Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Google's Sundar Pichai confirms that offline Google Drive 'coming in five weeks,' hints at ad-supported Chromebook]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/31/google-sundar-pichai-offline-google-drive-cheaper-chromebook/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/31/google-sundar-pichai-offline-google-drive-cheaper-chromebook/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/31/google-sundar-pichai-offline-google-drive-cheaper-chromebook/#comments Google Sundar Pichai D10

During the closing session here at D10 in California, Google's on Senior Vice President of Chrome & Apps Sundar Pichai was joined by Susan Wojcicki (SVP of Advertising at Google) at Walt Mossberg. Sundar was able to drive the majority of the conversation in the realm of Chrome and Chrome OS, and quite a few interesting nuggets were dropped. For one, he made an offhand comment that "offline Google Drive [is] coming in five weeks," a clue that it'll be revealed and launched in full at Google I/O next month.

On the topic of Chrome's browser market share, he reckoned that around a third of the world's desktop browser use is now done on Chrome, noting that percentages are far, far higher in the consumer realm as compared to enterprise, where lots of companies mandate that employees still use Internet Explorer at work. Oh, and Sundar also stated that it's "not lost on [Google] that it can use advertising to provide better value propositions [for Chromebooks] as well. In other words, Google's at least evaluating an ad-supported Chromebook. Looking for more? A fair amount of the back-and-forth is transcribed after the break.

Continue reading Google's Sundar Pichai confirms that offline Google Drive 'coming in five weeks,' hints at ad-supported Chromebook

Google's Sundar Pichai confirms that offline Google Drive 'coming in five weeks,' hints at ad-supported Chromebook originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsall things dall things d 10all things digitalAllThingsDAllThingsD10AllThingsDigitalatdatd10atdxchromechrome oschromebookchromeboxChromeOsconferenced10dxgooglegoogle driveGoogleDriveofflineoffline google driveOfflineGoogleDriveoperating systemOperatingSystemsoftwaresundar pichaiSundarPichaiupdateThu, 31 May 2012 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says mobile apps the top focus, we say it's about time]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/12/facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-says-mobile-apps-top-focus/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/12/facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-says-mobile-apps-top-focus/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/12/facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-says-mobile-apps-top-focus/#comments Mister Mark Zuckerberg

Facebook has been making a lot of promises during a tour to drum up interest in its ever-nearing IPO, but the one gadget-heads have been wanting to hear the most, a commitment to its mobile apps, has been elusive -- until now. Everyone's favorite hooded CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is telling investors in his home 'burg of the San Francisco Bay that mobile is front and center in his company's plans. We're hoping that means new app features, although Zuck is likely referring to money-making as well: shareholders are jittery knowing that Facebook makes most of its money on web ads that it's not running on smartphones and tablets. Paid titles in App Center will go a long way towards scratching that itch, mind you. As for us, we'll just be happy if Facebook takes less than a year and a half to produce a major tablet app.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says mobile apps the top focus, we say it's about time originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 May 2012 03:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingapp centerAppCentercellphonecellphonesfacebookfacebook appfacebook app centerfacebook appsFacebook IPOFacebookAppFacebookAppCenterFacebookAppsFacebookIpoinitial public offeringInitialPublicOfferinginvestorinvestorsipomobilemobilepostcrossshareholdershareholderssmartphonesmartphonessocial networksocial networkingSocialNetworkSocialNetworkingtablettabletsSat, 12 May 2012 03:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba sings NAND Flash's praises, thinks you should too]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/02/toshiba-sings-nand-flashs-praises/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/02/toshiba-sings-nand-flashs-praises/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/02/toshiba-sings-nand-flashs-praises/#comments Toshiba sings NAND Flash's praises, thinks you should too

Have you taken a moment today to stop and thank NAND Flash for existing? No? Well, Toshiba would like to say tsk, tsk. Today the company launched a full-scale campaign to promote this storage technology -- and by full-scale we mean a dedicated "25 Years of NAND Flash" website, a "NAND Flash Deprivation Experiment" video series, new Facebook and Twitter accounts and a Toshiba Excite 10 giveaway. We must have missed the memo that NAND was dangerously underappreciated, because we're still trying to figure out why it needs a marketing campaign of its own. Toshiba has a slew of laptop refreshes and the Excite 7.7 and 13 tablets just around the corner -- and that interim period between announcement and launch date can be killer -- but somehow talking up NAND Flash doesn't seem the right course of action. Take a look at the campaign's first video below the break and decide for yourself.

Continue reading Toshiba sings NAND Flash's praises, thinks you should too

Toshiba sings NAND Flash's praises, thinks you should too originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 02:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>25 Years of NAND Flash25YearsOfNandFlashadadsadvertisingcampaigncampaignsflashflash storageFlashStoragemarketingmarketing campaignMarketingCampaignNANDNAND flashNAND flash memoryNandFlashNandFlashMemorystoragetoshibatoshiba exciteToshiba Excite 10Toshiba NANDToshibaExciteToshibaExcite10ToshibaNandvideoWed, 02 May 2012 02:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Google announces Brand Activate Initiative for online advertising, hopes to establish new standard]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/google-announces-brand-activate-initiative-for-online-advertisin/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/google-announces-brand-activate-initiative-for-online-advertisin/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/google-announces-brand-activate-initiative-for-online-advertisin/#comments

When Google makes a new move in advertising, people are bound to take notice, and it's made a fairly big one today. It's announced what it's dubbed the Brand Activate Initiative at the Ad Age Digital Conference today, something that initially consists of two new services for advertisers: Active View and Active GRP. The latter is a so-called gross rating point metric that's modeled to some extent on TV advertising, while Active View is something that Google hopes will become a standard for all online advertising. In short, it measures both how long an ad remains on a person's screen and how much of it is viewed -- if at least 50 percent of it is viewable for at least one second it's counted as an viewed impression. Both of those options are rolling out today, but they're apparently just the beginning of the broader initiative. You can see Google itself explain it in the video after the break, and on its DoubleClick blog linked below.

Continue reading Google announces Brand Activate Initiative for online advertising, hopes to establish new standard

Google announces Brand Activate Initiative for online advertising, hopes to establish new standard originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>active grpactive viewActiveGrpActiveViewadadsadvertisingBrand Activate InitiativeBrandActivateInitiativedoubleclickgoogleinternetvideowebweb adsweb advertisingWebAdsWebAdvertisingWed, 18 Apr 2012 13:21:00 EST<![CDATA[YouTube gives live video streamers better production tools, ways to make money]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/11/youtube-gives-live-video-streamers-better-production-tools-ways/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/11/youtube-gives-live-video-streamers-better-production-tools-ways/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/11/youtube-gives-live-video-streamers-better-production-tools-ways/#comments YouTube gives live video streamers better production tools, ways to make moneyIt's been about a year since YouTube took the beta tag off of its live video streams and to celebrate it's flipping the switch on a few new features. One major way to pull in better content is to allow its publishers to profit from it, and now they can either by charging viewers pay-per-view-style or through instream ads. On the backend they have improvements like a guided flow to follow before events go live and real time data breaking down their viewership by geography and format. Finally, Google is also provided Wirecast for YouTube Live free of charge, a bit of software that it says allows partners to do all the production (capture, switching between sources, live effects and overlays and more) necessary for "professional looking" live events. There's more information available after the break, but as long as this means we never have to see another jump cut vlog then we're all for it.

