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In digital strategy training we focus a lot on social media, and this month's news round-up includes big changes Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. We also show the worst QR code campaigns, best digital April fools jokes, fridge magnets that order pizzas, real-life 'Minority Report' ads, mobile ads based on the weather, and new stats on top performing apps and ad formats.
Pinterest is getting our attention since revealing impressive audience stats for engagement. The social media pinboard for pictures and videos has found smart ways to help brands market themselves and looks like one to watch - once the basics are in place with the bigger wins from Facebook and YouTube.
At Facebook the first 8 million 'timelines' are now running, giving marketers new approaches to follow. Twitter unlocked 2 years of its archive - potentially an incredible resource for market research - but only if brands have the right social media listening strategy to wade through the deafening background noise.
Having taken part in training, your Academy Membership gives access to Digital Intelligence. Full stories and videos from the research team are at the end of the click...
Best from all @ Digital
Danny Meadows-Klue
President
Digital Training Academy
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Social networking has become the dominant online sector in Latin America, with Facebook accounting for 1 in every 4 minutes spent online, according to new data. The research, from comScore, looked at Latin America's key digital trends of the past year and what they mean for the year ahead.
28/03/2012 | Full story...
London's Overground train passengers will be able to access 60 minutes of free
Wi-Fi per day with the introduction of hotspots in 56 stations. The service, provided by The Cloud (owned by BSkyB) will be free to begin with but it eventually become a pay as you go service. Users will need to register once to access the service.
27/03/2012 | Full story...
Sales of video games in the UK have pipped those of videos (DVDs and Blu-Rays) for the first time, making the gaming industry the country's biggest entertainment sector, according to new research. The study, from the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA, indicate that sales of £1.93bn in 2011. By contrast, sales of DVDs and other video formats totalled £1.80bn, while music pulled in £1.07bn.
26/03/2012 | Full story...
Google's Chrome narrowly became the world's top internet browser for the first time on Sunday 18 March 2012, following a brief surge in use across India, Russia and Brazil, according to new data. The findings, from web analytics firm StatCounter found Chrome topped the polls in India, Russia and Brazil, all of which contributed to it becoming the number one browser for that day on a global basis.
22/03/2012 | Full story...
Just over half (51%) of all website traffic originates from automated software programs, rather than humans, according to a new study. The research, from cloud-based service Incapsula, found that 31% of all traffic can actually harm businesses.
16/03/2012 | Full story...
London Mayor Boris Johnson has hired Virgin Media to provide free Wi-Fi access on the London Underground this summer, with plans to charge for the service when the event is over. The service will be available in 80 stations by July and 120 by the end of the year. The Wi-Fi connections will only work on platforms, escalators, and ticket offices.
16/03/2012 | Full story...
By 2014, personal online cloud services will take over from the personal computer as consumers download and use services on cloud-based systems on a variety of products, including smartphones and tablets, according to a new report. The research, from Gartner, looks at the $2.2 trillion dollar consumer digital devices, services and content market.
15/03/2012 | Full story...
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Google still leads the way as the most visited web property in the USA, while this year's Super Bowl commercials drove an increase in visits to automobile sites, according to new research. The study, from comScore, looked at US web activity at the top online properties for February 2012. Valentine's Day had Americans searching the web for flowers,
jewelry and just the right e-card for their loved ones. The highly anticipated Super Bowl XLVI drove traffic to a few key advertisers' websites, with especially strong growth seen on Auto Manufacturer sites.
29/03/2012 | Full story...
With the 2012 political season in full swing, Americans are flocking to the Internet for news surrounding the presidential candidates. So which candidate sites are drawing the most visitors? Nielsen profiled the voter-aged (18+) audience to the official campaign sites of the five presidential candidates to find out how their visitors lean.
26/03/2012 | Full story...
Nearly half (44%) of large companies intend to submit a 'dot Brand' application, but few are aware of the limited application period, according to a new survey. The study, from registry services provider Afilias, found that 82 percent of major brands are aware of the opportunity to apply for a dotBrand TLD.
23/03/2012 | Full story...
The UK has the largest internet economy in the G20 group of industrialised nations, accounting for 8.3% of its total industry, according to new research. The study, conducted by the Boston Consulting Group, estimates that the UK's internet economy was worth £121bn in 2010, more than £2,000 per person.
20/03/2012 | Full story...
Interactive Corp, Experian and General Motors spent the most on internet advertising in the US during 2011, according to new research.
20/03/2012 | Full story...
Amongst other recent Olympic venues, London ranks 4th globally in terms of its digital infrastructure (transport, buildings and IT), according to a new study.
