Google and the Search for the Future
To some, Google has been looking a bit sallow lately. The stock is down. Where once everything seemed to go the company’s way, along came Apple’s iPhone, launching a new wave of Web growth on a platform that largely bypassed the browser and Google’s search box. The “app” revolution was going to spell an end […]
FCC: Consumers Get Half of Advertised Broadband Speed
The actual download speeds that consumers get are about half of those promised by service providers, according to a report released this week by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. In 2009, U.S. residential consumers subscribed to broadband services with an average and median advertised download speed of 7 Mbps to 8 Mbps, respectively, the FCC […]
The Clock Is Running Out on Net Neutrality
The Federal Communication Commission should act swiftly to protect free access to the Internet and prevent media giants from co-opting the future of the most powerful new medium since the printing press. Incredibly, the FCC asked the corporations who stand to profit most to write rules on how bandwidth will be divvied up. Google and Verizon floated a plan that most […]
Digital Comics Show Potential As Ad Platform
While most mainstream attention at last month’s Comic-Con convention in San Diego was centered on Hollywood stars such as Angelina Jolie, Will Farrell and Sylvester Stallone, comic book publishing executives were taking a close look at the future of their business and the hope that switching to digital will re-energize an industry that’s been stagnant […]
Net Neutrality Is Critical For Innovation
Image via Wikipedia I am glad to see the net neutrality debate raging. As Union Square Ventures and on our personal blogs (AVC, Continuations) we have long been proponents of net neutrality (the USV link is from 2006!). Our own bias here is clear: we are pro-startup and pro-innovation. Both are of course essential to […]
Demystifying Google and Verizon’s Proposed Policy for the Open Internet
Google and Verizon have released a joint public policy proposal for the open Internet outlining how broadband providers can control how their users receive content. The proposal, which was announced earlier today by the companies’ CEOs in a conference call, is meant as a legal framework. It intends to please consumers who want to choose […]
How persuasive is your website’s copy? A simple, five-step checklist
As a web designer, you’re probably accustomed to obsessing over the layout and visual appearance of your designs. And if you’re like most, a site’s content is something you’d rather not worry about. But being able to identify weak web copy allows you to offer greater value to your client. By spotting major problems and […]
Google, Verizon Would Exclude Mobile Web From Rules
Verizon Communications Inc. and Google Inc. urged U.S. regulators to leave wireless-Internet services outside most policies that are designed to prevent carriers from making some Web sites perform better than others. The companies issued a “compromise proposal” for so-called net-neutrality rules. The plan would restrict Internet-service providers from selectively slowing content that travels over their […]
Skype: Fear and loathing in Cupertino, Mountain View
Analysis Skype’s IPO has revealed some interesting nuggets about the voice network provider’s intentions and fears as it looks to make an initial public offering of its shares. Chief among them are its decision to ditch MySpace and expressions of concern about Google and Apple. “We believe that users that have registered through MySpace are […]
Facebook Success Summit 2010: The Web's Largest Online Facebook Marketing Conference Oct 5 – 26th
Facebook Success Summit 2010 is a live online conference designed to help you master Facebook marketing, empowering you to quickly connect with customers (and prospects) using the #1 social network in the world, Facebook. The industry’s leading Facebook pros will show you how. Join 22 experts, including Brian Solis (author, Engage!), Mari Smith (co-author, Facebook Marketing: An Hour a Day), Justin Smith […]
Facebook Success Summit 2010: The Web's Largest Online Facebook Marketing Conference Oct 5 – 26th
Facebook Success Summit 2010 is a live online conference designed to help you master Facebook marketing, empowering you to quickly connect with customers (and prospects) using the #1 social network in the world, Facebook. The industry’s leading Facebook pros will show you how. Join 22 experts, including Brian Solis (author, Engage!), Mari Smith (co-author, Facebook Marketing: An Hour a Day), Justin Smith […]
British Government Rejects IE6 Upgrade Petition
n February 2010, I reported that UK citizens could sign an online petition which demanded Internet Explorer 6 updates across all Government departments. The 6 June deadline has now passed and the Government has posted their response. You won’t be happy — they’re keeping IE6. It’s a shame but we shouldn’t be surprised. The petition […]