Digital Media News (week 8)
Date:
13 February 2012
Weekly bulletin collating public sector, industry and company news for creative industries by David Hartley.
Public sector
From Scotland on Sunday
"A smartphone app showing people the effect too much alcohol can have on their physical appearance has been launched by the Scottish Government. The 'drinking time machine' takes a photograph of the user and then alters it to show how alcohol speeds up the ageing process."
From the Technology Strategy Board
"IC tomorrow, a Technology Strategy Board programme, has launched a £180,000 contest for companies in the digital licensing space. The Digital Licensing Framework contest will challenge start-ups and companies to develop innovative systems and services that help the exchange of licensing information between copyright holders and users in music, publishing or museums and galleries. Partly supported by the Intellectual Property Office Innovation Infrastructure Challenge Fund, successful applicants will be awarded contracts of up to £37,000 to develop functioning prototypes."
Local industry
From the BBC
"The last three years have been marked by a 'massive groundswell' in comic book creators in Glasgow, according to a co-organiser of the city's comic convention. Last year John Farman and Sha Nazir organised the first Glasgow Comic Con in 15 years. Mr Farman believes digital technology has worked in the favour of smaller publishers, writers and artists."
From STV Local
"Edinburgh commuters face an easier trip to the airport as a new mobile app is launched that provides passengers with flight tracking, terminal and parking information. Travellers to Scotland’s busiest air hub can download the Edinburgh Airport App free for Android and iPhone handsets. The digital tool is also available on the Boingo Wireless internet portal at the terminal, and can be downloaded and used there without paying for internet access."
From Gamasutra
"Edinburgh-based technology company Codeplay, best known for its Offload game acceleration and optimization toolkit, has been nominated for a Scottish Business Award. The company's Offload tools have been nominated under the New Product of the Year category at the 2011 awards, which are due to take place later this month. In particular, the company's work with racing game specialist Eutechnyx in 2011 was highlighted. The Offload toolset was utilized in Eutechnyx's NASCAR The Game 2011, released last year."
Other companies nominated in the new Product of the Year include Linn Products and Skoog Music.
From Glasgow City of Music
"Walking Heads, the company dedicated to delivering specialist audio walking tours which explore the quirky side of cities and places have … launched the very first music tour of Glasgow. The downloadable walking tour for music lovers with a sense of adventure is available NOW for smart phones and MP3 players. From grand halls to hidden bars, popular venues and clubs, Jim Gellatly, Scottish radio presenter and DJ, leads you round Britain’s first UNESCO City of Music exploring the sights and sounds of over 100 years of Glasgow’s rich, diverse and world famous musical heritage."
From Pocket Gamer
"Previewing the best-looking iPhone and iPad games that are just over the horizon. Word Trick (from Outplay Entertainment) has been rather popular on Facebook, but you'll be able to grab it on iPhone from next week. There'll be a free ad-supported version, and an premium edition with no adverts for 69p."
General industry
From Mobile Marketer
"Brands such as Chevy and Pepsi scored their own touchdowns during yesterday’s Super Bowl game with second-screen experiences that took advantage of the growing number of football fans who engaged with their mobile devices while they watched the game on television. The mobile strategies used by these brands included developing their own mobile app for the game, tagging TV advertising with a mobile or social call to action, sponsoring mobile games expected to be used by viewers during the game or partnering with an app such as Shazam that lets users tag ads to unlock exclusive offers and content."
From The Guardian
"A self-published author has beaten names including Lee Child, James Patterson and Stieg Larsson to become the bestselling ebook author on Amazon.co.uk for the last three months of 2011, the online retailer said on Wednesday."
From The Next Web
"Since Twitter launched in 2006, there have been tons of unique uses of the platform, including fundraising, live tweeting the State of the Union, and now thanks to Penguin, a book club. The publisher will be picking a book each month, and suggests that its followers tweet their thoughts about it using the hashtag #readpenguin. At the end of the month, Penguin will hold a Twitter chat with the book’s author as its guest."
From The Telegraph
"Lucy Prebble, who is best known for her financial satire Enron, attacked the popular stereotype of teenage gamers as "chubby automatons" who spend their days shooting virtual enemies and eating crisps. The award-winning writer said playing video games requires more involvement and creative input than reading a book or watching a film - and also offers more opportunities to be active and sociable. Rather than being vilified, video games should be recognised as an art form appreciated for the way they tugged at our emotions and stimulated creativity."
From All Things Digital
"What does Amazon have in the way of original video programming? Nothing much yet. But that may soon change. New job listings on Amazon’s careers site show the company looking to recruit. Specifically, it’s seeking executives to quarterback its children’s and comedy programming efforts. Each job’s top duty: To 'help develop half-hour comedies for online and traditional distribution'."
Reports
From Mobile Today
"Growth in internet traffic over mobile networks is set to explode during the next few years, increasing by 84 percent a year and accounting for 11 percent of all traffic by 2015. New research commissioned by Vodafone said every £1 spent on connectivity by the networks, across both fixed and mobile, generates £5 in revenue for the rest of the digital economy. The research by management consultants AT Kearney showed the UK's internet economy is worth £82 billion, or 5.7 percent of GDP."
From The Next Web
"The mobile app industry has created close to half a million jobs in America, according to the findings of a new report released this week. According to a report commissioned by CEO network TechNet, the US app industry has been found to have more than 466,000 jobs having built itself up from zero as recently as five years ago…The industry is also bringing economic benefits and the report concludes that last year, it produced $20 billion in revenue."
Events
From The Next Web
"Television is hurtling rapidly towards an online future – from watching shows on-demand on computers and mobile devices, to bringing apps and interactive experiences to the largest screen in the house. What exactly will that future look like? To find out, MIPCube next month should be an essential mark on your calendar. MIPCube takes place in Cannes, France on 30 and 31 March, right before MIPTV."
Compiled by David Hartley