Biochemistry of Bomb-Blast Brain Injuries Explained
ByGwyneth Dickey Zakaib of Nature magazine it Parker doesn't just study traumatic brain injury in the lab, he's also seen it at close range while serving in Afghanistan. [More]
ByGwyneth Dickey Zakaib of Nature magazine it Parker doesn't just study traumatic brain injury in the lab, he's also seen it at close range while serving in Afghanistan. [More]
It is Friday, when some bloggers go for lighter fare – like LOLcats! – but others ignore this old blogospheric tradition and post serious stuff instead. [More]
By Ron Cowen of Nature magazine Newly released observations of the top quark — the heaviest of all known fundamental particles — could topple the standard model of particle physics. [More]
Being green when I was in college meant recycling at most. But the students at Butte College in Oroville, California , will go a lot further, thanks to the Central Valley sunshine. [More]
Hacker attacks across the web are getting more sophisticated every day – after all, they have to. With the increased sophistication of anti-virus protection, firewalls, and application-based updates, hackers who want to stay in business …
Anonymous and LulzSec , the two hacker groups responsible for some of the most high-profile cyber attacks of the past year, have issued a defiant statement in the wake of a recent FBI crackdown on the groups. The statement is a direct response to FBI Deputy Assistant Director Steve Chabinsky, who made a statement after the FBI arrested 16 suspected members of Anonymous on Wednesday: “We want to send a message that chaos on the Internet is unacceptable, [even if] hackers can be believed to have social causes, it’s entirely unacceptable to break into websites and commit unlawful acts,” Chabinsky said. Anonymous and LulzSec, responsible for hacking gaming websites , breaching the U.S. Senate’s security and taking down the Sony PlayStation Network , didn’t take kindly to Chabinsky’s words. The groups lashed out in a statement , saying that they find governments lying to citizens and corporations taking advantage of citizens unacceptable. “These governments and corporations are our enemy,” the joint statement proclaimed. “And we will continue to fight them, with all methods we have at our disposal, and that certainly includes breaking into their websites and exposing their lies.” The two groups continued, saying that the threat of arrest is meaningless because an idea cannot be arrested. “It is our mission to help these people and there is nothing — absolutely nothing — you can possibly to do make us stop.” We’ve included the hacker groups’ statement below. Let us know what you think of it in the comments. LulzSec and Anonymous Statement Hello thar FBI and international law authorities, We recently stumbled across the following article with amazement and a certain amount of amusement: http://www.npr.org/2011/07/20/138555799/fbi-arrests-alleged-anonymous-hackers The statements made by deputy assistant FBI director Steve Chabinsky in this article clearly seem to be directed at Anonymous and Lulz Security, and we are happy to provide you with a response. You state: “We want to send a message that chaos on the Internet is unacceptable, [even if] hackers can be believed to have social causes, it’s entirely unacceptable to break into websites and commit unlawful acts.” Now let us be clear here, Mr. Chabinsky, while we understand that you and your colleagues may find breaking into websites unacceptable, let us tell you what WE find unacceptable: * Governments lying to their citizens and inducing fear and terror to keep them in control by dismantling their freedom piece by piece. * Corporations aiding and conspiring with said governments while taking advantage at the same time by collecting billions of funds for federal contracts we all know they can’t fulfil. * Lobby conglomerates who only follow their agenda to push the profits higher, while at the same time being deeply involved in governments around the world with the only goal to infiltrate and corrupt them enough so the status quo will never change. These governments and corporations are our enemy. And we will continue to fight them, with all methods we have at our disposal, and that certainly includes breaking into their websites and exposing their lies. We are not scared any more. Your threats to arrest us are meaningless to us as you cannot arrest an idea. Any attempt to do so will make your citizens more angry until they will roar in one gigantic choir. It is our mission to help these people and there is nothing – absolutely nothing – you can possibly to do make us stop. “The Internet has become so important to so many people that we have to ensure that the World Wide Web does not become the Wild Wild West.” Let me ask you, good sir, when was the Internet not the Wild Wild West? Do you really believe you were in control of it at any point? You were not. That does not mean that everyone behaves like an outlaw. You see, most people do not behave like bandits if they have no reason to. We become bandits on the Internet because you have forced our hand. The Anonymous bitchslap rings through your ears like hacktivism movements of the 90s. We’re back – and we’re not going anywhere. Expect us. More About: anonymous , FBI , hackers , lulzsec , security For more Tech & Gadgets coverage: Follow Mashable Tech & Gadgets on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook Subscribe to the Tech & Gadgets channel Download our free apps for Android , Mac , iPhone and iPad
