A. Sean Parker Introduces New Media Platform Airtime
Sean Parker, known for co-founding Napster and being one of the early investors in Facebook, launched a new video chat and file-sharing platform called Airtime. Airtime makes it possible for people to share videos and watch videos together in real time. Parker is calling this new experience a “platform for synchronous interactions.” Airtime launched with a star-studded event; notable guests included Olivia Munn, Joel McHale, Snoop Dogg, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ed Helms and Jim Carrey.
B. Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook ring in IPO with All-night Hackathon
Engineers weren’t counting their Facebook dollars the night before the initial public stock offering. Instead, Facebook conducted an all-night hackathon that ended when Zuckerberg rang the NASDAQ’s opening bell from Facebook’s Menlo Park campus.
According to Facebook, hacking is “building something quickly or testing the boundaries of what can be done,” which is appropriate considering Facebook was about to test the boundaries of the stock market. About 1,000 Facebook employees have already RSVPed to an internal event page. Already a celebrated tradition at Facebook, Hackathons have resulted in some key features of the social media site, including the profile redesign Timeline.
C. Oracle CEO Larry Ellison buys Majority of Hawaiian Island
Larry Ellison just made a deal to purchase 98 percent of the Hawaiian island of Lanai for an undisclosed amount (read: it had been listed for $500 mil).
The 141-square-mile island is the sixth largest in the Hawaiian chain. Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie says his office is excited about Ellison’s purchase, citing his long-standing interest in natural conservation and preservation of the oceans through his sailing pursuits. Ellison was apparently in competition for the island; Microsoft founder Bill Gates was also interested in the property. He rented it back in 1994 for his wedding.
D. Sergey Brin Shows the World the New Google Glasses
Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, has just introduced the new Google sunglasses with Google Glass technology. The new model of sunglasses with Google Glass has clipin tinted lenses. The glass is computerized and gives users the ability to use apps, take pictures and record videos. They also have the ability to surf the web and check social networks on the go.
These sunglasses will also include a microphone and speaker and plenty of storage memory. They are not on the market yet, but they are available for pre-order for the price of $1,500. Google has confirmed that the glasses will be available in 2014.
E. MarK Pincus’ Zynga Announces New Network and New Games
It doesn’t look like Zynga CEO Mark Pincus is thinking of slowing down anytime soon. The social game service provider recently announced the Zynga With Friends network, in addition to new mobile and web games with presence across more genres, including that of casino and arcade.
They showcased the newest “Ville” games, including The Ville and ChefVille, while its casino genre will have Zynga Elite Slots and its arcade genre will have Ruby Blast. “We’ve made some great progress on the Zynga Platform, and our pipeline of new games represents more genres of play that expand our audience, more mobile ways to play and more dimensions of play that will deliver the next generation of fun and social,” Pincus said.
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August 11, 2012The Pride of Peju - Ariana Peju of Peju Winery
