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  • NetChoice Voices Opposition To Online Retail Tax

    Representative Paul Hodes (D-NH) introduced today a bipartisan resolution to protect online out-of-state sellers from having to collect taxes in states where they have no physical presence.

    The resolution (H.R. 1570) "Supporting the Preservation of Internet Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses," says that Congress should not impose unfair tax collection burdens that would hurt the U.S. economy and consumers.

    Steve-DelBianco The resolution is a response to legislation introduced in July 2010 by Representative Bill Delahunt (D, Mass.) which would force all U.S. online retailers across the nation to become tax collectors for states that have joined the Streamlined Sales Tax Project (SSTP).

    "Don’t believe it when tax collectors say their software makes it trivial for tiny sellers to collect everyone’s sales tax," said Steve DelBianco, executive director of NetChoice.

    "Small sellers will spend thousands of dollars making changes to their website software, plus endless time and accounting fees to handle exceptions, customer questions, and state tax audits."

    Under the 1992 U.S. Supreme Court Quill v. North Dakota decision, the court found that the 45 state and 7,600 local sales tax systems across the country were too complicated for a retailer realistically to know how much tax to collect and remit.

    Currently online retailers are only required to collect sales tax from out-of-state customers if they have a physical presence, such as a brick-and-mortar store.

    "Representative Hodes and his colleagues are to be commended for standing against a national tax system that would saddle small retailers with new collection and compliance burdens," said DelBianco.

    "We all support a simpler tax system, but the streamlined sales tax project has become the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing." 
     

  • Google to Use Games in Battle with Facebook?

    Google has been expected to get into gaming for sometime, but now it looks like the wheels are really in motion. The Wall Street Journal reports that Google is in talks with Playdom, EA’s Playfish, and Zynga.

    Google was recently reported to have invested a significant amount of money into Zynga, and CEO Eric Schmidt told the WSJ to expect a partnership with the game company. Yesterday, Disney announced that it has agreed to acquire Playdom.

    Any efforts in gaming that Google is making are expected to be part of the broader social networking service the company is rumored to be working on (often referred to as "Google Me"). Google Me is supposed to be Google’s answer to Facebook, though Schmidt told the WSJ, "the world doesn’t need a copy of the same thing." Interestingly, Schmidt also said, "Facebook users use more Google products than any other users."

    Gaming isn’t the only factor in Facebook’s success, but it is certainly a factor. Hitwise recently pointed out the status of the "games" category when it comes to downstream traffic from Google:

    Hitwise List
      ImageCredit: Hitwise

    It makes perfect sense that Google would go after gaming. Integration with Google’s "social network" would have implications for a number of other Google products. For example, as the WSJ suggests, Google Checkout could be heavily involved (in terms of virtual goods payments). Obviously Google has numerous advertising options that could come into play. Google accounts in general could get a boost (YouTube users will also be required to have one). Google profiles, which have become more heavily featured in search results.

    On a related note, Bing has also introduced some new games.

  • Disney Acquires Social Gaming Company Playdom

    Disney Acquires Social Gaming Company Playdom

    Last week, rumors surfaced that Disney was in late stage acquisition talks with social game company Playdom. Today, Disney has announced that it has indeed agreed to acquire it.

    Playdom shareholders will receive total consideration of $563.2 million, subject to certain conditions, and a performance-linked earn-out of up to $200 million.

    "We see strong growth potential in bringing together Playdom’s talented team and capabilities with our great creative properties, people and world-renowned brands like Disney, ABC, ESPN and Marvel.” said Robert A. Iger, President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company.

    Playdom

    "This acquisition furthers our strategy of allocating capital to high-growth businesses that can benefit from our many characters, stories and brands, delivering them in a creatively compelling way to a new generation of fans on the platforms they prefer," Iger added.

    "We are at the start of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the way people of all ages play games with their friends across devices, platforms and geographical boundaries," said Playdom CEO John Pleasants. “Disney is an incredibly forward-thinking company that shares our vision and is the ideal partner to further our mission to bring great entertainment to people around the world."