13/03/2012 | Full story...
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Mark Zuckerberg has been spotted in Shanghai this week, sparking rumours that Facebook could be eyeing a return to the lucrative Chinese market after being blocked three years ago. Facebook now has at least 845 million users around the world, but has been banned in mainland China since 2009.
30/03/2012 | Full story...
Independent research of 1.7 million Facebook Pages reveals that 82% of Facebook company and brand Pages issue less than 5 update posts per month - hugely underutilising the platform and falling short of fully engaging fans. The research, conducted by Recommend.ly, the new innovative Facebook Page management tool giving SME and Enterprise Page admins never before available insights into the culture of their Fans is believed to be the largest independent research of Facebook Pages.
30/03/2012 | Full story...
Social analytics firm Socialbakers has released data on the Formula 1 drivers and teams, revealing Facebook fans and engagement stats on each. Jensen Button lead the pack, seeing a 28% increase in engagement from his Facebook fans.
28/03/2012 | Full story...
Facebook has sparked concerns from privacy groups after a draft proposal changed its privacy policies in an attempt to supposedly make its methods more transparent. Facebook's draft included semantic tweaks, like taking the word "privacy" out of Facebook's "privacy policy," and renaming it "data use policy." Many users have responded on Facebook's comment page with a wholesale rejection of the new terms.
26/03/2012 | Full story...
Eight million brands have switched to Facebook's new Timeline profile just 10 days after its launch, according to the social network. Facebook claims that some businesses find the switch is helping them reach a broader audience on the 845-million-member social network.
16/03/2012 | Full story...
Yahoo! has filed a lawsuit against Facebook, claiming the social network giant infringed 10 of its patents, in a move that could disrupt the social network's plans to go public this year.
14/03/2012 | Full story...
Gowalla has shut down, three months after being bought by Facebook, which will integrate the firm's staff and technology into its own location-based tools. The check-in service was a rival to market leader Foursquare. It allowed people to share the details of their location by checking-in to different venues with their smartphones.
13/03/2012 | Full story...
Maruti Suzuki Ritz has become the most popular brand in India by clocking a record fan base of over 1 million (1,018,000+ members) on popular social networking site Facebook. Maruti Suzuki Ritz made its debut on Social media in August 2010.
13/03/2012 | Full story...
Social media ads are generating a 55% greater lift in ad recall than non-social ads on average, according to a new study from Nielsen. As social networks have picked up a greater share of digital ad dollars, a key differentiator they emphasise to brand advertisers is the ability to harness the power of friend recommendations when it comes to sharing experiences and content.
12/03/2012 | Full story...
Channel 5 has agreed to refund Big Brother viewers that lost out on the broadcaster's Facebook voting scheme last year. The move comes after UK media watchdog Ofcom upheld complaints that viewers that had purchased Facebook credits to vote on the show's contestants were unable to use them at certain times.
07/03/2012 | Full story...
Facebook has rolled out its new look 'Timeline' profiles to brands, with Manchester United, Red Bull, Dove and Burberry signing up as the initial partners. The new look Facebook Pages service has been designed as a "mission control for businesses", according to the company.
02/03/2012 | Full story...
Facebook is letting companies place ads on its mobile version for the first time, and to advertise on the log out screen, flowing the launch of its new 'Premium' service. Users will see the new premium adverts from brand in their newsfeeds if a friend has "liked" the brand's pages, for example.
02/03/2012 | Full story...
Women and young adults are outpacing other demographics in unfriending on Facebook, as social networkers get more savvy in managing their reputation online, according to new research. The study, from the Pew Internet and American Life Project, indicates that two thirds of Internet users on social networking sites like Facebook are more deliberate in managing their profiles and trying to use privacy settings to protect their online reputations, up from a similar report in 2009.
02/03/2012 | Full story...
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Former social networking pioneer Friends Reunited has relaunched under new management and with a renewed focus on 'shared memories'. The new-look site lets users create their own 'memory boxes', as part of its emphasis on online nostalgia. These boxes can be shared on various other networks online - including Facebook, where users can add a Friends Reunited app to their profile.
View the relaunch video here:
28/03/2012 | Full story...
Google Analytics has launched a new tool called Social Reports today, designed to help marketers measure the return on investment for social media activities. E-retailers that have e-commerce tracking enabled on the free version of Google Analytics will be able to generate a "social value" report to see how social media contributes to conversions on their e-retail sites.
21/03/2012 | Full story...
Twitter has bought micro-blogging rival Posterous for an undisclosed sum, as the firm looks to boost its sharing tools. Posterous is a blog platform with a focus on simplicity. Like competitor Tumblr, it's designed so users can quickly create short posts. Items can be posted from the Web, the Posterous mobile app, or from e-mail.
