Smartphones

CBS has launched the CBS Local Ad Network for owned-and-operated television stations. The network will offer local web sites and bloggers widgets that provide local news, video and advertising. O&O’s will sell all advertising and give widget publishers a cut of the proceeds. Jeff Jarvis reports that stations will sell the ads at around $10 Continue Reading →

APPLE unveiled an impressive suite of iPhone developer tools and demoed iPhone applications created by major software companies. EA showed the game Spore running on an iPhone, displaying impressive graphics. Salesforce.com, Sega and AOL also showed off new iPhone applications. Starting in June, iPhone apps will be sold through iTunes as well as through a Continue Reading →

APPLE will host its iPhone special event this morning at the company’s Town Hall. Steve Jobs is expected to reveal plans for allowing third-party applications to be installed on the iPhone. Apple’s invitations for the event also promised “some exciting new enterprise features.” MICROSOFT has decided to use the video player of MOVE NETWORKS in Continue Reading →

QUARTERLIFE debuted on NBC with a 1.6 rating and a 4 share in the 18-49 demographic, pulling in only 3.86 million viewers. It finished well behind ABC and CBS for the hour and viewers trailed off in the second half of the show. Creator Marshall Herskovitz said the show “bombed” and that it “shouldn’t have Continue Reading →

SHELLY PALMER discusses the impact of newsclipper.org, a site that repackages video feeds from major content owners while stripping out the advertising. Read his analysis to learn more about this RSS-fueled challenge to the monetization of online content. THE OSCARS were dominated by “No Country for Old Men,” which received awards for best supporting actor, Continue Reading →

TOSHIBA has officially announced that it will stop producing and marketing HD DVD players. Shipments to retailers will cease by the end of March. The company said it “simply had no chance to win,” and that continuing the format would harm consumers. APPLE has signed a multifaceted deal with American Idol, making iTunes the exclusive Continue Reading →

NIELSEN has released the results of a major study of online viewing habits. The study found that women are twice as likely as men to tune into network television on the web. Men 18-34 are twice as likely as women to watch user-generated content on YouTube and other video-sharing sites. The study found that 73% Continue Reading →

MICROSOFT responded to YAHOO‘s rejection of its takeover bid with a statement calling its offer “full and fair” and promising to pursue any steps necessary to close the deal at the original offer price. In related news, Microsoft will acquire DANGER INC., the company behind the popular Sidekick mobile phone. The terms of the deal Continue Reading →

“I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.” — Obi-wan Kenobi (Long, Long Ago, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away) Many people believe that Obi-wan was referring to the destruction of Princess Leah’s home planet Continue Reading →

iTunes Rentals Apple announced iTunes movie rentals with support from all the major studios. DVD-quality rentals will cost $2.99 for library titles and $3.99 for new releases. The service launches today and expects to have 1,000 titles available by the end of February. Apple TV has been updated to include support for direct rentals — Continue Reading →