    Disney says the acquisition will help strength its digital gaming portfolio, acquire a "fist-rate" management team, and provide consumers with new ways to interact with the company on social networks like Facebook and MySpace.

  • Report: State Dept. Official May Go To Work For Google

    A State Department official who’s made something of a splash due to his use of Twitter might soon begin collecting paychecks from Google, according to a new report.  Jared Cohen would supposedly assume a "strategic policy role" at the company.

    Cohen has an interesting track record.  He’s received degrees from Stanford and Oxford, authored several books, and according to his State Department bio, focuses on counter-terrorism, the Middle East, and youth issues, among other things.

    Cohen is also the person responsible for asking Twitter to delay its maintenance when Iranian protesters were using the service.  And for better or worse, the New York Times reported that he’s one of two officials who "raised hackles on Capitol Hill" and "embarrassed the State Department" with informal tweets during a trip to Syria.

    (Their biggest misstep was probably mentioning that Cohen challenged the Minister of Telecom to a cake-eating contest, if you’re curious.)

    Anyway, back to the Google-related rumor.  Kara Swisher spoke to "sources close to the situation" and reported afterward, "Cohen has been in discussions with Google in recent months about going there, those sources said, although it is not a done deal."

    Cohen would no doubt be a considerable asset to Google.  The company will just have to consider whether hiring him (assuming he’s agreeable to the move) might cause it to receive even more attention from antitrust regulators.

  • Internet Gambling Bill To Get Mark-Up Tuesday

    The Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act (H.R. 2267) which was debated at a Congressional hearing this week is set to be amended or marked up by the House Financial Services Committee next Tuesday.

    Michael-Waxman-Internet-Gam.jpg Michael Waxman, spokesperson for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative tells WebProNews "Chairman Frank is clearly intent on moving forward his legislation to regulate online gambling activity."

    "This mark up demonstrates that Congress is serious about moving Chairman Frank’s bill forward and establishing a strict regulatory framework for Internet gambling activity," said Waxman. 

    "The passage of this legislation would be a win-win as it will protect consumers, create an estimated 32,000 new jobs over five years and provide federal and state governments with as much as $72 billion in new revenues over ten years."  

    The legislation, introduced by Chairman Frank in May 2009, would establish a framework to permit licensed gambling operators to accept wagers from individuals in the U.S.  In addition to mandating an array of consumer protections, the legislation reinforces the rights of each state to determine whether or not to allow Internet gambling activity for people accessing the Internet within the state and to apply other restrictions on the activity as determined necessary. 

    Since its introduction, a bi-partisan group of 69 co-sponsors has signed onto the legislation. A recent analysis by H2 Gambling capital predicts that Internet gambling regulation would create as many as 32,000 jobs over its first five years. 

    "During this difficult economy, the revenue and job creation potential that regulated Internet gambling provides will go a long way to help states and families alike balance their budgets," said Waxman.

     

     

  • AOL Launches Advertising Hub For Politics

    AOL Launches Advertising Hub For Politics

    AOL has launched AOL Advertising Politics hub aimed at campaigns, advocacy groups and companies looking to target audiences online.

    Online display advertising has become a key factor for political campaigns. With the Supreme Court ruling earlier this year lifting the restrictions on political ad spending from corporations, companies can now join campaign and issue advocacy groups in influencing voters online. AOL hopes to capitalize on the upcoming November elections.

    The Politics hub will help political marketers figure out how to structure their online campaign from using display advertising to help fundraise, build name recognition, organize operations, persuade voters, respond in real time to negative coverage, get the vote out, or educate voters about issues related to the race.

    AOL-Politics

    "AOL has positioned itself to be the go-to resource for political marketers needing to reach their constituencies through our ability to reach target audiences at scale with our comprehensive set of innovative, highly-targeted products," said Jeff Levick, President, AOL Global Advertising and Strategy.

    "Our Politics hub lets campaigns and issue advocacy groups take their messages directly to voters and key influencers in a proactive way through display advertising, and we make the on-boarding process something that is simple, easy and intuitive."

    The AOL Advertising Politics hub includes:

    *Ad Desk for Politics- A "how-to" guide for political targeting via AOL’s display advertising platform.

