Cloud-based movie locker system UltraViolet has yet to significantly gain traction with consumers.
“The reasons are varied: UV-compatible movies have trickled out; the number of UV-compatible sites and devices are few,” reports CNET.
“A much-heralded relationship between UV and Walmart, which agreed to store movies in customers’ UV lockers provided they haul their DVD or Blu-ray discs and pay as much as $5 a disc, was a non-starter for many,” adds the post.
However, early adopters are now ramping up initiatives involving UV-enabled films.
Paramount Pictures, Barnes & Noble and 20th Century Fox have expanded their UV libraries through rights deals and service launches to target consumers looking for low-cost alternatives to DVDs and early access to new releases.
Paramount has signed a deal with Flixster, B&N launched Nook Video, and last month Fox announced it will offer Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus” online three weeks before it’s available via disc or VOD.
“Let’s hope the other studios follow Fox’s lead,” comments CNET. “Consumers want earlier access to new releases, they want lower prices, and they don’t want them tied to DVDs.”
By year’s end, the nation’s major Internet service providers will put in place a six-strikes plan called the “Copyright Alert System.”
It’s “backed by the Obama administration and pushed by Hollywood and the major record labels to disrupt and possibly terminate Internet access for online copyright scofflaws,” reports Wired.
The plan involves AT&T, Cablevision Systems, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Verizon. After four offenses by costumers, the plan calls for these companies to reduce Internet speeds and/or redirect a subscriber’s service to an ‘educational’ landing page about copyright infringement.
“The Internet companies may eliminate service altogether for repeat file-sharing offenders, although the plan does not directly call for such drastic action,” notes the article.
On the first offense, offenders will receive an e-mail alert from their ISP noting possible misuse. The second offense will result in an “educational message” about the legalities of online file sharing.
“On the third and fourth infractions, the subscriber will likely receive a pop-up notice ‘asking the subscriber to acknowledge receipt of the alert,’” writes Wired.
And after the fourth, as noted above, ‘mitigation measures’ may commence.
Somrat Niyogi, CEO of Miso, writes via TechCrunch that “Twitter currently dominates live TV because it enables these ‘come-in come-out’ experiences that are light, delightful and informative. But ultimately, Twitter is also dominating because of the mistakes we are making in the social TV industry.”
Niyogi believes the fundamental issue is in the industry’s approach to consumers. “Right now, second screen apps are saying, ‘Here are other ways you can use your smartphone while you watch TV!’ But is anybody really asking, ‘What do people really want to do when they watch TV?'”
“Companies should pick a single value prop and deliver it really well. This is why Instagram has 100 million users and no second screen app has climbed to 1 million users organically,” writes Niyogi.
“Let me emphasize this again: the key is to do one thing and do it right. As Matt Cohler wrote recently, there are winners in the mobile space and patterns are emerging: ‘Great mobile apps act like push-button remote controls for real life,’” he writes.
Niyogi highlights successful ‘single purpose apps’ like Instagram, Yelp and Pulse.
He ends his article with this question: “Now, I encourage everyone to ask themselves: is there a habitual, single thought experience that people want to use everyday that I can deliver in a magical, simple way?”
His answer? “I believe there is. But, only time will tell and there is more work that needs to be done. Most of all, I believe that TV and the experiences around it will only continue to get better and better… as long as we get on the right track.”
London company Showcaster is about to release a live video show called #Yappfactor, which will air during this fall’s “The X Factor” (UK).
The show won’t air on broadcast TV but instead inside the Zeebox social TV sidekick application.
Zeebox just added Viacom as a U.S. investor and promotional partner in addition to Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal.
“‘The X Factor’ stream will see comedian and radio host Jake Yapp offer ‘tongue-in-cheek’ observations to UK Zeebox users’ sofas while they watch the show on the TV in front of them,” according to paidContent.
The article writes of the possible pitfalls of dual video streams: “Although many viewers have become used to reading and participating in text-based discussion and to Googling for information relevant to the shows they are watching, the introduction of parallel video in addition to the principal live broadcast could prove overwhelming and disruptive, not least to fellow viewers in the same room — like a friend interrupting every song with an annoying sofa commentary.”