The Modern Media Agency Series is supported by IDG . The smartphone is quickly overtaking the cellphone and tablet use is growing. Those statistics were found from the 14,000 that participated in the IDG Global survey . To view the worldwide survey with slides, click here . Social media has fundamentally changed the way agencies work. In a recent interview with Mashable , Razorfish’s Grant Owens predicted that agencies will become much smaller — hiring more generalists and less specialists. As the technology and client expectations continue to advance, agencies — PR, marketing, media and advertising — will continue to evolve. Will companies become leaner or will they need to staff up? What does that mean for campaign costs and hiring trends? We asked three people from different types of agencies to offer their viewpoints: Rachel Kay, president, RKPR Todd Defren, principal, SHIFT Communications David Griner, director of digital content, Luckie & Company Though we’re already working harder, longer and faster, some experts predict agencies will become leaner because companies will hire people who can execute multiple aspects of a campaign. Do you agree with this assessment? Why or why not? Rachel Kay : A decade ago agencies were much more focused in their service offerings, so wearing multiple hats within an organization was a lot less common. As PR people, we created the communication, the creative agency did the artwork and the media buying agency handled the ad buy. Today, agencies are finding it’s more lucrative to own as much of a campaign as possible, and having talent who can take ideas through fruition is definitely more coveted. In addition, there’s a lot more grey area in terms of where things like social media content development reside. It’s really up for grabs if your agency has the talent to execute. So, I’d argue that brands are becoming leaner in terms of resources, while agencies are actually expanding the breadth of their service offerings. Todd Defren : I see little evidence of this concept. While it’s true that we’re working longer/harder/faster, the number of people required to execute across varied campaigns has only grown. Quite honestly, the more success a company has in social media, the more ambitious they become and the higher the expectation from consumers. Thus, we see demands for more community managers, more writers, more producers, etc. David Griner : Personally, I think this is a golden age for mid-sized agencies, which were said to be dying just a few short years ago. Agencies like ours have never had the luxury of abundant staffing, so we’ve had to focus on assembling a team big enough to manage all our client work, but cross-talented enough to leave plenty of room for growth. But larger shops could definitely shed some weight as “specialized” fields like social media marketing become standard marketing practices. If agencies do become more streamlined, what does this mean for campaign costs? Will brands be able to capitalize on an economy of scale because teams will consist of a few people who can “do it all” instead of having a larger group of people with specialized skill-sets? “Today, agencies are finding it’s more lucrative to own as much of a campaign as possible.” Rachel Kay : In this new landscape, brands and companies are able to enjoy reduced campaign costs because agencies are able to offer more in terms of skill. For example, we are a PR agency, but we’ve run significant Facebook advertising campaigns for our clients that we can fold into an affordable retainer that complements our existing communication efforts. That way, our clients aren’t at the mercy of hiring a separate agency to handle something that is very communication-based in nature. In addition, companies are choosing more online-driven campaigns, which tend to be less costly than something like an extensive street team effort. Todd Defren : Again, I see little evidence of this trend. Those smaller teams you suggest are being created will not be scalable to help more than one or two clients. Thus the perceived economies of scale are lost, as agencies of this type are forced to charge more, along the supply and demand curve. David Griner : I personally doubt that clients will see a noticeable amount of savings if agencies streamline. A 100-hour project will still take 100 hours, whether it’s being done by five