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Google acquires Zagat: good news for foodies, bad news for Yelp?
Long before Yelp, there was Zagat -- a point-based restaurant rating guide, compiled from the best (or worst, depending) crowdsourced reviews. Today, Google has acquired the brand and plans to integrate Zagat's now expanded shopping, eating, drinking and hotel tips into both search and maps. For gastronomes, travelers and locals, that means crowdsourced tips for superb noms and activity recommendations from around the world. Sounds great, guys, as long as your new found friendship helps us find the best bacon-flavored ice cream cone, we're all for it.
BuddyTV Guide for iPhone delivers TV recommendations, TiVo/GoogleTV controls
In Victor's recent reviews of iOS universal remotes, most of the products' focus was on helping you control your entertainment devices. Only one system (the Peel) delivered program recommendations in a new way, helping you decide what to watch. The approach behind Buddy TV Guide is a bit different. Launched by the team behind the comprehensive buddytv.com site, this free iPhone app (a software-only solution, no paired hardware to buy -- with a catch) fronts a recommendation engine that does its best to learn what you want to watch based on your preferences and selections, getting better and closer to the mark over time. Since it asks about your favorite channels and the types of things you like to watch, you can save time on finding the programs that interest you (and bypass the ones that probably don't). Company execs told me their goal is getting the 'discovery time' down to 20 seconds, from the moment you start the app to the time you find the show you want. Behind the scenes, Buddy TV is doing some heavy data lifting to aggregate and normalize the various provider listings; not all channels or cable/satellite systems list shows in a uniform way, so the data mining is necessary to eliminate repeats and keep track of similarly-named episodes. The guide and recommendation engine are impressive, and if you're a Netflix subscriber the app will integrate available streaming movies into its 'what you want to watch' lineup. With a single tap, you can tune into live TV, a Netflix movie or recorded content on your DVR... and there's that catch I mentioned earlier. Since Buddy TV Guide doesn't pair with an IR blaster or other remote control hardware, it does the next best thing: talks to addressable receivers over the network. Specifically, the app will control the Sony Internet TV with Google TV, Google TV Logitech Revue, TiVo Series 3, and any devices controlled by Google TV -- making TiVo or the big G's home entertainment platform the middleman. Even if you don't own a Google TV or TiVo Series 3, it's worth checking out the app's recommendation and grid features; they're free to use. If you do have an addressable device, you definitely should try out Buddy TV and see if it speeds up your couch-to-viewing search routine.
Facebook, Hulu partnership accidentally clicks 'security breach' instead of 'Like'
Even though there's a For Sale sign in the window Hulu isn't taking a break and today it unveiled a new partnership with Facebook to make its library of TV shows and movies more social. Adding Facebook Connect (competitor Netflix may be on the board, but it's still working on adding the button) should let the social network log you in, customize things based on preferences from you and your friends, and share time-coded likes and comments. Unfortunately what actually happened for some users was that they were suddenly given access to someone else's Hulu account, a problem documented by both AVRev and NewTeeVee. According to a second blog post, due to approximately 50 users being affected Hulu has shut down the program, required everyone to log in again and cranked privacy settings to the highest for anyone who logged in while it was on. Of course, with rumors from the LA Times that Google (along with Microsoft and Yahoo) is interested in purchasing the service, maybe they can get an invite to the Google+ party and forget the whole thing ever happened
Recco claims to provide hyperlocal restaurant savvy
The New York Times recently profiled a new iOS app named Recco. It's yet another social network app, but this time one built around restaurant recommendations. Rather than a service like Yelp, Recco is attempting to be extremely local, picking up restaurant recommendations not from people in your state or city, but from your actual friends and a few food experts. It's an interesting idea, even if the Times' piece makes the app sound just like any other social network startup. The Times actually mentions that Recco only has 2000 users so far, which is adorably tiny in this day and age. Still, if you have a circle of friends out frequenting new restaurants and ready to let you know which ones are the best, Recco seems like it might be an interesting experiment -- it's a virtual replacement for the kind of standard food chatter around town. Recco launched back at SXSW this year, and it's available for free on the App Store right now.
