Facebook announces new features on the mobile front

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Today Facebook’s Mark Zuckerburg hosted a “mobile event” at Facebook HQ in California.  Almost immediately Zuckerberg shot down rumors of a Facebook cell phone–rats!  What they really called the press event for was to express their interest in “making mobile more social.”  Let’s breakdown the new Facebook app enhancements.

(1) Single sign on. This makes logging into your FB account in multiple apps a snap, as long as the developer incorporates the FB single sign on API inside their app.  Here’s how it works: Once you log into the FB app on your phone, you can then log in to any other app that supports single sign on without typing in your username and password.  No more tedious typing, no more worrying about forgetting your password.  The following Android apps support single sign on today: Flixster, Groupon, Loopt, SCVNGR, Yelp, and Zynga Poker.  These updated apps will make their way to the iPhone “soon.”  And loads more are on the way.  (video demonstration)

(2) Location APIs. This one is directed towards the developer community, but it will result in significant upgrades for users.  Today Facebook has opened up all three location APIs for developers: read where your friends are; write and publish check-ins; search for relevant places.  Up until now, mobile users could only see in the news feed people checking into locations using Places only.  Now that developers have access to the location APIs, they can make their apps support Facebook location notifications.  For example, now you can check into a location using Foursquare, Loopt, or Yelp (and many others) and this information will show up on your mobile and desktop news feed.  In other words, Places can now be integrated into third party apps so users can see and interact with their FB friends within other apps.

(3) Deals platform. Facebook has teamed up with many local businesses to provide users with a new “deals platform.”  Here’s how it works.  With Places users can sign in to locations (ie. a restuarant) and share where you are with friends and see which of your friends might be nearby.  The updated version of Places incorporates deals notifications.  Local business will be able to offer users deals when you check in to their place using FB on your phone.  Now when you search for nearby places a yellow icon will appear next to those places that are offering deals.  Click the yellow icon to view the deal, check in to Places to claim it, and then show it to the cashier to receive your discount.  Note that these deals run on the merchant side, not Facebook.  There are four type of deals: “individual deals for a discount, free merchandise or other reward; friend deals where you and your friends claim an offer together; loyalty deals for being a frequent visitor to a place; and charity deals where businesses pledge to donate to a cause when you check in.  Business like Chipotle, Gap, and McDonald’s are already supporting the deals platform.  Click here to view the current list supporters.  Deals works on the Facebook for iPhone app and at touch.facebook.com on other mobile devices.  (video demonstration)

In addition to these three major announcements, Zuckerberg also set aside time to discuss software updates to the Android and iPhone version of the Facebook app.  The Android 1.4 update brings Places and Groups to the app and a refresh to the notifications application.  Facebook says, “Clicking on a notification now won’t send you off to the browser.  Instead, as long as that notification has an appropriate destination within the application itself, you will be taken there.”  Score!  The iPhone 3.3 update brings Deals and Groups to the app, along with a starred friends list in Places and a new Photos composer.  Both free updates are available to download right now.

[Via FacebookBlog, here & here]

Flash comes to iPhone in Skyfire browser [Update: sold out?; Update 2: it’s back]

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Somehow, someway Skyfire has managed to clear its mobile Skyfire browser–Flash support and all–through the Apple gates and into the App Store.  As detailed in early September, Skyfire does not actually run Flash video; instead it trancodes the content using Skyfire’s servers from Flash to HTML5.  So if you’ve been looking for a Flash fix on your iOS device here’s your $3 solution.

Note: The Webkit-based browser will not support all Internet Flash content; for example, Flash games and apps are not supported, and Hulu content is blocked.  Skyfire promises that “scores of other premium sites are supported”, so stay hopeful!  Look after the break for an updated video demonstration.

Update: An app can’t be “sold out”, can it?  According to Skyfire: “The user experience was performing well for the first few hours, but as the surge continued, the peak load on our servers and bandwidth caused the video experience to degrade.  Thus we are effectively ‘sold out’ and will temporarily not accept new purchases from the App Store.  We are working really hard to increase capacity and will be accepting new purchases from the App Store as soon as we can support it.”  Ah, that explains it.  Keep tabs on their Facebook and Twitter accounts for updates on the matter.

