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Skype and Facebook to Merge?

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Got the new Skype for Windows yet?  If so, you probably have noticed that there is a new tab – a Facebook tab.  This is the result of a collaboration between the two companies.  The presence of a Facebook tab in Skype 5 for Windows implies a lot of things.

One, Skype users will be able to interact with their Facebook friends directly from Skype.  This can be done in a variety of ways – updating of status messages, commenting on other people’s status messages, and “liking” other people’s status messages and posts.  They can also see the news feed directly from Skype.

Two, there is a Facebook phonebook feature in the new Skype that will allow users to directly call – and send text messages – to their contacts from Skype.  If anything, that should be a more convenient way of getting in touch with one’s friends.

Three, group video calling is also available in beta version.  As of now, this is available on a free trial basis.

Experts have noted that this collaboration has been in the stars for a while and that it is but a logical turn of things.  Skype and Facebook have been at the forefront of their respective fields and putting their resources together is the only way to go forward.

For now, only Windows users can enjoy this integration.  For Mac and Linux users, we have to wait indefinitely.  I say indefinitely as there is still no announcement as to when they will release this version of Skype for other platforms.  I just hope that they actually do!

Afterthought: I wonder if they will be able to integrate Facebook chat?  Now THAT would be a definite improvement, don’t you think?

Old Spice’s Isaiah Mustafa to Gizmodo & Kevin Rose

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You’ve probably seen the videos by now – they have become a viral hit in a matter of months. The hunky Isaiah Mustafa made his debut in this viral marketing campaign in February, and is now as recognizable as any other male model or actor out there – perhaps even more so for people who [do nothing but] watch videos on YouTube all the time.

Now, they are stepping things up a bit. Mr. Old Spice himself is taking on questions from his countless followers on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The idea is simple: you ask him a question and he just might reply to it via a special video dedicated to you. [Read more…] about Old Spice’s Isaiah Mustafa to Gizmodo & Kevin Rose

PlayStation 4 In The Works?

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Sony has had a lot of success with its PlayStation series – from the first version to the third (with lots in between – mini-upgrades and portables). With the release of the PlayStation 3 Slim last year, more and people were snatching up their own consoles. Here’s the clincher: it looks like we’re going to see the fourth generation soon!

I am sure that all of you have been thinking about the next generation of PlayStation consoles, even if you’re still thoroughly enjoying the PS3. Well, perhaps your dreams just might come true before you even realize it.

Earlier this month, someone leaked videos on YouTube. The account used was named SCElabs. Go figure what this is supposed to mean. Let me take a guess…How does Sony Computer Entertainment Labs sound? For sure, this is what whoever is behind the videos was trying to do – get people like you and me to think this way!

So anyway, enough of that. Here’s the first video, titled PS4-Playstation 4-Leaked Viral Video.

And here’s the second one, dubbed PS4-Playstation 4-Leaked Launch Trailer.

While Sony’s official stand is that these videos are FAKE, there is much doubt about that. For one, it was simply a rep that released the announcement: the video is NOT from SCE. We all know that PR people do NOT know everything, and that they basically say what they are told to say. Another reason is that these videos seem to fit the rest of Sony’s marketing campaign for the consoles. More so, they are made quite well.

I don’t know – what do you think, are they “real”?

Apple iPhone 4 It Is!

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So the keynote speech that Steve Jobs gave might not have gone flawlessly. From what the guys at Gizmodo have been saying – it was a funny event due to the technical glitches that were encountered. Check out the video for yourself, and tell me it isn’t ironic.

Despite that funny clip, I have to say that I am wow-ed by the iPhone 4. Yup, count me in as one of the boys – the fanboys!

You might think that I am being irrational at this point, but let’s take a look at why, if you’re buying a new phone, the Apple iPhone it should be.

One, it has multi-tasking capabilities now. No need to go to the home screen to use another app. Just like your “powerful” little netbook, you can switch from one app to another with ease!

Two, it has got FaceTime. Nah, it’s not a Facebook app. In fact, this is the new feature that allows video calling. In line with this, the new iPhone has two cameras – back and front – that will make video calling even more convenient!

Three, you gotta have the Retina Display. This technology makes the iPhone 4 the best mobile phone when it comes to screen resolution. It really doesn’t get any better than this (yet)!

Four, I think this is the best looking iPhone yet. It exudes machismo which no other phone out there can beat. And, it’s the kind of machismo that does not offend.

Yep folks, it’s the Apple iPhone 4 for me.

MySpace Hosts Casting Calls for Glee

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Glee Open Casting Call Video with Matthew Morrison

Glee Auditions | MySpace Video

I’m not really a fan of the hit musical Glee, but if you are and you’ve dreamt of becoming part of the cast of this show, you might be interested to know that auditions for the next season of Glee has just started.

And guess what? You don’t have to go all the way  to the Fox studio to audition. You can show the producers and casting crew of  Glee that you’ve got the talent to make it to the next cast of Glee  via the MySpace Glee audition site. Yes, MySpace? You still remember that social networking site, do you?

If  you are up for the challenge, here’s how you can audition for the next season of Glee:

  • If you’re an amateur or professional performer between the ages of 16 and 26, submit an audition video at www.myspace.com/gleeauditions, explaining why you want to be on “GLEE” and demonstrating your stellar singing ability to the sounds of one of 10 “GLEE” hits via MySpace Karaoke. You can also opt to upload your own pre-recorded video.
  • Audition videos must be limited to five minutes in length (intro one minute and song up to 4 minutes) and one submission per person.
  • Whether auditioning or not, viewers can share videos, post comments and rate favorites with gold stars in real-time.
  • Visit the official “GLEE” Auditions MySpace page for more information, song list and additional rules.

Want me to enumerate the list of songs that you can use for your audition? Well, you probably know that more than I do. If you’ve made it this part of the article means that you’re a big fan and you’re interested with this gig. So, have fun!

TV is Not Dead! Americans are Still Using it Together with Internet and Mobile Phones

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Here’s a rather surprising findings by Nielsen which debunks the myth that TV is on its way to extinction in favor of the Internet and mobile phones. According to Nielsen’s report, Americans have in fact increased their overall media usage and media multitasking activities by using TV simultaneously as they connect to the Internet and use their mobile phones.

The Nielsen report called “Three Screen Report” tracks consumption across TV, Internet and mobile phones.  The report showed that in the last quarter of 2009, TV consumption and Internet use combined have reached three and a half hours monthly. This is a 35% growth from the third quarter of 2009.  In addition, 60% of  TV viewers are watching TV while using the Internet at the same time.

Nielsen Company media product leader Matt O’Grady says that using the Internet while watching TV have given TV viewers a unique on-screen and off-screen relation with TV programming.

“The initial fear was that Internet and mobile video and entertainment would slowly cannibalize traditional TV viewing, but the steady trend of increased TV viewership alongside expanded simultaneous usage argues something quite different,” said O’Grady.

The study also found that on the average, Americans watched 35 hours of TV per week and two hours of timeshifted TV via DVR. This is attributed to the fact that DVR provides them with added convenience. At the same time the growth of HD programming and flatscreen TVs have also contributed  the renewed interest with watching TV programs. The availability of more channels and choices due to digital delivery be it via cable or satellite are also contributing factors.

Other findings of the study include – increase in online video consumption as well as increase in the active mobile video users courtesy of the booming smartphone market.