WD TV Live, Live Hub get an official iOS remote app, Vudu streaming and more

Western Digital is making sure its hardware can keep pace in the media streamer arms race, matching recent additions by Microsoft and Roku by issuing updates of its own. New services added to the WD TV Live and WD TV Live Hub boxes are Vudu (with HDX 1080p support, unlike the Xbox 360), SnagFilms, XOS College Sports, SEC Digital, Comedy Time and Watch Mojo. To help users navigate through all the extra content, it also recently rolled out its own official iOS remote app, although like Roku, there have already been a few unofficial options available as well. The WD TV remote is a free app and offers direct access to any of the services on your WD TV box and even multiplayer gaming provided all devices are on the same network. An Android version is said to be in the works, for now owners can check out all the details in the press release after the break or hit iTunes to download the app.

Continue reading WD TV Live, Live Hub get an official iOS remote app, Vudu streaming and more

WD TV Live, Live Hub get an official iOS remote app, Vudu streaming and more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceiTunes  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/wd-tv-live-live-hub-get-an-official-ios-re...

Are You Watching This?! sports tracker for Android adds remote control for DirecTV, TiVo, Google TV

The Are You Watching This?! app has a long history of making sure sports fans don't miss the big games with its bookmarklets and apps that popped up notifications or emailed reminders. Now a new upgrade on Android, along with a few connected TV platforms, has taken things to the next level. In its newest iteration, the free app ties into DirecTV, TiVo or Google TV setups with IP control for one click switching to the appropriate channel -- key when a game is coming down to the last play and you're not sure where the remote is or which channel NBA / NFL / MLB etc. action is on. There's varying levels of filtering options so users can see alerts just when their team is playing, any decent matchup or just the must-see finishes.

We gave it a shot and found it worked as advertised, only requiring the app to be installed and enabled on the Google TV and our Android phone (DirecTV and TiVo boxes should be ready to go), however even though we already had our local channels set up on the TV, we had to enter our ZIP and cable provider on the remote app as well. We're starting to see similar companion technology built into apps from DirecTV, TiVo and Comcast, as well as Dijit's software, however the RUWT? game tracker algorithm and focus on live scores gives it a leg up for sports freaks. Check out the video trailer embedded above for a quick look or hop over to the Android Market to install it on phone, tablet and/or TV.

Are You Watching This?! sports tracker for Android adds remote control for DirecTV, TiVo, Google TV originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAre You Watching This?!, Android Market  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/are-you-watching-this-sports-tracker-for-a...

Why My Coverage of Credit Card Offers Has Grown

A few days ago I received an email from reader Alex K:

Hi Gary,

Just wanted to say thanks for the great Koh Samui trip report and all the posts over the years. I booked our trip to Hong Kong / Krabi / Samui this week. Free business class flights via CX & JL and 11 free nights total split at the W Hong Kong, Sheraton Krabi and Conrad Koh Samui – all via credit card sign ups. Ridiculous. I cannot wait to get to the Conrad – what an incredible base level room. 4 nts in a pool villa at 145k pts axon award, plus free breakfast as an Amex Surpass gold? Simply awesome.

Thanks again,
Alex

The banks truly do want to send you around the world in a premium class of service for free. Credit cards represent a plurality of mileage earning. And signup bonuses are the easiest and quickest way to generate large amount of miles quickly.

Back in October I wrote on this blog that I had signed up for an online service that would provide me with referral credits for using links to credit card offers.

For years I’ve been writing about credit card signup bonuses, and recommending specific cards, and sending thousands of people to the card companies to apply for their offerings. Those companies are willing to pay a referral for this, but I was just letting Chase, Citibank, and American Express keep it.

I’ve been writing this blog for nearly 10 years and it’s a tremendous labor of love, for most of that time there hasn’t even been advertising revenue, I’m grateful to the folks at BoardingArea for setting this up so that the banner ads on this site at least send me a small check in the mail each month. It’s not a ton, but every little bit extra helps.

