Hell Hath No Fury like a gamer scorned SuperPoke pets

Translate Request has too much data
Parameter name: request
Error in deserializing body of reply message for operation 'Translate'. The maximum string content length quota (8192) has been exceeded while reading XML data. This quota may be increased by changing the MaxStringContentLength property on the XmlDictionaryReaderQuotas object used when creating the XML reader. Line 1, position 14401.

MG Siegler has been writing for TechCrunch since 2009. He covers the web, mobile, social, big companies, small companies, essentially everything. And Apple. A lot. Prior to TechCrunch, he covered various technology beats for VentureBeat. Originally from Ohio, MG attended the University of Michigan. He’s previously lived in Los Angeles where he worked in Hollywood and in San Diego where... ? Learn More

This past Thursday, Google decided they had had enough of their Slide experiment. Even though it had only been a year since they spent $200 million+ on the social apps startup, they brought the hammer down, killing all but one Slide product (Prizes.org). The casualty list included Slide projects both new and old. And that sucks for apps like Photovine which just launched last week. But one Slide app termination above all others has people really up in arms: SuperPoke! Pets. How do I know? The comment section on TechCrunch.

If you look at our post about the Google killing Slide from Thursday, you’ll find 230+ comments right now. In the Facebook comments era of TechCrunch, this is a ton. In our pre-Facebook comments era this would probably equate to over 1,000 comments. And nearly every single one of these comments is in response to the killing of SuperPoke! Pets.

Google, you just pissed off the wrong group of casual gamers. And yes, nearly every single one of them seems to be a woman. That’s why I have to give the title of best comment (and credit for the headline of this post) to Annette Samford for the following gem:

Hell hath no fury like a SPP player scorned. Shame on you Google. You could have sent that 200 mil to the homeless and left the game alone. It’s not like any new developing was going on anyway. What was it costing you? Lame excuse for ditching a VERY popular and loved game by so many.

Samford’s comment also encapsulates many of the other comments. These players are really pissed off. I’ll paste a selection of the top comments below, because they do deserve a bigger audience — many of them clearly spent a lot of money on this game over the years. And they’re taking to the TechCrunch comment section because the official Slide post has no comment section.

Tonya Surbaugh:

People get to transfer photos but what about the LOYAL superpoke pets players? Not to mention all the $$$ spent on the game to see it go bye bye? GOOGLE + you say? I say hell to the NO!

Barbara Puder:

I started playing SuperPoke Pets because it was different from other games. It’s more social than any of the other games I’d played, and appealed more to to my creative side that the shoot-em-up or compete with other players type of games. Playing SPP is relaxing and fulfilling, without the time-crunch aspects of games like Farmville and Mafia Wars. (Really, Mafia Wars? We don’t have enough violence already?) I think it’s a huge mistake to eliminate this unique method of social and creative interaction. Please think very hard before pulling the plug, and reconsider what you could do with this game given the appropriate development and support.

Kitty Kurburski:

I too play Superpoke Pets and if you are taking it are you going to reimburse those of us who have spent money buying items for the game? This is a very sad day if you take our game. We love it.

Deborah Argerake:

Class action lawsuit requesting reimbursement for $$$ spent. Even after the slide team knew they were getting shut down, the promoted more sales. That seems a bit shady if not totally unethical. Could it be considered illegal? Any law student players out there want to bring this question to your professors?

Brianne Lane Baker:

I am very sad to see Superpoke! Pets go too! It’s the only game I have spent 2 years playing. I made lots of friends and loved how creative people could be with the game… never known another game that allows so much creativity.

Janice Hayes Scullenger:

this is the most hateful thing you could have done. millions of us on on this game. most people have disabilities and this is what they have. we have developed friendships. alot of people have spent tons on money on here. are you going to give them that back? but most of all you are taking away something that we have poured our heart and souls in. I have been on this game for over 3 years. I have some truly awesome people that I look forward to speaking to every day. I will drop all my google emails, change my servers and have over 3000 people on my yahoo account that will be more than happy to help me spread the word that google doesn’t care about the people that put faith in them. does google kick dogs and steal candy from babies too?

Lisa Morris Foster:

To say I am upset is an understatement! We all bought into you VIP for free from now on, after you stopped charging for gold. You knew that we would all spend the $$ to get it! I have invested thousands into this game. I think that I should be able to put that masterpiece I bought into my living room! Sell Slide to someone who might actually want to make some money and run it right, instead of running it into the ground! Google, you have let us all down! Make this right!

Michelle Strong:

WTF! Why did you buy Slide just to shut it down? I only play Superpoke Pets and I am not happy

Michelle Rustray Serrano:

I am so bummed..I must say I knew it was coming..SO my promise to YOU GOOGLE..I will NEVER use or buy a Google product EVER..YOU SUCK!

Jennifer Gyurkovic-Hagmann:

Hey Google! I expect a check in the mail for all of the gold items that I have in the SuperPoke Pets game. You do realize that people paid REAL MONEY for gold items, don’t you? If you do not make this right with all of the SPP players, I will never pay for anything Google ever again. I will also tell all who will listen what has happened here and how you care so little for the consumer!

Cathy Allaire:

IF YOU KILL OFF SUPERPOKE PETS, I WILL NOT EVER USE GOOGLE CHROME, GMAIL……NOT A SINGLE THING THAT YOU OWN…….SUPERPOKE PETS IS A GREAT GAME…..ALLOW US TO DOWNLOAD SUPERPOKE PETS TO OUR COMPUTER, SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO PLAY OUR GAME. WE HAVE SPENT ALOT OF MONEY ON THIS GAME, AND IT IS SO UNFAIR TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM US.

Irene Schleinkofer Pedrogo:

Are you Freakin kidding me! This is BullShit! I’ve spent Alot of MONEY on Superpoke Pets I think YOU should THINK of something else to do so I don’t Loose my GOLD ITEMS!

Lisa T Spp:

I’ve heard of suicide missions but this tops them all! If Google really does shut down SuperPoke Pets they might as well close their own doors at the same time. As for Max Levchin leaving to pursue other opportunities, I don’t think anyone here would ever support any endeavor he undertakes. I, like millions of other players invested a lot of money into Slide through the SPP game and I view this no differently than if I had invested money in any other company or any other commodity. I foresee a major class action suite in the works if this all goes down. So much joy turning into so much sadness.

Clarice’s TeeTee:

spp players……….. who would join together in a lawsuit to get our money back from the items we have purchased?

And, for some levity, Wayne Elgin:

Favorite part of this post? The Farmville moms trolling TC.

Your move, Google. A number of players are now threatening class-action lawsuits due to the money issue. We’ll see if they follow through on those threats, but this situation could be a bad one for Google — especially when you consider that they just launched their own casual games section on Google+.

