Mumbai Press Club has invited entries for the 6th edition of its National Red Ink Awards for Excellence in Journalism 2016. Entries, in the given categories, can be submitted latest by February 29th. Outstanding Journalists will be awarded with the two awards ‘The Journalist of the Year’ and ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’. » Converged TV and Internet access provider Lukup Media joined hands to launch dual-play services on 17th February, in selected areas of Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune and Bengaluru. This one of its kind technology is made entirely in India and is aimed to change the way content is accessed through TV and Internet at homes. See more » Skype introduced its new group video calling feature for Android, iOS and Windows phone users. This new feature from Skype supports full HD broadcast and up to 25 users can participate in group calling. To support this Microsoft has partnered with Intel in order to optimize SILK Audio.
Android
Snapping Deal
Snapdeal is on an acquisition spree this year. The e-commerce biggie acquired Silicon Valley-based ‘Reduce Data’, a programmatic display advertising platform, on Wednesday for an undisclosed amount. Reduce data will help the advertisers identify and eliminate wasted ad spends and will beef up Snapdeal’s presence as it takes on players like Flipkart and Amazon in the burgeoning Indian e-commerce industry. » Amazon, Google and Microsoft make up an alliance to develop free next-generation media formats. They will build an open royalty-free video codec specification, based on the contribution of their members, including binding specifications for media format, content encryption and adaptive streaming aiming to create opportunities for next-gen media experiences. » Amazon’s ‘Kindle unlimited subscription service’ makes its Asian debut in India. Apart from Kindle devices other devices like iOS and Android can use the Kindle App and the Books included as part of the deal are clearly labeled with a Kindle Unlimited logo.
M for Marshmallow
Google’s operating systems have so far taken the name of a sweet-treat; this trend continues as the latest release Android 6.0 is now called Marshmallow. The new OS roll out is expected by the end of the year with new features including direct sharing between Android devices, as well as system-level support for fingerprint sensors. » News Corp CEO Robert Thompson went on a ranting spree against Google, accusing it of “piracy, zealotry and kleptocracy” while also labelling LinkedIn a “pretender”. Speaking at the Lowy Institute Media Awards last night, he warned that without the proper recognition, and without proper remuneration, well-resourced reporting “will be ever more challenged”. He further went on to say “Google represents a leech on the hard work of those who try to create original content, only to have it purloined by Google’s caring, sharing, web-controlling ways.”
Promises & Milestones
>>Finally the Delhi Government has announced free WiFi up to 1GB for a month, making good on its promise from early 2015. Vice President of Delhi Dialogue Commission and a member of Aam Aadmi Party, Ashish Khetan said that as part of the first phase, the government will provide free WiFi in all government and private colleges in the capital, within one year. » With the view to empower people with latest information, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced the launch of ‘Samajwadi Akhilesh’ mobile application. This bilingual app in Hindi & English will connect the user directly with the CM by providing notification messages and more information about his initiatives for the state. » Periscope celebrates a major milestone – 10 million registered users since the app first launched for Apple’s iPhone in March, with an Android version following in May. The recent stats show that the daily active users (DAU) and time-watched stats refer purely to people watching live on their smartphones, rather than on the web.
#CEO
Dick Costolo steps down as Twitter’s CEO under pressure from anxious investors as co-founder Jack Dorsey takes the hot seat for the interim. India’s Android users have reason to cheer! Google’s new ‘Location Aware Search’ via its voice assistant, allows users to ask generic questions based on location and need, ranging from the search for the nearest bus stand to perhaps, what is the size of the lake you are standing next to!!
Paper-cut
The Mumbai Mirror carries a matrimonial advert in search for a groom who specifically reads ‘The Hindu’. The ad continues, ‘because only that (The Hindu) reports the truth and reads ads before publishing them’. We’re not sure who posted this; but it was either a witty employee or a die-hard fan. The Mumbai Mirror is a sister publication of The Times of India. Good news for music lovers!! Apple launches a music app at the end of the June which will be a cross between an online music store, a radio station, and a social networking site for musicians. The app will be available on all Apple products immediately and on the Android platform later this year.
Playboy Now
Playboy magazine launches a new mobile app for Android and Apple devices. The app aimed at men plans to be a one-stop-shop for entertainment and information with seductive undertones focusing on lifestyle and culture rather than female nudity. Instagram, is getting on board with sending out “highlight” emails to users, starting this month. The company believes this service aids occasional users to engage and keep in touch without opening the app every day.
Chop! Chop!
For the fast moving metro cities of India, mobile OS giant Android has launched ’60 Seconds Now’ – a mobile app that will deliver 60 top news briefs within a minute in multiple Indian languages . Now snack on this news wrap and get ready to face the world in just 1 minute. Hindustan Times & Times of India are going at it yet again, this time it is HT’s CMO Rajan Bhalla, who referred to TOI’s recent accusation for misleading advertisers a cheap trick and irrational reaction to the threat posed by HT. Like they say…as long as the competition is healthy…but market leaders you are taking it a bit too far.
Retweet With Comment
No need to squish your viewpoint with a retweet, as Twitter rolls out a long awaited feature “Retweet with Comment.” thus enabling users to comment on retweets without having to truncate the original tweet in order to fit the 140 character limit. Already available on the web version and iPhone app, it will hit the Play Store for Android users very soon!
#goldout – I Think Not!
With Indian fans likely to outnumber their Ozzie counterparts at the semi-final clash in Sydney, Australian skipper, Michael Clarke tweeted a new hastag #goldout in desperation: “I call on all Australian cricket lovers to paint the SCG gold on Thursday. We need your support”. Usage rather than sales sees Microsoft partner with Android as it takes hold in the mobile space. The company is keen to promote its most lucrative business, Microsoft Office, relevant for mobile users by making it a mainstay for Android and iOS users.
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