YouTube on the big screen? Say hello to YouTube XL

YouTube has just released YouTube XL, which is YouTube – formatted for your big screen.  Over the course of the last few months, competitors such as Boxee and Hulu have been increasing the quality of their videos, with Hulu on Boxee on Apple TV (did you get all that?) seen as the ultimate set-up in streaming on-demand web video.  Today, YouTube has upped the ante with its aptly-named XL version. Read more »

Posted in Cloud Computing, Entertainment, Redesign, Social Media, Social Networking, User experience, YouTube

BREAKING: MySpace undergoes major redesign; now ad-free

Update: leaked screen shots of the new layout are below the jump

In an unprecedented move, MySpace has finally listened to the many complaints of its users.  The social network site has completely removed ads from all of its pages! Instead it will now offer a new premium web experience.

Each profile will consist of a sleek, un-customizable design that is ad-free.  The site has also begun the roll-out of a new “add-ons” section.  An interesting add-on that caught my eye allows you to listen to your profile comments though a voice mail-like service via a new 1-800-MySpace phone number.  Each user each will be provided with a unique call-in PIN to access the new service.  Moreover, using MySpace “Phony”, currently in beta, allows users to call their online and offline buddies for a real life chat rather than chatting through text.  In an effort to increase the usage of vocal chords, the service caps out at 140 spoken words that users can send to their MySpace friends.  This revelotionary service allows just enough words to keep your voice from going extinct. Read more »

Posted in Cloud Computing, Common Sense, MySpace, Redesign, Social Networking