SOMEWHAT FRANK

New YouTube Video Ads, Google Embeds Maps, PlayboyU & MyNYTimes Launch, the Attention Economy, Microsoft's Tafiti Research Project & Bacn In Your Inbox

Photo of the Week: This photo was taken by, one of my skinnyCorp friends, Harper Reed as he captured some fresh Threadless designs.

Somewhat Frank Weekly Tidbits: 08.26.2007

Google.org a 'For Profit' Auto Maker?

Google's philanthropy organization, Google.org, brought Larry Brilliant on board back in February and was highlighted in a report today in the NY Times which had the blogosphere buzzing. Interestingly, Google.org remains "for profit" so they can fund startups which is not the norm for philanthropic organizations or sites using the .org domain extension. Another interesting point is that Google.org plans to develop an ultra-fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid car engine that runs on ethanol, electricity and gasoline. Yes a Google car - I cannot wait to see it!

eBay Integrates Skype Into Listings

No surprise here, eBay has finally added a click to call link to its listings. This is a clear integration of Skype, the free Internet phone service provider, which they acquired back in September 2005. This could lead to a number of other sites (Amazon, Craigslist, Google Base) integrating similar services. The conversation has been plentiful about this move today on techmeme.

Grilling Technology Highlighted

The New York Times recently published an article titled Pimp My Grill highlighting the use of technology to produce some high-end, pimped out grilling machines. The piece also spotlights some of the grilling obsessed. These are the folks that use their grill year round through sun, wind, rain, snow and sleet.

I must say, I have also shoveled snow to grill, so I understand where they are coming from. Though my grill may not be as fine as some of the items mentioned by the NYTimes, I am pretty happy with my green Char-Broil Patio Caddie (space saver)  shown to the right.

NYTimes Invests In Attention With Root

The New York Times announced today that they are investing in a company called Root which focuses on attention. I recently attended Syndicate NY where Seth Goldstein, the CEO and founder of Root, explained how Root is using attention. I do not recall a single mention of a big player in the media industry such as New York Times, Forbes.com or USAToday.com using the Roots system.  However the recent announcement by PaidContent.org that the NYTimes had closed a $12 million dollar round of funding had this to say about Root:

"The company’s technology and service has been adopted by NYTimes.com, Forbes.com (and example on Forbes.com is here) and USAToday.com, to convert its visitors into direct leads, instead of using third party and affiliate lead-gen services. Typically, the lead-gen has been a black-box for publishers, who have no control over the data…Root’s solution hopes to help publishers have control of the data and retain revenue from every lead generated on their sites."

I just wonder if others will jump onto the technology and start paying for highly targeted leads - or attention. For more information on Root check out this Forbes article from January 2006.