WebProNews

Category: Life

Entertainment articles

  • YouTube Advertises Presence Of New Iran Protest Clips

    Yesterday, Iranian authorities enacted a ban on Gmail, saying they’d introduce a government-sponsored (and presumably government-monitored) email service to replace it.  Now, as YouTube’s seeing an influx of protest videos, Google’s taken a moment to mark the Iranian government’s lack of control.

    YouTube Logo

    To be clear: these videos are not all specifically related to the Gmail development.  Some Iranians are instead using today, which is the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Republic, to protest the presidential election and the subsequent crackdowns on free speech.

    Google just helped to put a spotlight on the clips and the deteriorating situation.  Olivia Ma wrote on the YouTube Blog, "[T]hese extraordinary videos provide an exclusive window into what’s taking place on the ground, as foreign press have been banned from the country.  YouTube remains blocked in Iran, but dissidents are passing videos to friends out of the country and using Internet circumvention technologies to post the footage, according to news reports and correspondence with those on the ground."

    She then added, "We’re tracking the videos on Citizentube . . . .  A playlist can be found here."

    Free speech advocates will no doubt find it reassuring that Google hasn’t tried to make nice with Iran’s government following the Gmail ban.

  • Google’s Schmidt Outlines Ways To Fix America

    If any organization knows how to innovate, it’s Google; this week alone, the company discussed phones that would translate languages in real time, unveiled a Street View snowmobile, and announced its intention to test ultra high-speed broadband networks.  It may make sense, then, that CEO Eric Schmidt has tried to address America’s "innovation deficit."

    Eric SchmidtSchmidt wrote an editorial for The Washington Post, and in it, outlined five ways to address said deficit.  (Schmidt also noted that Commerce Secretary Gary Locke coined the term.)  All of his suggestions were rather interesting.

    First, Schmidt stated, "[S]tart-ups and smaller businesses must be able to compete on equal terms with their larger rivals. . . .  Congress should ensure that every bill it passes promotes competition over protecting the interests of incumbents."

    He then recommended tolerating failure as long as something can be learned from it, and on a related note, extending a research and development tax credit.

    Next, the CEO wrote, "[I]nformation must become even more open and accessible."  Schmidt put forward the idea of government-funded research being made public through a Wikipedia-like resource, and asked the government support broadband, too.

    Lastly, he stressed, "[W]e need to hang on to talented people.  The best and brightest from around the world come to study at U.S. universities.  After graduation, they are forced to leave because they can’t get visas.  It’s ridiculous to export such talent to our competition."

    At least a couple of these ideas are sure to prove controversial.  Yet due to Google’s growing influence in Washington – along with its success in so many areas – Schmidt’s recommendations are almost guaranteed to reach the ears of some important people.

    Related Articles:

    > Google Sets Target For Real-Time Translator Phones

    > Google Takes Street View To Vancouver And Whistler

    > Google Runs First Super Bowl Commercial

  • Online Gaming Revenue To Hit $5 Billion

    Online Gaming Revenue To Hit $5 Billion

    Americans who play online games like "World of Warcraft" and "EverQuest" generated $2.8 billion in subscription revenue in 2009, and are on track to pay an annual $5 billion in game subscriptions by 2015, according to a new report by market research firm Pike & Fischer.

    The number of online gaming paid subscribers, which totaled 19.4 million at the end of last year, will more than double to 44.5 million by the end of 2014. The increase in usage will be driven by the rise in digital distribution of online games as opposed to retail boxed sales, along with an increase in broadband adoption.
    Tim-Deal
    "Established franchises such as ‘World of Warcraft,’ ‘EverQuest,’ and ‘Dungeons and Dragons Online’ continue to create new game content in order to retain existing subscribers, while introducing new generations of gamers to their platforms," said Tim Deal, Pike & Fischer senior analyst. "The amount of online play is escalating rapidly."

    While the number of online game subscribers will increase, average monthly online game subscription fees will drop from $12 in 2009 to about $9.50 in 2014. This decrease will be fueled by increased competition, increased subscription volume and better cost efficiencies.

    P&F says the increasing complexity of online gaming environments will heighten demand on broadband networks, giving Internet service providers an opportunity to boost revenues by adding higher-speed tiers for intense gamers.