people or 25 people. Where you’ll see noticeable improvement is in the level of interaction you’re able to have with agency staffers assigned to your project. Having fewer people assigned to your project means better day-to-day workflow and institutional memory, but the downside is obviously the loss of potential expertise. What kinds of people are today’s agencies hiring: generalists or specialists? What other trends are you seeing? Rachel Kay : I think larger agencies have the ability to hire more specialists as opposed to smaller agencies, which need people who can operate across multiple tactics. I really prefer employees who can think about communication strategically, but have the knowledge to execute multiple elements of a program, ensuring every part of the campaign is cohesive and integrated. However, it’s definitely clear that many agencies are choosing to separate traditional and digital departments. I can see this shift continuing for the next several years, but as more and more marketing moves online, those gaps will have to close once again, as everyone will need to be dialed into the digital and mobile spaces. Todd Defren : More generalists are being hired in great numbers, but there will always be niche opportunities for specialists. One issue for specialists: Technology is getting easier and easier, and expectations of quality are getting lower. Thus a project that might have required a professional videographer may now be covered off by a generalist with an iPhone or FlipCam and some cheap editing software. “Depth” is expensive, and to your earlier point, clients tend to look for economies versus sophistication. David Griner : Generalists — or at least the truly multi-talented — will always be in high demand as strategists, content creators and agency leaders. They’re insatiably curious, eager to experiment and ‘media neutral’ enough to avoid getting stuck in a rut. How is your agency changing? Let us know in the comments below. Series Supported by IDG The Modern Media Agency Series is supported by IDG . IDG Global Survey Finds Smartphones and Tablet Use Rising Rapidly. Consumers are ditching their traditional cellphones for smartphones. An IDG Global Solutions (IGS) survey found that smartphones are used by more than two-thirds of the almost 14,000 participants worldwide. Tablet ownership — overwhelmingly the iPad — has reached 20%. Click here to find out the mobile momentum. Image courtesy of iStockphoto , francisblack More About: ad agency , Agency , Luckie and Company , Modern Media Agency Series , Razorfish , RKPR , shift communications , social media agency For more Media coverage: Follow Mashable Media on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook Subscribe to the Media channel Download our free apps for Android , Mac , iPhone and iPad
Microsoft posted record fourth-quarter and full-year revenues despite sluggish sales of Windows and PCs, which were impacted by Apple ’s iPad and iPad 2. Microsoft reported Q4 revenues of $17.4 billion, an 8% jump over the same quarter in 2010. Revenues for its fiscal year, which ended June 30, were also a record $69.9 billion, up 12% from fiscal 2010. The company’s net income for the quarter was $5.87 billion. For the year, it was $23.2 billion. Those were increases of 30% and 23%, respectively. Bright spots for fiscal 2011 included the Microsoft Business Division, which grew its revenues 16% for the year, and Server & Tools, which expanded 11%. Online Services revenues also jumped 15%, driven by the growth of Bing , the company’s search engine. Entertainment & Devices grew its revenues 45% for the year thanks to the successful Kinect introduction and continued strong sales for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live. On the other hand, Windows and Windows Live revenues fell 2% for the year even though Windows 7 sold more than 400 million licenses. Microsoft estimates that sales of PCs to consumers fell 1% for the fiscal year, though sales of PCs to businesses rose 11%. The company’s earnings compare unfavorably with Apple’s Q3 earnings , which were also announced this week. Apple’s quarterly revenues hit a record $28.57 billion and earnings were another record at $7.31 billion. Apple sold 9.25 million iPads during the quarter, an increase of 183% compared to the same period in 2010. Mac sales also jumped 14%. Meanwhile, Apple and Microsoft aren’t the only ones recording record quarters — Intel and Google also broke records this month. More About: apple , Google , intel , ipad , iPad 2 , kinect , microsoft , Windows , xbox For more Business & Marketing coverage: Follow Mashable Business & Marketing on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook Subscribe to the Business & Marketing channel Download our free apps for Android , Mac , iPhone and iPad