Here’s a dumb question: why doesn’t Google just move SuperPoke! Pets over to the Google+ Games section? Clearly, it has a rabid fan base. In fact, why not just move all the Slide games over there?

Slide, founded by PayPal co-founder Max Levchin, makes widgets that help people express themselves. The company took a big risk in 2006 when they gave users the ability...

Learn more

Google provides search and advertising services, which together aim to organize and monetize the world’s information. In addition to its dominant search engine, it offers a plethora of...

Learn more

View the original article here

Connected

Alexia Tsotsis currently works as a writer for TechCrunch. She is also a blogger who attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. She majored in writing and art, he moved to New York shortly after the end of the work in the entertainment industry and media. After four years of his life in New York and to attend courses in New York ... ? Read More

"They have the Internet in Europe?" my friend in the United States, joked via Facebook Messenger, as I checked into Foursquare from Athens airport.

Yes, Virginia, they have the Internet in Europe or Greece specifically. In my case I had to buy expensive plan worldwide data for my iPhone before I left the United States and then watch as a hawk, so I don't go over my allotted 340 MB of data. $ 99 to stay connected.

Upon arriving at the House of my brother in Athens, I was told he could not speak Greek mobile phone from our stationary as they were too expensive.

My brother consultations could buy a dumbphone for 15 euro ($ 21) and then use credit € 10 call to cells. Another 25 € ($ 36) remain connected. One call to my friend cells to confirm our travel plans at a later date and that credit is gone.

In this way until I plunk down another 10 euros ($ 14) remain connected I basically stuck with the iPhone's airplane mode by default as my only way of communicating with the outside world. And as I frantically down napkins, my Twitter feed and desperately try to reload the Instagrams from the beach, only to meet up with taunting messages over and over again, dumb phone sits in my wallet. The game has, I think.

Mark Zuckerberg once said that he knew that Facebook was successful when his friends told him that they saw it open in European Internet Cafe while traveling. Although much has changed since the painful pulse to check Facebook or what your social media drug of choice while you're trying to allegedly avoid has only strengthened their positions.

For many of us with # firstworldproblems ubiquitous Internet became a program, such as electricity. So it seems odd to visit family without wi-fi connection, it's almost like mind, saying "we have no lights, and you're only going to do it properly without them.

But as anyone who has traveled knows not everyone lives in # firstworld. So I spent most of my vacation island Greece chasing connection using my iPhone as a kind of Internet divining rod and meeting obstacles at every turn. CONNECTION. CONNECTION. IS NOT CONNECTED.

Greek WIND USB stick data? Incompatible with OS X Lion (really). Something called "free Internet", which appears as I drink my morning coffee in the town square? Turns out, not so free and not the Internet.

Finally yesterday night, I saw some guy in a cafe, working on his laptop at the bar and rushed over, hoping that I came across a few wi-fi hotspring. "As you have Internet?", I asked him in Greek. "I brought my own."

This weak link with the outside world I missed out on all the details of the resignation of Steve jobs as CEO of Apple and have any idea about Hurricane Irene. Someone apparently leaked Greek Wikileak, and I was too afraid to go over my data plan to download it. Yes, what with Twitter recent pictures?

IPhone in Greece is 650 € ($ 936) and Cosmote unlimited data plan is 50 euros ($ 72) a month. The average salary in this time, the overall economic crisis is 1000 € (1441), but still enough people own expensive smartphones, Foursquare crowded with obscure Greek sites. My Greek friend also has a similar dumbphone my newly purchased one for when she goes for her iPhone data allocation.

"So," you say "get offline and your rest you Dork." of course, but at present if the trip is not taken into account in Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and it makes sound?

Thus I began to be jealous of anyone more online connections rations than I, mobile or otherwise. Yesterday as one of my travel companions fingered her phone under the table I whispered, "Instagram or Twitter?" "No," she said, are satisfied. "Neither?!", I said incredulously. "Yes, I'm on a Foursquare, trying to figure out that this Taverna is called so I can check".

The Right. I am typing this from a hotel room without an Internet connection and plan on Walking down to something called "Privé Internet point in order to post it on TechCrunch. "Internet point Prive" actually sounds like you should be getting bottle service or champagne with the Internet. This course is worth enough.

Connection.

View the original article here

Daily Crunch: an array of eye

Bryce is a designer at CrunchGear for TechCrunch. Bryce Durbin is an Illustrator and designer for print and Web. He grew up in Columbus, OH and now lives in Elkader, Iowa with his wife Shannon and their son link. His portfolio is at brycedurbin.com. ? Read More

View the original article here

HP dvuhknopočnyh you plan to return the best buy?

Cris Velasco is a writer who studied English language and marketing at Rutgers University and mobile enthusiasts. Once upon a time he was a News intern for MobileCrunch, and between them, he worked in wireless sales at best buy. After graduation, he returned to the new TechCrunch in mobile as a full-time writer. He counts the advertising works, musical theater ... ? Read More

Has been widely reported that best buy sitting on more than 200000 dvuhknopocnyh before HP had their dramatic price cut, but the fire sale has come and gone, and what would this usually. Instead, notification Best Buy employee Toolkit system shows that their controversial relationship with touchpad may not be over just yet.

The image sent by the Droid questions Best Buy Insider reveals that best buy stores will begin again to obtain supplies of the touchpad. Through swarms bargain hunters, the last time round, employees are required to adhere to system tickets and stakeholder information, their way.

Although it is possible that notifications have been pushed out just in time to make a big splash on the front cover of the Sunday circular should not hold your breath. Different areas usually have different navigation graphics, but if this is true, it's more likely that the unit will start trickling back in stores in the middle of the week. At this point, it's still unknown whether the notification applies only in some stores or lots of them, but thanks to a little corporate vision, your closest shop may soon have a new record in their phone system, which could shed light on specifics.

It's a little surprising to see: 16 GB dvuhknopocnyh sell almost twice the rate on eBay, evidenced by the fact that people have all but abandoned the more traditional outlets.

HP's website acknowledges that they are only "temporarily" from the list and that, along with News of major retailers, suddenly get stocks gives me pause: how many of these things does HP left? And more importantly for some, as many come with inexplicably previously Android? Answers to the questions, seemingly could come later this week.

View the original article here

Joint brings group chat for Twitter

RIP Empson-writer at TechCrunch. He did not find friends here, he is here to win and you don't forget it. You can contact him at rip [at] techcrunch [dot] com ? more

About a month ago, Tom Anderson (Myspace Tom, if you prefer) wrote a post on his new favorite social network, Google +, offering a few bits of advice for Twitter. Although many of us enjoy good Twittering now and again, Anderson pointed out that there are several simple features, Twitter could consider if it wants to improve the overall quality of its users. The thrust that could improve social experience Twitter were company to add a "discussion" or chat feature that will, in Tom's conception, to give the Viewer provides a space for you to leave a comment and discuss easy tweets without flooding followers streams from one part of the conversation continues.

