SXSWi: What makes you Internet-famous?
AUSTIN, Texas--What does it mean to be "Internet-famous?"That was the topic of conversation at "I'm Internet Famous: Status in Social Media," a South by Southwest Interactive "core conversation" hosted by Alice Marwick, an NYU doctoral candidate studying feminism and social media.Not surprisingly, a good handful of the attendees at the "conversation" displayed various degrees of Internet fame (or notoriety): Dodgeball founder Dennis Crowley, Valleywag writer Melissa Gira Grant, video personality and dating columnist Julia Allison, BoingBoing's Joel Johnson, Ypulse's Anastasia Goodstein, Budget Fashionista blogger Kathryn Finney, Boinkology editor Lux Alptraum, and podcaster Dave Delaney (he co-hosts the "Two Boobs and a Baby" parenting podcast with his wife).Drop any one of those names in a setting outside the technology community, and it's more than likely that you'll get one blank stare after another. That doesn't mean "microcelebrity" isn't worth talking about. Internet fame is insular, but it's still fame among a very connected and tuned-in subset of the population."Pretty much any group, or any community, no matter how big or small, has a kind of hierarchy," Marwick explained. It's not evil, she said. "That's just a normal way that people organize themselves." The Web is no exception.So what makes people Internet-famous? Attendees shouted out suggestions like page views among the content-creator and blogger communities, valuation and investors among start-up founders, the ratio of "followers" to "following" on Twitter, and how valuable one's reputation is as an "information broker" (i.e. if Michael Arrington or Robert Scoble recommends something, it'll get at least temporary traction).But we still can't confuse Internet fame with mainstream fame, no matter how high-profile an event like SXSWi, packed to the seams with Web-based "microcelebrities.""A lot of the time, we overvalue our Internet celebrity," one person in the conversation said, referring to the fact that a popular blogger had recommended the Jeff Buckley cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and it promptly shot to the top of the iTunes download chart, seemingly vindicating that blogger's influence.Only problem is, people soon realized that pop culture behemoth American Idol had recently featured the song, too.See more stories in CNET News.com's coverage of SXSWi (click here).
Is this the unluckiest man in digital music-
Is this the unluckiest man in digital music?
On Tuesday, Kent notified associates that after three years working almost exclusively for Qtrax, he will no longer provide consulting services to the much maligned legal peer-to-peer company, which is only available in a few overseas markets. Qtrax has become something of a running joke in the music sector, as it has become notable for its many broken promises about licensing deals and failed attempts to launch in the United States. At SpiralFrog, Kent kicked off his foray into digital-music with a bang. He managed to help attract millions in funding for the start-up, which proposed to offer song downloads free to the public and support them by selling ads. The New York Times and other publications wondered whether SpiralFrog might lure illegal file sharers away from pirate sites and someday challenge iTunes. It never came close to meeting that potential. New York-based SpiralFrog shut down last year after racking up more than $40 million in debt and attempting to prop up traffic numbers with all kinds of iffy marketing schemes. Kent was long gone by that time. He left the company in December 2006 following a struggle for control of SpiralFrog with founder Joe Mohen. After moving to Qtrax, Kent watched the public relations debacle that followed when founder and CEO Allan Klepfisz made claims to have licensed music from all four major labels, only to see the record companies deny there were any deals. That was followed by a string of missed U.S. launch dates and legal problems involving unpaid bills. As for his future, Kent said in his farewell e-mail that "I'm very excited about some new ventures that I will be announcing in the not too distant future." He told CNET only that the new ventures have nothing to do with digital music.
On Tuesday, Kent notified associates that after three years working almost exclusively for Qtrax, he will no longer provide consulting services to the much maligned legal peer-to-peer company, which is only available in a few overseas markets. Qtrax has become something of a running joke in the music sector, as it has become notable for its many broken promises about licensing deals and failed attempts to launch in the United States. At SpiralFrog, Kent kicked off his foray into digital-music with a bang. He managed to help attract millions in funding for the start-up, which proposed to offer song downloads free to the public and support them by selling ads. The New York Times and other publications wondered whether SpiralFrog might lure illegal file sharers away from pirate sites and someday challenge iTunes. It never came close to meeting that potential. New York-based SpiralFrog shut down last year after racking up more than $40 million in debt and attempting to prop up traffic numbers with all kinds of iffy marketing schemes. Kent was long gone by that time. He left the company in December 2006 following a struggle for control of SpiralFrog with founder Joe Mohen. After moving to Qtrax, Kent watched the public relations debacle that followed when founder and CEO Allan Klepfisz made claims to have licensed music from all four major labels, only to see the record companies deny there were any deals. That was followed by a string of missed U.S. launch dates and legal problems involving unpaid bills. As for his future, Kent said in his farewell e-mail that "I'm very excited about some new ventures that I will be announcing in the not too distant future." He told CNET only that the new ventures have nothing to do with digital music.
