Fox News’s Special Report with Bret Baier will be hosting a series of Google+ Hangouts with GOP presidential candidates leading up to the election, the program announced via Google+ this week. The first will be held with Governor Mitt Romney on Nov. 15.
The show is also inviting three members of the public to join the discussion. Google+ allows up to 10 people to participate in a Hangout; many more can tune in as spectators. Those who would like to actively participate in the Hangout are asked to leave a comment on this Google+ thread explaining why they should be selected. Others are welcome to leave questions they’d like Romney to answer.
This is the second GOP presidential debate hosted jointly by Google and Fox News. The first, held with nine candidates in late September, drew more than 6.1 million viewers according to Nielsen — the largest audience of any GOP presidential debate so far this year. More than 18,000 questions and 100,000 votes were sent in via text and videos on YouTube. Google+ Hangouts will allow audience members to get even more directly involved — or a select few of them, anyway.
Umami is a new iPad app that aims to bring an enhanced, second-screen experience to broadcast and cable TV programming.
Second screen apps are becoming standard fare for networks. Using audio fingerprinting technology, these apps can tell what you’re watching — and provide an updated, customized experience based on the show.
At the Mashable Media Summit last week, second screen experiences were highlighted as one of the major media trends of 2012. Until now, however, most of these experiences have been crafted specifically around one show or network.
This requires users to download individual apps for the shows or networks they frequently watch. Umami aims to work with a large cross-section of programs and networks, both broadcast and cable-based. The app offers quick access to cast and crew listings, descriptions of other recent episodes, quick links to official social media accounts and related tweets from across the web.
How it Works
After downloading Umami for the iPad [iTunes link], users just need to start the app. It will listen to the audio coming from a TV or computer and use audio fingerprinting to identify the show.
The basic information Umami offers is surprisingly solid. Even for a program like Scrubs, which no longer has new episodes but is frequently seen in syndication, the app offers up quick access to Wikipedia information, episode summaries and cast members’ IMDb links.
For current shows like Two and a Half Men, the app can go a step further and offer links to official Facebook and Twitter accounts for the show and its stars.
Deeper Potential
Networks or television shows that join Umami’s publishing platform, naturally, have more potential. The app has signed on a number of launch partners — including the National Geographic Channel — and select programs will take advantage of more enhanced features, such as additional information about a topic discussed in a show and links to photos.
A Solid Start
In a demo that the Umami team showed me earlier this fall, I got a glimpse at some of the integration potential for news programming. I like Umami’s user interface, and appreciate the broad approach the company is taking to the second screen.
While it’s clear that partnerships using its publishing platform will yield the best results, even the more basic integration offers up a kind of TV Guide on steroids. I love having quick access to links related to what I’m watching.
It would be great to see Umami evolve into partnering or linking with some of the existing social checkin platforms, such as GetGlue. Part of Umami’s value play is that it is one app, rather than a collection of separate apps. In that vein, embracing other types of checkin services would give it even more value for end-users.
Umami is free and available now. Let us know what you think about second-screen apps and TV personalization in the comments.
Erin Everhart is the director of web and social media marketing at the digital marketing and web design company, 352 Media Group. Connect with her on Twitter @erinever.
Google’s search results aren’t what they used to be. Need proof? Just look at its results page. No longer solely comprised of traditional, organic site matches, Google now lists local maps, images, videos and social cues as well — and it’s affecting more than just what you see.
If you rely heavily on search engines for pageviews and sales, as many businesses do, Google search results will drastically affect how your customers find you. If your business needs to be seen and clicked, take into account the following six search engine tips.
1. Local SEO Is Taking Over
There’s a good probability that a large chunk of the Google searches you perform will display Google Places listings – and consumers are taking notice. SEO software firm SEOmoz did some eye-tracking case studies on Google’s SERP (search engine results page). The results show that users heavily gravitate toward any of Places’ listings, whether they’re mixed into organic lists, concentrated in a group of seven or even listed in the middle of the results page. The heat map above shows the activity around a Google search for “pizza.”
If your business relies on local listings, concentrate on scoring a seat at Google Places. You can do this by using:
Citations: Ensure that your correct business information is listed in as many (reputable) sources as possible around the Internet. As always, consistency is king. If you write “Blvd.” instead of Boulevard on your Google Places page, make sure your other listings reflect the same.
