Rabu, 30 Juni 2010

Mashable: Latest 29 News Updates - including “Watch Worldwide Social Media Day Live Streams”

Mashable: Latest 29 News Updates - including “Watch Worldwide Social Media Day Live Streams”

Link to Mashable!

Watch Worldwide Social Media Day Live Streams

Posted: 30 Jun 2010 04:37 AM PDT


Thousands have joined Mashable to celebrate Social Media Day on June 30. Because we have people celebrating from all around the world (90+ countries), some of the meetups are starting hours in advance of others. We wanted to showcase some of the Social Media Day meetups as they happen by organizing these in chronological order and giving you a peak into what some of the organizers are doing for the meetup in their community.

Feel free to follow along as different countries host their events. You can also keep up with the celebration on Twitter by tracking by following @mashSMday or #smday. Our staff will be attending meetups in New York City, San Francisco, Atlanta and Austin, so come say hello. Also, checkout our San Francisco live stream from our Justin.TV channel at the bottom.

Apologies for the slow load time. With so many videos being pulled in, it slows down the load time.

Tokyo, Japan 6 p.m., UTC/GMT +9 hours)
The Tokyo meetup is one of the first to get things rolling for Social Media Day. The agenda in Tokyo includes a lineup of presentations on best practices in social media, a Ustream case study, a panel presentation and much more. They certainly organized a social meetup where attendees can not only learn, but also connect.

Taipei, Taiwan (8 p.m., UTC/GMT +8 hours)
Todays meetups range from the hundreds to a group of a dozen people coming together to meet, social network and chat. Taiwan’s Taipei meetup demonstrates no matter how small, it’s great to connect with other like-minded folks in your community.

Dubai, UAE (7 p.m., UTC/GMT +4 hours)
The social media community in Dubai decided to take Social Media Day one step further by celebrating it all week. The week includes events, special promotions from businesses and of course a meetup for Social Media Day, which had a turnout of more than 50.

Chennai, India (6:30 p.m., UTC/GMT +5:30 hours)
With a big turnout, the community in Chennai organized to celebrate with social networking, game and charity to a cause. The meetup also had the theme of “Social Media Your Way.”

Marseilles, France (8 p.m., UTC/GMT +2 hours)
The social media community in Marseille, France organized a work session and a barbecue.

Cologne, Germany (7 p.m., UTC/GMT +1 hour)
The organizers of the Cologne meetup in Germany put together presentations and networking.

Edinburgh, Scotland (7 p.m., UTC/GMT +1 hour)
The organizers of the Edinburgh meetup are holding a dinner banquet at a new local restaurant and a chance to network with fellow social media enthusiasts.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (7 p.m. EST, UTC/GMT -4 hours)
We mentioned the meetup in Philadelphia in a previous post, and the event has only continued to grow all the way to the #8 biggest Social Media Day meetup based on attendees. The meetup includes networking and a version of quizzo that is incorporating Twitter – Twizzo.

Toronto, Canada, (8 p.m. EDT, UTC/GMT -4 hours)
The Toronto meetup organized a lineup of speakers including Scott Stratten (@unmarketing). The event also included networking with food and refreshments.

San Francisco, California (6 p.m. PDT, UTC/GMT -7 hours)
Our Mashable team in San Francisco organized this meetup in San Francisco with a huge turnout and a live stream interviews with Sarah Austin. Our very own Ben Parr, Karen Hartline and Jolie O’Dell join in for the event.

Check out some of the other live streams as well:

More About: livestream, smday, social media day, ustream, video

For more Social Media coverage:

Apple Hiring iPhone Antenna Engineers

Posted: 30 Jun 2010 03:51 AM PDT


Apple is hiring three antenna engineers, Engadget has dug out, posting the job ads on 23rd of June, which is when the iPhone 4’s reception issues started getting traction in the media.

If you’ve missed it, holding the new iPhone by its lower right side can decrease reception quality. Apple has been adamant in its stance that it’s a non-issue, and Steve Jobs has answered an e-mail of a worried customer, writing “There is no reception issue. Stay tuned.”

Perhaps the “Stay tuned” bit has something to do with all these antenna engineers Apple is hiring?

Reviews: Facebook, Twitter

More About: apple, iphone, iPhone 4 reception issues

For more Apple coverage:

More Fuel Added to Google Me Rumors

Posted: 30 Jun 2010 02:03 AM PDT

Facebook Google Image

The big rumor that’s recently been making the rounds is Google Me, Google’s upcoming social network and a full-fledged competitor to Facebook.

While there’s virtually nothing official on the record for this project, Kevin Rose recently said it exists, and now more and more people close to either Google or Facebook have been confirming that Google indeed has something along these lines in the works.

Answering a question on Q&A service Quora, former Facebook CTO Adam D’Angelo claims Google Me is real. Here’s what he had to say about it:

“This is not a rumor. This is a real project. There are a large number of people working on it. I am completely confident about this.

They realized that Buzz wasn’t enough and that they need to build out a full, first-class social network. They are modeling it off of Facebook.

Unlike previous attempts (before Buzz at least), this is a high-priority project within Google.

They had assumed that Facebook’s growth would slow as it grew, and that Facebook wouldn’t be able to have too much leverage over them, but then it just didn’t stop, and now they are really scared.”

It all makes sense, but, unlike in most other endeavors, Google has been quite unsuccessful when it comes to social networking – Buzz started out as a privacy nightmare, and Orkut, while successful in South America, never really took on globally. If Google really is building a Facebook competitor, will it just be what Buzz was to Twitter – a solid copy – or something entirely new?

Adam D’Angelo thinks it’s the former. “They’re modelling it off of Facebook,” he says. If true, Google might have a steep hill to climb to come anywhere near Facebook, which managed to dominate the market in a couple of years and elevate the concept of social networking into something previously unseen. What makes the project really interesting is that Google cannot afford to fail on this one; if it does, it will only strengthen Facebook as the number one social network out there.

Reviews: Facebook, Google, Orkut, Twitter

More About: facebook, Google, Google Me, social networking

For more Social Media coverage:

Larry King Live Ends, the Web Reacts

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 09:44 PM PDT


Today, Larry King told the world he will be ending his long-running CNN show, Larry King Live.

“It’s time to hang up the nightly suspenders,” the famous host announced.

Larry King Live holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running show with the same host in the same time slot; in fact, it’s been a regular feature on the air for 25 years. It was also the first-ever worldwide phone-in TV talk show. King himself has been in professional broadcasting for 53 years, during which time he has conducted more than 40,000 interviews with celebrities, politicians, topical experts and others.

Understandably, news about King’s pulling the plug on his show created a significant hiccup in the social web. Let’s take a look at the topic as it trended on Twitter, Google and elsewhere.

First, here is a YouTube video showing King’s announcement:

The term “Larry King” is currently trending on Google, fourth in the list of hot topics and eighth in the list of hot searches. Searches for King’s name rose sharply this afternoon and quickly peaked.

On Twitter, mentions of King popped up all over the world very quickly. These tweets, at their peak, accounted for .25% of all Twitter updates.

And on the New Digg, Larry King-related stories are on the rise, as well:

What’s your take on this legendary reporter and host’s retirement? Let us know in the comments.

Reviews: Google, Twitter, YouTube

More About: larry king, larry king live, retire, retirement, twitter

For more Entertainment coverage:

PlayStation Debuts Premium Service and Upgrades Facebook Features

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 08:25 PM PDT


Today, the PlayStation 3 received its most substantial update in months. The most talked-about new feature is the long-awaited PlayStation Plus premium online service, but there are other features wrapped up in version 3.40 as well.

First of all, Sony brings a much better Facebook integration this time around. Sony launched Facebook on the PS3 back in November, but the features were pretty limited. You could only send updates to your news feed when you acquired new trophies or bought new games on the PlayStation Network. Now, there’s actually a PlayStation Network app on Facebook where you can review your friends’ accomplishments as well as your own, compare notes, and even add Facebook friends as PSN friends.

Sony also added the option to rate content in the PlayStation Store on a five-star scale and the ability to upload, browse and comment on photos in Picasa or Facebook albums from within the console’s Photo Gallery app. Cooler still, you can now edit videos and upload them to Facebook or YouTube using a native video editor app.

PlayStation Plus

Connectivity and sharing seem to be the themes of the 3.40 update, an emphasis which is most apparent with the PlayStation Plus launch. The service costs $17.99 for three months or $49.99 per year — and if you get the year package right now, you’ll get an extra three months on top of that.

Features of PlayStation Plus include auto-patching for the games you own, exclusive access to game demos and betas, price cuts on PlayStation Store items, a subscription to the Qore online video series and the ability to try some full games for up to an hour before buying them — a feature that’s quite similar to one from the recently launched OnLive game streaming service.

Sony is expected to launch cross-game voice chat for Plus subscribers at some point in the future, but it’s not live yet. Regardless, you can get all the other features of 3.40 by going to the Software Update in your PS3’s XrossMediaBar interface.

What do you think of PlayStation’s upgrades?

Reviews: Facebook, Picasa, YouTube

More About: firmware, playstation 3, playstation network, playstation plus, PS3, PSN, sony, video games

For more Tech coverage:

Leaked Docs Show Apple Knows About iPhone 4’s Flaws [REPORT]

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 07:08 PM PDT


According to documents leaked to Boy Genius Report today, AppleCare representatives are being given a strong company line to deliver to unhappy iPhone 4 owners who complain about reception issues.

Employees are told to say that the device’s reception performance “is the best we have ever shipped” and that its critical antenna flaws are “a fact of life in the wireless world.” They are told not to perform service on iPhones with these problems and instead to give customers a PR-driven recitative instead.

In a nutshell, Apple knows the phone has problems but will insist that users are simply “holding it wrong.”

These statements are dead ringers for CEO Steve Jobs’ own assertions that the iPhone 4 antenna and reception issues do not, in fact, exist. “There is no reception issue,” he told one user. But the very fact that this document exists suggests that Apple execs know there is indeed a widespread hardware flaw, even if they’re unwilling to address it publicly at this time.

Outside the reality distortion field, on the other hand, we and many others have been able to duplicate the issue being discussed: When held by its sides, which are composed of a metal antenna band, the phone’s reception quality drops dramatically. iPhone owners in our newsroom have seen reception decrease from five to two bars simply from holding the phone with two points of contact between the owner’s hand and the antenna band.

One law firm is even preparing for a class-action lawsuit against Apple and is soliciting iPhone 4 customers to contact them about reception issues.

Also, while some folks have reported that using a bumper case prevents contact with the antenna band and preserves reception quality, AppleCare reps are being told to not give bumper cases to disgruntled users.

Here’s the full text of the document as reported:

1. Keep all of the positioning statements in the BN handy – your tone when delivering this information is important.

  • a. The iPhone 4's wireless performance is the best we have ever shipped. Our testing shows that iPhone 4's overall antenna performance is better than iPhone 3GS.
  • b. Gripping almost any mobile phone in certain places will reduce its reception. This is true of the iPhone 4, the iPhone 3GS, and many other phones we have tested. It is a fact of life in the wireless world.
  • c. If you are experiencing this on your iPhone 3GS, avoid covering the bottom-right side with your hand.
  • d. If you are experiencing this on your iPhone 4, avoid covering the black strip in the lower-left corner of the metal band.
  • e. The use of a case or Bumper that is made out of rubber or plastic may improve wireless performance by keeping your hand from directly covering these areas.

2. Do not perform warranty service. Use the positioning above for any customer questions or concerns.
3. Don't forget YOU STILL NEED to probe and troubleshoot. If a customer calls about their reception while the phone is sitting on a table (not being held) it is not the metal band.
4. ONLY escalate if the issue exists when the phone is not held AND you cannot resolve it.
5. We ARE NOT appeasing customers with free bumpers – DON'T promise a free bumper to customers.

Do you think Apple is responding appropriately to iPhone 4 owners with this five-point plan for dealing with complaints? Let us know your opinions in the comments.

More About: antenna, apple, iphone 4, leak, reception, trending

For more Apple coverage:

New Network Design Could Make the Internet 100 Times Faster

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 06:04 PM PDT


A group of MIT researchers has demonstrated a method of network topology that could render the Internet 100 or even 1000 times faster than it is today.

The “magic” behind the concept is to eliminate or reduce the most time-intensive part of data transmission, which involves converting an optical signal into an electrical signal for memory storage. Memory storage is required whenever multiple optical signals arrive at the same router at the same time, requiring said router to convert and store the extra signals coming in until they can be properly processed.

MIT professor Vincent Chan’s concept of “flow switching” obviates the need to convert and store data by converting high-traffic corridors into unidirectional pathways. In other words, a dedicated pathway between two big nodes in New York City and Los Angeles would send optical signals in only one direction, preventing multiple signals from arriving from different directions at once.

This research has been ongoing for the past 20 years, with findings from new computer modeling of flow switching networks showing a potential 100- to 1000-fold speed increase as well as significant power savings. Implementing the plan would be costly, requiring the replacement of large numbers of routers with new, optical-only models.

Still, with the advent and growing popularity of bandwidth-intensive applications like high-definition video streaming, moving to a flow switching network might start to make financial sense for Internet service providers and tech companies.

[img credit: Tecfre]

Reviews: Internet

More About: flow switching, internet, mit, research, routers, technology, topology

For more Tech coverage:

YouTube Will Let You Skip and Customize Ads

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 04:57 PM PDT


In an interesting pivot, YouTube’ advertising model is about to see a significant change toward more options for ad viewing.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Google is beta testing a button that will let you stop a YouTube video ad from playing a few seconds after it begins. The site will eventually let you choose which ads you want to view when you’re about to watch a longer video, too, similar to Hulu’s current “tailored ad” experience.