    Related Articles:

    >US Video Game Revenue Down 31%

    >Digital Music Sales Closing In On CDs

    >42% Of Americans Play Games Online

     

  • Facebook Relays Politicians’ Views On Privacy

    Politicians are perhaps not the best people to talk to about privacy; they intentionally thrust themselves into the spotlight, and can be responsible for annoying commercials and phone calls that bother the rest of us at home.  Still, Facebook arguably accomplished something today by discussing privacy with six politicians and the CEO and of the Family Online Safety Institute.

    In recognition of Data Privacy Day, Facebook posted quotes from the Chairman of the French Data Protection Commission, the Australian Privacy Commissioner, the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Ontario, and three U.S. representatives (along with the aforementioned CEO).  This demonstrates that Facebook’s at least thinking about privacy.

    It also indicates that Facebook is on fairly decent terms with all of these individuals.  Most of the quotes were meaningless and/or self-promotional, and we won’t bore you by repeating even half of them.  But the fact that the politicians supplied them is interesting; you probably wouldn’t find these folks dealing with a company they disliked or considered too controversial.

    So a couple of takeaway points might be that Facebook has your best interests at heart and possesses friends in high places. 

    As for privacy-related advice, we’ll just relay the words of Stephen Balkam, the Family Online Safety Institute’s CEO.  He wrote that too few people "read privacy policies and set privacy settings.  Data Privacy Day is a good time to think about what information you are revealing about yourself on the web and take the time to talk to kids about the content you are posting and where you are posting it."

    Related Articles:

    > Privacy Search Engine Offers Anonymous Web Browsing

    > Canada’s Privacy Commissioner Probes Facebook Again

    > Google Celebrates Data Privacy Day

  • Majority Of Children Familiar With Video Game Ratings

    The majority (82%) of parents and children (75%) who play video games are familiar with the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings system, according to a new survey by The Harrison Group conducted on behalf of Activision.

    Additionally, 63% of parents with children who play games consider themselves gamers with the number increasing to 83% for parents ages 35 and younger, and 70% of parents pay close attention to the ratings when purchasing a game for themselves or their families.

    "Parents rely on and value the ESRB ratings in helping them decide which games to allow their children to play," said Mike Griffith, President and CEO of Activision Publishing.

    "Our ‘Ratings Are Not A Game’ education initiative underscores our commitment to helping parents better understand and utilize the ratings system as they select age appropriate games and determine the best way for the entire family to enjoy the gaming experience."

    Other key survey findings include:

    • Gamers devote 32% of their leisure time to entertainment with video games accounting for the largest share – approximately 19%.
    • 76% of parents agree that video games are a part of their family’s life, and are something they’re very comfortable with.
    • Among parent gamers, 52% of their video gaming playing time is spent with their children.
    • Approximately 62% of parents conduct research before purchasing a video game that their child wants.

     

  • U.S. Video Game Sales Reach $19 Billion In

    U.S. Video Game Sales Reach $19 Billion In

    U.S. sales of video games, which includes portable and console hardware, software and accessories, generated revenues of close to $19.6 billion, an 8 percent decrease over the $21.4 billion generated in 2008, according to The NPD Group.

    Retail sales in the PC game software industry also saw declines, with revenues down 23 percent, reaching $538 million in 2009. The total console, portable and PC game software industry hit $10.5 billion, an 11 percent decrease compared to the $11.7 billion generated in 2008.

    "December sales broke all industry records and underscores the incredible value consumers find in computer and video games even in a down economy," said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, the trade group which represents U.S. computer and video game publishers.

    "This is a very strong way to transition into 2010. I anticipate these solid sales numbers to continue upward through 2010 with a pipeline full of highly-anticipated titles."

    Top-Consoles

    Portable hardware was a bright spot with a 6 percent increase in revenue in 2009, while the remaining video game categories all saw declines, with the largest decrease coming from console hardware (-13%). Consoles software and portable software both saw declines of 10 percent, while video game accessories saw a 1 percent dip.

    "When we started the last decade, video game industry sales, including PC games, totaled $7.98B in 2000," said Anita Frazier, industry analyst, The NPD Group.

    "In ten years, the industry has changed dramatically in many ways, but most importantly it was grown over those years by more than 250 percent at retail alone.  Considering there are many new sources of revenue including subscriptions and digital distribution, industry growth is even more impressive."

