July 27, 2010 In Tinsley Blog

HUGE Tech News

by Gio Gutierrez

It’s no longer illegal under the DMCA to jailbreak your iPhone or bypass a DVD’s CSS in order to obtain fair use footage for educational purposes or criticism. These are the new rules that were handed down moments ago by the U.S. Copyright Office. This is really big. Like, really really big.

The office looks at copyright law every three years in order to make revisions or exemptions. The six “categories” now exempt from prosecution under the DMCA are:

1. Defeating a lawfully obtained DVD’s encryption for the sole purpose of short, fair use in an educational setting or for criticism

2. Computer programs that allow you to run lawfully obtained software on your phone that you otherwise would not be able to run aka Jailbreaking to use Google Voice on your iPhone

3. Computer programs that allow you to use your phone on a different network aka Jailbreaking to use your iPhone on T-Mobile

4. Circumventing video game encryption (DRM) for the purposes of legitimate security testing or investigation

5. Cracking computer programs protected by dongles when the dongles become obsolete or are no longer being manufactured

6. Having an ebook be read aloud (ie for the blind) even if that book has controls built into it to prevent that sort of thing.

November 9, 2009 In Tinsley Blog

There’s no app for this. Florida Keys campaign spoofs app-mania.

by Mark Slatko

“Real experiences are always worth more.” So goes the premise and promise behind our new ad campaign for The Florida Keys and Key West. Spoofing the omnipresent iPhone app spots with their endless variety of apps, we seized the opportunity to demonstrate how the beautiful, natural and personal moments in The Florida Keys can’t be digitized and stuffed into a handheld mobile device. Showing breathtaking footage throughout The Keys, the TV claims, “There’s no app for this…there’s no app for this…and there’s definitely no app for this” – the latter referring to one of the Florida Keys’ celebrated sunsets. The spot will launch on the web this month and segue into national media in January, reinforced by a national print campaign. We’re even launching a “No app” app to use on your actual iPhone. The Monroe County Tourist Development Council considered a couple of approaches for their winter season and determined that the “No app” concept was the most contemporary and thought provoking. Look for it online beginning next week.

October 26, 2009 In Tinsley Blog

Conde Nast Brings Titles to iPhone

by Gio Gutierrez

Mega publisher Conde Nast is now taking steps in embracing this digital age of ours with electronic versions of its most popular titles for the iPhone. The first magazine will be GQ this December priced at 2.99 vs the 4.99 cost of the printed edition. Important note is the fact that the iPhone version will include the same editorial ads as the dead-tree version which is important for advertisers along with rich media content at little-to-no-extra cost.

So me being a GQ reader (and other magazines), I would not pay 2.99 for a digital copy and I don’t think I’m alone on this. The iPhone screen is pretty tiny for a reading experience of long duration and not comfortable as opposed to some tablet/ebook. Even a bigger problem for myself is the price is just too much. I think the selling point for me personally would be .99 cents and this is how I feel about any magazine with ads that I’m subjected to read on the iPhone. I could just fire up Safari and see the same content for free on the publisher’s site. Regardless this is exciting news because it’s a sign of things to come. Newspapers and magazines have been suffering long enough and have been too slow adapting to the digital platform as most of us turn to the internet and other electronic services and devices to get our content. How much longer before we see every big print title in every digital format available to consumers?

How much would you pay for Conde Nast magazines on your iPhone?
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October 12, 2009 In Tinsley Blog

Mobile Web Finally Easy Enough For Older Peeps

by Gio Gutierrez

Nielsen’s mobile web statics show that from July 08 to July 09, the demographic groups of 65+ showed the most usage growth. The least? 18-24 year olds, who are all up in this mobile usage already.

500x_webchart

Even our very own John Underwood jumped on the iPhone wagon this month:

It’s official. Today, I will retire my Blackberry and succumb to the iPhone phenomenon. I meet this day with mixed emotions but know that it’s something I must do. Any advice on a plan and/or options would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and wish me good luck in the next couple of weeks as I will suffer from BB withdrawal and iPhone ignorama.

Trepidatiously yours,
JU

P.S. I need an “iPhone Newbie Support Group”. Is there an app for that?
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile