Augmented Reality through the Mobile Application Layar

Photo from AdAge.com

The concept of augmented reality has traditionally been reserved for science fiction novels and blockbuster franchises such as the Matrix Trilogy. However, the advent of mobile apps like Layar (and its subsequent competitor, Google Goggles) has made this fantasy a reality by utilizing smart phones' photo capture and GPS capabilities to display images, links, listings, comments, etc. through the mobile lens. The app functions by recognizing a given location or object and inserts different facets of an augmented reality depending on the Layar's purpose. For example, Yelp, a restaurant review website, has created a Layar where restaurant information can be acquired instantaneously and in relation to your given location. What is most significant is that these types of apps are not limited by the constraints of close proximity. They are capable of directing the Layar user to a given location and/or desired object. With nearly 10 million apps installed on mobile devices, the reach for companies who use Layar's services is considerable. However, the creative and fiscal potential of this technology has yet to be fully realized, and as its use expands across brands and consumers, the likelihood of augmented realities  becoming common place in daily life may no longer be confined to the pages of a book or frame of a TV screen. ("Layar Augmented Reality 2010")

iPhone's latest app: 'Noticias Univision'

Apple's dominance over consumers continues to spread with Univision's new iPhone app. Univision, a leading media company serving Hispanic America, is using the iPhone and app technology for a news app that they have named 'Noticias Univision'.  This amazing technology will not only allow for users of the app to have 24/7 access to news coverage, but also users will be able to "report breaking news by uploading photos and videos".  This content can be shared via Facebook and Twitter.
The technology and innovation that goes into the construction of these apps has completely changed the way people consume media.  Now, not only are people able to read about and watch news broadcasts, but people can view both old and new content at their disposal and interact with it and voice their opinions.  This app allows for consumers of Univision to always be up-to-date and in the know with what is going on in the world.   
http://www.lostremote.com/2012/01/12/univision-launches-news-app-for-iphone/

Warner Bros. exerts its Leverage over Rental Companies

It's no surprise that film rental companies have evolved rapidly in recent years.   It's been a necessary change with the increase use of digital technology and the vast availability of films and other media.  As a result, film rental companies, like Netflix, Redbox, and Blockbuster, began sourcing copies of films directly from the studios.

These studios then had some leverage over film rental companies.  Two years ago, Warner Bros. required that these companies wait four weeks between the release of the movies and their rentals.  Soon after, other studios followed suit.  Now, Warner Bros. has increased that requirement to eight weeks.  Similar to two years ago, other studios are expected to do the same.

Netflix, Redbox, and Blockbuster are responding in a variety of ways.  Netflix is vastly abiding by the new guidelines.  They will not be affected as much by this change, since their focus is on streaming video as opposed to DVD rentals nor is it centered upon new releases.  Contradictory to this, Redbox's business hinges greatly on its ability to deliver new releases.  No new agreement has been reached between Redbox and Warner Bros.  According to a representative, they are sticking to their current 28-day agreement, for now.  Blockbuster, however, does not seem to be interested at all in playing ball with Warner Bros.  The company currently utilizes alternate avenues for obtaining DVDs from Warner Bros, and that does not seem likely to change.  It will continue to release its rental on the day that the DVD is released from the studio.

http://gigaom.com/video/warner-bros-8-week-dvd-window/

Yahoo Founder Jerry Yang Resigns From Company's Boar

As technology and the .com world have developed over the past few decades, Yahoo has had a hard time keeping up with its competitors. As of today Jerry Yang, who was one of the co-founders of the Internet giant has resigned. It is a very large move for Yahoo and the media world because Yahoo is already struggling to keep up. It is said that many shareholders are upset because Yahoo's ad revenue has stagnated as Google and Facebook have managed to adapt and increase their revenue by leaps and bounds. Another problem with Yahoo that Analysts see is that they are struggling to find their identity as either a media company or a search engine. The resignation of Jerry Yang will serve to be important as more board members are expected to leave now because of his resignation. Yahoo is a media company already struggling with stability and this only adds to those concerns.

Hulu Introduces Original Series

Hulu announces the creation of the original series, "Battleground" a political mockumentary, the second original program created by the online television platform.  Hulu ,however is not alone. Online video platforms including Hulu, Netflix and Youtube are all continuing to fight for viewers and advertising dollars.

For Netflix and Hulu the choice to create original series stems from the heavy financial burden of the reliance both platforms have had on networks and studios for content. While both platforms have gained their popularity for providing viewers with shows from large production studios like NBC and ABC, the increasing changes in television viewership has made both these online platforms and larger studios reconsider their interests. The urge of networks and studios in maintaining the status quo (television shows watched on television) has created challenges in the distribution deals with online television platforms.

With one successful online series already, Hulu prepares to launch Battleground on February 14th.

Hulu original programming 'Battleground"

SOPA Losses Momentum

The Stop Online Privacy Act (SOPA) is losing momentum in the House and Senate according to the "Washington Post's Wonkblog."  The number of lawmakers who oppose the bill has increased as a shift in the bodies of government has occurred since the introduction of the bill.  According to the article the acts "were all but inevitable" 6 months ago but the opposition is increasing within the House and Senate.  The opposition to SOPA began on media outlets such as Twitter and Reddit.  They organized large scale and effective protests which drew the attention of the government.   

The White House also is involved in the loss of momentum by SOPA.  A statement was released which said  “will not support legislation that reduces freedom of expression, increases cyber security risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet."  With the hold up in the legislative branch and open opposition from the executive branch SOPA is slowing in the law making bodies of the U.S.

It is not to say SOPA is dead but it is being reevaluated and the potential for changes is now an option.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/sopa-lawmakers-backing-away-from-online-piracy-bills/2012/01/16/gIQAg7BT3P_blog.html#excerpt

Ingrid Michaelson & Old Navy: Music Meets Advertisements

When I think about the incorporation of music into advertisements and the sharp increase of this practice that has occurred in the past few years, I automatically am reminded of the Old Navy ad a few years back that featured Ingrid Michaelson’s “The Way I Am.” It was the first time, to my recollection, that I found a song that I enjoyed through a means of which I despise: TV commercials. Since then, musicians have continued to license their music for use in various advertisements and the question still remains: why do it?

Ingrid Michaelson Old Navy commercial 

Keeping the industrialization of culture approach in mind, it is easy to develop a greater understanding of why this practice has been so prominent in the past few years. Commercial mandates and distribution-exhibition practices are two of the elements of this model that seem particularly involved in the example of music incorporation into advertisements. The ultimate goal of advertisements is clear to everybody: to sell products. So why incorporate a cover of a song by Ingrid Michaelson into an advertisement to sell Old Navy sweaters? Firstly, it makes watching commercials more bearable. If people are clearly interested in the song that is playing during this commercial, the image associated with that song will resonate and the commercial will ultimately be a hit. The more air time it receives, the more people will see the commercial, and the more sweaters will sell. Strategically, incorporating music into advertisements is a smart move for companies. It helps to fulfill the commercial mandates set forth by corporations.

On the other hand, distribution-exhibition practices are executed on behalf of the musician: without having to do much work, Ingrid Michaelson’s voice and beat was sold to the majority of the United States. Her song instantly was recognizable once it hit radio stations and that was due in part to the part that Old Navy had played in distributing her music. This model is one that is effective for both the musicians and the advertisers: musicians essentially gain free marketing whereas advertisers are able to capture the audience’s attention through the use of work that is not theirs, but rather something that has been borrowed from somebody else.