    *Display University- A microsite to help marketers build their first campaigns and improve existing ones.
     

     

  • Lawmakers Hold Hearing On Internet Gambling

    The House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing Wednesday to discuss regulating Internet gambling in the U.S. and establish safeguards for licensed operators to put in place to protect against underage and problem gambling.

    "With the recent passage of financial reform legislation, it’s great to see the Financial Services Committee now with the opportunity to focus its attention on other issues such as Internet gambling regulation", said Michael Waxman, spokesperson for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative.

    Committee members heard testimony from representatives of the financial services, tribal and poker communities who spoke in support of regulating Internet gambling. 

    Annie-Duke Ed Williams, member of the Board of Directors of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) spoke of the challenges faced by financial services companies who are forced to comply with burdensome rules in an attempt to prevent unlawful Internet gambling transactions. 

    Williams testified that the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act would promote "regulatory simplicity while assisting financial institutions compliance with UIGEA."

    Professional poker player Annie Duke testified about the consumer safeguards and revenue potential under the legislation. 

    Duke said American poker players "want to play on sites licensed in the United States, which will provide for even greater consumer protections for the player and yield badly-needed tax revenue for state and federal governments."

    According to a tax revenue analysis conducted by the Joint Committee on Taxation, regulated Internet gambling is expected to generate nearly $42 billion in revenue for the federal government over its first 10 years. Estimates suggest that it would also generate as much as $30 billion in new revenues to the states and would create up to 32,000 jobs over its first five years.
     

  • MTV Gets Into Social Gaming

    MTV Gets Into Social Gaming

    MTV Networks said today it has purchased Social Express, a social gaming development company.

    The move by MTV marks its first entry in the social gaming space, the company said it will develop social games based on original IP (intellectual property) as well as shows and characters from Nickelodeon and its other brands, with the first game to launch in the third quarter.  MTV will also use Social Express to launch a publishing platform for independent game developers.

    Judy-McGrath-MTV-Networks "Social gaming is one of the biggest drivers of the explosive growth in social media – it’s fun, it’s engaging, and it’s shareable," said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks. 

    "Social Express brings us strong experience and know-how in this burgeoning space, which we’ll supercharge with the IP and scale of Nickelodeon and other MTV Networks brands to create great new social gaming experiences for our fans and cool tools for independent developers as well."

    Social Express will be integrated into Nickelodeon Digital, with Social Express co-founder and CEO Tony Espinoza overseeing social gaming strategy and development as Vice President and General Manager of Social Gaming for MTV Networks’ Nickelodeon Kids & Family Group.  Neil Souza, co-founder of Social Express and FoulPlay Media, will be Vice President of Technology, Social Games. Both will report to Dave Williams, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Games, Nickelodeon Kids & Family Group.

    In May, MTV Networks game sites attracted more than 22 million unique visitors and ranked as the most popular destination in the online game category, according to comScore.
     

  • NASA Launches Free Online Moon Game

    NASA Launches Free Online Moon Game

    NASA has released a new free online video game called Moonbase Alpha.

    Moonbase Alpha has single and multiplayer options that allow users to play the role of an exploration team member in a futuristic 3-D lunar settlement.  Players must work to repair systems and oxygen flow after a meteor strike damages a solar array and life support equipment.  Resoruces include an interactive command center, a lunar rover, mobile robotic repair units and an equipment shed.

     

     

    It is the first game in NASA’s Learning Technologies project. The project supports the delivery of NASA content through interactive technologies such as virtual worlds, games and software applications to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education.

    Moonbase Alpha is a precursor to a planned NASA-based massively, multiplayer online game project. The project is being designed to have content and missions that require players to gain and demonstrate STEM knowledge to succeed.

    NASA released the game on Valve’s Steam network. The agency will use the Steamworks suite of services for server browsing, leaderboards, and statistics.
     

     

  • Facebook Hires White House Economics Expert

    A round of applause for Facebook’s HR department, please.  Today, the company announced that it’s managed to hire Marne Levine, who last held the title(s) "Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Chief of Staff of the National Economic Council at the White House."

