Verklagt Eolas nun alle?

Ein Unternehmen aus Texas, Eolas Technologies Inc. hat nun 24 lawsuits à 500 Millionen US-Dollar vor einem texanischen Gericht eringereicht. Was etwas weit hergeholt klingt hat Realitätsbezug. Bereits 2004 wurde ein bestehendes Patent vor einem US-Gericht bestätigt und als Konsequenz Microsoft zur Zahlung von 565 Millionen US-Dollar verdonnert. Die aktuelle Klage basiert auf eben diesem Patent mit der Nummer 5,838,906 und beinhaltet prinzipiell die Möglichkeit, im Rahmen eines Browsers und aus einer Web-Seite heraus via Mausklick eine Anwendung aufzurufen.

Hier die Liste der aktuell verklagten Unternehmen, eine bunte Mischung des Who is Who der nordamerikanischen Wirtschaft:

# Adobe Systems Inc.
# Amazon.com
# Apple Inc.
# Argosy Publishing Inc.
# Blockbuster Inc.
# CDW Corp.
# Citigroup Inc.
# eBay Inc.
# Frito-Lay Inc.
# PepsiCo Inc.
# The Go Daddy Group Inc.
# Google Inc.
# J.C. Penney Co. Inc.
# JPMorgan Chase & Co.
# New Frontier Media Inc.
# Office Depot Inc.
# Perot Systems Corp.
# Playboy Enterprises International Inc.
# Rent-A-Center Inc.
# Staples Inc.
# Sun Microsystems Inc.
# Texas Instruments Inc.
# Yahoo! Inc.
# YouTube LLC

Weiterführende Infos:

Press Release

Artikel auf Spiegel Online

New Mobile Flash Player Announced – Except for iPhone

,

Adobe today announced the release of a new version of flash 10, specially designed for mobile devices.
This will finally be a one version fits all for mobile phones! The only negative aspect of this announcement: iPhone users don’t get it!
This news even ranked among to tweets on twitter today and causes a lot of consternation. Why not for the innovative or better most innovative of all phones? The problem is rooted in Apple’s iPhone SDK and internal obstacles in the cooperation with Adobe.

BusinessWire today published an article on the issue:

October 05, 2009 12:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Adobe Unveils First Full Flash Player for Mobile Devices and PCs
Close to 50 Open Screen Project Participants Support New Browser Runtime for Multiple Platforms

Adobe MAX 2009
LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today unveiled Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1 software for smartphones, smartbooks, netbooks, PCs and other Internet-connected devices, allowing content created using the Adobe Flash Platform to reach users wherever they are. A public developer beta of the browser-based runtime is expected to be available for Windows® Mobile, Palm® webOS and desktop operating systems including Windows, Macintosh and Linux later this year. Public betas for Google® Android™ and Symbian® OS are expected to be available in early 2010. In addition, Adobe and RIM announced a joint collaboration to bring Flash Player to Blackberry® smartphones, and Google joined close to 50 other industry players in the Open Screen Project initiative.

Flash Player 10.1 is the first consistent runtime release of the Open Screen Project that enables uncompromised Web browsing of expressive applications, content and high definition (HD) videos across devices. Using the productive Web programming model of the Flash Platform, the browser-based runtime enables millions of designers and developers to reuse code and assets and reduce the cost of creating, testing and deploying content across different operating systems and browsers. Flash Player 10.1 is easily updateable across all supported platforms to ensure rapid adoption of new innovations that move the Web forward.

The browser-based runtime leverages the power of the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) for accelerated video and graphics while conserving battery life and minimizing resource utilization. New mobile-ready features that take advantage of native device capabilities include support for multi-touch, gestures, mobile input models, accelerometer and screen orientation bringing unprecedented creative control and expressiveness to the mobile browsing experience. Flash Player 10.1 will also take advantage of media delivery with HTTP streaming, including integration of content protection powered by Adobe® Flash® Access 2.0. This effort, code-named Zeri, will be an open format based on industry standards and will provide content publishers, distributors and partners the tools they need to utilize HTTP infrastructures for high-quality media delivery in Flash Player 10.1 and Adobe® AIR® 2.0 software.

To learn more about Flash Player 10.1 and to see video demos visit Adobe Labs.

“With Flash Player moving to new mobile platforms, users will be able to experience virtually all Flash technology based Web content and applications wherever they are,” said David Wadhwani, general manager and vice president, Platform Business Unit at Adobe. “We are excited about the broad collaboration of close to 50 industry leaders in the Open Screen Project and the ongoing collaboration with 19 out of the top 20 handset manufacturers worldwide. It will be great to see first devices ship with full Flash Player in the first half of next year.”

