All posts from The Next Web

Google just cannot stop releasing great products this month. Today the Google News team is releasing a great new feature that will help you scan through older archived newspapers in style.From the Google News team:We’re excited to announce the launch of browse mode for newspapers in Archives! To do so, click “Browse this newspaper” to view other editions from that newspaper!Google has somehow found, indexed, scanned, and made available endless newspaper material for you to browse (for free of course). Exactly which papers you can browse is not laid out in perfect terms, but if you are searching for an article and you see the “Browse This Newspaper” button, you are all set.It looks like this:The view that Google provides for you to browse is quite pretty. Newspapers are sorted by newspaper name, and month of publication. Google for example has a good selection of papers from the News and Eastern Townships Advocate. The browse screen looks like this:Good on Google for making more information even more accessible. I doubt that I will ever use this, but knowing that it exists makes me even more sure that our past will not be lost.

OK, so you can now pre-order the iPad on the Apple Store website, in the USA at least.It won’t before it’s available around the world and we’ll be seeing news footage of queues forming outside Apple showrooms as eager fans wait in line to be amongst the first iPad owners.At The Next Web, whilst we’re as excited as the next blog, we admit to be fretting a little bit about the forthcoming launch.Yes, there are a few things beginning to give us sleepless nights about the iPad… let’s just say there are one or two things that we’re not exactly looking forward to.  Well five things really…1.  Applying the Screen Protector.Mobile phones aren’t cheap.  Smart phones are dearer.  We’re all keen to protect our gadgets and whether we insure them or not we’ll often invest in a screen protector.Now, with the best will in the world, trying to get the screen protector on an iPhone without trapping a couple of motes of dust or air-bubbles underneath is nigh on impossible.  For those geeks with CDO about their gadgets, this can be a real nightmare.  (For those of you wondering what CDO is, well it’s a bit like OCD except with the letters in alphabetical order… just like they should be!)Imagine then, if you will, trying to apply a clingy, statically charged, gossamer thin wafer of transparent plastic steadily and evenly to the comparatively huge screen of the iPad.  I’m wincing already at the prospect of hours spent slowly rolling a soft cloth from screen edge to screen edge trying to coax unsightly and ugly bubbles from the middle of my new, bright and beautiful shiny display… Oh dear.The great thing about Apple products is the early availability of form factor specs to third party organisations ahead of launch.  This means that someone, somewhere in the world is already trying to solve this problem ahead of time.Hopefully.If you are that company…  get in touch with The Next Web because we want to know about it.2.  Getting mugged.Not many people get mugged for their copy of the latest Dean Koontz when travelling on the subway do they?Occasionally though, people do get menaced for their mobile phones or their iPods.So what happens when you happily paging through the latest electronic edition of WiReD on your iPad and the local roughneck takes a fancy to it.  It doesn’t really bear thinking about, but for many people, carrying an iPad out and about in public will be like spraying Please Mug Me on the back of your jacket.Carrying your iPad in some sort of protective case is likely to be the sensible choice for most people.  It’ll be interesting to see just how camouflaged these cases will need to be for people to try to make their iPads ‘disappear’ at will.Maybe someone is creating a case which makes it look like your actually reading a real copy of WiReD… actually, a real copy of WiReD will probably do the trick… now there’s an idea.Either way, someone, somewhere will be worrying about this little problem right now… if it’s you, let us know!3.  Dropping It.It’s just going to happen isn’t it?  It’s only a matter of time.How many of us own a mobile phone which hasn’t got a little dink or a scratch somewhere from that time when it fell out of a pocket or off the edge of the desk?They tend to look pristine on the day they come out of the box and then they accrete an ever thicker patina of smudges, grime and scratches until Upgrade Day looms they are consigned to a drawer somewhere to gather a further layer… this time of dust.So just how long are we going to be able to keep our gleaming iPads shiny and happy without them hitting the deck and rewarding us with whatever the iPad equivalent of the Blue Screen Of Death will be?It doesn’t bear thinking about does it?  That said, it’ll be interesting to see how many people are prepared to fork out for insurance for an iPad when they might take the risk of doing without for a smaller, cheaper phone or gadget.The Ipad is probably no less fragile than a laptop or netbook, but there is something psychologically reassuring about being able to close up your MacBook and feeling that it is in some way protected.On the iPad, it’s all that exposed shiny screen that is just begging to be cracked, scratched or otherwise defaced.Oh no!  Maybe I should just leave it at home in a protective cabinet.4.  Blogging On It.Now this is a real worry!When I’m blogging I set up my laptop like a military dashboard with tabs open for live RSS news feeds, Socialcast backchannel conversations with colleagues, the Wordpress blogging engine, The Next Web sites, other new sources, Skype, GTalk, Buzz…  it’s an all singing and dancing effort and everyone at The Next Web has their own favourite configuration.Now I can just about recreate this battle-blogging config on the move using a netbook and a mifi… but will I be able to recreate a setup as good if not better on the iPad?  I don’t know.  Even if I can, just how responsive and accurate is that on screen keyboard going to be?  Yes, yes I know I can get an external keyboard…  I know why don’t I gaffer-tape it to the iPad and arrange it on my knee?  We could call it a kneetop computer or something.Oh, I don’t know… I’m worrying again.  All I know is, I don’t fancy lugging a laptop and an iPad around, but neither will I want to leave my shiny new toy at home.I really hope someone is worrying about this in advance of the iPad’s launch.  This time I’m hoping it’s Apple.5.  Upgrade Envy!Now this is a real biggie.Despite the fact that Apple’s tendency to suppress software functionality and hold back on hardware improvements in order to secure a healthy pipeline of new sales and upgrades is well documented, many of us still rush out to buy their latest offerings.Of course, the iPad is no different… or is it?  This time, from clues garnered from patents registed by Apple and from various releases of the Software Developer Kit, everyone seems pretty certain that there are plans for the iPad to incorporate at least one camera into the build at some stage in its evolution.  In fact most people are stunned that there isn’t a camera is iPad release 1, so how frustrating is it going to be in, say, Spring 2011, flouncing around with your Version 1 iPad and sitting next to someone with a Version 2 with a camaera and all the latest bells and whistles?In-built obsolesence is a fact of life in tech, but when you’re only ever a contract-length away from an upgrade deal on a mobile phone, there is always at elast some light at the end of the tunnel.  When you’ve shelled out several hundred bucks for a top-end iPad only for it to be superceded in a matter of months… that will be a substantially more bitter pill to swallow.Speaking of pills, I’m getting all anxious again.  I might need a tablet and a lie down.photo credit: lanuiop (cc)