    Levine, who should remain based in Washington, will now "oversee the company’s interaction with governments and non-governmental organizations around the globe as the company reaches 500 million users worldwide," according to Cecilia Kang. 

    That’s bound to be a big job.  Dealing with U.S. regulators alone has proven tricky for Facebook at times; handling dozens different approaches to privacy (and propriety) won’t be simple.

    Still, Levine seems to be a good choice for the position.  Before joining the current president’s administration, she was Director of Product Management at Revolution Money.  Prior to that, she was Director of Business Development and Strategy at Cibernet.

    Then, to go back even further, Levine once served as Chief of Staff for the president of Harvard, and used to work for the Department of Treasury, too.  Which makes for a rather colorful – yet impressive – resume.

    It should be interesting to see what Levine can accomplish in her new role.

  • Google, Twitter Document Political History In Australia

    This week, Australia got its first female prime minister (Julia Gillard replaced Kevin Rudd following a surprise challenge for the leadership of the Labor Party), and throughout all of the excitement, it seems that Google and perhaps Twitter provided two significant ways for people to keep up with events.

    The Official Google Australia Blog might be expected to just focus on the search giant’s role in a given situation.  Instead, Lucinda Barlow, Head of Communications and Public Affairs at Google Australia, gave credit to a couple sources of information and singled out Twitter in a post.

    "We’ve been flocking in our millions to online media reports," she stated, "watching press conferences streamed live online, tweeting ferociously (replay the tweet history) – and searching for everything we can find out about this long and remarkable day in Australian politics."

    Then, with respect to search, Barlow later specified, "Of the top 100 fastest rising terms in Australia as of 2pm, 90 of them were related to the political situation or to news sites covering the remarkable events."

    And below, you can see some examples Google picked out of the long list.

    So, while there are obviously more important issues at stake, it may well be that many people will associate Google and Twitter with this historic affair in Australia.

  • Rude Behavior Causing Americans To Tune Out Social Networks

    More than one-third (34%) of Americans are "tuning out" social networking sites, with 39 percent doing so because of rude behavior, according to a new survey by Weber Shandwick and KRC Research.

    "We prefer to communicate through social networks the same way we do in everyday social settings. We tend to congregate around shared interests. We want to know who we’re talking to. And if there is a difference of opinion, we expect respectful dialogue. If not we tune out," said Weber Shandwick’s President of Digital Communications Chris Perry.

    "This reality should be top of mind as companies and institutions increasingly operate in social media. It’s a personal medium. Same rules of shared interest, transparency and respectful discourse apply."

    Nearly half (45%) of Americans have defriended or blocked someone online because of uncivil comments or behavior, while 38 stopped visiting an online site because of its incivility. In addition, 25 percent have dropped out of a fan club or online community because it had become uncivil.

    Tuning-Out-Social-Media

    The survey asked Americans to rate the civility of 18 aspects of daily life. Blogs rated more uncivil than social networking sites and Twitter (51% vs. 43% vs.35% respectively). While half of Americans say blogs are uncivil, a much larger 72 percent view the political world and government as uncivil.

    "Let’s face it. Incivility can be found everywhere today. Blogs, in particular, are mostly open terrain – practically anyone can comment to a post, often anonymously," said Leslie Gaines-Ross, Weber Shandwick’s chief reputation strategist. 

    "On the other hand, social networks, such as Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and Twitter, are usually tighter communities with little anonymity and greater accountability for who is speaking."
     

     

  • Facebook CEO Meets UK’s Prime Minister, Culture Sec.

    UK politicians may soon be making status updates and friending voters like never before.  Mark Zuckerberg met with the UK’s Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport – along with Prime Minister David Cameron – today, and apparently made some recommendations that were well-received.

    To be clear: the bulk of the conversation took place between Facebook’s CEO and Jeremy Hunt (whose job title has at times been shortened to "Minister of Fun"); Cameron just made a quick appearance, according to Marc Chacksfield.

    Also, exactly what was said has been kept under wraps, so it’s impossible to judge if anything will come of the encounter.

    Still, the meeting took place at 10 Downing Street, which is impressive.  It’s not every day that a hoodie-wearing 26-year-old is invited to the official residence of the Prime Minister.

