Avatars Cause Fight Over Breach of Contract: No Doubt Sues “Band Hero.”

Can’t we all just get along?

Hell no.

Not when rock band No Doubts lead singer, Gwen Stefani’s avatar sounds like a man, and is singing about hookers.

 According to an article published by the LOS ANGELES (Reuters), rock band No Doubt is suing “Band Hero” video game publisher Activision Blizzard Inc, for turning their likeness into a “virtual karaoke act.”

Not a karaoke enthusiast, but I am a fan of No Doubt.

I remember their performance at the 1997 Grammy Awards and their nomination for best new artist, after years of struggling to make it as a professional rock band, so it is understandable why the group is outraged.

No Doubt

No Doubt granted permission to Band Hero to replicate them in the game performing their own songs, but not the songs of other musical groups, hence the lawsuit.

This isn’t another case of a dormant music group trying to make a quick buck, since they have been actively touring for the past year after their four year hiatus, beginning in 2004 and ending in 2008.

According to the lawsuit filed by the group against Activision, this is a case of “fraudulent inducement and breach of contract.”

No Doubt wanted to have a recall on existing copies, since Band Hero was released in the US for Xbox 360’s on November 3, 2009.

Games Published by Activision Blizzard Inc

In defense of the uses of the group’s avatars, Activision Blizzard Inc released this statement, “Activision believes it is within its legal rights with respect to the use and portrayal of the band members in the game and that this lawsuit is without merit.”

If having Gwen Stefani sing “Honky Tonk Women,” by the Rolling Stones instead of “Spiderwebs” is  a respectful use of the groups likeness , then having Mary J Blige cover Chaka Khan’s “ Sweet Thing” must be the upmost sign of respect.

Google Music Onebox Gets Music D2C

Emerging technologies and the Internet has forced the adoption of the Direct-to -Consumer (D2C) business model as a standard for all companies and business in this digital age. It is no surprise that the music industry is late in its adoption.

Dare I mention P2P file sharing, Napster, digital distribution?

With the introduction of Google Music Onebox, the music industry should be ecstatic at Google’s attempt to place music at the forefront for fans to explore, consume, and purchase.

What is Google Music Onebox?

Google Music Onebox is a Google search feature that allows music to stream directly from the result page and depending on the musical partner, music videos and tour information will also appear. (www.techCrunch.com)

How Does It Work?

Once you type in the song, lyric, or name of the musical artist, search results will surface to the top of the results page accompanied by a play button for direct streaming.

Google Music Onebox Search

Once the play button is clicked, a music player provided by the music streaming service Lala or iLike will appear. You are then able to listen to the full version of song once for free. After that, the length of the song will shorten to 30 seconds after multiply search inquiries for the same song are conducted.

MP3 versions of the songs can then be purchase, through Lala starting at 79 cents.

That is cheap, but will they buy it?

The music industry is welcoming this new music search feature.

Why wouldn’t they? Any music service that makes consumers pay for music would be a welcomed alternative to music piracy.

Google’s Music Onebox is going back to the roots of music. Treating music consumers as more than mere patrons, but as fans who want to enjoy the music of their favorite artist, but don’t want to go out of their way to do so.

Google Music Onebox is appropriately applying the D2C model, placing music directly in the hands of the consumers, and in turn fans are more likely to support the work of their favorite artists with the purchase of a song, since the album is not forced down their throats.

Way to go Google, use the Apple iTunes model. I mean why not?

It works.

Medical Treatment in Virtual Worlds: Therapy, Education, and Societal Development

 Last Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Second Life’s Virtual Ability Island was host to Dick Dillion Senior Vice President of Planning and Development for Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc. and faculty from the Center for Vital Brain Aging at the University of Texas at Dallas for a medical discussion on the treatment of individuals suffering from developmental disorders, mental disorders and substance abuse.

Could treatment be done on the Internet through the use of virtual worlds such as Second Life, and would the alternative human interaction serve as beneficial?

The thought is that the anonymity given by the uses of avatars, would allow those persons diagnosed with autism, schizophrenia, and substance abuse issues to freely divulge of themselves and their experiences without judgment because of the stigma associated with those medical conditions.

