Tellme Launches Free 411 Business Search Service

Tellme Networks has announced that it will be launching a new service that enables users to quickly find information while on the go. The service functions similar to to 411, but users can request information through voice, SMS, or Mobile Web. By requesting “Business Search” at the voice prompt, the service will allow you to find businesses in a particular category and return local results based on location. The announcement comes just a week after Google announced its free 411 service, Goog-411.

To use the service through voice, simply call 1.800.555.TELL. They have offered this service using their TellMe Mobile application, but this is the first time it is completely voice controlled.

Project San Dimas Beta: Cleaning Up eBay’s UI

At the Web 2.0 Expo, online auction giant eBay seems to finally be rethinking their user experience with the announcement of a new Apollo application currently called “Project San Dimas” released into a limited beta. The new application is meant to make buying and selling items on eBay more efficient, competing with third party “Power User” auction service giants Vendio and Marketworks, and the Y Combinator upstart Auctomatic. No word on whether it was named after the patron saint of reformed thieves (fraud detection?) or referencing the quiet suburb that served as the backdrop to “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”.

The project was started last year by Alan Lewis of the eBay Developers Program, and eventually became an internal initiative for eBay after being demoed last year at Adobe MAX in Las Vegas. Ryan Stewart blogged the demo and Rob Abbott, a member of the San Dimas team, also has some coverage. San Dimas features a UI created by EffectiveUI and uses eBay’s API’s to make creating, and managing auctions easier and faster. Because it’s written in Apollo, the program can improve performance by cutting down on repetitive requests for data, caching it locally instead. The application will also feature real-time auction monitoring and allow sellers to add in pictures directly uploaded from webcams and cameras.

Today’s release is made on the backdrop of a continuing controversy between Microsoft’s new Silverlight and Adobe’s Apollo, outlined by the WSJ today. Microsoft has already effectively lost as an online video standard to Adobe’s Flash. Silverlight marks the being of a new battle over web standards as the two companies fight over the tools that will shape the future of web applications.

here is a video demoing the application here

Netvibes Launches Universe: Customized Public Pages

This afternoon Netvibes will announce the launch of Netvibes Universe, allowing users to create highly customized versions of Netvibes and publish them for public access. Netvibes has created 100 or so branded versions for the launch - users will be able to create these in about six weeks.

In addition to making the page public, publishers can also highly customize their Universe page by adding their own CSS and HTML.

The TechCrunch Universe page, featuring many of my favorite news feeds and a few widgets, is at Netvibes.com/TechCrunch. Additional Universe pages have been created for a number of artists (50 Cent, Ben Harper, Deftones, G-Unit, Mandy Moore, Moby, Pretty Ricky, and Snoop Dogg) and major news sites (CBS, CNN Money, Forbes.com, LATimes.com, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, TIME, Inc., USAToday and washingtonpost.com). A full list will be published here later today.

Netvibes users can click and add any public page, or portion of a public page, to their own account and receive updates.

Pageflakes also has public pages you can share with everyone or a select group of friends, but doesn’t support your own CSS.

Google, Clear Channel ink long-term deal

Google Inc. and Clear Channel Communications Inc. announced a long-term agreement Sunday that will allow the Internet search leader to place advertising for its online customers on more than 675 Clear Channel radio stations.

"This radio partnership with Clear Channel is a pretty big statement that Google is in the radio industry to stay and have a big impact," said Drew Hilles, Google Audio's national sales director.

The agreement will give Google advertisers that had not relied on radio direct access to Clear Channel's national distribution system through an easy-to-use interface, Hilles said.

It will also allow those customers to target their campaigns, reaching particular audiences in targeted locations at specific times, and to get quick feedback about their campaigns, he said.

"This is a true win-win," John Hogan, chief executive of Clear Channel's radio division, said in a statement. "Clear Channel Radio gets access to an entirely new group of advertisers within a new and complementary sales channel, and Google adds another option for its existing customers."

Toshiba enters portable storage market

Toshiba Corp. — known among consumers for its televisions, laptops and DVD players — will begin selling portable hard drive products as well, becoming the latest company seeking to capitalize on people's expanding collections of digital data.