VideoSurf brings its recognition virtues to Android, expects iOS to follow shortly (video)
If you haven't heard of VideoSurf before now, you'll be forgiven. The company has existed for a few years as a web service, but it wasn't until CES 2011 when it made waves in the mobile arena by demoing its video recognition software for Android. Now it's ready for prime time in the Android Market, where the free application promises to deliver a Shazam-like experience for movie and television viewers. If you're not wholly familiar with the process, VideoSurf attempts to identify what you're watching and who's on screen after capturing only a few seconds of video. From there, you can follow the rabbit hole and learn more about the actors, find other roles they've played, and receive recommendations based on your interests -- seems to be what everyone is doing these days. Although there's nothing for iOS yet, if you watch the video (after the break), you'll see the company is rather confident about what's on deck.
Qualcomm ships one billion BREWs, Verizon thirsty for more
Qualcomm isn't finished with the dumbphone just yet. Even after announcing that 250 handsets with Snapdragon cores are in the pipeline, CEO Paul Jacobs slapped his Uplinq 2011 audience with a stunner: over one billion BREW-enabled devices have been shipped. For its part, Qualcomm is continuing to stoke BREW's flames, and Verizon seems perfectly willing to stay aboard. The carrier will introduce several BREW MP devices over the coming months, and the majority of these phones will feature a new storefront for mobile purchases -- oh joy. In addition to getting recommendations, shoppers will be able to test drive many applications before making purchases. This is all well and good, but we'd prefer Jacobs had previewed some of those new Snapdragons. Follow the break for a joint PR from Qualcomm and Verizon.
Redbox adds Netflix-style movie ratings, star system
Redbox's website has gone through several facelifts in the last few months, but the most recent (3/23) change is the addition of ratings and review to movies. As seen in the screen above, the placement, style and star ratings are very reminiscent of Netflix's system and may indicate the reasoning behind the addition. Redbox is preparing to enter the subscription movie streaming arena soon, and just as the Netflix Prize focused on finding out what particular users like so it can find relevant selections within its limited catalog, the movie kiosk company will likely travel a similar path. We don't know when the streaming component will launch, but whenever Redbox and its unnamed partner flip the switch, you'll probably want to have a few ratings in the chamber so it knows what you like.
Google adding a +1 button to search results, hopes you Like it
Looks like not even mighty Google itself is able to resist the charms of a bit of widespread internet shorthand. +1, whether used to uprank an Engadget comment or in freehand writing to signify one's support / approval of something, is making its way into Google search results. You'll soon be able to throw a single thumb up on links or ads you find useful, which will then be used to inform your buddies about the value of that site. Recommendations are filtered using a typically complex algorithm intended to make them as relevant as possible, with people within your social circle (i.e. Gtalk buddies and Gmail contacts) getting a higher priority. The new +1 button will start off with English Google search and ads soon, to be followed by more products in Google's portfolio and potentially more social linkups, such as via Twitter. The usual explanatory video follows after the break.
Windowshop from Amazon feels like a catalog on your iPad
Just in time for the holiday gift buying frenzy, online retail behemoth Amazon has taken the wraps off of a new way to help separate your money from your wallet. A free new iPad app, Windowshop, optimizes the Amazon shopping experience for the device. I had a chance to download and use the new app this morning, and I like the fact that it has been written from the ground up for the iPad. It only allows browsing in landscape orientation, which is fine with me, but might irritate some who prefer the more book-like portrait mode. Upon loading the app on your iPad, you'll immediately see columns of products arrayed on a side-scrolling screen. You can log into the app with your Amazon account, which then enables recommendations from the retailer and makes it way too easy to use one-click buying. Performing a search in the new app lists applicable products by store -- I did a search for "micro four-thirds cameras" which brought up results in Camera & Photo, Electronics, Books, Musical Instruments (???), and Sports & Outdoors. After scrolling the Camera & Photo store listing up and down with my finger, I found the camera I wanted to look at and tapped on it. A window containing photos of the camera, pricing information, details, reviews and more appeared in an animated swoop, and I could then tap and flick my way through information about the camera. Above and below the item are small arrows that point to similar items, like a 3D lens that works with the camera or an accessory battery pack. All in all, it's a very natural and smooth way to window shop for items that you may end up buying. Kudos to Amazon for developing an iPad shopping app that definitely shows a lot of design savvy. Check out a few screenshots below for an idea of how the app looks and works. [via TechCrunch] %Gallery-106013%
