News

Microsoft buys LinkedIn

So Microsoft have gone and made an all-cash, $26.2 billion offer for LinkedIn and I can certainly see the logic. After acquiring Yammer not so long ago, they’ve now neatly secured the enterprise social media market – through owning two of the largest players – and have the opportunity to develop a unique integrated internal/external offering. 

It’s also interesting that LinkedIn is going to be allowed to continue operating largely independently, and I for one think it’s a good thing… although it’s going to be challenging for LinkedIn to continue growing the network as they’ve already faced difficulties in this area. In part, those difficulties contributed to the overall decline of the share price and the recent profit warning – and that’s just allowed Microsoft to snap up a comparative bargain. 

But LinkedIn have continued to make subtle changes to their service (not all for the best – I’m thinking about Unlisted Groups here!) and continue to look at broadening their user base. The sub-apps they’ve released over recent months and years, for groups and recruiting, as well as their support for self-publishing via LinekdIn Pulse, are testament to that innovation culture they clearly have.

However, it’s likely that the 100+ million monthly active users of LinkedIn and 45+ billion unique page views per quarter, are clearly stats that Microsoft couldn’t ignore. Everyone’s busy buying user data these days it seems, and this is a highly relevant, business-specific dataset which is very closely aligned with the core Microsoft offering. 

Good luck to them I say. I think Microsoft has been much maligned over the years in the press and by the blogerati, but I actually think they’ve turned a corner with Satya Nadella at the helm. Office 365 is very good. OneDrive is improving (despite the reduction in free space offered and removal of the unlimited band). And Windows 10 is one of their best operating systems ever, in my opinion. It all just works. On multiple devices. And in an increasingly integrated and cloud-enabled way. So for that, I’m in support of this acquisition and will be keenly watching to see what comes of it.

Whale slaughter continues

IMG_4896While I’m no eco-warrior, I continue to be dismayed about the Japanese whaling fleet. In the news this week was the story that the fleet had killed 333 minke whales. I just can’t understand how a supposedly developed nation can still claim this is a scientific programme. There’s nothing scientific about it. It’s just outright slaughter and really needs to stop.

With demand for whale meat in Japan apparently declining and the Japanese government investing considerable amounts of tax money to artificially sustain whaling operations – why is this being allowed to continue? Is the International Court ruling that this whaling programme was not scientific just being ignored? What repercussions will Japan face? Why are no international sanctions being imposed?

And this hunt took place in Antarctic waters too. What right does the Japanese whaling industry claim in order to do this? It’s such an illogical argument that this completely unscientific slaughter is being carried out by Japan, in contravention of international rulings and outcries from other nations all around the world.

I just don’t know what we can do to bring this to an end. Other than signing online petitions (which I recommend) it seems we’re all powerless to stop this wanton destruction of a peaceful species sharing this planet with us.

The future of ebook technology

I came across this in-depth article all about the various technologies that are in development for ebook readers and tablets. It’s mostly about the different screen types – whether they’re e-ink, Qualcomm’s mirasol, or liquavista – the article’s a great background on developments that have taken place and what we can look forward to. Link: HERE

VPhase release FREE iPhone app

VPhase released their first iPhone app today (16th March 2011).

It’s completely free to download and use, and includes their unique savings calculator as well as an embedded version of their infomercial that explains in layman’s terms why voltage optimisation is so important.

To get hold of the app, just search for ‘vphase’ in the app store, or follow this link: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/vphase/id422561247?mt=8

Japanese Tsunami video

This video really helps demonstrate the power behind the tsunami that struck Japan.

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4ax1rFCtpM[/tube]

Sony Xperia Play phone announced

Ok, I know I’m all grown up and shouldn’t be interested in a phone that includes its own portable playstation system, but I am… in fact, I’m very interested in it.

Not only does it appear to have full smartphone capabilities, but it’s apparently housed in a reasonably svelte package (albeit larger than typical smartphones) – and it looks pretty damn good.

The videos I’ve seen online about playable demos are really encouraging… as long as the battery life holds up, it’ll make for more entertaining journeys on public transport, for example!

One of the main unanswered questions currently focuses on how much the thing will cost. Well, Amazon UK currently has the phone available to pre-order for £599.99 (link HERE) – scheduled to be released on 4th April 2011. Inevitably, this price will tumble as the April launch date looms – and I also expect there to be significant discounts when purchasing the phone through a mobile carrier, as it’ll be heavily subsidised too. The main networks in the UK have already announced that they’ll be carrying the phone.

Importantly, as with all gaming devices, they live or die by the quality of the games available – and Sony have apparently lined up 50 games to be ready at launch, including some classics… I’m just hoping my all time favourite PS one game is on there: Circuit Breakers!!!

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Amazon Kindle ebook sales higher than paperbacks

Amazon Kindle 3GInteresting to see two bits of news in the press today about the Amazon Kindle. First there’s the report that Amazon Kindle ebook sales has outstripped traditional paperbacks in the US during the final quarter of 2010. This trend has apparently continued in to January 2011 too, with 115 ebooks being sold for every 100 paperbacks. (Source: HERE)

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VPhase TV advert launches

The first VPhase TV advert launches on Christmas Eve in the ITV Granada region – which coincides with the launch of a national framework agreement with Eaga Heating Services Ltd. Through the deal (the press release can be read HERE), customers can buy a VPhase unit through Eaga – and have it supplied and fitted for just £349 including VAT.

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The Times Paywall

I read with interest this article on the Times Paywall (HERE) and found it fascinating how the media world is waiting to see the outcome of this move. I’m not convinced about the capability of forcing a mass media subscription model on the public, when we reside in such an interconnected, open world of communication, media, marketing and news. Yes, there are exceptions like the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times, but these are exceptions rather than the rule – and they could be considered to operate in more narrowly defined niche than the Times. Other sources have estimated the Times has lost up to 90% of its online readers… and it’s not just the Times that should be worried, it’s their advertisers too… paying to be seen by 1/10th of their former audience? I’d expect a tenth of the price as a result, no matter how much someone says the readership now has a much better demographic breakdown. That’s just my opinion though!

News sites

Unlike The Times that has recently moved behind its paywall (http://thefrontline.v3.co.uk/2010/07/the-times-onlin.html) there are still some excellent resources available online for free news.

The Guardian is one of the best available (http://www.guardian.co.uk/) and also offers the ability to interact through posting comments on some of its stories. I’ve been actively involved in the Environmental section (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment), specifically commenting on issues to do with energy efficiency.

The BBC News site is also an excellent resource (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/) but controversial in the UK, because its competing commercially, yet funded by the tax payer through the licence fee. It doesn’t stop it being a great resource though.

Google News is another great resource (http://news.google.co.uk/nwshp?hl=en&tab=wn) but another controversial one, mainly because it’s aggregating news from other providers. It’s great for the end user, but it’s not so good for the news companies that are effectively funding it and providing it with the information it collates.

Other good news sites include:

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