Monday, November 04, 2013

YouTube Ends The 'Sweetheart Deals' Enjoyed By TV And Film Studios

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/youtube-ends-the-sweetheart-deals-enjoyed-by-tv-and-film-studios-2013-11

Social Media Insights is a daily newsletter from Business Insider Intelligence that collects and delivers the top social media news first thing every morning. You can sign up to receive Social Media Insights here or at the bottom of this post.


YouTube restructured the terms in partnerships it has with TV networks and major film studios. The new terms put an end to "sweetheart deals," wherein TV and film producers would keep up to 70% of ad revenues — now their share has been reduced to 55%. 

YouTube says it hopes to have all its partnerships, which includes CBS and Warner Bros., transitioned to the new revenue split by January 2014. 

In Other News ...

Michael Kors ran the first ad on Instagram. (TechCrunch)

Twitter is working aggressively to expand its business overseas in an attempt to sway investors. The company said it would open up its self-service advertising system outside the U.S. and is currently repositioning many of its top executives in emerging markets. (WSJ)

The New York Times has a lengthy profile out on Gary Vanerchuk, who runs his own social media brand consulting agency. Vanerchuk is a leading brand marketer who has helped companies such as G.E. leverage social media in creative ways. (New York Times)

In a new report from BI Intelligence, we compare the world's largest social networks in two ways. First, we evaluate the biggest properties side-by-side in terms of total audience size. Then we analyze the markets where each has the mo! st growt h potential, and their demographics in terms of country-of-origin. (BI Intelligence)

According to venture capitalist Bill Gurley, ephemerality is here to stay in social networking, and it's what has helped Snapchat draw teens away from Facebook. (TechCrunch)

Twitter and other San Francisco-based tech companies are helping to accelerate the gentrification process throughout parts of the city. (New York Times)

Join the conversation about this story »


    






Read More...

Here's what high-end smartphone speakers could sound like in 2014 (ears-on)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/04/nxp-reveals-TFA9895-speaker-audio-chip/

NXP reveals what highend smartphone speakers could sound like in 2014 earson

Not all smartphone speakers are created equal. Last year, we were blown away by a prototype NXP audio chip that boosted volume (but not distortion) through the use of feedback circuitry. The chip monitored a speaker's behavior in real-time so that it could be pushed to the limit without creating crummy sound or being physically torn apart. Others were impressed too: Motorola has since used the nine-volt TFA9890 in the Moto X and the Droid Ultra. These phones have single speakers, but are almost able to match the volume and sound quality of a good stereo system, such as HTC's BoomSound audio in the One family of smartphones (which rely on two five-volt NXP-controlled speakers). So, what comes next? That'd be the second-gen TFA9895, which makes some gentle but noticeable improvements, and which should start arriving in high-end smartphones by the time we get to Mobile World Congress next year. Fortunately, we don't have to wait that long to hear it, because NXP just invited us to an exclusive ears-on.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Read More...

Hackers Grab VIP and Celebrity Details from Online Limo Service

Source: http://gizmodo.com/hackers-grab-vip-and-celebrity-details-from-online-limo-1457969760

    Hackers Grab VIP and Celebrity Details from Online Limo Service

    A hacker's broken into the databases of an online limousine service, grabbing details of more than 850,000 customers—including Fortune 500 CEOs, lawmakers, and A-list celebrities.

    Read More...

    Massive Credential Hacks Are the Crosswords of the Future

    Source: http://gizmodo.com/massive-credential-hacks-are-the-crosswords-of-the-futu-1457975185

    Massive Credential Hacks Are the Crosswords of the Future

    When hackers break into the databases of the great and good—like Adobe—they're often left with an encrypted password and an unencrypted password hint. In other words, a giant, modern version of a crossword puzzle.

    Read More...

    Renewed Bing deal keeps Twitter posts in your search results

    Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/03/renewed-bing-deal-keeps-twitter-posts-in-your-search-results/

    Renewed deal lets Bing users search for Twitter posts

    Microsoft has made a big deal of weaving social networking into Bing's search results, and it has just proven that commitment by renewing an agreement with Twitter. The extended pact lets Bing explorers see public tweets alongside the usual web links, making it easy to track down posts from celebrities and friends. It's not clear how long the new deal will last, although Microsoft told TechCrunch that the past four years of working with Twitter have been "great" -- Redmond is clearly in it for the long haul.

    Filed under: ,

    Comments

    Via: TechCrunch

    Source: Bing Search Blog

    Read More...