Well Tom may simply be interested in a new startup launching today, is called the joint. Okay, well this is not an exact copy of Myspace founder idea, but it attacked the same point the pain of long-discussed Twitter users: in desperate need of better platform to facilitate real-time, private and longer form conversations. Of course there are some differences among users over whether Twitter should be one offering this function, or whether it should remain simple, just like this.

Says joint founder Ethan Gahng (and I tend to agree) that Twitter is better served by staying simple in terms of its user interface and instead allows third party startups and developers to add additional social and chat features from the outside world. (And Twitter in the past few years seems to be largely in line with this philosophy).

To achieve this objective, the joint essentially turns any Twitter hashtag in IRC (Internet Relay channel)-as a chat room, which is integrated with real-time hashtag stream from Twitter. Check it out below. This combo box allows users to participate in a number of different social interactions, including front and center real-time Group chat, which fills with live hashtag channel in the right sidebar.

Users can pull hashtags directly in group chat, or invite people who posted tweets in group chat, right from the chat, or just go and enjoy the synchronous chat, watching as Twitter stream fills. Compared with Hootsuite, Tweetdeck and other third-party applications that let you track hashtags, being able to watch someone Tweet outside and bring them in and chat away this thin borders and differences by joint, what really makes a big difference.

If you're trying to engage in conversation with someone on Twitter, that goes beyond a few @ replies, "you either have to DM or the conversation of other countries. Sharing allows users to easily join group chat, and also to discussing major or popular hashtags. For example, in recent times "# irene" became used as hashtag as Hurricane Irene ready to hit the East Coast. The joint could be a very useful resource for those who want to easily gather and discuss the current situation, such as hurricanes, protests or events, live, from anywhere.

Another cool joint in the aspect that it should function as an informal conversation environment for Twitter users means that if I have a conversation with someone and a third person joins a chat room, they will not be able to see the current conversation. It says, is intended to ensure joint Gahng group chat more interaction in the real world.

That joint in cases of alleged use Gahng said that it is easy to connect to other people on Twitter, but it's hard to really get to know them, so that through the joint, you can meet someone on Twitter that you want to play Starcraft, with many of your followers do not wish to join in on the fun. Which is why open standards Warrior Chris Messina offers a hashtag in the first place, but certainly not so many people regularly follow hashtags in their day-to-day use of Twitter. Joint looks at this change, making it easy to search for different hashtags, discuss and follow them synchronously in real-time. As an example, check out Starcraft feed here.

Not to speak of the fact that, because tweeting with hashtags means that your tweets get archive and live eternally in search engines, etc., many people feel uncomfortable about the availability of public conversations (more private matters, especially) on Twitter. We've all had to delete a Tweet or two and often too late. Giving Twitter users who added benefit social flexibility, joint hopes to give yourself a leg up on other third-party Twitter apps.

And finally beyond just the ability to monitor the hashtag groups, joint also informs the user when a new user in chat room, offers search descriptions and enables users to view main catalogue or even start their own hashtag channel.

Joint solves major pain point, often faced by Twitter users and from my experience at chats and poking around the site, the user interface is simple and chat is a fast and easy to use. A multidisciplinary team of three people working on this since January and run the initialization at the moment, but if the platform can be scaled and continue to work in real-time without glitches, this seems like something that can definitely legs.

Joint and his team is not affiliated with Twitter in any way, but I wouldn't be surprised if social networks comes knocking at the door at some point down the road.

For more check the joint houses here.

View the original article here

Life is a crime: If you attempt to Shakedown my virtual office TechCrunch, I would almost beat you

MG Siegler at TechCrunch to write for the 2009 year. It covers web, mobile, social, big companies, small companies, almost all. And Apple. A lot. Prior to TechCrunch it covers different technologies beats for VentureBeat. Originally from Ohio, mg attended the University of Michigan. He previously lived in Los Angeles, where he worked in Hollywood and in San Diego where ... ? Read More

There is a simple fundamental reasons why Grand Theft Auto has exploded in the phenomenon. Everyone has sometimes criminal trends. And practically indulge them a hell of a lot better than actually indulging them and moral implications — or physical consequences. As a prison.

But what if you could make the Grand Theft Auto concept even more immersive, tying in the real world? Here's what life is all about.

New mobile game red robot laboratory-based Mike Ouye, Pete Hawley and John Harris, the former leaders at Playdom, EA and SCEE start — allows you to put a life of crime to your phone. This location-based games launch today for Android devices which can be highly addictive.

Think of it as Foursquare meets Grand Theft Auto meets Spymaster (remember the Spymaster?) corresponds to Gowalla — well, old Gowalla before they recently said they have killed an element of virtual goods. Essence to go around your city and battle other properties of the element. The point is not to "register" to attack the other players all that you have to capture the city.

"Social utility guys taught people such as registration, but it's not real deep gaming experience," says the Ouye. "We're going after the gaming space. We are talking about the discovery of new places while playing igru"on continues.

Life is a crime uses real cards, which are individual red robot Labs group to include a virtual view of key landmarks in the city. Right now, Seattle (where red robot Labs is the opening game at PAX today) is constructed from. Soon after San Francisco and other cities in the United States will be too. These maps to incentivize people to fight for the Golden Gate Bridge, for example.

However, any location is fair game. Management team TechCrunch, for example to add.

The combat nature of the game is quite simple. You find someone you want to fight and becomes a Battle with the support of your weapons and stats. If you have a indicator of reputation than your opponent, you can remove them in battle. But perhaps they have a better tool than you even wait a little bit of that.

First game will mainly be a single player experience. But down the line, the red robot guys hope people form virtual bands to battle other bands for the superiority of the location. One of the ideas that the team has is Android vs. iPhone when the iPhone version launches later this fall. Maybe Jason and I will play at OMG JK.

At one point the red team robot got around 200 Googlers he played in the Googleplex, we are told.

In the end, as a form of gangs in the game will be different levels that individual users can rise to within the gang.

Another element of the game is to pick up and go virtual goods with other users — both sides are rewarded in the game for this action. There are about 200 names in the game right now and a lot of settings for users.

In the broader sense of life is a crime is a location-based gaming platform, the red robot Labs hopes to build a simple step. Their intention was to three games at this year's platform is two, built them, and the third party.

The location of the game is wide open right now, the Ouye says. ", and we're going after him because they really sticky" he continues.

"We compete for 30 seconds or 1 minute when you are in the waiting line. You want to make a virtual crime than range, or you want to register? "

You hear that Foursquare? Man up. Time to fight.

Life is a crime can be found in the Android market here.