Mac OS X Lion has been downloaded more than one million times in its first day of release. Lion is the first Mac OS X release to be available exclusively through the Mac App Store . According to Apple, OS X Lion is selling faster than any other OS release in Apple’s history. Available for just $29.99, Lion adds new features like multi-touch gesture support, auto-save and auto-resume features and updated performance and usability features under the hood. SEE ALSO: HOW TO: Do a Clean Install of OS X Lion It’s been a successful week for Apple. Not only did the company report record earnings , it also released updated versions of the MacBook Air , Mac mini and Apple Cinema Display . For those that haven’t taken the upgrade plunge, be sure to check out our guides for preparing your Mac for Lion and doing a clean install . More About: apple , lion , mac os x lion , mac software , OS X Lion , trending For more Tech & Gadgets coverage: Follow Mashable Tech & Gadgets on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook Subscribe to the Tech & Gadgets channel Download our free apps for Android , Mac , iPhone and iPad
A new interactive Google doodle has appeared on Google.com, honoring artist Alexander Calder, who is known for inventing the mobile. As you click and drag with your mouse, the various sections of the mobile move around. According to the official Google Blog , it’s the first doodle Google’s made that uses HTML5 Canvas , so its creators recommend that you use “a modern browser.” We noticed the interactive animation works on Google ‘s Chrome 12 browser, but not on Firefox 5.0 or Internet Explorer 9. We’re also seeing reports that the animation causes a crash in Firefox on Linux , so if that’s your browser, you might want to avoid this doodle. Note that others are reporting these browsers are able to display the animation. Best way to find out if yours works is to go to Google.com and try it. SEE ALSO: Google’s Musical Doodle Lives On — On Its Own Web Page According to Google software engineer Jered Wierzbicki, “It runs a physics simulation on the mobile’s geometry, and then does realtime 3D rendering with vector graphics. Only recently have browsers advanced to the point where this is possible.” It’s a graceful work of art that the Googlers have created here, with pieces of the mobile interacting with each other and with your cursor, just the way a mobile in the physical world would work. Notice the additional, subtle detail — the mobile’s shadow on the “floor” underneath. Brilliant. Alexander Calder , who died in 1976, would have been 113 today. Here are some other animated Google doodles you’ll enjoy: The Christmas Google Doodle Each package gets larger with a mouse-over, and a click on it returns search results pertinent to a specific country or the particular items featured in a scene. This one is from December 24, 2010. Charlie Chaplin Google Doodle The Google Doodle team stars in an homage to the silent film era’s greatest star’s 122nd birthday, April 15, 2011. Google Logo Repelled by Cursor This one’s done in HTML5 and was published Sept. 7, 2010. To get the full effect, here’s one you can interact with . John Lennon Google Doodle This Doodle commemorated John Lennon’s 70th birthday in October 2010. Martha Graham Debuting May 10, 2011, this Google Doodle marks dance choreographer Martha Graham’s birthday. Robert Bunsen Commemorated the birthday of the inventor of the Bunsen burner, German chemist Robert Bunsen on March 31, 2011. Thomas Edison The great inventor’s birthday was honored on February 11, 2011. Independence Day Marking Independence Day 2010. Pac-Man’s 30th Anniversary A real crowd pleaser was this playable Pac-Man game, which appeared on May 21. 2010. Here’s a playable version . Check out the latest Google doodle at Google.com . More About: Alexander Calder , animation , Calder , google doodle , interactive doodles , trending For more Tech & Gadgets coverage: Follow Mashable Tech & Gadgets on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook Subscribe to the Tech & Gadgets channel Download our free apps for Android , Mac , iPhone and iPad
Welcome to this morning’s edition of “First To Know,” a series in which we keep you in the know on what’s happening in the digital world. We’re keeping our eyes on six particular stories of interest today. 20 Million Join Google+ in 3 Weeks, Data Suggests 20 million people have joined Google+ in the three weeks since its launch, according to data from comScore . Verizon Announces New CEO, Earnings Verizon announced strong Q2 2011 earnings Friday morning, as well as a new CEO . Apple To Buy Hulu? Apple could be considering the purchase of popular online video service Hulu, according to “two people who weren’t authorized to speak publicly.” OSX Lion Tops 1 Million Downloads in 24 Hours Mac OS X Lion has been downloaded more than 1 million times since its release Wednesday. Microsoft Posts Record Revenues Despite Soft Windows Sales Microsoft posted record fourth-quarter and full-year revenues despite sluggish sales of Windows and PCs, which were impacted by Apple’s iPad and iPad 