    Hunt had some positive remarks to make in public once things had concluded, too.  On Twitter, he described Zuckerberg as a "[r]eally smart guy with some good ideas on improvement digital engagement in policy making."

    Maybe, just maybe, Zuckerberg will follow in Eric Schmidt’s footsteps and become an official advisor to Britain’s Conservative Party, then.

  • OnLive – A Cloud Gaming Service Launches

    OnLive – A Cloud Gaming Service Launches

    The evolution of gaming has taken interesting turns in its relatively short history. We’ve gone from arcade machines, to home consoles, with the latest breakthrough being downloadable gaming content. OnLive, is a gaming service which looks to be pushing the boundaries yet again; with cloud gaming.

    Will OnLive be a successful venture? tell us

    The OnLive service was announced at the Game Developers Conference last year, and since there has been wide speculation as to how successful they’ll be with their plans. This week, we go from speculation to finally seeing the service in action. Before getting into the details, you might be curious as to how the service works.

    OnLive service

    OnLive works the same way as cloud storage does for accessing files. Games are hosted on a server and players access content through these servers. Let’s say you wanted to play the game: Batman Arkham Asylum. Instead of going to a store to buy the disc, or download it, OnLive will allow you to simply click on a link and have the game loaded instantly. Batman: Arkham Asylum will then pop up on your screen and you’re on your way.

    Game saves will be hosted through these servers as well, so when you’re done playing a game you can pick up right where you left off. All with a simple click.

    Batman Arkham Asylum

    With the synopsis I provided above, you’d think OnLive would be a successful venture. The problem is everything I’ve explained has been simple theory. The question now remains; how will it work in practice?

    Luckily, this week we get to find out as the service has officially launched. You can signup for the ‘Founding Members Program‘ which provides your 1st year free, with a $4.95/month charge for the second year. When they say "free", it means you have access to demos, community features, ‘friending’, chat, and spectating. Actual gameplay will require a separate purchase.

    This separate purchase is called a ‘PlayPass’. Each game will have its own PlayPass, so to play Batman Arkham Asylum you’ll need to purchase its PlayPass. You can purchase a Full Playpass, which provides unlimited access throughout the game’s lifetime on the OnLive service. You can also choose to ‘rent’ the game for three or five days. OnLive has guaranteed games on the service will be supported for at least three years.

    As of now you can connect to OnLive using a PC or Mac. They’re developing a MicroConsole TV Adapter to bring their service to the living room. No release date has been announced as of yet.

    Obviously, OnLive is pushing the boundaries of gaming to places never attempted. The problem being, it might be ahead of its time. Streaming a game through a server to players’ broadband connection is a strain which could cause all sorts of lag. Potentially causing a game to be unplayable.

    Stever Perlman, OnLive Founder & CEO, has voiced the potential of the service, along with the potential problems,

    "Despite the enormous potential of OnLive technology, it is important to emphasize that the OnLive Game Service is a very different way to experience videogames. We are using the Internet and computers in ways that have never been tried before and, like any brand new technology, you can expect a few bumps on take off until we reach cruising altitude and achieve a smooth flight. OnLive has been tested in an enormous variety of locations using a vast number of combinations of computers, ISPs, displays and input devices. Even so, there are endless possible combinations. So while most OnLive testers report good results with their gameplay experience, we still run into situations where the user may have to take some action (e.g. reset a cable modem or use a different mouse), or unique situations that we have not yet accounted for and require further changes to OnLive technology. "

    The success of the service will really boil down to two things; the frequency of lag or other technical problems, and price. They’ve announced the monthly free will be $4.95 a month to simply access OnLive (with the Founding Member Discount, anyway). What they haven’t provided is how much the PlayPasses for the various games will cost. If they set the price points too high, then you’re charging people a monthly fee along with another charge which might be too great for players to handle.

    The evolution of gaming has been started by lofty ideas, and goals much like OnLive is presenting. The potential of the service is too great to ignore, but so are the foreseeable problems along with it. Whatever happens, cloud gaming is certainly something to keep an eye on.