WP_SLIDESHOW_IMAGES = {download: ' http://s1.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/slideshow/slideshow-loader.gif?m=1308957913g ', prev: ' http://s1.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/slideshow/prev.png?m=1308957913g ', next: ' http://s0.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/slideshow/next.png?m=1308957913g ', ' http://s0.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/slideshow/stop.png?m=1308957913g ': stop, play: "http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/slideshow/play.png?m=1308957913g"};WP_SLIDESHOW_LABELS = {next: Next, Prev: previous, stop: ' playback Switch '};WP_SLIDESHOW_BLOG_INFO = {blogId: "24588526" subdomain: tctechcrunch2011 "," userId ": 0"}; This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Red Robot Labs is the launch of mobile games, located in Palo Alto, California. The company was founded in January 2011, the team of industry veterans who are passionate ...

Read More

View the original article here

Facebook photos get another boost size

Jason Kincaid is currently working as a writer at TechCrunch. He grew up in Danville, California and later moved to Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, where he studied biology with a minor in "society and genetics". You can contact him at jkincaidtc@gmail.com (it has other addresses too, so don't worry if you have another). ? Read More

The most popular photo sharing website is getting another update.

In the blog post tonight, Facebook — which is by far the largest site of photos from the Internet — has announced that it is releasing a new photo viewer that represents the image is 960 pixels wide, as opposed to 720 pixels they were from March 2010 (they were 620 pixels before that). The viewer himself is also getting an update that replaces the current black Lightbox opaque white, which he says puts more emphasis on the photo itself. Facebook also said that photography now load twice as fast, although he doesn't get in the way he is serving content so much faster.

Facebook photos in a large update was released in September 2010, when he introduced the black based Lightbox photo viewer and added support for pictures bigger than 2048 pixels wide (it is not actually displayed in the Viewer, but you can download them at this size). This update finally made Facebook a viable way to share photos of high quality (previously you could only upload a low-resolution version).

It was a great week on Facebook. On Tuesday it announced a number of settings, mostly related to its privacy controls and photo tagging, you will soon be able to approve the photos before they show up in your profile that users ask for years. This also drastically changed the way Facebook jobs, less emphasis on checkins. Today confirmed that it is killing off its daily deals, Groupon as only four months after the start, while location-based transactions is still around.

Facebook is the largest social network, with more than 500 million users. Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook in February 2004, originally as an exclusive network for students at Harvard University. She ...

Read More

View the original article here

TechCrunched: in this week Tech news in 90 seconds

Jason Kincaid is currently working as a writer at TechCrunch. He grew up in Danville, California and later moved to Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, where he studied biology with a minor in "society and genetics". You can contact him at jkincaidtc@gmail.com (it has other addresses too, so don't worry if you have another). ? Read More

We're back with another episode TechCrunched, whirlwind team of top tech news for the week in 90 seconds (or so).

This week's stories include the recent Facebook privacy settings and, in the sad news, HP TouchPad elimination firesale resignation of Steve jobs, Apple's CEO. Tune in to the details.

Here are a few articles related to this week's episode:

View the original article here

Create a twisted dreams screaming skull with these DIY Animatronics

Biggs is the editor of TechCrunch gadgets. Biggs wrote for the New York Times, InSync, United States at the weekend, popular mechanics, popular science, money, and a number of other outlets on technology and wristwatches. He is the former Chief Editor of Gizmodo.com and lives in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. You can Tweet it here and G + it here. ? Read More

You're the kind of person who would love to have the Animatronic Gary Coleman on your shelf face pudgy, swear like a sailor on your guests during the roller skate around your basement, dressed in skin-tight rubber suit and singing reggae infused covers Coldplay? If you said "absolutely!" read on.

This DIY shows you how to make a googley eyes move, real, mouth and eyebrows. Microcontroller handles servo controls and ensures that your creation reacts like a robot and not as something out of the Hall of Presidents.

You can see the plans for the Pyrolectro example, you can also make strange staring POTUS motors, cardboard and wire. Complete tutorial includes sections on all the relevant parts. Here are two examples of work are below.

View the original article here

Tweaking algorithm: Google gives you a small glimpse behind the scenes

Jason Kincaid is currently working as a writer at TechCrunch. He grew up in Danville, California and later moved to Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, where he studied biology with a minor in "society and genetics". You can contact him at jkincaidtc@gmail.com (it has other addresses too, so don't worry if you have another). ? Read More

One of the most common complaints of critics (and competitors) have against Google is a company — despite its numerous outdoor products and initiatives is very secretive about the countless algorithms that power their Crown jewels, a Google search. In other words search is a black box. Google's argument was that it should be this way — if he told everyone exactly how the algorithm works, it would be much simpler games and search results will suffer.

In any case, there are a lot of mystery surrounding search, which is why the video is now posted on a blog Google is so interesting: Google gave a quick video guide detailing how its engineers gradually adjust algorithm which — according to the video gets tweaked with more than 500 times per year.

Video is only four minutes and worth watching in its entirely, but here's a quick rundown on how changes to search goes live:

First Google engineers define the complex motivations of sites, which don't work as well as Google would like them to later engineers were trying to identify the different signals (Google doesn't really get into what these signals suggest) that can be used to more effectively respond to this request. these new results are then evaluated by a qualified employee that is not an employee of Google. Further results are pushed live a small number of users. Analyst then assigns objective look at the changes and how it performs in tests.the proposed change were submitted to the Panel, search quality, which approves or rejects it.

The video also turns into a quick joke about what Google calls "full replacement pages. This applies to the times, Google looks at your request, you misspelled words, and then presents the results for the correct spelling, rather than simply offering proper spelling and display results with errors. To test this, Google looked at how many times users clicked on a link to clear the results of their initial request (which, according to Google was a typo), Google decided that until the escape hatch just pressed 1 in 50 times, and good changes. And passed the test.

Google provides search and advertising services, which together seek to organize and monetize the world's information. In addition to its dominant search engine, it offers many ...

Read More

View the original article here

Netflix hits Asus transformer, more to come?

Matt is currently working as a writer for the CrunchGear. Matt Burns family man first and trying to be a freelance writer second. Born and raised in the heart of the automotive world, only cars Eclipse his love gadgets. He previously wrote for Engadget and EngadgetHD before moving in house party, CrunchGear. He learned ... ? Read More

Fast! Asus transformer owners! Make sure to update your system. The Internet is awash with build requirements 8.6.5.9 allows sideloading Netflix app right now, only the Lenovo IdeaPad K1 and ThinkPad Tablet Netflix certified, forcing the owners of other honeycombs pills side application load, something which had previously never been possible on the transformer.

It's pretty amazing what this official update adds the ability to. If this is intentional or not, the owners should probably install the application without haste. The next build, you can delete opportunities. But if it was intentional, this step is further proof that manufacturers are not afraid to go around cell restrictions. OEMs had to use 3rd party software to include working an SD card slot and hacks back door. Now if only Motorola will do something similar omissions SD card slots in the Xooms GED.

