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Without a clue - why there isn't more competition for Second Life
Actually there's quite a few reasons that there's little competition to Second Life in existance or planned - at least the sort of competition that a Second Life user would think of as a competitor to Second Life (hint: They don't think TSO is, or Kaneva, or Red Light Center, or Project Entropia or IMVU. Many don't count Active Worlds or There as competition either). One of those reasons is that even people who think they're in the same industry or who are pundits and commentators on the industry don't have any idea what Second Life is. They don't use it, so they don't know what people are getting out of it. So when they come to build a 'Second Life Killer', they build something that does not (as far as the average user of Second Life can see) have much of anything that competes.
Found Footage: iPhone costumes
These guys didn't actually send these costumes in for our Halloween costume gallery, but if they had, we would definitely have put them in it. They actually have LCD TVs strapped to them (using PVC pipe and ratchet straps), and apparently those TVs are hooked up to real video iPods-- they edited the display video themselves. The suits also weigh about 60 pounds, which is about how much candy you'll probably be able to get if you really do go around the neighborhood in one of these.And it's a pretty good representation of the iPhone, too, even if it is a little... bulkier than the real thing. These guys are award-winning, too-- one of their Myspace pages brags that they've won the "Guavaween costume contest," whatever that is. Congrats![via Neatorama]
MySpace launching games channel in 2008
Looking to cash in on the ever-growing casual games market, MySpace has officially announced MySpace Games, a new feature to the social networking site that will allow users to add hundreds of casual games to their profile pages.MySpace Games will be developed with the help of Oberon Media, a casual game company specializing in delivering those cookie-cutter formulas we know and love to every format imaginable. Launching in 2008, MySpace Games appears to be a response to the immense popularity of Facebook Applications, which allows users of the MySpace competitor to add and share specialized widgets to their profile pages.No word yet on what the MySpace games will look like, but it's likely they will continue the "ugly" aesthetic Rupert Murdoch has worked so hard to maintain.[Via GamesIndustry.biz]
VoIP comes to MySpace through Skype partnership
Skype and MySpace -- that just sounds like a match made in heaven, no? If you're still scratching your head on how the two actually fit together, here's the low down: a new partnership between the pair will soon allow MySpace members to dial up other users by simply clicking a button in their profile. Of course, this is assuming you can actually find the aforementioned button in all of the site's clutter, but we digress. Starting in November, the service will reach users in some 20 countries around the globe, and while vanilla PC-to-PC calls will obviously be gratis, "premium options" such as personal phone numbers, voice mail, call forwarding and PC-to-landline / mobile calls will have an undisclosed pricetag attached. Welcome to a whole new realm of shock callin'.
T-Mobile, Danger introduce MySpace Mobile for Sidekick
Once Helio's claim to fame, mobile versions of MySpace are spreading across carriers large and small now; seems this whole social networking thing isn't a fad after all. The bulk of the Hiptop user base seems like a key MySpace demographic, so it makes sense that T-Mobile and Danger have joined the fray with a customized version of MySpace Mobile for the Sidekick range. The software's more than a simple mobile web portal, offering real-time status, profile editing, photo management, and communication with other members assembled into a decidedly Danger-like user interface. The companies are undertaking a "multi-week rollout" to the on-device Download Catalog beginning immediately with availability to all Sidekick 3 and iD users by the end of October, so enjoy your last few weeks of productivity while you can.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
TUAW Tip: Myspace Music on the iPhone
Think getting music from the WiFi store on your iPhone would be cool, but frustrated that they haven't implemented it yet? Justin sent along a simple little tip that makes it easy to grab all the music you want off of Myspace band pages, even without Jobs' Starbucks integration.Lots of Myspace band pages offer little Flash-based widgets that will play music for you, but without Flash, MobileSafari won't let you at them. But with a web application like file2HD, getting at those music files is easy-- plug in the Myspace URL, choose Audio, agree to the Terms of Service, and boom, you get a list of URLs, that, like any other Quicktime-playable media online, will stream directly into the iPod's music player.There is, of course, a catch. According to the Terms of Service for file2HD (or any other service like it, I'd imagine), you can only access your own pages. Myspace, obviously, wants you visiting their page to hear that music. Listening to it on your iPhone will definitely violate the ToS that you agree to. Not that anyone should care-- most bands put this music on their Myspace page to promote themselves, and so it's likely that they want you listening to the music no matter how you hear it. So as long as you can justify your way past that little conundrum, you're home free. Listen on (at least until the iTMS WiFi store lets you get music cleanly and legally from wherever you are).Thanks, Justin!
