TwitVid Finds Real-Time Twitter Video Feeds

While the big boys of search look to capitalize on the real-time search craze, smaller players continue to build out alternatives. The latest is TwitVid, which on Monday released a real-time search feature for finding the most current and popular videos on Twitter. TwitVid said its proprietary "real-time ranking algorithm" ranks videos based on relevancy to a search term as well as popularity and "buzz" on Twitter. The newest, most relevant videos are ranked highest. TwitVid, which offers a popular tool for adding video to Twitter, aggregates all TwitVid and YouTube video links being shared on Twitter.

Search rivals Google, Microsoft and Yahoo have all recently rolled out additions and integration of real-time content into their search results as part of an effort to offer more information from social networks like Twitter and Facebook. But TwitVid said it's not afraid of the much bigger competitors.

TwitVid also offers what it said is a unique video analytics tool that lets members track their tweeted videos online by the day, week, month or total number of times viewed.

"You can even see the totals hour-by-hour of how many views and from where Yahoo, Twitter, or elsewhere," said Lalani. The analytics shows the global location of clicks and who the top people linking others to their videos are.

Lalani said his company's analysis of two weeks of recent data from the Twitterstream showed TwitVid to be the most used video sharing site on Twitter with about a 50 percent share, followed by YouTube and yfrog.

TwitVid claims it allowed users to upload, view and share videos in both HD and SD (standard definition) sooner than any other app. It has attracted a number of celebrity users to its mobile video tweeting service, including Britney Spears, Demi Lovato and The Jonas Brothers, Dane Cook, Demi Moore and Coldplay. TwitVid also said the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA and the PGA use its service.

source: www.internetnews.com

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PayPal WishList, Earn up to $100 via Facebook

This time, paypal using facebook application for promotion, this promotion has the potential $100 for every person who can promote to 100 other friends.

How easy, simply sign up for Paypal Wishlist program then automatically you will immediately get $1. But before that you need to consider some of the terms and conditions in order to qualify for this promotion. Here is a description of this promotion.

Terms & Conditions

Description of this Promotion
During the Promotion Period (as defined below), download the PayPal WishList application on Facebook (“PayPal WishList”), create your own PayPal WishList, and we will pay $1 USD into your PayPal account. In order for us to pay you the amount you earned pursuant to this Promotion, you will need to provide us with your PayPal email address via the PayPal WishList. To submit the PayPal email address you would like linked to your PayPal WishList, go to the home page of the PayPal WishList at www.paypalwishlist.com and click the link below to the 'submit your email address' in the upper left side of the page.

In addition, share the PayPal WishList with your friends via Facebook, and for each friend who downloads and creates his or her own PayPal WishList from your invitation, we will pay you an additional $1 USD (up to the maximum total sum of $100 USD per PayPal account).

Timelines
This Promotion begins at 00:00:01 Singapore Standard Time (“SST”) on November 16th, 2009 and ends at 23:59:59 SST on December 31st, 2009 ("Promotion Period").

Eligibility
In order to qualify for this Promotion, you must:

1. successfully complete registration for a new PayPal account within the Promotion Period or already have an existing PayPal account prior to the Promotion Period;
2. submit to PayPal via the PayPal WishList and within the Promotion Period, the email address to which your PayPal account is linked;
3. be at least of 18 years of age, and have a PayPal account with a valid registration address in relation thereto located in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia or Singapore (“Eligible Countries”);
4. have a PayPal account in Good Standing, with current contact information throughout the Promotion Period. In order for an account to be deemed in Good Standing as that term is used herein, the account must not have a hold status and/or be suspended or past due as of December 31st, 2009; and
5. complete the downloading of the PayPal WishList, and use the same to create a PayPal WishList, within the Promotion Period.

You will be entitled to $1 USD for your own PayPal WishList, plus an additional $1 USD per friend who uses your invitation to create his or her own PayPal WishList, provided your friend has a PayPal account. Each person is only entitled to create one (1) PayPal WishList. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event your friend receives more than one invitation, only the person whose invitation is used to create the former’s PayPal WishList, will be entitled to the $1 USD.

If you reside outside of the Eligible Countries, you may be permitted to download the PayPal WishList; however, you will not be eligible to participate in this Promotion. Additionally, you will not be entitled to receive an additional US$1 or cash back for those PayPal WishLists created by a person(s) outside of the eligible countries, even if the sum stating ‘you’ve earned’ on your Facebook page may indicate otherwise. This means that at the end of the Promotional Period, you may be entitled to less earnings than stated on the ‘you’ve earned’ counter on your Facebook page.

Prizes
You may receive up to the maximum total sum of $100 USD, through this Promotion.

How Prizes will be Awarded
You will be notified by PayPal no later than February 28th, 2010, via email or any other method as PayPal may from time to time determine, of how much you have earned.

