Wal-Mart Frees Music
Wal-Mart has joined Amazon in asking/forcing record companies to offer DRM-free digital music. Also, Wal-Mart has launched a online store for cell phone users to buy ringtones, wallpapers, and games.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/03/wal-mart-amazon-ratchet-up-anti-drm-pressure/http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=71958&Nid=36894&p=910435
NBC Contracts Out Primetime
In an effort to create lower-budgeted documentary-style dramas, NBC has agreed to buy a two-hour block of primetime programming from outside producers -- the folks behind “Deadliest Catch” and “Ice Road Truckers.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/03/business/media/03nbc.html?ref=media
My TiVo Recommends Your Photos
If your set-top TiVo DVR is broadband connected, you’ll be able to see pictures you’ve uploaded to photo sharing services Picassa or Photobucket.
http://www.news.com/8301-13577_3-9827800-36.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=TheSocial
Facebook Faced By Sponsors
Coca-Cola, a “Landmark Sponsor” of Facebook‘s much-maligned Beacon program, is still not participating in Beacon and is a wait-and-see mode while the dust settles. Meanwhile, Facebook bagged $60 million from a dude in Hong Kong.
http://www.cio-today.com/story.xhtml?story_id=0030009XBQZI&page=2
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/30/coke-is-holding-off-on-sipping-facebooks-beacon/
The Unsocial Network
Divorce360.com to help divorcees cope.
http://www.divorce360.com
http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/01/google-reveals-2008-plans-for-google-apps/
Carbon Rally
New environmentally-themed social network/game site Carbon Rally challenges users to go green. http://www.carbonrally.com
http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/02/carbonrally-small-competitive-steps-for-the-environment/
Google Apps
Google presented its Google Apps, including Google Page Creator for business intranets, Google Gears for offline Google Doc editing, and Google Domination for waging war against Microsoft and Facebook.
http://www.google.com/a/
http://www.yoursearchadvisor.com/blog/google-apps-presentation-ann-arbor
Android Challenge App Spotlight
Leaders of Industry + (American Idol - Singing) = Android Hall of Fame application.
http://groups.google.com/group/android-challenge/browse_thread/thread/8d326b9d174c70ea?hl=en
Yahoo! Top Queries
The top query of the year on Yahoo: Britney Spears.
http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/03/yahoo-top-searches-2007-please-people-stop-typing-britney-spears-into-search-boxes/