GPM Group

.XXX to get another comment period

February 17, 2007 in Domains, Internet | Leave a comment

.XXX took up most of the latest ICANN Board meeting. In total the feed back from the public included 200,000 emails and 1300 comments in the .xxx public comment forums. The latest call attracting 600 new comments and 55,579 emails. From those comments 77% were opposed

There has been suggestions that even the community .XXX is meant to represent is not happy with the way .XXX is being handled and as a result ICANN resolved to hold a futher comment period.

ICANN Resolved (07.08) that:

the revised version of Appendix S be exposed to a public comment period of no less than 21 days; and
ICANN Staff consult with ICM and provide further information to the Board prior to its next meeting, so as to inform a decision by the Board about whether sponsorship criteria is met for the creation of a new .XXX sTLD.

Google Checkout – Clearer identifcation of merchants in ads

February 14, 2007 in Search | Leave a comment

Merchants who accept payments from Google Checkout now get a new shopping cart logo in their ads. More details at Google Checkout Blog

Switching Broadband suppliers made easier in the UK

February 13, 2007 in Internet | Leave a comment

On the 14th February new rules from Ofcom (the industry regulator in the UK) require all ISPs to provide the Migration Authorisation Codes (Mac). Some ISPs have been making getting the Mac very difficult, from the 14th they can be fined upto 10% of their annual turnover should they fail to comply with the new rules and not supply the mac code within 5 days of a request.

Uswitch.com has a lot of infomation about switching within many service industries including broadband, insurance, credit cards, loans and utilities.

Flash Movies Mobile

February 12, 2007 in Gadgets, Internet | Leave a comment

Adobe is planning a new version of its Flash Lite cellphone software that can play video files today at the 3GSM wireless trade show in Barcelona, Spain.

DVD on demand – Walmart launches $15 movie download service

February 9, 2007 in Internet | Leave a comment

After signing a deal with six major Hollywood Studios Walmart has become the first leading supermarket to launch a cut price film and TV download service [beta]. This is going to put serious pressure on the highstreet DVD and video stores.

Amazon unbox – movies and TV shows on your TiVo

February 7, 2007 in Gadgets, Internet | 1 comment

Amazon has just announced its new flm and TV download service which is coming soon –

“Amazon Unbox on TiVo” will allow TiVo subscribers to purchase or rent videos from leading movie studios and television networks at Amazon Unbox and download them directly to their TiVo’s “Now Playing List” to enjoy on their TV.

Broadband TV – TV On-demand

February 7, 2007 in Internet | Leave a comment

Pretty soon broadband is going to be in a lot of UK living rooms as the various on-demand TV packages launch. The BBC has provided a list of the services (including their own) that are currently available or are to be shortly launched.

Domain prices to rise in 2007

February 2, 2007 in Domains | Leave a comment

CBR Online is reporting VeriSign Inc. is likely to raise .com wholesale prices in the 1st half of 2007, with .net likely to follow.

The maximum permitted rises under the recently inked agreements with ICANN would see the .com wholesale price to rise from $6 to $6.42 and .net wholesale price from $4.25 to $4.67

Local search integrated into google.com

January 31, 2007 in Internet, Search | Leave a comment

Google has started integrating local search into the main results when searching for a local business for example

Cities Car Hire Edinburgh
Small towns Agents Ayr
Zips /Postcodes w2 Estate Agents

More details at the Google Blog

Google profit in 4th Quarter nearly triples to £1.03bn