The Toshiba USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive will be available Monday in capacities ranging from 100 gigabytes to 200 gigabytes — the largest capacity yet in a portable, compact form factor.

The device, less than an inch thick and smaller than a 4-by-6-inch photo print, offers the kind of storage space found on many laptop computers. It's designed to be a backup repository for computer documents, digital photos, videos or photos, and is rugged enough to carry on trips.

Prices start at $130 for the 100 GB version and go to $230 for the 200 GB model.

Other leading hard drive makers Seagate Technology LLC and Western Digital Corp. already offer similar devices with top capacities of 160 GB.

Toshiba, the world's fifth-largest hard drive manufacturer, can claim the capacity crown for now, but analysts say it won't be long before other portable storage gadgets reach or surpass the 200 GB mark.

Yahoo expands newspaper partnership

Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO - news) is greatly expanding its relationship with the newspaper industry, announcing the addition Monday of four new publishing companies to a consortium that works with the Internet company to sell advertising online.

Yahoo is also broadening the scope of the venture beyond its initial phase of selling help-wanted ads. It will now integrate Yahoo's search technology across the sites of the more than 264 newspapers now in the group, which covers 44 states.

Yahoo and the publishers also agreed to share local news stories from the newspapers across Yahoo's large news network and to sell local advertising online and to use Yahoo's graphical advertising technology on newspaper sites.

The original partnership, which was announced in November, was focused on selling job-search advertising online and in print, combining the large sales forces of local newspapers with the national reach of Yahoo's HotJobs online job-search service. Specific financial terms weren't disclosed.

Since that time, four other newspaper publishers have also joined, including McClatchy Co., the third-largest newspaper company in the country by circulation; Media General Inc.; Morris Communications Company LLC; and Paddock Publications Inc.

In late March, McClatchy announced a separate deal with Yahoo to allow news stories and certain online-only material produced by four of McClatchy's eight foreign bureaus to appear on Yahoo. The companies said they would share revenues but did not provide further financial details.

The growing consortium of newspapers working together with Yahoo on advertising widens a division in the industry between those papers and Gannett Co. and Tribune Co., the No. 1 and No. 2 publishers by circulation. Tribune and Gannett have been working to form a separate national network for selling advertising online.

Seeking ways to build up their online advertising revenues is a critical imperative for newspaper companies as readers and advertisers continue to migrate to the Internet. Many newspapers have reported growing revenues from online advertising, but print advertising, which is still the vast majority of their business, has been slumping.

Hot Pick on April 16th

Altec Lansing IMMINI inMotion(tm) Portable Audio Speakers for mini » for $19.99 at Buy.com

List Price: $99.00 Exp: Limited Time

Just when you thought the inMotion portable audio system couldn't get any smaller, iMmini comes along. This tiny, ultra-portable, battery-operated stereo system is the first powered audio system designed exclusively for the iPod mini. A highly efficient Class D amplifier powers four micro drivers to deliver a full spectrum of pure, distinct sound, while the revolutionary MaxxBass technology allows listeners to enjoy deep bass without lugging around a subwoofer. Best of all, connectivity is as easy as placing your iPod mini into the built-in dock. How to get this deal: Click here to go to Buy.com Add to Shopping cart for $19.99 Final Price: $19.99 + Free Shipping + No Tax (Except CA, MD, MA, and TN)

HOT!! May not last long!!

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04/16/07 01:22 CST

SanDisk 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo - SDMSPD-4096-A10 » for $66.43 at Buy.com

List Price: $299.99 Exp: 04/22/2007	Advanced security with Access Control Function and MagicGate technology. The fast transfer rates help prevent data loss when power is suddenly cut-off or if the media is removed accidentally. How to get this deal: Click here to go to Buy.com Add to Shopping cart for $66.43 Final Price: $66.43 + Free Shipping + No Tax (Except CA, MD, MA, and TN)
HOT!!

