Great article on Fast Company Dot Com about The CEO of Facebook:
>> Mark Zuckerberg: Hacker. Dropout. CEO. 
"I'm here to build something for the long term. Anything else is a distraction. "
- Mark Zuckerberg
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Facebook
An old one, though I am a few pages away from finishing his novel: Mafiaboy: How I Cracked the Internet and Why It's Still Broken and I stumbled on these interviews: one with Mafiaboy and George Stromboulopoulos on The Hour; and the other on mojo.com.
On MOJO.COM
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Official website for Mafiaboy
Mafiaboy Wiki
The American Time Use Survey asks thousands of American residents to recall every minute of a day.
Give it a try: How Different Groups Spend Their Day
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The New York Times
BOSTON (July 31) - A federal jury on Friday ordered a Boston University graduate student who admitted illegally downloading and sharing music online to pay $675,000 to four record labels.
Joel Tenenbaum, of Providence, R.I., admitted in court that he downloaded and distributed 30 songs. The only issue for the jury to decide was how much in damages to award the record labels.
Read more about it here: aol.com
As endlessly predicted, Apple's unveiled a new iPhone today at WWDC, the iPhone 3G S -- the "s" stands for speed. Although it looks almost exactly like the 3G, it's much, much faster -- some tasks are almost four times faster. Data speeds are upped to 7.2Mbps HSDPA, and the camera is now a 3 megapixel unit with tap-to-autofocus and auto white balance -- and just as expected, it now supports 30fps VGA video recording with editing features. You're also getting a built-in compass, Nike+ support, and a new battery that offers 5 hours of 3G talk time and 9 hours of WiFi internet use. There are some surprises, too -- holding down the home button now enables a new voice control interface that lets you do everything from make calls to control iTunes, and Apple's touting a new "fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating." New and end-of-contract pricing is set at $199 for 16GB and $299 for 32GB when it goes on sale June 18th Stateside and in 80 more countries in August -- and the current 8GB 3G will remain on sale for $99, effective immediately. You'll have to pay a bit more if you're mid-contract, though -- $299 for the 3G and $399/$499 for the 3G S.
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engadget.com
You may produce the best website designs ever, but getting sign off is always painful. Presenting designs to distant clients and managing their feedback is challenging.
GetSignOff provides a mechanism for presenting your site designs, managing feedback and organising multiple versions of a design.
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Getsignoff.com
AskKingo launches Canada's first Cellphone Service to quickly find closest gas, traffic updates, other information easy, convenient and free: Dial#KINJO to ease hectic workday headaches.
AskKinjo Inc., Canada's first provider of free and personalized location-based services [LBS] in audio format, today launched it local mobile search service in the Greater Toronto Area, offering mobile phone users a new and convenient way to find information they need while on the go.
Taking its name from the Japanese word for neighbourhood, AskKinjo’s unique technology platform uses a geo-coded system to provide users with the information they need in their vicinity, updated in real-time. The interface is an easy-to-use automated-speech-recognition system (ASR), complemented by text messaging that allows for safe and convenient hands-free use while driving. There are no subscription costs, no data plans, no downloads or system configurations, and the service works with any wireless device regardless of carrier, features or phone functionality. The privacy and security of personal information is ensured thanks to anonymous profiles, separate databases, an extensive validation process and opt-in only setup.
“Everything we do is centred around where you are and who you are to help you save time, money and take the stress out of a busy day,” said AskKinjo CEO Stéphane Attal. “Nothing else provides such customized, relevant and current content to the individual mobile user on demand. And best of all, it’s free and easy to use. The only cost to users is the fees they normally incur to use their mobile phones.”
Simply by dialing #KINJO (#54656), users can access a range of location-relevant services, such as the nearest gas station, or the station with the cheapest gas within five kilometres. An additional feature, called “Tomorrow’s Gas Price Today,” provides the next day’s forecast price of gasoline and diesel every weekday after 5 p.m. This allows drivers to make a more informed purchasing decision and cut fuel costs.
“This service can save drivers a bundle when global events cause volatile fuel prices, such as the rash of hurricanes that have interrupted oil production in the Gulf of Mexico and sent prices at the pump soaring and plunging in the past two weeks,” said Attal.
Dialing #KINJO can also provide mobile phone users with personalized updates on traffic and road conditions along their specific commuting routes. Users can also find the ATMs or parking lots closest to them, saving them the hassle of driving aimlessly around the block.
Additional location-based services for coffee shops, convenience food, restaurants, bars and nightclubs will roll out over the next few weeks.
Users pay nothing for AskKinjo’s services. During the 10 to 12 seconds while their information is being retrieved, they hear a short audio advertisement they can act on, if desired, to take advantage of special promotional offers or to visit the advertiser’s nearest location.