Update 2 (11/5): In a short blog post Skyfire CEO Jeff Glueck assures iOS users that “we’re working around the clock to add capacity for more users.”  And here are the specifics: “We are going to open batches of downloads for new users over the coming days. The first batch will be in a few minutes on the Apple App Store. It will be first come, first serve.”  The first batches are coming to the US only, “with additional country support to follow shortly.”

[Via Engadget] Continue reading Flash comes to iPhone in Skyfire browser [Update: sold out?; Update 2: it’s back] →

Get ready for some ‘Undercovers’ mythos starting this week

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It’s no secret that NBC has renewed all of its new fall programming except for Undercovers.  Instead of being handed the back nine safety net, this procedural drama received additional scripts, not episodes.  TV Guide has uncovered exciting news surrounding the program with potential.  Undercovers, the spy series from partners J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias) and Josh Reims (Felicity), premiered with a rocky start.  The most recent episode netted 5.4 million viewers; the show is no runaway success (surprising news for Abrams fans all over).  With unexceptional ratings and no full season order happening just yet, Reims and company need to prove that this show is worth keeping on the airwaves.  And they’re going to do that by injecting some compelling mythos into the storyline.

Before Undercovers premiered, Reims and Abrams discussed their ultimate plan for the show.  We know Abrams is all about mythology (re: Fringe, Lost, Alias), but Reims did not want to make the show difficult or confusing for casual viewers to tune into every week.  So they decided to structure the show with a procedural backbone.  But with the recent rating slump, Reims suddenly had a change of heart.  Mythology is coming, and it involves digging to the Blooms’ past.

Spills star Boris Kodjoe: “The mythology is represented by Shaw and his boss, and the plan they have for the Blooms.  Every episode we find out new elements and new aspects about this master plan that was in place even before they came back to the CIA.”  Reims adds: “They’re kind of upset that they were sent into this dangerous field without knowing the exact reason why they were there.  So that lights a fire underneath them to find out what those real reasons are.”

Kodjoe and Reims are hopeful the next round of episodes will captivate and invest viewers.  “Audiences are not to be underestimated”, says Kodjoe. We want to be entertained and there has to be some sense of escapism.  On the other hand, people want to be challenged.  I think that’s part of the reason they made that adjustment.  Obviously we want to challenge our audience and make sure they stay with us.”  Reims: “Obviously, we would have liked for [the network] to say, ‘Go ahead and shoot your back nine episodes,’ but I understand our ratings aren’t exactly going through the roof.  I’m hoping that when they see the episodes that are airing in the next few weeks, plus the scripts they are going to get, they’ll realize, ‘Oh, wow there’s a lot going on in this show and we don’t want to give up on it yet.'”  Me too.

The new storyline promises to take one step back away from the Blooms’ domestic life and dive more into their spy missions.  And guess who’s playing Shaw’s boss?  That’s right–Alan Dale (Lost‘s Charles Widmore).

If you’re not watching Undercovers you should be.  It’s an exhilarating, smart, and sexy thrill ride that features exotic locales and fun spy missions, and not to mention witty, hilarious dialogue.  With the introduction of some mythos, things will only get better from here.  It airs Wednesday nights at 8PM on NBC.  Tell your friends.

Update: You clearly did not tell your friends.  NBC cancelled the show.

[Via TVGuide; IGN]

George W. Bush responds to Kanye West’s racist remark, Kanye brings it full circle

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Remember way back in 2004 when Kanye West said “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” during a nationally televised Hurricane Katrina relief program?  Six years later the former president is ready to share his thoughts on matter.  In an interview with Matt Lauer promoting his book Decision Points, W. called the racist incident “was one of the most disgusting moments in my presidency.”  He went on, “He called me a racist.  And I didn’t appreciate it then.  I don’t appreciate it now.  It’s one thing to say, ‘I don’t appreciate the way he’s handled his business.’ It’s another thing to say, ‘This man’s a racist.’  I resent it, it’s not true.”