Rogers gets down with MySpace Mobile
How ironic. In the States, Helio, one of the smallest, scrappiest, and arguably most innovative carriers in the game was the first to roll deep with MySpace integration -- but in Canada, it's Rogers, the stodgy, 800 pound gorilla of carriers. Canada's largest GSM carrier has announced the availability of MySpace Mobile this month, bringing boatloads of productivity-killing social networking capability to a handful of its phones. Specifically, it looks like Rogers is listing the Samsung A516 and A706, Sony Ericsson W580 and W810, and LG TU500 as compatible. MySpacin' comes at a price, though: it runs $5 CAD (about $4.70) per month.[Thanks, Brian B.]
Illidan has 72 friends and they're all on MySpace
I'm not sure who is behind this, but it's brilliant. Someone made a MySpace page for Illidan Stormrage. And its just as ugly as you know a MySpace page can be with a large, dark picture as a backdrop and unreadable type laid on top of it. The RP value is priceless. The profile information is written in character, from his point of view and makes him sound a little more sympathetic than I remember and a heck of a lot funnier. His MySpace friends list includes other Warcraft luminaries with their own page: Sargeras, Akama and Ner'zhul aka the Lich King. The automatic music that plays is, of course, the World of Warcraft theme.This has been going on since Blizzard made its presence known on the premiere social networking site. I suppose it was only a matter of time before the Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King main players were parodied on the site. But, as one commenter on Illidan's page wrote, this one is "Full of win!"
T-Mobile Sidekick 3 users to get mobile MySpace
Once an exclusive Helio playground, MySpace may be coming soon to a T-Mobile Sidekick 3 near you. From initial reports, T-Mobile's MySpace app will allow profile editing, picture uploading, comments and the sending and receiving of MySpace messages. From a mobile perspective, that's pretty complete coverage, yes? The T-Mobile Sidekick MySpace app will keep you logged into MySpace constantly so that all those friend alerts and other socially pressing issues will pop up on that Sidekick screen in real-time. The new MySpace app will apparently come standard on the upcoming Sidekick Zante and will also be available to current Sidekick 3 customers at a later date.[Via Slashphone]
Myspace: the (homebrew) game
All the cool kids know that Myspace is for losers. For chumps. The popular community site is plagued by horrendous ads, and a layout that can make any web-surfer nauseous. In a new homebrew game, cleverly titled "Myspace: The Game," JEMdev has players trying to close pop up ads before losing their patience. It's just like real life!The game isn't fun -- nor is it meant to be. Chalk this up as one of the funnier products of social commentary to come from the PSP homebrew community in quite some time. Those that are interested in the file can head over to DCEmu.
Show your characters on Facebook
A friend who recently invited me to social networking site Facebook showed me the WoW Armory application (you have to have a Facebook account to use that link) the other day. It's a little dohicky (technical term) that will automatically show WoW characters on your Facebook profile. Unfortunately, it's as no frills as they come right now-- basically you can see the character's name, class, level, server, and a basic outline of what they're wearing. No pics at all. But if you want to automatically share your characters on your profile via Armory info, there you go.I was going to suggest the Signature Generator we posted a while back if you wanted to post a much more detailed look at your characters on Facebook or anywhere else, but apparently it's MIA. The site doesn't load at all. The Google cache shows that maybe the site's creator burnt a bridge he wasn't supposed to, and unfortunately while there are a few other sig generators around, none of them look as good (or work as well-- I couldn't get my character to come up on the other one) as that one did.So if anyone knows of a good working sig generator, feel free to throw it in the comments below, and we can all show off our characters in our various webspaces. Oh, and though WoW Insider hasn't made our way to Facebook just yet, we are alive and well on Myspace, so come befriend us there if you like.Update: Reader Nick G sends along his own, self-made Facebook app, which he says is created by a WoW fan, not "a company trying to create a social network website and drive traffic to it via a Facebook App." Which is cool, but unfortunately, when I tried to create my character with his, all I got was an error message. So if his works, you might like it more.
