Lightspeed Internet
Alphabet’s High Speed Internet Project Taara
Episode 331 – November 14, 2020
Topics:
- Sequential Video Storytelling
- Biden/Harris Transition Website
- Spotify Acquires Megaphone
- VR Furries Invade Four Seasons Landscaping
- Gmail Embeds Tweets
- MmHmm Emerges From Beta
- YouTube Cancels Rewind
- Customizable Oreos
- Ticketmaster’s Safe Fans App
- Fascism’s Law Firms
- Support For Pot Legalization
During episode 331, BL and David discuss Google’s infrared Internet project; sequential video storytelling; the Biden Harris transition website; Spotify buys Megaphone audio hosting provider; Four Seasons Total Landscaping’s VR furries; YouTube Rewind cancelled this year; MmHmm video conferencing addon comes out of beta; customizable Oreo cookies; Ticketmaster’s fan safety app; our post-literate society; law firms undermining democracy; support for pot legalization;…and much, much more.
Best Practices
Infrared Internet
More than three billion people still don’t have Internet access. Now Alphabet Moonshot’s Project Taara is testing a new approach. Like fiber, but without the cables, Taara uses light to transmit information at super high speeds through the air as a very narrow, invisible beam.
- This project is bringing high-speed internet to the developing world via beams of infrared light
- Project Taara
Sequential Video Storytelling
This tactic uses video advertising to tell a story through a series of user-directed short spots.
Biden Harris Transition Website
Clear communication.
Spotify Gets A Megaphone
It’s all about the ads.
VR Furries Troll Trump
The Philadelphia site of Rudy Giuliani’s speech is being put to another use.
— coopertom (@thecoopertom) November 9, 2020
Gmail Embeds Tweets
It appears Gmail now embeds tweets when it sees a tweet URL.
MmHmm Goes Live
MmHmm for iOs comes out of Beta today. Testers get 3 free months. Windows version to come.
- Tamera Miyasato: Decolonizing education with cultural connection
- MmHmm App
- Episode 314: A Video Conferencing Revolution
YouTube Unwind
Seriously. Who wants to relive 2020?
— YouTube (@YouTube) November 12, 2020
Customizable Cookies
The build-your-own cookie is an online holiday push from the Oreo brand, though there are no plans to stop once the holidays are over.
— OREO Cookie (@Oreo) November 12, 2020
Worst Practices
Coronavirus Concert Tickets
In an exclusive, Billboard reported that Ticketmaster plans a post-pandemic fan safety protocol that makes fans verify Covid vaccine or negative test status in a 24 to 72 hour window. The company says that’s not how it works. What could do wrong?!
- How Ticketmaster Plans to Check Your Vaccine Status for Concerts: Exclusive
- Vaccine and COVID test? Ticketmaster clarifies its plan for bringing back live events
Post Literacy
Do words even matter anymore?
- Preparing for the post-literate consumer
- The Ads That Changed Advertising
- Episode 147: The End Of Text
Fascism’s Attorneys
A Biglaw firm’s reputation is a valuable, and fragile, thing.
- Biglaw Firm Withdraws From Election Litigation Before They Get Jones Day-ed
- Growing Discomfort at Law Firms Representing Trump in Election Lawsuits
— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) November 10, 2020
Smiles
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) November 12, 2020
Shiny New Stuff
B.L.’s Finds
David’s Finds
Projects
Black Swans
The show that spotlights women in finance.
Politics
TikTok & Twitter Users Trolled Trump’s Voter Fraud Hotline
They answered the phone “Trump War Room” at Rudy Giuliani’s #StopTheSteal” hotline.
Only 3% Of Americans Think Trump Won
Pro Tips
Upgrade Your Authentication
Microsoft recommends using app-based authenticators and security keys instead.