So it is with credit card referral bonuses, you don’t have to use my links of course but I’m asked pretty regularly what readers can do to say thank you for the advice and offers I’ve highlighted over the years. I’ve generally just said that helping their travel be better is thanks enough and it is, but when GoogleAds or a bank credit card offer wants to do the thanking for folks I’m happy for that to happen! I’ve had two or three readers over the years insist on sending gifts, the very best one was the Playmobil airport security play set.

But honestly, I have found writing the blog rewarding enough and instead of sending me a gift I’d rather you use the funds to pay fuel surcharges on an award ticket or maybe buy some upgrade stickers for yourself.

I do want folks to know, though, that when I post a link to a credit card offer that sometimes I’ll benefit from your signup using that link. That’s why nearly every time I include a link to a credit card that offers a referral bonus, I write so in the past. I’ve also included this information in the ‘About Me’ page on this blog.

While I do offer these ‘disclosures’ I also think that readers deserve quite a lot of credit. It’s clear to most what is a good offer and not a good offer, what works for an individual circumstance and what doesn’t. I want folks to know they can trust me, and I don’t hide when there’s a referral, but I’m not sure the referral matters as much as I even thought initially. I think that most television and newspaper pundits and columnists who write about miles or finance issues ought to be required to disclose, “Don’t listen to me because I have no idea what I’m talking about.” What matters most is the strength of the offer, the explanation, the argument.

I never recommend a card that I wouldn’t get myself or that I wouldn’t have recommended before doing affiliate links. I’ve also continued to recommend plenty of cards that don’t offer anything to me. And when there’s a link that will offer something to me, and an offer that will not, I always highlight the better offer for my readers. If I post a link, it’s to the best offer I’m aware of. If you ever know of a better offer than the one I post, I very much appreciate your bringing it to my attention either in the comments or by email and I’m happy to substitute the better offer for whatever I’ve linked to in my post.

What I have realized is that I think about credit cards more than I used to, thus I write about credit cards more than I used to. I actually think that’s better for my readers, I used to post a new link when there was a big credit card bonus but I didn’t explain the ins and outs of churning cards for bonuses, how to negotiate to get approvals, which cards to keep, which to put what spending on versus get just for the bonuses, etc. So far most have found that worthwhile, but it is a change to my blogging and I recognize that.

I’ve never been in this to get rich and I certainly won’t get rich. But a little bit extra means I might take an extra trip and it also means I’m able to make some extra charitable donations at the end of this year.

Still, it’s important to draw lines. I want to offer useful comment, and with how lucrative credit card offers are and years of experience in maximizing them I think I do. I also don’t want to become too unbalanced, I want to offer all of the other sorts of content that I always have.

And it’s important to draw lines. Some of the banks that will offer to credit me for applications have also offered to pay for posts on a specific topic. I decline without any discussion. Even when they were topics I might have posted on anyway. I’ve also been offered money to place a specific credit card at the top of my list of best current offers. I declined. It is very important to draw lines and stick to those lines I think.

Regular readers also know that companies offer me things all the time to promote their products, if I think they might be fun or interesting I just ask if I can give the products away here on the blog. They still get their product written about, I’m not after a free night’s stay at a Hyatt Place or Marriott Courtyard, I’ve given away high-end luggage and even Visa gift cards.

Some blogs have become less useful and interesting, I think, because of their focus on credit cards and because they are no longer about providing the best information for frequent flyers. I write what I do here to memorialize my thoughts, I frequently look up my own posts to find deals that I remember or strategies from the past, it’s my own reference and journal that I also share with the world. I’ve put too much into my blog for the last 10 years to change the way I think about what I post, it’s about getting the most out of miles, points, and travel and I get all the joy in the world out of notes like Alex K’s. Which is why I don’t promote things I don’t find useful myself.

By giving away the products that are offered to me, and sticking to the most useful offers, I try to make sure you get value out of reading this blog and it isn’t too commercialized.

from View from the Wing http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2011/12/21/why-my-coverage-of-c...

Nielsen and comScore Settle Suit Over Online Measurement Patents


The Nielsen Co. and comScore on Wednesday settled a lawsuit filed by the former over patents that Nielsen claimed comScore used without the company’s consent.

