NASA Launches App HD For iPad
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NASA has introduced a new free mobile application for the iPad called NASA App HD.
NASA App HD features live streaming video from NASA Television, an interactive map with links to all of its centers, quick links to feature stories and launch schedules, a scrolling “alerts banner,” and a NASA Featured” link.
The app’s landing page features the solar system, where users can learn more about it, the universe and NASA missions. The app also allows users to view and search updated, higher resolution NASA Image of the Day and Astronomy Picture of the Day collections and agency videos on demand.
“Our goal with the first NASA App was to deliver current mission information, images, videos and news updates in the best possible way for the iPhone and iPod touch," said Jerry Colen, NASA App project manager at NASA’s Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
"Now we’ve enhanced and expanded the application to include even more content and really take advantage of the iPad’s larger screen."
 
 
Americans Have A Love-Hate Relationship With Their Cell Phones
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Texting by American adults has increased significantly over the past year, but still does not approach the level of text messages exchanged by young people, according to a new report from Pew Internet & American Life Project.
Nearly three quarters (72%) of adult cell phone users send and receive text messages now, up from 65 percent in September 2009. The majority (87%) of teen cell users text. Teens text 50 messages a day on average, five times more than the typical 10 text messages sent and received by adults per day.
The majority of African Americans and English-speaking Hispanics own cell phones compared to 80 percent of whites. Twelve percent of African American and 14 percent of English-speaking Hispanics make and receive more than 30 calls a day on their mobile phones. Four percent of whites report placing and receiving that many calls. African American and Hispanic texters typical send and receive 10 texts a day; whites who text typically send and receive 5 texts a day.
“Texting among adults has reached the mainstream and the charge is being lead by African-Americans, Hispanics and young adults,” said Amanda Lenhart, Senior Research Specialist at the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project and author the report.
“Of course, none of these adult groups hold a candle to teens when it comes to texting, who swamp adults in messages sent per day by a factor of 5.”
For all of their enthusiasm for texting and talking on their cells, Americans have mixed feelings about the role of the mobile phone in their lives. Most cell users report that their cell phone makes them feel safer (91%), and that they appreciate the way it allows them to arrange plans with family and friends (88% agree.)  But mobile phone users also report that they get irritated when a call or text interrupts them (42%) and that they find it rude when others check their phones repeatedly during meetings or conversations (86%).
Other highlights of the report include:
*65% of American adults with cell phones sleep with their phone on or right next to their bed.
*57% of adults with cells report receiving unwanted or spam text messages on their phone.
*90% of parents have a cell phone compared with 72% of adults without children under 18 at home.
 
 
AOL Renews Search Ad Deal With Google
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AOL said today it has signed a five-year search advertising deal with Google renewing its partnership with the search company that dates back to 2002.
Under the terms of the deal Google will provide search services to AOL’s content network and properties, in exchange for a revenue-sharing arrangement between the two companies which will be expanded to include mobile search and YouTube.
“Today is another important step in the turnaround of AOL,” said Tim Armstrong, AOL’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
“AOL users will be getting a better search and search ads experience from the best search company in the world – Google. After nearly a decade-long partnership in search, we’re looking forward to expanding our global relationship to mobile search and YouTube. All aspects of our partnership will be improved by this deal.”
Key highlights of the partnership include:
*As AOL renews its focus on mobile apps and content, the companies will work together to expand the alliance to cover mobile search.
*AOL and YouTube have agreed to a content partnership that will bring AOL’s video content to YouTube.
*The alliance is international in scope and will provide improved experiences to AOL’s worldwide audience.
Zillow Partners With Aparments.com On Rental Listings
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Real estate website Zillow.com said today it has partnered with Apartments.com to bring the rental website’s database of 90,000 apartment listings to Zillow.
Apartments.com rental listings include home details, photos, floor plans, and property manager contact information.
Listings from Apartments.com will be viewable to Zillow’s 12 million monthly visitors, including two million who are currently renters.  The partnership brings the total number of rental listings for single-family homes and apartments on Zillow to 150,000.
"Zillow offers an unmatched user experience for home shoppers who are renting, deciding whether to rent or buy, or shopping for a home to buy,” said Chloe Harford, Zillow’s vice president of mortgages and new ventures.
“This partnership deepens Zillow’s footprint in the rental search industry, and gives Zillow users access to a new category of managed apartment rental listings.”
In addition to being displayed on Zillow, Apartments.com rental listings will also appear on the Zillow Mobile application, which has been downloaded more than two million times and is the most popular real estate application on the iPhone, Android, iPad, and Windows Mobile platforms.
 
Madden NFL Superstars Launches On Facebook
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Electronic Arts has launched Madden NFL Superstars on Facebook that allows users to create their own fantasy team by collecting NFL players and competing in matchups with their friends.
“Each day on consoles, fans are playing as many games online as the equivalent of 750 full NFL seasons,” said Peter Moore, president of EA SPORTS.
“Now on Facebook, Madden NFL Superstars will bring a whole new dimension and audience to the Madden NFL experience.”
Madden NFL Superstars allows users to choose from more than 1,500 current players from all 32 NFL 2010 teams.  The game features an “In Season” mode where players compete in increasingly difficult matchups against other player’s teams through a progressive ladder to earn championship trophies.
 
