Google Reports Surge in Government Takedown Requests

Google reported in its bi-annual transparency report that government requested takedowns are up from the first half of last year. From July to December 2012 Google received 2,285 government requests to remove content from its platforms.
Google Reports Surge in Government Takedown Requests

Google Buys Startup Wavii in Move to Boost Knowledge Graph

Google has acquired news summarization start-up Wavii for more than $30 million. Wavii, which uses natural language processing technology to distil online news into topics the users most care about, confirmed the news in a post on their website.
Google Buys Startup Wavii in Move to Boost Knowledge Graph

How much would it cost to fund the high-tech lifestyle of Iron Man 3? Being the “hero” in the third installation of the Iron Man series raised in price from $1.6 billion in the first movie to over $10 billion. This infographic breaks down the costs associated with being Iron Man, from the Tesla Roadster to the artificial intelligence computer in Tony Stark’s home. In this week’s top comments, many of our readers took to making their own financial assessments. But really, isn’t being the real Iron Man priceless?

Would you watch a reality TV show about the Mars One pioneers? While it may sound far-fetched, it’s not as radical an idea as you might think. Red Bull’s Felix Baumgartner made YouTube history in a death-defying supersonic jump as more than 8 million people watched the live-streamed event. In general, our readers reacted to the idea of a reality show with skepticism and scorn. Let us know what you think in the comments section: Would you watch the show? Read more…

More about Social Media

The Cost of Being Iron Man and Other Top Comments

47 Digital Media Resources You Might Have Missed

It has been another busy week as April wraps up and everyone is taking every opportunity to enjoy spring’s late arrival. If you’ve been too preoccupied basking in the sun to check out the news, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered.

We at Mashable have rounded up the most important updates in tech and social media to keep you informed. So read below for tons of digital media resources, including a user’s guide for Twitter music and details on the return of Social Media Day.

Editor’s Picks

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  Social Media Day Returns June 30, 2013
  Mashable is thrilled to announce June 30, 2013 as the 4th annual Social Media Day

  
  


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  How ‘The Boston Globe’ Covered Its Own City Under Siege
  The Boston Globe set the bar for coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings and it did so while grappling with the reality of being on the chopping block.

  
  


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  3D-Printed Weapons Builder Says He’s Ready to Print Entire Handgun
  Cody Wilson, who’s become famous for developing and sharing 3D-printed rifle magazine designs on the Internet, says he’s ready to print an entire gun.

  
  


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  Get Lost in These 19 Fascinating Maps
  In the simplest sense of the word, a map is a spatial representation of something. But technology raises the stakes and helps maps become incredibly compelling. Read more…

  
  

More about Social Media, Features, Business, Tech, and Media

47 Digital Media Resources You Might Have Missed

Smartphone Shipments Surpass Feature Phones in Q1 2013

The latest data from IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker shows that worldwide smartphone shipments topped those of feature phones for the first time in history during the first quarter of 2013. Industry data indicates that vendors shipped 418.6 million mobile phones in Q1 of 2013 vs. 402.4 million units during Q1 of 2012. IDC [...]

Smartphone Shipments Surpass Feature Phones in Q1 2013

comScore Releases The Ultimate Digital TV Infographic

“At the NewFronts, everyone will be looking to decipher the dynamics of this increasingly multi-platform world we live in, where the lines between TV and digital video, and premium and non-premium content, are blurring,” says comScore, the king of analytics in today’s digital world. On Friday, the tech blogosphere was privy to a gander at [...]
comScore Releases The Ultimate Digital TV Infographic

Who Are The Most Loyal Smartphone Owners?

Marketers understand the power of brand loyalty. When a company is fortunate enough to win the hearts and minds of consumers, the money follows and flows like water. Case in point: Apple. On Friday, Yankee Group published the findings of a new survey indicating that Apple’s brand loyalty may be what determines the ultimate victor [...]
Who Are The Most Loyal Smartphone Owners?