YouTube gives live video streamers better production tools, ways to make money originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 01:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsgoogleinternet videoInternetVideolivelive streamingLiveStreamingmonetizationppvpublishingwirecastyoutubeyoutube liveYoutubelIveWed, 11 Apr 2012 01:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung's AdHub Market advertising platform set to debut this year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/04/samsung-adhub-market-advertising-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/04/samsung-adhub-market-advertising-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/04/samsung-adhub-market-advertising-platform/#comments Samsung's AdHub Market advertising platform set to debut this year
Would it be such a bad idea if Sammy were to try squeezing more revenue out of those five million (and counting) Notes? Not by any means. According to The Wall Street Journal, Samsung, in partnership with OpenX Technologies, is planning to launch an advertising platform of its own at some point during the second half of this year. Dubbed AdHub Market, the service will be able to run on the company's handsets and slates, following a model similar to that of Apple's iAds. The AdHub Market would essentially allow advertisers to shell out cash in exchange for real estate within apps running on most of Samsung's devices. What's not clear, however, is how Google will react to the news...

Samsung's AdHub Market advertising platform set to debut this year originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adad platformadhubadhub marketAdhubMarketAdPlatformadsadvertisingadvertising platformAdvertisingPlatformandroidiadsmarketmobilepostcrosssamsungsamsung adhubsamsung adhub marketSamsungAdhubSamsungAdhubMarketWed, 04 Apr 2012 15:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Australian court holds Google responsible for misleading search ads]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/04/australian-court-holds-google-responsible-for-misleading-search/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/04/australian-court-holds-google-responsible-for-misleading-search/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/04/australian-court-holds-google-responsible-for-misleading-search/#comments Australian court holds Google responsible for misleading search adsIn a turnaround from a lower court ruling, three Australian Federal Court judges ruled yesterday that Google was responsible for its advertisers' content and that it breached the country's trade law by hosting misleading ads. The case centered on four ads in particular, in which the advertisers used the names of their competitors to ensure the ads appeared in search results for said companies. That, the court ruled, was likely to mislead folks searching for those competitors. While there's no fine imposed on Google with that judgement, the judges are asking Google to change its practices and to pay court costs. The ruling also, of course, sets quite a precedent if it is upheld. Not surprisingly, Google disagrees with the judges' decision, noting that it believes "advertisers should be responsible for the ads they create on the AdWords platform," and that it's now considering its options (including an appeal to the High Court).

Australian court holds Google responsible for misleading search ads originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsadvertisingaustraliacourtdecisiongooglemisleadingsearchsearch adsSearchAdsWed, 04 Apr 2012 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Spotify: by the way, you still get unlimited songs with a free account]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/spotify-by-the-way-you-still-get-unlimited-songs-with-a-free-a/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/spotify-by-the-way-you-still-get-unlimited-songs-with-a-free-a/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/spotify-by-the-way-you-still-get-unlimited-songs-with-a-free-a/#comments Remember that six month deadline we warned you about back in January? Well, it looks like Spotify wasn't so gung-ho about limiting the free version of its service, after all. The site is celebrating its nine month anniversary in the States by reminding users that it still has yet to impose a song limit for the unpaid variety. Spotify is extending the deal -- it's not saying for how long, though the mere reminder could certainly be taken as a sign that the sometimes overbearing record labels aren't hounding it to switch things up anytime soon. Of course, Spotify still really wants to get you to opt into a paid account to drop some of those ads from your stream, but if you don't want to pay, that's cool too.

Spotify: by the way, you still get unlimited songs with a free account originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accountadsfreemusicmusic streamingMusicStreamingpremiumspotifystreaming serviceStreamingServiceunlimitedThu, 29 Mar 2012 09:20:00 EST<![CDATA[GroupM and Nielsen work to combine online and TV metrics]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/22/groupm-and-nielsen-work-to-combine-online-and-tv-metrics/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/22/groupm-and-nielsen-work-to-combine-online-and-tv-metrics/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/22/groupm-and-nielsen-work-to-combine-online-and-tv-metrics/#comments ImageFor too long Nielsen ratings have dealt with TV commercials and web ads as completely separate entities. Episodes of your favorite show streamed through a service like Hulu or from the channel's website often didn't get factored into the pricing and sales of television ads, and vice versa. That is about to change, however, as the media monitoring company has joined forces with GroupM to create Nielsen Cross-Platform Campaign Ratings. The new product will combine its Nielsen Online Campaign Ratings, which measures internet advertising, with its traditional TV monitoring service to create a medium-agnostic tool for creating media metrics. Hopefully, with a unified pool of data and better monitoring services, content producers may be more likely to experiment with online distribution -- especially if they influence the flagship ratings. Check out the complete PR after the break.

Continue reading GroupM and Nielsen work to combine online and TV metrics

GroupM and Nielsen work to combine online and TV metrics originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 05:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisinggroupmhdpostminiNielsenNielsen Cross-Platform Campaign RatingsNielsen Online Campaign Ratingsnielsen ratingsNielsenCross-platformCampaignRatingsNielsenOnlineCampaignRatingsNielsenRatingsonline advertisingOnlineAdvertisingratingsTVtv ratingsTvRatingsThu, 22 Mar 2012 05:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Google patent outlines ads targeted to 'environmental conditions']]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/google-patent-outlines-ads-targeted-to-environmental-conditions/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/google-patent-outlines-ads-targeted-to-environmental-conditions/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/google-patent-outlines-ads-targeted-to-environmental-conditions/#comments Image
The ad game is all about targeting: demographics, locations, keywords -- and really, few companies are more equipped to target users than Google. In case you were worried that the search giant doesn't have enough information to harvest, a newly surfaced patent outlines the company's interesting utilizing environmental conditions, including things like temperature, humidity, sound, light or air composition, in order to serve up advertisements to devices. Of course, as with other interesting ad patents from the company, the fact that Google applied doesn't necessary mean we'll be seeing this specific technology rolling out any time soon -- or ever, for that matter.

Google patent outlines ads targeted to 'environmental conditions' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsadvertisingenvironmentgooglegoogle adsGoogleAdsmobilemobile adsMobileAdsmobilepostcrosspatentpatent applicationPatentApplicationtemperatureusptoWed, 21 Mar 2012 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Android study finds privacy and security risks related to in-app advertising]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/19/android-study-privacy-security-risks-in-app-ads/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/19/android-study-privacy-security-risks-in-app-ads/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/19/android-study-privacy-security-risks-in-app-ads/#comments
Android has certainly taken heat for malware-related bits in the past. Now, a recent study by computer scientists at North Carolina State University reveals that over half of the 100,000 apps from the Android Market Google Play include so-called ad libraries, which are essentially handed out by Google or third-party devs to retrieve ads from servers and launch them on your phone. Of these, 297 were classified as "aggressive," as they're allowed to run code from a remote server. Furthermore, Dr. Jiang along with his squad of researchers found that more than 48,000 of the apps put to the test could track location via GPS, while other accessed info could range from call logs, contact numbers, to the apps list on your device. It's unclear if this also applies to Android slates, though this particular study conducted only included handsets.

