Seth Gilbert, 08-28-2008
Starting in July and continuing into August, there’s been rampant speculation about possible new versions of Amazon’s popular Kindle e-book reader. SeatlePI (The Seattle Post Intelligencer) cited McAdams Wright Ragen analyst Tim Bueneman who said “there are already several new, improved versions of the Kindle in the works.” Tech Crunch sister site Crunch Gear cited an insider who claimed two new models were due before year end. Thursday, it was time for part of those rumors to die.
Amazon’s spokesman Craig Berman told the New York Times in an interview there won’t be a holiday Kindle release. Click to Read More
Seth Gilbert, 08-27-2008
Sometimes scandal lingers just below the surface. Dig a little, or a lot, and you can uncover a trove of sordid detail. Other times, no matter how much you dig, there’s just no news. No matter how hard you look, even behind the specter of impropriety, there’s nothing to report.
Late Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal ran a story looking into tips about alleged fiduciary failures at venture firm Insight Venture Partners (IVP). At first glance, it had all the makings of real trouble: an anonymous tipster, a substantial return on investment, and an apparent conflict of interest too. On closer inspection, however, looks are deceiving.
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Seth Gilbert, 08-26-2008
Today just about anyone with the interest and a computer can label themselves a journalist. In the news media, the barriers of entry have fallen to a level of insignificance. Barriers to success are another thing altogether. Building and maintaining an audience and drawing consistent ad revenue are substantial tasks, especially in a weakened advertising economy. It’s an up and down process that requires constant attention. Even the biggest brands aren’t immune from the struggles. The New York Times proved that Tuesday with July results that showed weakness not just in print where it was expected, but surprisingly online too.
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Seth Gilbert, 08-25-2008
Two companies addressing two different aspects of the online video marketplace – live content interactivity and broader, high quality video distribution – both announced financing news Monday. For San Mateo based Conviva, it was a $20m Series B Financing. For Utah based Move Networks, it was news that Microsoft was joining prior Series C investors with an undisclosed strategic investment.
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Seth Gilbert,
Dating back to February, Electronic Arts and Take Two were pitted against each other in a very public corporate takeover battle. For months, the companies issued dueling press releases and went back and forth in SEC filings. On August 18 that process ended. Electronic Arts announced they were allowing their Tender Offer to expire. In reply, Take Two invited the formerly hostile suitor to review documents on a possible path toward a friendly merger.
Today, the companies filed one last document. An 8K announcing they’d entered into a new material agreement – one assuring confidentiality in all their future discussions.
The update from the comanies s there will be no more updates. From here on in, and for the near term foreseeable future, the rollercoaster ride of back and forth press releases is officially closed. Silence will be golden. Click to Read More
Seth Gilbert, 08-22-2008
It’s a presidential election year and mobilizing potential voters, especially young ones, is an important activity. To advance the cause, youth centered voting activist organization, Rock the Vote, has creatively partnered with Microsoft’s Xbox Live online gaming community.
Beginning Monday August 25, the first day of the democratic National Convention, Xbox LIVE members will be able to register to vote, share opinions, interact and participate in polls through the console community.
While we’ve covered some clever nontraditional uses of game consoles before, this has to rate near the top of the list. It is up there just slightly behind using Wii controllers for robotics or Stanford’s groundbreaking Folding@home molecular research project.
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Seth Gilbert,
Follow that phone… is the iPhone heading to Russia? Deal or no deal?
Reuters UK has reported it may be there in October. An unnamed source cited in an article from the news bureau says an agreement has been reached between Apple and Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), Russia’s largest mobile network operator.
No details have emerged and neither side has issued a statement confirming the report.
At this point, with only an an anonymous source, it remains very possible the story could turn out to be incorrect. Three mobile providers, MTS, Vimpelcom and MegaFon have all been vying for iPhone rights in Russia. As was the case with Japanese carrier rights before the phone’s launch, reports and rumor around the web and blogosphere (including the Reuters report) have, at different times, put Apple in discussions with all three.
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