2. Skype Teases In-Call Ads Speaking at the Fortune Brainstorm Tech conference in Aspen, Skype CEO Tony Bates discussed ways he might monetize the popular Internet phone service, including in-call advertising . Further News Google has released its first Google Doodle built using HTML 5 Canvas to honor artist Alexander Calder. Anonymous and LulzSec, the two hacker groups responsible for some of the most high-profile cyber attacks of the past year, have issued a defiant statement in the wake of a recent FBI crackdown on the groups. Google and Facebook both spent more money on lobbyists this quarter than they ever have before, according to recently released disclosure documents. Etsy has named a new CEO. Image courtesy of iStockphoto , DNY59 More About: first to know series For more Business & Marketing coverage: Follow Mashable Business & Marketing on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook Subscribe to the Business & Marketing channel Download our free apps for Android , Mac , iPhone and iPad
Nokia reported abysmal Q2 2011 results on Thursday: a $693 million operating loss and a 20% year-over-year decline in net sales. Such a poor quarter is likely the result of continued weakness in smartphone sales as Nokia prepares to switch to Microsoft’s smartphone platform, Windows Phone 7 . Nokia did poorly in segments of its business other than smartphones too; for example, featurephone net sales saw a 20% year-over-year decline in Q2. “The challenges we are facing during our strategic transformation manifested in a greater than expected way in Q2 2011,” said Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, adding that he believes that the company is still making “better-than-expected” progress toward its goals. “While our Q2 results were clearly disappointing, we are executing well on the initiatives that are most important to our longer term competitiveness,” said Elop. Nokia initially said its first WP7 phones would be available in 2012, but the company has now pushed the pace a bit with plans to launch the first WP7 devices in the European market by the end of 2011. Still, it will take at least two more painful quarters until Nokia sees any positive effect from WP7 smartphone sales. More About: business , financial results , loss , Nokia , smartphone , windows phone 7 For more Business & Marketing coverage: Follow Mashable Business & Marketing on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook Subscribe to the Business & Marketing channel Download our free apps for Android , Mac , iPhone and iPad
Electrolux, Kenmore, and LG, are among the first recipients for the new rating, which will be given to the top 5 percent of products in a handful of product categories.
As part of a global recycling campaign, a humanoid-robot-looking creature is showing up at random Beijing post offices to inspire people to turn in their old handsets. Originally posted at Crave
General Motors and OnStar will launch a real-world pilot of smart-grid solutions for electric vehicles this year. The smart grid will increase energy efficiency and offer lower charging costs to customers. Originally posted at The Car Tech blog
Nissan Tennessee plant will produce motors for the Leaf electric vehicle. … … “The Decherd plant expansion is being funded with a loan from the U.S. Department of Energy to encourage advanced technology …” … Via AP: Nissan Plant . The Nissan Leaf electric car . Nissan Leaf zero emission vehicle .
(click for larger image and for full slideshow)The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) has fired off a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging that more money be spent on expanding telecommunications services, which will boost telemedicine projects at rural healthcare facilities. The letter, which was sent last week to FCC chairman Julius Genachowski, noted [...]
Computer centers typically do not employ many people to tend the machines, but analysts estimate that tens of thousands of jobs will most likely be eliminated. The federal government is the largest buyer of information technology in the world, spending about $80 billion a year. The Obama administration, in plans detailed Wednesday, is taking aim [...]
Energy leader focuses on smart grid Laura Manz leverages her engineering background to further the development of the smart grid with intelligence that uses history, real-time data, and forecasting algorithms to manage electricity supply and demand. … … “Manz is overseeing the company’s growth in the west through strategic partnerships among the education, commercial, and [...]
(click image for larger view and for slideshow)Federal agencies will be required to report more detailed information about their IT investments online as part of the Obama administration’s IT reform plan, according to new requirements by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released this week. The move is a significant development for the administration’s [...]