As part of the deal, Nielsen has acquired $19 million in comScore restricted common stock with neutral voting requirements. In return, comScore gets ownership of the four Nielsen families of patents named in the suit. The companies have also agreed not to bring any patent action against each other for the next three years.

Nielsen sued comScore in March over the patents, which relate to measuring and displaying online content. Nielsen cited more than 30 products that it claimed violated those patent rights. As Paid Content pointed out in March, suing comScore could have bogged both companies down in expensive litigation if they hadn’t reached some sort of settlement.

Since the details of the arrangement open the door to more cooperation between the companies, Laura Martin, an analyst at Needham & Co. who covers Nielsen, says that a merger would be plausible. “It’s not outlandish,” she says. “They’re both big measurement firms.” But Martin says she doesn’t know if such a merger would raise anti-trust concerns. Reps from Nielsen and comScore could not be reached for comment.

While Nielsen and comScore appear to have reached an amicable solution, the issue of patent ownership is still a pressing concern for some tech companies, namely Google, which waged a public war of words with Apple and Microsoft over the summer. At the time, the company claimed its competitors were stifling innovation by hoarding patents related to wireless technology. The patents bumped the price of every Android device up $15, David Drummond, svp and chief legal officer of Google, wrote at the time.

Patents were also a primary impetus for Google’s $12.5 billion bid to buy Motorola Mobility in August. However, Google’s problems with patents continued this week as the International Trade Commission ruled that some devices using Google’s Android mobile OS violate Apple patents.

Image courtesy of Stockphoto, hronos7

More About: ComScore, Google, Nielsen, patents

from Mashable! http://mashable.com/2011/12/21/nielsen-and-comscore-settle-suit-over-online-m...

Move Over, Swinging Ball Thingies!: Ferrofluid Interactive Magnetic Desk Sculptures

ferro-desk-sculptures.jpg This is a nearly funded Kickstarter for Ferrite Interactive Liquid Sculptures. They're basically TMNT ooze canisters with a magnetic liquid (ferrofluid) suspended in another, clear liquid that you can manipulate to make cool shapes with external magnets. Contributing $100 gets you a mini one when (if) they're manufactured next July, $150 a large one, and $200 scores one of each. You'll have to watch the demonstration video after the jump though to fully appreciate them, just talking about them doesn't really do them justice. But do you know who does do justice? My crime fighting alter-ego, Captain Handsome. Dashing, isn't he? "That's just you ducking behind a movie-theater cutout of that kid from Twilight." It's true. I used to have a Batman one but my roommate fought it and won. Hit the jump for the worthwhile video demo and a link to the Kickstarter page.

from Geekologie - Gadgets, Gizmos, and Awesome http://www.geekologie.com/2011/12/move-over-swinging-ball-thingies-ferrofl.php

It's not TV, it's HBO Go, and it's finally coming to Cablevision

Being a Cablevision customer was hard. Watching your colleagues with FiOS subscriptions stream Carnivale on their iPads, the guy who pays Dish Network for his programming could get Cinemax on his smartphone -- and all you had was YouTube for entertainment. Fortunately, the final major provider not to carry Home Box Office's online services has relented and you'll be able to enjoy both HBO Go and Go Max as soon as it's launched in "the next few months." Just remember that while you can now enjoy all those episodes of True Blood in public places, it doesn't necessarily mean that you should.

Continue reading It's not TV, it's HBO Go, and it's finally coming to Cablevision

It's not TV, it's HBO Go, and it's finally coming to Cablevision originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/its-not-tv-its-hbo-go-and-its-finally-comi...

PhoneGap v1.3 brings better cross-platform app coding to Windows Phone

Nitobi's PhoneGap project helps app developers to code for multiple mobile OSs simultaneously, thanks to the open standard wonders of HTML5, JavaScript and CSS. It's supported Windows Phone since the beginning, but v1.3 builds on that friendliness by opening up the API's full feature set and hence every limb and organ of a Mango handset, from the compass right through to storage and notifications. New plug-ins yield extra goodies, like Live Tile updates, BingMaps Search and social networking integration. Plus, in the interests of fairness, the full list of improvements (at the source link) contains some nuggets for Android, iOS and BlackBerry coders too.