TUAW reader braintrust: Filling up your iBookShelf
Let's face it. iBook offerings are, at least for the moment, pretty limited. They're also on the slightly pricey side for anyone who emptied their piggy bank on a new iPad. Even those public libraries that offer ePub lending aren't set up to make those titles available for iPad reading. You generally need special Mac or Windows software, and there's DRM aplenty. That having been said, there are many great readable books out there for the asking. The problem is, as with nearly all free options, a very low signal-to-noise ratio. Sure, you can download one of the top Project Gutenberg titles, but those top twenty lists tend to be uninspiring. Getting a peer recommendation for a truly excellent read is often a lot better indication of whether you'll like a book or not than popularity charts. That's why we thought we'd open up this post to your free ePub recommendations. Our TUAW reader pool is full of passionate book enthusiasts. We'll get the ball rolling with a few of our suggestions and then we invite you to chime in in the comments with yours. Don't forget to say why you're recommending the book and who it might be a good match for, taste-wise. Let's help each other to find some quality iBooks. And don't forget: Just because a book isn't already in ePub format, there's no reason that it can't be converted using a tool like Stanza or Calibre! Parnassus on Wheels is a warm, delightful novel about a woman who buys a traveling bookstore and the adventures she encounters. Its full of fun for anyone who loves books and practical homespun self-reliance. Recommended for: Readers who like chick-lit The Egg and I tells the nearly-real story of Betty MacDonald's days as a child bride and chicken rancher. This hilarious comedy is the source of the "Ma and Pa Kettle" characters you may have heard of. Recommended for: Readers, especially women, who like humorous first person memoirs. Wizards Bane wonders what would happen if a computer geek got transported to a world of magic. Could you create a programming language for spell casting? It's a solid but silly fantasy that's fun to read. Recommended for: Computer geeks. Sheepfarmer's Daughter demonstrates what happens when classic fantasy meets an author with a military background. There are elves and gnomes -- but also patrols, cold weather, wet socks and a heavy dose of realism. Recommended for: Readers who like fantasy, military lit, or both Five Children and It is one of E. Nesbit's many amazing fantasy books for children. It's full of that "sense of wonder" that so many children's books strive for and never achieve. If you like this one, you'll want to try some of her other titles as well! Recommended for: Children and former children Magic Pudding offers a classic tale of silliness and mayhem among the Koalas. Make sure you download the illustrated version of this children's book! Recommended for: Fans of Pooh who want to range beyond A. A. Milne. Good for story time with younger readers. Marvelous Land of Oz proves that the Oz story doesn't end with the Wizard of Oz movie. I loved these books as a kid, both the Baum ones and the later ones by Ruth Plumly Thompson. Recommended for: Fans of the original book Wizard of Oz even more than the movie Also of interest: iPhone OS 4.0: iBooks for iPhone Apple announces "iBooks" application for iPad iBooks app now available in App Store
iPhone devsugar: 9 ways Apple can improve App Store
Apple has been working hard to make the App Store a better experience for both customers and developers. Recently, they introduced in-app purchases, scheduled sale prices for apps, provided review status indicators in iTunes Connect, and introduced other new features. Despite that, they still have a long way to go. Through talking with developers, I've assembled a list of items that Apple might yet look into and implement. They range from issues arising from iPad development and deployment, to longer-standing items that would benefit the entire store. Here, then, is a list of nine suggestions for improving the App Store experience for iPhone OS developers.
DS Daily: Recommend some homebrew apps
We often talk about the homebrew software we recommend for the DS, so today, we thought it might be nice to turn the tables. What's on your flash cart? Do you prefer homebrew games or applications? What are your favorites? What would you like to see more of?
DS Daily: Most recommended?
Today, over on Wii Fanboy, we thought we'd discuss the worst games of the year. Here? We want to hear about some of the best, but with a twist: we want to know what games you recommended most often. Did you tell all your friends that the paddle controller made Space Invaders Extreme the business? Did you sing the praises of N+, despite its free counterparts? What did you recommend?This blogger's most recommended, of course, was the extremely excellent Professor Layton. If I passed you on the street, I might have told you to play it.
