A new service called FeedFlix parses data out of Netflix RSS feeds and turns Netflix into a rudimentary social network. Though, it's not really very social yet. Every Netflix user has an RSS feed that includes information about the movies in your queue, the movies you have out, and which you've reviewed or recommended. Feedflix parses those feeds and tracks your account activity to create some helpful data that can be used to get the most out of Netflix.
There are a lot of ways to collaborate online - wikis, forums, social networks - but there are very few providers that package all the tools together that a group might need. Grou.ps, a social groupware provider, aims to address that problem by providing its users one single package of integrated tools.
Like a Microsoft Office for social tools, Grou.ps offers the following modules: chat, blog aggregation, wikis, talks (forum + mailing list), photo albums, links (bookmarks and news), calendaring, maps, subgroups, and people (profiles).
As we wrote last night, the new Live Mesh service that just launched as an invite only "technology preview" is Microsoft's attempt to tie all of our data together. Live Mesh synchronizes data across multiple devices (currently just Windows computers, but theoretically it will extend to mobile and other devices in the future) as well as to a web desktop that exists in the cloud. It can sync data across devices used by a single users, as well as create shared spaces for multiple users. Accompanying the launch of Live Mesh is a new memo from Microsoft Chief Software Architect, Ray Ozzie. The full text of the memo appears to be out on the Web now, so we can reveal it for you...
Bungee Labs announced today at Web 2.0 Expo that it is expanding its hosting options, and also looking into open source as a way to connect with the developer community. Bungee Labs' main product is Bungee Connect, an end-to-end, cloud-based development platform for web applications. We covered the launch of the public beta of Connect in February this year (we also covered the launch of the company at last year's Web 2.0 Expo). Essentially, the news today is the continued evolution of the company as it competes against established SaaS companies like Salesforce, Oracle and Microsoft. [Update: Bungee labs wrote to clarify that they don't consider themselves competitors with Oracle]
So we're only half a decade at most into the Web 2.0 era, and we still don't really know what "Web 2.0" is. Yet for some reason, over the past couple of years there has been an even more confusing meme that seems to keep cropping up: "Web 3.0." It already feels like we've been talking about Web 3.0 for ages, even though we don't know yet know exactly what Web 2.0 is. What are the various ways that Web 3.0 has been defined over the past three years, and why is it helpful to talk about what the next web will look like?
The new Live Mesh service that just launched as an invite only "technology preview" is Microsoft's attempt to tie all of our data together. Live Mesh synchronizes data across multiple devices (currently just Windows computers, but theoretically it will extend to mobile and other devices in the future) as well as to a web desktop that exists in the cloud. It can sync data across devices used by a single users, as well as create shared spaces for multiple users. On the surface, Mesh is a lot like competing file sync services such as Dropbox, SugarSync (which we covered in January), and even Microsoft's own FolderShare product. But what sets Live Mesh apart is its platform approach.
Tonight Microsoft is launching a "tech preview" version of its latest platform, Live Mesh. The new platform is all about connecting devices to the Internet via Windows software. From an end user standpoint, it will enable users to sync their data across multiple devices and share with others. As of now, in preview mode, Live Mesh only supports Windows PCs - but Microsoft told us in a briefing earlier today that it will support the Mac and mobile phones by the end of this year. Live Mesh will also launch as an open beta later this year. In the future, Live Mesh will cover "a wide range of devices" such as game consoles, set-top boxes, auto PCs, and more. Josh Catone has a post with more details about Live Mesh. Accompanying the launch of Live Mesh is a new memo from Microsoft Chief Software Architect, Ray Ozzie.
These days when I've got a hunger for some data I go to FriendFeed more often than I go anywhere else. It's great to be able to see all my friends' activities across multiple networks in one place. More than just an RSS aggregator, FriendFeed is a sophisticated platform for viewing and discussing aggregated online social activity through a contact-centric lens.
While the service itself has always been exciting, the launch of the FriendFeed API was particularly noteworthy. Now we're starting to see some of the first uses of that API. The best we've seen so far is clearly the new Firefox "companion" MySocial 24X7.
Earth Day is a time to focus on our environmental progress and think about ways we can help protect the planet. There are a lot of ways you can take action, but one of the easiest ways is to utilize an eco-conscious search engine. In that spirit, we've rounded up fifteen of the best green search engines available on the net today.
The innovative OPML browser plug-in BlogRovr is announcing tonight that it has been acquired by PR monitoring and ad sales startup BuzzLogic. It's a victory for all the startups who face hostile questions about "how are you going to monetize that?" and answer by pointing to the potential for data mining. For BlogRovr users, who piled up the feed subscription and traffic data that make up much of Blogrovr's value, it's a clarion call to engage with the hard questions about data portability and ownership.
BlogRovr lets you identify what blogs you read, then notifies you when any URL you visit has been linked to by one of those blogs. That technology will remain free but will now be put to use for PR monitoring and advertising sales by BuzzLogic.