14/03/2012 | Full story...
Pinterest, an online pinboard that lets people share images and interests, is starting to attract attention in the UK after soaring in popularity in the US. This infographic, from MDG Advertising, looks at who is using Pinterest, how to make it work for you, and why it has become the second most engaging social network on the planet behind Facebook.
14/03/2012 | Full story...
Twitter has launched versions of its site in 'right-to-left' languages for the first time, with Arabic, Farsi, Hebrew and Urdu. According to Twitter's engineers, mixing both right-to-left and left-to-right language presented a huge challenge. The move should help more people make use of the service, both to hold politicians to account and to tweet about their everyday life.
09/03/2012 | Full story...
Billed as a 'Halal Facebook', a new social network for the global Muslim community is being prepared for launch during Ramadan in July. 'Salamworld' is being designed as a cleaner and more filtered version of Facebook, and will be available in eight different languages at launch.
09/03/2012 | Full story...
Pinterest, an online pinboard that lets people share images and interests, is starting to attract attention in the UK after soaring in popularity in the US, according to new figures. According to Hitwise data, in January 2012 Pinterest was the 46th most popular social network in the UK, up from 65th position in December 2011 and up from 966th position when it first started gaining traction in the UK in March 2011.
08/03/2012 | Full story...
Online purchase decisions can be positively and negatively influenced by displaying the Facebook and Twitter icons next to products, according to new research. The study was conducted by the University of Miami School Of Business administration, in collaboration with Empirica Research and StyleCaster Media group, and surveyed nearly 200 consumers.
06/03/2012 | Full story...
Zynga has launched a new website, giving players access to their games outside of Facebook and app stores, as the firm aims to become a standalone gaming platform. The firm is testing the 'Zynga Platform', which will initially allow customers to play five of its popular titles, such as CityVille, Hidden Chronicles, Zynga Poker, CastleVille and Words With Friends, from its website.
05/03/2012 | Full story...
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Google has claimed it has halved the number of so-called "bad ads" being displayed across its services, after boosting its detection methods and technology. The internet giant announced it has shut down about 800,000 advertisers and blocked over 130 million ads from showing up on its network.
View the full video below:
26/03/2012 | Full story...
Google has launched a new tool that lets users see the internet giant's records of where they have been and what they searched for. The tool keeps people posted on patterns at Gmail, YouTube, online search and other Google venues visited while signed into their user accounts over the preceding month.
30/03/2012 | Full story...
Google has been accused of manipulating search results for its own commercial advantage. A number of consumer groups have claimed that users are being directed to Google's own shopping price comparison services, maps, books and its YouTube website at the expense of rivals. The European consumer body, BEUC, has written to the European Commission vice president, Joaquín Almunia, to highlight the threat caused by Google's dominance.
29/03/2012 | Full story...
Google has been ordered to disable part of its auto-complete function in Japan after complaints it violates privacy. The Tokyo District Court approved a petition by the man, who claimed typing his name into the search engine generated a suggestion linking him to crimes he did not commit, lawyer Hiroyuki Tomita told media yesterday.
27/03/2012 | Full story...
There were 2.2 billion visits to search engines in January 2012 in the UK, with Google accounting for 9 in 10 searches, according to new data. The study, from Experian Hitwise, indicates that visits to search engines were up 174 million year-on-year. The increase in search activity represents an 8.7 per cent year-on-year increase.
19/03/2012 | Full story...
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Of the 10 most important features user expect of their banking mobile apps, for only three is provision by the banks adequate, according to the results of a new survey. The study, from MyPrivateBanking Research, compared the features integrated into the mobile apps from world's 50 top banks with the needs voiced by the users of banking apps.
28/03/2012 | Full story...
Activision Blizzard, the developer of world's biggest MMO World of Warcraft (WoW), has announced that it is looking at porting WoW to mobile devices. Senior WOW producer John Lagrave, speaking to Eurogamer at Blizzard HQ last week, outlined the challenges involved, but added that the company has still not given up on delivering its game World of Warcraft to mobile users.
27/03/2012 | Full story...
Nearly 37 percent of smartphone users in the top 5 European countries (France, Germany, UK, Italy and Spain) have accessed news sites via an app or browser in January 2012, showing an increase of 74 percent over the past year, according to new research. The study, from comScore, found that for EU5 smartphone users who accessed news sites on a near-daily basis, the growth rate was even stronger at 82 percent.
27/03/2012 | Full story...