“#Yappfactor is a purely editorial exercise for us. It is nothing more than commentary from an independent comedian — an extension of the alternative Twitter commentary we’re already been running,” says Zeebox product and content development chief Simon Miller.
Adobe, Google, HP, Microsoft and other tech heavyweights have joined together to form the “definitive resource” for all open Web technologies, called WebPlatform.
The resource will provide developers with a “single source of all the latest, quality and relevant information about HTML5, CSS3, WebGL, SVG and other Web standards,” reports Parity News. It will also offer tips on Web development and related technologies.
“We are an open community of developers building resources for a better Web, regardless of brand, browser or platform,” explains the WebPlatform homepage.
All documentation on the site will be listed under creative commons licensing, “with the initial contribution coming from the member companies while subsequent code snippets, examples, and documentation is expected from visitors,” writes Parity News.
On its own blog, Google makes note that “Web Platform Docs is a community-driven site that aims to become the comprehensive and authoritative source for Web developer documentation.”
On November 8, Rovio and Lucasfilm Ltd. will release “Angry Birds Star Wars” for iOS, Android, Amazon Kindle Fire, Mac, PC, Windows Phone and Windows 8.
“From the deserts of Tatooine to the depths of the Death Star — the game and merchandise will feature the ‘Angry Birds’ characters starring as the iconic heroes of the beloved saga like Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Chewbacca,” writes The Hollywood Reporter. “The Bad Piggies, who just got their own game last month, will be transformed by the Dark Side and turn into Darth Vader and other bad guys.”
For “Angry Birds” fans still looking for Halloween costumes, you’re in luck. “Beginning October 28, merchandise ranging from Halloween costumes and apparel to action figures and collectible plush toys will be available at select retailers, just in time for the holiday shopping season,” notes the article.
“Both ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Angry Birds’ share the instant and irresistible appeal of hands-on fun,” says Colum Slevin, VP and head of studio operations for Lucasfilm. “People seem to instinctively know what to do when handed a lightsaber or a bird in a slingshot, so this is a natural combination.”
In the coming weeks, the companies will release video shorts to promote the game.
Best Buy’s Geek Squad is expanding to offer its tech-support service on eBay while also running a pilot program at 28 Target stores in Denver and one in Minneapolis.
The 24/7 Geek Squad support offered on eBay includes service plans that cost $30 for three months and $50 for six months.
Expanding the Geek Squad, the struggling electronics chain’s best-known brand, “fits with their strategy to deliver a connected experience to consumers,” explains NPD Group analyst Stephen Baker. “They’re trying to make Geek Squad a ubiquitous, stand-alone brand that stands for great help around your technical problems.”
Customer service is a major strategy in Best Buy’s plans to revive sales and better compete with rivals such as Amazon.
“Best Buy boosted U.S. revenue from services 6 percent in the quarter ended August 4 as comparable-store sales sank 3.2 percent, the eighth decline in the past nine quarters,” reports Bloomberg.
The company also plans to close 50 big-box stores and open smaller shops that offer primarily mobile phones, e-readers and tablets. Best Buy has experienced strong sales in those categories while TV and PC purchases have declined.
“Geek Squad was founded 18 years ago by Robert Stephens, who rode around Minneapolis on his bicycle, helping people with technology problems,” notes Bloomberg. “He sold the company to Best Buy in 2002, when he had 65 agents. He still serves as a consultant to the retailer.”
LG Electronics will announce a Google Nexus smartphone at the end of October with a modified version of the South Korean phone maker’s Optimus G handset.
The new phone is expected to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, a 1,280 x 768 HD IPS display and an 8-megapixel camera. The companies have yet to name the device.
“A Nexus phone could do wonders for LG’s reputation, particularly in the U.S., where the company has struggled to make a name for itself with its smartphones,” reports CNET. “The Nexus devices are used to showcase the latest version of Android, in this case Android 4.2, and often generate buzz in the Android community for the device and handset manufacturer.”