Having worked with children with autism, I was able to experience firsthand the reaction of parents and students to the behaviors associated with the developmental disorder, and those having no knowledge of autism were unaware of the communication and social interaction challenges that those with autism face.

Many with autism are unable to verbally communicate at a level that allows words to be recognizable by speech; therefore writing is the preferred method of communication, and should be supplemented with verbal communication. On Second Life, the main method of communication is local chat. Local chat allows the avatars to type conversations instead of talking which is also an option.   

The children that I worked with loved computers. Most all of their free time would be spent playing computer games, and academic work that was done on computers was more engaging and sometimes necessary. Even the child with the lowest mental development was able to navigate, and use a computer with little assistance.

 The level of comfort existed because they could be expressive without frustration from not being understood verbal and physically.

Second Life could relieve some anxiety that those with autism face because they would be able to communicate on a computer to others through the written communication.

My thought is that a version of Second Life should be created specifically for educational purposes, and Islands should be designated to further assist exceptional children. This would not take the place of physical education, but aid in the verbal and social development of those with autism and other medical conditions and disorders while still keeping them amongst their peers.

Verbal communication and social interaction among humans, is often taken for granted, but the nature of Second Life creates a level of equality among its users, and could possibly do the same for those with autism, schizophrenia, and those dealing with substance abuse.

Tweet me your ad:Social Media being used for Marketing

The participants of social media have changed since the introduction of more user-friendly applications like Twitter. Along with the change of participants has come a shift in uses.

Of course, you can still write on your friend’s wall on Facebook, post a video of your rendition of the “Stanky Leg,” on YouTube or Tweet the link to your favorite blog of the day, but social networks can also be used for marketing.

Companies are taking advantage of the low-cost alternative to print advertising by utilizing social networks as a way to deliver advertisements and information to their customers. Not only are there monetary advantages to social networks, there are also accessibility benefits.

Many customers have the Internet on their phone and are able to access social media applications. When companies place advertising information on their site, it automatically gets to the customer.

Even though many companies are using social media in their marketing companies, many are unaware as to how to use them. According to prweekus.com, 49% of companies surveyed, did not have a specific strategic plan in place when using social media sites for marketing and other company needs.  

Not everyone in a company is familiar with the basic functions associated with social media sites, so the notion of asking employees to use Facebook for company marketing would be the same as asking T.O. to  share  some camera time, possible, but it may not be executed in a manner beneficial to all parties involved.

In a perfect world all employees and company department would use social media outlets for company purposes, but unfortunately we live a world were adoption is a process.

Adoption Theory: The Process of Idea Adoption

• Innovators
• Early adopters
• Early Majority
• Late Majority
• Laggards

Many companies are in the early majority in regards to social media marketing. Causing companies to want to become more proficient in this area to boost revenue, attract new customers, and stay on the cutting edge of what is to come.

To successfully utilize site like Twitter, Facebook, and Twitter for marketing and company promotion, companies are hiring New Media Manager/ Social Media Community Managers to ensure theses web sites are being used in the best interest of the company.

Great News for Interactive media graduate students, even in a down economy there is still hope for job creation.

Out with the Old, In With the New: Google Newest Application

The honeymoon period is obviously over for Google Wave. Google is launching a new application a month after 10,000 invitations were sent out for Goggle Wave, the real-time chat room and collaborative platform.

 

According to Wired.com, Goggle has plans to launch a music site. Although its potential names aren’t a mystery Google Music, Google Audio, and One Box, Google has kept lipped about specific details concerning the new service.

 

According to Eliot Van Buskirk of Wired.com, “Google will not become a music retailer itself, but will offer enhanced music search with a streaming function.”

 

In true Google fashion, you must be invited to the event.

 

Those who were invited had to RSVP through Paragon New Media, an online event registration company, in order to be present for the announcement of the service schedule to take place on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at Capitol Records Music in Hollywood, California.  OneRepublic plus members of Linkin Park and Dead by Sunrise are the musical guest.

Invitation to Goggle's Music Site Launch

 

The four major music labels will have music included on the site, along with music catalogs of Lala and iLike.