The site’s Senior Project Manager Baljeet Singh detailed the plan at a company event earlier today.

Hulu, YouTube’s closest competitor, already lets you pick from different ads and ad formats, but YouTube hasn’t been known for the sophisticated, longer-form programming that Hulu runs, so these sorts of features haven’t been as critical in the site’s priorities.

Even though Hulu and YouTube both stream professionally produced video content — some of it copied from TV broadcasts — viewers still see web video viewing as a different experience from television. They expect fewer and shorter ads. Innovative ad agencies and platforms have responded to this by trying to drive up engagement instead of ad volume, giving users choices and making ads interactive with Flash and HTML5 tools.

Because it has strong data correlating ad quality and skip rate, Google believes that giving users the option to skip ads will encourage ad companies to make higher quality ads more suited for web audiences, which will ultimate improve effectiveness.

Will YouTube Move Beyond Ads?

Of course, Hulu just announced a new program called Hulu Plus that will offer premium content for a monthly subscription fee while still streaming ads to its viewers. YouTube has publicly explored pay-per-view options, but not a subscription model.

Singh was quoted by PaidContent admitting that YouTube is “experimenting” with more models. However, he says that the site’s “full force is behind advertising” for now.

What do you think of YouTube’s advertising changes?

Reviews: Google, Hulu, YouTube

More About: ads, advertising, Google, hulu, video, youtube

For more Web Video coverage:

Foursquare Raises $20 Million; Now Valued at $95 Million

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 02:49 PM PDT


After months of speculation about the funding or possible acquisition of Foursquare, the company has just closed their second round of financing, with Andreessen Horowitz leading the way. According to AllThingsD, the funding totals $20 million and values the company at $95 million.

This news has been anticipated for some time, especially following a tweet from Co-founder Dennis Crowley late last week that included a link to Flickr photos of Foursquare’s soon-to-be upgraded New York office space.

The funding news puts to rest rumors that Foursquare would be acquired by Facebook or Yahoo. As we’ve previously argued, we think Foursquare’s decision to take on new funding — in lieu of selling to a major online social site — is the right move. The startup can stay independent, which leaves them free and nimble to continue pushing the location-sharing landscape in new directions. If Verizon’s new ad campaign is any evidence, Foursquare is definitely on the right path.

Update: Co-founder Dennis Crowley has updated the Foursquare blog with the funding news. He writes that the company hopes to use the funds to, “build a world-class engineering organization,” and, “develop the next generation of mobile + social + local products that will excite our users and provide unique value for local merchants.”

[img credit: dpstyles]

Reviews: Flickr, Foursquare

More About: andreessen horowitz, foursquare, funding

For more Business coverage:

Foodspotting: A Visual Guide for Foodies

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 02:42 PM PDT


Mashable's Spark of Genius series highlights a unique feature of startups. If you would like to have your startup considered for inclusion, see details here. The series is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark.

Name: Foodspotting

Quick Pitch: Foodspotting is a visual local guide that makes finding and sharing food recommendations as easy as snapping a photo.

Genius Idea: If you’re like me, you don’t care for menus. It doesn’t matter whether a dish sounds good — what you want to know is whether it looks good. Unfortunately, most restaurants don’t include photos on their menus — due, undoubtedly, to a collective desire to disassociate themselves with iHop.

Imagine my delight, then, when I alighted upon Foodspotting. Foodspotting is a collection of user-uploaded photos of various edible treats and where to find them. You can set your location and browse items in your neighborhood, and further specify by food type, a place or a person. You can further sort by dishes that have received the highest ratings or were most recently added.

There are social and gaming components to the platform as well. Users can add friends to keep track of their “food sightings,” and those who contribute to the site can earn points (“tips”) when someone “Compliments,” “Wants,” or “Noms,” an item they’ve submitted.

Foodspotting is also available as an app [iTunes link] for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, making it incredibly easy for someone to post an entry to the site on-location. Thus far, 65,000 foods have been spotted by more than 105,000 users.

In addition, Founders Alexa Andrzejewski and Ted Grubb also launched a microsite called Cartspotting this week, designed to help users keep track of their favorite mobile carts by sending tweets to @cartspotting.

We think this platform has a lot of potential, particularly for local advertisers. Business could reward users for completing guides, loyalty cards and “other desired actions,” Andrzejewski suggested. The company plans to announce its first round of funding and a few “rockstar hires” shortly.

Once these advantages are in place, the platform need only integrate better with social media networks and restaurant review guides like Yelp and, most importantly, incorporate pricing information.

What do you think of Foodspotting? How do you discover new foods and restaurants to try?

Sponsored by Microsoft BizSpark

BizSpark is a startup program that gives you three-year access to the latest Microsoft development tools, as well as connecting you to a nationwide network of investors and incubators. There are no upfront costs, so if your business is privately owned, less than three years old, and generates less than U.S.$1 million in annual revenue, you can sign up today.

Reviews: Yelp

More About: bizspark, cartspotting, foodspotting, iphone app, social media, spark-of-genius

For more Social Media coverage:

HOW TO: Better Serve the Social Media Customer

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 02:29 PM PDT

Target Customer Image

Maria Ogneva is the Director of Social Media at Attensity, a social media engagement and voice-of-customer platform that helps the social enterprise serve and collaborate with the social customer. You can follow her on Twitter at @themaria or @attensity360, or find her musings on her personal blog and her company’s blog.

When it comes to social media for business, there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy. But to ensure results, you must align it with your overall business objectives and avoid falling for “shiny new objects” simply because they are trendy or hyped.

For example, a new business or “first mover” may want to focus on establishing thought leadership, while a more mature business should aim for customer support. In all cases, creating a product that actually solves problems for customers, present and future, should be every business's top priority — and you should be using social media to help you figure out what that product is.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at how each department can blend traditional and social media to drive business goals and collaborate on a seamless customer experience.

Marketing Touchpoints

Marketing and branding are no longer about massive media buys. In fact, your brand is no longer what you say it is, but rather what the patchwork of customer and employee voices says it is. That being said, you still have a tremendous opportunity to help steer these conversations and educate the public in a conversational, open and honest manner so they feel well equipped to talk about your brand when they choose to do so.

Remember that your business needs to have as many touchpoints with your customers as possible, of which social media is just one:

  • A clear website that establishes value and helps customers weave your brand into their own story.
  • Thought leadership and content creation, in the form of blogging, guest-blogging, webinars, whitepapers, e-books, presentations, and videos help educate the market. Use social media to help create and share content, as well as create discussions around this content.
  • Relationships and outreach: As a result of your social media listening, discovery and engagement, you will undoubtedly form relationships with other thought leaders with whom you can collaborate on content, form guest-blogging relationships, create podcasts, etc. I have started many of my professional relationships on Twitter, which have later led to in-person meetings, client relationships, co-creating content, consulting engagements, jobs, etc.
  • Events, online as well as offline, are also great awareness vehicles and can take the form of attending and speaking at conferences, sponsorships, and producing your own. Social media can and should be used to drive awareness, collect content input from the public, and provide ways for people in your network to meet in person. Take the time to produce content around the event. Interview people you respect and with whom you have built online and offline relationships, and share that content via social media.
  • Then of course, there is social media itself, which is a must for any brand building effort. Your social media strategy should include actively monitoring Twitter, Facebook, blogs, discussion forums and other outpost communities, with the purpose of learning, engaging and forming relationships.
  • Third-party support, in the form of partners, resellers, and blogger outreach, is also tremendously important. Forming and nurturing these relationships is crucial to your success as a brand, and can have a multiplicative effect on your social media and offline buzz.

Sales

Similar to marketing, sales should be about building relationships via social channels and growing them into offline relationships. Conversely, when meeting someone in person, you can keep the relationship warm via social channels until you see them again.

You should also be using social media listening techniques to gather intelligence around your customers and prospects' businesses to help drive better and richer conversations. Listen for purchase intent and identify clues about when people may be looking for your product.

Customer Service

Customer Service ImageCustomer service is, of course, nothing new. In a recent interview with Customer Management IQ, Tony Hsieh of Zappos states, and I agree, that a call center should become a powerful branding tool rather than a cost center, as it's often been regarded in the past. With the emergence of social tools and the empowerment of the social customer, it is necessary for businesses to add social support to their arsenals, in addition to call centers and e-mails. It is not uncommon for the social customer to use several communication platforms at a time in order to get the help she needs, and the company must ensure that if several reps talk to the customer through several channels, they are all working from the same customer record and updating that record dynamically.

This streamlines the customer experience. Imagine when a customer tweets an airline that she needs help; if the airline can tie her social data to its internal information associated with the reservation, it can help her that much better. Additionally, anyone in the company can help this customer, because there is a unified customer record available to all relevant parties inside the company.

The Intersection of Traditional and Social Media

So you have decided to provide service via traditional and social channels. It’s crucial to ensure that the two can augment each other.

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • How will you receive traditional and social media requests for help? Perform a social media audit to understand where your customers are talking about products like yours, and set up a monitoring system attuned to those platforms.
  • How will you triage your social media messages?
  • How will you route and escalate your social media messages?
  • How is that different (or not) from how you treat traditional e-mail and phone support?
  • How much automation do you want?
  • Do you use a hub-and-spoke system? If so, who is the hub — your social media manager or community manager?
  • Are you giving Twitter responsibilities to existing phone and e-mail support reps, or are you hiring specific Twitter response teams? (This will largely depend on the volume of mentions you have and the size of your business.)
  • How do they work with the rest of the customer service organization?

You also need to track workflow statistics on messages — social as well as traditional — and relate them to your success metrics. You need to have a unified reporting dashboard that integrates statistics for both kinds of support.

Product Intelligence and Design

Support is just one piece of the puzzle, however. The more complex exercise in collaborating with your customers is leveraging social channels to create a product with value. You can use social media in the following ways:

  • There’s a lot of information out there, and you can easily figure out what people are saying in aggregate by using the right monitoring and analysis platform. Because there is so much social data, you need smart text analytics to help you make sense of it all. When collecting customer intelligence, you should be blending traditional market research (surveys, focus groups, secondary research) with this type of social media research.
  • On a more intimate level, you need to invite your customers behind the scenes and give them a stake in the future of the product. If your customers help you create the product, you can possibly reduce customer support queries and complaints in the future. One easy way that you can implement this today is by adding an idea generation and feedback community like UserVoice to your site.

The key is to establish a flow for easy and consistent information dissemination. Again, if you put your community manager at the helm, she can act as the liaison between the product team and the community providing ideas. Make strong multi-directional communication (between the community manager, product team, and the customer) a key priority.

More business resources from Mashable:

- Why Your Company Needs to Embrace Social CRM
- Why Small Businesses Shouldn't Take Social Media for Granted
- 5 Steps to Taking Customer Service Social
- 6 Ways to Recruit Talent for Startups
- HOW TO: Organize Your Contacts for Networking Success

Images courtesy of iStockphoto, geopaul, LajosRepasi

Reviews: Facebook, Twitter, iStockphoto

More About: business, customer service, MARKETING, sales, small business, social media

For more Business coverage:

Tickets Going Fast for Mashable Summer Tour 2010

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 02:06 PM PDT


The 2010 Mashable Summer Tour is coming soon to Seattle, San Francisco, Washington D.C., New York City and Chicago.

We’re excited to announce our Tour Partners, Gotelo, Weber Shandwick and the Intel Atom Developer Program. The Tour Partners will join us in each city and have some special things in the works. Tickets are on sale for each event and going fast. Don’t miss out on your chance to meet the Mashable Team and others in your community at each event.

Each event will have approximately 300 to 600 attendees and will include networking, formal introductions to the sponsors, an open or cash bar, interview lounge, music, light appetizers and more!

The ticket and registration sites are below. Please note that there are only a limited number of tickets per city being released due to capacity restrictions. Limited sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more info, please e-mail sponsorships@mashable.com.

Summer Tour Seattle

Hyatt at Olive 8
1635 8th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101

Saturday, July 10
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Mashable Presence: Pete Cashmore, Adam Hirsch, Ben Parr, Karen Hartline, Brett Petersel, Vadim Lavrusik and Jolie O’Dell
Tickets: Tickets are available through Eventbrite. Only 287 tickets left.
Socialize: Facebook, Foursquare, Meetup, Plancast, Twitter (#summermash)

Register for Summer Tour Seattle in Seattle, WA, on Eventbrite

One local sponsorship spot still available in Seattle. E-mail sponsorships@mashable.com for more info.

Thanks to our Local Sponsors:


IDEA is a nationally recognized, full-service digital creative agency serving some of the biggest brands in the world. As trusted partners to our clients, we carefully weave creativity and technology together to help our clients build their brands and connect with their audiences in the digital space.


Bing helps you find the information you need faster, and with fewer clicks, so you can make better decisions. It's different than a typical search engine—it's your “decision engine.”

Summer Tour San Francisco

Grand Hyatt San Francisco
345 Stockton St
San Francisco, CA 94108

Wednesday, July 14
Time: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Mashable Presence: Pete Cashmore, Adam Hirsch, Ben Parr, Karen Hartline, Brett Petersel, Jolie O’Dell and Jenn Van Grove
Tickets: Tickets are available through Eventbrite. Only 415 tickets left.
Socialize: Facebook, Foursquare, Meetup, Plancast, Twitter (#summermash)

Register for Summer Tour San Francisco in San Francisco, CA, on Eventbrite

Thanks to our Local Sponsors:


Bing helps you find the information you need faster, and with fewer clicks, so you can make better decisions. It's different than a typical search engine—it's your “decision engine.”