Continue reading Android study finds privacy and security risks related to in-app advertising

Android study finds privacy and security risks related to in-app advertising originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsandroidandroid marketAndroidMarketappapplicationapplicationsappsgoogle playGooglePlayin-appin-app adsin-app advertisingIn-appAdsIn-appAdvertisingmobile adsMobileAdsmobilepostminincsuNorth Carolina State UniversityNorthCarolinaStateUniversityresearchstudyMon, 19 Mar 2012 15:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Vevo app brings ad-supported music videos streaming to the Xbox 360]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/vevo-app-brings-ad-supported-music-videos-streaming-to-the-xbox/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/vevo-app-brings-ad-supported-music-videos-streaming-to-the-xbox/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/vevo-app-brings-ad-supported-music-videos-streaming-to-the-xbox/#comments The video services Microsoft announced would be coming to Xbox 360 continue to trickle out and the latest is from Vevo. What it brings free of charge (with the exception of the req'd Xbox Live Gold subscription, of course) is a library of music videos that's big enough (45,000 deep) for you to remember when the M in MTV stood for something. An additional bonus is that many of the videos are actually in high definition, unlike the ones broadcast on MTV and Fuse's high definition channels, and when we talked to the company ahead of the launch we were told the audio and video have been reencoded specifically for TV viewing.

There's the requisite Kinect integration for voice and gesture control, and users can create a queue of videos and skip through them without pausing the action, and of course share what they're playing with other users on Xbox 360 and services like Facebook. Best of all, it's not a pay-per-view setup like iTunes or the standard Xbox music videos. There are a few quirks however, like needing to create a Vevo account to get access and the number of clicks it takes to add videos to a playlist. Still, whether you want to autoplay all of your favorite artist's videos or pick one at a time it all works pretty well -- the only problem now is finding something worth listening to. Check the Xbox 360 app marketplace to download it or give the video demo (embedded after the break) a peek.

Continue reading Vevo app brings ad-supported music videos streaming to the Xbox 360

Vevo app brings ad-supported music videos streaming to the Xbox 360 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adshdhdpostminimicrosoftmusic videomusic videosMusicVideoMusicVideosvevovideoxboxxbox 360xbox liveXbox Live GoldXbox360XboxLiveXboxLiveGoldWed, 07 Mar 2012 19:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter Promoted Tweets: coming to an iPhone, Android app near you]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/twitter-promoted-tweets-coming-to-an-iphone-android-app-near-y/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/twitter-promoted-tweets-coming-to-an-iphone-android-app-near-y/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/twitter-promoted-tweets-coming-to-an-iphone-android-app-near-y/#comments
Roughly two years after first launching Promoted Tweets on the desktop, Twitter is rolling out the ad revenue model to its iOS and Android apps. The feature, which places sponsored tweets in users' timelines, is already available in the mobile web version of the site. Updates to the app will bring the ads to a select number of users who already follow those businesses in the next couple of weeks, followed by a wider rollout to users who don't. #ka-ching

Twitter Promoted Tweets: coming to an iPhone, Android app near you originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisementsandroidapplegoogleiosiphoneminipostpromoted tweetsPromotedTweetstweetstwitterTue, 28 Feb 2012 15:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Android apps on the PlayBook can keep their built-in ads, won't support RIM ads]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/20/android-apps-on-the-playbook-can-keep-their-built-in-ads/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/20/android-apps-on-the-playbook-can-keep-their-built-in-ads/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/20/android-apps-on-the-playbook-can-keep-their-built-in-ads/#comments Let's face it: a free PlayBook is nice, but it's not enough. If Android developers are to be persuaded to give up soccer practice and hot dates to stay home and re-package their apps for PlayBook OS 2.0, then they're going to need some advertising income too. Which is why a report over the weekend, claiming that ported apps would not support mobile ads, caused no end of fuss. Fortunately, it was the result of some kind of miscommunication and RIM quickly clarified that the updated PlayBook OS would support the ad services that come built into Android apps, but wouldn't support RIM's own BlackBerry ad services in that context. So what's it to be, the shin guards, the cologne, or the keyboard?

Android apps on the PlayBook can keep their built-in ads, won't support RIM ads originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisementsadvertisingadvertsandroidandroid appsAndroidAppsapp playerAppPlayerblackberryblackberry playbookBlackberryPlaybookgooglemobile advertisingMobileAdvertisingplaybookplaybook os 2.0PlaybookOs2.0Research In MotionResearchInMotionRIMMon, 20 Feb 2012 11:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Comcast's extra ads ruin NFC championship game conclusion in some areas]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/23/comcast-xfinity-ads-interrupt-nfc-championship/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/23/comcast-xfinity-ads-interrupt-nfc-championship/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/23/comcast-xfinity-ads-interrupt-nfc-championship/#comments
It wasn't just RIM that had designs on the limelight during the football action last night. Comcast commercials appeared over the NFC Championship game last night, thoughtfully playing over the climax of the match 'twixt the Giants and the 49ers. Frustrated fans who missed out on parts of the fourth quarter and overtime promptly began voicing dissent on the company's support forums. The Washington Post has a quote from spokesperson Amiee Metrick indicating the problems were due to a possible "equipment failure" at a local Fox affiliate, WTTG, resulting in the ill-timed ads reported in Washington D.C. We've heard that of customers receiving a $10 credit and an apology, but it seems unlikely to soothe the brow of those -- like the person who recorded video of the incident you can see after the break -- thinking of switching to FiOS.

Update: We've received a response from Comcast (included after the break), and updated the post to clarify the apparent breakdown was at local Fox affiliate WTTG.
[Thanks, John]

Continue reading Comcast's extra ads ruin NFC championship game conclusion in some areas

Comcast's extra ads ruin NFC championship game conclusion in some areas originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>49ersAdAdsAdvertsaffiliateBroadcastsComcastComcast XfinityComcastXfinityCommercialCommercialsErrorFoxgiantshdpostminiinsertInterruptedInterrupted BroadcastInterruptedBroadcastInterruptionInterruptionslocal affiliateLocalAffiliateNFCnfc championshipNfcChampionshipNFLovertimesportsvideoXfinityMon, 23 Jan 2012 15:22:00 EST<![CDATA[KDDI putting ads in the notification bar on Android phones]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/23/kddi-putting-ads-in-the-notification-bar-on-android-phones/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/23/kddi-putting-ads-in-the-notification-bar-on-android-phones/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/23/kddi-putting-ads-in-the-notification-bar-on-android-phones/#comments KDDIImagine you're walking down the block when, suddenly, your phone goes off. You take it out of your pocket, unlock that sucker and pull down the notification bar to reveal... an ad! The idea of such a travesty is enough to make our blood (which is primarily just liquid caffeine and taurine at this point) boil. Disturbingly enough though, this isn't some terrifying dystopian Android future -- this is the reality for at least some KDDI au customers. The Japanese carrier bundles the au one Market on many of its handsets as an alternative to the standard Google offering, and a recent update to the third party app outlet has it sending ads as push notifications to users. It's similar to Airpush, a service that offers both push notifications and ads as homescreen icons, which suffered a serious backlash shortly after launching. Of course, the carrier market can't be removed (at least not without a little bit of hackery) which makes this a practically unforgivable offense. Oh, and a quick message to any American carriers considering a similar move: don't even think about it.