Apple wins patent for Shanghai store glass cylinder
Apple wins patent for Shanghai store glass cylinder
Apple has scored a patent for the large round glass structure that leads customers down to its retail store in Shanghai.Awarded Tuesday by the US Patent and Trademark office, the patent known as "Glass building panel and building made therefrom" describes the unique design of the cylinder. The structure is made of huge glass panels united by metal joints. But to achieve the cylindrical design, the glass panels had to be manipulated to curve precisely into the right shape.The structure itself also had to be strong enough to support itself and the stream of customers going back and forth. As such, the cylinder was outfitted with glass beams extending from the inner cylinder to the outer edges. Glass fins connect each area where adjacent panels meet.Apple/USPTOAs Apple describes the technology in patent-ese:A building panel and a building formed therefrom, where the building includes a plurality of building panels arranged to form a cylindrical shape, where each panel comprises a single, or monolithic, glass piece, where each glass piece is substantially rectangular and includes two opposing long sides extending in a height direction and two opposing short sides extending substantially in a width direction, and where each glass piece forms an identical circular arc when viewed from either of the two opposing short sides.Apple also notes that the exact dimensions, shapes, and sizes described in the patent could be modified to create other types of buildings based on a similar design.(Via AppleInsider)
Apple has scored a patent for the large round glass structure that leads customers down to its retail store in Shanghai.Awarded Tuesday by the US Patent and Trademark office, the patent known as "Glass building panel and building made therefrom" describes the unique design of the cylinder. The structure is made of huge glass panels united by metal joints. But to achieve the cylindrical design, the glass panels had to be manipulated to curve precisely into the right shape.The structure itself also had to be strong enough to support itself and the stream of customers going back and forth. As such, the cylinder was outfitted with glass beams extending from the inner cylinder to the outer edges. Glass fins connect each area where adjacent panels meet.Apple/USPTOAs Apple describes the technology in patent-ese:A building panel and a building formed therefrom, where the building includes a plurality of building panels arranged to form a cylindrical shape, where each panel comprises a single, or monolithic, glass piece, where each glass piece is substantially rectangular and includes two opposing long sides extending in a height direction and two opposing short sides extending substantially in a width direction, and where each glass piece forms an identical circular arc when viewed from either of the two opposing short sides.Apple also notes that the exact dimensions, shapes, and sizes described in the patent could be modified to create other types of buildings based on a similar design.(Via AppleInsider)
Apple wins patent for iTunes Store user interface
Apple wins patent for iTunes Store user interface
Apple has won a patent for the look and feel of its iTunes Store.The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today published patent 8,161,411 related to a "graphical user interface for browsing, searching, and presenting media items." Apple filed for the patent back in 2004, when the online retail venue was still known as the iTunes Music Store.The patent appears to be quite broad, but focuses solely on the graphical user interface, and not the way in which people might buy songs on the platform or its general functionality. That said, the patent abstract says that the user interface is "suitable for previewing or purchasing media items in an on-line manner."Related storiesiTunes Store could be slated for a major overhaul this yearApple counting down to 25 billion app downloadsCNET's review of Apple's new iPadCNET's review of the Apple iPhone 4SSince the patent application was filed with the USPTO, Apple's iTunes Store has undergone a host of changes. When it first launched, it provided users with music downloads, but over the last several years, as Apple's digital focus has expanded, the marketplace has added movies, television shows, and more. The platform has also been ported from the desktop to mobile devices, including the iPod and iPhone.Over that period, Apple's store has watched its popularity skyrocket, and become the world's largest music store. Apple's App Store, which is built into iTunes on the desktop, has become the top destination for developers and those looking for mobile applications. Simply put, iTunes has become a juggernaut.But now that Apple has secured its user interface patent, it might be changing things. In February, 9to5Mac reported, citing sources, that Apple is planning to redesign the iTunes Store and App Store, with a launch set for sometime later this year. The improvements would offer a "much more engaging experience," and make it simpler for users to find the content they desire.(Via Patently Apple)
Apple has won a patent for the look and feel of its iTunes Store.The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today published patent 8,161,411 related to a "graphical user interface for browsing, searching, and presenting media items." Apple filed for the patent back in 2004, when the online retail venue was still known as the iTunes Music Store.The patent appears to be quite broad, but focuses solely on the graphical user interface, and not the way in which people might buy songs on the platform or its general functionality. That said, the patent abstract says that the user interface is "suitable for previewing or purchasing media items in an on-line manner."Related storiesiTunes Store could be slated for a major overhaul this yearApple counting down to 25 billion app downloadsCNET's review of Apple's new iPadCNET's review of the Apple iPhone 4SSince the patent application was filed with the USPTO, Apple's iTunes Store has undergone a host of changes. When it first launched, it provided users with music downloads, but over the last several years, as Apple's digital focus has expanded, the marketplace has added movies, television shows, and more. The platform has also been ported from the desktop to mobile devices, including the iPod and iPhone.Over that period, Apple's store has watched its popularity skyrocket, and become the world's largest music store. Apple's App Store, which is built into iTunes on the desktop, has become the top destination for developers and those looking for mobile applications. Simply put, iTunes has become a juggernaut.But now that Apple has secured its user interface patent, it might be changing things. In February, 9to5Mac reported, citing sources, that Apple is planning to redesign the iTunes Store and App Store, with a launch set for sometime later this year. The improvements would offer a "much more engaging experience," and make it simpler for users to find the content they desire.(Via Patently Apple)
