LG Phones Explode… Literally
LG’s Shine has sold 5 million units worldwide and will now be available in the US. Meanwhile, a South Korean quarry worker had an LG handset in his shirt pocket when the battery exploded.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/11/28/phone.explosion.ap/index.html
http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news_details.php?id=15163
Verizon Wireless Follow-Up
Verizon’s “Any Apps, Any Device” initiative applies to both devices and applications. No technical standards will be published until next year. Verizon’s John Stratton said Google’s Open Handset Alliance had no bearing on their decision to open up “America‘s Most Reliable Network.” Sure, we believe you.
http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=71669&Nid=36763&p=910435
http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/27/verizon-wireless-opens-network-to-any-apps-any-device-in-2008/
http://gigaom.com/2007/11/27/what-it-means-why-verizon-went-open/
TV Riding AOL’s Userplane
TV networks have taken to Userplane’s ad-based web tools for expanding brand interactivity like chat, instant messaging, and video messaging. Userplane apps are currently utilized by NBC on their The Office-tie in Dunder Mifflin site.
http://userplane.com
http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=71671&Nid=36763&p=910435
Firebrand.com
Microsoft and NBC Universal have debuted the beta of Firebrand.com, an MTV-like place to watch what the site deems to be the best television commercials. The site is in conjunction with a Firebrand TV show appearing on the Ion Channel and on iTunes.
http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=71668&Nid=36763&p=910435
Yahoo! MyM
Yahoo! is working on MyM, a social network aggregating-type of service where you can instant message with any of your friends on MySpace, Facebook, Friendster, LiveJournal, etc.
http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-9823401-2.html?tag=nl.e777
http://valleywag.com/tech/scoop/yahoo-to-launch-mym-social-messaging-site-325731.php
Google Electric Co.
Google goes green with their RE<C effort. Google plans to invest in companies developing clean technology as well as spending more on research and development of its own renewable energy. http://www.news.com/Google-to-enter-clean-energy-business/2100-13844_3-6220341.html?tag=st.num
Social Network Bubble?
One ad expert thinks the social networking bubble might burst. Maybe he’s just jealous. See Paul R. La Monica’s article on CNNmoney.com.
http://mediabiz.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/11/27/web-bubble-20-for-social-networks/