KDDI putting ads in the notification bar on Android phones originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsandroidau one marketAuOneMarketgooglejapankddikddi auKddiAumobilepostminipush adspush notificationsPushAdsPushNotificationsMon, 23 Jan 2012 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung's Smart TV SDK reaches 3.0 with support for USB controllers, payment and ads]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/03/samsungs-smart-tv-sdk-30-usb-advertisements/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/03/samsungs-smart-tv-sdk-30-usb-advertisements/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/03/samsungs-smart-tv-sdk-30-usb-advertisements/#comments Even though all signs indicate Samsung will be joining the Google TV party shortly, it's not going to give up on its own existing Smart TV platform just yet. We don't know if it will run the two side by side as it has operated with Yahoo! Widgets, but the Korean manufacturer has announced it plans to release version 3.0 of its SDK January 5th. The new Samsung Apps toolkit supports mobile devices and TV sets, and lets developers build in support for remote controls, as well as USB mice, keyboards or gamepads. Of course, not all devs will work for free, so they're also adding a way for them to get paid through the built-in payment system or advertisements. Currently, Samsung claims 25,000 developers from 140 countries in its forums, but we'll have to wait until CES 2012 to find out if its products live up to the hype and attract more innovative software to the segment.

Continue reading Samsung's Smart TV SDK reaches 3.0 with support for USB controllers, payment and ads

Samsung's Smart TV SDK reaches 3.0 with support for USB controllers, payment and ads originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3.0adsadvertisementadvertisementsappscesces 2012Ces2012connected tvConnectedTvdevelopergamepadhdpostminiin-app purchasesIn-appPurchaseskeyboardmonetizemousepaymentsamsungsamsung appsSamsungAppssdksdk 3.0Sdk3.0smart tvSmartTvusbTue, 03 Jan 2012 02:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Google outs two new Galaxy Nexus commercials, touts Face Unlock and Hangouts (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/15/google-outs-two-new-galaxy-nexus-commercials-touts-face-unlock/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/15/google-outs-two-new-galaxy-nexus-commercials-touts-face-unlock/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/15/google-outs-two-new-galaxy-nexus-commercials-touts-face-unlock/#comments Go figure -- it's Galaxy Nexus day. Again. And as such, Google has just pushed out two new commercials in its "Calling all..." series. The new spots tout the new smartphone's Face Unlock feature as well as Google+ Hangouts, where Ice Cream Sandwich is proudly showcased. We'd bother explaining more, but we're pretty sure the two play buttons after the break are more than sufficient.

Continue reading Google outs two new Galaxy Nexus commercials, touts Face Unlock and Hangouts (video)

Google outs two new Galaxy Nexus commercials, touts Face Unlock and Hangouts (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4g4g lte4gLteadadsadvertisementadvertisingcommercialfacesgalaxy nexusGalaxyNexusgooglehangoutshangoverltemobilepostmininexussamsungvideoThu, 15 Dec 2011 11:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Yahoo's San Francisco billboard closing up shop after more than a decade]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/yahoos-san-francisco-billboard-closing-up-shop-after-more-than/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/yahoos-san-francisco-billboard-closing-up-shop-after-more-than/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/yahoos-san-francisco-billboard-closing-up-shop-after-more-than/#comments Oh, 1999. Simpler times, those. IT departments were frantically prepping for Y2K, Jeff Bezos (or his head, at least) was named Time's "Person of the Year" and the tech bubble was getting ready to burst at the seams. That same year, the lights on Yahoo's "A nice place to stay on the internet" billboard turned on for the first time on the highway leading to the Bay Bridge. Those lights, which have seen their share of ups and downs for internet companies, will be turned off for the last time in the coming weeks. Clear Channel confirmed that there will, indeed, be vacancy in that space come next month.

Yahoo's San Francisco billboard closing up shop after more than a decade originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingbay bridgeBayBridgebillboardfreewayhighwayinternetsan franciscoSanFranciscosearchyahooMon, 21 Nov 2011 23:47:00 EST<![CDATA[$100 Kobo Touch with Offers ships in '2-3 weeks,' serves you ads between reads for a one-time discount]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/12/100-kobo-touch-with-offers-ships-in-2-3-weeks-serves-you-ads/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/12/100-kobo-touch-with-offers-ships-in-2-3-weeks-serves-you-ads/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/12/100-kobo-touch-with-offers-ships-in-2-3-weeks-serves-you-ads/#comments
Well, would ya look at this? Apparently, Kobo's unceremoniously launched a new variant of the Touch eReader on its webstore -- this time "with offers," priced at $99.99 (down from the regular's $130). According the company, this six-incher is identical to its original Kobo Touch, but will display advertisements when you're not reading -- namely, while it's off, in sleep mode and across other "discreet" areas when it's on. Notably, the device is only available in the US in black and currently unavailable for pre-order, although Kobo's listed it as "shipping within two to three weeks." There's no word on what sorts of "sponsored content" you can expect to see, but we'd bet that Amazon-related items won't be on the table. Ad-tolerating eBook aficionados will find all the details at the source link below.

$100 Kobo Touch with Offers ships in '2-3 weeks,' serves you ads between reads for a one-time discount originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adse booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersebookskobokobo touchkobo touch with OffersKoboTouchKoboTouchWithOffersSat, 12 Nov 2011 16:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Google promises 'greater transparency' for targeted ads, gives users more control over them]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/google-promises-greater-transparency-for-targeted-ads-gives-u/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/google-promises-greater-transparency-for-targeted-ads-gives-u/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/google-promises-greater-transparency-for-targeted-ads-gives-u/#comments
Chances are you've visited at least one Google site or another today, and chances are you were delivered some ads tailored just for you while you were there. Exactly how those ads got from the advertiser to you hasn't always been clear, but Google's now announced a new effort that it promises will provide "greater transparency and choice" regarding the ads you see. The most immediate change is a new "Why this ad?" link that will be displayed in search results and on Gmail -- click on it and Google provides a brief explanation of how that particular ad came to appear on your screen (based on your current search terms, your location, etc.). You'll also soon be able to access a new Ads Preference Manager, which will let you block specific advertisers or opt out of personalized ads entirely. Google says those options will be appearing "over the coming weeks," but you can get a peek at what's in store in the video after the break.