PhoneGap v1.3 brings better cross-platform app coding to Windows Phone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Port25  |  sourcePhoneGap  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/phonegap-v1-3-brings-better-cross-platform...

Apple Indeed Replacing Recalled iPod Nano Units with Current-Generation Models


Just hours after we reported that Apple appeared to have begun shipping out current-generation iPod nanos as replacements for recalled first-generation units, users are beginning to report in that they are indeed receiving the current models.
Just received our replacement today - Fedex truck pulled up late in the evening. Inside was our replacement for our 1st gen ipod nano that was sent into Apple 1 month ago.

It's a 6th generation ipod nano, serial number shows that warranty has expired. Not sure if that means that it's a refurbished model or if it's a brand new model and they've deactivated the warranty. It's silver.

Apple had initially been issuing refurbished first-generation models to replace the recalled first-generation units at risk of overheating. But it appears that the company has run out of spare first-generation units and is now supplying users with current-generation units as replacements.

Apple initially launched the iPod nano in 2 GB and 4 GB capacities priced at $199/$249 back in September 2005, adding a $149 1 GB model a few months later. The device utilized a click wheel for navigation and contained a 1.5-inch screen for displaying the standard iPod software interface. Battery life was advertised at 14 hours of music playback and four hours of photo slideshows with music.

The current iPod nano is less than half the size of the original iPod nano and utilizes a 1.5-inch touch screen with software skinned to look like iOS. It is available in 8 GB ($129) and 16 GB ($149) capacities and offers up to 24 hours of music playback.


Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
Firefighter's iPhone 4 "Spontaneously Caught Fire" While Charging
iPod Shuffle Signed by Steve Jobs Available on eBay
Siri Plays a Grand Piano With Some Help From AirPlay and Yamaha
Explosion at Pegatron Factory for Apple Products, Injuries Reported
Wolfram Delivers Siri-Enabled Shopping Results From Best Buy

from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - Front Page http://www.macrumors.com/2011/12/20/apple-indeed-replacing-recalled-ipod-nano...

5 Social Media Predictions for 2012

Typically, I avoid prediction posts for the simple fact that the social marketing and social business space changes so dramatically almost every day. Human behavior is hard to predict and the way we leverage tools and communicate with each other is always evolving. However, after reading a few 2012 Social Media Prediction posts already, I can’t help but share my thoughts as they are a bit different from some of the other recognizable names in social.

So, without further ado, here are my 5 Social Media Predictions for 2012.

1) C-Suite as Content. Several prediction posts reference the C-Suite as Journalists or Content Creators. While it sounds excellent, it’s still wishful thinking. After spending the last year training and developing strategies with some of the top C-Suite Executives in the world, there is still major concern over the time commitment and fear of the “potential” missteps. Additionally, not all C-Suite executives should be freely participating in social media. A more suitable expectation for 2012 is that the C-Suite will become part of the content. As more organizations evolve into Social Businesses, executives will recognize that their participation, opinion and voice is one of the most valuable contributions to the digital discussion. While some may adopt style’s similar to Brian Dunn at Best Buy or Richard Branson at Virgin, most will empower an internal team to create a more rounded social strategy that leverages their time and thought leadership in a manageable way.

2) Gamification Overload. Several in the industry are hot on gamification and badges, but ill-conceived initiatives are flooding consumers with useless icons in an effort to increase public advocacy. Ford Motors, typically a leader in social media initiatives, pulled together a nice experience with a variety of badges in 2011 and even asked customers for advice on creating new badges. However, the badges have no value or purpose. As a Ford owner, I can’t think of one reason to “get a badge”… and I love my Taurus. Badges and gamification build off the desire to be an “insider” or the best at certain activities. They play off the competitive nature in all of us, but over time, having the most “badges,” being atop the leader-board or having the most Klout in Basket Weaving gets old. Take Foursquare for example – they’ve recently upped the badge ante, but the badges add no real value to the user. It’s more about being the mayor in an effort to get free or discounted items. Even then, most users will give up on trying to be mayor if they face competition from someone more committed to achieving that status. Gamification will still be a major player in 2012, but if the value proposition isn’t amplified or differentiated, expect an initial burst of activity and then a steady decline into badge fatigue.

