The Leveller

May 2009

To find out about the latest developments in digital media, and our comments and insights into the marketplace, read our monthly newsletter.

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News

Web cashes in on Boyle

Susan Boyle, the Scots singing star of Britain's Got Talent, has become the web phenomenon of 2009 so far.

Google ups its game in tough climate

Keen to prove that it's still an innovator, Google has unveiled some new ways to search for news and pictures.

China's social media use outstrips US

A higher percentage of Chinese web users contribute to social media than in the US, according to research by Netpop.

Very good, Jeeves

Search engine Ask has decided to revert to its original name of 'Ask Jeeves' in the UK, bringing back the fictional PG Wodehouse butler into its corporate branding after dropping him in 2006.

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Comment

Back in the day

A recent comment prompted a bout of digital nostalgia: back in the day, we talked about 'new media' and banners had to say 'click here' to let people know that they were gateways to mini universes of more information. Faith Carthy, Group Managing Director at i-level, takes a look at how the internet has changed over the past decade.

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Bitesize

Wanna be a twintern

Pizza Hut USA has capitalised on the craze for all things Twitter by advertising a summer job for a student to 'tweet' for the company.

Nothing beats a good Vook

A Californian entrepreneur is developing the Vook, a platform for e-books that will combine text, video and a Twitter stream.

The art of iTunes

Tate Galleries is encouraging art lovers to catch up on their culture by making a series of video and audio downloads available via iTunes.

Pirates are good guys too

So-called 'pirates' who download music illegally are also 10 times more likely to pay for songs than those who don't, a new report suggests.

Do the mobile twist

Mobiles of the future could allow you to mash up your favourite music tracks while on the move.

Second Life cleans up

Second Life is clamping down on users whose 'avatars' are indulging in cybersex in the virtual world.

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The Numbers Page

Love in a recession

We all know that during a recession, our priorities and habits change; and according to new research it would appear that the credit crunch has brought out the romantic side in many.

The challenges of integration

Challenges of integrating traditional and online media according to US marketers, Q1 2009

Search budgets increase for measurable ROI

The latest eConsultancy report shows that over half of companies will increase their natural search budget, while almost half will also increase their paid search activity.