Continue reading Google promises 'greater transparency' for targeted ads, gives users more control over them

Google promises 'greater transparency' for targeted ads, gives users more control over them originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsadvertisementsadvertisingadwordsgmailgooglegoogle adsGoogleAdssearchtargetedtargeted adsTargetedAdsvideoTue, 01 Nov 2011 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[First Nokia 800 ads spotted, announcing the arrival WP7 for Finnish faithful]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/first-nokia-800-ads-spotted-announcing-the-arrival-wp7-for-finn/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/first-nokia-800-ads-spotted-announcing-the-arrival-wp7-for-finn/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/first-nokia-800-ads-spotted-announcing-the-arrival-wp7-for-finn/#comments Nokia 800 ads Nokia keeps promising that its first Windows Phone 7 device will be shipping by the end of the year and, though the company is cutting it close, we may actually see that vow fulfilled. It's already been caught in spy shots a few times over, but now marketing materials for the Nokia 800 have started to leak out. With Nokia World only a few weeks away, it makes sense that the Finnish manufacturer would want a campaign ready to roll. The ads for what was formerly known only as Sea Ray talk up WP7's social features, with one declaring "Take, tag, sort and share. All in a flash." It's hardly a confirmation, but this is as good as sign as we've seen that Nokia will actually deliver us a little slice of Mango before it's time to buy a new calendar.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

First Nokia 800 ads spotted, announcing the arrival WP7 for Finnish faithful originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adad campaignad campaignsAdCampaignAdCampaignsadsmangomobilepostcrossnokianokia 800Nokia800sea raySeaRaywindows phonewindows phone 7windows phone 7.5windows phone 7.5 mangowindows phone mangoWindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7WindowsPhone7.5WindowsPhone7.5MangoWindowsPhoneMangowp7Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon discounts 'original' 6-inch Kindle Keyboard: now starting at $99]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/28/amazon-discounts-original-6-inch-kindle-keyboard-now-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/28/amazon-discounts-original-6-inch-kindle-keyboard-now-starting/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/28/amazon-discounts-original-6-inch-kindle-keyboard-now-starting/#comments Ready for another new Kindle moniker to remember? Here it comes! "Kindle Keyboard." That's the name that was bestowed upon the tried-and-true 6-incher today after Bezos unwrapped a touchscreen model and a low-cost variant that tout no physical QWERTY keys whatsoever. Now, the WiFi-only Kindle is going for as low as $99 with ads (down from $114), while the non-ads edition can be had for $139. Meanwhile, the 3G + WiFi Special Offers edition has fallen from $164 to $139, and the ad-free brother is going for $189. Naturally, all four of 'em are in stock and shipping today if the new blood just didn't do much for ya.

Continue reading Amazon discounts 'original' 6-inch Kindle Keyboard: now starting at $99

Amazon discounts 'original' 6-inch Kindle Keyboard: now starting at $99 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>6-inchadsamazonamazon kindleAmazonKindlebreaking newsdiscounte booke bookse inke readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersEInkkindlekindle keyboardkindle special offersKindleKeyboardKindleSpecialOfferson saleOnSalepriceprice cutprice dropPriceCutPriceDropsalespecial offersSpecialOffersWed, 28 Sep 2011 11:43:00 EST<![CDATA[UK Advertising Authority smacks Motorola for misleading Atrix advert (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/24/uk-advertising-authority-smacks-motorola-for-misleading-atrix-ad/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/24/uk-advertising-authority-smacks-motorola-for-misleading-atrix-ad/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/24/uk-advertising-authority-smacks-motorola-for-misleading-atrix-ad/#comments
Oh dear. Remember Motorola's advert claiming the Atrix was the "world's most powerful smartphone?" Well it's now been banned in the UK by the Advertising Standards Authority. Viewers complained about the misleading phrase as the Galaxy S II has a faster 1.2 GHz processor, compared to Atrix's 1GHz. Moto said it meant "powerful" in the sense it could drive various devices -- the ASA didn't agree, since the phrase was read out over the final shot in the advert, where the phone appears in isolation. It ruled that as such, the advert was misleading and can only reappear on UK TV with the contentious phrase removed. Armchair adjudicators can decide for themselves in the video after the break.

Continue reading UK Advertising Authority smacks Motorola for misleading Atrix advert (video)

UK Advertising Authority smacks Motorola for misleading Atrix advert (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdAdsAdvertAdvertising Standards AuthorityAdvertisingStandardsAuthorityASABanBannedBanned AdsBannedAdsmobilepostcrossMotorolaMotorola AtrixMotorola Atrix 4GMotorola Atrix 4G Banned AdvertMotorolaAtrixMotorolaAtrix4gMotorolaAtrix4gBannedAdvertvideoWed, 24 Aug 2011 15:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony's Face-to-Avatar blimp soars through SIGGRAPH, melts the heart of Big Brother (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/sonys-face-to-avatar-blimp-soars-through-siggraph-melts-the-he/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/sonys-face-to-avatar-blimp-soars-through-siggraph-melts-the-he/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/sonys-face-to-avatar-blimp-soars-through-siggraph-melts-the-he/#comments Telepresence, say hello to your future. Humans, say hello to the next generation of Chancellor Sutler. All jesting aside, there's no question that Big Brother came to mind when eying Sony Computer Science Laboratories' Face-to-Avatar concept at SIGGRAPH. For all intents and purposes, it's a motorized blimp with a front-facing camera, microphone, a built-in projector and a WiFi module. It's capable of hovering above crowds in order to showcase an image of what's below, or displaying an image of whatever's being streamed to its wireless apparatus. The folks we spoke to seemed to think that it was still a few years out from being in a marketable state, but we can think of a few governments who'd probably be down to buy in right now. Kidding. Ominous video (and static male figurehead) await you after the break.

Gallery: Sony's Face-to-Avatar blimp soars through SIGGRAPH 2011

Continue reading Sony's Face-to-Avatar blimp soars through SIGGRAPH, melts the heart of Big Brother (video)

Sony's Face-to-Avatar blimp soars through SIGGRAPH, melts the heart of Big Brother (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsadvertisementadvertisingavatarblimpcameraconceptface to avatarface-to-avatarFaceToAvatarhands-onmarketingprivacyprojectorprototyperesearchsiggraphsiggraph 2011Siggraph2011sonytelepresencevideowebcamweirdThu, 11 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Vitamin Water bus-stop ad lets devices juice-up before the commute]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/17/vitamin-water-bus-stop-ad-lets-devices-juice-up-before-the-commu/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/17/vitamin-water-bus-stop-ad-lets-devices-juice-up-before-the-commu/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/17/vitamin-water-bus-stop-ad-lets-devices-juice-up-before-the-commu/#comments
Battery running low during the rush-hour commute? Glacéau's Vitamin Water Energy Bus Shelter by Crispin Porter & Bogusky wants to help you get charged while you're waiting to board. The new billboards feature a bottle of the vitamin / caffeine-packing drink, sporting a triple-USB port, which you can plug your devices into for some extra juice. Apparently, you'll be seeing these if your daily public-transit hustle takes you through the fine cities of Boston, New York, Chicago or Los Angeles -- we'd imagine owners of HTC's Thunderbolt will find them very useful.