With more than 23.3 million members in the United States and Canada, Netflix, Inc. Internet service subscription to enjoy movies and television shows is the lead in the world. For $ 7.99.

Read More

View the original article here

About live ... Do I need the Internet more global rules? (TCTV)

Andrew Keen was an Anglo-American entrepreneur, writer, broadcaster and public speaker. He is the author of the international hit "the cult of the amateur: how the Internet is killing our culture" which was published in 17 different languages and was short-listed for the Heim business technology book of the year award. As a pioneering Silicon Valley-based Internet entrepreneur, ... ? Read More

As a result of disturbances in London was intense debate about whether the Internet – and particularly social media like Twitter and Facebook – more regulation. But according to Chris painter, recently appointed coordinator of the United States Department of State on a cyber riot earlier this month, do not constitute an excuse for Governments around the world regulate the Internet.

I caught up with artist earlier this week in Institute policy Aspen Forum, where he spoke on the star-studded on post Wikileaks and post World Egypt. Message of the artist in the world is unequivocal. The Internet not only allows you to freedom, but also prosperity appointed Hillary Clinton told me. And America, he promised me was firmly committed to make the Internet a "very big" part of its foreign policy, as it actively supports freedom of speech and democracy around the world.

Andrew Keen was an Anglo-American entrepreneur, writer, broadcaster and public speaker. He is the author of the international hit "the cult of the amateur: how the Internet is killing our ...

Read More

Artist Chris at the forefront of cyber issues already twenty years. Most recently, he served in the White House, Senior Director of cybersecurity policy ...

Read More

View the original article here

Nanopower "shoes" can generate 20W of electricity while walking

Devin Coldewey is a Seattle-based writer and photographer. He wrote for the TechCrunch network since 2007. Some posts, it would like you to read: the perils of externalization of knowledge | Generation I | Surveillant society | Select two | Frame war | Custom manifest | Our great sin his personal ????-coldewey.cc. ? Read More

This differs from these other electric shoes that yesterday making the rounds. Piezoelectrics are interesting, but just don't give a lot of power for their size. Enough to make a low-power transmitter squirt a few bytes or light led indicator. They are great for collecting external force like the sound and vibration, if you know that the direction and type make you want to crop, there are better ways to go about it.

During harvesting energy from footsteps, you have a pretty good idea how the force will work. And some researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison working on a system that could pull as 20W from your support. Why are you strutting, anyway? You think that you are so cool.

Yes, in theory, you can charge the iPad or the authorities of all low-power computer some just by walking around. Of course you could never stop walking, which can ultimately is a good thing. Researchers who have privatized research and sell technology called recovery Nanopower say somewhere around 300W power dissipates as heat, and they think they can siphon a little without messing your gait.

What they have done is enter liquid from tiny metallic microdroplets in a special substrate. When your foot presses down on it, drop a push through the substrate, which generates electricity, known as reverse electrowetting (this is probably a patent, but you can read a paper in nature).

After grabbed energy he may be held to draw at a later time or immediately used to power the device. They offer some sort of relay that will make mobile phone High-power transmission, using low-power signal to send material to the phone, saving battery life. View over specific applications, but you get the idea.

They are several potential problems in the FAQ (squishiness, leaks, cost, etc.), but did not mention weight. I am concerned that the battery and liquid metal to substantially increase the weight. I like light shoes for me, and I'm not sure I would like to add another four or five ounces in each foot suspiciously available power source.

[via UW Madison and Dvice]

View the original article here

It's official: the Internet is the greatest ongoing success story of all time

Andrew Keen was an Anglo-American entrepreneur, writer, broadcaster and public speaker. He is the author of the international hit "the cult of the amateur: how the Internet is killing our culture" which was published in 17 different languages and was short-listed for the Heim business technology book of the year award. As a pioneering Silicon Valley-based Internet entrepreneur, ... ? Read More

Earlier this summer at e-G8 Conference in Paris, Jeff Jarvis implored French President Nicolas Sarkozy's "do no harm" to the Internet. But Jarvis not only want the Government to stay out of the business Internet. Take, for example, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Robert McDowell, who believes that "the Internet is the most carried out by the success of all time" and thus, as Jarvis used directive "does no harm" in the definition of State legislation.

I interviewed McDowell earlier this week in Institute policy Aspen Forum, where he appeared in conversation with colleagues FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. In addition to the range of policies, innovation and privacy, we have addressed the thorny issue of whether the complete FCC down – the script didn't seem to bother seemed unflappable Commissioner. Is it just me or McDowell really looks like George Clooney?

Robert m. McDowell was first appointed a member of the Federal Communications Commission by President George w. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the Senate in the 2006 year. When he ...

Read More

Andrew Keen was an Anglo-American entrepreneur, writer, broadcaster and public speaker. He is the author of the international hit "the cult of the amateur: how the Internet is killing our ...

Read More

View the original article here

The following steps in robotics and computer vision: a behavior analysis, situational awareness

Devin Coldewey is a Seattle-based writer and photographer. He wrote for the TechCrunch network since 2007. Some posts, it would like you to read: the perils of externalization of knowledge | Generation I | Surveillant society | Select two | Frame war | Custom manifest | Our great sin his personal ????-coldewey.cc. ? Read More

We have already seen some exciting developments recently in the areas of Robotics and computer vision. They are not so academic, as you would expect: huge tech successes as the Roomba and Kinect relied as clever algorithms and software as they have on marketing and retail locations. So what's next for our increasingly intelligent cameras, Web cameras, televisions and phones?

I talked with Dr. Anthony Hoogs, head of the computer vision research at Kitware, the company, which is a frequent partner of DARPA, NIH and other acronyms you would likely admit. we discussed that could be reasonably expected in the next few years, progress in this area.

Kitware is a member of what we could reasonably call third-party tech, one not often in the spotlight. HOOGS Research Department relies on Government contracts and DARPA grants. We generally cover funded by the companies and products, with the backing of the enterprise or corporate R&D budgets, which are often more high profile.

We wrote earlier about the need to make sense of all the data is carried out on the battlefield, that from a camera in each platoon at each vehicle and look down on each aircraft. And then there's an enormous amount of footage produced by internal monitoring: public and private security cameras, traffic cameras, etc., the number of manufactured all of these devices and media network is too large to effectively be controlled by man. That's where the Kitware.

The next step in computer vision, says Dr. Hoogs, is that they work: behavior analysis. Just as something like Kinect must distinguish between reach for chip bag and any number of gestures in surveillance footage, it must be determined whether something is interesting or not. "Interesting" is an incredibly complex concept, but almost is not as simple as setting thresholds on the movement and shape.

What works for the purposes of military Kitware and observation, however, would be equally at home in our own devices. Reduction of thousands of hours of footage of security up to a few minutes the footage is only one way to apply the algorithms and software that they make. Permission analysis occurs in real time is a breakthrough, which must occur in order to bring it into the living room. I asked whether the image sensors to better and more widely available made it easier, but it feels that the main catalyst for actually, better processors. I had to know: more sensors mean more data, but not necessarily useful data. At the same time, algorithms are already effectively Lower fidelity can work faster and more often.