How the NFL Is Running a Social Media Empire

As prospect draftees arrived at the 2013 NFL Draft on Thursday night, they were ushered to an iPad station set up to look like a goal post. Players smiled into the tablet’s front-facing camera and posed for pictures which were almost simultaneously tweeted out to its Twitter followers.

This, along with a series of other digital initiatives surrounding the NFL Draft (including a live Twitter chat surrounding what the prospects were wearing), is a part of the football organization’s greater vision to connect fans at home to what’s happening behind the scenes and in real-time at the league. (Note: Although the Hollywood-like fashion component of the red carpet was met with mixed reviews, it still got fans talking on Twitter.) Read more…

More about Mobile, Social Media, Nfl, Marketing, and Media

How the NFL Is Running a Social Media Empire

'Excited Biologist' Captures Hearts and Minds of Reddit

Reddit user Unidan rapidly rose to celebrity status on the network, after charming dozens of science lovers in a thread about unbelievable facts Wednesday.

“Biologist here!” is how he starts most of his comments, and then proceeds to share some amazing tidbits about the Amazon rain forests, ornithology and other ecological topics. Redditors on the thread were fairly unanimous in their praise.

“I love this guy. Almost all of your comments are about ecology and you’re so darn psyched about it. You’re awesome.” – u/Lonely_Toast

“I like this biologist fellow.” – u/stoppingtomorrow

“I’ve had you tagged as Excited Biologist for a long time. I enjoy your posts.” – u/Gorignak Read more…

More about Reddit, Social Media, and Science

'Excited Biologist' Captures Hearts and Minds of Reddit

Facebook to Ramp Up Premium App Development with New Acquisition

Facebook has just confirmed its recent acquisition of software development platform Parse. The estimated value of the acquisition is $85 million. A clear indication of Facebook’s designs on the premium app development and services market, the social network of one billion members reportedly has big plans for Parse. “Today,” writes Douglas Purdy on the Facebook [...]

Facebook to Ramp Up Premium App Development with New Acquisition

Video Ad Views Hit All-Time High: 13 Billion

The latest data from the comScore Video Metrix service shows that 182.5 million Americans watched 39.3 billion online content videos in March 2013, while the number of video ad views reached an all-time high at 13.2 billion that month.
Video Ad Views Hit All-Time High: 13 Billion

How to Create a Mobile Content Strategy

Your content strategy must meet your users' needs and your business goals. Use user behavior patterns as a guide to adjust your editorial calendar and provide content that matches reader interest by time of day, day of the week, and device.
How to Create a Mobile Content Strategy

Top Google Website Optimization Resources

From Google's Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide, to Webmaster Tools, and who to follow at Google, here's a great collection of website optimization tips, guides, resources, and tutorials you can get straight from Google.
Top Google Website Optimization Resources

Google Kills Instant Previews, Adds New Drop-Down Menu to Search Results

Google Instant Previews, which gave searchers a sneak peek of a website by hovering over a magnifying glass icon, has been removed due to low usage. Now Google has added a drop-down to view Cached or Similar results, or Share a page on Google+.
Google Kills Instant Previews, Adds New Drop-Down Menu to Search Results

Coffee with Tim Cook Draws Record Bid for CharityBuzz

Either the price of coffee has spiked suddenly or a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of Apple is really, really this valuable. Earlier this week, MMW reported that CharityBuzz, a web-based company that raises funds for nonprofit organizations through online charity auctions that regularly involve high-profile celebrities, placed a unique opportunity up for auction. [...]

Coffee with Tim Cook Draws Record Bid for CharityBuzz

Vine App Coming to Android 'Soon'

The popular iOS video-sharing app Vine will be coming to Android in the near future, according to its founders.

The Verge is reporting the app — which Twitter launched in January — will bring the ability to create and share six-second GIF-like looping videos to Android “soon.”