The Big Four

• Warner Music Group
• EMI
• Sony Music Entertainment
• Universal Music Group

 

The service is rumored to work by bringing up a box when searching for an artist or song, (hence the term “One Box”), and the stream music from a link Lala or iLike which will be given at random.  

• iLike is a music service that streams some songs as 30-second samples, and others as full-length songs, and sells MP3s for the usual prices.
• Lala is a music service that allows you to play, buy and share music on the web. Registered users can stream complete songs and albums, once for free, then, users buy must buy streaming songs.

 

First, it was Goggle Wave. Now, it is Google Music, and rumored to come, Goggle Travel Booking service among other new search applications.

Who’s Your Audience: Analytics Grows Viewers

Whether it is writing journalistic news stories, a blog post, or in the design of a website, you must “know your audience.”

Since the start of my graduate studies, much emphasizes has been placed on the importance of investing time knowing the audience you are trying to reach. 

In several of my classes, we have spent time on techniques that will allow us to be successful communicator’s, and the methods on how to use those techniques to connect with the audience we are trying to reach. However, little attention has been paid to us really knowing how merge analytics with interactivity when developing the knowledge of our audience.

Travis Lusk, a Digital Media Manager for WCBS New Media, and former Elon alum, discussed the importance of web analytics during his presentation given to my Interactive Theory and Audience Analysis class.

It was interesting because his grip with Elon when he was an undergraduate is the very premises for operating as a successful professional no matter the occupation. Knowing the statically implication that will make your company revenue, and knowing how to effectively apply those discoveries in reference to your audience.That scientific and statically analysis is defined as analytics.

Web analytics gathers internet data in an effort to understand and optimize web usage, while business analytics explores company performances for business planning.

Although different in the context of its use, both business and web analytics have the same goals:

• Discover and Understand Trends and Reoccurring Patterns
• Predict Future Performances
• Provide a foundation in decisions that are made concerning the companies continuation with a particular method of operation.

 

It is important to understand analytics in any profession, but as an interactive media professional, knowing analytics will strengthen the knowledge of understanding the audience you are trying to reach, and grow the revenue of your company.

Overthinking Creativity:More Than A Creative Block

“The Achilles’ heel to creativity is not the occasional moment of being uninspired, but overthinking.” Havana Maria Rojas

 

Have you ever found yourself full of inspiration, all geared up to recreate the Mona Lisa better than Leonardo da Vinci, and then it happens?

 

Your stroke of genius seems to disintegrate  into thin air.

 

As a writer, I often find myself going for the gusto.  Writing without a plan. Writing what comes to mind, and on most occasions that workflow worked.

 

Now, as I transition from being just a writer,  to incorporating elements of design and interactivity in my work, my creative process has changed. Planning as I go is no longer acceptable.

 

During the planning process, I have found myself full of ideas, but then I being to overthink and critique those ideas before they are even attempted. Some would say that I am experiencing writer’s block or creative blockage. I would the point argue that my efforts to be uniquely original, causes me overthink, losing out on my Picasso moment.

 

For those of you who are like  me and overthink, Adam Singer, Marketer for @ Top Rank has written these suggestions for overcoming overthinking.

•  Eliminate all distractions.

•  Start with all the tools you’ll need to finish the project. Having to make  a trip out to pick something up halfway through a project is a surefire way  to kill your drive.

•   Know your goals beforehand, have them clearly drawn out. This is especially important for creative tasks where you’re not necessarily   drawing in the lines.

•  Become a master of all of your tools and devices. Use your technology to its full potential.

•   Learn all the background material you’re working with inside and out. To get momentum with something, you have to understand it intimately.

 

“Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.” Erich Fromm.

Reading is Magical: Disney Makes Reading Interactive and Fun

I’ve always loved children, and it was that love that led me to become an educator. For a year, I work as an Elementary School Assistant Teacher. During that time, one of my most challenging jobs was teaching children to read. 

 

When I was a child, reading was a subject that I too struggled to master, partially because of how reading was taught to me. What child wouldn’t love sitting down for an hour following their teacher, as they read line by line?

 

Not many. I surely didn’t.