Don’t expect peace, love and harmony in the smartphone world any time soon. An end to the legal squabbling between Apple and Nokia could be as far as two years away.A quick summary: first Nokia sued Apple over alleged patent violations, then Apple sued Nokia over a different set of patents. In short, it’s a big old mess of corporations accusing each other of stealing ideas.Now Reuters reports that newly filed legal documents show that the court date to resolve the situation could be set for “mid-2012″. That means two more years of bitching and back-biting between the two companies. Of course, we could see an out of court settlement before then. However, given just how nasty the smartphone market has got recently (Apple is suing HTC too) we shouldn’t expect peace, harmony, rainbows and an end to the lawsuits any time soon.

The online Apple Store is currently closed. That usually means that new products are added to the store.Yesterday rumors surfaced that today we could expect new MacBook Pro’s. The rumors were later announced to be fake and the world moved on. Now the store is down so there might be some basis to those rumors after all.More logical would be that Apple is adding a large “pre-Order the iPad NOW” button to the store. The tablet will be available for pre-order today from 5:30am Pacific Time or 8:30am for those living on the east coast of the US.I never understood the need for Apple to take the whole store down during updates. I can imagine Amazon adding hundreds of products every day. What would happen if they would would take the store down every time a new book would be published?So maybe this whole “Apple Store is down” phenomena is just an invention by Apple to get us all excited and holding our breath. Another clever PR strategy? Well, it works for me.

According to BusinessWeek, internet giants Google and Facebook have been sued by a New York-based company called Wireless Ink Corp.The legal challenge is reportedly over a patent relating to software the allows people to interact with a social network using a mobile phone.Wireless Ink Corp., the owner of a site called Winksite, claim Google and Facebook are infringing US Patent No. 7,599,983 which is entitled “Method, Apparatus and System or Management of Information Content for Enhanced Accessibility over Wireless Communications Networks.”According to Wireless Ink, both Facebook Mobile and Google Buzz are using software technology that belongs to the corporation and in a complaint filed on Thursday, the company are seeking cash compensation and a court order to prevent any future use of the technology involved.The legal challenge could impact both companies as they seek to assert their dominance in mobile markets. Google are looking to integrate their products into mobile applications, especially within the Android operating system.Spokesmen from Google and Facebook have declared that the companies are currently reviewing the complaint filed against them by Wireless Ink, Facebook adding that “This suit is without merit and we will fight it vigorously,”.

