Introducing Microsoft’s newest email service, a much cleaner and more organized service introduced under the Outlook banner. Unlike Microsoft’s other free email service, the long-panned Hotmail, Outlook will launch ad-free with heavy Skype and Twitter integration. The “Microsoft ID” will replace the “Windows Live ID”, and existing members’ information will migrate upon sign-up. Outlook.com is also open to new users, though the site appears to be down at this time. Will you guys switch over? (Image via Engadget) source
They’re more in a dictatorship mode where they say, ‘This is what you have to do or you don’t get the iPhone.’ Being arrogant with your partners in big markets doesn’t pay off.Vasyl Latsanych, Vice President of Marketing at Russian mobile carrier OAO Mobile TeleSystems • Offering his employers’ explanation for the iPhone’s extremely high price — which have reportedly topped $1000 at times — compared to other smartphones available in Russia. As the author also notes, the majority Russian consumers do not sign long term contracts for mobile service, removing any incentive for carriers themselves to help subsidize the high cost of some devices. Think this is the sort of thing investor’s were worried about last week when asking Apple CEO Tim Cook about entry barriers in emerging markets? source (via • follow)
The Wall Street Journal reports the price tag being in the vicinity of $500,000, but TechCrunch is already disputing that figure. That’s pretty low considering that a Business Week report infamously valued the company over $200 million six years ago. According to the report, Betaworks will fold Digg into News.me but will not retain any members of the Digg staff who still remain after the mass exodus to The Washington Post Company’s Social Code in May. (big hat tip to MartinezReport for the tip) source
While VH1 was busy reviving Pop-Up Video to blast DirecTV over the decision to drop Viacom channels, AMC decided to let an extremely persuasive chemistry teacher from Albuquerque do the talking. This Sunday, when the fifth and final season of Breaking Bad premieres, DISH subscribers who currently cannot access AMC will be able to watch a live stream of the episode on the network’s website. How’s that for appealing directly to the consumer? source
The End of an Era: Although Microsoft abandoned MSNBC’s cable-news network back in 2005, the company has maintained a partnership with NBC in relation to MSNBC.com. Now, The Daily Beast’s Howard Kurtz is reporting that NBC is set to purchase Microsoft’s share of the news site and plans to rebrand it as NBCNews.com. Chief executive Charlie Tillinghast is expected to remain in his position, though he and roughly 300 other employees will likely move off of Microsoft’s Redmond, Washington campus. No word on how this might affect affiliated sites like Newsvine or BreakingNews. source
(Update: TVNewser has taken exception to Kurtz’s claims of having any sort of “exclusive” regarding the future of MSNBC. Kurtz has responded on Twitter, telling followers that “Obviously there’s been reporting that NBC-Microsoft divorce might happen, but the news is it actually *is* happening.”)
Last month, an unknown culprit posted fliers advertising a new Taco Bell location that would be opening in the relatively-small Alaskan town of Bethel. After a few weeks of speculation, the company responsible for managing Alaskan Taco Bell locations denied that the fast-food chain would be coming to town. In a surprising move, after senior executives got word of the prank, the company flew in a Taco Bell taco truck loaded with enough ingredients to make 10,000 Doritos Locos tacos. source
ATLANTA and SAN FRANCISCO –July 2, 2012 – The Weather Channel Companies (TWCC) today announced an agreement to acquire Weather Underground, a leading provider of Web based weather data. The transaction, terms of which were not disclosed, was announced by TWCC chairman and CEO David Kenny and Weather Underground president Alan Steremberg and is expected to close in several weeks.
“Everyone in the weather space is familiar with the strength of Weather Underground and its innovative method of presenting weather data. Weather Underground will add a great complementary, brand to our portfolio, a brand with a distinct, loyal, and active user base that will enable us to reach a unique segment of users,” said Kenny. “Most importantly, this acquisition will grow the weather expertise that is central to everything we do and will result in better forecasts and weather data for users on all of our platforms.”
“Becoming a part of The Weather Channel Companies will enable us to strengthen what our users love about wunderground.com, our apps and our blogs,” said Steremberg. “We see this as a great opportunity to grow.”
Looks like someone’s having a sunny day.
Not enough information: Chief Justice Helen Winkelman ruled that the 70 search warrants used to raid the home of, and confiscate property from, Megaupload.com founder Kim Dotcom were too vague to be valid. In the decision, Winkelman also ruled that the FBI broke the law when it took confiscated items outside of New Zealand’s borders. As a result, New Zealand’s Attorney General has been ordered to formally request the the return of any/all confiscated items. So, do you think Dotcom will end up coming out of this ordeal unscathed? (Photo via CBS Tech Talk) source
We never talked about him going back to Iran or anything like that. He was just speaking full-fledged Farsi and the representative came back and denied our sale. I would say if you’re trying to buy an iPhone, don’t tell them anything about Iran.Atlanta resident Zack Jafarzadeh • Commenting on a recent trip to the Apple Store in Atlanta’s Perimeter Mall, when a friend wanted to purchase a new iPhone. Jafarzadeh’s story came to light after another Apple Store customer, University of Georgia student Sahar Sabet, contacted her local news station after being denied a new iPad for the same reason, citing State Department regulations and the fractured relations between the two countries. (She later got an apology after calling customer service.) Apple has not commented on the policy, or the story, at this time, though two Islamic-American groups have condemned the practice. source (via • follow)
We would get emails after the developer conference from students, 16, 15, 14 years old, saying I already have X number of apps in the app store. I’m a developer. Can I take part in this too?Apple Senior VP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller • Discussing the influx of student iOS and OS X app developers, many of whom have yet to even finish high school, in a new profile by the Wall Street Journal. This year’s WWDC received such high interest from student developers that Apple offered scholarships to 150 interested teens, and also had a “student lounge” available during the conference filled with bean bag chairs and Skittles candy. source (via • follow)
But seriously … I am not kidding.
I’m not watching all of...
Yahoo wants to buy Hulu now too. They’re going on an “I...
I’m moving back to New York in a few days. Unlike past...
OMG. I got so...
In this week’s Newsweek, a little...
Tumblr this morning. [h/t anne]
#@#$%!.tumblr.com
“Never, ever get complacent in risk.” That was JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon’s reply to Alabaman Senator Richard C. Shelby during his testimony before the Senate Banking Committee. Dimon willingly submitted to questions, regarding $2 billion in losses suffered by the bank’s investment division, from the committee Wednesday. source
But does the move make sense for Microsoft, who appear set to make the second billion-dollar social media acquisition of 2012? While Yammer has cornered a sizable portion of the social-enterprise market, with highly anticipated IPOs like Zynga and Facebook sliding, many believe the tech bubble may burst soon. So, what do you think? Smart move by Microsoft to stay competitive in social media, or too little, too late? (Photo via Mashable) source
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The world’s most famous football club has dropped plans for a $1 billion IPO in Singapore, in favor of an offering in the United States. The team is owned by Americans Malcolm and Linda Glazer, who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and holding company First Allied Corporation. Many fans were already uneasy with new ownership, particularly after MU failed to win a title last year for the first time since 2005. So, United fans, what do you think about the decision to go public? US readers, any interest in the IPO? (Photo by pixeljunkie_) source
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