News Archive for 06/10/09

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Google buys YouTube

10/09, 5:20pm

Google buys YouTube for $1.65b

Google today confirmed previous rumors by announcing that it has agreed to acquire online video provider YouTube for $1.65 billion in a stock-for-stock transaction. The new deal gives Google an effective monopoly over Web-based video, and could bear serious consequences for Apple as it provides Google CEO Eric Schmidt -- who sits on Apple's board of directors -- a strong influence over Apple's recent movie initiative. Both Google and YouTube earlier today made moves to legitimize their online content by signing deals with major labels such as Sony-BMG, hoping to minimize the amount of copyrighted material available illegally from both services.

SportCommand for iPod

10/09, 3:20pm

Belkin debuts SportCommand for iPod

Belkin today introduced the SportCommand for iPod (F8Z067), a new device that lets you wirelessly control your music while your iPod stays protected. "Strap the fabric remote to your arm, store your iPod in your backpack or jacket, and then listen to all your jams while you snowboard or bike. With its weather-resistant durability, the SportCommand is perfect for outdoor activities, such as snowboarding, mountain biking, and hiking." The water-resistant design offers protection from rips and malfunctions from exposure to the elements with a durable, flexible design and it works through walls, backpacks, and jackets with a 50ft range. SportComand features big buttons for easy control—even with gloved hands, offering controls for play/pause, next/previous track, and volume up/down. It can be ecured to a user's arm, leg, belt, or another strap with tough neoprene and VELCRO closure strap. The SportCommand will ship in November in North America for $80, while launches in Asia, Europe, and Australia are expected to follow shortly. It is compatible with the iPod mini, first- and second-generation iPod nano, iPod w/click-wheel, iPod video, and iPod w/color display.

iPod battery pack debuts

10/09, 2:50pm

Princeton unveils iPod battery pack

Princeton has unveiled its new PMP-BP18 battery pack for video iPod owners who need longer playback time. The battery pack provides significantly longer battery life for the iPod or any USB-equipped mobile device through its lithium-ion battery cells -- which Princeton estimates doubles the battery life for cellular phones with mobile TV support -- the BP18 includes an adjustable stand enabling users to rest the media player at a more natural angle for watching video at a desk or another stable surface. Princeton has not yet planned to ship the new battery pack to North America, however, according to Electronista.

Google, YouTube ink deals

10/09, 1:35pm

Google, YouTube ink video deals

Google and YouTube today both made moves to legitimize their online content by signing video deals with major labels. Sony-BMG and Warner Music will put their own music videos on Google's website, tying them into the AdSense network and placing related ads next to the videos as they play. Sony-BMG, CBS, and Universal Music Group will allow their videos to appear on YouTube with permission, but each have the ability to filter out unauthorized audio and video content. CBS will also be one of the first media outlets to sell videos through YouTube, offering news and TV shows for an undetermined price as well as giving itself the option of placing advertising alongside user-submitted videos it believes should remain, according to Electronista.

Target warns studios

10/09, 11:55am

Target warns studios on DVD pricing

Discount retailer Target -- which accounts for about 15 percent of DVD sales -- has warned major movie studios that it may "reconsider" its investment in the DVD business if it doesn't receive "equitable pricing." In a letter to major studios last month, Target detailed its concern that new movie downloading services such as iTunes will receive lower prices from studios on electronic copies of movies, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel suggests in the letter that the retailer may cut back on marketing disks, promotional programs, shelf space, and signage. The letter follows a similar warning from retailer colossus Wal-Mart, which reportedly threatened to retaliate against studios if they partnered with Apple to offer digital movie downloads at lower prices than DVDs on shelves. Wal-Mart quickly disputed reports that it had threatened studios, however, and was later rumored to be in talks with Apple over possible digital content offerings.

Disney on iTunes deal

10/09, 9:00am

Disney talks about Apple iTunes deal

TVWeek has posted an interview with Disney/ABC exec Anne Sweeney on the video iPod/digital media revolution, how last year's revolutionary deal with Apple became a turning point for networks, how many are looking for growth opportunities via mobile content delivery. "Looking at the video iPod Mr. Jobs gave her, Ms. Sweeney knew she didn't face a choice of whether to makes episodes available online, but a choice of whether to try to monetize online distribution of ABC content. Assembling the deal that Mr. Jobs and Ms. Sweeney's boss, Walt Disney Co. CEO Robert Iger, ultimately announced in October 2005 was tricky. Due to Apple's secretive development process, Ms. Sweeney was allowed to involve only a handful of people. Everyone signed nondisclosure agreements. At the time, the secrecy seemed merely an annoyance. But after the announcement, angry reactions by station owners and advertisers left out of the loop gave the Disney-iTunes deal a worrisome spin."