If you are one of the people looking to be the first to pre-order Apple’s new iPad device, be prepared to get up early (you may already be if you are reading this), because the tablet is due to be available for pre-order today from 5:30am Pacific Time or 8:30am for those living on the east cost of the US.The WIFI enabled model is set to be released on the 3rd April wheras the 3G-equipped version will be available later in the month. Potential buyers will be able to log onto the Apple Store and place an order for a Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi & 3G-equipped model as well as pre-ordering over the phone.Customers have the option to have their iPad delivered to their door or reserve a device to pick it up in person at their local Apple Store.Gizmodo are reporting that if consumers pre-order over the phone, they can expect to get their iPad on the day of launch, those ordering through Apple’s website will see their devices shipped on the day of launch, no earlier.The iPad will be available with three different storage options, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. Minus 3G, the iPad is priced at $499, $599 and $699; with 3G, the iPad will cost $629, $729 and $829.All models of the iPad are said to become available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK in late April.If you are from outside of the US and absolutely cannot wait until iPad pre-orders start in your country, why not read our article on how to pre-order an iPad if you are outside the US.

As you know, we’ve been a fan of Wibiya’s for some time. We were fortunate to be one of the first to test the toolbar (found at the bottom of this site) and are happy to say we still remain faithful users.Wibiya is currently a toolbar with a number of “applications” built specifically for it. Apps include recent posts, auto-translation, chat, sharing and more. Today, Wibiya is announcing a selection of new applications and an intriguing partnership with photo and video browsing tool Cooliris.First up, Cooliris integration.Websites with the Wibiya bar installed will now be able to use Cooliris Express to create custom 3D media walls, increasing user engagement on their sites while minimizing the bounce rate to YouTube, Flickr, Picasa and Facebook.The Cooliris integration is featured in three new apps:1) Photo gallery2) YouTube Video Gallery3) Facebook photo GalleryIn the settings tab of each one of the Cooliris apps that goes through the process. Users can then scroll through an infinite “3D Wall” of photos or videos without having to click between pages. Don’t just take my word for it, try out the video feature here or browse images here.So what else is new?A number of new apps that should bring a smile to anyone looking to make the most of Facebook and Twitter to generate and keep in touch with their community.New Facebook Fan Page.Fans can now post messages onto your Fan Page on Facebook,com directly from your site. This is a first and goes a long way to making the website more of a central hub.Twitter Lists application – Import your twitter lists to your website. Users will also be able to view full profiles of other users and search Twitter without leaving your website.Justin.tv application – you can now bring your live channel, archive (and soon chat) while showing when you are online and offline and number of viewers.New Real Time Chatter App (via Backtype) Bringing the latest buzz on the web to your website. Show view real time conversations about any subject from millions of blogs, social networks and more.Content Timeline application (via AllofMe) Automatically create a visual and interactive Timeline of your contentUser donation application (via PayPal) Easily add a Donate button on your website. Make it safe and convenient for your readers to support you or a specific cause.Back end Platform (being released tomorrow)- Custom Icons for any application, you can choose to have your own icons on the toolbar for each app.It’s difficult to not be taken aback by the number of “apps” making their way through various partnerships onto the bar. So many apps in fact that it’s difficult, if not impossible, to decide exactly what should be where.The good news is that we’ve been reliably informed that this Israeli startup’s ambitions are far greater than just the toolbar itself, exactly what that means remains to be seen, but with the flow of applications and ever growing number of publications using the toolbar, we can only hope being forced to choose a select number of apps becomes a thing of the past.Wibiya’s main competitor in the space is Meebo, who have a neat toolbar with some application integration but mainly a focus on chat (what they are generally known for). Meebo also seems intent on generating revenue through advertising on the bar itself, something Wibiya CEO Dror Cedar insists Wibiya is staying away from. Rather, the company plans to introduce premium features for premium publications but are happy to continue to build the product out before doing so.