    Will you sign up for OnLive? tell us

  • FCC Seeks Comments On Broadband Regulation

    The Federal Communications Commission today said it is seeking public comment on the best way to support its efforts to ensure universal access to high-speed broadband services while promoting innovation, investment, competition and protecting consumers.

    A recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals derailed prior understandings about the FCC’s ability to ensure fair competition and provide consumers with basic protections when using broadband Internet services.

    Chairman-Genachowski.jpg The FCC said its Notice of Inquiry for public comment begins the process of implementing key recommendations of the National Broadband Plan, including broadband deployment and adoption, ensuring consumers have access to information about their broadband services, customer privacy, access for people with disabilities, as well as preserving the open Internet.

    "Let’s not pretend that the problems with the state of broadband in America don’t exist; let’s not pretend that the risk of excessive regulation is not real, or, at the other extreme, that the absence of basic protections for competition and consumers is acceptable," said FCC Chairman Genachowski.

    "Instead, let’s put rhetoric and posturing aside, and work together to solve the problem created by the court case, so that we can rise together to the major 21st century challenges of achieving U.S. world leadership in broadband and innovation, fostering sustainable economic growth and job creation, and bringing the benefits of broadband to all Americans."

    Comments from the public are due on July 15, 2010, and reply comments are due on August 12, 2010.  The Notice of Inquiry, as well as instructions for parties wishing to provide comments to the FCC, will be available at broadband.gov.

     

  • White House Press Secretary To Take Questions On YouTube

    Everyone who intends to watch President Obama speak about the Gulf oil spill on TV tonight may also want to be near a computer monitor 15 minutes later.  White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has said he’ll answer user-submitted questions on YouTube in front of what has the potential to be a more global audience.

    Individuals with YouTube or Google accounts can submit questions on the White House’s YouTube channel using Google Moderator.  The same tech then makes it possible for people to vote questions up and down, which is important since Gibbs presumably won’t have time to address every issue.

    Gibbs did promise in a short video that you can watch for yourself below, though, "I’m going to take questions directly from you right after the president is done speaking to the nation and addressing the Gulf oil spill at 8 PM Eastern Time."

    This is a decent way for the administration to show it’s trying to take everyone’s views and suggestions into account as we move towards day 60 of the crisis.  The step also represents a strong endorsement of YouTube, even if Press Secretary Gibbs isn’t quite President Obama and the circumstances could be better.

    So far, Google Moderator has tallied 29,576 votes on 1,349 questions, perhaps signaling that lots of regular people approve of YouTube, Google Moderator, and this overall approach, as well.

  • Video Game Play Becoming More Social

    Video Game Play Becoming More Social

    Computer and video game use is widespread with 67 percent of American households playing, according to a new report from the Entertainment Software Association.

    The report found a social aspect of game play with 62 percent of gamers reporting they play with other gamers in person at least one hour a week and 48 percent of parents said they play with their children at least once a week.

    Parents-Video-Games

    "Computer and video games are now available to consumers on every screen from smart phones to computers to flat screen televisions. This enables millions of Americans to enjoy the immersive storytelling, incredible graphics, and compelling plot lines," said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the ESA, the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers.

    "These works of art are a fun and engaging way to bring people together, especially families who are playing video games together now more than ever."

    Other findings of the report include:

    *The average game player is 34 years old and the average game buyer is 40 years old

    *40 percent of game players are female

    *48 percent of games sold are rated "E" for everyone

    *76 percent of parents believe that parental controls available in all new vide game consoles are useful

    The report also found that parents continue to have a high level of involvement in their children’s video game play. Parents who have children under 18 with a gaming console in the home said they are present when games are purchased or rented 93 percent of the time, and children receive their parents’ permission before buying or renting a game 86 percent of the time.
     

     

  • Kinect – The Xbox 360 Enhancement Formerly Known as Project Natal

    Microsoft has unveiled Kinect, a controller-free gaming device for Xbox 360, previously code-named Project Natal.