Apple's iPad has grown 150% this year, and can expect a steady growth rate next year too, according to a report. According to one of the most esteemed market analysts, Horatiu Dediu from Asymco, Apple has managed to double the amount of handsets sold every year.
27/03/2012 | Full story...
Mobile Interactive Group has struck a partnership with zeebox, to offer a social payments app for TV shows.
22/03/2012 | Full story...
Mobile advertising spend has grown a massive 157% year on year increase to £203m in UK, up from £83m in 2010 to £203m in 2011. The study, from Internet Advertising Bureau and Pricewaterhouse Coopers, has revealed that the rise of mobile devices is increasingly creating a nation of so-called "triple screeners" - people who social network, surf the web and watch live TV simultaneously.
21/03/2012 | Full story...
Mobile-friendly sites are designed for the small screen and the capabilities of mobile devices. But being mobile-friendly is more than just fitting onscreen. Google's 10 Mobile Site Best Practices outline important things you can do to turn your site into a great mobile experience.
20/03/2012 | Full story...
Google has launched a new initiative called GetMo, aimed at helping British businesses 'Get Mobile' by providing them with tools and resources to make their websites more mobile-friendly. GetMo follows the launch of a similar initiative in the US, called GoMo, in November, 2011.
19/03/2012 | Full story...
Ofcom has provisionally given the greenlight to T-Mobile and Orange's joint company Everything Everywhere, to use its existing 1800MHz radio spectrum in order to rollout 4G mobile broadband based on either LTE or WiMAX. 4G (fourth generation portable internet) will help resolve all the woes users had with its predecessor, 3G such as patchy connections, super slow speeds and not enough coverage when it comes to rural areas.
15/03/2012 | Full story...
Both paid search and display advertising fell around 6% in the last quarter of 2011 in the US, as big advertisers tightened their belts. For the year, paid search dipped nearly 3% but display ads rose 5.5%, according to a new study. The findings, from research from Kantar Media, indicate that major US advertisers including Procter & Gamble, AT&T and General Motors significantly reduced their advertising spend last year.
14/03/2012 | Full story...
The popular photography app Instagram is set for launch on Android 'very soon' according to one of its founders. Instagram is a free photography app for applying custom filters - many of them with a retro aesthetic - and sharing the images on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks.
13/03/2012 | Full story...
Apple has revealed the latest version of its iPad, featuring high speed 4G broadband and a high-definition screen that's sharper than the average HD TV set, with prices starting from £399. Apple is calling the new tablet device the iPad (rather than the iPad3). This could confuse buyers since the older model, the iPad 2, will still be sold at a new lower price of £329.
08/03/2012 | Full story...
Apple has revealed the top 25 paid and free apps, in terms of downloads, from its app store, with games being the most popular category. The 17 of the top 25 all time best selling paid apps on iPhone in the US are games, with Rovio's record-selling Angry Birds taking the top spot.
08/03/2012 | Full story...
Google has rebranded its Android Market under the new name of Google Play, bringing together the internet giants various download stores in a bid to challenge the likes of Apple and Amazon. Google has launched the service on mobile devices that run its Android operating system and will release a Web browser-based version for personal computers.
08/03/2012 | Full story...
With the iPad 3 set to be unveiled this week, a new survey of IT managers looks into the key problems of integrating iPads and other consumer-centric devices into the workplace. The study, from computing provider Star, found that one in five IT professionals said that the consumerisation of IT has had the single most negative impact on their roles.
07/03/2012 | Full story...
Many Android apps are sharing personal data with advertisers without clear consent, according to an investigation conducted by Channel 4. Data that was available to advertisers included contacts, location data and even calendar entries.
06/03/2012 | Full story...
Tablet and smartphone owners in Germany, Italy and the U.K. are more likely than American device owners to make a purchase online via PC after viewing an ad on their tablet or smartphone, according to a new study looking at mobile advertising effectiveness. The research from Nielsen found that Italian device owners are the most likely to click on an ad to seek out further information on a product advertised on their tablet or smartphone.
05/03/2012 | Full story...
Whether or not you have a smartphone is closely related to both how old you are and how much money you make, according to a Nielsen survey in January of more than 20,000 mobile consumers. While overall smartphone penetration stood at 48 percent in January, those in the 25-34 age group showed the greatest proportion of smartphone ownership, with 66 percent saying they had a smartphone.
01/03/2012 | Full story...
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A large portion of ad impressions in the US are not delivered according to plan, with the quality of ad delivery varying based on factors including site, placement, creative and targeting strategy, according to a new report. The study, from comScore, highlights the importance of 'Viewable Impressions' and the need for a holistic view of ad delivery for marketers to maximize their digital and cross-media campaigns.