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04/16/07 01:20 CST

Logitech QuickCam Orbit MP, 961422-0403 » for $59.95 at Buy.com

List Price: $129.99 Exp: 04/28/2007

You've never seen anything like the unique combination of form and function in the QuickCam Orbit MP. Motorized pan and tilt keeps this stylish camera focused on you, and the True 1.3 Megapixel sensor delivers superior quality images. How to get this deal: Click here to go to Buy.com Add to Shopping cart for $89.95 -$30 Mail-in rebate ( Offer valid from 4/15/2007 to 4/28/2007 ) Final Price: $89.95 -$30 = $59.95 + Free Shipping + No Tax (Except CA, MD, MA, and TN)

HOT!!

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04/16/07 01:22 CST

Creative 73VF015000000 Live! Motion 640 x 480 30fps USB Interface WebCam » for $54.98 at NewEgg.com

List Price: $124.99 Exp: 04/16/2007

Enjoy greater instant messaging freedom and say goodbye to constantly adjusting your camera! Designed to move automatically and manually, WebCam Live! Motion rotates vertically and horizontally to give an incredible panoramic view of up to 200° horizontally, and 105° vertically on its axis. How to get this deal: Click here to go to NewEgg.com Add to Shopping cart for $99.99 -$50 Mail-in Rebate (Exp 04/16/2007) Final Price : $99.99 - $50 + $4.99 Shipping = $54.98 + No Tax (Except CA, TN & NJ)

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04/16/07 01:00 CST

XFX GeForce 7100GS 350MHz 256MB w/ TurboCache Supporting 512MB PCI Express x16 Video Card - PVT72VWANG » for $42.99 at Buy.com

List Price: $89.00 Exp: 04/30/2007

Built for Microsoft Windows Vista NVIDIA's third-generation GPU architecture built for Windows Vista give users the best possible experience with the 3D graphical user interface in the upcoming operation system (OS) from Microsoft. Double Lifetime WarrantyNow you-and your card's next owner-are both covered by the XFX "shield" of protection. Should something go wrong with your Series 6 or greater Graphics Card, and you've registered the card with us online, we'll cover the cost of repair and service-absolutely free!NVIDIA CineFX 4.0 EngineDelivers advanced visual effects at unimaginable speeds. Full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 enables stunning and complex special effects. How to get this deal: Click here to go to Buy.com Add to Shopping cart for $57.99 -$15 Mail-in Rebate (Exp 04/30/2007) Final Price: $57.99 - $15 = $42.99 + Free Shipping + No Tax (Except CA, MD, MA, and TN)

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04/16/07 02:35 CST

Logitech Cordless Desktop S510 Keyboard and Mouse Combo - 967557-0403 » for $39.69 at Buy.com

List Price: $69.99 Exp: Limited Time

The Cordless Desktop S 510 is a perfect match with today's flat screen systems. Its innovative flatter keyboard design gives you a consistent desktop look as well as an amazingly high level of comfort. Relax your wrists on the built-in palm rest, and with one touch, you can navigate the web or shuffle for a random music mix. Scroll pages vertically and horizontally with the optical mouse with tilt wheel, and you can use it continuously for 6 months or more with the longer battery life. Enjoy one-touch image zooming, and cool media features such as handy rotation of digital pictures. Launch applications with the programmable F-keys. An advanced optical mouse delivers fast, consistent performance and more freedom of movement. How to get this deal: Click here to go to Buy.com Add to Shopping cart for $39.69 Final Price: $39.69 + Free Shipping + No Tax (Except CA, MD, MA, and TN)

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04/16/07 01:00 CST

TWO Pack -Meritline USB2.0 ALL-in-1 External Memory Card Reader/Writer » for $9.99 at Meritline.com

List Price: $23.99 Exp: Limited time	NA How to get this deal: Click here to go to Meritline.com Add to Shopping cart for $9.99 Final Price : $9.99 + Free Shipping + No Tax (Except CA, MA)