     

    Related Articles:

    >US Video Game Revenue Down 31%

    >Digital Music Sales Closing In On CDs

    >42% Of Americans Play Games Online

     

  • White House Sides With Google In China Standoff

    Due to a new development, you may be able to either thank Google for getting China to censor less information, or blame the company for starting World War III.  The reason: the White House has sided with Google in the free speech and hacking conflict that cropped up this week.

    According to John Letzing, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said today, "We support [Google’s] action . . . to no longer censor searches that happen using the [Google] platform . . . .  [O]ur concern is with actions that threaten the universal rights of a free Internet."

    That’s a rather bold statement.  The first part might imply that companies still doing business on China’s terms do not have the White House’s approval, and from there, it’s a slippery slope to cries of "un-American!" and other unpleasant accusations.  The part about threats to universal rights then almost brings to mind the idea of some sort of intervention.

    Of course, governments have been known to declare much more dramatic things and do precisely nothing afterward, so don’t take this as WebProNews’s call to prepare for an armed international showdown.

    It’s just very interesting that the U.S. government would weigh in on a company’s business decision at all, and then that it would do so in such a forceful manner.

    Related Articles:

    > Researchers Clarify What Is Known About Chinese Google Attacks

    > China Responds To Google Situation

    > Baidu’s Stock Soars Following China News

  • Google Hires Communications Chief From McCain Campaign

    Someone with a very interesting political background will soon be in charge of Google’s corporate communications.  The company’s hired Jill Hazelbaker, who’s worked with both John McCain and Michael Bloomberg in the past, to replace Matt Furman.

    Google LogoA quick note about Furman’s departure: according to Jessica E. Vascellaro, he’s leaving on his own terms be closer to his family, and has already lined up another job.  So you didn’t miss some major PR fiasco, and this development shouldn’t correspond to any big changes in policy at Google.

    Hazelbaker may bring a unique perspective to the table as the search giant has to deal with the government more and more, though.  Her experience in politics is impressive, considering that she was the communications director for John McCain’s presidential campaign.

    More recently, she’s served as a spokesperson and media strategist for Michael Bloomberg’s mayoral reelection campaign, too.

    Of course, these connections imply that Hazelbaker is a Republican, and it’s no secret that Google leans to the left.  It’d be interesting to know whether the search giant is trying to diversify and appeal to different groups, or if it just hired the best person for the job regardless of political affiliations.

    Related Articles:

    > Google Arranges To Expand In Pittsburgh

    > Important Product Director Moving From Google To Digg

    > Google Ranked World’s Most Attractive Employer

  • Googler Could Become Vermont Governor

    Vermont residents may want to start giving a little extra thought to whether or not they like the way Google does things.  It seems that Matt Dunne, the Manager of Community Affairs at Google, is trying to become the state’s governor.

    An important note: Dunne hasn’t sworn to turn Vermont into one giant Googleplex.  There’s been no fanatical talk of data collection.  And the words "Google" and "search" don’t even appear on Dunne’s homepage (part of which you can see below).

    Still, there are some interesting tech connections.  For starters: Dunne’s doing quite well in Google’s search results.  Then there’s the matter of his homepage’s mention of eGovernment, and an option to share stuff on sites ranging from Facebook to Digg to Twitter.

    Finally, in an interview with Dave Gram, Dunne talked about bringing fiber-optic Internet connections to every home in Vermont, monitoring energy usage, and following Google’s lead by running "a flat, fast, innovative organization, where people with new ideas to solve problems are celebrated, not shut down."

    It’s not at all certain that we’ll get to see what a Googler would do with a state’s government, though.  Dunne’s facing four other Democrats for a chance to go up against the presumed Republican nominee, Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie.

    Related Articles:

    > Using Social Media For Political Campaigns

    > Social Media Playing Role In U.S. Policy-Making

    > Lawmakers Benefit From Online Town Hall Meetings

  • YouTube: Rush Limbaugh Says Nothing Was Wrong

    Rush Limbaugh was released from the hospital today and says doctors found nothing wrong. It makes you wonder if the thousands of hysterical people wishing Rush Limbaugh death on Twitter are feeling a little foolish. Probably not. 🙂

    Below is the video of Rush speaking to the press about his good health: 

     

    Taking a look at Twitter now and the "Rush Die" tweets have disappeared! Feel free to comment (or bash) below…