Daily Marauder

ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA

The big social networking players have turned their attention toward a long-standing problem on the net usually referred to as data portability. MySpace was the first to announce a new set of tools that store all the usual profile info sites ask for then automatically transfer it to new sites you sign up for. A central, updateable interface will automatically share public profile data with Yahoo, eBay, Photobucket and Twitter. Not to be outdone, Facebook announced Facebook Connect, enabling third party sites like Digg to connect to user profiles, friends, photos, events etc. Participating web sites will also be able to allow users to log in and create accounts using their Facebook names and passwords. (Cynopsis 5/12)

Google will be launching its own data portability effort called Friend Connect. It will be announcing more details about the preview later tonight, but in a press release this morning it confirmed the product. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/12/google-confirms-friend-connect 5/12)

Microsoft didn’t approach Facebook about an acquisition after it walked away from its bid for Yahoo, despite recent news reports, say sources at the software giant. Microsoft expects to make Internet acquisitions of various sizes over time. Also, the Yahoo pursuit “really is over.” (http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/09/technology/microsoft_facebook.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008050911 5/9)

Vidnik is a nifty new idiot proof Mac application that allows you to record video from the built in iSight camera now standard on Mac laptops and Imacs then upload it to YouTube with a single click. (Cynopsis 5/12)

And yes, the man in this video scares the crap out of me also.

Shares of the British video search engine firm Blinkx surged 50% to a seven-month high Friday on talk that News Corp. and Google may bid for the firm. Speculation  of a bid “does not sound ridiculous,” says Piper Jaffray analyst Rajeev Bahl. Blinkx has “very intelligent” technology. (Iwantmedia 5/12, http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSL0935095020080509 5/9)

Joost continues to add shows from the vaults of producer Aaron Spelling to its P2P platform including Beverly Hills 90210, Starsky and Hutch and the latest addition – The Love Boat. (Cynopsis 5/12)

John Malone’s Liberty Media, owner of a 30% stake in the Internet company IAC/InterActiveCorp, is appealing a court decision allowing IAC chairman Barry Diller to split his firm into five parts. IAC says in a statement: “We are quite confident that the decision will not be reversed.” (Iwantmedia 5/12, http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=av6uI1wYms6M 5/9)

Microsoft, seeking more revenue from Internet advertising, is introducing software that allows users to exchange messages while watching online videos. Users of Messenger TV, initially available in Europe, will be able to watch and share clips from companies such as MTV Networks. (Iwantmedia 5/12, http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=axT7yzfwvKDE 5/12)

Craigslist is facing a lawsuit from eBay, accusing CEO Jim Buckmaster and founder Craig Newmark of trying to dilute its stake to reduce the online auctioneer’s potential influence. Buckmaster does not rule out a sale of the company in the long term: “We’re trying to be as useful as possible.” (Iwantmedia 5/12, http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c88ac756-1f8b-11dd-9216-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1 5/11)

Viacom’s MTV is asking its audience to audition to be a blogger to cover the network’s MTV Movie Awards. MTV.com is seeking “someone who worships flicks and loves to blog about them.” The winner may appear on the air, so “you’ll just have to look to be between 18-30 years old.” (Iwantmedia 5/12, http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/05/09/wanted-mtv-movie-awards-blogger-your-time-is-running-out 5/9)