    NIST to review its cryptographic standards, hopes to regain trust in wake of NSA scandals

    Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/04/nist-announces-plan-to-review-its-cryptographic-standards/

    NIST announces plan to review its cryptographic standards, hopes to regain community trust in wake of NSA scandals

    Whoever said that there's no such thing as bad press should talk to the NIST -- it says that "recent news reports about classified documents" are hurting its standing in the cryptographic community. The organization is specifically concerned about how these reports have "questioned the integrity of the NIST standards development process" and how this could impact the NIST's ability to develop new algorithms. In a bid to win back the community's trust, the outfit is kicking off a formal review of its development standards, and plans to let the public vet the results.

    "We also will bring in an independent organization to conduct a formal review of our standards development approach and to suggest improvements," reads an official statement on the action. "Based on the public comments and independent review, we will update our process as necessary to make sure it meets our goals for openness and transparency, and leads to the most secure, trustworthy guidance practicable." The NIST also pledges to comb through its existing cryptographic achievements to ensure its current processes is up to snuff. It may sound like a big song and dance for some obscure development standards, but the firm says it's essential to maintaining the United States IT infrastructure. "Trust is crucial to the adoption of strong cryptographic algorithms," it says "We're committed to continually earning that trust."

    Filed under:

    Comments

    Source: GovInfo Security, NIST

    Read More...

    Google's Ingress augmented reality game exits beta December 14

    Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/04/googles-ingress-exits-beta/

    Google's Ingress augmented reality game exits beta December 14,

    It's been just over a year since Google's Niantic Labs launched Ingress, an alternate and augmented reality turf war game, as a closed beta. Last Friday, the game ditched its invitation requirement, and today Niantic announced that Ingress will lose its beta tag on December 14. So, in just over a month, anyone with an Android phone can join in the search for XM and start battling for control of the world's portals by downloading the app from Google Play.

    The good news isn't just for new players, either. Ingress agents who've been playing awhile can now earn the new Founder Medal badge if they reach level 5 in the game before the beta ends. Lastly, Niantic is announcing the Ingress Elite Agent challenge for all players, which starts today and runs until December 14. Players who have the best Ingress performance stats and submit "a creative social media submission" will get a free trip to California next February to work with Niantic Labs on the ever-evolving Ingress story. Want to know more? The Google plus source link's got all the details you need.

    Filed under: ,

    Comments

    Source: Ingress (Google+)

    Read More...

    Saturday, November 02, 2013

    Best Graphics Card For The Money, Voting

    Source: http://kotaku.com/best-graphics-card-for-the-money-voting-1456598795/@Shane_Roberts

    Best Graphics Card For The Money, Voting

    It's time for phase two of our latest Kotaku Co-Op where we're deciding what you think is the best graphics card for the money. Remember, it's not just about power, it's about value. Unlike previous Co-Ops, the nominations this time were very much concentrated around these five choices, and it should be a close vote to watch play out.

    Read More...

    Samsung W2014 is world's first Snapdragon 800 flip phone, costs over $1,640

    Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/02/samsung-w2014-snapdragon-800-flip-phone/

    Samsung's dualscreen W2014 is world's first Snapdragon 800 flip phone

    China Telecom's obsession with Samsung's luxury clamshells isn't dwindling any time soon. In fact, the two companies have just launched a new model, the SCH-W2014, at their annual "Heart Of The World" charity concert in Nanjing last night. While it shares a similar appearance with the W2013 and the more recent Galaxy Golden, the new W2014 is by far the most powerful dual-screen flip phone in Samsung's line-up, featuring Android 4.3, a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 SoC, 2GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel main camera, a 2-megapixel front-facing imager and dual-SIM connectivity (CDMA2000 800/1900 and GSM 900/1800/1900). You'll also find 32GB of internal storage plus microSD expansion.

    Compared to the Galaxy Golden and the W2013, the only notable downsides on the W2014 are the same 800 x 480 resolution on its 3.7-inch Super AMOLED displays, as well as its similar 1,900mAh battery capacity (but removable). On the flip side, the weight has gone down to 173.5g, making this the lightest model in the "Heart Of The World" clamshell family since the W699 -- the first of the series -- from 2008. Chinese website iFeng praised the phone's overall design and keypad feedback, but criticized the plastic look and feel of the hinge.

    There's no solid launch date or price just yet, but expect the W2014 to cost beyond CN¥10,000, which works out to be about US$1,640. Head over to PCPOP for more hands-on photos.

    Filed under: , ,

    Comments

    Via: PCPOP (Chinese), iFeng (Chinese)

    Source: Samsung (Chinese)

    Read More...

    Here's How Apple's New iPad Air Stacks Up Against The Competition

    Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/compariosn-of-all-new-tablets-2013-10

    On Tuesday Apple unveiled the new iPad Air along with the iPad mini.

