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Samsung's Gear VR browser gets improved WebVR content support
One of the best reasons to (still) consider a Galaxy S7 smartphone is the Gear VR headset support, and with Google's Daydream a looming rival, Samsung wants to keep things that way. As such, Samsung recently updated its Internet for Gear VR browser used inside the virtual reality headset. The biggest change is support for WebVR 1.0, the first iteration of the experimental VR internet browser standard developed by Google and Mozilla. The feature makes it easier to view 3D images and streaming VR content on the device.
Facebook buys CrowdTangle to help publishers track content
The name CrowdTangle may not be familiar to you, but Facebook just snatched up the company to help its publishers track how content moves around the internet. CrowdTangle's platform launched four years ago, giving companies a real-time look at content performance to gauge if posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social channels are effective.
Vimeo is working on a subscription streaming service
Vimeo plans to start a new Netflix-type streaming service and develop its own content, but its won't spend Netflix dollars. Rather, the site (owned by Barry Diller's IAC) will help its creator community develop original content and supplement it with licensed programming. "Vimeo has the once-in-a-generation opportunity to, following in Netflix's footsteps, deliver compelling subscription viewing experiences for consumers in the market for pay TV," CEO Joey Levin said in a shareholder letter
Verizon buys a video startup for its tech, kills the service
Verizon announced today that they'd acquired former Hulu CEO Jason Kilar's startup, Vessel, a subscription service for short-form video. Or to be more exact, they bought its technology and product but will be closing the service. Kilar won't be coming along as part of the deal, but many of the startup's employees and its cofounder and CTO Richard Tom will, to become CTO of Verizon's digital entertainment efforts.
NBC will produce original content for Snapchat
If Snapchat's feeling an existential crisis (what with Instagram ripping off its product and all) then it's not showing it. The company has sealed a deal with NBCUniversal that'll see the broadcaster produce "original content" for the messaging service. The shows will feature original material that's been spun out of popular NBC franchises like SNL, The Voice and Fallon. The first will be a scaled-down version of the singing competition, in which user-submitted auditions will be judged by whichever The Voice coach has some free time.
Reddit will let advertisers sponsor your post
Reddit needs to earn money, and one that it's planning to do that is by letting advertisers put their cash behind your posts. In an interview with AdAge, co-founder Steve Huffman explained how his website is going to attempt to be as big with brands as Facebook. The way it works will involve companies searching Reddit for pieces of what advertisers like to call "viral content." Let's say that you spend a weekend making a giant replica of a Taco Bell hot sauce packet, and the fast food chain spots your artwork. Taco Bell could then hand Reddit some cash for it to spread the post around different subreddits and increase its visibility. The user that made the original post needs to consent, of course, and won't get any financial compensation, but will get a lifetime's supply of Reddit Gold, worth $3.99 a month, for free.
Facebook's Instant Articles are heading to its Messenger app
Facebook's fast-loading news stories have been around for a while now, but soon they'll make their way to the company's standalone chat app. Instant Articles will son be available inside Messenger. When someone shares a link with you, a lightning bolt icon will let you know that it's available as one of the quick-to-load stories. This means you won't have to wait for it to appear like a regular ol' web article. There are ads inside the Instant Articles and those will make the trip over to Messenger as well.
China tightens its censorship grip on foreign content
China is set to enact a strict new law that effectively bans foreign publishers -- even those partnered with domestic companies -- from posting any content online in the country without first obtaining permission from the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT). Text, pictures, maps, games, video, animation and virtually all audio must be submitted for approval.
Facebook's Instant Articles will draw from more news outlets
Facebook first announced its so-called Instant Articles last May, serving up news articles quickly for mobile consumption. However, the list of publishers was super limited, but that's about to change. Starting in April, the social network will open up its Instant Articles platform to any publisher interested in taking advantage. If you'll recall, the tool lets you peruse a full article's contents without leaving the Facebook app, nixing the need to hop over to a web browser to do your reading.
Netflix is cracking down on proxy users
The practice of using VPNs to spoof one's location to the Netflix servers has long allowed those outside the US to watch American content that was not available locally. But in the wake of the launch of Netflix Everywhere, the company's new global service initiative, that practice is kaput. Netflix announced on Thursday that it is cracking down on users that use VPNs to get around the company's geographic content restrictions.
Netflix to double its original programming in 2016
On Monday, Netflix head of content Ted Sarandos announced that the company will double the number of original shows it produces in 2016. Next year, Netflix will deliver 31 original series compared to 16 in 2015. Additionally, the company reportedly plans to release 10 feature films, 12 documentaries, 10 stand-up specials and a whopping 30 children's programs to enhance its For Kids section. This marks a significant shift in Netflix's strategy and puts it on equal footing with traditional premium cable heavyweights like HBO and Showtime. Sarandos argues that since original programming grants Netflix full exclusivity and global rights forever, they're a better investment than haggling for outside content. Such a change in thinking could prove vital to the company's continued international expansion.[Image Credit: Getty]
Mozilla is removing (some) ads from Firefox
Whether you still use Firefox or not, the company has some news: It's pulling ads from the Tiles that pop up when a new tab is opened. The company says that the move is the result of learning what its users want (content that's "relevant, exciting and engaging") and that it'll use the free spaces to help enable discovery of said content. But this won't happen overnight. VP of content services Darren Herman writes that Mozilla will of course honor its obligations with its advertising partners and will gradually end the program over the next few months.