3) A Return to Inside/Out Social Media. If 2011 was the year of “Social Business Theory,” than 2012 is the year of practical execution. Several large organizations have turned their focus to internal activities recognizing that old policies and programs were not nurtured effectively. As a result, employee social media activity was siloed and disjointed. Moving forward, an increased effort will be placed on training, enabling and coordinating employee social media activity. More business leaders are recognizing that every employee has a voice and is engaged in the conversation in their own way. Focus will turn to finding internal advocates and building programs that enhance their work rather than impede it. If social media is all about relationships and conversations, we must recognize that our employees are the other necessary party in that activity. Otherwise, customers are talking only to each other, or a small team of social media practitioners that will quickly become overloaded (if they are not already) and decrease the value they are able to offer.

4) External Collaboration Grows Up. Over the past 6 or 7 years expectations have remained, “if you build it, they will come.” By now, most should have realized that this is not the case. Passionate customers and advocates want to be a part of something. For many, it’s about being included, appreciated and heard. While we can give them a platform to share their thoughts, it’s simply not enough. Some of the best stories in social media success come from the movements created in 2011. The way that people come together around a common cause (Occupy, Middle East, etc.). It’s not easy to create a movement. Someone has to take the lead and be the voice to rally the others. While creating a movement around a brand or a product is certainly a more difficult challenge, it is possible if the right people are at the table. In 2012, greater emphasis needs to be placed on the advocate. It’s not simply a “pay for content” approach, it’s an absorption into the cause. This will be incredibly challenging for many marketers and agencies as it moves them further away from the campaign mindset and focuses more on the long term day-to-day engagement.

5) Social Media Gurus Get Exposed. This may be a bit of wishful thinking, but with the increasing credibility and long term potential of social media, it’s hard not to believe that companies are becoming more savvy at identifying the pretenders. In 2012, actions will speak louder than words. The talk has reached a deafening pitch, but many of those talking have little experience in actually deploying social programs or building social businesses. In 2011, it was impossible not to encounter a “Guru” around every corner. Many of whom were selling their brand of social media training or strategy with less than 1 year experience if any at all. While it may have made sense to take the risk in years past, 2012 will see a greater emphasis on proven results and long term execution. Large organizations will demand quality metrics and substantial knowledge about how social programs impact the business. The need for one partner that can handle strategy, execution and measurement will help eliminate the need for many of the talking heads. Proving your credentials will be necessary and that has nothing to do with Klout scores.

In conclusion, 2012 will be as exciting as 2011 and the years that preceded. More mistakes will be made and exceptional executions will appear in every industry blog. Twitter and Facebook will change again and a few LBS companies will be acquired. It’s the reason we do what we do. Whether my 2012 predictions for social media are right or not, it doesn’t matter. The only thing I know for sure is that I’ll be back here in December 2012 with another post of predictions and feeling just as optimistic as I do right now.

What are your thoughts on the state of social media in 2012?

from BostInno http://bostinno.com/channels/5-social-media-predictions-for-2012/

Super Bowl to be streamed online and to Verizon phones for the first time

It looks like you'll have a few more viewing options than usual at your next Super Bowl party. The NFL announced today that the Super Bowl, plus wild card Saturday and the Pro Bowl, will all be streamed online for the first time on both the NFL's and NBC's websites. Mobile users will also be able to get in on the act, albeit only if they have a Verizon smartphone with the NFL Mobile app. What's more, those broadcasts will also give viewers access to quite a bit more than old-fashioned TV watchers have access to, including multiple camera angles, in-game highlights, and live stats. No word if the streams will include ads.

Super Bowl to be streamed online and to Verizon phones for the first time originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Reuters  |  sourceNBC Sports  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/super-bowl-to-be-streamed-online-and-to-ve...