    The new iPad is the lightest full-size tablet in the world at 1 lb. (The iPad 2 is 1.4 lbs.)

    Its A7 processor makes it twice as fast as the iPad 2.

    Earlier we posted a breakdown of the current mini-tablet market. Here's the tablet market: 

    Tablets

    SEE ALSO: Big, Beautiful Photos Of Apple's New iPad Air And iPad Mini

    Join the conversation about this story »


        






    Read More...

    Friday, November 01, 2013

    Plair 2 HDMI wireless streaming dongle runs Android, costs $49

    Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/01/plair-2-hdmi-wireless-streaming-dongle-runs-android/

    Plair 2 HDMI wireless streaming dongle runs Android, costs $49 eyeson

    Plair beat Google to the punch with its wireless streaming HDMI dongle that was announced at last year's CES, but had the wind sucked from it sails with the arrival of Chromecast. So, the company went back to the lab and today, it's ready to reveal Plair 2, a dongle that looks the same as the original, but comes running a customized version of Android. That means instead of simply being a conduit for streaming video from the cloud, it runs most any app found on Google Play on your TV. It works via an Android companion app (for devices running version 4.3 or iOS 5 and up) that lets you connect the dongle to your home WiFi network and acts as a remote control for the device after setup's complete. Oh, and with the added functionality comes a sizable drop in price -- while the original Plair cost $99, this new version costs just $49.%Gallery-slideshow102839%

    Filed under: ,

    Comments

    Source: Plair

    Read More...

    LG G Pad 8.3 review: well-designed, but priced too high

    Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/01/lg-g-pad-8-3-review/

    LG G Pad 8.3 review: well-designed, but priced too high

    LG tries. It tries for US relevance, but the company's product offerings -- usually its smartphones -- consistently lack the je ne sais quoi necessary to succeed. The G Pad, an 8.3-inch Android tablet that recently debuted at IFA 2013, could break that dry spell, becoming the first serious competitor to the iPad mini's styling and the first high-profile LG tablet. Is it filled with bleeding-edge specs? No, not really. LG opted to imbue the G Pad with a Snapdragon 600 heart -- a trade-off made in the interest of better battery life and less overheating. The tablet also arrives with a 1,920 x 1,200 IPS panel, giving it an immediate leg up: 1080p resolution in an 8-inch form factor. It's slim, attractive, well-built and it costs $350. Is that a low enough price of entry to merit a buy? And can LG start to inspire consumer confidence with its Android portfolio?%Gallery-slideshow102069%

    Filed under: , ,

    Comments

    Read More...

    Apple iPad Air goes on sale today in 42 countries, prices start at $499

    Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/01/apple-ipad-air-on-sale/

    Anyone in need a full-sized iPad that's lighter than last year's model can start hammering Apple's online store now. The new iPad Air is now on sale, marking Apple's biggest tablet launch yet. Starting with Australia, by the close of November 1st, it will have landed in 42 countries, and you know what? We kind of liked it. Online orders can be placed at the source link, or you can visit your nearest Apple retailer in person for instant iPad gratification.

    Filed under: ,

    Comments

    Source: Apple

    Read More...

    Ubisoft kills online pass system after Assassin's Creed 4 shipwreck

    Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/01/ubisoft-cancels-online-pass/

    DNP Ubisoft scrapping its Uplay online pass program, tktk

    Ubisoft has sent its online pass program to Davy Jones' locker following players' complaints over gated content in Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag. Before, if players wanted to access the game's online multiplayer features, companion app and related bonuses they would have to input a single-use code that came with new copies of Black Flag. Not any more, though. The French publisher has completely scrapped the Uplay Passport system from all upcoming games and is providing free codes via Xbox Live and PlayStation Network for players who don't have one (e.g., because they bought a used game or borrowed it from a friend). With Electronic Arts dropping its online pass system earlier this year, Sony doing the same for its first-party software and Ubisoft finally following suit, one of the game industry's more awkward experiments could finally be behind us.

    Filed under: , ,

    Comments

    Via: Joystiq

    Source: Ubiblog

    Read More...

    Swarms of Drones Will Be Mapping the World All By Themselves in No Time

    Source: http://gizmodo.com/swarms-of-drones-will-be-mapping-the-world-all-by-thems-1456424725

    Swarms of Drones Will Be Mapping the World All By Themselves in No Time

    You're probably used to hearing about drones as these scary, deadly things causing chaos in Pakistan, but the scientific community is actually pretty pumped up about the technology. Why wouldn't they be? Drones can makes 3D maps of mountains.

    Read More...