Over the past couple of years it has been a recurring headline, a come and go promise that’s never been fulfilled. Now, the news may finally match the rumor. Multiple reports are suggesting Bertelsmann, the German media giant, is close to selling its 50% stake in the world’s second largest music label (Sony BMG) back to co-owner Sony.
Together with AOL, HBO tried to build a website around comedy video in February of 2007. Like an awkward TV pilot that couldn’t find its groove, “This Just In” was shuttered by August. Now, in a second go round, the Time Warner cable channel will play the part of investor. HBO is committing an undisclosed amount of capital to buy a stake guessed to be about 10 percent of internet comedy shop FunnyorDie.
Traditionally, end-user video and film distribution services (movie theaters, TV channels) competed with each other by geography or a unique programming schedule. As a viewer you watched what was on local channels, or you tuned in to one place that was showing the programs you were itching to see. The internet video world is a different animal but, still in its early stages, it remains something of an experimental lab; especially with regard to professional Hollywood content.
For a short while the headline was all set to read “Software Stuns, Hardware Stunningly Absent” but Apple saved the biggest (and most expected) news for last. After spending an hour talking about software and services, Steve Jobs reassured an anxious audience of Apple fans and press with exactly the news they were anticipating: the birth if the second iPhone, iPhone 3G.
THE HARDWARE UPGRADES
The new iPhone will hit retailers July 11. As widely expected, the phone was built to operate on faster third generation or 3G mobile networks (UMTS, HSDPA, GSM). With this upgrade, the phone will be able to download data and Internet content at average rates of about three to five times faster than the first generation EDGE powered iPhone. (And for those outside of a 3G area, the new phone is backwards compatible and will still support the intermediate speed EDGE service).
The countdown time is under 24 hours now, right in about 22 hours and a few minutes. When the clock hits zero, or a few minutes after 10am PST Monday, Steve Jobs will take the stage at Apple’s World Wide Developers conference to issue his keynote. By most estimates, somewhere in that opening speech, somewhere woven in amidst all the product hyperbole and “go-team” cheer leading, he’ll also introduce the second generation of the iPhone. At least, that’s the expectation that’s been brewing for months.
With the deadline looming, this week, the iPhone 2.0 buzz, rumors and speculation reached crescendo. 3G, GPS, smaller, bigger, two models or just one. Theories were everywhere.
Across the blogosphere and in the major press, outside of the echo-chambers repeating what’s already said, many have searched for the unique scoop; the chance to reveal the iPhone features (or whatever product announcement is ultimately coming) just ahead of the official news. Apple’s managed to keep things mostly under wraps.
The only thing that is virtually certain is tomorrow Apple will announce a new product. Thursday and Friday that was confirmed by reports detailing unusual shipping patterns through Apple’s distribution partners.
Usually when a company makes a positive announcement about their product pipeline, it is with a glitzy PR campaign, or at the least, a press release. Bucking tradition, Activision went the modest route this week and (intentionally or inadvertently) slipped news into an SEC filing.
According to the regulatory document, one of the next titles planned for their popular and lucrative Guitar Hero franchise will be built around heavy metal rockers, Metallica.
The Metallica Hero edition will be the 2nd installment built around the career and songbook of a single band. Earlier this year the company revealed Guitar Hero: Aerosmith as the first version. That game is due in stores later this month.
Update June 4: A month after the rumor surfaced (see the below article reprint), Electronic Arts has officially confirmed the purchase of Three SF, a.k.a. Rupture, the social network for video gamers founded by Napster creator, Shawn Fanning. Few details beyond confirmation have been provided. The unofficial word, as was the case a month ago when the story first broke, is that the deal was in the neighborhood of $30m. EA promises more detail in the future. The original Metue article from May when the sale was not yet confirmed is reprinted below.