It's already got things like point and shoot cameras that are trying to apply it to the useful functions and eventually simply by adding more and more rooms face detection. However, the potential is huge. The end result is that each camera will become effectively a robot with knowledge of, the possibility of tracking and classification of every object in its environs, waving and smiling face to draw particular attention to the ray or improperly parked car.

On the issue of privacy is becoming a problem. So far, Kitware largely relied on public databases for their research: images and videos, which sets out the rule of law. But as I wrote in the Surveillant society, law and social dogma things that consistently lag behind technology, and this is no exception. Home security cameras should be lead off-site database of "trusted" person? It should be around cameras record often comers and goers, but flag of strange people and vehicles? And will people act differently when they know their TV watching "them? This is a complex question, and fortunately one doctor Hoogs gets to avoid. Their work allows technology without applying with caution.

Kitware also releases a significant part of their work publicly and widely used; other companies like PrimeSense also hopes to become the de facto standard for new interfaces as depth control and object recognition.

(image source)

I asked that we could reasonably be expected in real products for the next year or two. Dr. Hoogs believes that virtualization and augmented reality will be the next wave of consumer goods to use it. Your phone already knows where he is facing, what are the businesses nearby, and so on. Early records, like Google goggles and Layar show potential, but the processing and infrastructure need to be updated before it hits big time.

Big push comes when companies need to reduce the gap between scientific findings and product. That means to put an end to the development and characteristics, something purely researchers may have trouble with ("it is finished!"). But as Microsoft showed with Kinect, and many other companies have with Intelligent image manipulation tech, opportunities for a product as great as possible just to move on the ground.

View the original article here

Bloody Thursday: Google Deadpools slide all goods except for one

MG Siegler at TechCrunch to write for the 2009 year. It covers web, mobile, social, big companies, small companies, almost all. And Apple. A lot. Prior to TechCrunch it covers different technologies beats for VentureBeat. Originally from Ohio, mg attended the University of Michigan. He previously lived in Los Angeles, where he worked in Hollywood and in San Diego where ... ? Read More

Because we need more big tech news this week. Yes, it's true that Google just brought down the hammer on the slide, as Liz Gannes AllThingsD was first reported earlier this evening. Yes, it is true that Max Levchin leaves. Now we know the fate of all products slide. And it's not pretty.

They all went out of business, except for one, we have learned. This means the slideshow products to Google's acquisition of the company a year ago, and new to slide command builds within Google over the past year. Yes, it includes new products like Disco, pool party, incoming video and just started last week Photovine. They are all dead.

The lone exception Prizes.org (which we reviewed here), we have heard. The reason is that it was elaborated by a group of slides in China for Google, and they will keep is, apparently.

It was only in August last year, Google bought slide for about $ 200 million after employee bonuses. The idea is to get more serious about social gaming, and get a proven entrepreneur Levchin on board. But much has changed in the past year — on the one hand, Eric Schmidt is no longer a Director. For another Google now has Google +.

The slide has been running as a fully autonomous unit is broken down into smaller groups inside of Google. During the time that seemed like a good strategy that can keep Google prompt. Now it just looks kind of silly.

The slide was so autonomous that many work on products that compete with features that were part of the Google +. Many of the applications created iOS first, and does not work at all on Google Android platform.

For its part, Google has only the following statement:

Max decided to leave the slide, and use other features, and we wish him success. Most of the commands from the slide stays on Google to work on other opportunities.

This is also true that slide commands not to learn about this bloodshed before this afternoon. Can you help but feel bad for those commands-especially Photovine command, which is really just run their spots photo sharing app a week ago. Unlike other projects slide Google even gave them both PR resources to get the word out about app. eight days later, dead.

Larry page was clearly not messing around with his efforts to streamline Google as much as possible and trim any fat. While Google said that the majority of the members of the Group slide will remain on Google, I wouldn't be surprised to see the outcome pretty quickly.

Update: slide just put up the following blog post to let customers know about cancelled the product:

We wanted to give you all in advance in the coming months the resignation of a number of products and applications of the slide. This includes slide in products such as slideshows and SuperPoke! Pets, as well as more recent products such as Photovine, video of the Inbox and pool party. We have created products with a view to providing a fun way for people to connect, communicate and share. Although we are incredibly grateful to our users and for all the wonderful feedback over the years, many of these products is no longer as active or has not yet caught as we initially expected.

Most importantly we would like to take this opportunity to assure you that we are committed to help our users save their data as easily as soon as possible. We recognize that many of you are valuable content with us and want to assure you that, whenever possible, you'll have plenty of time to load this information or transfer it to another service.

For example, Slide.com, we will allow users to upload their photos, or export them in Picasa account. We are working to release this function exports in the coming weeks, and after adding, users will have several months to take advantage of the translation of their photos.

Google provides search and advertising services, which together seek to organize and monetize the world's information. In addition to its dominant search engine, it offers many ...

Read More

Slide was founded by PayPal co-founder Max Levchin, makes widgets that help people express themselves. The company took a big risk in 2006 year, when they gave users the ability to ...

Read More

View the original article here

Ness serves up their first personal search app to open a restaurant

MG Siegler at TechCrunch to write for the 2009 year. It covers web, mobile, social, big companies, small companies, almost all. And Apple. A lot. Prior to TechCrunch it covers different technologies beats for VentureBeat. Originally from Ohio, mg attended the University of Michigan. He previously lived in Los Angeles, where he worked in Hollywood and in San Diego where ... ? Read More

Last night I went out for lunch. But I didn't get where I was going, Ness did. Location was good. Only one for Ness.

We previously covered Ness calculations in July, when talking about technologies that will power their possible applications (as well as their funding). Today, the first such app has gone live in the App Store, called simply, Ness. This is a personal search engine, meals in restaurants. And that's fine.

While most of the food and restaurant recommendation apps focus on ratings from the general population, Ness adapted around social, as well as your own taste. Others have tried this before as well, but Ness seemed to have nailed it thanks to a ton of data they've been pulling up the app even started.

They can do this because they hook into Facebook, Foursquare and Twitter (as well as several other smaller sources) find signals some of the restaurants. People tweeting about liking them? Users check out there much? These sorts of things. This helps determine which restaurants Ness must show you within an application.

When you first load up the app, you are asked to assess ten places you have visited. This helps calibrate points "Likeness" of the key recommendations. Those scores likeness appear as probability percentage that you like the restaurant shows. This, together with the proximity and social data to determine what restaurants are provided to you.

But the application from a search engine in the more traditional sense. You can easily search for different types of food, whether General or specific. And you can choose to search in other cities. Or you can change the search options to limit your search by price and weed out the more circuits, for example.