30/03/2012 | Full story...
New entrant Spotify has been voted the best UK media owner by advertisers, taking over from Specific Media for the first time since 2008, according to the latest IPA Online Media Owner Survey. The music streaming service came top of the list, with 83.5% of respondents agreeing/agreeing strongly that "My overall experience of dealing with this supplier is a good one." This is the first time in over three years that a new leader has emerged as has been top since autumn 2008. This is also the first time a new entrant to the survey has leapt straight to the top.
29/03/2012 | Full story...
Procter and Gamble is working with Coupons.com to launch a digital coupon promotion. The coupons will provide money off various P&G brands that are being promoted in a new campaign.
27/03/2012 | Full story...
Google has secured intellectual rights to a system that would serve ads based on environmental conditions, according to a new report. The report, from PC World Magazine, quotes Google as saying the forward-looking patent was useful for its portfolio, but it had no current plans to act on it. The patent potentially paves the way for a mobile phone fitted with sensors that would allow it to record data such as temperature, humidity, light, and sound or air composition, which would trigger relevant adverts.
23/03/2012 | Full story...
Over half of visitors to the car brand websites were exposed to online activity such as display and search, with one in 10 subsequently converting, according to new research. The study, from the IAB, also indicated there is a 'positive latent brand effect' of display advertising within the automotive sector. The research looks into the roles all forms of digital media play in the customer conversion journey within the automotive sector.
23/03/2012 | Full story...
TagMan has launched a new tool to measure conversion losses resulting from slow page load speeds. The new Conversion Loss Calculator allows marketers to plug in specific data about their own websites and returns information showing the direct impact of slow-loading pages on the bottom line.
23/03/2012 | Full story...
The number of emails reaching the inbox is rapidly decreasing and consequently, email marketers are continuing to pour money down the drain, according to a new report. The study, from email certification firm Return Path, shows that in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa) 15% of email never reached the inbox while in the UK, the figure was higher at 17%.
21/03/2012 | Full story...
Advertisers are looking to increase spend on premium video sites this year, with 'view-through rates' becoming the key measurement for engagement, according to new research. The study, from marketing technology firm Collective, indicates that UK media buyers would pay a premium to place VoD campaigns against good quality content and strong brands rather than hitting 'long tail' (niche interest) websites.
19/03/2012 | Full story...
The UK arm of Online deals website Groupon has been given three months to improve its business practices after an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading found it has breached advertising codes more than 50 times in a year.
19/03/2012 | Full story...
Ad server MediaMind is adding an attribution solutions platform from Encore Media Metrics into its platform, in a bid to reward all aspects of a customer conversion (rather than the last click before a purchase), a key issue in online advertising.
12/03/2012 | Full story...
Quick Response (QR) codes are growing in popularity, but they are appearing in increasingly bizarre and inappropriate places, as this new blog shows. The Tumblr blog WTF QR Codes has grown in popularity in recent weeks, allowing users to submit bad examples of QR codes (barcodes that can be scanned via smartphone cameras to reveal online information and offers).
12/03/2012 | Full story...
Unilever is working with mobile rewards app Viggle to launch a new campaign for its Dove Men+Care range, that will ask men to check their phones and watch a video in exchange for free products. Viggle recognises audio signals from TV programs and rewards points based on what the networks or sponsors are willing to fund.
09/03/2012 | Full story...
Non-profit organisation Plan UK has launched a new video poster campaign that recognises if a viewer is male or female using facial recognition technology, and displays different content accordingly. The advert is located on a bus stop in London's Oxford Street, and will use a high-definition camera to scan hundreds of thousands of passers-by. The advertisement will run as a two-week trial, and allows commuters to view a 40-second video provided that they are female.
07/03/2012 | Full story...
Online video advertising company Adap.tv has launched its Adap.tv Upfront Marketplace, a media buying platform designed to simplify the process of buying future inventory across multiple screens. The platform lets media buyers specify their audience target demographics and pair up with sellers offering matching content.
07/03/2012 | Full story...
The majority (91%) of customers that use a brand via a daily deal site such as Groupon have returned for more business, or are planning to do so, according to new research. While there has been some argument about the impact of daily deal offers on new business, according to the ForeSee survey, daily deal offers do increase business awareness, purchases, and repeat purchases.
06/03/2012 | Full story...
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A Dubai-based pizza firm has created a fridge magnet device that lets users order pizza at the touch of a button. Created by restaurant Red Tomato Pizza, the device works by syncing up with the user's smartphone. The user syncs the 'VIP Fridge Magnet' via Bluetooth with a smartphone, which they use to select their pizza order. The order is then tied to the user's account.