Apple wins patent for iTravel application
Apple wins patent for iTravel application
Is Apple getting into the travel business?The Cupertino, Calif.-based company today was awarded a host of patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. However, the one that stood out describes an application, called iTravel, that handles all of a person's needs when traveling. Patently Apple first reported it.According to the filing, iTravel would allow users to make reservations for a trip and then share them with others. In addition, the application could be used to check in and handle checked luggage. The application appears to work with Macs, as well as Apple's iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.Although Apple has not announced iTravel, the company is slowly but surely working its way into the travel business. At the Worldwide Developers Conference last month, Apple announced Passbook for iOS. The application lets users store not only loyalty and gift cards, but also boarding passes and tickets. It's not a full step to iTravel, but appears to be inching its way towards the implementation described in the patent.There might be a good reason iTravel hasn't come to Apple's mobile products yet: it uses near-field communication to communicate ticketing information. If Apple's next iPhone and iPad ship with near-field communication built-in, it's possible they might support the application.Still, it's important to note that Apple files for patents all the time, and in many cases, the products described in its granted patents are never released. Whether iTravel will ever launch remains to be seen.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the iTravel patent. We will update this story when we have more information.
Is Apple getting into the travel business?The Cupertino, Calif.-based company today was awarded a host of patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. However, the one that stood out describes an application, called iTravel, that handles all of a person's needs when traveling. Patently Apple first reported it.According to the filing, iTravel would allow users to make reservations for a trip and then share them with others. In addition, the application could be used to check in and handle checked luggage. The application appears to work with Macs, as well as Apple's iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.Although Apple has not announced iTravel, the company is slowly but surely working its way into the travel business. At the Worldwide Developers Conference last month, Apple announced Passbook for iOS. The application lets users store not only loyalty and gift cards, but also boarding passes and tickets. It's not a full step to iTravel, but appears to be inching its way towards the implementation described in the patent.There might be a good reason iTravel hasn't come to Apple's mobile products yet: it uses near-field communication to communicate ticketing information. If Apple's next iPhone and iPad ship with near-field communication built-in, it's possible they might support the application.Still, it's important to note that Apple files for patents all the time, and in many cases, the products described in its granted patents are never released. Whether iTravel will ever launch remains to be seen.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the iTravel patent. We will update this story when we have more information.
Apple wins patent for inductive charging docking station
Apple wins patent for inductive charging docking station
Apple has won a patent for a technology that could help iOS device owners more easily charge their phones and tablets.Granted to Apple yesterday, Patent No. 8,207,906 is known simply as "Antenna insert" and would outfit a docking station with inductive charging circuits and a reradiating antenna.The charging circuits would let users place their device on a docking station or other platform where it could be charged wirelessly. As the patent states: "Devices currently require a physical connection to either a docking station, cable, or other device for battery charging and data transfer. The connectors used to make this connection can be awkward to use and require a user to properly align the handheld device to the connector."The technology would ensure that devices of different shapes and sizes could more easily be charged through a docking station or other means. The reradiating antennas would then boost the strength of the wireless signal and the speed of data transfers while the device is docked.The patent points to docking stations as a beneficiary of the technology. But it notes that adapters for cable connections and other types of devices could be on the receiving end as well.Related storiesApple wins patent for rotating and scaling documents on touch screensApple patent application explores using social networks for automatic metadataApple applies for patents tied to security, imaging, flash memoryApple wins patent for intelligent dock connectorWhen might iOS users see this technology in action?CNET contacted Apple for comment and will update the story if we get more information.The folks at PatentlyApple weighed in with a rough projection, suggesting we may have to wait awhile for the new docking stations."The patent win covers an iOS docking station based on inductive charging that has yet to surface," according to PatentlyApple. "Perhaps this granted patent opens the door for its release in the not-too-distant future."