„We are excited to join Adobe and other industry leaders in the Open Screen Project,“ said Sundar Pichai, vice president of Product Management at Google. „This initiative supports our common goal to move the Web forward as a platform and to spur innovation in the industry through technology such as Adobe Flash.“

“Adobe Flash technology provides a key experience on new Windows phones, enabling people to enjoy rich Flash based games, videos and other interactive Web content on the go,” said Stephanie Ferguson, general manager, Product Management, Microsoft Corp. “We look forward to bringing in the new capabilities of Adobe Flash Player 10.1 to the Windows phone browser when it becomes available.”

“Motorola is excited to be one of the first handset manufacturers to ship Android based devices with Flash Player support early next year,” said Christy Wyatt, vice president of software applications and ecosystem at Motorola. “As the No.1 platform for video on the Web, uncompromised browsing of Flash technology based content is essential for a rich mobile experience and something users expect from Motorola today.”

“As a longtime partner of Adobe, and more than 400 million Nokia phones shipped with existing Flash technology to date, we are excited to see Flash Player becoming a reality for mobile phones and other mobile devices,” said Purnima Kochikar, vice president, Forum Nokia. “Nokia is excited about full Flash Player coming to devices and we are committed to supporting Flash Player 10.1 on mobile devices in 2010.”

Open Screen Project

Led by Adobe, the Open Screen Project includes close to 50 industry leaders working together to provide a consistent runtime environment across mobile phones, desktops and other consumer electronic devices. The initiative addresses the challenges of Web browsing and standalone applications on a broad range of devices, and removes the barriers to publishing content and applications seamlessly across screens. Participants of the initiative include Antena 3, Atlantic Records, ARM, BBC, Burda, Cell, Chungwha Telecom, Cisco, Comcast, Conde Nast, Daum, Disney Interactive, Fox Mobile, Google, HTC, Intel, LG Electronics, Lionsgate, Marvell, Motorola, MTV Networks, NBC Universal, Nokia, NTT DoCoMo, NVIDIA, OpenTV, Palm, Paramount, QNX Software Systems, Qualcomm, Stern.de, RIM, RTL, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Texas Instruments, The New York Times, Toshiba, Verizon Wireless, Ziilabs and many others.

CEOs from ARM, Broadcom, DoCoMo, Google, HTC, Motorola, NVIDIA, Palm, QUALCOMM and RIM discuss how they’re bringing Flash Platform technologies to their devices and platforms as part of the initiative. To watch the videos and for more information about the Open Screen Project visit www.openscreenproject.org/about.

About Adobe Flash Platform

The Adobe Flash Platform is the leading Web design and development platform for creating expressive applications, content, and video that run consistently across operating systems and devices and reach over 98 percent of Internet-enabled desktops. Flash Player 10 was installed on more than 93 percent of computers in just the first ten months since its release. According to comScore Media Metrix, approximately 75 percent of online videos viewed worldwide are delivered using Adobe Flash technology, making it the No. 1 format for video on the Web. Major broadcasters and media companies including Disney.com, MLB.com and DIRECTV rely on the Adobe Flash Platform for delivering video on the Web and the platform powers social network sites such as YouTube and MySpace. For more information about the Adobe Flash Platform visit www.adobe.com/flashplatform.

About Adobe Systems Incorporated

Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information – anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

Adobe® and Adobe Flash® ™ are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Source: BusinessWire; the article cited here can be accessed under: http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20091004005070&newsLang=en

For German-only readers, here is the link to Chip Magazine which also offers an article on the issue: http://www.chip.de/news/Flash-Player-10.1-Fuer-alle-Geraete-ausser-dem-iPhone_38325912.html

Can’t wait to pimp my Nokia!

Rewe Feine Welt begleitet von interaktiver POS Installation

, ,

Rewe hat eine neue Eigenmarke eingeführt: Feine Welt

Besondere Köstlichkeiten aus verschiedenen Regionen werden ab sofort unter dieser Subbrand deutschlandweit vertrieben. Für den Webauftritt hierzu war SinnerSchrader verantwortlich.
Google Suchergebnisse leiten aktuell nur auf die Rewe.de, von wo man aus der Rubrik „Feine Welt“ letzlich auf den eigenen „Feine Welt“-Webauftritt kommt, der stark flashlastig ist.

Hier der Link zur Website: Feine Welt

Die gestern gesehene POS Installation könnte auch etwas mehr Interaktivität vertragen:

Rewe Feine Welt

Rewe Feine Welt

Billigfernseher mit ?? – ja keine Ahnung, da lief leider auch nix.
So holt man sicher niemanden hinter dem Ofen vor…

Niagara Falls in Motion

, ,

Time lapse technique and the rare luck of living close to one of America/Canada’s natural sights…

Niagara Falls in Motion from Matthew Wartman on Vimeo.

