Future X Box developments

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2331985/Xbox-One-track-EVERYTHING-watch-TV--reward-watching-ads.html

An article which goes through the features of the X Box One.  Interesting to read about how the machine will be able to potentially monitor the way audiences react to particular adverts (using their facial movements and heart rate) and will also reward users for watching adverts.  Perhaps a way of drawing advertisers in by guaranteeing them an audience?

Iron Man 3 - being censored / re-edited for the Chinese audience

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2324077/Iron-Man-3-execs-changed-film-Chinese-audience-adding-minutes-film-Chinese-actors-toning-ethnicity-lead-villain.html

An interesting article about the changes made to Iron Man 3 so it can be legally shown in cinemas in China.  These include cutting out some scenes, filming an extra 4 minutes of footage featuring chinese celebrities and putting in product placement for Chinese products.  In China, the government control the film censorship board and they get to decide what does and doesn't end up at the cinema.  As the previous films in the franchise made so much money in China, the produces were happy to re-edit the film and add extra things in to ensure the Chinese government were happy with it to ensure it's release in Chinese cinemas was granted.

Candy Crush - the world's most popular mobile phone app?

An article discussing the success of Candy Crush.  Interesting to think what impact this might have on the video game industry?  Do people like this game because they can play it on all different platforms - phone / tablet / facebook and still save their progress?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2324228/Candy-Crush-Saga-overtakes-Angry-Birds-WORLDS-popular-game.html

You Tube to start charging this month

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2320152/YouTube-set-charge-watching-videos-A-monthly-subscription-launch-early-week.html

An article which discusses the plans for You Tube to start charging for viewing some channels.

Facebook to start charging for messaging celebs?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2305396/How-people-going-like-Facebook-starts-charging-UK-users-10-send-messages-celebrities.html

Why do you think Facebook are trialling this idea?  What advantages and disadvantages does it have for them?

Music Industry - doomed by digital?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2285229/Adele-One-Direction-Mumford--Sons-help-boost-global-music-industry-sales-time-13-years.html

A brilliant article outlining the struggles the music industry is facing at the moment and how they are using digital media to try and stay on top

Twitter becoming a shopping site?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2277582/Pay-tweet-Have-kept-tweet-New-service-allows-buy-products-using-Twitter.html#axzz2KR9ddwJ7

Twitter will allow people to buy products soon using hashtags!  What do you think?  What sort of institutions might use this opportunity?  what effect might this have on other social networks?

You Tube to start charging?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2270489/YouTube-takes-TV-subscription-channel-plan-charging-3-month.html

An article discussing the idea that You Tube might start charging viewers to access some channels..  Why are they doing this do you think?  Do you think audiences will subscribe or not?

Voting on Reality TV Shows

So we all know that most reality TV shows have some sort of voting system in place.. We vote people in, we vote people out, we vote for people we hate to do trials, we vote for people we like to get treats..  Several years ago, shows such as as X Factor and Britain's Got Talent got into trouble for charging people too much for voting, and even charging them if they rung after the cut off time.

This week the BBC were complained about on Twitter as people couldn't get through to the voting line to vote for their favourite Sports Person Of the Year.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2249368/Jammed-phone-lines-leave-thousands-angry-viewers-unable-vote-Sports-Personality-Year.html

Remember that most institutons are commercial.  They are designed to make money.  How many programmes can you think of that ask you to ring or text in for some reason?