July 30, 2009
News to Us: Social Media on the Brain, Yahoo's Mobile Search, Spotify on the iPhone and More
Social Media’s Effect on Learning [AllThingsD]
Research of University of Washington is showing that online social networking actually helps learning processes. The interaction activates certain parts of the brain way more than watching TV, for example.
The Rise of Iran's Citizen Journalists [BBC News]
Armed with cell phones, the Iranians redefined the modern protest movement. These new media habits have integrated into Iran's society, and news sources are relying now on these millions of eyes to keep them informed.
Teens Don’t Tweet; Twitter’s Growth Not Fueled By Youth [Nielsen Wire]
According to new Nielsen research, only 16% of Twitter users are under 24, and a mere 6.6% of teens have even tried it (compared to 12.1% for over 25).
If Microsoft Wants Yahoo’s Mobile Search, They’ll Have To Earn It [mocoNews]
Although Microsoft and Yahoo entered an exclusive search engine relationship, Yahoo retains the right to use other providers for their mobile presence to avoid limitations, as the platform grows and evolves.
QR Code Sand Castle [CScout Japan]
A Toyko-based company build a giant QR code out of sand on a Shonan beach, which was actually readable by most phones. Check it out: Sinap Summer 2009 Project.
Wish Upon a Mobile Phone [textually.org]
For the launch of the Android HTC on Vodafone, Marvellous developed "The Wish Factory": Users describe what they wish their mobile could do, get ranked by others, and one wish will actually be granted.
Death Of Advertising, Birth Of Collaboration? [PSFK]
As the model of one-way advertising is slowly dying, a more collaborative form of marketing is taking shape--from crowd-sourced initiatives to mutual beneficial partnerships.
How Gen-Y Startups Use Social Media to Shatter the Status Quo [Mashable]
By integrating the social media sphere at the basis of their business plans, Gen Y s entrepreneurs are leveraging what they know best, to get them where they want to be.
Spotify Is Already Out For iPhone (Unofficially) [moconews]
Spotify, a streaming music service, has been getting rave reviews in Europe as it tries to make a successful freemium model.They've built an Android app, but there's been doubt as to whether Apple would allow their client onto the iPhone as their unlimited on-demand music could cannibalise the iTunes Store. It seems some have gotten tired of waiting, though, and have jailbroken their phones to load the app.