Variety: ABC is prepping exclusive content for its streaming service
CBS isn't the only major network getting into the exclusive content game. According to Variety, ABC is planning to do the same. The programming will be available through WatchABC and the first show is said to be a scripted project starring stand-up comedian Iliza Shlesinger. You might remember Shlesinger from her Netflix specials. What's more, the network doesn't plan to use the new platform only as a means of keeping its properties to itself, but rather a testing grounds of sorts. If a show does well there, it could make the jump to primetime. If you'll recall, WatchABC provides live TV broadcasts (in some markets) and access to both to new and past episodes of shows, some of which require a paid subscription. Details are scarce on how much of the new exclusive content will require a pay TV plan, but this report follows similar moves by other networks.
Time's up for Snapchat's original content
A service built on the two pillars of ephemerality and genitals was always going to be an unlikely destination for entertainment content. That's why it comes as little surprise that Snapchat is closing down Snap Channel, its portal for homegrown "TV" shows. According to Deadline Hollywood, the firm has also let go of Marcus Wiley, a high-profile comedy development executive that was hired in May of this year. Snap Channel had been withdrawn a few weeks ago, with Wiley charged with remaking the outlet in his own image. Unfortunately, original programming, much of it scripted, would have cost far more money than Snapchat wanted to spend. Now, the service will stick with using third-party content from other networks to provide a polite veneer behind which all those genital pictures can hide.
Snapchat is bringing content from the NFL to its Live Stories feature
The NFL has deals in place to push content to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other places, and now it's heading to Snapchat. The ephemeral messaging app made a one-year deal with the league that will deliver photos and videos to its Live Stories feature. According to Re/code, the agreement runs through the Super Bowl in February and will feature at least one Live Story each weekend. There's also the possibility for more content centered around Monday and Thursday games. In fact, tomorrow night's Denver vs. Kansas City game will be covered by the app.
Danish police arrest two for running Popcorn Time guide sites
Danish law enforcement officers have reportedly arrested a pair of men for running two websites tangentially related to Popcorn Time, an outlaw site billed as the "Netflix for Torrenting." Not only that, the police have also shut down both Popcorntime.dk and Popcorn-time.dk, and seized the domains. Each man faces a maximum jail term of six years for his involvement.
MLB's Advanced Media arm inks deal to create content for NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL) and Major League Baseball Advanced Media, MLB's interactive and online broadcast arm, have come to terms on a deal that would give the NHL access to the same Emmy award-winning production assets that the MLB enjoys. The six year deal would effectively create "a fully integrated global hub of digital content that encompasses video, live game streaming, social media, fantasy, apps, along with statistical and analytical content." Basically, all the cool stuff that baseball fans enjoy at MLB.com is coming to hockey fans at the start on next year.
Reddit says it will hide but not ban hate communities
Reddit Co-Founder and new CEO Steve Huffman has just laid out a host of changes to the websites content policy. He cites the company's earlier banning of non-consensual porn (ie revenge porn) as a restriction that improved the community as a whole -- even if those that traded in the smut felt their First Amendment rights were being violated. The new changes are clearly designed to address the rampant harassment and vitriol spewed by certain groups within the larger community. The new restrictions effectively move spam, doxxing, hate speech (based on sexual, ethnic and racial factors) and "sexually suggestive posts featuring minors" off of any public-facing pages. This content, like all common porn, must be flagged as NSFW. What's more those channels indulging in NSFW content will be opt-in only and require a login to access.
Former Reddit CEO says the site's about to be purged
Steve Huffman's going to reveal Reddit's new content policy tomorrow, but one of his predecessors is promising that it'll be a "purge." Yishan Wong, who ran the site between 2012 - 2014 and has spoken in support of Ellen Pao, has decided to "declassify a lot of things," airing plenty of dirty laundry in the process. Wong points to discussions he had with Huffman during his tenure, saying that the co-founder was previously unconcerned with protecting free speech and was blasé about censoring racist, sexist and homophobic threads. He goes onto quote Huffman as saying that "I don't think there's a place for such things on Reddit," giving you a clue as to the tone of tomorrow's AMA.
Facebook wants to help you share that must-read story
Picture the scene: you're browsing on your phone when, suddenly, you find a list of the Top 10 celebrity pets that have killed people. Now, you just have to show this to your friends on Facebook, but that means finding the share link, holding it down until it copies, opening the app and pasting it in, which could take several seconds. Naturally, that's an intolerable situation for Mark Zuckerberg, which is why the social network is testing a way to search and add these links from within the Facebook app itself. That way, all you'd have to do is click the Add Link button, type "10 celebrity pets that have kil..." and the link should pop up all by itself.