See how it works in the video below:
28/03/2012 | Full story...
Shoppers in the UK spent a total of £5.4bn (equivalent to £106 per person) online during February, up 10% on the same time last year, according to new research. The data, from the IMRG, marks a growth rate of just half that recorded in February 2011 (20%). The 10% year-on-year growth of the Index marks the slowest rate reported since January 2010.
21/03/2012 | Full story...
Global tablet users have high expectations for web experiences and a third are less likely to make purchases online from companies that don't meet those expectations, according to new research. The study, from Compuware Corporation found that tablet users expect websites and transactions to work flawlessly.
15/03/2012 | Full story...
The UK's top ten retailers are falling short when it comes to providing usable mobile websites, with Argos, Amazon and Tesco performing the best, according to a new study. The research, from EPiServer, used a benchmark study to reveal the top 10 retailers got an average score of only 47% for mobile presence and performance.
15/03/2012 | Full story...
Just 8 different emotional dimensions drive 83% of all consumer brand purchasing decisions - with Pleasure being the most important one by far, accounting for almost a quarter of all brand choices, according to a new study.
05/03/2012 | Full story...
The popularity of shopping through mobile devices is continuing to grow at remarkable speed, with sales through mobile devices penetrating the 5% barrier of total e-retail sales for the first time, according to new research. The study, from the IMRG, indicates that in Q4 of 2011 mobile sales accounted for 5.3% of e-retail sales, which has shot up from 0.4% over the space of just two years.
02/03/2012 | Full story...
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Although not strictly a marketing campaign, this comic skit featuring Will Ferrell highlights how Twitter has bridged the gap between celebrities and the general public, as the micro-blogging platform turns 6 this month. Twitter turned six years old this week, and to honour the milestone US talk show host Jimmy Kimmel asked celebrities to read actual, occasionally hateful tweets written to or about them.
Watch the video in full below (warning: language used is not safe for work):
29/03/2012 | Full story...
LoveFilm customers are now streaming more films online than they are renting DVDs, the company has revealed. In February, the Amazon-owned company saw the number of movies and TV shows accessed through internet-connected devices exceed DVDs, Blu-rays and games rented by more than 20 per cent.
23/03/2012 | Full story...
Sky is set to launch a web TV services, offering non-Sky customers the chance to view its programs online on monthly or pay-per-view basis. The streaming service will launch this summer, initially offering access to Sky Movies. The broadcaster plans to introduce other content, starting with Entertainment and Sport, soon after.
22/03/2012 | Full story...
Sony's has unveiled a news report teaser video for 'The Amazing Spider-Man' as part of a new viral campaign for this summer's blockbuster movie. See below to see why it's our video viral of the week...
22/03/2012 | Full story...
The BBC has launched the iPlayer on Microsoft's Xbox 360 console free of charge, with plans for a launch on Sky's Anytime platform now in the works. The move makes the BBC's online catch-up service available all the UK's major gaming platforms. The deal has taken three years to be agreed after Microsoft initially wanted to charge for all content.
21/03/2012 | Full story...
The TV App Agency has launched a new platform that lets brands and agencies create apps for the growing number of smart TVs. The 'develop once / deploy to many' cross platform TV app Engine enables brands, agencies and developers to create native TV apps for deployment across multiple connected TV's.
20/03/2012 | Full story...
This clever publicity stunt from Mercedes has earned the car maker many plaudits this week. See why it's been named our viral of the week here...
15/03/2012 | Full story...
Google has unveiled a series of 'remixes' of classic TV ads from the 1960s and 1970s, including a new take on Coke's I'd like to teach the world to sing remade with a social media twist. The project was unveiled at the South by Southwest Interactive Conference and Festival in Austin, Texas (aka SXSW).
13/03/2012 | Full story...
This witty Old Spice-style video ad from the Dollar Shave Club might just shake-up the shaving industry and give Gillette something to worry about. Click below to see why it's our video viral of the week...
08/03/2012 | Full story...
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Microsoft has begun blocking links to The Pirate Bay's website on its Windows Live Messenger platform. The software giant claimed that it had acted to combat malware, rather than piracy. Users who attempt to add The Pirate Bay links to their messages prompt a warning saying that: "The link you tried to send was blocked because it was reported as unsafe."
28/03/2012 | Full story...
At yesterday's budget, Chancellor George Osborne outlined the Government's plans to make the UK Europe's technology centre, with broadband as a cornerstone of its business policies. The new plans will see the UK Government's expand its funding for digital Britain, including money for further broadband infrastructure, alongside a tax credit for the digital entertainment industries, extending it beyond the film industry and into video games, animation and TV productions.