 

Children like to be mentally and visually stimulated, but reading is often taught in a mundane way. Not truly allowing children the opportunity to view reading as fun.

 

 Many computer games have attempted to change the negative way kid’s view reading, but Disney has taken reading to a whole new level by integrating interactivity, reading fundamentals, and fun by launching Disney Digital Books.

 

 On September 29, 2009, Disney Publishing Worldwide unveiled Disney Digital Books. This safe, innovative website lets children have online access to over 500 Disney books.  These books do not appear static on the screen, but appear as actual books. Giving children the ability to flip pages as they would in real life while having the stories read to them, bringing the stories to life.

 

 The interactivity continues as children beings to read. If a child has trouble understanding a word, they simple click on the word, the dictionary will pop-up and pronounce the word, allowing children to become independent readers.  Offering the same instructional support they would receive from a parent or teacher.

 

Disney Digital Books has found a way capture the needs of both parents and teachers.

 

Parents are able to monitor their child’s progress and leave encouraging messages for their child to receive when they log-on to their account, and teachers appreciate the solid reading foundation the interactive books provide, all while utilizing new technology.

 

Innovation and fun occurs when children are able to build their own Disney stories.  Switching kids from the viewers to the creators, making children active participants in their own learning, giving them a since of pride and accomplishment. The games that coincide with the stories move beyond click, click, shoot. Instead, they mentally challenge the child, all while encouraging learning.

 

Anything Disney has to be magical. Disney Digital Books is no different creating magic with learning and interactivity.

Live Like Diddy: Have a Personal Assistant Work for You

Ok so I’m a sucker for reality TV. Last year, I couldn’t miss an episode of the VH1’s I Want to Work For Diddy. The show centered on Sean “Diddy” Combs, and his search for a new personal assistant.

At the time I was working a job I hated, so the thought of auditioning for the show crossed my mind. In all honesty, I do not think I could handle scheduling someone else’s life when mine in always in disarray.

Currently, I find myself wishing I were Diddy so I could have access to a personal assistant because lately, finding the time to complete the simplest personal task, and keeping track of my schedule seems to be Mission Impossible.

With technology, the things that seemed impossible to partake in because of the lack of status, wealth, or knowledge, has become more available for all to use. Having a personal assistant is no different. For less than $6.89 an hour I too can be like “Diddy,” and have my own personal assistant thanks to virtual assistants.

Virtual Assistants are just like personal assistant except they control all aspect of their boss’s personal life from Millions of miles away, by utilizing the technology provided by a computer and a phone. The virtual assistants are usually found in India, so they never meet their bosses, yet they are eager to complete the tasks that are asked of them, according to an interview done by CNN.

Virtual Assistant are being hired by busy entrepreneurs and small business, to complete secretarial work, and to complete meeting and travel arrangements, but a busy graduate student like myself could hire a virtual assistant to streamline their ever-growing course load, and schedule their life.

This concept is only the beginning; in a couple of years I’m sure I’ll be able to obtain a virtual assistant for my avatar.

Keeping A Secret Will Cost You

Remember the saying “Secrets don’t make friends?” Well, in the blogosphere is you decide to keep your endorsement deals a secret, the FTC can collect up to $11,000 from your cut. That truly doesn’t make them your friend.

New media and technology has made the government examine and restructure laws that have not been changed since the technological boom.  Some of those changes have been recently made to the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising, which hadn’t been redone since 1980.

These new changes where done in an effort to stop bloggers from endorsing products that they were being paid to write reviews on, protect consumers, and prevent bloggers from capitalizing off of their deceptive practices.

Advertising found on social networks and blogs have grown over the years. I can remember when Facebook first began, and there were no adds any where to be found.

Blogs on the other hand, are web based writings that are written at the discretion of the writer. A lot of what I read on blogs, I take at face value. I would not run out and purchase an item that was recommended on a blog, even if that blog comes from a valued, authoritative blogger.

Before blogs people reference readers digest, the newspaper, and the local news to receive information concerning a new products. Blogs can serve a beneficial purpose in product distribution, but when a blogger tries to bamboozle people for money, distrust forms around the whole blogging community.