Mopho is simply the best way to capture and share mobile photos. More than a check-in, Mopho tags your photos with a location or event and shares them with your friends. Mopho saves you time and effortlessly gives your photos more context, allowing you to capture and better reflect all of your experiences. Start sharing more with your photos — Download Mopho today from the iTunes app store and see more on the Web at http://mopho.to.


Discover the tools of engagement at SES San Francisco, Aug. 16-20. No longer just lecturing your customers, learn to listen and converse in a more social world. Our experts will show you how integrating search, social media, and video, in even basic ways will transform both your sites visibility and profitability. Packed with sessions on PPC management, information architecture, social media, local search, mobile application development, video optimization, and other advanced topics, we have created an educational and networking environment designed for both beginners and veterans in digital marketing. Register by July 30th and SAVE up to $554. Enter MBL15.

Sessions Include: Social & the Marketing Mix, Search, PR & the Social Butterfly, The Business Value of Social Media, Local Search Ranking Factors

Summer Tour DC

USA Today HQ
7950 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, VA 22107

Wednesday, August 5
Time: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Mashable Presence: Adam Hirsch, Sharon Hirsch, Adam Ostrow, Vadim Lavrusik, Brett Petersel, Brenna Ehrlich, Erica Swallow, Lauren Indvik, Matt Silverman, Stefanie Rennert, Stephanie Marcus, Zachary Sniderman and Karen Hartline
Tickets: Tickets are available through Eventbrite. Only 322 tickets left.
Socialize : Facebook, Foursquare, Plancast, Twitter (#summermash), Meetup

Register for Summer Tour DC in Mclean, VA, on Eventbrite

Local sponsorships still available for Washington D.C. event. E-mail sponsorships@mashable.com for more info.

Thanks to our Local Sponsor:

USA TODAY was founded in 1982 with a mission to serve as a forum for better understanding and unity to help make the USA truly one nation. Through its flagship newspaper and popular Web site, USA TODAY engages the national conversation and connects readers online through social media applications. USA TODAY, the nation’s number one newspaper in print circulation with a total average daily print circulation of more than 1.8 million, and USATODAY.com, an award-winning newspaper Web site which launched in 1995, reach a combined 5.9 million readers daily.

Summer Tour New York City

92Y Tribeca
200 Hudson Street
New York, NY

Monday, August 9
Time: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Mashable Presence: Adam Hirsch, Sharon Hirsch, Adam Ostrow, Vadim Lavrusik, Brett Petersel, Tamar Weinberg, Brenna Ehrlich, Erica Swallow, Lauren Indvik, Matt Silverman, Stefanie Rennert, Stephanie Marcus, Zachary Sniderman and Karen Hartline
Tickets: Tickets are available through Eventbrite. Only 245 tickets left.
Socialize :Facebook, Foursquare , Plancast, Twitter (#summermash), Meetup

Register for Summer Tour NYC in New York, NY, on Eventbrite

Thanks to our Local Sponsors:

Mopho is simply the best way to capture and share mobile photos. More than a check-in, Mopho tags your photos with a location or event and shares them with your friends. Mopho saves you time and effortlessly gives your photos more context, allowing you to capture and better reflect all of your experiences. Start sharing more with your photos — Download Mopho today from the iTunes app store and see more on the Web at http://mopho.to.



There are currently 581 million customers using social media. How will your business reach them before your competitors do? Let our social media experts show you how. Please visit Wiley for more information.


PepsiCo looks forward to connecting with the New York tech scene at the third-annual Mashable Summer Tour. PepsiCo offers the world's largest portfolio of billion-dollar brands. Come enjoy a snack or beverage on us and join us outside of the event on Facebook & Twitter.

Summer Tour Chicago


Hyatt Regency Chicago
151 East Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601

Wednesday, August 11
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Mashable Presence: Adam Hirsch, Adam Ostrow, Karen Hartline, Brett Petersel, Vadim Lavrusik and Brenna Ehrlich.
Tickets: Tickets are available through Eventbrite. Only 204 tickets left.
Socialize : Facebook , Foursquare , Plancast , Twitter (#summermash), Meetup

Register for Summer Tour Chicago in Chicago, IL, on Eventbrite

One local sponsorship spot still available in Chicago. E-mail sponsorships@mashable.com for more info.

Thanks to our Local Sponsors:

ServiceLive is the first online marketplace that allows homeowners and businesses to name their price or request bids for a wide variety of home services, and the list of available services is getting wider every day. ServiceLive was designed to erase the headaches and hassles of getting services done for both the service buyer and the service pro. For more information go to http://www.ServiceLive.com.


ICUC Moderation Services is the global leader in online content and community moderation services. Our team of multi-lingual content and community specialists manage, moderate and monitor millions of social media conversations, comments, photographs and videos and work inside some of the largest online communities in the world.

We are a social media services company leading the world’s biggest brands through the integration and execution of successful marketing campaigns. We are a global team of experts acting as the eyes and ears for your brand.

You can’t control social media. You can be confident that we will protect and secure your brand. So sit back, relax and take a load off… We’ve got you covered.

One local sponsorship spot still available in Chicago. E-mail sponsorships@mashable.com for more info.

A Special Thanks to Our Tour Sponsors


Join Gotelo.com and choose where you want to be found, anytime, in one easy step.  It's fast, free, and launching this summer. Gotelo simplifies the way you connect with people you know and businesses you like by directing you to their most current web page.


The Intel® Atom™ Developer Program provides software developers with everything you need to easily develop and sell applications for Intel® Atom™ processor-based products starting with netbooks, and eventually supporting tablets, smartphones, consumer electronics and more. Program features include: Powerful tools—including an SDK, easy deployment and validation, Revenue and marketing opportunities, Developer Catalog to buy and sell application components, Application Labs in addition to a vibrant online community for support.


Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations agency with offices in 76 countries around the world. The firm's success is built on its deep commitment to client service, our people, creativity, collaboration and harnessing the power of Advocates – engaging stakeholders in new and creative ways to build brands and reputation. Weber Shandwick provides strategy and execution across practices such as consumer marketing, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, corporate and crisis management. Its specialized services include digital/social media, advocacy advertising, market research, and corporate responsibility. In 2010, Weber Shandwick was named Global Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report for the second year in a row; an ‘Agency of the Decade’ by Advertising Age, Large PR Agency of the Year by Bulldog Reporter, and Top Corporate Responsibility Advisory Firm by CR Magazine. The firm has also won numerous ‘best place to work’ awards around the world.

A Special Thanks to Our Multi-Streaming Partner

Watchitoo is an embeddable, live multi-streaming platform that allows 10+ participants to communicate via a web-cam in real time, while collaborating around a custom designed rich media playlist. A passive audience of thousands can view the show online. Any viewer can be added into a show via a virtual green room, where a moderator can adjust their microphone, have a private one-on-one chat, and vet their overall suitability to participate. Streams can be inserted, removed, re-arranged and re-sized in real time. Watchitoo has a rich feature set that includes Twitter and Facebook integration, chat, questioning, recording, screen-sharing and white-boarding.

Thanks to Our Official Ticketing Partner


Eventbrite is the world's largest self-service online ticketing site. Eventbrite makes it easy for anyone to sell-out an event.

Reviews: Bing, Facebook, Foursquare, Twitter

More About: Chicago, Events, NYC, San Francisco-San Jose, seattle, sf, summer tour, summermash, Washington DC

For more Social Media coverage:

Google Hooks Up Social Search to Google Buzz

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 02:04 PM PDT


Today Google is updating its Social Search product to include results from social sites users have connected with Google Buzz. It’s a minor update, but one that will enhance the results users see from their circle of friends.

Previously, Google Social Search only worked to pull in results based on the services included in users’ Google Profiles. Now Google has expanded the product to pull in public results from services — think Twitter, Flickr, Reader or YouTube — connected to users’ Google Buzz accounts too.

Of course, Google insists that only public information will be pulled in to Social Search, a declaration that might be a point of interest for those still concerned about Google Buzz’s previous privacy faux pas. In case of doubt, you can use the “My Social Content” or “My Social Circle” links in the Social Search results to verify what content you’re sharing and which friends you’re connected to.

We spoke with Software Engineer Matt Cutts prior to the announcement. Although the company was reluctant to release specific data around Google Social Search, Cutts says, “The team is happy with the [Social Search] usage we’ve seen.”

If anything, the enhancement means that Google maintains continued interest in the success of both the Buzz and Social Search products. Connecting the dots between the two was a logical next step for the search company.

[img credit: Tiger Pixel]

Reviews: Flickr, Google, Google Buzz, Google Profiles, Twitter, YouTube

More About: Google, google buzz, Search, social search

For more Social Media coverage:

Twitter’s Fail Whale Issues a Cry For Help [ANIMATION]

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 01:37 PM PDT


We’re guessing Twitter’s Fail Whale is getting a bit tired of being hauled out of the water by those pesky birds every five seconds due to frequent outages. Or, at least that’s how Nadav Yaron, a creative manager at a gaming company in Israel, sees it.

Yaron has created this rather rad animation (rendered in Flash) depicting the iconic sea creature’s inner monologue. Chew on that while you savor the 20-minute delay going down over at Twitter right now.

Reviews: Twitter

More About: humor, pop culture, software, twitter

For more Social Media coverage:

New Verizon Commercial Puts Foursquare Center Stage [VIDEO]

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 01:13 PM PDT


Verizon has released a new commercial centered around the hot geosocial app Foursquare.

The 30-second spot focuses on a young girl with her Motorola Droid walking through the streets, checking in on Foursquare. All the while, wireless tower after tower come out of the walls, streets and cars around her.

While Foursquare is never specifically mentioned in this commercial, there’s no doubt it’s the Android version of the popular geolocation app on display. Foursquare told us that they gave Verizon permission to use its logos and screenshots and showed them the storyboards for the commercial. It’s a major win for the NYC-based startup, as it gives the service more exposure and buzz.

We have a sneaking suspicion that this won’t be the last commercial to feature Foursquare. Until then though, here’s the Verizon commercial for your viewing pleasure:

Reviews: Android, Foursquare

More About: foursquare, verizon

For more Mobile coverage:

“Twilight: Eclipse” Is Way Better in 8-Bits [VIDEO]

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 01:11 PM PDT

Twilight: Eclipse opens tomorrow, and if you’re anything like some of us over at Mashable, that equates to one big “I don’t care” in your book. Well, that was before you saw the 8-bit choose-you-own adventure version.

The Fine Brothers — of “Mousetrap Never Works” fame — teamed up with The Station and Doc Octoroc (the animator behind the 8-bit Dr. Horrible game) to write and direct Twilight: Eclipse – The 8-Bit Interactive Game.

The game comes in the form of 13 YouTube videos that let you interact with the characters, shaping their fates. Luckily, the whole deal doesn’t take itself seriously (like those scary super fans), rather, it puts a wry spin on the hyped-up cultural phenomenon. Note to folks on Team Jacob: Choosing wolf over vamp basically leads to certain death. Bummer for all you girls out there who like ‘em hot-blooded.

Reviews: Eclipse, Mashable, twilight

More About: Film, game, humor, pop culture, software, twilight, web video, youtube

For more Web Video coverage:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Trailer Hits the Web [VIDEO]

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 12:59 PM PDT

The first full-length trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, one of the most hotly anticipated movies of both 2010 and 2011, has finally made its debut on YouTube and the web.

The film, which has been split up into two feature-length parts, is the seventh and final installment of the Harry Potter series. Like the book it’s based on, it promises an apocalyptic showdown between the forces of good and evil. Part one will premiere in theaters November 2010, while part two will hit theaters July 2011.

The Harry Potter series has already proven itself a social media phenomenon. Last year’s release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince scored more Facebook, Twitter and YouTube buzz than almost any other film of 2009. With the kind of response we’ve seen to previous Potter films, Deathly Hallows could really be “the motion picture event of a generation,” as the trailer claims.

As an avid fan of the boy wizard with the lightning-shaped scar, I can’t find the proper words to explain how excited I am for this two-part film. The trailer will only increase the buzz surrounding Harry, Hermoine and Ron’s final adventure; it is dark, it is gritty and it is epic. Don’t take my word for it though, just ask the rest of the web what it thinks.

Reviews: YouTube, harry potter

More About: Film, harry potter, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, movie, movie trailert, railer, youtube

For more Entertainment coverage:

Verizon to Start Selling iPhone in January [REPORT]

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 12:42 PM PDT


Verizon Wireless will start selling the iPhone in January of next year, according to a report from Bloomberg. While this is hardly the first Verizon iPhone rumor, Bloomberg is citing two people familiar with the matter.

In the wake of the successful launch of the iPhone 4 (you know, besides that whole antenna thing), a Verizon iPhone would solve the number one complaint U.S. users have about the phone: the carrier.

In the U.S., the iPhone has been under an exclusive contract with AT&T since its launch, and although the carrier originally agreed to a five-year agreement with Apple, the actual specifics of that agreement and what leg-room may exist for bringing the phone to other carriers has never been made public.

Aside from exclusivity contracts, the other big hurdle with bringing the iPhone to Verizon is that the phone would need to be built to be compatible with Verizon’s cellular system. This in turn would require Apple to have two production lines, one for the Verizon phone and one for every other phone.