Google Places page optimization: Just like your website, make sure your Places page is properly optimized. Include categories that match exactly, and point your Places page back to a city-specific landing page if applicable.
Reviews: Google will only display reviews from Google, but getting reviews from aggregators like Yelp, Superpages or Trip Advisor will help increase your presence.
2. You Can’t Have Search Without Social
The separation of search and social has officially ended. Social cues such as Twitter shares, Facebook likes and social bookmarking heavily influence search rankings. Essentially, search results are personalized for each person. With any SEO campaign you put into motion, include a social aspect to it to facilitate information sharing.
3. Think of People, not Robots, When Optimizing Keywords
People search in Google because they have a question. Anticipate those questions — whether about the best style of yoga pants or where to get the lowest mortgage rate. Your keywords and the content on your pages should reflect the answers to those questions. Keyword research is tedious, but it’s arguably the most important aspect of SEO. Transition away from thinking of keywords like data, and put more of an emphasis on the person who will be typing in that keyword.
4. Content Links Are King — Good Writers Are Sorcerers
Google is not stupid — it can spot paid and spam links. For the most effective long-term SEO strategy, move the focus back to great content, both on your website and across other sites. Guest blogging is great, for instance, but to get a leg up on your competition, target blogs that aren’t direct matches to your industry.
For example, a client of my company sells golf carts, so we wrote a blog post about the most tricked-out golf carts for tailgates, and the link we got back was one their competitors didn’t already have.
5. Check your Backend: Schema.org, Microformats and Rich Snippets
The Big Three (Google, Yahoo and Bing) have worked together to develop Schema.org, a set of website standards that will tell search engines what your site is about, making it easier for those engines to read the site’s data and index accordingly.
By using rich snippets, for example, you’re able to tell Google what information to feature in SERPs: product reviews and prices, upcoming events, recipe cooking times, etc. The added data will increase your click-through rate because users are able to preview more about the link before they commit to the click.
6. It Doesn’t Mean Anything Without Data
Whether you’re a one-man SEO show for your company or working in an agency with several clients, your site needs to see results. While ranking reports of keywords is still a great indicator of progress, personalized searches make it difficult to get the most accurate readings. Plus, when Google defaulted to private searches for users signed into their Google accounts, the company made it harder to track how people arrive at your site.
Start relying more on simple key performance indicators (KPIs) to show results, for instance, the number of landing pages you have, the bounce rate of those pages, and the number of keywords driving traffic to each of those landing pages. Google Analytics displays all of this data.
What are some other things you see that are affecting searches, and what are you doing to improve your rankings in these areas?
Apple has released version 2 of iAd Producer, a piece of software that helps advertisers put together iAds, which are then sent out to be shown in iOS apps across the platform. The latest version offers up many improvements, including project validation and a new feature called the "Object List." Project validation will make sure any material uploaded to the project is typed, sized, and configured correctly, and it will even help iAd creators fix performance problems and other errors.
The Object List provides quick access to all of the objects in an ad throughout production. Sounds handy -- maybe these better tools will help Apple get more big brands in the somewhat underwhelming iAd program.
The majority of British people support shutting down social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter during times of civil unrest, a new study reveals.
The polling follows Prime Minister David Cameron’s August statement that the government would consider temporarily blocking social media to prevent protesters from organizing. Cameron’s assertion led many to discuss freedom of speech and the right to organize.
Online security firm Unisys polled 973 British adults about whether they agreed with Cameron. Seventy percent “completely agree” or “agree somewhat” that social networking sites should be shut down to prevent coordinated criminal activity, Forbesreports.
When it comes to online privacy, 46% of respondents believe governments should have open access to users’ data to prevent organized criminal activity; 42% say networks should get more information from users before allowing them to join; and 49% think authorities need more resources to monitor online behavior.
Respondents ages 65 and older were most supportive of shutting down social networking sites, while those between 18 and 24 — the most active demographic on social media — were least supportive.
A joint study by the Guardian and the London School of Economics found little proof Twitter and Facebook played a significant role in orchestrating illegal activity. BlackBerry Messenger use was found to be tied closer with instigating violence during the August London riots.