Prizes will be credited to your PayPal account as per your submission to PayPal via the PayPal WishList, no later than February 28th, 2010. If you do not provide us with this, we will not be able to deposit your earnings. To submit the PayPal email address you would like linked to your PayPal WishList, go to the home page of the PayPal WishList at www.paypalwishlist.com and click the link below to the 'submit your email address' in the upper left side of the page. Any cash prizes to be paid to your PayPal account, will be credited in the currency as set out herein and currency conversion fees (if applicable) or any other related fees, will be borne solely by you.

In the event of any unclaimed or unaccepted Prize(s), PayPal may in its sole discretion decide on the disposal of the said Prize(s). For cash prizes paid to your PayPal account, you would have to log into your PayPal account within 30 days of payment, to accept the prize. If you do not claim this within the 30 day period, the amount will be returned to PayPal.

How It Works


Before you sign up at Paypal WishList, then you need to have a PayPal account and Facebook account. If you already have an account that, follow these steps:

• Login to your Facebook.
• Then click here »» PayPal WishList
• Submit your PayPal email address.


NOTE:
You can only submit one PayPal email address. Once you submit your PayPal email address you will note be able to change or modify it.

If you already submit your paypal email, it means you have succeeded registration, and Your PayPal WishList has been registered.


• Next steps, "Create New WishList"


• Make your own WishList.
- Select a category wishlist.
- Click the image one by one for inclusion in the list (5 image).


• If you've made, then click "Save & Share This WishList".


Then, Paypal WishList application that was created will appear in the Profile and your Facebook Homepage.

• Next steps, send invitations to your friends for adding PayPal WishList application. Click "Invite Friends" to send an invitation.


On the first day, select a friend as much as 6 people (by clicking their photo), then send.

On the next day, you can send it to your 40 other friends. You'll earn $1 for every friend you refer who adds this application (earn up to $100).

Create and share your PayPal WishList, invite your friends and earn up to US$100

-----------------------------
This promotion is only valid for PayPal account owners in the country: India, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia or Singapore.

According to Wishlist PayPal rules:
Promotion period valid from November 16th, 2009 and ends December 31st, 2009.
Payments not exceeding February 28th, 2010 into your PayPal account.


-----------------------------
How to get a referral link your PayPal WishList:

Search your PayPal WishList have you share in your profile.


Right-click on the link of "PayPal WishList" or "Create your WishList". Then select Properties, you will get your referral link.

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Bing Maps Spawn the 'Decade of the Interface?'

Microsoft got some well-deserved praise for the flashy new interface features it's bringing to its Bing search engine. At an event earlier this week, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) showed off a much more visual interface for Bing Maps that lets users pilot their way online to find point of interest and other useful content -- including relevant links to Twitter.

But research firm IDC thinks the improved UI is just the beginning of what it calls "The Decade of the User Interface". Specifically, IDC believes the kind of immersive experience offered by Bing Maps portends key changes to watch for on the Web and software in general as user interfaces evolve.

"The Web today views documents and queries as disconnected objects", said IDC search analyst Sue Feldman, in a commentary released today. "Bing Maps takes a leap forward, piecing together sequences of queries to understand common tasks, and finding relationships among data from disparate sources."

This understanding lets Bing Maps take a best guess at providing the most relevant information in results to the user. Feldman ticked off several examples, such as where is the nearest doctor is, what the hours are for the drug stores nearest you, where to get an absentee ballot, or even where to find a really good pizza.

Feldman notes that many keyword searches fail because people don't use the same terms that a document might.

"But if the path to commonly-requested information is known, why not return the information without requiring a query?" she asks. "The metaphor of the map means that any information tied to the real world can be displayed on it: traffic, local tweets, locations of businesses, events. Finding each of these would be a single query. Or, you could do as Bing Maps does, and serve it all up to let the user select what's of interest."

Bing is not the first Web service to leverage mashups. Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), for one, started doing this years ago, letting users tie data sources to its Google Maps. Bing lets you search within the context of a location. Feldman gives the example of looking for a local concert and how you can query Bing Maps and get back a list of local concerts, related suggestions and see the location of the events on a map.

"Layering data on top of a map, which is what Bing Maps does, suggests things to look for I may never have considered. It presents possibilities," said Feldman.

And while the visual aspects of Bing Maps are more pleasing than the standard ten blue links of search results, Feldman is more impressed that it all serves a practical purpose. She gives this example:

"Type in the name of a town, and get first a map showing locations of major types of businesses. Click on 'more details' to get an overview of the history, the current weather, education, landmarks, etc. with links to more information on each."

Feldman also noted that Bing lets you drill down for details without losing the context of the map, by displaying different types of information with separate icons (coffee shops, dental care, doctors, restaurants, education, grocery stores, etc.) that invite exploration.

