Online video producers may be happy to learn that Verizon is offering direct regional access to its network. A more direct content delivery network means producers can skip the sometimes cumbersome peering arrangements that slow down online video and pump content directly onto Verizon’s Internet backbone network. Verizon says its Partner Port Program results in a faster, more responsive connection to Verizon’s backbone network for less money.
Microsoft Enhances adCenter, Offers Tips
The Microsoft adCenter team took the holiday break to put some "finishing touches" on some enhancements to the service. These enhancements include:
Facebook Offers A Look Into Usage Stats
Facebook has updated its user statistics, which show that its total number of users is up to 140 million. Half of them are outside of college (which is significant considering the network’s roots), and the fastest growing demographic is 25 and older.
Free Shipping Offers Lead To More Online Holiday Spending
Online holiday shopping continues to be on par with last year, with spending through December 14, totaling $20.17 billion, according to comScore.For the first fourteen days beginning December 1 (Cyber Monday), sales totaled $9 billion, up 2 percent compared to a year ago. The most recent week saw ecommerce sales slipping 2 percent.
Google Offers New Resource for Analytics Information
Google seems to really want to spread awareness about Google Analytics, and get more people to understand how to use all of its features. This is a good thing because analytics are obviously important for keeping your site’s performance up to its potential. A couple weeks ago they announced a new Google Analytics Help Forum with participation from Google employees as well as top contributors, and seasoned analytics pros:
Bite2Eat.com Offers One-Stop Restaurant Directory
A good idea at the right time or another startup launched into Internet obscurity? You can be the judge of that, but as a human who eats, I like the idea of Bite2Eat.com. For example, I can bring up a nice, extensive list of restaurants in the Lexington area, complete with addresses and phone numbers. And that’s useful enough, a quick and easy restaurant directory.
Google Docs Offers New Holiday Templates
Google Docs has received a lot of attention lately, most of which was focused on its miniscule market share. Google would like to address that issue, and as the holiday season approaches, it’s doing so by unveiling some new templates.
Amazon Offers Holiday Customer Review Team
Amazon.com has unveiled a "Holiday Customer Review Team" that consists of half a dozen of its most active reviewers.Amazon says the goal of the review team is to "provide fellow Amazon customers with top gift picks for the season as well as helpful tips on cutting costs over the holidays."The reviewers have been given access to some of Amazon’s most popular Black Friday deals so they can offer up their opinions on the items with other shoppers.
Google Docs Offers Form Templates
If you use Google Docs, you might be pleased to know that Google is now offering templates for forms. And to start off they’ve got 13 different ones to choose from. If you are not familiar with templates in Google Docs, to utilize them, you go to New and select from template from the pull-down menu.
Joetheplumber.com Gets Big Offers
I ran into Joe the Plumber this morning. He said he and Joe Six Pack plan to celebrate their newfound fame tonight by gettin’ lit and layin’ pipe. Those guys! Another Joe the Plumber, this one in Amarillo, Texas, is about to score big time with his joetheplumber.com domain.