Opinion » Bloggingheads: Debt-Ceiling Denialism Michelle Goldberg of The Daily Beast and Michael Brendan Dougherty of The American Conservative on mistrust of experts. Online Game For Kids Bible Islands is a safe and protected online virtual world fora kids. It is a series of fun adventures and games that is ever expanding and developing, filled [...]
Nokia’s first Windows Phone 7 handset, codenamed Sea Ray, was captured in a in a minute-and-a-half long video running Microsoft’s mobile operating system. Nokia still has a long, hard road ahead before it actually releases a WP7 device, but it’s making progress, perhaps even faster than expected given this new video. The video, unearthed by [...]
(click image for larger view)A group apparently taking a page out of the LulzSec playbook claims to have broken into the network of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and stolen sensitive information it plans to post online. The Crazies–which like Anonymous, AntiSec, and the now-defunct LulzSec hacking groups–said it is politically motivated to act [...]
The agreement between Baidu and One-Stop China, a joint venture between the Universal Music Group, the Warner Music Group and Sony BMG, will shut down access to a vast amount of pirated music and promises to broadly reshape the way China’s 450 million Web users gain access to online music. The country has long been [...]
I.B.M., which turned 100 last month, delivered better-than-expected quarterly results Monday that showed the old company had a lot of life in it. The company got a lift from robust sales of new models of mainframes — I.B.M.’s heritage — while its biggest current businesses, software and services, generated healthy growth as well. The company [...]
It’s broiling hot in Cairo’s Tahrir Square. For the second time in a year, furious Egyptians have packed the epicenter of this year’s revolution against Hosni Mubarak, trying to regain their stalled momentum from reactionary forces in the military. Once again, Ahmed Maher, a top social media activist, is in the thick of it — [...]
Likely due to issues around governance and funding, growth in private health information exchanges has far outstripped that in public exchanges, according to a new report, Health Information Exchanges: Rapid Growth in an Evolving Market, by healthcare vendor monitoring firm KLAS. Since 2010, the number of live public health information exchanges rose from 37 to [...]
That is the premise for the webcam that a top government official here has installed in his office, as an anticorruption experiment. Goings-on in his chamber are viewable to the public, 24/7. In an India beset by kickback scandals at the highest reaches of government, and where petty bribes at police stations and motor vehicle [...]
The Nissan Leaf scores the best fuel economy of 2011 cars, according to the EPA. (Credit: Nissan) Looking through the EPA listings for 2011 model year cars, we picked out the most fuel efficient and compared them by a few different data points. Topping the EPA list is the 2011 Nissan Leaf, with its massive [...]
The FIFA Women’s World Cup set two new records for number of tweets sent per second on Sunday. The final game, between USA and Japan, set the new all-time high with 7,196 per second at the end of the game. The Paraguay vs. Brazil game is the new number-two spot with 7,166 tweets per second, [...]
Editor’s note: This guest post is written by Tom Anderson, the former President, founder and first friend on MySpace. You can now find Tom on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ Google is an algorithm driven-company. “PageRank” (named after Larry Page himself) was the “founding algorithm” of Google—the one that gave it superior search results, and eventually led to Google “winning” [...]
Already using Google+? Follow Mashable News for the latest about the platform’s new features, tips and tricks as well as our top social media and technology updates. Google+ hit the news feeds like a strategic and popular ton of bricks. But we haven’t stopped there. In addition to breaking news, Mashable has provided how-tos and [...]
Although watching TV shows from the 1970s suggests otherwise, the era wasn’t completely devoid of all things resembling modern communication systems. Sure, the 50 Kbps modems that the ARPANET ran on were the size of refrigerators, and the widely used Bell 103 modems only transferred 300 bits per second. But long distance digital communication was [...]
Already using Google+? Follow Mashable News for the latest about the platform’s new features, tips and tricks as well as our top social media and technology updates. Google+: It’s the hot social network on the block. In just three weeks, Google’s competitor to Facebook and Twitter has amassed more than 10 million users, and its [...]
In a test in Southern California, a farm vertical-axis turbines spaced close together generated more power per area than traditional turbines. (Credit: John Dabiri/Caltech) Typically, cost is the driving concern when choosing one renewable energy technology over another. But a pair of studies that consider land use give the edge to niche forms of solar [...]
