Wes Williams's blog

Latest Apple TV Time Apps

Apple rolled out iOS 6 with a redesigned iPad app store giving more prominent placement to the TV Time collection. Let’s see which and what types of apps made the latest version of Apple’s curated list.

Netflix: Well, it's out of the Frying Pan

The blogosphere is spinning from Netflix’s mea culpa and rebranding of the DVD business as Qwikster about 24 hours ago. So far, it’s the best new drama of the fall season.

Netflix Separates Conjoined Babies to Throw out With Bathwater

So many things struck me as wrong about the latest Netflix communication in which CEO Reed Hastings apologized and then announced the DVD business will be spun off into a separate brand, Qwikster.

Dear Netflix: It’s been fun, but…

Dear Netflix,

I thought we would be together forever, but things have changed. You know it, I know it, and I don't think this letter will be a big surprise.

Why Shaquille O’Neal Would Say Don’t Auto-Truncate Content

Interactive TV and mobile apps have to make do with limited screen space. One workaround is to just automatically truncate headlines until they’re short enough. If the headline is 50 characters and you only have room for 30, let the computer cut it off at 30. What could go wrong?

I would encourage product teams to resist the temptation to take the easy way out. Why? Because stuff happens. Sometimes important words and letters are left out. It’s like playing Russian roulette with the alphabet.

Review: Deep Dive Into HBO GO

HBO GO LogoThe HBO GO service is a game changer. HBO has made a significant investment in steering customers to its new streaming video service with the idea that HBO is available almost anywhere.

Masters App: iPhone vs. iPad, Free vs. Paid Match Play

Masters 2011 iPad App IconThe Masters Tournament offered two versions of video-rich apps to go with this year's golf tournament. Which scored the best value for users? Read on.

Review: Weather Channel Media-Sync iPad App

From The Edge SynchronizingThe Weather Channel was the latest network to try the Nielsen Media-Sync platform for iPad with last week's premiere of From the Edge with Peter Lik.

Nickelodeon Co-Viewing App Rolls Out Orange Carpet

Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2011 Live Now ScreenNickelodeon rolled out the orange carpet for connected kids with an updated Kids' Choice Awards co-viewing app.

TiVo Notifies Subscribers of Data Breach at Vendor

TiVo logoTiVo and several other companies had a busy weekend after a large third-party e-mail vendor announced customer data had been exposed.

Unfortunately, Epsilon’s April 1 press release was no joke. The data included “email addresses and/or customer names only.” The release does not provide any detail about why they’re saying “and/or.”

IntoNow Flaw Revealed User E-mail Addresses

IntoNow Sign-In ScreenIntoNow has fixed a flaw that revealed user e-mail addresses in data sent between their servers and iPhone app.

Experian, Domino’s Pizza seek iTV skills

If you want to know what a company is planning, check their job postings.

Experian Marketing Services has two U.S. openings with its Digital Advertising Services (DAS) team. According to their site, "This team is an internal startup made up of talent from Marketing Services, Interactive and Technology in pre-launch phase, poised to go to market. This team is positioned well to become the 'go to' resource for advertisers in all things digital (online, mobile and interactive TV.)"

Narrow Rules Limit Jersey Shore iTV Contest

Is Jersey Shore the future of interactive TV? Snooki could be the face of the TV of tomorrow and The Situation its abs, but narrow contest rules will keep tagging from replacing tanning in their gym and laundry routine for now.

Charlie Sheen “Winning” it for Ustream

NBC had Milton Berle in 1948.

CNN had Baghdad in 1991.

FOX had the NFC in 1994.

Ustream has Charlie Sheen in 2011.

Each broadcast event was a tipping point. It made people pay attention. It helped make the network.

Love it, hate it or just can't help but stare at it, Charlie Sheen and his "Sheen's Korner" online show is "winning" it for Ustream, helping it bounce to a new level of mainstream consumer awareness.

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