When you find your favorite place you can go deeper to get hours, phone numbers, website, etc. you can also save space to return later. And you can share restaurants with friends with the click of a button.

They key to app, though, is the ease of use and data accuracy. I constantly find similarity ratings were roughly correct what my actual rating be for restaurants, I was in and the system will only get better, how do you appreciate more space.

The appearance of the application is also beautiful. I said that we can thank the initial team member iPhone Apple previously and now with Ness, to do so.

Remember that restaurant recommendations just step one of Ness hopes to offer. Next steps will indicate similarity engine to shops, music, nightlife and entertainment. All that can be done in one killer, subjective mobile search system.

You can find the Ness in the App Store here. Unfortunately, it is only for United States at the present time.

Ness mission – to make calculations of personal search. Combining an understanding of human nature on their experience in search, recommendations, and social networks, the company can deliver the experience ...

Read More

View the original article here

XYDO, Web social network for news, brings daily, custom sticky notes to your Inbox (invites)

RIP Empson-writer at TechCrunch. He did not find friends here, he is here to win and you don't forget it. You can contact him at rip [at] techcrunch [dot] com ? more

Where do you get your news (TechCrunch, of course)? Some of you may be familiar to the tactile experience of newsprint, ink on my fingers, but chances are that your news consumption is largely online — or on a mobile device. But thanks to content fire hose, which is the Internet, there are a lot of irrelevant junk floating around out there, and thus focus digital readers and content distributors has improved filters, aggregators and readers of this channel noise in the signal.

Whether your go to resource for real-time news will be Twitter, Facebook, RSS feeds, or TechMemes the world we all are looking for simple, curator, and social, way to use content from the sites we believe — as we would like to, but not so frequently visit.

XYDO, run, which began in May and raised $ 1.25 from EPIC ventures and many of the angels in June, hopped in the space of social news, user experience, which combines the best parts of sites like Digg, and Hacker News in an effort to serve you with relevant, curator and social news from top content houses.

XYDO met with early success (over 750000 unique visitors in August only) from this very idea: he wanted to be news, which effectively prioritizes content that really matters to you. Firstly, it does so through its Web platform. But what if we don't want to click over XYDO.com each time we want to get the latest news?

To expand its mission news personalization and try to hit the user with a virtual version of rolled up newspaper directly at home, launching today announces the launch of XYDO brief, which seeks to deliver a personalized and relevant news based on the user's social interactions, networks, and traces all email, place they may constitute at least once a day.

News by email? And this is nothing new, you might say. And you'd be wrong. But XYDO hopes to offer a value proposition and an opportunity to rethink that position, combing your social network to ensure a truly just and real-time Web method to get the news through the Inbox. A brief XYDO uses the same social, sourcing mixed with actual human curation techniques that it uses its flagship product.

Each piece of content that enters the system (from more than 100000 content sources) is scored based on the recommendations of its launch 2 million + contributors and curators. Using the secret sauce of social network aggregation and prioritization, mixed with crowdsourced Conservancy, XYDO serves its users in between personalized News 10-12 in each email is passed these guidelines have been tested to ensure social news you get in your Inbox you want to see news.

The default value for the XYDO a brief — one message per day, but users can navigate to and select the different categories of explosions (whether "technology" or "policy"), they would get, as well as how many of these notes they wish to receive, and what time of day. For those who live on the wire this seems very similar; This e-mail version widely available.

Thus, for those of us who in one way or another to spend all day in our mailboxes, being able to tinker with a simple service, which you configure in an attempt to provide a simple way to read news without having to go look for our social networks and favorite content sources — is of paramount importance.

Also note: XYDO provides readers with TechCrunch with 500 exclusive (and free) should check their new product. To test the service for yourself, click here. Then come on back and let us know what you think.

View the original article here

Microsoft patenting multi-touch Screen, multi-touch gestures

Jordan Crook studied English literature at the University of New York before entering the tech space. Prior to joining TechCrunch Crook dabbled in mobile marketing and mobile apps, as well as doing reviews of devices for MobileMarketer and MobileBurn. Kruk, fascinated with the production of alternative sources of energy and greentech. It is currently for CrunchGear writer. ? Read More

(Update: the patent is not granted, only recently released.)

Back in February 2010, Microsoft, applies to the number of patents related to touch screen gestures on the tablet. Many of them relate to the dual screen device, conjuring up images of slate courier times greatly anticipated. Other mainly framed gestures. These patents went public today, though they do not actually have been provided yet.

With the IP wars rage around the world, it's definitely worth taking a look at the technology that Microsoft is trying to claim. So off we go:

Off-screen gestures to create on-screen input:

This is pretty interesting. It basically brings the bezel into the equation, as gestures go. A patent provides the single touch gestures, multi-finger hand gestures and multi-finger gestures by various parties, all of which can run along the border, the transition from from the inside or the outside inside. Now all Microsoft needs for multi-toe various foot gestures and frame belongs to them. There is also mention of frame gestures, stirring up a drop-down menu.

We have already seen something similar to this on a BlackBerry PlayBook. The device wake-up Pavement you slide your finger up the screen bezel. -Mul'tizadacnost' requires the same gesture, but the party slate in the screen.

Radial menu frame gestures:

So, we have another patent related to the frame, this time dealing with a radial menu. It basically describes how access, navigation and use of a radial menu on the screen by using frame gestures. We haven't seen a lot of pie radial menu, with the exception of Microsoft Surface and a little taste of one in honeycombs in the browser. Honeycomb pie menu works by placing half of a finger on the screen, half on the front panel while the screen is only part of the device to receive input.

Multi-finger gestures:

However, another frame of the patent. But the last of the bunch, I promise. This really is very similar to the first there, but covers exactly what the name suggests: multi-finger gestures. It also covers the use of multi-finger gestures associated with one or more drawers exposable (and perhaps custom). It also disseminates gestures for use on a device with multiple screens.

And with this we can head on over to another package of patents completely focused on the multi-screen gestures.

Multi-screen Double Tap gesture:

This next patent focused mainly on classic double-tap, and how it is used on two-(or multi-) screen of the device. From what I understand, it looks like it handles double-tap as a way to transition to full-screen mode and Microsoft is calling "pocketing" knocked object. That's when the device uses a combination of cross display screen. However, if the device is in split-screen mode, double-tap displays knocked the image in full screen on one display and compressed, on the other.

Multi-Screen pinch and expand gestures:

Another classic touch gesture, but with the added awesomeness multi-screen system: pinch zoom. Unlike the double-tap a patent, it doesn't seem to be any mention of funky pinch zoom split screen commands. There's nothing really super new about it, except for the introduction of multiple screens.

