Lessons Learned From Instagram’s Ad Policy Fiasco

Instagram’s back-and-forth on its advertising policy is a case study in tech PR blundering. It demonstrates the need for clear explanations of terms of services changes. It also raises the question of whether apps should update their terms to cover future monetization strategies as early as they know what these money-makers look like, or if they should notify users right before the ads go live.

When Instagram changed its ad terms this week, co-founder Kevin Systrom admitted its mistake w...

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EMC Acquires Israeli Storage Startup ScaleIO For $200M-$300M To Compete Better With The Cloud KingsComments Off

Screen shot 2013-06-19 at 11.03.32 AM Palo Alto-based ScaleIO is one of a new generation of startup storage providers that’s using intelligent software to help big companies streamline and converge their data storage operations at scale, across thousands of servers. On a mission to re-imagine the very operations of enterprise data centers, the startup’s tech takes aim at the core business of storage giants like EMC and IBM. In fact, ScaleIO claims that its block storage technology offers 80 to 90 percent savings compared to the bigs.

Why Makerbot Is Like AppleComments Off

makerbot apple When we first discovered that Makerbot was looking to partner with Stratsys I was a bit non-plussed. Makerbot, as I’ve noted before, has a certain indie cred that makes this move a bit unpalatable.

Well Done, MicrosoftComments Off

9021844483_25e562bfae_z The reveal of the Xbox One didn’t go as Microsoft hoped. Gamers loved the system, but hated the absurd restrictions placed on the games. But Microsoft listened and just today reversed its stance on some of the more ridiculous policies. Good for them. Good for us.

I mean, the outcry was hard to ignore. The memes, the tweets, the visceral anger was everywhere. Even the talking heads on nationwide morning talk shows were debating the curious DRM restrictions.

Microsoft Heeds Gamer Feedback, Dumps Xbox One DRM RestrictionsComments Off

ps4 Attention gamers: you win. The folks at Redmond infuriated many when it revealed that the Xbox One would come with a long list of potential caveats — there was the automated 24 hour check-in to keep the console in playable condition, and the restrictions on who you could share disc-based games with, not to mention the fact that it would shipped region-locked.

Unsurprisingly, the gaming community lashed out in a big way, and Microsoft is finally doing something about it. According to a recent mea culpa from Microsoft Interactive Entertainment President Don Mattrick, the company has suddenly decided to drop all that nonsense due to an outpouring of (largely negative) feedback.

Twitter Acquires Local Discovery Startup Spindle, Will End Spindle ServiceComments Off

photo-3 Twitter today acquired Spindle, an app that uses mobile devices and social networks to make a smarter localized search engine. The Spindle team will move to San Francisco and shutter the Spindle app.

Using social networks, the time of day, and your location, Spindle would show you places you may want to visit, like restaurants or stores or other points of interest.