During the taped interviewed which airs November 8 on NBC, Lauer reads aloud from the upcoming book: ‘Five years later I can barely write those words without feeling disgust.  I faced a lot of criticism as president.  I didn’t like hearing people claim that I lied about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction or cut taxes to benefit the rich.  But the suggestion that I was racist because of the response to Katrina represented an all-time low.’  Bush goes on to say that at the time this was the worst moment in his presidency.  (Really now?)  Final choice quotes.  Lauer: “You’re not saying that the worst moment in your presidency was watching the misery in Louisiana.  You’re saying it was when someone insulted you because of that.”  Bush: “No, and I also make it clear that the misery in Louisiana affected me deeply as well.  There’s a lot of tough moments in the book.  And it was a disgusting moment, pure and simple.”

One day after these quotes leaked Kanye called up a Houston radio station to bring things full circle.  “I definitely can understand the way he feels, to be accused of being a racist in any way, because the same thing happened to me, where I got accused of being a racist,” Kanye said.  “For both situations, it was basically a lack of compassion that America felt in that situation.  With him, it was a lack of compassion of him not rushing, him not taking the time to rush down to New Orleans.  For me, it was a lack of compassion of cutting someone off in their moment.  But nonetheless, I think we’re all quick to pull a race card in America.  And now I’m more open, and the poetic justice that I feel, to have went through the same thing that he went [through] — and now I really more connect with him on just a humanitarian level.”

There’s the new Kanye for ya.  Having lived through the Taylor Swift incident has taught the rapper many lessons it looks like.  Hop after the break to hear the Ye’ audio clip in full.  I’m just glad this bizarre happenstance has finally been put to rest.  Everybody, move on!

Update (11/11): Kanye West appeared on the Today Show and spoke with Matt Lauer about the recent revival of his racist remarks against Bush.  Video after the break.

[Via EW, here & here] Continue reading George W. Bush responds to Kanye West’s racist remark, Kanye brings it full circle →

Math teacher deserves some kind of award for this.

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Professor Matt Weathers, who teaches a Nature of Math course at Biola University, played an intricately planned trick on his students to celebrate Halloween.  Using the magic of pre-recorded video projections mixed with live action, Professor Weathers pulled off the coolest in-class experiment I’ve ever seen.  Teacher of the year award goes to Weathers!  Look after the break to watch what he did for last year’s Halloween class, and head over to his YouTube channel (coolest teacher ever?) to watch a tutorial and discover the magic behind trick.

[Via Gizmodo; TheDailyWhat] Continue reading Math teacher deserves some kind of award for this. →

Judd Apatow rounds up big stars to support American Jewish World Service

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American Jewish World Service (AJWS) was established in Boston on May 1, 1985 when Larry Phillips and Larry Simon, together with a group of rabbis, Jewish communal leaders, activists, businesspeople, scholars and others came together to create the first American Jewish organization dedicated to alleviating poverty, hunger and disease among people across the globe.

Enter Judd Apatow.  The director of The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up has gathered a bunch of celebrities (many of whom are not Jewish) to celebrate the 25th anniversity of AJWS.  The mock PSA features Ben Stiller, Sarah Silverman, Jerry Seinfeld, John Mayer, Sir Patrick Stewart, Andy Samberg, Ken Jeong, Tracy Morgan, Helen Hunt, Gilbert Gottfried, Brian Williams, Triumph the Insult Comedy Dog, and many others.  Watch them make some funny but all the while support and promote the great cause that is AJWS.

[Via EW-Popwatch; AJWS]

Conan O’Brien testing the Internet waters in pre-TBS premiere with ‘Show Zero’ [Update: watch it here!]

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Conan doesn’t premiere on TBS for another week (we’re only one week away, woohoo!), but that won’t stop the former Late Night host from interacting with his fans.  Tonight (11/1) Conan will be streaming live “Show Zero”, a short webisode that should give fans a taste of what to expect when his TBS debuts for real.  Tonight’s show will feature Conan along with sidekick Andy Richter and The Show Zero House Band.  Brought to you by–you guessed it–Coke Zero.  It all goes down at 11PM in “TRIPLE-SIMULCAST action”; the stream can be accessed at TeamCoco (which has received a handsome relaunch design and new logo), YouTube, and Facebook.  Happy streaming, and welcome back Coco!