In a move that could change the way sports are broadcast via the internet, YouTube will be streaming full coverage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament starting in just under five hours.Internet search giant Google had secured full internet broadcast rights for all 60 Indian Premier League cricket matches spanning 43 days, streaming every minute of the action to audiences worldwide.The Indian Premier League has fast become of the world’s most popular sports, showcasing the biggest cricket talent and huge cash prizes. Cricket players from all over the world seek permission from their domestic teams to enter an auction where 8 separate teams or “franchises” bid for their sporting services.Visiting a designated URL, YouTube visitors will be able to watch nearly live coverage of the IPL from all over the world. US cricket fans will experience a one or two hour delay as most matches will be broadcast when the US population is sleeping.It’s an interesting contrast from the NBC coverage of the Winter Olympics. NBC came under much scrutiny for the way they broadcast some of the winter events, deciding to not to display live online footage for fear of losing a prime time television audience.YouTube, who don’t have a televisual following, will not have to worry about viewing conflicts, instead they are able to show nearly live sport in addition to post match highlights for those who missed it.Whilst YouTube have secured full broadcast rights, they have also worked out advertising deals with 8 companies including HSBC, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Airtel and HP.Adverts will not be shown during the coverage either; YouTube plans to feature some unique branding solutions including the branding of associated video content, branded YouTube pages and dedicated mastheads. Some companies are so impressed they have committed to advertising deals for the next season of the tournament too.Youtube boasts an average of 1 billion viewers daily, around 400 million of them unique. Google will be watching intently to see how casual visitors respond to the IPL coverage, identifying whether people will be comfortable watching live sports on their favourite video site.If it’s a success, you could see YouTube offering a lot more live sport. You can bet television networks will be keeping a close eye on proceedings.[Source - WSJ]

Editor’s Note: Hermione Way continues her weekly video series, highlighting the start-ups based around London’s Old Street ‘Silicon Roundabout’.WiredUK recently mapped the UK’s technology startups based around London’s answer to Silicon Valley: Old Street’s ‘Silicon Roundabout’. Sponsored by Kodak and TheNextWeb, Techfluff.tv decided to delve a little deeper into London’s startup scene and video interview ten of these companies.This week we look at Habit Industries, makers of Habit Stream – a product that allows brands to make the most of positive conversations about them on the web.The Silicon Roundabout series is filmed on a Kodak Zi8.You can watch part one of the series, featuring SongKick.com, here, part two with Alicia Navarro, founder and CEO of affiliate marketing site Skimlinks here and part three with digital agency Poke here.

International journalist advocate body Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters Without Borders) has put Australia on an “under surveillance” list of countries with increasingly rigorous control over Internet information flows.The addition puts Australia in company with South Korea, Malaysia, Turkey and several other countries in a group that sits just below RSF’s “Internet Enemies” list, which hosts 12 of the usual suspects including Iran, North Korea, Burma and China.Australia’s inclusion is based on the following:Under the guise of fighting child pornography, the government wants to set up a filtering system never before seen in a democracy. The State of South Australia has passed a law prohibiting online anonymity in an electoral context.With Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey joining the calls for the Internet Filter to be stopped and now an International reporting organisation joining the cause too, it’s starting to feel like the No Clean Feed message is getting some real heavyweights behind it.Hopefully, this is just one more step on the path to making the Government understand the proposed filtering system needs to be reviewed as a matter of urgency.

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Editor’s note: With the launch of TNW Location today, and the beginning of SXSWi in Austin, which is widely being called “The Location Wars”, we thought that we’d make a kind of revolutionary declaration of our own to kick all of this off.When in the Course of human events (SXSWi) it becomes necessary for Users to dissolve the Desktop bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the Mobile Web, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Privacy and of the W3C entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of Cool Kids requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation of Sucky, Non-Location-Aware Apps.We hold these truths to be self-evident, that NOT all Apps are created equal, but that they should be endowed by their Developer with certain unalienable Location Features, that among these are Check-ins, Map View and the pursuit of Badges.That to secure these rights, Early Adopters are instituted among Users, deriving their (just?) power from the consent of their Followers. That whenever any Form of Social Media becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new type of Social Media, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form (i.e. Foursquare, Gowalla, Brightkite, et al), as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety (think PleaseRobMe) and Happiness (mayorships).Large User Bases, indeed, will dictate that Social Networks such as Facebook, long established, should not be changed for light and transient causes; but they all need to get on the Location Bandwagon ASAP. If they don’t, it is a User’s right, it is their duty, to throw off such Boring Services, and to embrace new Location Apps for their future enjoyment.We, therefore, the Representatives of TNW Location, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of the Internet, solemnly publish and declare, that The Time of Location is Upon Us.