Netflix hands out big bucks to improve recommendations system
There's no doubt that Netflix is always toiling away in an attempt to improve its online rental service, but rather than tasking its own whiz-kids to do the impossible, it has established a potential $1 million prize for any individual or team who can "improve upon the complex Netflix movie recommendation system by 10-percent." The second annual competition just concluded, and for the second straight year there was no million dollar winner. Instead, BellKor in BigChaos took home $50,000 with a 9.44% improvement. According to team member Dr. Hunt, "hitting that last [small bit] is less of a dash to the finish line and more of a tough slog to the peak of Mt. Everest." Kind of makes you wonder, though -- what else is going on behind Netflix's doors?[Thanks, Seth]
Spiritual Guidance: 17 trinkets for healing raiders
Every Sunday (usually), Spiritual Guidance will offer practical insight for priests of the holy profession. Your host is Matt Low, the grand poobah of World of Matticus and a founder of PlusHeal, a new healing community for all restorative classes. How do you feel about trinkets? This week Matticus will examine a wide variety of trinkets in the game obtainable in Northrend for healers! Trinkets are interesting items. They have different abilities and uses best suited for the situation at hand. Here is the majority of trinkets that I believe us healers would be interested in the most and my initial thoughts on them. I've even recommended a few of them for us Priests!
Apple launches "iPhone Your Life" site
Are you looking for good iPhone application recommendations? While you could look at our App Store section to find reviews, you can also turn to a new section on Apple's website. "iPhone Your Life," as it's called, allows you to see applications as they relate to different parts of your life. Apple has sections for: Around Town, World Travel, At Home, Getting Things Done, and Fun and Games. They have staff picks, top downloaded apps, and descriptions of featured applications. You can take a look for yourself by clicking here.[via Mac|Life]
Favorite iPhone apps: Giles' take
We're all taking turns at this. My turn: SMS - the built-in SMS app has changed the way I use text messaging, and for the better. My contract with O2 includes 600 text messages per month, and in the UK where everyone texts everyone about everything all the time (and no-one gets charged for incoming messages), that's extremely useful. On old phones, even using predictive text software, I found composing messages too long-winded and dull, and consequently didn't text much. Now I can compose as fast as I can tap-type, and my friends are all wondering why I've suddenly become so flippin' chatty. Cube Runner - Andy Qua's super-simple game is the only one I keep returning to time and time again. Nothing beats it for speed, simplicity, and fun. When I say simple, I mean simple: you pilot your triangle between the cubes. Hit cube, game over. That's it. There's not much that can improve it, except perhaps handlebars. Face Melter - A cheesy bit of fun, but everyone deserves cheesy fun every now and then. Face Melter just lets you mess about with images, pulling and dragging facial features into amusing shapes. Hardly a new idea, but it's great fun to have in your pocket. Good for amusing kids while waiting in restaurants, and for amusing fellow geeks in the pub. I've also been exploring its potential for experimental photography. Weather - I'm English. Need I say more? I should stress -- and I suspect I speak for all my TUAW colleagues in this respect -- that this list of faves is merely a snapshot. These faves might change within days, even hours. The App Store is still only an infant, and holds many surprises for us in the future. I'm looking forward to discovering new faves as time goes on.
DS Daily: Spreading the word
Do people ever ask you why you're a DS fan? We certainly get it all the time, especially when playing handheld games in public, and inevitably, when the subject comes up, people ask about the best games. In those situations, you have a couple of choices: you can tell them about the absolute best games, or you can evaluate what you know about the person, and guess at the best games for them. We tend to do the latter, and there are a few games we recommend over and over. Professor Layton and the Curious Village is the newest of the lot, but we also often recommend Clubhouse Games, the DS Castlevania titles (of course), Phantom Hourglass, since so many people are familiar with the franchise, and games like Advance Wars for longtime gamers. For those who aren't gamers at all, we talk about things like Brain Age, but also titles like My French Coach and Let's Yoga. When you're in these situations, how do you describe the system's appeal, and what do you recommend?
Wii Warm Up: Recommended
If you're anything like us, people are constantly hitting you up for Wii game recommendations. And we don't necessarily mean other gamers, to whom you can squeal, "Metroid Prime 3 OMG," but often, these people aren't gamers at all. You can pass off Super Mario Galaxy, because nongamers get Mario, but what else do you recommend? How much do those recommendations differ from those you offer other hardened gamers?
DS Daily: The discovery of portability
So we were hanging out on the couch playing some Portrait of Ruin online-- you know, the usual situation. Then the phone rang, and without thinking, we got up from the couch, DS still in hand. Looking down at the system, we discovered that it still worked. Who knew? The DS, as it turns out, is a portable system, which means that it can be used anywhere.We must test the abilities of this system to be played outside of the house! For you, dear readers, and, for SCIENCE! But we need to gather some data before we begin our grand experiment. Specifically, we would like to know what games to take with us. Try to imagine a situation where you are traveling while also playing video games. What kind of game would be best suited for this outrageous eventuality?
