Sunday, May 5, 2013

10 Places You Can't Use Google Glass

1.-scuba-divingMatt Petronzio2013-04-25 20:14:25 UTC

Google Glass, the tech giant's augmented reality eyeglasses project, lets you capture photos, record video and surf the web all at eye level. But this kind of innovation isn't free of limitations.

Currently, Explorer editions are only available for a chosen few. Even so, certain places and activities have already forbidden the use of Google Glass, whether for safety, privacy or copyright issues.

We've compiled a list of places that have either preemptively forbidden the glasses or likely will, once the product is available to consumers. It's safe to consider that Google Glass will likely be banned anywhere cellphones or recording devices are, so you'll have to visit government buildings, strip clubs, casinos and maybe even gym locker rooms Glass-free.

A Google spokesperson told CNET, "It is still very early days for Glass, and we expect that as with other new technologies, such as cellphones, behaviors and social norms will develop over time."

What do you think about these places forbidding the use of Google Glass? Do you think it makes sense in certain instances, or is it just a big case of technophobia?

Image via iStockphoto, dsabo

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The 10 Most Engaging Facebook Cover Photos

Megan-foxTodd Wasserman2013-04-25 19:26:43 UTC

Ever since Facebook introduced its new cover photo design back in fall 2011, brands, celebrities and ordinary folks have been challenged on how exactly to use that prominent piece of real estate.

For those looking for some inspiration, ZoomSphere recently took stock of the most engaging cover photos on Facebook, which is defined as the photos that drew the most overall interactions. ZoomSphere culled the list from its top 1,000 Facebook pages as measured by overall fan followings. The list of cover photos shows that just having a lot of fans doesn't necessarily mean your photo will get high engagement. In fact, of the top 10 most-followed, only one — Shakira — had one of the most-engaged cover photos. (Take that, Rihanna!)

Other curious factoids: Vin Diesel showed up twice and Mitt Romney edged out President Obama.

Homepage image courtesy of Facebook, Megan Fox

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Hyundai Ad Makes Light of Suicide, Ignites Internet Firestorm

Charlie White2013-04-25 18:47:13 UTC

What happens when you create a car advertisement depicting suicide? Hyundai tried that stunt in the UK last week, and by Thursday the Hyundai ad had certainly garnered plenty of attention, but not at all the kind of reaction the Korean car company had hoped for.

Blistering criticism is erupting from across the globe toward the Hyundai spot.

Blistering criticism is erupting from across the globe toward the Hyundai spot. The 60-second commercial, entitled "Pipe Job," depicts a man attempting to commit suicide by starting his Hyundai iX35 car inside an enclosed garage.

The intent of the ad was to tout the car's low emissions, as one of its main byproducts is harmless water. Many said via Twitter that the move was insult to everyone who has ever had to cope with loved ones committing or attempting suicide.

Particularly heartbreaking is this open letter to Hyundai and the ad agency that created it, Innocean. The letter was written by London advertising copywriter Holly Brockwell, which she posted on her blog, Copybot:

When your ad started to play, and I saw the beautifully-shot scenes of taped-up car windows with exhaust feeding in, I began to shake. I shook so hard that I had to put down my drink before I spilt it. And then I started to cry. I remembered looking out of the window to see the police and ambulance, wondering what was happening. I remember mum sitting me down to explain that daddy had gone to sleep and would not be waking up, and no, he wouldn't be able to take me to my friend’s birthday party next week. No, he couldn’t come back from heaven just for that day, but he would like to if he could. I remember finding out that he had died holding my sister’s soft toy rabbit in his lap.

Take a look at her blog for the full text of her poignant open letter, along with pictures of her father and his suicide note.

We've contacted Hyundai for comment, and while we wait for a response, here's the apology the company submitted on Thursday, in an attempt to quell the worldwide firestorm of criticism:

We understand that some people may have found the iX35 video offensive. We are very sorry if we have offended anyone. We have taken the video down and have no intention of using it in any of our advertising or marketing.

The misstep is a surprise for sophisticated advertiser Hyundai, which Mashable reported was one of the companies most committed to advertising on the Super Bowl. The company has bought ads on every Super Bowl for the past six years. However, we also noted that Hyundai's track record with its ads has been mixed.