Vitamin Water bus-stop ad lets devices juice-up before the commute originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 17 Jul 2011 03:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsadvertisementadvertisingapplebostonbus stopBus stop adBusStopBusStopAdchargechargerchargingEnergy Bus ShelterEnergyBusShelterideviceipadipodipod touchIpodTouchlalos angelesLosAngelesmarketingnew yorkNewYorknyusbusb chargingUsbChargingvitamin watervitamin water adVitamin Water Energy Bus ShelterVitaminWaterVitaminWaterAdVitaminWaterEnergyBusShelterSun, 17 Jul 2011 03:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon Kindle 3G gets AT&T-sponsored ad-supported option priced at $139]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/13/amazon-kindle-3g-gets-atandt-sponsored-ad-supported-option-priced/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/13/amazon-kindle-3g-gets-atandt-sponsored-ad-supported-option-priced/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/13/amazon-kindle-3g-gets-atandt-sponsored-ad-supported-option-priced/#comments Good news: now you can pick up an Amazon Kindle 3G for the same price as the Kindle WiFi. Naturally, there's a catch here: ads, ads, ads -- but you've gotten pretty good at tuning those things out anyway, right? The online retail giant announced today the availability of the Kindle 3G with Special Offers, priced at $139 (down from $189 for the ad-free version) -- best of all, that price includes the 3G subscription, which won't cost you a thing, if you're willing to wade through "money saving offers" and some adtastic screensavers. The new option joins the already announced ad-support WiFi model, which will run you $114 and replaces the $164 non-AT&T-sponsored 3G version. Press after the break.

Update: As Ahecht pointed out in comments, this new, cheaper Kindle is actually a replacement for the older ad-supported 3G model.

Continue reading Amazon Kindle 3G gets AT&T-sponsored ad-supported option priced at $139

Amazon Kindle 3G gets AT&T-sponsored ad-supported option priced at $139 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adad supportedadsAdSupportedadvertisingamazonatte booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readerskindleWed, 13 Jul 2011 10:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Coca-Cola's green billboard consumes carbon dioxide like so much sugary soda]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/coca-colas-green-billboard-consumes-carbon-dioxide-like-so-much/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/coca-colas-green-billboard-consumes-carbon-dioxide-like-so-much/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/coca-colas-green-billboard-consumes-carbon-dioxide-like-so-much/#comments Sure, we've seen plenty of cool billboard features over the years, from facial recognition to interactive Pong games, but few have managed the dual feat of promoting a popular soft drink and making the world a slightly greener place. All of that fuzzy area you see surrounding the silhouette of the Coke bottle in the above 60 by 60 foot billboard is made up of a number of Fukien tea plants, each of which can soak up around 13 pounds of carbon dioxide per year, for a combined total of 46,800 pounds. The plants are housed in pots made from recycled Coke bottles and are watered via a drip irrigation system. The billboard is the product of a partnership between Coca-Cola Philippines and the World Wildlife Fund. No word on when it might be greening up more skylines around the world. Press release below.

Continue reading Coca-Cola's green billboard consumes carbon dioxide like so much sugary soda

Coca-Cola's green billboard consumes carbon dioxide like so much sugary soda originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsadvertisementbillboardbillboardscoca-colacokeenvironmentgreenPhilippinesplantspollutionrecyclingworld wildlife fundWorldWildlifeFundwwfWed, 06 Jul 2011 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[LG claims 4 out of 5 viewers prefer its 3D to Sony or Samsung, whips up some new ads]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/30/lg-claims-4-out-of-5-viewers-prefer-its-3d-to-sony-or-samsung-w/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/30/lg-claims-4-out-of-5-viewers-prefer-its-3d-to-sony-or-samsung-w/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/30/lg-claims-4-out-of-5-viewers-prefer-its-3d-to-sony-or-samsung-w/#commentsThe next shot in the active glasses vs. passive glasses 3DTV war has been fired by LG, claiming survey results showing 4 out of 5 viewers polled preferred its technology to those offered by Sony and Samsung. According to the press release, all the displays were tested by Morpace Inc. in May at their default settings without any branding shown. Our experience with the LG LW5600 HDTV was that the passive solution was comfortable and bright, but did suffer a bit of artifacting on edges and text that we haven't spotted on active shutter glasses 3DTV. Hit the source link to pore through the data that's been made available or check out the press release and video after the break, while they argue over preference we're pretty sure the biggest challenge is convincing users to choose 3D in the first place.

Continue reading LG claims 4 out of 5 viewers prefer its 3D to Sony or Samsung, whips up some new ads

LG claims 4 out of 5 viewers prefer its 3D to Sony or Samsung, whips up some new ads originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3dtvactive glassesActiveGlassesadshdhdtvlgpassive glassesPassiveGlassessamsungsonysurveyThu, 30 Jun 2011 16:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's NUAds interactive advertising to harness powers of Kinect, 'change television as we know it']]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/microsofts-nuads-interactive-advertising-to-harness-powers-of-k/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/microsofts-nuads-interactive-advertising-to-harness-powers-of-k/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/microsofts-nuads-interactive-advertising-to-harness-powers-of-k/#comments Microsoft's NUAds interactive advertising to harness powers of Kinect, 'change television as we know it' The folks over at Microsoft Advertising are quite fond of their latest brainchild, so much so that they're calling the Kinect-enabled advertising platform "irresistibly interactive." NUAds -- which snaked the NU in NUI -- feeds off our need for interactivity, allowing advertisers to lure us in by enabling points of gesture and voice control. Think the latest Snuggie spot is super cool? Just say "Xbox, Tweet," and all your friends will know it. Want to know more about Mariah Carey's latest fragrance? Say "Xbox, More," and the info is all yours. Wondering where you can pick up a box of Nad's edible hair remover? Say "Xbox, Near Me," and you'll get a text with the location of the closest Nad's retailer. Want to vote on the hottest new Bratz doll? Give your girl a thumbs up. So Microsoft may have engaged a host of more respectable partners, namely Adidas, NBC, and Coca Cola, for its demo of the voice and gesture-enabled advertising platform yesterday, and NUAds does indeed serve up promotions in an entirely new way, but will it really change how we view the boob tube for good? Check out the video demo after the break, and weigh in the comments below.

Continue reading Microsoft's NUAds interactive advertising to harness powers of Kinect, 'change television as we know it'

Microsoft's NUAds interactive advertising to harness powers of Kinect, 'change television as we know it' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingapplicationgamesgaminggesturegesture controlGestureControlin gamein game advertisingin-gameInGameInGameAdvertisinginteractive adsinteractive advertisingInteractiveAdsInteractiveAdvertisingKinectMicrosoftNuadstelevisiontrade marktrade mark applicationtrademarkTradeMarkApplicationTVUSPTOvideovoicevoice controlVoiceControlXBox KinectXbox LiveXboxKinectXboxLiveWed, 22 Jun 2011 16:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Radioshack sucks at OS recognition: close, but no Android]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/04/radioshack-sucks-at-os-recognition-close-but-no-android/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/04/radioshack-sucks-at-os-recognition-close-but-no-android/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/04/radioshack-sucks-at-os-recognition-close-but-no-android/#comments Radioshack sucks at OS recognition: close, but no Android "Make it an Android?" Are you trying to tell Elop he chose the wrong OS, Radioshack?