There are no strings attached to dialing #KINJO and taking advantage of the local mobile search services at any time of day for free. However, by registering and creating a free profile at www.AskKinjo.com/register.html, users obtain personalized information, a much faster user interface and more relevant ads. For example, registered users can find a specific brand of product in their vicinity, such as a gas station for which they have a rewards card, or a particular coffee chain, and traffic reports for their regular commuting route.
AskKinjo’s business model is much like television programming, interspersed with commercials. Its revenue comes from the advertisers who pay to run their short audio spots.
“In addition to the ease and convenience for the user, our platform provides a vast new opportunity for advertisers looking to take advantage of an advertising market that’s set to explode,” added Attal. The U.S. mobile advertising market is estimated to grow from around $350 million in 2007 to more than $4 billion by 2011, according to research firm IDC.
AskKinjo has launched its mobile search service in the Greater Toronto Area as the first phase of an aggressive expansion strategy for the North American market that will unfold over the next several years. At present, the service is available in the Greater Toronto Area, a coverage zone that ranges from Whitby to Burlington and from Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe.
AskKinjo has secured partnerships with major content providers and the wireless carriers Virgin, Bell Mobility and TELUS; it hopes to add Rogers Wireless in the near future. At present, Rogers and Fido subscribers can access the service by dialing 647-476-6468 in the Greater Toronto Area.
About AskKinjo
AskKinjo was founded in 2006 to deliver a superior customer experience to users in search of relevant location-based information services, and to provide a new channel for advertisers to reach a mobile audience. The company’s patent-pending technology platform integrates context-based advertisements with value-added location-based services delivered free of charge to users. Upon dialing #KINJO, opt-in users are presented with an interactive audio advertisement tied directly to their interests, information request, time and geographical location. Once the ad is heard, the user can listen to the requested content. AskKinjo overcomes the many issues hampering the embryonic mobile-advertising industry, such as little free content, costly platform dependence, difficult human interfaces and privacy concerns.
Media and analysts contact:
Leo Valiquette
inmedia Public Relations Inc.
Tel: 613 234 7227 x226
Email: lvaliquette@inmedia.com
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Thanks for the link R.J. check out his site
AskKingo
In a surprise announcement, 3ds Max and Maya owner Autodesk has revealed that it has acquired Avid's Softimage business unit for $35 million, uniting three of the most-used and formerly competing 3D game art construction tools under the same roof.
A dominant player in the market, Autodesk acquired Maya creator Alias in early 2006, and since then has continued its expansion, also purchasing Mudbox creator Skybox in late 2007 and AI firm Kynogon in early 2008.
Softimage was founded in 1986 by Daniel Langlois; its flagship product is Softimage|XSI, an extensible 3D animation software solution used by game companies including Ubisoft, Capcom, and Sega as well as major CG companies.
However, the division is a reasonably small portion of Avid, which also produced industry-leading editing and media asset management software and hardware, and which evidently decided to divest its Softimage division to Autodesk.
According to an official statement released by the two companies, "Upon completion of the acquisition, Autodesk intends to continue developing and selling Softimage's core product line, while integrating certain Softimage technology into future versions of Autodesk solutions and products."
Autodesk plans to acquire and continue developing the following Softimage products:
- SOFTIMAGE|XSI: Including XSI Essentials, XSI Advanced, XSI Academic, XSI Mod Tool and the XSI software development kit.
- SOFTIMAGE|Face Robot: A complete software solution for easily rigging and animating 3D faces.
- SOFTIMAGE|Cat: This advanced character animation system is a plug-in for Autodesk 3ds Max software. It is intended to be integrated into the 3ds Max
product line.
- SOFTIMAGE|Crosswalk: This interoperability solution is intended to be integrated with Autodesk's own interoperability technology."
Marc Petit, senior vice president of Autodesk Media & Entertainment, commented, "As we have demonstrated since the acquisition of Alias in 2006, we're committed to giving our customers choice when it comes to their 3D tools. We plan to maintain and grow the Softimage product line, and through Autodesk FBX provide better interoperability between Softimage products, 3ds Max and Autodesk Maya.
"FBX also provides interoperability between Softimage products and our specialized applications such as Autodesk Mudbox, Autodesk MotionBuilder, Autodesk ImageModeler and Autodesk Stitcher, as well as numerous third-party applications."
Related Links
Autodesk Acquires Softimage For $35 Million
This is amazing - an airborne ultrasound tactile display, created by Shinoda Labs at the University of Tokyo:
The Apple iPod Nano gets a new design. Choose from 9 different colors, the Nano now plays video and boasts the new Genius feature that helps turn the iPod nano into your own highly intelligent, personal DJ. It creates playlists by finding songs in your library that go great together.
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The new ipod Nano
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