To find out about the latest developments in digital media, and our comments and insights into the marketplace, read our monthly newsletter.
News
The power of podcasts
Podcasts are three times more effective than traditional online advertising, according to new research. Podtrac, a network of podcasts and online shows, claims four studies conducted by TNS show that embedded advertising in online shows and podcasts had an average unaided recall of 68%, with aided recall rising to 89%.
A broadband tax to fund TV?
ISPs could be taxed by the government to help fund commercial TV, under the terms of a new proposal by Ofcom. The telecoms regulator is looking into the future funding of ‘public service’ programming on commercial channels.
Tesco tunes up for download war
Not content with having dented rivals in areas as diverse as clothing, cosmetics and insurance, this month Tesco takes on Apple in the world of digital music downloads. The retail giant is to offer downloadable tracks for MP3 players, and while prices are yet to be announced, analysts believe they are likely to undercut iTunes and others.
Get ready for the Grid ...
Scientists in Geneva have created a new ‘parallel internet’ that could enable us to download movies in seconds, conduct holographic video conferencing and make high definition phone calls for the price of a landline call.
... as Microsoft readies ‘Live Mesh’
Imagine taking a picture on a mobile and sending it straight to your digital photo frame at home. This kind of data sharing could soon be possible using a Microsoft system called ‘Live Mesh’, currently on trial with Windows users.
Comment
Shock therapy in the Google economy
Google has caused their biggest shock to date within the advertising community. The removal of brand bidding protection allows all and sundry to appear when a user searches for a trademarked term, where previously only the brand owner was allowed to.
Bitesize
Lap-tots
Ever wondered how kids view the perfect PC? Well, their ideal laptop features a dedicated Harry Potter key, and one for virtual pets - and you can access a mobile phone, iPod or digital camera at the touch of a button.
Fidel, it’s for you
Another kind of revolution in Cuba: the island’s inhabitants are able to use mobile phones for the first time in their history. Cellular phone services were previously only open to government officials and foreigners.
Wikipedia - on paper
It was bound to happen: a collection of Wikipedia articles will appear in printed form. In Germany, publisher Bertelsmann is to publish the ‘One Volume Wikipedia Encyclopaedia’.
Online toons battle it out
Forget Tom chasing Jerry; kids today are more obsessed with who has the coolest cartoon avatar. The latest battleground for animators is virtual reality ...
Music to last a lifetime
Not enough room on your iPod? A new development in storage technology means that you could soon be able to store a hundred times more information.
Baby trouble? Gurgle it ...
Parenting web sites are big news in the UK, with Netmums recently receiving a £500,000 Government handout for the support it gives to parents.
The Numbers Page
Age Demographic of Chinese 'Netizens'
A report from the China Internet Network Information Centre (CINIC) published in January 2008 claimed the number of “netizens” (any Chinese citizen aged 6+ who has used the internet in the past six months) has increased to 210 million.
Top Ten Podcasts
Stephen Fry’s Podgrams topped the iTunes podcast chart in April. At second place was BBC Radio 4’s sports comedy, Look Away Now. Podcasts by popular radio personalities, Russell Brand and Chris Moyles, moved down to fifth and eighth place respectively.
Worldwide Internet Usage
The worldwide online audience reached 824 million people in January, with Asia Pacific making up 37%, almost 309 million people) of the total worldwide online population.