While having two manufacturing lines may not be the most efficient process, it may become a necessity for Apple, especially as Android sales on the Verizon network continue to rise. With an estimated 53% of Verizon customers saying that they are interested in buying an iPhone with the carrier, the userbase to support such a move certainly exists.

Despite frequent customer complaints over network call quality and call drops, Apple re-teamed with AT&T when offering its 3G data plans for the iPad. However, it is important to note that those plans do not require a contract.

AT&T, meanwhile, has been working hard to update its network and has partnered with companies like McDonald’s and Starbucks to offer free Wi-Fi at those locations, but the problems are still not over. The latest attempt to curb data usage has come in the way of new data pricing plans that put a 2GB limit on iPhone or iPad data (each additional gigabyte of data is another $10 a month).

If the iPhone became available on Verizon, would you make the switch? Let us know!

Reviews: Android

More About: apple, att, iphone, trending, verizon

For more Apple coverage:

6 Brilliantly Designed Mobile Sites

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 11:48 AM PDT


This series is supported by Webtrends Mobile Analytics. Webtrends Mobile Analytics lets you monitor the adoption and usage of your mobile apps and mobile sites. To keep up with Webtrends Mobile, add their blog to your RSS reader.

It’s true: the mobile web is taking over the world, and by 2015, many predict it will be larger than desktop Internet use. It’s no wonder everybody’s racing to build mobile versions of their websites.

Some are simply better than others, though. While many companies just build stripped-down versions of their current sites with a few links and maybe an image, others have taken the time and energy to really think about the advantages of mobile and truly become destinations that can be accessed on any platform. These well-designed mobile sites provide a glimpse into what we can expect in the future.

For now though, here are six examples of brilliantly designed mobile sites, chosen from six different verticals. We couldn’t cover them all, so we encourage you to add your own favorites in the comments below.

1. Media: CBS.com

It took about 10 seconds for me to go from loading the homepage to watching a full episode of MacGuyver on CBS.com.

CBS is amazing to behold on a smartphone. It presents you with exactly what you want: TV shows. On both Android and the iPhone, it took only two clicks to play clips from hot shows such as NCIS or stream full episodes of classic shows such as Star Trek. There’s no way around it: it makes you want to keep coming back.

While NBC doesn’t boast full TV episodes, its video library is also easy to access via mobile.

2. Social: 0.Facebook.com

Facebook was presented with a dilemma in its neverending campaign of global expansion: how could it expand on mobile platforms internationally, when most nations charge an arm and a leg for wireless data?

The answer: Facebook Zero, a completely stripped-down version of the world’s largest social network. While it has almost all of the functionality of Facebook.com — status updates, news feeds, profiles, etc. — that’s not what makes it brilliant. What makes it brilliant is that use of 0.Facebook.com is free in 45 countries via over 50+ wireless operators through various deals the company has cut.

The result: a free and accessible version of Facebook for millions of people in emerging markets.

3. Productivity: m.dropbox.com

Dropbox has a great iPhone app and an Android app that’s just as good, but the mobile site version of the popular file-hosting service isn’t far behind.

It doesn’t matter what type of phone you have: you’re going to be able to access Dropbox. The website is smart enough to give you the right interface, providing you immediate access to your files, photos, and Dropbox activity history. The service’s ubiquity and usefulness across multiple platforms is what makes it brilliant.

4. Photography: m.Flickr.com

If you want simplicity and beauty in one package, then Flickr’s mobile interface is definitely a gold standard. Not only is it easy to navigate, but it places the focus on the only thing you probably care about: the photography.

Still, beyond the ability to browse, explore, and search for photography, Flickr’s mobile site lets you access your account, manage your albums, and view your activity stream. The only thing it can’t do: upload photos. You’re going to need an app for that.

5. Sports: ESPN.com

When it comes to being ahead of the technological curve, ESPN has consistently been setting the pace. The mobile versions of ESPN are no different.

The Disney-owned sports broadcasting company has versions optimized for nearly every mobile platform, and they all carry the most important sports stories of the day. However, ESPN’s mobile versions, especially the Android and iPhone versions, also contain video highlights, up-to-date sports scores, fantasy sports info, and a streamlined interface that lets you browse based on your favorite sport or team. It’s simply one of the best-built and easy-to-use mobile sites around.

6. Search: Google.com

You can’t have a list of brilliant mobile sites and not include Google.com. The search giant has managed to pack a ton of functionality into a tiny little package.

The familiar sparse interface of Google Search is still there, but through the mobile site, you can quickly pull up Google Maps, find local restaurants and destinations (if you phone has geolocation), watch YouTube videos, check Gmail, browse through your news feeds, translate on-the-fly, post updates to your Google Buzz account, and a great deal more.

Google for mobile is simply one of the best-engineered mobile interfaces around. It’s designed to do countless tasks while keeping the design simplistic. It succeeds in spades.

What’s Your Favorite Mobile Site?

It’s your turn: what mobile sites do you think are brilliant? Which ones catch your eye or stand out from the rest?

Let us know your answer in the comments.

Series supported by Webtrends Mobile Analytics

This series is supported by Webtrends Mobile Analytics. Webtrends Mobile Analytics lets you monitor the adoption and usage of your mobile apps and mobile sites. It provides near limitless customization in terms of the data gathered and depth of analysis across iPhone, Android and Blackberry. And the data resides side-by-side with your website analytics. To keep up with Webtrends Mobile, add their blog to your RSS reader.

Reviews: Android, Dropbox, Facebook, Flickr, Gmail, Google, Google Buzz, Google Maps, Google search, Twitter, YouTube, blog

More About: cbs, ESPN, facebook, Facebook Zero, features, Google, Mobile 2.0, Mobile Sites and Apps Series, mobile web

For more Mobile coverage:

Family-Friendly FaceTime Commercial Gets Dysfunctional Family Parody Ad [VIDEO]

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 11:42 AM PDT

If you cried during the iPhone 4’s FaceTime commercial (directed by Sam Mendes), you might want to grab a huge box of tissues before checking out College Humor’s parody of the ad.

Yeah, FaceTime will likely be a great way for folks in distant lands to keep in touch (folks with an iPhone 4 and access to Wi-Fi, anyway) — and to discover that they have no friends to call — but this spoof on the extremely sentimental original spot does make an interesting point: It’s increasingly possible to substitute digital interactions with real human communication nowadays.

All deeper meanings aside, this is a pretty clever take on Apple’s advertisement — except for the fact that there appears to be no future iPhone iterations in whatever terrible Dystopia these people live in. For those of you waiting in AT&T’s horrific lines today, perhaps that would be a blessing.

More About: apple, facetime, humor, iphone 4, pop culture, viral video

For more Web Video coverage:

Will You Pay $9.99 Per Month for Hulu Plus? [POLL]

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 11:42 AM PDT


Hulu has finally announced Hulu Plus, its premium service with loads of long-requested benefits and content — but is it worth paying a monthly fee?

For $9.99 per month, you’ll get entire series and seasons in high definition, whereas most shows have up to this point only been available a few episodes at a time in standard definition. You’ll also have the option of streaming those episodes on a bunch of new devices, including the iPhone, iPad, PlayStation 3 and select Samsung TVs and Blu-ray players — and those are probably just the beginning.

It almost sounds like a great deal, but Hulu was careful to note on its blog that shows will still be ad-supported even for Plus subscribers. That’s a disappointment, given that Netflix offers all of that to subscribers without any ads at all. Netflix has a slightly smaller selection of big television shows however, and only a few of its shows are updated as new episodes air.

Ultimately, the users will decide whether or not Hulu Plus is worth the cash, so we’re taking a poll. We want to know if you plan on subscribing to Hulu Plus when it opens to the public. Feel free to give your reasons in the comments, too.


Reviews: Blu, Hulu, blog, iPhone

More About: hulu, hulu plus, netflix, poll, premium, subscription, television, tv

For more Web Video coverage:

Hulu Plus to Deliver Shows to iPad, iPhone, PS3 and More

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 10:54 AM PDT


Hulu has just announced that it is launching a subscription service called Hulu Plus — something that has been rumored for some time.

For $9.99 per month, subscribers will get access to all the episodes in a popular show’s season, not just the past five or so, plus every episode of select series such as The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Law & Order, Ally McBeal, Grey’s Anatomy and more.

They’ll also gain access to significantly more content in high definition, and they can watch episodes on the go using either Wi-Fi or 3G with new apps for both the iPad and iPhone (a long-awaited announcement in an of itself). You’ll also be able to watch on the Sony PlayStation 3 game console and select Samsung TVs and Blu-ray players.

Hulu Plus isn’t available to everyone yet, but you can request a “preview invite” at Hulu’s website. The video below details the new offering:

Reviews: Blu, iPhone

More About: App, hd, hulu, hulu plus, ipad, iphone, playstation 3, premium, PS3, subscription, television, tv, video

For more Web Video coverage:

Cius: Cisco Unveils Android-Based Business Tablet

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 10:47 AM PDT


Cisco has unveiled its first entry into the tablet computer space: the Cius, a 7-inch HD business collaboration device running the Google Android operating system.

The Cisco Cius was revealed earlier today by CEO John Chambers at a conference in Las Vegas. Like most Cisco devices, the Cius is designed with the business user in mind. It is a virtual desktop and telecommunication machine, complete with a front facing 720p HD camera and a second, 5-megapixel rear-facing camera. It’s smaller than an iPad, with a 7-inch screen and weighing only 1.15 pounds.

The device is designed to be mobile. It runs a modified version of the Google Android operation system, which is becoming more and more popular for use in tablet devices. It also comes with 3G capability, along with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Micro-USB support. Cisco claims that the device will go for eight hours “under normal usage.” As a bonus, the battery is detachable.

The key to this tablet is the suite of Cisco software products that it will run. The list includes Cisco Quad, Show and Share, WebEx, Presence and Cisco TelePresence; it also supports Unified Communications Manager. It looks like these apps will run as modified Android applications.

Any tablet, even an enterprise-focused tablet, inevitably compete with the iPad. However, Cisco’s device does sound like it has a lot of business features that the iPad does not, especially its deep integration with Cisco telecommunication products. The inclusion of two cameras for teleconferencing alone could make it a popular buy with enterprise companies.

Customer trials begin in the third quarter, meaning that you could see Cius tablets floating around as early as next month. However, the device won’t officially launch until early 2011, right around the time Apple is likely to unveil the next version of the iPad.

Below are some more details regarding the device’s specs. Let us know your first impressions of the Cius in the comments.

Cisco Cius: Official Specs

Tablet Capabilities:

  • 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, 3G/4G data and Bluetooth 3.0 help employees stay connected on and off-campus
  • HD video (720p) with Cisco TelePresence solution interoperability for lifelike video communication with the simplicity of a phone call
  • Virtual desktop client enables highly secure access to cloud-based business applications
  • Android operating system, with access Android marketplace applications
  • Collaboration applications including Cisco Quad, Cisco Show and Share, WebEx, Presence, and IM

Tablet Highlights:

  • 7" diagonal, high-resolution color screen with contact-based touch targets
  • HD Soundstation supports Bluetooth and USB peripherals, 10/100/1000 wired connectivity and a handset option
  • Detachable and serviceable 8-hour battery for a full day of work
  • Highly secure remote connections with Cisco AnyConnect Security VPN Client
  • HD audio with wideband support (tablet, HD Soundstation)
Reviews: Android, Bluetooth

More About: android, cisco, Cisco Cius, Google, ipad, Tablet

For more Tech coverage:

Smartphone Faceoff: iPhone 4 vs. Droid X

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 10:10 AM PDT


This Web Faceoff series is supported by GMC.

Last week it was an online shopping showdown in our long-running Web Faceoff series, in which we wanted to know which you prefer: Amazon, eBay or Craigslist.

The big winner in that matchup was Amazon, with 843 votes for 56.5% of the total votes. Second place went to eBay with 385 votes and 25.8% of the total, while Craigslist trailed behind in third with 179 votes, or 12% of the total. The “no preference” tie vote rounded out the poll with 84 votes for 5.6%.

This week we turn our attention back once again to a white hot topic these days: smartphones. Motorola’s update to the popular Droid was announced and detailed as the Droid X just one day before the new iPhone 4 hit the ground to thronging lines of Apple fanatics. This head-to-head is shaping up to be the smartphone throwdown of the summer, and we’ve already taken a look at a comparison of the two devices.

It’s high time to ask you, dear Mashable readers, which of these two phones gets your ultimate vote. Will it be the latest and greatest in Apple’s iPhone camp, or the new Android-flavored hotness rolling out from Motorola? Make sure to cast your vote before this coming Thursday, July 1 at 12:00 PST and as always, share your voting rationale in the comments below.



