Location-awareness takes SXSW by storm
SXSW is getting underway in Austin, and location-aware apps Foursquare, Gowalla, Loopt and Whrrl are engaged in a Texas-sized check-in showdown, launching new app versions, features and partnerships. Not to be forgotten, the original SXSW superstar Twitter has rolled out its geolocation feature on Twitter.com. But that’s just the beginning. “We’re under embargo on almost [...]
Digital installation sheds light on NYC homelessness
It’s a sad truth that for many of us it’s easier to ignore a homeless person than a digital visualization of one. Such is the construct behind a unique digital installation in New York City that brings attention to the ongoing plight of the homeless. The interactive display leverages mobile and video projection technology to connect passersby with the homeless, [...]
Is it in stock nearby? Check Google on your phone
If you search for a product on Google on your iPhone, Android or Palm — with your location enabled — you’ll start seeing a link to determine if the product is in stock at a nearby store. Pretty cool concept, assuming Google can attract enough retailers to participate. So far, Google has Best Buy, Sears, [...]
CNN’s Klein says he fears social networks
At a press event in NY today, CNN chief Jonathan Klein says he fears social networks more than his TV competition. “The competition I’m really afraid of are social networking sites,” he said. “That threatens to pull people away from us. The people you’re friends with on Facebook or the people you follow on Twitter [...]
RedBeacon goes social, partners with BigTent
Last September, the local services company RedBeacon took the top award at TechCrunch 50 with an innovative approach to local search. Today, it announced a new set of social features and a partnership with BigTent, an online community. RedBeacon allows you to post a job request to service providers in your local area. Let’s say, [...]
Links and notes: SXSW local edition
Taking a break from packing and preparing for the SXSW Interactive conference and I thought you would find these links interesting. I’ll be blogging and tweeting (@lostremote) from SXSW starting Friday and will be looking for insights and new developments that will have an impact on local media. Speaking of “South-by” – if you plan [...]
KSTP to launch hyperlocal network in Minneapolis
KSTP (ABC) in Minneapolis-St. Paul is launching a network of 80 – 90 hyperlocal sites in the region. KSTP, owned by Hubbard Broadcasting, is going to use the DataSphere technology – the same platform that powers the KOMO hyperlocals in Seattle. Paul Gaulke, creative services director of KSTP, tells MinnPost: “A lot of the news [...]
Local digital ad revenues to rise higher (and higher…)
Cue the music. Open the floodgates. Strap on the jetpack. Keep your seatbelt tightly fastened as we continue our ascent. Local digital ad revenues are poised to explode. “Tell me something I don’t know…” is very well the thought that is going through your head. Media prophets have been shepharding stories of giant local digital ad [...]
Facebook location sharing could impact local advertising
Don’t tell me you couldn’t see this one coming: Facebook will begin allowing location-based status updates as early as next month, according Nick Bilton’s report on the Bits Blog. The plan, apparently, is to unveil the feature at f8, the company’s annual developer’s conference. While the move will initially be seen as Facebook’s attempt to [...]
MSN: ‘Local is a home run’
The new MSN home page, which has been in beta testing, is beginning to roll out today. One of the core new features is Local Edition, a section of the site that features local news, events, traffic, restaurants and more. “In just a few months, MSN Local Edition has grown to 5 million unique users [...]
Foursquare serves up your location history
If you go to Foursquare.com and click on the “history” tab, you can now see a timeline of all the places you’ve checked in as well as your friends who checked in along with you, stretching back to December. For me, I apparently have a penchant for coffee, pizza and Microsoft buildings (I work at [...]
Did the iPad’s Oscar performance dazzle or disappoint?
The Internet was buzzing last night, and into this morning, over the iPad commercial that aired during the Oscars. In some circles, primarily those dominated by tech enthusiasts, the 30-second iPad reveal overshadowed the silver screen’s crowning event. The iPad commercial shared the flare of its iPhone and iPod predecessors. The spot’s pop-rock soundtrack supported its quick visual transitions. [...]
ABC restored to NYC Cablevision subscribers
A deal has been reached, and ABC is back on in New York City for Cablevision subscribers. As a result, New Yorkers only missed the first 13 minutes of the Oscars (I can inform them they didn’t miss much). Earlier on Sunday, ABC pulled its New York affiliate, WABC-TV from Cablevision in a fight over [...]
IB CEO David Lebow: The Lost Remote Interview
The folks at Internet Broadcasting (IB) have been keeping busy. Recently the company announced that three of its equity parnters were re-upping with the company. This week, we have learned, it will announce a strategic partnership with Mashery, a provider of API solutions, to help its clients extend their services to mobile platforms. We spoke [...]
ABC pulls signal from Cablevision in NYC
Just hours before the Oscars are set to begin, ABC has pulled its affiliate, WABC, off Cablevision in New York City. ABC parent company Disney and Cablevision are in a dispute over how much money Cablevision should pay. Three million New Yorkers are affected by the move. Disney wants Cablevision to pay $1 per month [...]
Notes: Iraq election, NYC bloggers, UK Hyperlocal
Noted, while wondering why I wake up earlier on Sundays than any other day of the week… NYTimes.com is liveblogging the Iraqi elections NYC issues press passes to bloggers for the first time. (journalism.co.uk) Hyperlocal in UK under attack from established paper (AboutMyArea)
Notes: Microsoft Tab, ShatnerSpace, YT Captions
Noted, after watching “Alice in Wonderland” and giving it a C… Whole bunch of pictures of the Microsoft Tablet at engadget. Coolness abounds. Shatner creates his own social network at MyOuterSpace.com. A Sci-Fi social network. Could he have owned this space (as it were) if he thought of this years ago, or what? (Geekosystem via [...]
Lessons to learn: how the iPad will impact local media
With news that Apple’s iPad will go on sale in less than a month, it’s time to get serious about sizing up the opportunity this new device presents to local media companies. There are more questions than answers at this point, with regard to the device’s overall impact, not just what it might do to [...]