Apple today posted a new support document outlining procedures users should follow if they experience strain relief problems with their "T" style MagSafe power cables on various notebook products. Long-standing issues with fraying on those cables resulted in Apple redesigning the MagSafe several years to adopt an "L" style connector that puts less strain on the cable.
While Apple has for several years offered a replacement program to users whose MagSafe adapters (as well as pre-MagSafe "barrel" style adapters) have exhibited signs of strain relief problems, the company has updated its support materials to reflect that a settlement has been reached in a court case over the design of the connectors.
Frayed cable on "T" style MagSafe connector
According to the terms of the settlement, Apple will offer full or partial refunds to customers who purchased replacement adapters and will also continue to cover the cost of replacement adapters for users who have future problems with the issue. Apple will offer users who purchased a replacement adapter within one year of purchase of the original computer a $79 cash payment, with users who replaced their adapters in the second year receiving $50 and those who replaced in the third year $35.
The settlement will provide a cash payment if you are the original owner (by purchase or gift) of certain Apple MacBook or MacBook Pro computer models (“Subject Computer”) or separately purchased an Apple 60W or 85W MagSafe MPM-1 (“T”) Power Adapter (“Adapter”), your Adapter showed signs of Strain Relief Damage, and you purchased a Replacement Adapter within the first three years following the initial purchase of the Subject Computer or Adapter. If the court approves the settlement, you may be entitled to a cash payment in the following amounts depending on whether you purchased your Replacement Adapter during the first, second or third year following the initial retail purchase of the Subject Computer or Adapter: (a) first year, the actual amount you paid (excluding taxes and shipping/handling fees) up to a maximum of $79; (b) second year $50; (c) third year $35. There is a limit of three refunds per Subject Computer. You may also be able to obtain a Replacement Adapter at no charge from Apple if your Adapter shows signs of Strain Relief Damage now or in the future.
Disney and YouTube are set to announce a content partnership worth $10 million to $15 million, The New York Times reports.
Under the terms of the agreement, YouTube will invest millions of dollars on an original video series produced by Disney and distributed exclusively through a new co-branded channel on both YouTube and Disney.com, according to the Times.
Disney has had a couple of bad quarters, and it’s hoping to re-capture its audience through new distribution channels. It wants, as co-president of Disney Interactive James Pitaro told the Times, to “go where (its) audience is.”
The deal also makes sense for YouTube, which is always on the lookout for more original, quality content and strong brand partners. However, Robert Kyncl, YouTube’s global head for content partnerships, emphasized that YouTube will be a neutral distributor and is not planning to go into the production business.
YouTube recently announced a big push to bring more premium content to the site, with a slew of new video channels. Google has reportedly spent $100 million on the deals for the new channels, and its partners include celebrities such as Madonna and Ashton Kutcher, as well as media companies like The Wall Street Journal, The Onion, SB Nation and Demand Media.
NBC’s The Voice — a singing competition that became a social media powerhouse on TV earlier this year — returns for another season Feb. 5 with added star power: Grammy-nominated singer Christina Milian.
She has been tapped as the show’s new social media correspondent to join host Carson Daly and celebrity judges Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton in the search for America’s next singing sensation.
Milian replaces last season’s correspondent, former G4 personality Alison Haislip, and will interact with fans on Facebook, Twitter, NBC Live and NBC.com. She’ll also appear on live shows. Milian will serve as a role model on set for the contestants. Last season, The Voice trained finalists to leverage blogs, Facebook Pages and Twitter, and gave them cameras and Samsung Galaxy Tabs.
“She knows how important social media is to current musicians and is very active online to engage with her fans,” a spokesperson for The Voice recently told Mashable. “She will be a great example to our artists.”
Q&A With Christina Milian
Milian burst into the pop scene 10 years ago with “AM to PM,” continued charting worldwide with “Dip It Low” in 2004 and has since released a third album and made several appearances on TV shows, including CSI.
“I look forward to being the eyes and ears for the show and I hope everyone enjoys my fun demeanor. … I get a chance to integrate my music career with a show like this. My fans will be very happy with that.”
Mashable: How is social media important for you?
Milian: I’ve always been an advocate of the Internet and staying ahead of the game by communicating with my fans. I want to know what they like or dislike, etc. It keeps your fans riding with you in the long run when you constantly provide them with content or something to talk about.