Faceoff Series: Overall Results

Week 1:
- Mozilla Firefox vs. Google Chrome
- WINNER: Firefox, 4600 votes (Chrome: 3310 votes, Tie: 911 votes)

Week 2:
- Tumblr vs. Posterous
- WINNER: Tumblr, 1809 votes (Posterous: 1496 votes, Tie: 256 votes)

Week 3:
- Pandora vs. Last.fm
- WINNER: Last.fm, 1187 votes (Pandora: 1156 votes, Tie: 122 votes)

Week 4:
- Twitter vs. Facebook
- WINNER: Facebook, 2484 votes (Twitter: 2061 votes, Tie: 588 votes)

Week 5:
- WordPress vs. Typepad
- WINNER: WordPress, 2714 votes (Typepad: 267 votes, Tie: 357 votes)

Week 6:
- Windows 7 vs. Snow Leopard
- WINNER: Windows 7, 3632 votes (Snow Leopard: 3278 votes, Tie: 121 votes)

Week 7:
- TweetDeck vs. Seesmic Desktop
- WINNER: TweetDeck, 3294 votes (Seesmic Desktop: 1055 votes, Tie: 260 votes)

Week 8:
- Microsoft Office vs. Google Docs
- WINNER: Microsoft Office, 1365 votes (Google Docs: 994 votes, Tie: 315 votes)

Week 9:
- Apple iPhone vs. Google Android
- WINNER: Google Android, 3323 votes (Apple iPhone: 1494 votes, Tie: 228 votes)

Week 10:
- AT&T vs. Verizon
- WINNER: Verizon, 1161 votes (AT&T: 538 votes, Tie: 118 votes)

Week 11:
- Google vs. Bing
- WINNER: Google, 2180 votes (Bing: 519 votes, Tie: 97 votes)

Week 12:
- iPod Touch/iPhone vs. Nintendo DS vs. Sony PSP
- WINNER: iPod Touch/iPhone, 704 votes (Sony PSP: 639 votes, Nintendo DS: 482 votes, Tie: 108 votes)

Week 13:
- Digg vs. Reddit vs. StumbleUpon
- WINNER: Digg, 14,762 votes (Reddit: 11,466 votes, StumbleUpon: 2507 votes, Tie: 1032 votes)

Week 14:
- Old versus new Twitter retweets
- WINNER: Old style retweets, 1625 votes (New style retweets: 699 votes, Tie: 227 votes)

Week 15:
- Gmail vs. Outlook
- WINNER: Gmail, 3684 votes (Outlook: 980 votes, Tie: 590 votes)

Week 16:
- Boxee vs. Hulu
- WINNER: Hulu, 626 votes (Boxee: 591 votes, Tie: 106 votes)

Week 17:
- Nexus One vs. iPhone 3GS
- WINNER: Nexus One, 6743 votes (iPhone 3GS: 2818 votes, Tie: 592 votes)

Week 18:
- Foursquare vs. Yelp vs. Gowalla
- WINNER: Foursquare, 1182 votes, (Yelp: 661 votes, Gowalla: 509 votes, Tie: 143 votes)

Week 19:
- AIM vs. GTalk vs. FbChat
- WINNER: GTalk, 2189 votes, (AIM: 1257 votes, FbChat: 511 votes, Tie: 203 votes)

Week 20:
- Music Ownership vs. Music Subscription
- WINNER: Ownership, 533 votes (Subscription: 299 votes, Tie: 237)

Week 21:
- Match.com vs. PlentyofFish
- WINNER: Plenty of Fish, 430 votes (Match.com: 334 votes, Tie: 187 votes)

Week 21:
- Google Buzz vs. Facebook Vs. Twitter
- WINNER: Facebook, 3353 votes (Twitter: 1828 votes, Google Buzz: 1298 votes, Tie: 651 votes)

Week 22:
- HTML5 vs. Adobe Flash
- WINNER: HTML5, 3892 votes (Adobe Flash: 1779 votes, Tie: 660 votes)

Week 23:
- Project Natal vs. PlayStation Move
- WINNER: Project Natal, 1268 votes (PlayStation Move: 668 votes, None: I don’t like motion controllers: 170 votes, None: I prefer the Wii: 150 votes)

Week 24:
- Chatroulette vs. Hot or Not
- WINNER: Chatroulette, 742 votes (Hot or Not: 281 votes, Tie: 99 votes)

Week 25:
- iPad vs. Netbooks
- WINNER: iPad, 3098 votes (Netbook: 1969 votes, Tie: 605 votes)

Week 26:
- Amazon Kindle vs. Apple iBooks
- WINNER: Apple iBooks, 1227 votes (Amazon Kindle: 928 votes, Tie: 118 votes, Neither: 276 votes)

Week 27:
- Next-gen iPhone vs. Droid Incredible
- WINNER: iPhone 4G, 9765 votes (Droid Incredible: 8175 votes, Tie: 1318 votes)

Week 28:
- Facebook “Like” vs. “Become a Fan”
- WINNER: “Become a Fan”, 3161 votes (“Like:” 1634 votes, Indifferent: 719 votes)

Week 29:
- Physical keyboards vs. Virtual keyboards
- WINNER: Physical QWERTY keyboard, 2563 votes (Virtual keyboard: 2010 votes, Prefer T9 typing: 176 votes, Tie: 346 votes)

Week 30:
- Google TV vs. Apple TV
- WINNER: Google TV, 1674 votes (Apple TV: 617 votes, Neither: 341 votes, Both: 242 votes)

Week 31:
- Twitter vs. Newspapers
- WINNER: Twitter, 1005 votes (Newspapers: 418 votes, Neither: 282, Equal: 211)

Week 32:
- HTC EVO 4G vs. iPhone 4
- WINNER: HTC EVO 4G, 5091 votes (iPhone 4: 3,680 votes, Tie: 556)

Week 33:
- Google TV vs. Boxee
- WINNER: Google TV, 600 votes (Boxee: 395 votes, Neither: 188)

Week 34:
- Amazon vs. eBay vs. Craigslist
- WINNER: Amazon, 843 votes (eBay: 385 votes, Craiglist: 179 votes, Tie: 84)

Series supported by GMC

This Web Faceoff series is supported by GMC.

Reviews: Android, Bing, Boxee, Chrome, Craigslist, Digg, Facebook, Firefox, Foursquare, Gmail, Google, Google Buzz, Google Docs, Gowalla, Gtalk, Hulu, Mashable, Pandora, Posterous, Seesmic Desktop, StumbleUpon, Tumblr, TweetDeck, Twitter, TypePad, Windows, WordPress, Yelp, aim, gmc

More About: android, apple, droid, droid x, iphone, iphone 4, Motorola, smartphones, web faceoff

For more Mobile coverage:

Posterous to TwitPic Users: “Rescue” Photos with New Import Tool

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 09:58 AM PDT


Posterous is in the midst of an aggressive 15-day campaign to get users of other services such as Tumblr and Ning to switch to its blogging platform. Today the startup has set its sights on TwitPic with the introduction of a two-click TwitPic importer.

The TwitPic Switch to Posterous page instructs users to “rescue your photos from a TwitPic.” It’s a bold statement that attempts to position the service as a superior resting place for user photos.

The Posterous TwitPic importer is just as simple to use as each of the other import options. In this case, simply enter the URL of your TwitPic profile, complete the Twitter OAuth process and Posterous will begin the import process. TwitPic photos will be left intact, but copied over to Posterous. You’ll receive a notification e-mail when the import process is complete.

As we’ve previously noted, Posterous can be used in much the same way that Twitterers already use TwitPic, especially given that many Twitter mobile clients already include Posterous as a photo-sharing option. With the introduction of the Posterous TwitPic importer, the company hopes to convince holdouts to make the switch to a blogging platform that also moonlights as a Twitter photo-sharing service.

Posterous’s switch campaign is a brilliant way to drive home the utility of the service, even if it does attract the ire of competing services. So far, it has already gone after Vox, Xanga, Active Rain, Ning, Tumblr and now TwitPic users.

These are some pretty high-profile targets, and already Posterous is pretty pleased with the results. Vice President of Marketing Rich Pearson tells us that “activity is through the roof,” and that the campaign has been “very successful for both folks who are moving their content over to Posterous, and folks who already have an account but haven’t been back to Posterous in some time.”

Update: TwitPic has blocked the Posterous import tool, we’ve reached out to them for comment.

[img credit: KWDesigns]

Reviews: Posterous, Tumblr, Twitpic, Twitter, Vox, Xanga

More About: posterous, twitpic, twitter

For more Social Media coverage:

Barnes & Noble Captures 20% of E-Book Market

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 09:21 AM PDT


Barnes & Noble may have reported losses and been compelled to slash e-reader prices recently, but all is not lost, thanks to the company’s decision to enter the e-book market this year.

While sales at its physical retail locations declined by 4.8% over the previous year, online sales have increased by 24%. Most notably, Barnes & Noble has gained 20% of the e-book market in just the last year, CEO William Lynch revealed in an investor conference this morning.

The Nook is primarily responsible for driving those e-book sales, he added. In a statement yesterday, Chairman Leonard Riggio claimed that customers who have purchased the Nook have increased their overall spending with the company by 17%.

Barnes & Noble’s share of the digital market now exceeds its share of the retail book market, Lynch announced. This news is less promising than it appears, however, given that it has only really had to compete against Amazon and Sony this year. Borders and Apple have only entered the market very recently; we expect Apple will prove itself a formidable competitor. Google’s e-bookstore is also expected to appear soon.

Given its success in the digital market, the company plans “to redirect a significant portion of [its] financial resources towards investments in technology, sales and marketing” for 2011, it announced in a statement. We expect that those resources will go primarily into creating an improved second-generation e-reading device and enhancing its mobile apps; just recently, Amazon added video and audio support to its already-robust Kindle app. Given that the Nook is not the most sophisticated e-reading device on the market, we trust the company will focus on selling e-books on as many platforms as possible, not just its own device.

Barnes & Noble has published an aggressive forecast for fiscal 2011. It expects sales on its website alone to increase by 75% to $1 billion, while sales at its brick and mortar locations should remain relatively flat. It also anticipates to capture roughly a quarter of the e-book market by 2013 — optimistic, we think, given the competitors it’s up against.

Do you think Barnes & Noble can continue to increase its share of the digital market once Apple and Google have firmly established themselves in the e-book market? What do think of the company’s overall digital strategy?

Reviews: Google

More About: amazon, apple, barnes & noble, borders, e-books, e-bookstore, iBooks, iBookstore, Kindle

For more Business coverage:

25+ Upcoming Social Media & Tech Events

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 08:30 AM PDT

social_media_events_guide1

It’s time for Mashable's guide to upcoming social media and web events, parties and conferences. For more upcoming event listings, check out Mashable’s Events section.

This summer, don’t forget to check out the Mashable U.S. Summer Tour that’s making stops at Seattle, San Francisco, Washington D.C, New York and Chicago! Tickets are now available!

Would you like to have your conference or event listed here? If so, please contact us at least one month before your event to establish a media partnership.

Here are some tips on how to network, share your information, and/or promote your event using social media:

– HOW TO: Plan and Promote Events with Social Media
– 35+ Ways to Find and Plan Events Online
– 8 Ways to Create Paperless Business Cards
– 5 Useful iPhone Apps for Business Networking

Mashable’s Weekly Social Media and Marketing Event Guide is proudly supported by Eventbrite, the Web’s Event Marketplace.

June 28–29, 2010, Sydney, Australia: Crime and Legal Issues in Social Media will advise and assist professionals on the utilisation of social networking without fear of the risks. Some organisations are still hesitant to maximise their use of online networking. Risks such as breach of privacy, fear of legal action, developing a negative reputation and lack of control have given way to avoidance of this important medium. The event will explore the legal implications of using social media and the policies that manage the risks. Save 15% when using code CrimeSocialMash or call +61 1300 550 662

June 29, 2010, San Francisco, CA: Whether it’s social games, social news, social discovery, social search or other forms of social solutions, developers today are facing new hurdles in building instantly scalable products. As new technologies emerge to address the challenges faced by social application developers, it’s increasingly important to come together for knowledge sharing purposes.
The first Social Developer Summit will bring together social application developers to discuss the challenges, solutions and best practices for building applications in the rapidly expanding social web economy. At the Social Developer Summit, industry experts will share tips and case studies for building high performance social web products. Register with promo code SDSMASH and save 20%!

1130_cloudwf

June 29-30, 2010, London, UK: The 2nd annual Cloud Computing and Enterprise 2.0 World Forum is the perfect event to learn and discuss the future development and integration of cloud and enterprise 2.0 services and products. Building on the success of the 2009 show, this two day conference and exhibition will provide a focused platform for the global cloud computing and enterprise social media industry. The 2010 show will include a free-to-attend exhibition with scenario based workshop area and key service providers demonstrating their products.

July 1, 2010, London, UK: Brand Republic's Achieving Maximum Value From Your Social Media Strategy conference. Learn which social media strategies have yielded proven results, how to build brand awareness, deal with negative PR, gain senior buy-in, measure and monitor your success and integrate your social media campaign with traditional marketing and PR. Roundtable discussions, case studies and presentations from social media experts including: BT, Photobox, Speedo, BSkyB, Facebook, Lastminute.com, Labour Party, Amnesty International, Mirror Group, TripAdvisor, Fatface, Space.NK, SeaFrance and many more. Register online quoting MASHABLE50 and receive an extra £50 off the early booking discount at www.socialmediastrategyevent.com.

July 2, 2010, London, UK: Social Media and the Social Web are two of the most dominant web trends today. BrightLemon is bringing together a number of leading figures in this field to discuss why, how and who should use the “Social Web.” The focus for this event will be on building online communities, social web tools and how they benefit organizations and brands. Register for FREE now.

July 6, 2010, New York, NY: Game Dynamics and Marketing. Learn how to increase user engagement, promote viral adoption and make your app fun through game dynamics. Foursquare motivates people to share their location by offering badges and mayorships. On Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter users are obsessed with their connection counts. On Q&A sites people spend hours sharing their expertise for free — just for the prize of being seen as an expert to their peers. Learn the secrets to make your site into a game that is both fun and promotes the behavior you’re after. Mashable readers can receive 25% off registration with promo code mashable.