Mercedes-Benz ermöglicht IAA Live-Talk

, , , ,

Anlässlich der diesjährigen IAA PKW in Frankfurt bietet Mercedes-Benz diesmal auch den „Daheimgebliebenen“ die Möglichkeit sich mit Experten über die Modelle und Techniken auszutauschen. Via Live-Chat können User mit den Moderatoren vor Ort kommunizieren, an Umfragen teilnehmen, Fragen stellen,…
Der IAA Live-Talk ist noch bis einschließlich diesen Mittwoch unter folgender URL zu erreichen:

http://iaa.mercedes-benz.tv/live-talk/

IAA Live Talk

IAA Live Talk

Timberland UK website

, ,

Timberland shoes are timeless.
But also freakin expensive in Germany.
While in the US they charge you $100 for the classic 3 Eye, UK charges GBP 105.00 and Germany crowns it all with an average store price of EUR 150,00.
When checking for the right spelling of the classic 3 Eye, I found out that the UK and US website are quite similar with the tiny difference that the UK offers not only the possibility to send an email to a friend, but also to rate a product, recommend it and even share the link to it on facebook, digg and delicious. Pretty Web 2.0 for a classic brand such as Timberland. The consumer is openly asked for his opinions and level of recommendation.
However, what I did not understand that these features are not offered on the US website. Or did I miss it?

Anyways, check out the UK website of Timberland for yourself to see how it works.

Who said big corporations are slow to adapt to trends

, ,

Please take the time to compare these two videos.

The first here, „Bathtub IV“ is by Keith Loutit and a perfect example of time-lapse and tilt-shift which results in a perfect stop-motion effect.

Bathtub IV from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

Then look at this current Telekom commercial which nicely makes use of this technique. Surprisingly modern for a telecommunications giant such as Deutsche Telekom:

It is not by accident that these two are so similar. Both have been created by Keith Loutit, a master of his craft!

Blogging about harddisk shopping…

, ,

Where to buy an external harddrive when you know you need one?
Usually my purchase decision-making processes are fairly complex. Often more complex than necessary. That’s the fate of many marketing people. Anyways, having bypassed the procedure of realizing a true need, I at once jumped into the phase of searching for the ideal shop. The next big issue. A big electronics chain such as Conrad, Media Markt or Saturn? Or rather an online store? The first offer the opportunity of really being able to hold the product in your hands. That is, if it is unpacked. The „price you pay“? Usually unexperienced personnel with no time always in search for the next shelf to hide behind. I must say I barely shop there because of a constant fear of being fooled by the advertised special offers (which often are attractive, I must admit) while other products cost more than elsewhere. But even if the price seems right, does the product really hold up to the promises of the store clerk? Or is he just trying to sell what the management told him to, for example to get rid of overstock. Decision-making can be a pain in the ass in our culture of affluence. Buy a TV and choose between a hundred different models. Buy an mp3 player and you’ll be overwhelmed by at least 25 models, many many more when shopping online. This is the golden hour of strong brands serving as lighthouses, visible from afar although perhaps equipped just like the others. Take a basic iPod for example. Comparing such a magnitude of products is almost impossible. At least in the store. But there is one feature, one critical advantage of online stores that no clerk can outmatch. The objective and critical opinion of the crowd, of the masses of consumers out there, all searching to maximize their utility given a certain budget they are willing to pay. Recommendations put light into the darkness. They offer personal impressions that are so much closer to everybody’s daily life. They praise good products and positive experiences hoping that when you do good something good might come back to you. And although this system could theoretically be corrupted by companies, in the overall run it can be trusted.
This leads me back to my initial purchase process. I need a new external harddrive.
As time is usually limited, I too, am glad about every simplification and short cut. So it was a reasonable thing to first check Amazon.de for harddrives. The benefits? Good overview of what harddrives currently offer, a good impression of the price level, and user insights on most of the products offered. This eased my choice alot. I barely felt a risk buying a product that with more than 80 recensions received an average of 4,7 stars. Plus free shipping on top. This post is not intended to glorify amazon but it just shows why amazon is so popular and the perfect place to shop for me. At least when it comes to electronics. Amazon is also an example of the democratizizing effect of the internet. It may be easy for a store clerk to fool a pensionist but given the transparency of prices and product evaluations on the internet, the internet gave the consumer one thing: power. Power to quickly access expert knowledge, to easily compare and to look behind the product specifications on the package. May the best platform win!

Vitamin Water activates consumers for new flavor search

, ,

The well-known premium brand Vitamin Water is now using crowdsourcing / social media techniques to identify new flavors. The idea behind this and numerous similar actions to reduce the risk of a failing product innovation. Marketers love to point out the only a small percentage of new products is there to last – most do not survive the test phase.
As it traffic to a corporate website is often only generated by banner ads other forms of buzz, Vitamin Water went straight to where consumers dwell – facebook.
Here Vitamin Water created an implant idea platform in the shape of a facebook application. It allows users to mix given flavors and develop an appropriate design in order to find the next big seller. Fame will not be the only reward here. The winner also receives $5.000 in cash.

Here is more info: link

New 2009 Jaegermeister TV commercial

,

Finally received the link to this new Jaegermeister TV commercial.
Shirtly after the retirement of Rudi and Ralph, Jaegermeister chose a real stag to be featured in this spot.
Enjoy!