22/03/2012 | Full story...
BT and Talk Talk have lost an appeal over controversial measures to tackle copyright infringement online. The move gives a green light to the UK Government to push through a set of new digital piracy laws. The internet service providers (ISPs) had argued the UK's Digital Economy Act was incompatible with EU law.
07/03/2012 | Full story...
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Microsoft has apologised after initially refusing to reward a tech writer who "smoked" a Windows Phone using an Android handset, as part of a new in-store competition to promote its new smartphone range. Microsoft has now rewarded a new laptop and Windows Phone to Sahas Katta, the CEO of Skatter Tech CEO, who used an Android phone to beat a Nokia Lumia during a "Smoked by Windows Phone" challenge.
Watch a video from this year's CES showing how the campaign should work:
29/03/2012 | Full story...
ITV has picked 4th Screen Advertising to deliver creative mobile ad campaigns across its entire range of news, sport and entertainment apps and mobile sites. The ads will be integrated across ITV's mobile inventory including apps and mobile sites for news, sport and entertainment shows such as Britain's Got Talent, X Factor and I'm A Celebrity.
29/03/2012 | Full story...
Angry Birds maker Rovio has bought Futuremark Games Studio for an undisclosed sum. Futuremark Games Studio, formed in January 2008 and also based in Finland, is known for games such as Unstoppable Gorg, Hungribles, and Shattered Horizon.
28/03/2012 | Full story...
Farmville creator Zynga has bought Omgpop, as the Farmville creator looks to expand beyond its Facebook platform and into mobile games. New York-based Omgpop rose into prominence six weeks ago when it released Draw Something, currently the top title on Apple's App Store. Omgpop was formed in 2006 and already has 35 mobile games on the market. View the trailer for the Draw Something app here:
26/03/2012 | Full story...
Former dial-up internet star NetZero has launched a new service in the US, offering entry-level wireless broadband to users who don't want to be locked into a pricey long-term contract. Former dial-up internet star NetZero has launched a new service in the US, offering entry-level wireless broadband to users who don't want to be locked into a pricey long-term contract. NetZero initially rose to fame in the 1990s with its free dial-up service.
26/03/2012 | Full story...
Nickelodeon has won the rights to broadcast the first Angry Birds animated short film. The cartoon will promote the latest Angry Birds 'Space' game, and will explain how the feathered fighters got into space in the first place. It will also reveal six new birds. The game is available to play for free supported by adverts, but around 25% of downloads are understood to be for the paid, advert-free versions on smartphones and tablets.
23/03/2012 | Full story...
Amazon has bought warehouse-robotics company Kiva Systems for $775m in cash. Amazon will use Kiva's technology to improve productivity by bringing the products directly to employees to pick, pack and stow, according to the company. Kiva's robots don't make human warehouse work unnecessary, but they do reduce the need for this particularly arduous form of human labour.
21/03/2012 | Full story...
US classifieds giant Manheim has bought Motors.co.uk, from Daily Mail General Trust (DMGT), the firm that publishes the Daily Mail and Mail On Sunday. Motors.co.uk is the UK's second largest online used vehicle classified with 161,000 used cars registered in its site. The amount paid by Manheim is undisclosed.
21/03/2012 | Full story...
Natural food company, Righteous Limited has achieved its funding target of £75,000 in five weeks on the equity-based crowdfunding site, Crowdcube. 82 investors have put up the money in return for a 15 per cent stake in the London-based business that sells its products in, Harvey Nichols, Whole Foods Market, Tesco and Waitrose.
20/03/2012 | Full story...
Injury claims firm Accident Advice Helpline is launching the first UK transactional QR-code promotion, offering a boost to traditional media. Double Bubble, an offers and promotion company, will distribute 100,000 QR-code enabled print advertisements to UK households in March targeting 24-44 year olds, in London suburbs.
19/03/2012 | Full story...
The AA has closed their affiliate programme with Tradedoubler to establish an exclusive partnership with performance network, Affiliate Window. The new launch with Affiliate Window will assist the AA with a strategic affiliate recruitment drive specifically growing the longtail and proactively managing cashback partners.
19/03/2012 | Full story...
Trinity Mirror is expanding into the online daily deals sector, putting the publisher in competition with Groupon. The site, called "happli", lets registered users buy discounted goods. The web and mobile site will showcase a daily selection of deals.
16/03/2012 | Full story...
Antitrust regulators investigating Google have asked Apple how it incorporates Google search on its iPad and iPhone, according to a news report. Bloomberg cites two people 'familiar with the matter', saying the Federal Trade Commission sent the request for information as part of its investigation into allegations that Google uses its monopoly in search to favour the company's other services.