Update: Hyundai America issued the following response to the UK Hyundai IX35 ad:

We at Hyundai Motor America are shocked and saddened by the depiction of a suicide attempt in an inappropriate UK video featuring a Hyundai. Suicide merits thoughtful discussion, not this type of treatment.

Update 2: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention sent us this statement:

"We know from research that graphic depictions of suicide in the media can inadvertently lead to further suicides, a phenomenon known as contagion," said Robert Gebbia, executive director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. "This advertisement was particularly graphic and potentially dangerous. We are pleased that Hyundai has decided to pull this campaign. That said, we hope that advertisers and companies realize that suicide is a worldwide health problem that claims more than 1 million lives each year, taking an enormous toll on family, friends, co-workers and entire communities and it should not be used to sell products."

This is not the first time a car company has tried to make light of suicide to sell its products. French car manufacturer Citroën had a similar ad a few years ago.

Let us know in the comments what you think of Hyundai's crude attempt at dark comedy.

Video and screenshot courtesy of YouTube

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Baby Mugging Meme Serves Up Kids in Cups

Neha Prakash2013-04-25 18:09:10 UTC

Got some kids laying around? Just throw 'em in dishware and they'll keep for an extra few days.

"Baby mugging," the latest photo fad sweeping Instagram, has nothing to do with stealing kids' cookies, but is a goofy illusion that makes little ones look like they're peeking out of your favorite mug. The concept was created by blogger Illana Wiles of Mommy Shorts who snapped a pic of her baby, Harlow, in a black mug and posted it to her Instagram (@mommyshorts) earlier this week.

The deliciously adorable hashtag #babeinamug quickly started trending as creative parents worldwide hopped on the fad. And don't fret if you have no kids — dogs and older people fit just as snuggly in ceramic.

All images published with permission, courtesy of Ilana Wiles

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Google: Government Censorship Attempts Increasing

Government-censorshipLorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai2013-04-25 17:38:49 UTC

Google released its traditional six-month Transparency Report Thursday, the seventh since the company started releasing this type of data in 2010. And, according to the report, which covers July to December of 2012, attempts by governments around the world to censor political content on the Internet are increasing.

"From July to December 2012, we received 2,285 government requests to remove 24,179 pieces of content—an increase from the 1,811 requests to remove 18,070 pieces of content that we received during the first half of 2012," Google's Legal Director Susan Infantino wrote in a blog post.

These types of requests have doubled since the second half of 2011, when governments made 1,054 requests to remove 12,071 items.

Google Transparency Report Graph

In the blog post, Infantino points out the dramatic increase in government censorship attempts. "It’s become increasingly clear that the scope of government attempts to censor content on Google services has grown," she wrote. "In more places than ever, we’ve been asked by governments to remove political content that people post on our services."

For Google, Brazil is a particularly striking example. The country's total requests (counting both court orders and "other requests") in the first half of last year were 191, in the second half they grew to 697. The Brazilian municipal elections are the main reason behind it. Infantino adds that half of the total requests were alleging violations of the Brazilian Electoral Code, which forbids defamation against candidates.

Infantino reveals that Google is appealing many of those requests, "on the basis that the content is protected by freedom of expression under the Brazilian Constitution," she wrote.

Another example of a country with sharp increases in these attempts is Russia. After the approval of a new Internet blacklist law last fall — which YouTube legally challenged in February — Russian government requests grew from just six in the first half of the year to 114.

Finally, Google refers to the controversial YouTube video "Innocence of Muslims," which in September spurred violent protests around the Middle East. Google reveals 20 countries made inquiries about the video. And "after receiving formal legal complaints," the company restricted access to the video in "several countries in accordance with local law," Infantino wrote.

As for the United States, the number of requests has slightly increased from 273 in the first half of 2012 to 321 in the second half of the year.

Take a look at Google's full Transparency Report here.

Mashable composite, images via iStockphoto, MHJ; chart courtesy of Google.

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Pinterest Brings Back Beloved Design Features

Pinterest-new-designLauren Indvik2013-04-25 21:33:37 UTC

In March, Pinterest rolled out a new site design with larger images, a cleaner layout, and several new discovery and navigation features. Since that time, users have praised and criticized various aspects of the design — and Pinterest has listened.