LG may not be the only company to launch a Nexus phone as multiple handset manufacturers will reportedly also have the opportunity.
Samsung built the Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus smartphones, Asus helped with the Nexus 7 tablet and HTC built the original Nexus One.
“The move could be a way to give some of the other handset players a leg up and earlier access to the latest iteration of Android. While Samsung has been tremendously successful with its Galaxy franchise, and its flagship Galaxy S3 in particular, the rest of the Android pack hasn’t fared as well,” suggests CNET.
Acer’s new Iconia W700 Windows 8-powered tablet — featuring an Intel Core processor — will sell for $799 when it goes on sale the end of this month.
The W700 will feature an 11.6-inch screen with 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution. The tablet is a mere 0.5-inches thick and weighs only 1.04 kilograms. Acer sees it as a replacement device for traditional laptops.
The tablet is expected to compete with the new Microsoft Surface, which will feature an Intel Core processor and Windows 8 Pro. Asustek is also expected to launch a Windows 8 tablet with a Core processor.
In related tablet news, Reuters reports that Sony has recalled its Xperia tablet one month after its launch due to potential water damage that can be caused by gaps between the screen and the case. The Android tablet was originally touted as being water resistant.
“So far [Sony] has shipped around 100,000 of the devices,” notes the post. “The company said it will fix any of the tablets sold and expects the cost of the recall to have no significant impact on earnings.”
Starting this week, Google Play will be more tightly integrated into the Google TV experience. Google Play movies, TV shows and music will be available on Google TV in the next few weeks.
“You’ll be able to buy or rent content directly through the Google Play Store on Google TV, and purchases you’ve made on other devices will also be automatically available on Google TV,” according to the Official Google TV Blog.
“Google Play titles will also be discoverable through our TV & Movies app, which brings recommendations for shows and movies available on live TV and apps like Netflix, Amazon, and now Google Play,” notes the blog.
Additionally, purchases made on other devices will be available on Google TV.
“For developers, this update also enables many other Google Play features including auto-updates, subscription billing, and smart app updates,” explains Google.
In a deal with Cox Communications, Starz Entertainment will now offer online services to existing pay TV subscribers.
“Dubbed Starz Play and Encore Play, they are making good on Starz CEO Chris Albrecht’s promise to roll out the company’s own branded offers in the vein of HBO Go,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Much like HBO Go, Starz’s authenticated services online won’t allow for standalone subscriptions. All must be paying TV customers with a traditional Starz subscription in order to log on.
“We will rotate some of the content, mostly on the feature films side, to keep things fresh, but we will have critical mass,” explains Ed Huguez, president of the affiliate distribution for Starz Entertainment. “There is a lot of interest from all our distributors, so we expect additional agreements for our authenticated services soon.”
Free app downloads for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch apps are currently available. “The services are accessible through Wi-Fi and broadband connections,” notes THR. “Cellular connectivity for Android phones and tablets, as well as gaming consoles will be launched in the future.”
“At a time when jobs are top of mind in the national consciousness, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has released a study showing that the ad-supported Internet is responsible for 5.1 million jobs in the U.S. and contributed $530 billion to the economy in 2011,” writes Marketing Land.
The number of jobs increased from just 1.015 million in 2007 and includes direct jobs in the ad-supported Internet (2 million) as well as the jobs that support those direct employees (3.1 million).
“This year’s study showed the Internet advertising sector represented nearly double the contribution to the U.S. economy in 2011, as compared to 2007. It accounted for 3.7 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), up from 2.1 percent four years ago,” the post states.
Jobs were created all across the country, in part due to the fact that people can work anywhere over the Internet. While New York and California continue to carry the majority of ad-supported Internet jobs, other states have experienced growth, including Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Arkansas and Colorado.
Most of the job growth was in infrastructure, which grew 300 percent from 2007. Consumer services still remains the largest sector, increasing 229 percent to employ 885,000 people.