July 7, 2010, Melbourne, Australia: Digital Sport Summit is Australia’s premier sport and digital media event. Hear from social media pioneers who are changing the face of Australian sport. Learn how social media and mobile technology is taking fan engagement to a whole new level. Featuring leaders in Australian sport and digital media – including Australian Football League star, Harry O'Brien – there is something for everyone. Mashable readers get $20 off the ticket price with the code dssmash.

July 8, 2010, San Francisco, CA: Social Media Marketing 2010 San Francisco will bring together leading brands and marketing experts to explore the power of social networks.
During this one-day event, a team of renowned marketing experts will provide guidance on how to effectively engage with customers via social media, give tips on how to maximize the impact of your campaigns and offer insights into new services to try and trends to watch out for. This is the ultimate event for anyone involved in social media or digital marketing. Media partners include Mashable, Adrants, State of Search and Seededbuzz. Speakers include Chris Heuer, Ben Parr, David Gelles, Joe Vazquez, Tom Foremski, Kym McNicholas, Dan Martell, Jennifer Neeley Lindsay, Hiten Shah, Murray Newlands and Marissa Louie. Register with code mashable to get a 10% discount.

July 12, 2010, Washington, D.C.: Online Marketing Summit (OMS) is coming to D.C. with all new B2B and B2C case studies and social media integration tracks, unparalleled networking opportunities and an exclusive “Social Media and Content Marketing Workshop and Breakfast," brought to you by the Online Marketing Institute and Wharton Interactive Media Initiative. Learn search, social media and integrated marketing from the leading experts at Kodak, ExactTarget and HubSpot. Register now with promo code MASH20 for 20% off.

July 12-13 & 15-16, 2010, Singapore & Hong Kong: Join us at this Media Relations conference. This 2-day event will see leading PR practioners gather to share more about the integration of social media & traditional media. PR professionals can look forward to discussing strategies that help you achieve your communication objectives and enhance your media relations & positive coverage. Learn how top B2B and B2C companies integrate new media tools for an all-rounded approach. Register today. Save 10% when you enter Mashable under ‘Additional Info’.

July 12-13, San Francisco, CA: MobileBeat 2010, VentureBeat's third annual executive conference on the future of mobile, has expanded this year to a new two-day format. The theme: The Year of The Superphone and Who Will Profit. We’re assembling the major players in the industry to discuss, debate and explore who’ll win in the midst of the superphone revolution, and why. Join 500 mobile industry leaders — from the major U.S and international carriers, to the top device makers, developers, startups, marketers and investors — for two packed days of exciting content, breakaway sessions, power networking, and deal-making. For all events details, click here. Register here with promo code VB_Mashable and save 15%.

July 12-15, 2010, Washington, D.C.: Attend the Advanced Learning Institute's 19th Forum on Social Media for Government: How To Engage Your Employees And Citizens By Using The Latest Web 2.0 Technologies To Drive Communication Results, to learn how to incorporate social media into your communications and marketing plans and leverage the latest interactive Web 2.0 tools and techniques to advance your organizational goals. Hear practical advice, firsthand, from leading organizations such as: Army Corps of Engineers; National Wildlife Federation; USDA; City of Raleigh, NC; University of Georgia Libraries; CDC; U.S. Department of Defense; U.S. Navy; Social Security Administration; U.S. General Services Administration; Transportation Security Administration; and more. Mention Mashable when registering to save $200.

July 13, 2010, London, UK: This senior level forum offers SVPs, VPs, Directors & Heads of eCommerce, Online, Marketing, Digital and Customer Experience the opportunity to discuss strategies, solutions and best practice for enhancing the customer experience and delivering competitive differentiation by effectively managing and integration online, social and mobile channels. Offering a unique mix of keynote briefings, interactive discussions and one-to-one meetings Customer Experience Online will provide you with a unique opportunity to propel your online initiatives to success and position yourself at the forefront of the industry. Spaces are limited and by invitation only, click here to find out if you qualify. When booking your place, please use discount code MASH_BAN for a 10% discount.

July 19-20, 2010, Marina del Rey, CA: BlueGlass LA, the widely anticipated follow-on conference to the Search & Social Spring Summit, is brought to you by an industry first: a special collaboration between firms Search & Social and 10e20, online marketing industry leaders. The speaker lineup includes leading technologists and entrepreneurs like Ben Huh from ICanHasCheezburger, Neil Patel from KissMetrics, Dave McClure from FF Angel and Brent Csutoras, social media expert whose company was recently acquired by 10e20. These experts will huddle with attendees to personally help them brainstorm digital marketing opportunities. Save 15% with discount code: mashablebg.

July 19-23, 2010, Portland, OR: OSCON takes place at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. In its 12th year, OSCON continues to be the premier meeting ground for everyone using open source. At OSCON, you’ll participate in hundreds of sessions covering open source languages and platforms, practical tutorials that go deep into technical skill and best practices, inspirational keynote presentations, an Expo Hall featuring dozens of the latest projects and products, fun networking events and activities and the best “hallway track” around. No matter the economic climate, a strong technology foundation is the key for moving your business and projects forward. In just five information-packed days (and nights) OSCON gives you the tools you need to succeed. Join over 2,500 people passionate about open source and register now and save 15%. Use discount code os10mash when registering at: http://www.oscon.com/oscon2010.

July 20, 2010, New York, NY: Word of Mouth Supergenius is where you’ll learn to be a fantastic word of mouth marketer with 12 how-to classes, 12 real-world case studies and six brilliant authors. You’ll learn practical, hands-on techniques to get started, grow your program and earn amazing word of mouth. Save $75 off registration by using the code ILoveMashableWOM.

July 21, 2010, New York, NY: Social Convergence & The Enterprise: Case Studies & Roundtables. The conference will demonstrate how leading consumer and B2B brands are embracing social media and networking across the enterprise. The case studies will be followed by moderated interactive roundtables. Use promo code MASH for a discounted rate of $155.

July 21, 2010, Toronto, Ontario: Building on the success of a sold-out NYC event, Cross Media Toronto will bring together leaders from all key media industries to discuss, demonstrate and debate cross media integration and partnerships. This is not your ordinary listen-to-talking-heads gabfest. One jam-packed panel with five executives from key sectors that will act as the bridge between four technology demos and two cross-media case studies, as well as what's sure to be a heated debate on a pressing current issue. The event will move quickly with some company introductions from the floor allowing everyone to know who is there and what they do. We want something big to come out of this. Mashable readers save 15% off using the discount code MASH2010.

July 21-23, 2010, Sydney, Australia: KM & Collaboration Australia will feature renowned and respected international keynote presenters and Australian industry practitioners who will explore prospects and challenges in networking and collaboration, social media and Web 2.0, sustainability and profitability, and will outline and explain best practice tools, techniques and advancements in these critical areas. The event will provide you with useful, practical and timely lessons that you'll be able to implement within your organization as soon as you return to the office! Save 15% when using code KMAusMash at http://www.kmaustralia.com/registration.htm.

July 22, 2010, London, UK: Brightlemon Drupal Training – Introducing Drupal (London): This Drupal course quickly gets you up to speed with building dynamic database-driven websites with Drupal. It begins with a basic introduction into the main concepts behind Content Management Systems (CMS) and the types of websites they are meant to help create. A running theme throughout the course is to illustrate how one can map general requirements to specific Drupal concepts. Buy tickets here.

July 23, 2010, London, UK: Brightlemon Drupal Training – Advanced Drupal (London): This Drupal training course gives you a head-start and walks you through all the methods used in more advanced dynamic websites. Create complex content types, sophisticated displays of content and its filtering, advanced community features. Learn how to handle multiple types of media from audio podcast to video and present content with attractive effects. Buy tickets here.

July 26-28, 2010 Chicago, IL: Celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the eduWeb Conference, a premier annual event for higher education. We have 4 tracks, 46 presentations, 4 pre-conference workshops, 2 receptions and a dynamite program. Professionals in marketing, PR, alumni, admissions, advancement, student affairs, IT, athletics and other HE departments attend eduWeb to learn how to strategically communicate through their online presence. Register now and save an additional $50; use discount code: 10eduWebMash.

July 27, 2010, New York, NY: The Future of Jewish Nonprofit Summit (#FOJNP) gathers handpicked professionals, volunteers and lay leaders to candidly interact in a laid back setting to unlock the full value of moving this vital industry forward. Some of the most respected nonprofit professionals, social media experts, marketers and online fundraisers are coming together to share their best practices, ideas and case studies. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Visit http://www.fojnp.com for complete details. Use registration code mashable for 15% off.

July 29, 2010, Atlanta, GA: There’s nothing quite like a college campus to spark the learning juices, especially if there’s no final to pass. That’s why Communitelligence is taking the ESSENTIAL SOCIAL MEDIA SKILLS PRACTICUM to some of the world’s best universities, starting at Georgia Tech. It will be an intense day of challenging interactive discussions, illustrative case studies and hands-on tutorials (bring your laptop). You’ll leave armed with the knowledge, inspiration — and a social network — to help you start hitting some social media home runs for your organization. Register with promo code mashable10 to receive $100 off registration. Isn’t it time you went back to the CLASSROOM?

July 29, 2010, Santa Monica, CA: Back by popular demand, Schmoozd 3 is scheduled to make another go-around at the Wokcano. The last event had over 300 people from a variety of fields: entertainment, tech, medical, marketing, venture capitalists, the press and many more. Schmoozd is an exclusive social mixer bringing together professionals in marketing, advertising, technology, social media and startups. The event is designed to facilitate knowledge sharing, relationship building and deal making. For more information, please visit www.schmoozd.com. Mashable readers get 50% off when registering via this link.

July 29-30, Philadelphia, PA: For nine years, Supernova has anticipated the major business, technology, and policy trends of the Network Age. Supernova Forum 2010: Perestroika will combine the best aspects of executive, academic, and participant-organized conferences. Produced with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, it features compelling innovators, leaders, intellectuals, and policy-makers in a dynamic networking environment. Hear Beth Noveck (US Deputy CTO), David Cohen (Comcast), Jeff Jarvis (BuzzMachine), Danah Boyd (Microsoft Research), John Borthwick (Betaworks), faculty from the world's top business school, and other thought leaders. Save 25% with discount code mash10 at http://www.supernovahub.com

August 2 – 3 & 5 – 6, 2010, Singapore & Hong Kong: The Mobile Marketing with Social Media Conference is a 2-day conference that will provide you with the latest trends, strategies and techniques for engaging new-age customers through mobile and social media (SM). Be updated with the mobile adoption pattern in Asia. Hear how global brands such as Starbucks, Microsoft, Lufthansa, Adidas, Virgin, Air Asia, Swire, Hong Kong International Airport etc. developed holistic marketing approaches. Understand how location based advertising allows greater engagement. Discover measurement analytics and tools to help quantify the performance of your mobile SM campaigns. Register today and save 10% when you enter the code Mashable under' Additional Info'.

August 3, 2010, Mountain View, CA: See Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors and SpaceX, and Jason Calacanis, CEO of Mahalo.com, speak at the The Founder Showcase. This quarterly startup pitch and networking event brings together over 275 investors, founders, and members of the press in Silicon Valley to hear talks from leading CEOs and pitches from 10 hot technology startups. Over $1MM has been raised by presenting companies at previous Founder Showcase events. Tickets start at just $40 — to register or enter the free Pitch Competition, go to foundershowcase.com. Mashable readers get 15% off by using discount code mashable_15.

August 11-13, 2010, Washington, D.C.: Whether you’re a researcher, a system administrator, or a policy wonk, come to USENIX Security ‘10 to find out how changes in computer security are going to affect you. The 3-day program includes an innovative technical program, starting with a keynote address by Roger G. Johnston of the Vulnerability Assessment Team at Argonne National Laboratory; invited talks, including “Toward an Open and Secure Platform for Using the Web,” by Will Drewry, Google; a refereed papers track, including 30 papers presenting the newest advances; and a Poster session displaying the latest preliminary research. Gain valuable knowledge on a variety of subject areas, including detection of network attacks, privacy, Internet security, Web security and more. Learn more at http://www.usenix.org/sec10/mash. Receive $100 discount by entering SEC10MASH upon registration.

August 13, 2010, Nashville, TN: At Big South Social Media Summit, come listen to some of the most forward-thinking business giants from companies like Southwest, SAP, Comcast, Domino's as well as social media loving celebrities who will speak directly on how they drive ROI through social media. Speakers will share real-world success stories, pit falls and case studies to demonstrate the true value of social media. This summit will allow business leaders to finally understand how social media can propel their business and how to produce real results. More than the mechanics, this is a relatable summit that will open eyes to the power of social media in business. Get 15% off the ticket price by using the vacomash discount code.

August 13-15, 2010 – Boston, MA: The 6th Annual Second Life Community Convention 2010 brings Residents of the Second Life community together to network, build friendships and to discuss Second Life in a common forum. This year’s convention will be held at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers, with a new organizing committee at the helm. In addition to new programming and content, AvaCon, Inc. has also launched a new website at http://www.slconvention.org which has all the details for the convention. SLCC is the largest virtual world convention combining art, business, community events, education, music, non-profit and the technical aspects of Second Life, other virtual worlds and related technologies in one location. Register Now & save an additional 10% using the discount code Mashable2010 at http://slcc2010.eventbrite.com/?discount=Mashable2010.

August 15-17, 2010, New York, NY: Affiliate Summit East, the premier affiliate marketing conference, is taking place August 15-17, 2010 in New York City. This three day conference includes an exhibit hall with affiliate merchants, vendors and networks, as well as multiple tracks of educational sessions covering the latest trends and information from affiliate marketing experts. Use discount code mashable for 10% off any pass type.