Mashable: What will you bring to The Voice team?
Milian: I think the coaches will feel even more comfortable with me to share a lot more. I know their fans will for sure appreciate it, especially Xtina fans! They’re tweeting me already wanting to know the inside scoop. I hope to make it fun and informative, and I would like to find more ways to give them what they want to see. Maybe YouTube videos? I love doing those!
Mashable: What was your favorite part of season one?
Milian: The show stays very true to music and talented vocalists. It’s great to see people get a chance at hitting it big and to be coached on how to become better artists.
Mashable: What is your most memorable online moment?
Milian: I would say the first time I realized there were fan clubs on the Internet for me. It started with ChristinaMilian.org. I still remember to this day a girl named Suz ran it and it had all types of info. I was shocked to find that so many people were into my music career.
Mashable: So what’s next?
Milian: I look forward to being the eyes and ears for the show and I hope everyone enjoys my fun demeanor. At the end of the day, I’m so blessed to do this and The Voice is happening at a great time in my life. I get a chance to integrate my music career with a show like this. My fans will be very happy with that.
BONUS: A Look Back at Christina Milian’s Music Videos
I love that we’re now getting punditry informed by market odds. Even better would be if the commentators disclosed the trades they were making consequent to their analysis rather than saying which way they would trade were they to trade!
There is now a whole prime-time TV show, in New Zealand, where pundits discuss various events through the market of prediction windows. At the link you will find full clips of all the shows. Bomber Bradbury hosts the programme.
This post originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum, where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business.
The number of Facebook applications can seem a little overwhelming at times. While Facebook doesn’t share an exact number, an independent website called AppData monitors trends for over 100,000 Facebook applications, which is a lot to sift through.
As a business, trying to determine which of those apps can help your organization can be daunting. To get you started, here are four essential Facebook apps that allow you to better reach and communicate with your audience, as well as save you time for all those other things you have to do.
Tweets to Pages, which has 1.2 million monthly active users, will create a tab on your Facebook Page that displays a timeline of your company’s most recent tweets. This is a great feature for providing additional, real-time information to Facebook users who don’t have a Twitter account and for avoiding the annoyance your fans would feel if you were to constantly stream your tweets to Facebook as wall updates. The app is very easy to set up, and the free version allows you to adjust the number of tweets that show on the Tweets to Pages tab.
If you want to upgrade to the paid version, you can better control your content limits, choose a color scheme, add a banner and allow comments on your tweets.
Static HTML: iframe tabs, which has 61.8 million monthly users, will simplify the process of making a custom landing page by automating many of the steps. Forget about creating a developer account and your own application — this app provides copy and paste textboxes for your custom HTML, CSS and JavaScript. It also offers checkboxes to remove the scrollbars and to enable Facebook’s FBML. If you want to incentivize Likes on your Page, the application enables you to “like-gate,” and show different content to those who have and haven’t “liked” your page.
It’s worth noting that you will still need to host your own files, and you won’t be able to remove the scrollbars for any design over 520 pixels wide and 800 pixels tall.
ContactMe, with 180,000 monthly active users, adds a tab on your organization’s Facebook Page with a contact form. This allows anyone visiting your Facebook page to easily get in touch with you at the very moment when they’re most interested.
The biggest advantage of this app is its customization options. You can choose whether you’d prefer to show your company’s contact information or social media icons for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Skype. You can also adjust, add, remove, reorder and require specific fields through a simple user interface on contactme.com. And of course, there’s a paid option to remove the ContactMe branding, offer a custom success message and receive text message alerts when someone submits the form.
RSS Graffiti, with 1.5 million monthly users, allows you to automatically post wall updates any time there’s a new item in one of your specified feeds. For example, if you publish to a company blog every day, RSS Graffiti can automatically post an excerpt of the article with a direct link onto your Facebook page’s wall. That saves you the time and effort of creating a new wall update every day to distribute your company’s content.
Just like ContactMe, the customization options for this application make it stand out. You can automatically post more than one RSS feed, adjust how the post looks when published, schedule how often the feed is checked, and specify how many posts should be published per check. And most importantly, with all these options and more, the configuration interface is still easy to use and intuitive.
Do you use any of these apps on your business’ Facebook Page? Do you use other ones? Let us know in the comments below.