On Thursday, Pinterest announced it's brought back a host of features from the older version of the site, including the ability to discover the users you follow pins from and the ability to mention your friends by typing "@" before their name. You can also find out which of your Facebook or Twitter friends are on Pinterest once again.

In addition to reinstating several older features, Pinterest has also rolled out better search and widened the range of user activity notifications. Soon, users will be alerted when their newsfeed has been updated with new pins.

For a full run-down of the changes, check out Pinterest's corporate blog.

Images courtesy of Pinterest.

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ABC Wants Your Instant TV Feedback — With Emoticons

AudienceSam Laird2013-04-26 01:08:28 UTC

So you sit down for some important programming, whether a Barack Obama speech or your favorite sitcom. You've got all the fixings: Comfy chair, tasty snacks and, of course, your second screen device of choice to keep up with online chatter.

Now would you add one more thing to the mix by spending the next thirty minutes continuously clicking a range of emoticons to register the ebbs and flows of your viewing emotions?

That's the idea behind Social Sountracker, an iPhone app from ABC that's currently in beta form. The app lets users schedule reminders for shows and other programming, then sign in to give instant feedback via a set of five emoticons. There's a laughing emoticon, a booing emoticon, an "aww" emoticon, a clapping emoticon and a surprised emoticon.

When you click each emoticon, you'll also hear a corresponding sound effect. You'll hear sound effects from your Facebook friends whenever they register a reaction as well.

Joe Ruffalo, senior vice president for ABC News Digital, sees the app as a way for the network to register feedback on programming while allowing its audience to add a social element to their viewing habits.

“We hope viewers find Social Soundtracker to be a personal and interactive way to engage with their friends while watching their favorite video online or on TV,” Ruffolo said in a press release. “It is a completely new way to watch video and engage with content, and we’re excited to learn more about how people use it.

"Social Soundtracker will evolve to best suit viewers’ needs — the possibilities are truly limitless. It’s clear people want to be connected to their social networks while watching the video they love.”

Does Social Soundtracker sound like something you would use? Let us know in the comments.

Image courtesy Flickr, Salmando

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Instapaper Bought By Betaworks — Why the Big Fuss?

Istock_000004661519largeChris Taylor2013-04-25 23:51:05 UTC

Do you use Instapaper? No, me neither. But the $3.99 app, which lets you save stuff to read later when outside a wifi or 3G zone, has a small and highly devoted following. Which is why a small segment of Twitter went nuts at the news Thursday that Instapaper was being bought by Betaworks, the burgeoning media tech company that bought the assets of Digg last year.

Instapaper "has simply grown far beyond what one person can do," its creator Marco Arment wrote in a blog post explaining the sale (actually, Betaworks will only take a majority stake, not buy the thing outright).

"To really shine, it needs a full-time staff of at least a few people," Arment added. "But I wouldn’t be very good at hiring and leading a staff, and after more than five years, I’d like an opportunity to try other apps and creative projects."

Arment assured his followers that he would continue indefinitely as an advisor, and that "I didn’t want to give it to a big company that would probably just shut it down in six months."

Arment has been spending an increasing amount of time on another project. He's founder and editorial director of an online paid magazine devoted to mid-length features, brashly titled The Magazine. His enthusiasm for Instapaper appears to have been waning for some time. Reviews of the lastest version in the iTunes store suggest it got buggy and crashed a lot.

"I never thought I would have to change my 5 star review of Instapaper to 1 star," wrote one user, in a typical complaint.

Two years ago, Apple stepped onto Instapaper's turf in a major way by adding a "reading list" feature to its Safari app on iPhone and iPad. The reading list allowed users to save pages to read them later, rendering the paid iPhone app Instapaper largely irrelevant.

When reading lists were announced at WWDC in 2011 as part of iOS6 (in what turned out to be Steve Jobs' last keynote), Arment tweeted an infamous one-word response: "shit."

But Betaworks is building a reputation for turning around aggregation products thought to be lost causes, judging by the reception for the new Digg.

Can they make more of us want to purchase a $4 iPhone app (an Android version was added last year, costing $3) that performs a service we can get for free elsewhere? (Aside from Safari, there's the completely free Pocket, formerly known as Read It Later, which is also available as a browser extension.)

What should Betaworks do with Instapaper? Give us your reaction to the sale in the comments below.

Image via iStockphoto, Peepo

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