Analysts and investors were ready for just about anything this afternoon, with predictions of what Google’s first quarter would look like ranging from complete failure to yet another blow-’em-out-of-the-water success. The real numbers landed somewhere in between, but – to most people’s relief – rather more on positive side.
Headline Writing In The Digital Age
There are many schools of thought regarding the Art of the Title, and generally this art varies according to purpose, medium, and culture. For better or worse, depending on your viewpoint, the Internet has changed what we expect from headlines, and how we shape them, but it is hardly a static art, especially with the advent of microblogging platforms like Twitter.
Best Buy Getting Into Movie Download Business
It looks like Best Buy is getting into the business of offering movies for download. This could step up competition with the likes of iTunes and Amazon, and even Netflix really.
The concept is a product of Best Buy partnering with CinemaNow, the same company that Blockbuster has dealt with to offer movies through set-top devices. According to Variety:
Google Maps, Google Earth Match Up With Scientists, Webcams
It seems that, before long, Google Maps and Google Earth will be just about everywhere you look. In the past two days, the programs have made inroads with both scientists and civilians, respectively.
Google’s Android Going to Set-Top Boxes
Google is expecting a good year for Android, and it’s got plans for the mobile operating system. The company is planning "significant" products and partnerships.
NY Times Making Cuts To Paper Editions
I know it has everything to do with journalistic integrity and it is the right thing to do but when a newspaper the stature of the New York Times reports on the cuts it must make to its sections to ‘survive’ it’s still sad.
Google Getting Desperate Trying To Monetize YouTube
I’m pretty sure that if it were not for its enormous size and price tag, Google would have shutdown YouTube along with all the other services that couldn’t turn a profit for the search giant. As it stands, Google has so much invested in the video sharing service that to fail would likely wipe at least a dollar from its share price.
Ashton Reaches A Million Followers
About 2 a.m. East Coast time, Ashton Kutcher declared victory in attracting one million followers on Twitter. For what it’s worth—is it worth something?—CNN piggyback publicity team conceded victory, but would reach a million itself sometime in the wee morning hours.
About 7:30 last night, just about the time the Twitter-battle was being hyped on entertainment news, bookies reached out to my inbox to inform me the odds favored CNN. Odds were even on Kutcher, long on Britney.
Google TV Ads Online Launched in Beta
A few weeks ago, it was reported that Google was testing an online version of its Google TV Ads. They’re now launching Google TV Ads Online in beta by invitation only.
Video Game Sales Dip In March
U.S. video game sales declined 17 percent in March to $1.43 billion, compared to $1.72 billion in March 0f 2008, according to The NPD Group.