[Thanks, Travis]

Radioshack sucks at OS recognition: close, but no Android originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Jun 2011 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisementandroidfailRadioShacksymbianSat, 04 Jun 2011 10:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Smartphones, not DVRs, are the biggest threat to TV adverts]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/27/smartphones-not-dvrs-are-the-biggest-threat-to-tv-adverts/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/27/smartphones-not-dvrs-are-the-biggest-threat-to-tv-adverts/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/27/smartphones-not-dvrs-are-the-biggest-threat-to-tv-adverts/#comments TV viewers are a famously fickle bunch, which tends to drive TV advertisers crazy. The prevalent theory remains that skipping past ads using a pesky DVR is the biggest enemy of marketers, but new research has once again contradicted that received wisdom. The IPG Media Lab in Los Angeles pulled together a representative group of 48 TV and online video viewers and asked them to sit through some programming while equipped with the usual "devices or distractions" that accompany their viewing habits. Central to the study was the measurement of time each person spent facing the screen and how engaged they were with the content. The first thing noted was that 94 percent of TV viewers and 73 percent of online video consumers used some other form of media to augment their visual entertainment. Smartphones were the most common, with 60 percent of test subjects resorting to their handset while gawking at the TV. That's resulted in a mediocre 52 percent attention level during actual programs and 37 percent during ads. In other words, two thirds of the time, commercials are being ignored and smartphones are helping people with that heinous behavior. Ironically, fast-forwarding adverts using a DVR garnered attention levels that were 12 percent higher, mostly because people were trying to make sure they didn't skip too far ahead. Damn, why does reality have to be all complex and stuff?

Smartphones, not DVRs, are the biggest threat to TV adverts originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 08:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingadvertsaffectivacellphonescommercialcommercialsdatadistracteddistractiondvripgipg media labIpgMediaLabresearchsmartphonessocial networkingSocialNetworkingstatisticsstatsstudytelevisiontvyumeFri, 27 May 2011 08:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Kindle 3G gets ad-supported $164 version, basically sells your eyeballs for a $25 discount]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/24/kindle-3g-gets-ad-supported-164-version-sells-your-eyeballs-fo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/24/kindle-3g-gets-ad-supported-164-version-sells-your-eyeballs-fo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/24/kindle-3g-gets-ad-supported-164-version-sells-your-eyeballs-fo/#comments
It's been one heck of a week for e-readers, with a new $139 touchscreen Nook in town and a $129 finger-friendly Kobo as well. What's Amazon going to do about the newfound competition? Simply lower the price of its best-selling Kindle 3G to $164. Well, perhaps "lower" isn't quite the right word, because you'll simply be paying by different means: the new Kindle 3G with Special Offers will be the company's second e-reader to feature built-in advertising. If you're shy on cash, though, we suppose viewing a few ads is a small price to pay for cheaper Whispernet. PR after the break.

Continue reading Kindle 3G gets ad-supported $164 version, basically sells your eyeballs for a $25 discount

Kindle 3G gets ad-supported $164 version, basically sells your eyeballs for a $25 discount originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 May 2011 20:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adad-supportedad-supported kindleAd-supportedKindleadsadvertisementadvertisingamazondiscountkindlekindle 3gkindle 3G with special offerskindle with special offersKindle3gKindle3gWithSpecialOffersKindleWithSpecialOffersTue, 24 May 2011 20:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Ad-supported Kindle ships early, fans of grayscale advertising rejoice]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/27/ad-supported-kindle-ships-early-fans-of-grayscale-advertising-r/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/27/ad-supported-kindle-ships-early-fans-of-grayscale-advertising-r/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/27/ad-supported-kindle-ships-early-fans-of-grayscale-advertising-r/#comments Great news for people who love to read but wish the experience involved more advertising: an Amazon executive has announced the ad-supported Kindle, originally slated for a May 3 release, is going out to customers nearly a week early. Kindle with Special Offers, as it's affectionately known, will ship out April 27, loaded with timely adverts from your favorite brands, including General Motors, Proctor & Gamble and Visa - those are your favorite brands, aren't they? In exchange for sponsored screensavers and ads at the bottom of your home screen, you'll get a latest generation WiFi-only Kindle for a only $114 - sorry, offer available in the US only. Act now, as Amazon promises it will never just give these away.

Ad-supported Kindle ships early, fans of grayscale advertising rejoice originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 06:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adad-supportedadsadvertisingadwareAmazonamazon kindleAmazonKindlebookse booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersKindleKindle with Special OffersKindleWithSpecialOffersretailwifiWed, 27 Apr 2011 06:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Ad-supported Kindle to ship May 3rd: saves $25, includes lot of enticement]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/11/ad-supported-kindle-to-ship-may-3rd-saves-25-adds-lot-of-enti/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/11/ad-supported-kindle-to-ship-may-3rd-saves-25-adds-lot-of-enti/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/11/ad-supported-kindle-to-ship-may-3rd-saves-25-adds-lot-of-enti/#comments
 Here's a scenario: what if we told you that your next Kindle could be had for $25 less than retail? What if we told you it came from the rear of a nondescript white van? Or what if we told you that you'd first need to sign up for 842 email marketing scams? Thankfully, none of those scenarios are ones we're looking to tell you about. Instead, we're here to introduce you to the world's first ad-supported Kindle, going on sale within Target and Best Buy locations for $114. That represents a gentle $25 savings compared to the price of today's cheapest Kindle, but those 2500 pennies don't come free -- you'll be asked to endure "advertisements on the bottom of the device's home page and on its screen savers." Furthermore, it sets a new precedent in the gadget arena that could very well carry over to ad-discounted tablets, netbooks, PMPs, and who knows what else. At this point, Buick, Olay and Visa will be advertising, and we get the impression that said list will bloom in due time. It's hard to say just how intrusive they'll be, but Kindle director Jay Marine seems to think that "customers are going to love it."

We aren't so sure. While it's crystal clear that the general populace adores coupon cutting, it seems problematic to us to ship a pair of identical products that cost within $25 of one another and expect Joe Sixpack to grok the difference. In fact, we're guessing that this will inevitably lead to consumer complaints from those who can't figure out why their "on sale Kindle" isn't nearly as enjoyable to read as "Bob's Kindle... that he found during a sale." At any rate, a demo of the new device displayed a screen saver deal "where customers would pay $10 for a $20 gift card to Amazon," and while no ads will appear in e-books, there's still "a clear advertisement" along the bottom of the home screen. All that said, here's the key feature that Amazon's seemingly overlooking: an option in the software to pay back the $25 a customer skimped on to do away with the ads on their ad-supported e-reader. Solves the buyer's remorse problem, at least.

Update: And it's official -- PR's after the break!