August 16-17, 2010, Las Vegas, NV: Join us for the Restaurant & Hospitality Social Media Marketing Bootcamp. This event provides the practical knowledge and insights required by restaurant and hotel operators to establish objectives and strategies for your market, properly select the social media platforms to engage guests and monitor and measure the results of these efforts for a greater ROI. This event is presented by RestaurantWorx Consulting and Inside Hospitality. Use the Code “MASHABLE” (all caps) when registering and receive VIP pricing on “Day 1″ or “Day 1 & 2 Attendance” tickets. See complete event details on the event website at RestaurantSocialMedia.com.

August 16-20, 2010, San Francisco, CA: Discover the tools of engagement at this year's SES San Francisco. No longer just lecturing your customers, learn to listen and converse in a more social world. Our experts will show you how integrating search, social media and video in even basic ways will transform both your site’s visibility and profitability. Packed with sessions on PPC management, information architecture, social media, local search, mobile application development, video optimization and other advanced topics, we have created an educational and networking environment designed for both beginners and veterans in digital marketing. Register by July 30th and SAVE up to $554 with code MHNY15.

August 17-19, 2010, Seattle, WA: Taking place during Seattle Geek Week, pii2010 (privacy identity innovation) will explore how emerging technologies and business models are impacting the way data is created, shared and aggregated and how to strike a balance between protecting sensitive information and enabling innovation. The conference will also serve as the official launch pad for pii Labs, an open forum for brainstorming and collaborating that will be held at the Space Needle building. Tickets start at $345, and Mashable readers save 20% when they register with this Discount Code: 4MASH. Sign up today at http://www.pii2010.com!

August 26, 2010, Galway, Ireland: Attend BlogTalk 2010: the 7th International Conference on Social Software. Join developers, researchers, practitioners and others who share, analyze and enjoy the benefits of social software and social media. Keynote speakers including Stowe Boyd, Dan Gillmor and Don Thibeau will share insights and discuss future developments. There will also be a one-day workshop on microblogging as part of the event. The cost is €200 for early birds and €250 for regular registrants. Use the mashtalk promotional code when registering to save 10%. We will also have a medieval banquet, but space is limited so register early.

September 6 – 7 & 9 – 10, 2010, Singapore & Hong Kong: Join us at the Social Media Marketing & Measurement Workshop. Through hands-on exercises, interactive discussions and case studies analysis, expand your knowledge in Social Media (SM) Marketing strategy development and implementation techniques and pick up skills in measuring social media efforts in financial and non-financial terms. Marketers can look forward to hearing how to design and integrate social media with existing marketing platforms and how to measure and monitor social media campaigns using free and paid tools. Register today and save 10% when you enter the code Mashable under 'Additional Info'.

September 7-9, 2010, Las Vegas, NV: The Global App Show is focused on delivering the optimum network environment for app developers, mobile manufacturers, businessmen and users alike. If you are serious about your app, if you want to increase your downloads, users and audience growth rate, improve your development skills, quality or functionality of your app, if you want to influence decision makers, find experts, sell a product or service, if you want to promote yourself as an industry expert, or build your brand, then you cannot afford to miss the Global App Show. Go to GlobalAppShow.com, mention MASH and receive $25.00 off your show pass. Early pricing ends June 15th.

September 13-14, 2010, Charlotte, NC: Social Media 4 Responders is the first hands-on social media conference specifically designed with responders in mind. Law enforcement; fire service, emergency management, public health, disaster and crisis aid, emergency medical services, public utilities and the list goes on! Seven hands-on workshops and four power packed sessions over two-days that will provide you with the knowledge & skill you need to get your organization engaged in the fastest growing means of communication in the world. Follow us on Twitter hashtag #sm4r. Use promo code Mashablesm4r to save 10% on your registration fee.

September 15, 2010, Los Angeles, CA: Announcing our 2nd annual Digital Media Pipeline conference which will offer the only industry event that has as its primary focus – the distribution pipeline that helps connect the world's leading digital media content providers with the end user. Digital Media Pipeline offers an opportunity for digital retailers, Hollywood studios and aggregators, technology and service providers to share learnings and experiences in the business of retailing digital entertainment. Join us; register now and use the discount code MASH45 to receive $45 off.

September 15-16, 2010. Cologne, Germany: The dmexco is the leading European exposition for digital marketing & advertising. The exposition covers among others the theme areas online marketing, targeting, tracking, digital contents (moving images, audio advertising), social, mobile, performance marketing, affiliate, email marketing, search engine marketing and in-game advertising and offers agencies (media agencies, creative agencies, full-service agencies) a presentation platform. The dmexco is organised by the Koelnmesse, its industry partners are the BVDW (Federal Association of the Digital Industry) and the OVK (Online Marketers Circle).

September 15-17, 2010, San Francisco, CA: GSMI presents the Social Media Strategies Summit. We have researched the social media buzz to develop and present to you a top of the line marketing conference that you can't afford to miss. With in depth case studies from the nuts and bolts to microblogging and sustaining online communities, you leave with a refreshed vision to take your marketing plan to the next level for 2010 and beyond. Please use the code “MikeSM” for a discount.

September 16-17, 2010, Dallas, TX: This year's 2nd Social Media Optimization Summits event, presented by Multifamilypro, brings together small to mid-sized business owners with an interest in putting social media to work successfully within their organizations. The event offers two full days of intensive, hands-on workshops from the intermediate to advanced level, led by top social media experts including Brian Solis of FutureWorks, Jason Falls of SocialMediaExplorer.com, Shama Kabani of The Marketing Zen Group and Shama.TV, Geno Church of Brains on Fire and more. The unique "See it. Hear it. Do it." approach allows attendees to learn by doing and begin applying newly-acquired skills and knowledge while the event is underway. Register now and save $125 at: http://optimizationsummits.com/. Use discount code Mashable.

September 21–22, 2010, London, UK: ad:tech London is the UK’s essential free to attend event for professionals seeking to stay ahead of the latest interactive media, advertising and marketing trends. The event unites advertisers, media owners and agencies to harness the power of digital and deliver real marketing ROI. Alongside the exhibition, there is also a conference featuring 100+ international speakers for serious digital innovators and marketers. Mashable readers can take 20% off their conference ticket price – call John Corrick on + 44 (0) 203 180 6595 and quote Mash10. Register online now at www.ad-techlondon.co.uk.

September 21, 2010, London, UK: Join us at this topical event to ensure that you are fully aware of all the legal and regulatory requirements surrounding data protection, as well as to hear how other organizations are handling these challenges. Speakers include Rosa Barcelo, Senior Legal Adviser to the EUROPEAN DATA PROTECTION SUPERVISOR, and Martin Hoskins of everything everywhere (the company that manage T-Mobile and Orange), who will discuss the lessons learnt from T-Mobile's data breach experience. Plus, don’t miss out on our post-conference workshop on Cloud Computing. Mashable readers save 10% with the following code: KW8112MASH. For more info or to register, go to http://www.ibclegal.com/dataprotectionmash.

September 21, 2010, Chicago, IL: The New Marketing Labs team will be invading Chicago to hold our New Marketing Experience event. Imagine a world where you can take your One Big Idea and tap over 100 other participating conference attendees and experts and each of their One Big Ideas. All of this in a structured, fast-paced and highly interactive one-day program under the direction of Chris Brogan, Justin Levy and the team from New Marketing Labs. New Marketing Experience is that world. Through six key discussion sessions this program will help you analyze and draw the best of what you need form these Big Ideas. For more information, visit us at: http://nmlevents.com. Use the code “MASH50” for a 50% off discount.

September 22-23, 2010, Singapore, Asia: At Social Media World Forum Asia, become educated, discover, engage, network, share and collaborate in the world of social media. Ideal for those looking to embrace the latest in brand engagement, monitoring, ROI, advertising and building communities. learn from social networks, brands, advertisers and analysts. Mention you are a Mashable reader to receive 15% discount

September 27, 2010, Miami, FL: Calling all Affiliates, Merchants, Advertisers and Social Media Strategists looking to CONNECT to the right people, LEARN from the experts, increasing their EARNING potential and GROW their business! The Performance Marketing Expo is the premier event for best-in-class educational sessions (become an expert at Landing Page Optimization, Search, Social Media Strategies and Relationship Management), highly effective facilitated networking (in the Tune-Up Shop, Idea Factory, Masters of the Universe Roundtable sessions) and access to the leading Super Affiliates (Stephanie Nelson, Coupon Mom – Zac Johnson, MoneyReign, – Todd Martini, Alex’s Coupons – plus, eCoupons, MarketAmerica, TrialPay, Parent Media and more). Save 15% when using code PME2010MASH at www.iirusa.com/performancemarketingexpo.

September 28-30 2010, London, UK: IIR's Mobile Broadband World is an absolute must for all those involved in the MBB ecosystem, including Mobile Operators, Content Developers, Financial Investors, Press and Media, Consultants, Technology Partners, Handset Developers and more. To claim your 10% discount courtesy of Mashable, please quote I2GS2MASH when registering.

September 28, 2010, London, UK: Brands are frequently companies’ most valuable asset. The threats to this valuable asset are increasingly coming through online channels. This event will provide practical solutions and risk mitigation strategies for brand owners to combat these critical risks. Join experts from companies including Abercrombie and Vodafone to benefit from the practical advice and guidance they can provide. Not only will they share their own experience of preventing brand abuse, but will explain how they derive real ROI from their brand protection activities. Mashable readers save 10% on the event with the code KW8079MASH. For more info or to register, please go to http://www.ibclegal.com/obpmash.

September 30, 2010, London, UK: Bringing together collective thoughts on Social Media for 2011. We know its going to be much more than an introduction to Social, we're looking forward into the bigger picture about how we communicate within the platforms and how we measure and integrate Social Media into our strategies. We're bringing together some of the leading authorities in Social Media, from app developers to word of mouth evangelists to discuss where and how the industry is evolving! – 'A forward thinking social media conference'. For more information, please visit http://www.social-collective.com. Mashable readers can receive 25% off ticket prices at registration with promo code MASH25

September 30, 2010, London, UK: Get the latest on the attempts to increase regulation surrounding the moderation of UGC. What qualifies as illegal and inappropriate content and how should it be dealt with? This year Luisa Edwards, Head of Commercial, Google Legal EMEA, will share with you her expertise on the interactive online environment, based on experience managing the legal challenges facing Youtube. Plus attend the workshop Social Networking and the Law: Challenges, Risk & Opportunities; a fully interactive guide on protecting your organisation and maximising on the opportunities that social networking presents. Mashable readers save 10% on the event with this code: KW8094MASH. For more info or to register, go to http://www.ibclegal.com/ugcmash.

October 4-6, 2010, New York, NY: At Search Marketing Expo – SMX East, you'll learn to maximize ROI from paid search advertising, optimize your website content for superior organic search results, expand your skills with local and mobile advertising expertise, master social media marketing on Twitter, Facebook and other SMM networks, boost conversions… and increase sales. Use code "smx100mashable" and save $100 off your registration. For more info visit http://www.smxeast.com.

October 4-7, 2010, Atlanta, GA: FutureMedia Fest 2010 – Explore new paradigms in how Content is Created, Distributed, and Consumed with FutureMedia at Georgia Tech. Join our mash-up of talent, ideas, trends and technology. Hear directly from top industry execs and visionaries. Talk with investors. Meet interactive marketing experts. Network with potential partners. Experiment real-time with open innovation. Industry leaders, academics, entrepreneurs and VC's will inspire and challenge attendees with provocative panel discussions, facilitated small discussion groups, and hands-on demos of next generation technology. Register today at http://www.futuremediaglobal.com and use the code FutureMedia 2010.

October 5-6, 2010, Prague: EyeforTravel's Online Marketing & Social Media in Travel Summit brings together top travel brands to share key insights on how to maximize the impact of your online marketing and social media initiatives. The 2 days are packed full of case studies, presentations and networking opportunities. Speakers hail from across Europe and include Lufthansa, Lonely Planet, Expedia, TripAdvisor, P&O Cruises and many more. Use the code MASHABLE to claim your €100 discount on the price to attend.

The Inbound Marketing Summit is where the online marketing community gathers to solve today’s marketing and business communications challenges. This event features the brightest minds in the business, including world-renowned authors and practitioners, as well as leaders from some of the companies already using the new tools and strategies. This fast-paced and information-packed event is your check-up on your existing business communications strategies, and your prescription for the coming months. On October 6th and 7th join Chris Brogan, Justin Levy and the entire New Marketing Labs team along with hundreds of marketers like yourself and 60+ speakers and sponsors at Gillette Stadium for 2 days of fast-paced, highly interactive actionable content. For more information, visit us at: Inbound Marketing Summit. Use the code “MASH50” for a 50% off discount.

The Multi Channel Pharma Marketing Event

October 13-14, Princeton, NJ: Brought to you by the producer of the sold-out ePharma Summit, the Multi Channel Pharma Marketing Event brings together product managers and marketing operations under one roof to discuss cross-channel media plans for building brand value and elevating top line sales. Join us at the ONLY industry event focused on breaking down internal silos to achieve channel integration and maximize return on engagement. Visit www.multichannelevent.com for more information. Register with Priority Code XP1515MASH to save 15% off standard registration!