    "It’s an amazing year just when you look at the things people are expecting," says Marc Whitten, corporate vice president of Xbox LIVE, who thinks 2010 could be the biggest year yet for Xbox. "But we’re excited to also be announcing ways that make it simpler for everyone to enjoy the things we do. People who are intimidated by a controller or game pad will finally get to unlock some of the experiences that are possible in the living room, gaming and non-gaming alike."

    This video shows various things you can do with Kinect:

    "You are the controller," says Mike Delman, corporate vice president of Global Marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business. "You simply step in front of the sensor and Kinect sees you move, hears your voice and recognizes your face."

    "Some people don’t like controllers," Delman said. "And Kinect makes the gaming and entertainment experience more organic and free-flowing, without any of the barriers that can sometimes keep people from participating."

    The E3 Expo starts this week, and much more Xbox/Kinect news is expected to come out of that. More details about Kinect here.

    Do you think the Kinect is a threat to the Nintendo Wii? Will it sell more Xboxes? Share your thoughts.

  • Google Rallies Again Against Chinese Censorship

    If you thought Google and China had achieved some kind of ceasefire agreement after Google pulled its stunt involving Google.hk.com, think again.  David Drummond, Chief Legal Officer at the company, indicated today that Google’s seeking political allies who might joins its fight against censorship.

    GoogleThe Press Association reported this afternoon, "[T]he search engine is asking the US and European governments to press China to lift internet censorship, describing it as an unfair barrier to free trade."

    Drummond, obviously speaking from experience, then laid out Google’s exact argument, saying, "[T]he censorship, of course, is for political purposes but it is also used as a way of keeping multinational companies disadvantaged in the market.  It should be obvious that the Internet sector is very important to the west and so we should be working on seeing that that kind of trade is protected."

    Google received some support from politicians in the weeks following its "new approach to China" announcement, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was particularly vocal about finding out who or what was responsible last year’s attack on the company.  But not much came of all that.

    Drummond didn’t say whether or not he thinks Google will have better luck this time, either.

  • Twitter Advertises For Washington Liaison

    Late last week, Twitter announced that it had 205 employees.  Now, the company is searching for number 206, and he (or she) won’t be your average engineer.  Twitter is instead breaking new ground by seeking a government liaison to represent it in Washington, D.C.

    A job posting explained, "Twitter is looking for an experienced, entreprenurial person to make Twitter better for policymakers, political organizations and government officials and agencies.  You’ll be our first D.C. -based employee and the closest point of contact with a variety of important people and organizations looking to get the most out of Twitter on both strategic and highly tactical levels."

    As for what sort of impact the liaison is supposed to have, the posting continued, "You’ll help set the culture and approach of a fledgling public policy department . . ."  Also, Twitter claimed, "If you are successful, the world will be a better place because policymakers will have closer connections with their constituents and will be sharing more information with them."

    This opening signals some big changes and major goals at Twitter, then.  The company seems poised to expand more aggressively than ever and make a special effort to introduce influential people to its site.  Although the job posting doesn’t inspire total confidence, considering that it has at least three typos ("entrepreneurial" is spelled wrong, there’s an unnecessary space in "D.C.-based," and a section not quoted above leaves the apostrophe out of "policymakers’ use of Twitter").

    A hat tip goes to Leena Rao, in any event, and we’ll see what happens.

  • Google And YouTube Launch New Campaign Toolkits

    Google has introduced a "You Choose 2010 Campaign Toolkit" on YouTube and a new Google Campaign Toolkit, both aimed at helping candidates stay connected to voters.

    The YouTube Blog offers more information on the variety of tools available to candidates and their campaigns.

    "On YouTube, campaigns will have access to features like a Politician channel (which allows campaigns to brand their channel and upload longer videos), Google Moderator, our free analytics tool YouTube Insight, and information about running paid advertising campaigns-using formats like in-stream ads and Promoted Videos-to reach viewers with political ads, just like on TV."

    You-Choose-Toolkit

    "And our Google toolkit demonstrates how Google Apps can keep staff and volunteers connected, how search ads can grow your email list and provides other helpful tools."

    Google said in the 2008 presidential election, 68 percent of registered U.S. voters went online regularly for political information. For the first time, the Internet surpassed newspapers and magazines in terms of reach and influence.