4oD lands on YouTube...

In what could be a move away from in-house streaming servers to massive outsourcing, 4oD has just launched it's own channel on YouTube.

This could be a reactive move to the break down of negotiations to open up the BBC iPlayer functionality to additional channels or it could be a genius use of a social media channel. Channel 4 are still running the 4oD channel on their website and are still hosting the video content themselves. However, if the YouTube channel takes off, it would be relatively easy for them to start embedding the hosted video content within their own site instead.

With two routes to market and the added buzz of the YouTube name it's surely a 'win win' situation for Channel 4.

For YouTube, this could be the beginnings of a much bigger project, they're hosting films, events and contests already. The most telling part of possible expansion plans is that they have 'Featured Broadcasters', only 4oD is featured at the moment but this surely means that others will follow... Channel 5 anyone?

Facebook integrates with the PS3... we didn't see that coming!

In an interesting move to jump on the Facebook bandwagon the developers at Sony have decided to integrate Facebook functionality within the latest PS3 firmware update (v3.10). Just a marketing ploy to exploit the current buzz around Facebook or could this be a genuine move to integrate more social media within the PS3's core functionality. Could in-game Tweeting be next?!

Watch the PS3 Firmware overview below.

Google eyes up mobile marketing...

Google has just snapped up the mobile marketing firm Admob for £449m in stock. Google already offers limited mobile advertising with keyword and mini banners available on the Google search functionality on mobile phones. However, Admob offers 15,000 mobile Web sites and applications in their network, all running paid for advertising and potentially a great addition to Google's advertising network.

But will the acquisition prove to provide a good ROI for Google? Well, Admob's total global impressions served so far are 126,148,219,631, so a pretty good indicator that they're doing something right!

Microsoft sinks the modern day pirates!

So, it seems as though Microsoft has managed to work out who has chipped their Xbox... and disconnected them from Xbox Live!

As reported by the BBC (read the article here) Microsoft have disconnected up to 600,000 gamers from the Xbox Live service whilst the Guardian are estimating it could be up to 1 million.

This is a rather bold from the company and does make you wonder how well they are going to manage the potential fallout from such a decision. Legally, they've taken the correct decision but from a PR stance it could be a complete disaster! The most prominent question being asked at the moment is how do MS know who the pirates are? In order to disconnect people they must have been receiving information about the system status and any modifications the user has made. This opens up questions about what else MS are doing with the information they have collected and what privacy issues this may expose.

At the time of writing 65 high profile news publications were running the story with only a statement comment from Microsoft of:

"All consumers should know that piracy is illegal and that modifying their Xbox 360 console to play pirated discs violates the Xbox Live terms of use, will void their warranty and result in a ban from Xbox Live"

We'll have to wait and see if the negative press has any lasting effect on an already damaged (from Vista) Microsoft brand.

YouTube in 3D... with amazing extras!

So, YouTube is looking to push 3D video content on their site... nothing new really as 3D seems to be a buzz word for 2009! However, YouTube have added some amazingly simple functionality that means there is no longer a need to scramble around to find a specific type of 3D glasses. Multiple options for which type you own sits in a drop down underneath the video just select your type and the video switches to that format.

No more sitting around in paper green/red glasses anymore, it's parallel split all the way for us! Watch the video above and visit the page on YouTube for the drop down options...

Welcome to the world Windows 7

So, after the slightly lack luster take up on Vista and it's well documented failings (!) Microsoft has launched it's new operating system, Windows 7. Having had a chance to try out an early beta I was pleasantly surprised at the speed the system runs at and the styling applied throughout. It's a massive performance improvement on Vista and a stylistic improvement on XP so, a winning combination? Microsoft are hoping so, as the BBC commented "Should Microsoft rest on its Windows 7 laurels, it might end up being its most, but also its last, successful operating system. "

We need to remember that there are now many more operating systems out there than just Windows. Apple are having a revival with hardware sales figures up year on year with the help of the iPhone, iPod & iTunes and let's not forget about Linux for the PC users. As Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation says, "Linux is younger and cheaper than Windows, and we are very patient." This really could be a prime contender for the small business area. Also, very soon on the horizon is the cloud computing option of Google's Chrome OS which could change the way operating systems work completely!

It waits to be seen if Windows 7 can replace XP as the preferred PC OS but early indicators do show that daily sales activity is up 180% compared to Vista!

Our Digital signage has been implemented!

After weeks of planning and climbing up & down ladders (!) phase 1 of the digital signage project at the University is now complete!

As anyone who has tried to manage communications across multiple areas with multiple administrators will know, not all messages are delivered in a timely manner! So, we have put in place a Onelan solution which incorporates a large distribution box based centrally and then 17 screens which poll for information. This allows us to offer a branded solution whilst still allowing for a mixture of local & central messages to be displayed.

With the addition of being able to stream live TV across the network and support for more formats than we knew existed we're all pretty happy with the new system.

Now begins the task of training...!