SEE ALSO: 5 Ways Startups Are Using Vine

Vine has also submitted at app update to the Apple App Store for a feature that lets you tag friends in videos, the report said

The news comes just a few weeks after the company introduced the ability to embed Vine videos (at full 600 x 600 resolution) on any website

The platform has gained popularity over recent months. It’s been used by musicians and brands to promote products, news stations to get out news, job applicants and even by the White House. Of course, Vines are also acceptable for sharing with friends how you make dinner and what you’re doing in your free time. Read more…

More about Mobile, Twitter, Apps, Android, and Vine

Vine App Coming to Android 'Soon'

Velti Announces Powerhouse Partnership with Bauer Media Group UK

Velti informed Mobile Marketing Watch on Thursday that it has secured a new partnership with Bauer Media Group UK. Recognized as one of the most successful media companies in the world, the Bauer Media Group owns more than 570 magazines, some 300 digital products, and dozens of radio and TV stations. According to Velti, a [...]
Velti Announces Powerhouse Partnership with Bauer Media Group UK

MMA Webinar to Tackle Social Media Integration, Mobile Marketing ROI

The Mobile Marketing Association’s next webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30th, and registration is now open. The webinar – “Social Media Integration, Meet Mobile Marketing ROI” – will highlight and explore how social media and all digital marketing have become forever linked. And the research, case studies and proven tactics are truly showing themselves [...]
MMA Webinar to Tackle Social Media Integration, Mobile Marketing ROI

Regional Retailers Roll Out the Red Carpet for PayAnywhere

Some of the largest names in retail have made available online or in stores the mobile credit card readers launched by the biggest names in mobile payments today. But smaller, regional retailers are finally getting in on the action too. PayAnywhere, the professional grade mobile point of sale solutions provider, has just announced five new [...]

Regional Retailers Roll Out the Red Carpet for PayAnywhere

Strategy Analytics: Apple iPad Retains Global Tablet Lead

Despite the onslaught of tablets tossed at Apple’s iPad in the increasingly competitive tablet marketplace today, the popular Apple device is still the king of its kind. According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global tablet shipments topped 40 million units in the first quarter of 2013. Although Android secured a “robust” 43 percent [...]

Strategy Analytics: Apple iPad Retains Global Tablet Lead

The Definitive Guide to In-App Messaging

The Definitive Guide to In-App Messaging

The massive growth in popularity of mobile phones, social networking and apps is the most significant paradigm shift in communication since the dawn of the internet. In this white paper you will learn Examples of how you could use in-app … read more »

Read more at Digital Marketing Depot

The Definitive Guide to In-App Messaging

Does a negative post on Twitter have infectious germs powerful enough to influence the behavior of tweeters? Maybe. Then again, maybe not.

A new report from the American Council on Science and Health claims negative Twitter messages are contagious. In this case, researchers at Penn State University collected tweets with vaccination-related keywords during the 2009 H1N1 scare, determining negative tweets about children’s vaccines are more likely to be spread than positive ones. Scientists tracked those tweets, then ran results through an algorithm categorizing the messages as positive, negative or neutral. Social media influence was also part of the formula, with number following and sentiment analyzed. The researchers studied a total of 318,379 tweets expressing positive, negative or neutral sentiments about H1N1, the so-called swine flu. Read more…

More about Twitter, Social News, and Social Media

Are Negative Twitter Messages Contagious?

DIRECTV grew market share in Uruguay in 2012

The Uruguayan communications regulator, URSEC, has released a survey of the telecommunications market in Uruguay up to the end of December 2012. The number of Pay TV subscribers at year-end was 592,699, up from 536,812 at the end of 2011, a 10.4% increase.

DIRECTV grew market share in Uruguay in 2012

Here's What Google's Labeled Search Results Could Look Like in Europe

The European Commission is now seeking feedback on Google’s cosmetic search result changes that aim to settle a years-long antitrust investigation. The EC also revealed some images illustrating what Google’s results might soon look like.

