Google Looking to Recognize Text in Images
Information Week has reported that in June of 07 Google filed a patent application, which has just become available, outlining a “method of optical character recognition in digital images.” The application seems to cover both static images as well as video. The ability to do this could radically change a number of existing Google services as well as again change the way the Internet marketing world interacts with images and video.
AOL, Adobe Tie Up BlueString
A simplified media sharing service, BlueString, opened its virtual doors to people looking for an easy way to make rich media available online.
Blogger Social 2008: Sometimes Great Content is Not Enough
The first thing I should say is that I was planning to write about Blogger Social 2008 anyway. You’ll see why I started with that disclaimer in a moment …
MixxMaker Facebook App like a Modern Mix Tape
Music has to be one of the most social forms of content — most of us, even if we listen to our favourite music alone, like to talk about it, tell others what we like and why. That’s why things like Last.fm and Pandora are so popular (although I can’t use Pandora because I’m Canadian and they recently blocked us Canucks for licensing reasons).
Amazon & Toys”R” Us Involved in Behavioral Targeting?
Just before holidays a colleague of mine asked me if Amazon and Toys"R" Us were involved in behavioral targeting. He told me that he did a search for Lego on ToysRUs and a few days later when he visited Amazon, he saw Lego featured on the home page. He said that he had never did any search for Lego on Amazon.I looked at the code on ToysRUs and did not find anything that looked like it is sharing data with Amazon.
Google Tests AdWords Product Listings
Google appears to be testing a new AdWords feature that allows searchers to see product listings along with the sponsored results. Beneath a Google Checkout button, a plus sign appears that expands to show product photos and prices on the search results page.Right now the test appears limited to larger vendors using Google Checkout.
One Laptop Per Child Loses Intel
Intel announced they are leaving the nonprofit One Laptop Per Child project. OLPC produces low-cost laptops for developing nations. Fighting and differences between the two couldn’t be bridged. It was six months ago Intel and OLPC founder Nick Negroponte announced they would work together to produce the laptops.
Wikia Search Has A Lot To Prove
Nobody’s sure what to expect from Wikia Search, perhaps even its founder. Even for just an alpha launch, the search critics are generally unimpressed, making one wonder just how long Jimmy Wales will have to prove his concept.
Consumers Still See Facebook as Great for Privacy
With all the buzz about Facebook’s ongoing privacy gaffes (I’ve been one of many voices calling attention to them), TechCrunch UK covers another perspective that’s more accurate in terms of how consumers perceive it:
Bill Gates Rocks Out with Slash at CES
Bill Gates talked about how this was his last CES keynote, and his last year at Microsoft.