Well, if Google (or any number of other cost-conscious corporations) isn’t going to do something about overreaching copyright enforcement, it may be up to nonprofits and legal scholars at our best law schools. First up, a pair of acronyms, next Congress for encouraging them.
Some Bright Spots For Ecommerce In January
January was a month of casual browsing, with limited purchases at online retailers, according to a report from marketing firm Coremetrics.
The number of online sessions in which consumers browsed a Web site, viewing at least one product page, stayed largely flat compared to December 2008. The number of sessions in which consumers actually completed an order was down 21 percent.
Can Your Business Benefit By Letting Users Hide Ads?
Contrary to what advertisers might like to believe, not everyone wants to see their ads. This is why televsion advertisers don’t like TiVo. Advertising is how a lot of online businesses make their bread and butter though, and without ads, they simply could not generate enough revenue to stay alive. At least one online business believes that allowing users to turn off ads might actually be in its best interest.
Former eBay CEO Wants to Be Next California Governor
Everybody knew it was coming, but today, former eBay CEO Meg Whitman announced her announced she has formed an exploratory committee that will see her running for Governor of California in 2010. Whitman is a fifty-two year old Republican, and aims to replace John Matrix himself – Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Google Gets in Sync
Google introduced a beta version of Google Sync today. This allows Google users to sync their Gmail contacts and Google Calendar events to their iPhones or Windows Mobile devices (with Google’s own Android, all the data is automatically synced).
Did Bill Gates Really Release Mosquitoes on a Crowd?
I’m still trying to make out whether this is an elaborate hoax or if Bill Gates has finally lost his mind, but numerous reports and tweets (including one from Evan Williams himself) indicate that he has just unleashed a bunch of mosquitoes on the crowd at the TED conference, say
Lime Wire CEO Talks Music Industry & Company’s Future
I recently got in touch with George Searle, CEO of Lime Wire, who owns one of the most widely used file sharing services of the same name. Even if you have never used LimeWire, you have no doubt read about it, as it has been mentioned frequently throughout the years when illegal file sharing lawsuits are reported on.
MLB.com And NHL.com To Offer Bundled Subscription Package
Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Hockey League (NHL) have teamed to offer each leagues games online via a bundled subscription.
Earlier this month, MLB.TV went on sale with its full-season package (March-October 2009) for $109.95, a $10 discount off the 2008 price. NHL will launch its standalone Race for the Cup service on February 16 for $79.95. The bundled subscription for the two leagues will be available February 16 for $139.95.
To Kill Twitter or Not to Kill Twitter?
The other night, Facebook announced it was opening its Status API. This provoked an array of reactions around the web. Many seem to be under the impression that this will kill Twitter and similar services. There is certainly no general consensus though. You’ll find probably just as many people discussing why it will not. Let’s look at a few reactions…
Will Kill Twitter?
Amazon Unveils Kindle 2
Rumor had it that Amazon would unveil a new version of its Kindle e-book reader today; pictures of a slim and slick-looking device were already circulating, and Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s CEO, had called a press conference in New York. Now, Amazon’s investors and (slightly) late adopters will be happy to hear that the rumor was realized.