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04/16/07 01:00 CST

Kingston 2GB Secure Digital Card (SD) - SD/2GBKR » for $14.95 at Buy.com

List Price: $68.00 Exp: 04/21/2007

Break from the limitations of traditional memory devices and put more storage at your fingertips with Kingston Technology's Secure Digital (SD) memory cards. The latest in the Kingston family, SD memory cards combine massive storage capacity, blazing data transfer rates and ironclad security in a memory card no bigger than a postage stamp. SD memory cards from Kingston are built of nonvolatile memory components, meaning they keep the information stored on them without needing power. How to get this deal: Click here to go to Buy.com Add to Shopping cart for $39.95 -$25 Mail-in rebate ( Offer valid from 4/15/2007 to 4/21/2007 ) Final Price: $39.95 -$25 = $14.95 + Free Shipping + No Tax (Except CA, MD, MA, and TN)

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04/16/07 01:34 CST

Kingston 1GB Data Traveler USB 2.0 Flash Drive - DTI/1GBKR » for $5.95 at Buy.com

List Price: $30.00 Exp: 04/21/2007

DataTraveler USB Flash drive is ideal for home office, small business, schools and promotions. It is affordable and puts mobile storage in nearly anyone's hands. Now you can store, carry and transfer files quickly in an affordable, convenient device. The DataTraveler from Kingston helps budget-conscious users break storage barriers, allowing you to easily store and move files in a device no bigger than a pocketknife. As easy as click and drag, the DataTraveler can hold just about any file you can think of - reports pictures, spreadsheets or other important documents. How to get this deal: Click here to go to Buy.com Add to Shopping cart for $27.95 -$22 Mail-in rebate ( Offer valid from 4/15/2007 to 4/21/2007 ) Final Price: $27.95 -$22 = $5.95 + Free Shipping + No Tax (Except CA, MD, MA, and TN)

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04/16/07 01:35 CST

Memorex 2GB TravelDrive USB 2.0 Flash Drive - 32509070 » for $19.99 at Buy.com

List Price: $53.33 Exp: 04/22/2007

The TravelDrive USB 2.0 flash drive offers users a convenient way to store data, digital photos, video and MP3 files and then easily access them from any PC or Mac using the computer's USB port. The TravelDrive features a slim, cast aluminum design, pen-like cap, blue wrap around LED, and reinforced, drive-attached lanyard. This innovative design, combined with fast read and write speeds, makes storing and transferring files stylish and easy. How to get this deal: Click here to go to Buy.com Add to Shopping cart for $19.99 Final Price: $19.99 + Free Shipping + No Tax (Except CA, MD, MA, and TN)

No Rebates!!

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04/16/07 01:19 CST

Kingston 4GB DataTraveler USB 2.0 Flash Drive - DTI/4GBKR » for $29.95 at Buy.com

List Price: $50.00 Exp: 04/21/2007	4GB DataTraveler USB 2.0 Flash Drive is ideal for home office, small business, schools and promotions. It is affordable and put mobile storage in nearly anyone's hands. How to get this deal: Click here to go to Buy.com Add to Shopping cart for $38.95 -$9 Mail-in rebate ( Offer valid from 4/15/2007 to 4/21/2007 ) Final Price: $38.95 -$9 = $29.95 + Free Shipping + No Tax (Except CA, MD, MA, and TN)

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04/16/07 01:36 CST

Memorex 2 x 10pks - DVD+R DL 8X Spindle Box - 32025844-KIT » for $29.95 at Buy.com

List Price: $59.98 Exp: 04/22/2007

DVD+R Double Layer discs are write-once and burn at 2 depths on 1 side of the disc. Capable of storing up to 8.5 GB of data and approximately 240 minutes of video playback using existing DVD players. Allows the storage of long length programming, sporting events and video footage on 1 disc (an additional 120 minutes more than regular DVD’s!) How to get this deal: Click here to go to Buy.com Add to Shopping cart for $29.95 Final Price: $29.95 + Free Shipping + No Tax (Except CA, MD, MA, and TN)

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04/16/07 01:29 CST

Olympus 2GB Type M xD-Picture Card™ » for $49.99 at CircuitCity.com

List Price: $99.99 Exp: 04/21/2007	This ultra-compact card allows you to capture more pictures at higher resolutions before the images must be downloaded or the card changed. It's also the only xD card that supports the Panorama function found on most Olympus digital cameras. How to get this deal: Click here to go to CircuitCity.com Add to Shopping cart for $49.99 Final Price: $49.99 + Free Shipping + State tax may apply