What Microsoft still needs to do and watch out for Google

Feldman noted that given the central role location plays in Bing Maps, Microsoft needs to speed up its plans to provide a mobile experience that enables GPS-enabled smart phone users to enjoy the same full range of features. "While mobile releases are on Microsoft's product roadmap, they should be front and center," and include Android and iPhone versions for the non-Microsoft world (the clear majority in this case)," she said.

At the event Microsoft did say it planned to release Bing features for both Android and the iPhone and one demo was done on the iPhone.

From a big picture industry perspective, Feldman said Bing Maps Streetside experience and the addition of community-generated photo "synths" will become an expected feature for geo-interfaces going forward.

"In summary, while many of the features in this system have been seen before, Bing Maps does the best job we have seen of connecting them all in a single, intuitive site that is both useful and a pleasure to explore," said Feldman.

Google will undoubtedly be questioned about Bing Maps on Monday when it's scheduled to show several search-related advances of its own publicly for the first time at a media event. The search giant tweaked the design of its home page earlier this week.

source: www.internetnews.com

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Microsoft and Yahoo Sign on the Dotted Line

Microsoft and Yahoo quietly announced Friday that they have finally signed off on their landmark search in exchange for ad revenues deal. The agreement between Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO) has been almost two years in the making. Most recently, the two companies revealed in late October that there were still details to be worked out before they could sign the agreement.

"Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft Corporation today announced that the companies have finalized and executed the definitive Search and Advertising Services and Sales Agreement and License Agreement in accordance with the letter agreement announced in July," the companies said in a brief joint news release late Friday.

Microsoft and Yahoo first announced on July 29 the ten-year deal that will have the Redmond software giant provide its Bing search engine to Yahoo's sites in return for a share of the sites' advertising revenues.

The main thrust of the agreement is to create a single entity to compete against Google (NASDAQ: MSFT) in the global search engine market.

Web analytics firm comScore's (NASDAQ: SCOR) latest search engine statistics for U.S. searches in October -- the most recent month the firm has tracked -- show that Bing reached 9.9 percent share. That's still puny compared to Google's share in October of 65.4 percent.

However, a combination of Bing's and Yahoo's search numbers would yield a 27.9 percent combined share, a much stronger rival to Google than either one alone.

"Microsoft and Yahoo believe that this deal will create a sustainable and more compelling alternative in search that can provide consumers, advertisers and publishers real choice, better value, and more innovation," said a Microsoft statement e-mailed to InternetNews.com.

Next on the list of hurdles to leap, according to the two companies, is approval by U.S. regulators, as well as approval within the European Union (EU), which may or may not require the approval of the European Commission, due to differences in laws among EU nations.

"We welcome the broad support the deal has received from key players in the advertising industry and remain hopeful that the closing of the transaction can occur in early 2010," the joint statement said.

source: www.internetnews.com

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When Google lose from Yahoo!

In almost all the world, Google is a search engine most used. But in some areas of Japan, Google is still inferior to its predecessor, including Yahoo!. Although Google has opened an office in Tokyo since 2001, but still less than Yahoo! Japan, operated by one service provider, Softbank. Currently 56.5% of Internet searches done in Japan through Yahoo!, Far above Google is only 33.7%.

Earlier this year Google's version of the Japanese have a different appearance, not like in other world regions. Google in Japan does not appear simple but is more lively and full with a link to YouTube, Gmail and other Google services. They want the Japanese people, who liked the graphics, will be more interested. Google also advertised heavily. They even hired 2500 hot air balloon and allow the person being passed, the balloon rises.

For Google, the Japanese market is very important, so necessary to pursue the position of Yahoo!. Currently 90 million Japanese citizens connected Internet. Of that amount, one third also used the Internet via their mobile phone. Every day, an average of 10 million video clips downloaded from YouTube by the Japanese people via their mobile phone.

Yahoo! win, either because the company is the first Internet search engine top. In addition, Yahoo! Japan ,although 35 percent stake owned by Yahoo! United States, the Japanese saw it as a local company.

Google stuttering was apparent when the company introduced the service "Street View" Japanese version. With this service, users can view the photos of the road. But the Japanese protested that disturb the privacy of this service, let alone the streets of the country's very narrow. So they are forced to take a picture with a camera that re-position a foot lower than the original.

Google Earth was also criticized in Japan since ancient map set contains the places where Japanese castaway occupancy. In Japan, the issue is still controversial pariah until now and if the former dwelling of the pariah was revealed, could make the inhabitants affected.

But Google did not give up. For example, Google Map, unlike the U.S. version. In the United States, the map will point to the center of town. In Japan, the map will point to the train station or bus station, local residents refer to rely on public transportation.

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