Entering the working world with a degree and a smile can be a daunting task for many a student, which is why LinkedIn has added new profile sections specifically targeted toward students. Now, future interns can add a variety of accomplishments to their profile, letting prospective employers know that they have more experience and expertise than “worked as a historical re-enactor.” New profile sections include: projects, honors and awards, organizations, test scores and courses. Students can add these sections by going to their profiles in edit mode and clicking the “add sections” bar. Just remember to update your profile a couple of years down the line, kids. No one needs to know you aced that Human Sexuality final when you’re out in what John Mayer calls “ the real world .” More About: linkedin , students For more Social Media coverage: Follow Mashable Social Media on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook Subscribe to the Social Media channel Download our free apps for Android , Mac , iPhone and iPad
Matt Fiorentino is the director of marketing for Visible Measures . Previously, Matt was a freelance journalist for the Associated Press, The Dayton Daily News, and The American Magazine. He lives with his wife in Newton, Massachusetts. With Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 hitting theaters this Friday, this weekend marks the end of a magical era. Part 2 is the last in the storied series, which has brought in more than $6.4 billion worldwide to date, according to Variety , making it the highest-grossing franchise in history. Suffice to say, box office expectations are high. Now, as we look to the weekend, the question is: Will Harry work his magic once again? We turn to online video for the answer. SEE ALSO: Harry Potter and the Social Media Surge In online video, audiences can choose to watch whatever they want, whenever and however they like. In anticipation of a film, audiences will choose to watch multiple trailers, behind-the-scenes clips, interviews with the actors, and more. This provides us with a good indication of how the film will perform at the box office. Those types of online videos based on past Potter movies have fared very well. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince generated more than 70 million views when it was released in 2009 while The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 generated more than 85 million last year. By comparison, The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 has conjured up fewer than 50 million total views. Does this mean that Part 2 is doomed at the box office? Let’s take a closer look. The Deathly Hallows is unique in the Potter series because it’s the only book that was divided into two films. Trailers for Part 1 generated significant interest when they first surfaced. Part 2 is, obviously, a continuation of Part 1 , which may have affected viewership as trailers began rolling out. This unique dynamic between the films gave Part 1 a head start on Part 2 , and, because of this, likely captured the majority of views for the pair of films. At two months prior to its release, Part 1 had already generated more than 50 million views. Part 2 had 14 million views at the same point in its release cycle. Things seem to have changed in the final month before release, though, when promotions really kick in and audiences begin searching for what’s hitting theaters in earnest. Here, Part 2 is looking to be equal to the sequel. The Half-Blood Prince scored 10.9 million views in its final month of promotion before going on to make $77 million its opening weekend. The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 grabbed 22.2 million views before taking home $125 million. Part 2 has seen 20.3 million views in its last month leading up to release. What does this mean for Part 2 ‘s opening weekend box office? Part 2 has already made more than $32 million in domestic advanced ticket sales, the most for any film in history, according to Variety . A midnight showing early Friday took in $43.5 million at the midnight box office in North America — the biggest midnight opening of all time. Variety also reports that Part 2 will play at 4,375 locations, making it the franchise’s widest launch. The film will release in IMAX theaters and be available in 3D, both tickets coming at a premium. The combination of high views, pricey tickets for 3D and IMAX showings and a massive number of locations bode well for Harry’s final bow at the box office. Chances are, it will top its predecessor and surpass $125 million this weekend, a solid closing act for a franchise that has adapted well to the social media age. More About: harry potter and the deathly hallows part 2 , Movies , video , visible measures , web video , youtube For more Media coverage: Follow Mashable Media on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook Subscribe to the Media channel Download our free apps for Android , Mac , iPhone and iPad
Jerry Seinfeld is now a member of the Twitterati, sending his first two tweets out this Friday. The famous comedian and actor has chosen @SeinTime as his new Twitter handle. His first tweet reads, “Greetings Tweetarians! I have just landed on your Planet. This could be my last Tweet.” He followed that up with, “Second Tweet! Am I done yet?” While the account has not officially been verified by Twitter yet, The New York Times confirmed with one of Seinfeld’s representatives that @SeinTime is the real deal. “It’s really Jerry. The day we’ve all been waiting for,” the rep told NYT . Seinfeld apparently changed his mind about Twitter in recent weeks. In May, he stated that tweeting didn’t interest him . Perhaps his wife, @JessSeinfeld , helped change his mind. Since joining, Seinfeld has amassed more than 25,000 followers, and that number is quickly growing. He joins a list of other famous comedians to embrace the service, including Conan O’Brien , who has turned himself into the master of the 140-character punchline. More About: jerry seinfeld , Seinfeld , twitter For more Social Media coverage: Follow Mashable Social Media on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook Subscribe to the Social Media channel Download our free apps for Android , Mac , iPhone and iPad
The disclosure came as the Pentagon released a strategy for military operations in cyberspace, embodying a belief that traditional passive programs for defending military and associated corporate data systems are insufficient in an era when espionage, crime, disruptions and outright attacks are increasingly carried out over the Internet. In releasing the strategy, William J. Lynn [...]