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04/16/07 01:01 CST

Photoco PhotoShare 7" LCD Digital Photo Album » for $79.99 at CircuitCity.com

List Price: $109.99 Exp: 04/21/2007	Watch your digital photo scroll through in a slide show, zoom in on individual shots or look at multiple pictures with the thumbnail view. How to get this deal: Click here to go to CircuitCity.com Add to Shopping cart for $79.99 Final Price: $79.99 + Free Shipping + State tax may apply

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04/16/07 01:00 CST

Canon IP4200 PIXMA Photo Printer » for $54.99 at CircuitCity.com

List Price: $129.99 Exp: 4/21/2007

The PIXMA iP4200 Photo Printer is a high-performance machine, combining exceptional print quality with advanced convenience features. It delivers a resolution of up to 9600 x 2400 color dpi, for amazing detail and clarity. To achieve this, Canon uses a high-performance 1,856-nozzle print head that ejects precise, consistent droplets as small as 1 picoliter, resulting in beautiful photos with virtually no detectable grain. How to get this deal: Click here to go to CircuitCity.com Add to Shopping cart for $69.99 -$15 Mail-in Rebate (Exp 04/28/2007) Final Price: $69.99 - $15 = $54.99 + Free Shipping + State tax may apply

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04/16/07 01:12 CST

Desktop Tower Defense Should Be Banned

Desktop Tower Defense illustrates that you don’t need fancy graphics or big budgets to build highly addictive online games. In Desktop Tower Defence, all of the main graphics are hand drawn.

I first discovered this on Jeremy Zawodny’s blog, where he warned “The lack of posting here in the second half of this week (especially to my linkblog) has been a direct result of attempting to beat this highly addictive game. Whatever you do, please DO NOT click the link and start playing that game. You may find yourself in the very same time warp that I did…”

So of course I clicked on the link and have been “testing” the game ever since. It’s free and Flash based, and very simple. Bad guys come at you in a highly predictable way. You build defenses that take them out. If any get through, you lose a life. I’ve gotten to level 72. Can’t get passed it.

Fotowoosh Will Turn Any Picture Into A 3D Image

Fotowoosh, a new service from Maryland-based startup Freewebs, will turn any image (preferably an outdoor image) into a 3D model. They went live on Friday. Examples of what the service can do are above (along with the original 2D images. A video is here which shows more examples.

The 3D image is constructed in Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) format, meaning you currently need a VRML reader to see it (future browsers will likely build this functionality in). In a week or so, the company say, users will be able to upload a picture and have a 3D animated image returned to them in a Flash widget that can be embedded on any website.

When you upload an image to Fotowoosh, their software tears it apart and distinguishes the sky, ground and vertical elements within the photo, then cuts and folds it into a 3D model:

Our system automatically constructs simple “pop-up” 3D models, like those one would find in a children’s book, out of a single outdoor image. The system labels each region of an outdoor image as ground, vertical, or sky. Line segments fitted to the ground-vertical boundary in the image and an estime of the horizon’s position provide the necessary information to determine where to “cut” and “fold” in the image. The model is then popped up, and the image is texture mapped onto the model.

This is the creation of Derek Hoiem, a PhD candidate in Robotics at Carnegie Mellon University, who’s now working with the company. Additional information on the intellectual property behind Fotowoosh is here and here (these links auto-download a pdf and a powerpoint document).

Microsoft is working on something related to this in their Live Labs group called Photosynth (more information here). The product will construct a 3D model based on lots of photos of the same thing or general area from different angles.

Freewebs raised $11 million in venture capital in August 2006 from Columbia Capital and Novak Biddle. The company’s main product is a website building tool that draws 18 million or so visitors per month. Shervin Pishevar, the company’s president, say that Fotowoosh will be a standalone service, and they’ll also integrate it with offerings from partners as well as the Freewebs service itself.