16/03/2012 | Full story...
Recently departed Google employee James Whittaker has criticised his former company, claiming the firm has sacrificed its focus on innovation to morph into an "advertising company with a single corporate-mandated focus", and that focus is Google+. He wrote on his blog this week that when he joined Google, it was "a technology company first and foremost; a company that hired smart people and placed a big bet on their ability to innovate".
15/03/2012 | Full story...
Popular social media news site Mashable.com is reportedly mulling a sale to global news network CNN for up to $200m. Scottish founder Pete Cashmore, who set up the technology news website as a teenager in 2005, is reportedly in talks with the Time Warner-owned firm, according to a report in Reuters.
14/03/2012 | Full story...
Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is using a new cloud-based platform as a new communication channel to engage with both consumers and healthcare professionals. GlaxoSmithKline has selected a cloud-based digital marketing platform from Indian IT outsourcer Infosys.
14/03/2012 | Full story...
Rovio has teamed up with Nasa to launch its latest Angry Birds title, Space, which aims to add a new educational twist to the hugely popular game. The new game will be released on 22 March and will be available on iOS, Android, PC and Mac.
12/03/2012 | Full story...
Google's browser was hacked within only five minutes as part of an annual security contest, thanks to a team of French hackers and a Russian student. After avoiding being successfully attacked for three years thanks largely to its sandbox, which locks down executable code to prevent damage, Chrome was hacked at both Pwn2Own and Google's Pwnium.
09/03/2012 | Full story...
Marketing technology agency LBi has created an iPhone application to discourage people from wasting time and money in pointless meetings. Aptly named COMA (Cost of Meeting App) the app calculates the cost of any given meeting and displays a real-time tally (as the meeting drags on the cost counter increases).
09/03/2012 | Full story...
BT is testing 'white space technology' (unused TV signals) in Cornwall in a bid to speed up broadband access in remote parts of the UK. The trial, in association with partners including the BBC and the University of Strathclyde, is also backed by funding from the government's Technology Strategy Board.
09/03/2012 | Full story...
Google has launched a year-long campaign aiming to encourage more Welsh businesses to get online, as figures show around 40% of small firms have no website. The internet giant said 33% of businesses in Wales have access to sell goods and services online compared to the UK average of 39%.
07/03/2012 | Full story...
Yahoo is reportedly planning a huge restructuring strategy, including layoffs that are likely to number in the thousands, according to a news report. The report, from technology news site All Things D, comes as the internet giant ushers in a new CEO Scott Thompson and leadership team following a turbulent few years losing market share to the likes of Google and Facebook.
06/03/2012 | Full story...
Embattled camera firm Kodak is close to finalising a deal with photo sharing firm Shutterfly for $23.8m, according to a report. Reuters reports that the decision comes close to a month after Eastman Kodak decided to abandon their digital camera and photo frame production business, in the wake of dwindling sales.
05/03/2012 | Full story...
Google has begun to implement its single merged privacy policy for all of its services despite a warning letter from the EU. The combined policy means that user data is shared and linked across more than 60 of Google's services including Google Mail and YouTube. Google went ahead with the change in spite of the fact it was urged to hold off by the EU.
02/03/2012 | Full story...
Microsoft's Azure cloud service went down this week, taking out the UK government's CloudStore and disrupting many businesses in the process. The failure "appears" to have been triggered by extra day in the leap year, according to Microsoft. The disruption to Microsoft's Windows Azure cloud computing service, lasted for up to 23 hours and affected customers around the world.
02/03/2012 | Full story...
A hand-held computer called the Raspberry Pi has gone on sale in the UK for just £22 this week, aimed at teaching children how to programme and code. After going on sale yesterday, the motherboard device sold out within hours. Massive demand for the computer has caused the website of one supplier, Leeds-based Premier Farnell, to crash under the weight of heavy traffic.
01/03/2012 | Full story...
Microsoft has launched a public trial of its upcoming Windows 8 operating system, which will run on tablets as well as PCs. Windows 8 features blocks or 'tiles' that can be moved around the screen or tapped to go straight into an application, mirroring the design of its recent Windows Phone operating system.
01/03/2012 | Full story...
Social marketing technology company Buddy Media has bought Brighter Option, whose social ad management solution helps create, manage and measure Facebook advertising campaigns. In addition, Buddy Media announced a deal with 24/7 Real Media, the marketing technology division of advertising holding company WPP, to use Brighter Option's social ad management software to power Facebook ads for 24/7 clients.
01/03/2012 | Full story...
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