Apple has won a patent for a technology that could help iOS device owners more easily charge their phones and tablets.Granted to Apple yesterday, Patent No. 8,207,906 is known simply as "Antenna insert" and would outfit a docking station with inductive charging circuits and a reradiating antenna.The charging circuits would let users place their device on a docking station or other platform where it could be charged wirelessly. As the patent states: "Devices currently require a physical connection to either a docking station, cable, or other device for battery charging and data transfer. The connectors used to make this connection can be awkward to use and require a user to properly align the handheld device to the connector."The technology would ensure that devices of different shapes and sizes could more easily be charged through a docking station or other means. The reradiating antennas would then boost the strength of the wireless signal and the speed of data transfers while the device is docked.The patent points to docking stations as a beneficiary of the technology. But it notes that adapters for cable connections and other types of devices could be on the receiving end as well.Related storiesApple wins patent for rotating and scaling documents on touch screensApple patent application explores using social networks for automatic metadataApple applies for patents tied to security, imaging, flash memoryApple wins patent for intelligent dock connectorWhen might iOS users see this technology in action?CNET contacted Apple for comment and will update the story if we get more information.The folks at PatentlyApple weighed in with a rough projection, suggesting we may have to wait awhile for the new docking stations."The patent win covers an iOS docking station based on inductive charging that has yet to surface," according to PatentlyApple. "Perhaps this granted patent opens the door for its release in the not-too-distant future."
Apple wins patent for crowd-sourced traffic navigation
Apple wins patent for crowd-sourced traffic navigation
Imagine a navigation system that can guide you based on the number of stop lights, stop signs, and obstacles along the way. A new Apple patent describes just that.Granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday, an Apple patent called "Routing based on detected stops" takes the concept of crowd-sourced navigation a few steps further than usual.Current products such as Waze combine traffic data collected from multiple drivers to suggest the quickest way for you to reach your destination. Crowd-sourcing the information provides more accurate and real-time information than can be achieved through standard navigation apps, such as Google Maps and Apple's Maps app. But even today's crowd-sourced systems can only go so far in taking into account every possible interruption or slowdown along your route. A smarter system that could truly find the best route would be a boon to every driver.In Apple's patent, such a smart navigation system would use the GPS in your mobile device to collect any detected stops of your car and determine how long each stop lasts. The information could even be analyzed to distinguish between stop lights and stop signs. The data itself would be sent to a remote server and then shared with the vehicles tapped into the system via a regular navigation app, such as Google Maps or Apple Maps.As a driver, you could then use that information to determine the quickest route to your destination. You could also more accurately estimate the duration of your trip based on the data and even determine the best time to leave to reach your destination without being late.Over time, the server could also collect and collate the data to predict specific traffic patterns based on the location of stop lights, time of day, and other factors.As always, even an approved patent doesn't mean this technology will make its way into the real world. But a driver can always hope.(Via AppleInsider)
Imagine a navigation system that can guide you based on the number of stop lights, stop signs, and obstacles along the way. A new Apple patent describes just that.Granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday, an Apple patent called "Routing based on detected stops" takes the concept of crowd-sourced navigation a few steps further than usual.Current products such as Waze combine traffic data collected from multiple drivers to suggest the quickest way for you to reach your destination. Crowd-sourcing the information provides more accurate and real-time information than can be achieved through standard navigation apps, such as Google Maps and Apple's Maps app. But even today's crowd-sourced systems can only go so far in taking into account every possible interruption or slowdown along your route. A smarter system that could truly find the best route would be a boon to every driver.In Apple's patent, such a smart navigation system would use the GPS in your mobile device to collect any detected stops of your car and determine how long each stop lasts. The information could even be analyzed to distinguish between stop lights and stop signs. The data itself would be sent to a remote server and then shared with the vehicles tapped into the system via a regular navigation app, such as Google Maps or Apple Maps.As a driver, you could then use that information to determine the quickest route to your destination. You could also more accurately estimate the duration of your trip based on the data and even determine the best time to leave to reach your destination without being late.Over time, the server could also collect and collate the data to predict specific traffic patterns based on the location of stop lights, time of day, and other factors.As always, even an approved patent doesn't mean this technology will make its way into the real world. But a driver can always hope.(Via AppleInsider)
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