Continue reading Ad-supported Kindle to ship May 3rd: saves $25, includes lot of enticement

Ad-supported Kindle to ship May 3rd: saves $25, includes lot of enticement originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsadvertisementadvertisingamazonbreaking newse booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readere-readersjay marineJayMarinekindlemarketingpromotionspecial offersSpecialOffersMon, 11 Apr 2011 17:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Latitude, now with 100 percent more check-in deals]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/11/google-latitude-now-with-100-percent-more-check-in-deals/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/11/google-latitude-now-with-100-percent-more-check-in-deals/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/11/google-latitude-now-with-100-percent-more-check-in-deals/#comments A couple of months back, Google brought check-ins to Latitude, its location-sharing service, through Google Maps 5.1 for Android. Naturally, iPhone users only recently received the same functionality, but some would argue they should be grateful to be included at all. (Kidding. Sort of.) Now, Latitude's inching closer to direct competition with Foursquare and Groupon by offering check-in deals at retailers like RadioShack, American Eagle, Quiznos, and Finish Line. Google is currently namechecking over a dozen nationwide partners, and that list will surely grow as the bandwagon approaches Mach 5. Curious as to how this all works? Check in at RadioShack, for example, and you might receive ten percent off an in-store purchase. Offers are tied to check-in frequency, building on Latitude's three-tiered status system; higher status means better deals. If you'd rather peek nearby offers before you decide to leave the house, head to Google's official check in page in the source link below.

Google Latitude, now with 100 percent more check-in deals originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsadvertisementadvertisingcheck-incheck-inscheckincheckinsdealsgooglegoogle latitudegoogle placesGoogleLatitudeGooglePlaceslatitudemapmapsmarketingplacespromotionsalesMon, 11 Apr 2011 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple releases iAd Gallery app: all ads, all the time]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/apple-releases-iad-gallery-app-all-ads-all-the-time/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/apple-releases-iad-gallery-app-all-ads-all-the-time/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/apple-releases-iad-gallery-app-all-ads-all-the-time/#comments
Tired of apps always getting in the way of your ads? There's an app for that.

Update: Well, it looks like there's a bit more to this story. It turns out a developer of a similar ad-only app informed us a while back that her Ads Tube app (demoed after the break) was rejected by Apple because there was "not enough user functionality." Guess it finally worked out that problem itself.

Continue reading Apple releases iAd Gallery app: all ads, all the time

Apple releases iAd Gallery app: all ads, all the time originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsadvertisingappappleiadiad galleryIadGalleryiadsiosTue, 05 Apr 2011 16:44:00 EST<![CDATA[TelePresence Tech kiosk to bring virtual shopping to a mall near you, we go hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/telepresence-tech-kiosk-to-bring-virtual-shopping-to-a-mall-near/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/telepresence-tech-kiosk-to-bring-virtual-shopping-to-a-mall-near/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/telepresence-tech-kiosk-to-bring-virtual-shopping-to-a-mall-near/#comments If Amazon were to venture beyond the web in favor of a more tangible medium to peddle its wares, it might consider something like Telepresence Tech's new telepresence kiosk for the job. We got a surprise demo of the system at a Samsung event today and came away intrigued. The technology renders 2D images that float and rotate in space, giving retailers a way to let customers see their products as if they were actually there, and at a fraction of the cost -- about $1.50 per hour -- of paying meatbags to man a traditional brick-and-mortar store. A separate touchscreen lets shoppers scroll through available items, speak face to virtual face with customer service, and make purchases. Check the gallery to see more of what our retail future looks like.

Gallery: Telepresence Tech Kiosk at Samsung Mobilization

TelePresence Tech kiosk to bring virtual shopping to a mall near you, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisinghands-onmarketingretailretailerretailerssamsungshoppingteleconferenceteleconferencingtelepresencetelepresence techTelepresenceTechvideo conferencingVideoConferencingWed, 23 Mar 2011 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[NeuroFocus makes first wireless EEG sensor headset, don't call it a thinking cap]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/neurofocus-makes-first-wireless-eeg-sensor-headset-dont-call-i/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/neurofocus-makes-first-wireless-eeg-sensor-headset-dont-call-i/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/neurofocus-makes-first-wireless-eeg-sensor-headset-dont-call-i/#comments It's well known that advertisers track our web-surfing habits to tailor the ads we see, but they'd prefer to know exactly what's going on inside of that brain of yours. NeuroFocus' aptly named Mynd, a full-brain wireless EEG sensor headset, serves as a stylish and easy way to record your thoughts whilst gazing at logos and lusting after products. In addition to neuromarketing applications, the European Tools for Brain-Computer Interaction consortium (TOBI) see it as a tool to help develop new technology for those with neurological disabilities. Sporting looks straight off the Game Grid, the Mynd is made of medical-grade EEG sensors to capture brain activity 2,000 times per second and a Bluetooth radio to shoot your thoughts to the smartphone, tablet, or PC of your choice. The wireless bit represents a huge upgrade over traditional EEG caps because it makes the headset's mind-reading powers available in shopping malls and living rooms instead of just hospitals. All so the sellers of things can know just how effective a spokesperson the ETrade baby really is. PR's after the break.

Continue reading NeuroFocus makes first wireless EEG sensor headset, don't call it a thinking cap

NeuroFocus makes first wireless EEG sensor headset, don't call it a thinking cap originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingbluetoothbrainwavecapeegeeg sensorEegSensorheadsetmarketingmedicalmindmind readermind readingMindReaderMindReadingmyndneuralneurofocusneurologicalneuromarketingneuroscienceTOBIwirelessWed, 23 Mar 2011 11:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Lynx augmented reality stunt drops scantly clad angels on terrestrial travelers (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/17/lynx-augmented-reality-stunt-drops-scantly-clad-angels-on-terres/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/17/lynx-augmented-reality-stunt-drops-scantly-clad-angels-on-terres/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/17/lynx-augmented-reality-stunt-drops-scantly-clad-angels-on-terres/#comments It isn't exactly a spring chicken, nor is it particularly new to the advertising game -- Best Buy utilized the stuff back in 2009 to push electronics -- but a new ad campaign from manly body spray purveyor Lynx (Axe in the US) is making augmented reality nearly unavoidable. Created by BBH, a global ad agency, the video below shows travelers at London's Victoria train station staring up at a giant screen to find themselves greeted by a skimpily attired fallen angel. The stunt, launched on March 6, drew a lot of attention from passersby, and in more than one instance elicited some pretty, well, bold behavior. Up until now, augmented reality has mostly been a play thing of the geek set -- even previous advertisements enlisting such tactics required a decent amount of work from the audience -- but if these fallen angels are any sign, we could all be traversing a more unreal world very soon.

[Thanks, Ben]

Continue reading Lynx augmented reality stunt drops scantly clad angels on terrestrial travelers (video)

Lynx augmented reality stunt drops scantly clad angels on terrestrial travelers (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsadvertisingARAR advertisingArAdvertisingaugmentedaugmented realityaugmented reality advertisingAugmentedRealityAugmentedRealityAdvertisingaxeBBHfallen angelsFallenAngelslondonlondon victoriaLondonVictorialynxrealitystuntvictoria train stationVictoriaTrainStationvideoThu, 17 Mar 2011 15:19:00 EST