October 14-15, 2010, London, UK: Creating and distributing video online? Join us at Online Video Strategies this October in London and learn how to choose the online video solutions that meet your needs, increase audience engagement with interactivity, use video for marketing, promotion and branding, deliver video to the iPad, iPhone, and other mobile devices, leverage video for internal and external corporate communications, make sure your video gets seen by viewers and search engines, and measure the ROI of your video projects. In addition, Online Video Strategies is a featured event at Streaming Media Europe and all delegates enjoy unlimited access to the Streaming Media Expo as part of their registration. Register at www.streamingmediaglobal.com/ovs. Quote priority code MASHABLE20 for a 20% discount.

October 14-16, 2010, Las Vegas, NV: BlogWorld & New Media Expo is the first and only industry-wide tradeshow, conference, and media event dedicated to promoting the dynamic industry of new media including all forms of blogging, podcasting, social media, social networking, online video, music, Internet TV and radio. The BlogWorld conference features more than 120 educational sessions, panel discussions and keynote presentations, while the New Media Expo features the only industry-wide new media marketplace where thousands converge to network and find all of their online business and marketing resources. Running concurrent with the BlogWorld conference, the Social Media Business Summit is the world's largest social media business conference where marketing executives, business owners and world-renowned companies send their teams to learn the strategies, tactics, tools and technologies they need to build their brands and grow their businesses with social media. Register today!

October 17-19, 2010. New York, NY: Pivot Conference is the only industry conference to explore and evaluate the attitudes, technologies and preferences of the “always on” 18-34 year old consumer. Attend Pivot Conference and hear from those successfully engaging with today’s emerging consumer and create your own action plan for success. Register today with code MASH101 and save 20%.

October 17-20, 2010, Scottsdale, AZ: agencyside presents one of the only digital marketing conferences exclusively developed for agencies. BOLO 2010 brings new ideas, new knowledge and actionable next-steps to both help your bottom line and achieve the goals of your clients. We realize time and money are both tight. That's why we've designed a conference that'll expand how you think and at the same time teach you hands-on how to manage digital more efficiently. You'll hear from industry thought leaders through keynotes, panel discussions and one-on-one meetings. agencyside has a proven track record for helping agencies become experts in the digital space. Build a team of subject matter experts. Fine tune operations to sustainable profitability. Generate new business for digital marketing services. This event will show you how. Early Bird of $699/person through June 18th. Use discount code mashable to save 15% off registration at any time.

October 22-23, 2010, Petaluma, Sonoma County, CA: SocialBizWorld is a 2-day Social Media and Web 2.0 business conference for private and public-sector business executives, leaders, managers, employees and consultants looking for insightful speakers, hands-on workshops, in-depth discussions and real-world examples to move their business forward with new media. With Basic, Intermediate and Advanced tracks, attendees will have full access to multiple sessions on both days, have numerous networking opportunities, attend the Friday evening Awards and Business Networking reception (with Special Guest “The TwitchHiker”) and have access to experts gathering in Northern California from all over the country. Join us for this fantastic event in beautiful Sonoma County, at the foot of wine country, minutes from Sonoma and Napa, and just 30 minutes north of San Francisco. Mashable readers receive 15% off conference registration with promo code MASHED. Please visit http://www.socialbizworld.com for more information.

October 26, 2010, San Jose, CA: Get real about social media at SocialTech 2010—the only conference dedicated to teaching B2B high-tech marketers how to harness the power of social media. You’ll learn from B2B marketing leaders at companies like IBM, Intel, SAP, HP, Adobe and Cisco how to use social media to achieve real, measurable business results. Enjoy networking and keynotes from Guy Kawasaki, Robert Scoble and Jeremiah Owyang. Can't make it to San Jose? You can join us online. Register today and save 10% with coupon code MASH10!

October 27-29, 2010, Washington, DC: This event will showcase 15 federal perspectives on different strategies government agencies can implement to comply with the Obama Administration's Open Government Directive. The social media realm will be a prevailing topic of discussion as it has been the prime means federal agencies have taken to achieve compliance, but problems with its use still persist. This event will provide ADVANCED solutions and ideas to the policy, security, monitoring and measuring struggles that many agencies face on a daily-basis. Mashable subscribers will enjoy a 10% discount when they mention MASHABLE in their follow-up email to the event contact listed here: http://www.marcusevansch.com/mmp

November 1-2, 2010, New York, NY: Are you a health marketing and communications professional? Please join us at unNiched 2010, a unique collaborative boot camp where you will actively learn and use collaboration, strategic marketing and communications skills. Using our unNiched Innovation Model, gain the tools to create and drive marketing communications success within (and without) your organization. In addition, you’ll have access to a private online group and learn from a range of experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AIDS.gov, Edelman, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and the Stanford University Persuasive Technology Lab. Use the discount code Mashable and get 10% off.

November 30, 2010 – December 2, 2010, London, UK: Online Information is the largest UK event dedicated to the information industry. Taking place in the Grand Hall at London's Olympia, the exhibition attracts more than 9,000 visitors each year from around the world. This unique, free to attend event consists of an exhibition with more than 200 international exhibitors alongside an extensive seminar programme. Online Information covers 6 core segments: Content Resources, ePublishing Solutions, Library Management, Content Management, Search Solutions and Social Media, providing an annual meeting place for this global industry. Mashable readers may register to attend here.

eventbrite logo

The Mashable Weekly Social Media and Marketing Event Guide is proudly supported by Eventbrite, the Web’s Event Marketplace.

Eventbrite is an online events marketplace where tens of thousands of individuals, businesses and organizations of all sizes manage, promote and sell tickets to their events. Make your event a success on Eventbrite.

Reviews: Australia, Drupal, Facebook, Forum, Foursquare, Google, Internet, LinkedIn, Mashable, Twitter, YouTube, awards, social media

For more Social Media coverage:

5 Fun Ways to Help Your Kids Learn Math Online

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 07:17 AM PDT

Math Girl Image

Rebecca Zook is an online female math tutor who has been helping students get math into their brains for seven years. She blogs about learning at Triangle Suitcase.

We've sorted the contenders from the pretenders and found five genuinely fun ways to help your kids learn math this summer. These unique technologies go way beyond the world of flashcards, and use surprising tools including rap music, adaptive technology, psychological research and wailing guitar solos.

They're fun. They're easy to use. And they aren't lame.

1. Multiplication Hip-Hop for Kids

Hip Hop Multiplication

Have you ever wished your kids could learn their times tables by rapping? Well, the wait is over. A remix compilation like no other, Multiplication Hip-Hop for Kids sets the multiplication tables to popular hip-hop songs. Each track starts with an inspiring intro (e.g., five seconds in the style of Mystikal: "Too fly to slip and slide, because we don't cry, we multiply") before launching into a times tables rap.

Unlike any other math learning tool, Multiplication Hip-Hop for Kids includes not just one, but two rap versions for most of the times tables, so your kids can learn their 11s either in the style of Lil' Wayne, or set to 2 Pac's "How Do You Want It."

And though many times tables learning tools stop at the 10s, Multiplication Hip-Hop for Kids goes all the way up to the 12s, which means your kid will be more prepared for multiplying dozens than you ever dreamed possible.

With syncopated rhythms and high production values, you and your kids will feel proud to blast these tracks this summer while cruising around in your spinners.

Price: You can download the complete MP3 collection for $24.95, which includes the study guide and 13 bonus multiplication video games. Or, download the MP3 albums individually from Amazon for $8.99 each.

2. Rockin' the Standards

Rockin the Standards Image

If your kid is more of a rocker than a rapper, try Rockin' the Standards, the educational rock sing-a-longs created by veteran elementary school teacher Tim Bedley.

This ruthlessly kid-tested, surprisingly listenable MP3 album includes skip counting songs for the 3s, 4s, 6s, 7s, 8s, and 9s, as well as succinct, memorable songs about math concepts like angles, perimeter, place value, and area.

Most of the tracks are set to familiar tunes, so your kid can skip count their 9s to a hard-hitting version of the “Hokey Pokey” or their 6s to a highly-electrified version of “Row Row Your Boat,” interspersed with air guitar-worthy solos.

Ages: 2nd through 6th grade.

Price: You can download the entire album for $2.99 from digstation. It’s also available from Amazon for $8.99 or iTunes for $9.99. Download the lyrics for free here.

3. DreamBox Learning

DreamBox Learning

In this online program, kids choose from among 500+ math games while exploring a virtual adventure park full of pixies, pets, dinosaurs, and yes, pirates.

Even though it looks like it's "just a game," DreamBox learning works as a stand-alone math curriculum, unlike most math computer programs. Many of the games use colorful visuals to illustrate the concepts behind them, or let kids use on-screen manipulatives to build the problems.

DreamBox's adaptive technology also sets it apart. Based on your kid's answers, DreamBox adjusts the difficulty, number, and type of problems, as well as feedback, pacing, and hints to individualize the learning experience.

Ages: K-3 (4th and 5th grades in development).

Price: $12.95 monthly for one kid, $19.95 monthly per family.

4. KidCalc 7-in-1 Math Fun

KidCalc Image

Do you wish you could give your kids a talking calculator that animates whatever mathematical operations they enter into it? Or flash cards that, when you flip them over, use animation to illustrate the math problems on the other side? Were you hoping to spend only 99 cents? Look no further than KidCalc 7-in-1 Math Fun.

This iPhone and iPad app for kids ages 2 through 10 uses animated lessons, flash cards, and puzzle games to teach number recognition, number tracing, counting, and sorting, as well as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Your kid can choose between six themes including sports, springtime, outer space and birthday (with candles and cupcakes).

Unique one-touch age-based settings let you configure the appropriate skill level. Not to mention, it's currently the only math app that lays out long division problems the way they're taught in school. No wonder it's been on the top 100 list of iPhone apps for eight consecutive months!

5. Brainology

Brainology Image

While there are many computer games in the world, Brainology is the only one that's been developed by leading motivation psychologists Carol Dweck and Lisa Sorich Blackwell. This interactive online program boosts kids' math scores by dealing with their underlying mindsets about intelligence.

In the program, two cartoon characters, Chris and Dahlia, receive brain challenges from a floating, talking brain orb. Then, with the help of cartoon neuroscientist Dr. Cerebrus and his brain laboratory, they discover how the brain works.

At key points, the animation sequences pause and your kid gets a chance to conduct interactive "experiments," reflect on what they're learning in their e-journals, and play games that reinforce what they're learning about the brain. At the end of the four-level program, kids attain the status of "Brain Master."

It’s not specifically about math, but Brainology teaches kids basic neuroscience to help them learn what may be the ultimate lesson: We're not limited by what we already know, because we can grow our intelligence!

Ages: Middle and high school.

Price: $99 per student for home use. Sibling and bulk discounts available.

Know of any other educational websites, apps, or downloads that are great for learning math? Share them in the comments below!

More Education Resources From Mashable

- 6 Free Websites for Learning and Teaching Science
- Social Media Parenting: Raising the Digital Generation
- 4 Tips for Integrating Social Media Into the Classroom
- Why Schools are Turning to Google Apps
- 5 Ways Classrooms Can Use Video Conferencing

Image courtesy of iStockphoto, Hiob

Reviews: Amazon.com, iPhone, iStockphoto, iTunes

More About: apps, Children, education, games, iphone, Kids, List, Lists, math, parenting, school, tech

For more Tech coverage:

Cristiano Ronaldo Gets His Own Unofficial iPhone App

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 07:16 AM PDT

Update: We’ve just heard from Cristiano Ronaldo’s online brand team and they tell us that this application is NOT official or sanctioned by Cristiano Ronaldo in any way.

Cristiano Ronaldo — whose Portugal team is battling Spain as we speak in the World Cup — has his own iPhone app [iTunes link]. To paraphrase Mashable’s Brenna Ehrlich, “of course he does.”

The most expensive football player in history, Ronaldo is known for his famous tricks and amazing footwork. The $1.99 app offers both an arcade mode where you can try to recreate his playing style, as well as other features that act as more of a portal into the world of Ronaldo.

The app plugs into the OpenFeint network so you can share scores with your friends and try to best one another in-game. It also features a collection of videos of Ronaldo and a link to his status updates and newsfeeds featuring the football superstar.

The game is available now. What do you think of athletes having their own iPhone apps?

Reviews: World Cup

More About: cristiano ronaldo, fifa, football, iphone apps, ronaldo, soccer, sports, world cup 2010

For more Mobile coverage:

The Most Interesting Man in the World Requires Your Help [SPONSORED]

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 07:16 AM PDT

This post is brought to you by Dos Equis. For more information on sponsored posts read here.


While returning from a routine circumnavigation of the globe to collect numerous and invaluable artifacts, the Most Interesting Man's plane experienced some technical difficulties. To preserve his curious collection, he was forced to parachute the artifacts out. While he was of course able to land the plane safely, his priceless possessions are now scattered across the country.

And you can be the person to him find them – with the Most Interesting Cargo Hunt.

Sponsored by Dos Equis, the Cargo Hunt is your chance to help the Most Interesting Man reconstitute his collection. Artifacts can be found online, in daily mini-challenges, or in specially-marked cases of Dos Equis – even hidden in plain sight at places where Dos Equis is sold.

And there’s more reward than just being the target of the Most Interesting Man's admiration and respect (although 99.9% of the world would consider that more than enough). If you are one of the top Cargo Hunters, you could earn a chance at a position on the ultimate adventure in Mexico – complete with nighttime jungle zip-lining, exploring underground rivers and ancient ruins, and sampling the Mayan Riviera nightlife.

See for yourself, at dosequis.com/cargohunt.

Good luck, and Stay Thirsty, my friends.

(This post is brought to you by Dos Equis. For more information on sponsored posts read here.)

More About: Sponsored Post
Diposting oleh di Tidak ada komentar:
Langganan: Postingan (Atom)