Multi-screen bookmarks hold gesture

This is very interesting. This particular patent describes a way to bookmark certain "magazine" page on the device through a corner of the page history on the first screen, and perform a rolling motion on the second screen to confirm that the bookmark. We assume that the use of the term "inner page" refers to all content types. Then choose the link tab on the first screen and be identified by a log portion of the page, showing how the bookmark icon.

Multi-screen retention and page flip gesture:

Retention and page flip patent has to do with split screen viewing. By holding one finger on the screen whose content you would like to continue to view and run any movement of unspecified "input" on another screen content above the fold "will," while the content on another screen will change, or "flip".

Multi-screen retain and Tap gesture:

And last, but definitely not least we have the hold and use the patent. This one is the relationship between the two screens. In one case, a display object on the first screen and conversations will move second said object from the first screen on the second screen, right where you are. As another example, retention and TAP gesture can be used to copy the object held on the second screen. If the display object on the first screen happens to be a function and this function and the second screen will apply this function displays an object on the second screen.

Who knows when, if ever, these patents will be crowned with success? But Microsoft is trying to control technology, other designers tablet should take note of these patents. Especially if the multi-screen device in the works (read Sony).

[via Microsoft news]

Microsoft, founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, is a veteran software company, best known for its Microsoft Windows operating system and Microsoft Office suite of ...

Read More

View the original article here

Local business reviews site Angie's list of the files for an IPO of $ 75 million

Leena Rao is currently working as a writer for TechCrunch. She recently finished graduate school Medill School of journalism at Northwestern University, where she studied business journalism and videography. From 2004 to 2007 she helped lead Congresswoman Carloyn Maloney advocacy and community relations in New York. She graduated from Columbia University in 2003, where it was ... ? Read More

After Jive IPO filing, $ 100 million yesterday, local business reviews site Angie's list is throwing its hat into the ring, S-1 this afternoon. Volia raises $ 75 million, according to the filing.

As we wrote in the past, Angie's list offers consumers the ability to analyse and evaluate physicians, contractors and service companies on the Internet. The company started in 1995, with an emphasis on House, yard and car services in the field, is located at the intersection of local search, user generated content and subscription based services. Today, Angie's list has created nearly 100 million dollars from battery ventures, t. Rowe Price, city investment group, Cardinal enterprises and others.

June 30, 2011, the company offered its service for paying members of 170 local markets in the United States. Angie's list has grown to 820000 paid membership, whose growth was primarily due to its national advertising strategy. However, shelling out big bucks for the maketing advertising, marketing expenses for the acquisition of new members in 2010, and, accordingly, 30.2 million and $29,2 million in the first six months of the year 2011.

In 2010, and six months ended June 30, 2011 year, Angie list income amounted to $ 59.0 to $38,6 million, respectively. In the same period, the company had a net loss of $27,2 million and $25,8 million, respectively.

The company alleges that since 1995, the site gathers feedback from 2.2 million of local services suppliers from members.

View the original article here

Taboola raises $ 9 million power recommendations of online video

Jason Kincaid is currently working as a writer at TechCrunch. He grew up in Danville, California and later moved to Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, where he studied biology with a minor in "society and genetics". You can contact him at jkincaidtc@gmail.com (it has other addresses too, so don't worry if you have another). ? Read More

Taboola, a service that supports many video recommendation widgets, you will find on the Internet, has raised, 9 million series b round of financing. Round led by Crescent point, which is based in New York and Asia, as well as Evergreen VC, who participated in previous rounds.

This round brings total financing of Taboola to 15 million dollars (she had previously raised $ 4.5 million round in November 2008, and 1.5 million round in November 2007).

Taboola gives publishers a turnkey product for consideration and for recommendation of any video platform, they use (integrated with Brightcove, Ooyala & other services). It is actually easier said than done — surfacing related videos is hard enough and then there's the question of assessing whether they people really want to watch the video. Taboola is in and he landed a lot of notable clients, including the New York Times, USA Today, CNN and Bloomberg.

Service makes extensive analytics on the performance of each video, creating the scores for each called ' EngageRank ' (he is also trying to adapt the recommendations for each user).  And this often leads to more clicks, the company said the disks as in 2.5 times more video, watch at Bloomberg.

In addition to financing, the company announced a new milestone: now generates recommendations 250 million per day throughout its publisher partner sites.

Taboola's mission is to organize collections in the world of online video and convert video discovery experience in a simple and pleasant. Taboola is a supplier in the world ...

Read More

View the original article here

Photographer spends hundreds of thousands to create an 8 × 10 digital sensor

Devin Coldewey is a Seattle-based writer and photographer. He wrote for the TechCrunch network since 2007. Some posts, it would like you to read: the perils of externalization of knowledge | Generation I | Surveillant society | Select two | Frame war | Custom manifest | Our great sin his personal ????-coldewey.cc. ? Read More

Mitchell Feinberg – a photographer who specializes in beautiful shooting very expensive things. Cars, luxury watches, that sort of thing. He shoots at 8 x 10 film that expensive enough that you'll usually need to get it right the first time. Therefore, he shoots test shots at the moment 8 x 10 Polaroid film, make sure the exposure and focus right. At $ 15 a pop, 7 or 8 shots in test photo and dwindling supplies of Polaroid film itself (although it is impossible to draft seeks to tinker with it), it became apparent Feinberg that he could not continue to do things this way.

In such a way that he did? No, he doesn't buy worksheet or Hasselblad. He decided that he would Commission the world's large color digital back. After some haggling and the assurance that Yes it was serious, the prototype was together in 2010 and its production unit delivered in early 2011.

He calls his Maxback. This is totally 8 × 10; to compare the best digital back, Hasselblad and CFV-50, 36.7 x 49.1 mm. Feinberg said that the largest available backs about 4.5 x6cm. Here is a comparison to show you how it corresponds with the Maxback:

Yes, quite a difference. Interesting bit is that the Maxback not intended for the production of many pixels. In fact this entire huge sensor only produces 16-bit, 10-megapixel images. This 10-megapixel image quality, of course, because of the quality of the lens and pixel size, but still not large enough for high-precision printing posters, magazines and so on.

It takes a few shots with a digital back (which he equipped with his large-format installation exactly), then just switch it out for the film 8 × 10, when he is satisfied.

The cost was ... and I explain: "Feinberg, development and production of two backs (I like to have spare) was equal to the cost of a good size House – pre-accident housing". We therefore speak of half a million dollars is likely.

The point is that he spent $ 50,000 on Polaroids every year. He hoped that it will pay for itself and now, design and testing is done, the costs to manufacture more must be "in the low six figures." so it can be accelerated to break even by selling a couple of other large format photographers with money to throw around.

I wonder if expensive, solution to this problem and the result is impressive to say the least. If you have a minute, check out some of the shots Feinberg — can recognize multiple, but there are some beauties in there I have not seen, especially in Esquire wristwatches.

I love that word too.

[via PetaPixel]

View the original article here