Wikipedia
This optimized version of the popular online encyclopedia gives iPhone users easy access to articles and images. Users can save articles for offline viewing, too.

Texas Hold ‘Em
This gambling game allows users to not only play against a realistic opponent, but also against friends over a WiFi network. Multiplayer settings can handle up to 9 players, and Apple has even programmed in secret tells for users’ opponents.

Band
Band is a fun application that turns users’ iPhones into virtual musical instruments. Creator Mark Terry demonstrated Band at the Worldwide Developers Conference this year, which includes a drum kit, a piano, a complete blues chord structure + instrumentation, and the necessary bass guitar. The resulting music can be recorded and dubbed for a complete song.

Remote
Remote allows you to turn your iPhone into a remote control for the music on your computer or Apple TV. Using a WiFi network, an iPhone can show playlists, album art, and current song selections, mimicking the desktop environment.

eReader
eReader gives users a formatted-for-iPhone version of popular ebooks. It works with top ebook retailers eReader.com and fictionwise.com. The smart software lets users read in landscape or portrait, and even saves your place in the book.

Loopt
Loopt is getting a lot of attention from iPhone users. It allows friends to track and find each other on interactive maps. You can find out where your friends are to schedule meetups or simply to recommend a nearby restaurant, museum, or clothing store. Loopt acts as a “social compass”, and it ties in to Facebook and Yelp.

Superpages Mobile
This app allows iPhone users to access the Yellowpages online, on the go. Look up local restaurants, find businesses and phone numbers, and even locate friends’ addresses and phone numbers.

While it’s a short list of promising applications for the 3G iPhone, early adopters can find complete lists and pricing information on iTunes and Apple’s website. These and other innovative applications are transforming smart phones into so much more than just a means of communication. Users can organize and orchestrate their entire lives with a touch, pinch or tap.

Wind energy is getting a lot of attention these days, but companies tapping into wind turbines are still running into stiff resistance. While wind farms are popping up onshore all over the country, not a single offshore turbine has been installed in the United States. Europe, by contrast, is home to more than 20 offshore turbine projects. What is stopping American communities from embracing wind energy?

The Department of Energy recently released a report asserting that wind energy could supply up to 20% of the nation’s needs by 2030. Wind is already supplying 20% of Denmark’s needs and 12% of Spain’s demand. This would mean that U.S. wind companies, which are currently supplying just over 1% of the U.S. megawatt hours, would need to dramatically ramp up production. However, community groups in many coastal locations have stalled or blocked offshore turbines from being developed.

Offshore turbines are controversial for a number of reasons. Even though offshore installations would make the delivery system more efficient, supplying larger coastal cities, they do present a number of problems. For one, installation costs are shocking for offshore projects. A Long Island wind project was rejected by the local power authority following homeowner protests and controversy surrounding a $700 million price tag. A Massachusetts project near Nantucket Island has also seen protests by local residents. Seaside homeowners say the wind turbines would drag down property values because of their supposed unsightliness. Others claim the massive mills would harm sea life.

Indeed, offshore turbines are huge. A typical turbine is described by the Wall Street Journal as, “a tower nearly as tall as the Statue of Liberty and a rotor roughly as wide as a football field is long.” However, not all coastal communities are thinking of seascapes and property values when they think of wind installations. Hull, Massachusetts has embraced wind energy, with town manager Philip Lemnios calling the turbines, “one of the defining symbols of our town.”

Hull has installed two onshore wind turbines, which combined supply approximately 13% of the town’s energy needs. Now a plan is moving forward to install 4 larger turbines offshore, which could potentially provide power for the entire town. Residents already enjoy lower electricity bills than surrounding communities, and on the whole the seacoast community supports the clean energy project. A community website, HullWind.org, tracks their wind energy production and follows the progress of their offshore project. The town has even been honored by the Department of Energy, receiving the Wind Power Pioneer Award in 2007.

Hull’s example of embracing coastal wind projects will hopefully be emulated by other seaside towns. If more offshore projects receive community support, windmills can become beautiful symbols of clean, renewable energy instead of being perceived as the end of a “perfect” view.

Memorization is a key part of learning something new. Most often we rely on our memories for knowledge we have learned in the past whether it is through life experiences or studying. With a software program called SuperMemo, a user can rely on the science of long-term memory to learn. SuperMemo is a computer program for Windows, Windows CE, and Palm Pilot. It can be explored from Internet, DOS, Linux, Mac, and Amiga as well.

SuperMemo is based on the idea that there is an ideal moment to practice what you have learned. As a Wired.com article explains, “Practice too soon and you waste your time. Practice too late and you have to relearn it. The right time to practice is just at the moment you’re about to forget.” However, the time for when people are about to forget is different for everyone.

The program helps a user create collections of facts and remembers pieces of information that the user learns and wants to memorize. The program then tests how well the user memorizes those facts and bits of information. This essentially shows how much the user has learned, and how long the process took. At the same time, it collects information about the user’s retention rate.

SuperMemo then notifies the user the best time for reviewing information for him/her. The program identifies the pattern of the review and repetition of information in the user’s memory. It differentiates between what the user has learned and what the he/she has not learned. This increases efficiency of learning for the user because it saves time. The user will know what pieces of information to spend more time on and which ones he/she already knows. He/she won’t have to waste time on trying to learn information that has already been retained. The process of memorization is sped up.

The man behind SuperMemo is Piotr Wozniak, a Polish programmer who has implemented the algorithm behind his invention in every aspect of his life. In Wired.com’s recent profile of Wozniak, it is clear he has turned his mind into a laboratory for testing his theories. Independently of mainstream scientists and psychologists, Wozniak determined that human forgetfulness and memorization is patterned. Humans forget exponentially, and Wozniak was able calculate and exploit the point at which a person forgets.

SuperMemo, at the height of its success, was being sold (and pirated) all over the world. It is ideal for language learning, much of which is based on memorizing vocabulary. Wozniak, who has never visited an English-speaking country, has mastered the language using his software and his memorization theory. Students in Poland now use SuperMemo to study for language proficiency exams that would enable them to study abroad.

While the brain fitness trend continues to grow, more and more software claiming to help users improve their memories have emerged. Wozniak’s SuperMemo has stood the test of time, and its basis in psychology gives it an edge over more game-like systems such as Brain Age. Though his company struggles to compete with snappy interfaces and entertaining exercises, SuperMemo’s scientific foundations continue to attract users who want to continually improve their memories.

Online retailers know that attracting and retaining customers is all about targeting. Placing the right ads, stocking the right items, and appealing to the right demographic is harder than it might seem, espec