Update: Wow, that lasted a whole 5 minutes.  Conan wasn’t lying when he said this would be “the fastest talk show ever.”  Conan introduced viewers to his offices, blasted through one monologue joke, and invited guests Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) and Steel Train (who only played the first chord off their new self-titled album) to make extremely brief cameos.  The house band consisted only of Jerry Vivino on the flute.  And Andy Richter was there to promote Diet Coke (not Coke Zero, strangely).  Anyway, watch the mini-mayhem unfold after the break. Continue reading Conan O’Brien testing the Internet waters in pre-TBS premiere with ‘Show Zero’ [Update: watch it here!] →

Spielberg’s ‘Terra Nova’ selects series regulars, ready for production

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FOX is ready to push forward with the Steven Spielberg/Peter Chernin sci-fi drama Terra Nova.  The series regulars have been cast and they are: Jason O’Mara (Life on Mars; who will play lead Jim Shannon), Shelley Conn (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Elizabeth Shannon), Allison Miller (Boston Legal; Skye), Mido Hamada (he was baddie Samir Mehran from the last season of 24), Landon Liboiron (Degrassi: The Next Generation), and Christine Adams (The Whole Truth, Pushing Daisies).  According to EW, Adams will play “a battle-hardened resident of Terra Nova who gets to know the Shannon family.”  And here’s a bit of disappointing news.  24 alum David Fury–who was signed on as executive producer with pal Jon Cessar–has left the show due to “creative differences.”

Terra Nova follows Jim Shannon, a man who is sent back in time to prehistoric Earth with family in an attempt to save the human race.  Production begins next week in Australia.  The show premieres next fall, but FOX plans to preview the pilot this May.

[Via EW; IGN]

ABC picks up Lost writers’ ‘Once Upon a Time’ tale

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Rumor had it that former Lost writers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis were shopping around their next TV project to former Lost home ABC.  That proved to be true.  According to Variety, ABC has picked up their “top secret fairy-tale-themed drama series” and now it has a title: Once Upon a Time.  How fitting.  Technically speaking, ABC is only picked up a pilot episode; but with Team Horowitz/Kitsis and Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof signed on as show consultant, I have little doubt the pilot pickup will manifest itself into a 13-episode (or potentially full season) order.  Now it’s time to see who they choose as the female lead…

[Via Variety]

The Fall 2010 Xbox 360 Dashboard update has arrived

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Today Microsoft rolled out the latest Xbox 360 Dashboard update.  It brings with it a whole new look (the UI is much more streamlined and flat), new navigation fonts and sounds, and many more aesthetic changes.  But that’s not even the best part.  Additionaly the update enables the ESPN hub previewed at E3 , Zune Music, Netflix search, and new family settings and family programming.  Last but not least, the update makes your console Kinect ready; the motion camera accessory releases in just 3 days!  How do you get the update?  Simple.  When you turn on your Xbox and attempt to connect to Xbox Live, you will automatically be promted to download and install the update.  Note that the update is mandatory if you ever want to connect up to Live again.  Hit up Major Nelson’s website to read about the new features in more detail, and power up your Xbox and start exploring.

[Via MajorNelson; image via Engadget]

320GB PlayStation 3 is Move-less

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Want a 320GB PlayStation 3 console but don’t care for the PlayStation Move motion accessory?  Sony’s got you covered.  Earlier this week the makers of PS3 introduced a new SKU into the market.  For $349.99 you get the 320GB PS3 console (the largest storage capacity next-gen console) and a DualShock 3 controller.  This new standalone PS3 model is available today.  But before you decide to make a decision at the counter, take into consideration your other options.  (1) For $50 less you can get the 160GB PS3; (2) for $50 more you can get the 320GB PS3 w/ Move bundle (which includes one Move controller and Sports Champion game).  Don’t need the large capacity?  Absolutely sure you don’t want to get off the couch and interact with games in a new way?  Ultimately, the choice is yours.

[Via PlayStationBlog]