Study Finds Twitter Users Value Information

New data compiled by the research firm MarketingProfs shows that Twitter users are really moved by learning new information and receiving new information quickly as opposed to egotism and networking. Upon polling 425 Twitter users in early to mid April, it was discovered that just about 100% of those who replied agreed that, “I value getting information in a timely manner,” and “I find it exciting to learn new things from people,” whereas only around 80% of users “like... Read More

Hulu Revenue v. Youtube Traffic

Hulu has been a hot topic in media news for over a year now, and it has been traded with increasing frequency over the last few months. It’s hard to believe that it’s only become the third largest online video source in recent months. Hulu is one of those websites that seems like it’s always been around to provide content. In March, Hulu’s tally of 380 million online streamed videos beat out Yahoo, who hosts only a paltry 350 million. According to ComScore, Hulu’s next... Read More

Despite Poor Economy, Google Shows Financial Growth in Q1

Google released its Q1 2009 results last week and (as usual) everyone was paying attention. Investors, analysts, SEMs, etc.; there are few tech companies that draw this much attention when it’s time to report their earnings. Considering the many questions looming about the state of the economy and what may lie ahead, all eyes were fixed on Google as it did what it has always done. Google beat analyst estimates and reported a net income of $1.42bn last quarter, up from the same period last year... Read More

The Success & Failure of GTA Chinatown Wars on Nintendo DS

Over at Take-Two, the strategists have a conundrum to figure out. They have produced the best-reviewed game of all time for the Nintendo DS. And no one is buying it. Obviously, there is a notable disparity going on. Take-Two released “Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, the newest game in the series about a month ago for Nintendo DS. The game has sold fewer than 90,000 units per the recent sales stats. For people unfamiliar with the gradation of game sales numbers, I will simplify: the game bombed... Read More

All-in-one Nettops reviving desktop market

Nettops did not exist a year ago, but are now the hottest group in the desktop market after several Atom-powered PC’s debuted at CES in January. Sharp looking units packing less power than traditional Windows desktops are now dominating the market formerly ruled by Apple’s $1,200 iMac, but at a significantly lower price. They’re part of the new generation of computers called Nettops, an offshoot of Netbooks. Nettops are usually powered by Atom processors that run either Windows... Read More

The Problem with Frame-Wrapping URL Shorteners

A new URL shortener from Digg wraps your website in a Digg frame instead of taking users directly to your website. This results in a number of obstacles for the website owner. Digg is not alone in utilizing this process. A platform allowing companies to manage Twitter profiles, HootSuite, uses ow.ly to shorten URL’s in much the same method. StumbleUpon will soon release su.pr which may also make use of the same frame-wrapping tactics. The Digg Toolbar Let’s go through some of the obstacles... Read More

The Next Wave of Computing: One Device to Rule them All?

With the help of ‘smartclients,’ gaming may be the leader into computing’s future. The tech world is currently dislocated. The gaming market is fragmented and the PC concept seems to have no clear direction or leader. Developers and users want a return back to a simpler time where one device could be used for multiple functions instead of a collection of new, complicated devices that are incompatible with everything else. One possible solution to gaming’s problems, Onlive,... Read More

Does the Twitter Whale = Twitter Fail?

Twitter is over capacity For now, Twitter remains untouched on its journey up the road as a Social Network Superstar. Twitter’s next big hurdle on its ascent may be its biggest to date: turning a profit. Twitter needs to start making money. Ideas are plentiful, but execution remains to be seen. Everyone knows it; even Twitter’s brass have fallen just short of claiming 2009′s objective will be to make money. But seemingly unnoticed, the frequent overload of Twitter servers seems... Read More

Behavioral Targeting and the Privacy Debate

From credit card companies that rate based upon where you shop, to pay-per-click advertisements based upon Google searches, behavioral targeting has become an ubiquitous, if effective marketing tool. This issue has become a hot button topic for many publishers, advertisers, and privacy protection groups like the IAB and NAI. Even the FTC in Washington has taken an interest. Critics are concerned whether or not behavioral tracking agencies are effectively disclosing how the targeting works, and whether... Read More