RCR Unplugged: Bits, bytes and buzz from day four @SXSW Interactive
***Twitter briefing causes mass exodus***
Bored hacks and hyperactive industry reps made a mad dash for the crowded exit shortly after Twitter CEO Evan Williams announced his “@Anywhere” platform.
According to the pedantic Williams, new “@Anywhere” features include the display of Twitter data via mouse-overs on external sites and the ability to follow noisy Tweeters simply by clicking on a byline or link. Let’s hope the new feature is more interesting than Williams made it sound during his long and boring speech!
***NearVerse unveils wireless media sharing tool for the iPod***
Apple loving hipsters rejoice! NearVerse has designed a wireless application that allows even the most musically-challenged members of society to transfer media between their iPhone and iPod Touch at lighting speeds without fear of electrocution. NearVerse also enables users to share their snazzy, slick and undoubtedly ironic digital profiles with other hip LoKasters nearby.
***Chatroulette and Facebook under fire***
SXSW was still noisily abuzz over Danah Boyd’s controversial warning on Sunday that consumers had “no idea” about what information they were sharing on sites such as Chatroulette, Facebook and Google Buzz. The opinionated Microsoft researcher, who recently criticized Google over its Buzz debacle, also predicted technology would inevitably “make a big mess” by mixing privacy and publicity.
***iPad to create ad design “revolution”***
Adobe spokesperson Jeremy Clark told SXSW attendees that the debut of the iPad and similar tablet devices will prompt a radical change in the current state of ad design. “It’s revolution through evolution – with more interactive and digital capabilities. The ads are as important as editorial content to the magazine.”
***MOG rocks SXSW with music mobile apps***
MOG rocked SXSW with a demo of its upcoming mobile music applications for Android-based devices and the Apple iPhone. The apps – which are priced at $10 per month – will enable subscribers to access over 7 million tracks and save playlists, individual songs as well as entire albums on their smartphones.
***Pandora Internet radio insists it will not kill Sirius***
Pandora CTO Tom Conrad told a SXSW panel that his company will not kill off Sirius satellite radio by releasing a smartphone app for Alpine and Pioneer car stereo systems. “Sirius will be around for a long time,” a bemused (yet obviously pleased) Conrad insisted. Er, yeah right! Sounds like “wink, wink, nudge, nudge” to us!
***Human barcode zombies invade Austin***
Yes, it’s true! Human barcode zombies have invaded Austin! An Australian-based company known as QMCodes proudly admitted to inserting QR (bar) codes on every SWSX badge. The codes, which comprise a black-and-white square pattern, are activated by smartphone cameras which direct mobile browsers to a SXSW site where users can view additional data about the scanned individuals. Creepy!
***SXSW panelist wants better broadband***
An industry analyst speaking at a SXSW panel on broadband bemoaned the fact that over 100 million Americans still lack an Internet connection. The analyst suggested the federal government improve the truly sad state of affairs by making broadband and the Internet more competitive, which would then lead to lower prices for consumers.
***Wolfram Alpha wins two web awards***
Wolfram Alpha won over the judges at SXSW and clinched two shiny web awards for its rather extensive computational knowledge engine. Previous winners of the SXSW Interactive Web Awards include Twitter, Hulu and Flickr. “To be selected by our peers here at SXSW is a great honor,” trumpteted WA managing director Barak Berkowitz. “This is a great milestone for us. It’s also just the beginning of the opportunity we see for WA to change the world by giving people everywhere access to all knowledge.”
***Wanted: Young Silicon Valley entrepreneurs***
During a lively Seed Combinators panel discussion on VC funding, David Cohen from TechStars stated the obvious: the median age for startup entrepreneurs is 27. Why, you ask? Well, according to Cohen and other participants, it is quite difficult (if not impossible) to locate two “older” founders who are are ready to risk everything on building a new company. And, of course, who wants to back an entrepreneur without a willing co-founder? Well, would you?
