Some sports fans love the unceasing commentator patter that accompanies every televised sporting event. Others find it inane and annoying. Now they can choose for themselves, at least if they’re watching online. The BBC is conducting an experiment where viewers of the Wimbledon online stream can download an application called NetMix. NetMix creates a fader bar with “Court” on one end and “Commentary” that lets them set the balance to their liking. READ MORE
If you find your smartphone and iPad and to be an indispensable business tool, and you’re accustomed to using Skype for quick video conversations with business associates around the globe, you may be surprised to know you’re at a distinct advantage over the average U.S. congressional representative. Skype was forbidden in congressional offices until this week, when House security staff worked out a heightened security agreement with the service. Now house members can see their constituents by videoconference, reducing the need to travel and increasing access. READ MORE
TV executives, with that special optimism of people with no other option, have said that it’s time they join a world where televisions are not the only screens. “We need to embrace all of the screens,” said Glenn Britt, CEO of Time Warner Cable, said at The Cable Show, a gathering of trade bigwigs in Chicago. “There’s no such thing as a TV anymore.” READ MORE
Comcast and Skype have announced a partnership to let Comcast customers make HD video calls on their television, reports Richard Lawler for Engadget. To make it work they’ll just need a camera, adapter and a special remote. Comcast says video will initially be limited to 720p will be upgraded to 1080p eventually. Lawler says that while Skype has already partnered with several TV manufacturers for HD calling in the living room, working through cable boxes means a much greater prospective installed base. READ MORE
Would you like to be able to stream live video to your customers from within your website? That’s the idea behind a new integration between the live video service Ustream, and Ning, which allows customers to build their own social websites. READ MORE
With summer blockbuster season upon us, Chris Schreiber writing for Mashable suggests four ways brands can emulate the excellent social video advertising campaigns coming out of Hollywood. READ MORE
Some might argue, and rightfully so, that health is not a game. But Adam Bosworth is betting that people will be willing to play with their health with Keas. Bosworth, who launched Google Health at Google some years ago, initially thought that Keas would be a Mint for health. The problem though, was that users didn’t just want to store their health information. READ MORE
Using video to build business is often a dicey proposition for e-commerce companies. Some site owners simply abstain because they don’t see the value. Or they think they wont see an ROI. But those who avoid might be missing out on valuable business, says Yaniv Axen. READ MORE
You spend all day (or at least we do) using a browser—Firefox, Chrome, Safari or IE—to do most everything you do on the Web. But if you want to use the Internet to talk to someone face-to-face, you can’t use your browser to do it. You have to switch to Skype, or GoToMeeting, or some other separate application. Even Google’s own video chat client has to be downloaded before you can use it. READ MORE
Even though Shaquille O’Neal was one of the first celebrities to establish a massive following on Twitter, the giant 19-year NBA veteran decided to announce his retirement a completely different social platform. Shaq chose Tout, a six-week old social video start-up based in San Francisco, to tell the world he has officially retired from the game of basketball. READ MORE