Apple blocking MySpace from store machines
Late last week it was reported that Apple is now blocking access to MySpace pages from computers in the Apple Store as a means of preventing cyber-loitering. Apparently some 'customers' have been hogging both the iSights and the bandwidth the stores provide and impeding the free flow of shiny, glossy, well-designed commerce.As I am neither a teenager, the parent of a teenager (thank mighty Isis!) nor an indie-geek-folkie musical sensation, the MySpace phenomenon has largely passed me by. I did attend a meeting once where MySpace CEO Chris DeWolfe was presenting, and I recall thinking that the News Corp buyout had enabled him to get himself some REALLY nice shoes. I imagine the collective 'talk to the hand' from Apple retail will bother the MySpacies a little bit, but I doubt it will reduce either company's cool factor dramatically.[via ThinkSecret/CNET Crave]
Brooktown High kids hit MySpace ... still ugly
In an effort to keep up with the high school theme of Brooktown High, Konami has set up MySpace pages for some of the characters. Maybe Konami should have just had the character's pictures feature close-ups on their eyes, be blurry, or shot from a very long distance, because these guys and gals are still as ugly as a gargoyle. On her MySpace page, Elektra the goth says "The Sun is Evil". Asia the prep is quoted saying, "The Elderly and Fashion DO NOT MIX!" Oh ho ho, how stereotypes make me laugh. Could it be that gamer's will be lucky enough to have the characters as two dimensional, as they are unattractive? My Ouija board points to yes. I'll happily avoid adding these peeps to my MySpace.
But...we've got personality!
When I started playing WoW two years ago, my first character was a warlock. Not understanding what the warlock class was all about, I built myself a bright sunny blond little lock, and quickly tired of the class. My next character was my mage, and I took to that class quickly and easily, having played similar characters in Neverwinter Nights. But even the mage didn't truly fit my personality. Sure, she is my main character, she's my level 70 and I am proud of what I have accomplished with her. I just don't think I am a mage at heart. I actually think I am a priest. Yesterday I even took the personality quiz on the World of Warcraft MySpace, and I came up as a priest, albeit an undead one. Since then, I have been thinking why is it I love playing my priest so much. She's only 32, doesn't have all the spiffy gear my older characters have. The conclusion I came to is that the priest class fits my personality best. I wouldn't call myself a pacifist, but I really don't like fighting all that much. Given a choice to confront a mob or go around, I choose the second option. Now that I have rolled my priest, I notice that I am much more content sitting at the back of the raid filling up those green bars. I get a feeling of accomplishment knowing that I am helping keep the group going. Thinking of all of this made me curious. I'd love to know, what classes fit your personality best? If you were scanned into the game tomorrow, where would you fit in the world? Or, is there no class that truly fits you?
MyCyberTwin knows why you cry, but it's something it can never do
An Australian company has grand plans to reinvent the lowly chatbot by giving it a little personality -- yours. And no, it's not just for messing with your friends. MyCyberTwin is a chat robot designed to be easily programmable by ordinary users. The 'bot accepts high-level input in the form of detailed questionnaires about politics, religion, and sex, as well as the answers to any questions you might anticipate it being asked, like "What are you doing on Saturday?" The idea is that you'll install the chat widget on your blog or MySpace profile, and then visitors can talk to "you" based on what you've programmed into the 'bot. But besides the thorny problem of managing an army of emo MySpace robots, the MyCyberTwin people seem to have overlooked the obvious name for their product: with endless online relationship questions and politics quizzes plus the thrill of filling out personality profiles, this thing is just begging to be called MyFreshmanDorm.[Via TechnologyReview]
Guildwatch: What, no gnomes?
Tuesday means its time once again for Guildwatch, your weekly look into unfolding guild drama, dying bosses, and folks who could use you in the endgame. I particularly like this week's guild picture, because it has both a sitting bear AND a furbolg. Throw in a dancing treeform druid and you'd have everything you need for a fun Saturday night.Remember, just like Sally, the waitress who's worked down at the Sidetrack Tap Diner for more years than you've been alive, this column lives and dies on your tips. If you've got 'em, send 'em to wowguildwatch@gmail.com. Click the link to read this week's GW.