Companies like Etsy, eBay, Amazon, Square, Craigslist, YouTube and Kickstarter provided support to small businesses. “Very small businesses and sole proprietorships made up 375,000 full-time equivalent jobs,” explains Marketing Land.
A new Nielsen study indicates that women watch significantly more TV than men, “but it’s also finding that the rise of connected (seventh-generation) gaming consoles like the Xbox is changing that,” writes TechCrunch.
The study says that even though women spend nearly 40 minutes more in front of the TV than men do on a daily basis, men are spending twice as much time on gaming consoles.
With the numbers averaged together, women are still in front of the screen more by a margin of 11 minutes.
“Nielsen doesn’t break out what it is that men and women consume via the consoles — it can be anything from playing games to watching on-demand or catch-up TV services, or surfing the Web,” notes the post.
“But it does present an interesting challenge both for the advertising industry, and those working in any content service that appears (or wants to appear) on TV: if you want to use that screen to target men as much as women — then you have to think about services that work through those consoles as well as regular TV ads,” suggests TechCrunch.
The current focus seems to be on bridging the services between mobile and TV screens rather than finding solutions that bridge content offered by TV services and content coming from connected consoles.
In the wake of the $100 million Google invested in original YouTube content last year, the company is putting up $200 million to add another 50 channels. The money will be used to expand channels to France, Germany and Britain, cover marketing costs, invest in production equipment and even pay full production costs in some instances.
The channels are created by both smaller, online-only producers and major media producers like ESPN and Everyday Health.
“Other online video platforms — including Amazon.com, Netflix and Hulu — are also trying to compete for viewers by creating original content,” reports The New York Times. “But transforming from platform to producer has been challenging for all, including Google. And it is hard to argue that YouTube, or any other video platform, is on a path to soon replace television — whether for viewers, content makers or advertisers.”
Since the introduction of original content, YouTube has reported an increase in the hours viewers spend on the site, rising from three billion a month to four billion. Even so, content creator and advertisers aren’t yet betting heavily on online distribution.
“Though advertisers will increase their spending on digital video ads 46.5 percent to $2.9 billion this year, that is a small fraction of the $64.5 billion they will spend on television, according to eMarketer,” notes the article.
YouTube has focused on younger generations that have grown up online, acknowledging that older generations are less likely to switch over from TV.
The Google-sponsored original channels allow new content to get financial support as well as “bypass television’s frustratingly slow production schedule,” the article states. “Another contrast with traditional television is that it is much easier for video creators to get a start and gain a following.”
“Google and five publishers settled a long-standing legal battle over whether scanning university-library books and using snippets in search results can be done without the permission of copyright holders,” reports ReadWriteWeb.
“While the agreement lets Google continue its work, both sides deliberately avoided tackling the issue at the heart of the conflict: What does fair use mean in the digital age?”
Taking the debate to court would have put the fair-use doctrine at the forefront, “leaving open the possibility that a judge’s interpretation could give either side much less than they wanted,” suggests the article. “As a result, agreeing to disagree on their rights under the law apparently seemed like the wiser choice.”
“In terms of coming to an agreement on what was fair use, it was an agreement to disagree,” Andi Sporkin, the publishers’ spokesman told Wired. “We were able to get beyond that and establish business terms. Did we come up with a universal definition of fair use? No.”
“Fair use is an exception to the copyright law that gives authors exclusive rights over their creative works,” ReadWriteWeb explains. “In passing the limitation, Congress tried to balance the rights of copyright holders with the need of academia, critics, columnists, reporters and researchers to quote other works.”
Google claims its book scans fall under fair use because only portions of the book are available. Consumers wanting more are directed to where the hard copies are available.
Even after the deal, publishers dislike having whole books saved in Google’s database without permission. Also, the Authors Guild is still addressing the same copyright concerns with Google.
“Those opponents came to agreement last year, but a federal judge threw out the deal, saying the settlement gave Google more rights than those granted by Congress under the law,” the article states.