Here's What Google's Labeled Search Results Could Look Like in Europe

Apple iTunes Dominates Internet Video Market

According to NPD, Apple dominates the home digital-video sector in much the same way that it dominates digital music. iTunes’ share of electronic sell-through for television shows reached 67 percent in 2012 with Xbox Video, the nearest competitor, on 14 percent of the market.

Apple iTunes Dominates Internet Video Market

Broadcom and ST tie for top spot in Set-top Box IC market

Broadcom (NASDAQ: BRCM) and STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) tied in unit shipments for the worldwide set-top box IC Market in 2012, with both delivering between 85 and 86 million video SoCs for set-top boxes, according to ABI Research.

Broadcom and ST tie for top spot in Set-top Box IC market

Google Glass App from The New York Times Reaches Explorers

Google’s designated Explorers have a new app to fiddle around with tonight thanks to the powers-that-be at The New York Times. As you’ll recall, this service was first unveiled at SXSW, which delivers the latest headlines and accompanying imagery upon a wearer’s request — even to the point of reading an article aloud, if you [...]

Google Glass App from The New York Times Reaches Explorers

Show Us the Beauty of Your Hometown

When the luxury of travel to another city or country eludes us, we can turn to familiar haunts to get away from it all — without getting away at all. The comfort of a hometown haven can be as invigorating as a trip to a new land.

This week for the Mashable Photo Challenge, we want to see your hometown escapes: the local spots in your life that are most important to you. Whether it’s a communal arena or the quiet privacy of your own backyard, we want to see your favorite part of the place where you live. Follow the directions below to submit your photo, and our guest curator will select some of the most creative and compelling submissions to feature on Read more…

More about Community, Photo, Photography, Social Media, and Mashable Photo Challenge Guest Series

Show Us the Beauty of Your Hometown

New Google Analytics Interactive Tool: Customer Journey to Online Purchase

The new Google Analytics Customer Journey to Online Purchase tool lets you interactively explore the typical online buying behavior of your site’s visitors and see how different marketing interactions affect your sales and conversions.

New Google Analytics Interactive Tool: Customer Journey to Online Purchase

Maximizing the Return From Your Facebook Investment

Maximizing the Return From Your Facebook Investment

Register to Learn: How to craft a Facebook campaign strategy for your business objectives Best practices for audience targeting, creative design, creative placement and user experience How to see the full picture of your Facebook performance and measure Facebook ROI … read more »

Read more at Digital Marketing Depot

Maximizing the Return From Your Facebook Investment

Infographic: Social Media’s Battle of the Sexes

Are social networks primarily used by men or women? How and why do men and women use social media? And is there any truth to the notion that men are from LinkedIn and women are from Twitter? These pressing questions and many more are addressed in a new infographic from Internet Service Providers. While the [...]

Infographic: Social Media’s Battle of the Sexes

Jupiter Telecommunications releases 1Q 2013 results

Jupiter Telecommunications (J:COM, JASDAQ: 4817) has released results for the 1st Quarter of 2013. The company had 3,102,900 cable TV RGUs at the end of the period, up 1.1% compared with the same period in 2012.

Jupiter Telecommunications releases 1Q 2013 results

LinkedIn Touts A ‘Smarter Way to Stay in Touch’

LinkedIn, the leading social network for professionals, announced Thursday morning that it’s launching Contacts, a new iOS application designed to let professionals more effectively manage their interactions with clients and co-workers. Have you ever wished for a personal assistant who reminds you when your colleagues are celebrating new jobs or birthdays? Or have you wanted [...]

LinkedIn Touts A ‘Smarter Way to Stay in Touch’

Moldtelecom expands IPTV service with Entone

Entone has announced that Moldtelecom, the primary telecommunications provider in Moldova, is deploying its Kamai 500 Hybrid Media Player to deliver advanced video services.

Moldtelecom expands IPTV service with Entone