 
“NFL Pro League” mode allows players to compete in a series of games against each of this season’s actual NFL teams. “Scrimmage” mode allows users to play against their Facebook friends.
“The highly celebrated Madden NFL video game franchise from EA SPORTS is loved by millions. Madden NFL Superstars is a unique new experience that gives those fans, and tens of millions more, an opportunity to enjoy the excitement of NFL football on Facebook,” said Kristian Segerstrale, vice president and general manager of Playfish.
“With the start of the NFL season right around the corner, we’re looking forward to feedback from the Madden NFL Superstars community to help us create the most authentic and entertaining NFL football experience possible on Facebook.”
 
Target To Start Selling Facebook Credits Gift Cards
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Target said today it will be the first retailer to sell Facebook Credits gift cards at all of its 1,743 stores and on Target.com beginning September 5.
Facebook Credits gift cards will be available in increments of $15, $25 and $50. Facebook says its gift cards will be an “ideal gift” this holiday season for users who like playing games on the social network.
“One of Facebook’s goals is to create a great place for games – both for people who love to play and the developers that create fun and engaging social experiences,” said Dan Rose, vice president of partnerships and platform marketing at Facebook.
“Gift cards are easy to use and very popular. We’re looking forward to launching in Target stores and giving people the ability to purchase Facebook Credits for their own use or to give as gifts to their friends and family.”
More than 200 million people play social games on Facebook each month. According to Inside Network, Americans will spend more than $1.6 billion in 2010 on virtual goods and social gaming.
Facebook Credits are accepted by a number of popular games on the network, including Zynga’s FarmVille and Mafia Wars; CrowdStar’s Happy Aquarium; PopCap Games’ Bejeweled Blitz; Playdom’s City of Wonder; and EA SPORTS FIFA Superstars from Playfish.
 
Music Still Leads In iTunes Purchases
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Almost all iPhone or iPod touch users have downloaded a free app, but 82 percent have actually made a music purchase from iTunes, according to a new survey from NPD.
More than half (56%) of iTunes buyers purchase music exclusively, and majority of iTunes user search time is focused on looking for music.
“Sales growth in digital music has been slowing, and some of that decline might be related to the distraction from apps; however, iTunes shoppers are still completely engaged with music, whether it’s about listening, discovering or buying,” said Russ Crupnick, vice president and senior entertainment analyst for The NPD Group.
“Apps and video certainly do compete for consumer dollars, but they can also be used to promote music and re-energize digital music and video download sales.”
The report also looked at the question if apps are valuable to users or mostly frivolous. Two out of three iPhone and iPod touch owners who have downloaded apps report using them regularly, instead of just using them briefly.  In addition, nine out of 10 have downloaded a free app, which Crupnick says, “points to a major up-selling opportunity to paid versions of the same app.” Plus 69 percent of iPhone and iPod Touch owners who have not yet paid for an app told NPD they are interested in possibly doing so in the future.
 
Amazon Kindle Coming To Staples
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Office supply retailer Staples said today it will begin selling Amazon’s Kindle in all of its stores this fall.
Staples said it will sell the $139 version of the Kindle, the Kindle 3G ($189) and the Kindle DX ($379).
“As part of our efforts to offer customers a wide range of top technology products and services at amazing values, the new Kindle is a natural fit,” said Jevin Eagle, executive vice president of merchandising and marketing at Staples.
The Kindle Store features more than 670,000 books, including new releases and New York Times Best Sellers. Over 550,000 of these books are available for $9.99.
Staples said it will also carry a variety of Kindle assortments and will allow its customers to test the device via in-store interactive displays.
Amazon began selling its Kindle’s in Target stores in June. Prior to that the Kindle was only available from Amazon. Amazon boasts the Kindle is its “best selling” product but has never released sales figures for the device.
 
NYTimes.com Adds Facebook Connection
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The New York Times has introduced a “Log in With Facebook” feature, which allows users to link their NYTimes.com and Facebook accounts and share content with others.
Log in With Facebook is an opt-in feature. To view personalized content, users connect their Facebook and NYTimes.com accounts, which allows them to share articles from NYTimes.com with their Facebook friends on the site and on the social network.
 
 
The NYTimes.com home page and article pages will highlight the most popular Times content within Facebook and the user’s network of friends - including comments and recommendations. NYTimes.com users who choose not to connect their accounts will see an aggregate of the most popular Times content within Facebook.
“Log In With Facebook is the next step in our commitment to the social element of our business - further allowing our readers to share and connect around our content," said Denise Warren, senior vice president and chief advertising officer, The New York Times Media Group and general manager, NYTimes.com.
"With this feature, we are delivering a more engaging, personalized experience on NYTimes.com, and our readers can expect more on this front in the coming months."
 
Baskin-Robbins Launches Free Ice Cream Campaign On Facebook
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Baskin-Robbins has launched a new campaign for its Facebook fans to get free scoops of ice cream.
Baskin-Robbins Facebook fans can sign up for “Group Scoop” on Facebook and start their own group or joins someone else’s. Once the number of people in a “Group Scoop” reaches 31, the organizer and all 30 other members will receive a coupon for a free 2.5 oz scoop of ice cream or a 3 oz swirl of soft serve.
 
 
"Group Scoop is a fun way for our fans to enjoy a free scoop of Baskin-Robbins ice cream with their Facebook friends, even if they are miles apart," said David Nagel, Baskin-Robbins Director of Brand Excitement. 
"Groups of 31 Facebook Fans will be able to enjoy a scoop of their favorite flavor, on us.”
Group Scoop coupon recipients can print out their one-time coupon and present it at any participating Baskin-Robbins for their free scoop.  They are not required to present their coupons together to take part in the promotion. 
 
 