Sony picks party promoters, fashion insiders to aid PS3 UK launch
Sony has partnered with 12 personalities and organizations to promote the PlayStation 3 launch in the UK. The strategy, not unlike the 'All I Want for Xmas is a PSP' fiasco, is to encourage the promoters to distribute content "inspired by PS3" across their own digital social networks, including personal and company websites, blogs, and MySpace. The key difference between this new initiative and the botched PSP marketing effort is an apparent transparency. "We've been transparent throughout that at the end of the day this is about shifting units," claimed Rana Reeves, a director of Shine Communications, which helped to develop Sony's latest marketing strategy.Shine has dubbed the process the "digital echo." Basically, it's craftier and cheaper for Sony to advertise under the guise of user-generated content than to invest solely in traditional means (television, radio, etc.). Participants agree because it gives these individuals and companies an opportunity to cross-promote their own products and brands. It works something like this: design and fashion magazine KCTV hosts a PS3-inspired fashion show at the Sony-owned '3 Rooms' venue in London's East End. Afterward, guest attendees (roughly 120 in all) each blog about or distribute content pertaining to the event. In addition, KCTV posts a highlight video across its digital network, which includes MySpace and YouTube. The result: Sony extends its 'PlayStation' brand to further reaches of the intertubes. Spooky.Source: Media Guardian [registration required]
CamelBones: Now on MySpace
All the people hanging out on MySpace looking for friends make me sad. A great programmer turning to MySpace looking for love for his project makes me sadder, especially when the project in question is arguably one of the most useful OpenSource projects out there for OS X. Nevertheless, Sherm Pendley sent the following around to the macosx Perl list early this morning:Well, I've finally given into peer pressure and created a MySpazzaccount and CamelBones group: <http://groups.myspace.com/CamelBones>I'm getting a bit discouraged because CamelBones isn't gaining muchtraction, and that leads to lack of motivation, which leads to not awhole lot (well... nothing) getting done, which leads to not many newusers, which leads to... you get the idea. I'm looking for ways togain some new users, some new ideas, and generally psyche myself upfor the push to Leopardville.Maybe some networking through MySpazz will help. And who knows - itmay even turn out that tons of people are using it, only I just don'tknow about 'em.sherm--For those of you who aren't familiar, CamelBones is an Objective-C framework that allows projects written in Perl to be easily wrapped in Cocoa GUIs. You could also think of it as a way for Cocoa programs to access Perl objects (and therefore that magic repository of all that is good in data manipulation and socket programming: CPAN). Either way, CB has made many programmer's lives much, much easier and helped secure Perl's place as an indispensable weapon in OS X programmers' arsenals.So if you're a CB user and have a MySpace account, drop by the group. Say "hi" and maybe contribute a couple of those new ideas he's looking for.
Cingular jumps on the MySpace bandwagon
It looks like Helio isn't the only game in town touting a MySpace partnership anymore, as Cingular has not only joined the ranks (well, solidified the friendship, anyway), but upped the ante in the process. While we learned about MySpace's integration with Helio (and the subsequent perks for members) awhile back, Cingular's deal promises a "more expansive" offering. So expansive, in fact, that users will be charged an extra $2.99 per month to upload photos taken on their handsets to their profile, read / respond to MySpace emails, update their blog entries, and search / view friend profiles on their handsets. Apparently, these not-so-outrageous niceties are costing users due to the "small Java application" that they can download, which presumably makes accessing these luxuries an easy and painless process. About "30 cellphone models" will initially be supported, with another 20 or so to follow suit, and while online videos aren't currently supported, that functionality should be launched "sometime in 2007."
Helio prepping next-gen MySpace Mobile
MySpace, Helio. Helio, MySpace. They just sorta sound right together, do they not? MySpace has been one of Helio's major pushes from day one, even going so far as to let MySpace members forgo the typical contract when signing up for service. Problem is, Helio is about to lose its exclusivity clause with MySpace, and you can bet your bottom dollar other carriers are rearing to get in on that lucrative demographic. No worries, Helio fans -- the funky lil' MVNO has another ace up its sleeve. The next generation of MySpace Mobile will be coming to Helio handsets shortly as a no-cost download, and it looks to be a pretty comprehensive revamp (and more importantly for Helio, it's a Helio exclusive). First and foremost, MySpace Mobile v.2 (as it's being called) will be a dedicated app rather than using WAP to do its deeds, which translates to a considerably richer experience and faster operation -- up to five times faster, we're being told. It'll also have new goodies to edit users' profiles, upload pictures quicker and easier, and run in an idle mode from the home screen for getting alerts and the like (similar to Helio On Top). Look for MySpace Mobile v.2 to make its grand entrance in early January -- along with a certain Pantech, perhaps?