July 14 – Clay Morgan, senior tech analyst at Benchmark, discusses Google’s second-quarter earnings and CEO Larry Page’s comments on the company’s conference call. View post:Tech analyst Clay Moran discusses Google earnings call Online Game For Kids Bible Islands is a safe and protected online virtual world fora kids. It is a series of fun [...]
collage by the author Arizona’s renewables standard requires 15 percent of the state’s power to come from renewable sources by 2025 and 30 percent of that must come from distributed sources like rooftop solar. To meet the standard’s annually escalating requirements, Arizona’s utilities offer one-time, ratepayer-funded per-watt payments in addition to the 30 percent federal [...]
The Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark. If you would like to have your startup considered for inclusion, please see the details here. Name: GoJee Quick Pitch: GoJee curates recipes from blogs and makes them searchable by ingredient. Genius Idea: Beautiful photos and a [...]
The scientists, led by Betsy Sparrow, an assistant professor of psychology at Columbia, wondered whether people were more likely to remember information that could be easily retrieved from a computer, just as students are more likely to recall facts they believe will be on a test. Dr. Sparrow and her collaborators, Daniel M. Wegner of [...]
(click image for larger view)The United States plans to start regularly sharing cybersecurity information with Russia as part of the Obama administration’s efforts to re-establish closer ties to that country and clear up misconceptions surrounding the two nations’ cyber policies. Cybersecurity officials from both countries met last month to discuss policy coordination at a Russian [...]
EA Sports and PopCap GamesNCAA Football 12 by EA Sports and Plants vs. Zombies by PopCap. 8:24 p.m. | Updated A deal by Electronic Arts to bolster its presence in the mobile and casual gaming industry could be its biggest acquisition yet. The company said on Tuesday that it had agreed to buy PopCap Games, [...]
Welcome to this morning’s edition of “First To Know,” a series in which we keep you in the know on what’s happening in the digital world. We’re keeping our eyes on three particular stories of interest today. Klout Factors in Foursquare Checkins Klout, the startup that measures the influence of social media users, has just [...]
(Credit: Ford) Ford Motor today announced it has combined rubber from more than 2.2 million pounds of recycled tires with other material, such as soybean oil, to produce what it says are environmentally friendly gaskets and seals for new cars. Teaming up with Detroit-based supplier Recycled Polymeric Materials, Ford has turned 210,000 used tires and [...]
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Related News CyPhy Works whips up $1.2M in new funding [July 11, 2011] Mobile app startup Floop finds early funding [July 11, 2011] Zoll dealing with FDA letter about defib battery life [July 11, 2011] Merrimack Pharmaceuticals aiming for $172.5M IPO [July 11, 2011] Stealthy Gridco sparks to life with $12M financing [July 11, 2011] [...]
Pew ResearchPew Research asked adult Americans to describe how they feel about their smartphone, which is illustrated in the word cloud above. Every few months a new report comes out showing the rapid adoption of smartphones, and the decline of their ordinary mobile counterparts. The latest report was issued Monday by the Pew Research Center [...]
