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Filed under: Internet, Blogging, Web services, Social Software

Cingular to offer MySpace client

Cingular to offer MySpace clientReuters is reporting that Cingular is set to announce a new partnership with MySpace today, offering a paid Java-based client on their phones with access to the popular social networking site. An extra $2.99/month will bring photo sharing, email checking, blogging and friend searching to about 90 percent of Cingular's handsets in the coming weeks. Video, strangely, won't be featured at the service's launch (strange because of Cingular's big push into video services as of late), but is said to be on its way some time in 2007.

Given that plenty of other social networking sites like Facebook and Vox offer mobile access and even download clients for free, this venture rubs me the wrong way. On the upside, however, MySpace is where I spend roughly .3 percent of my time (hey I have an account for the same reasons as everyone else: marketing myself), so I'll be happy to hang on to my $2.99, thankyouverymuch.

Filed under: Developer, Web services, Google

Google to charge for use of AdWords API

Google AdWordsIn a move that's garnering the ire of many developers, Google has announced that beginning July 1, 2006, use of the AdWords API will no longer be free. The AdWords API lets third-party developers create apps that interact directly with the AdWords server. According to the new terms of service, the previous free quota-based system will be replaced by a usage fee structure in which $0.25 buys 1,000 "quota units." Different API functions cost different unit amounts, most in the 10-50 range. Unsurprisingly, AdWords API users are up in arms over the new fee structure. Over at Google Groups user goran77 wrote "Correct me if I am wrong, but I heard that [Google's] Adwords Editor does not consume quota, which means it's usage will not cost (in terms of quota). Now, if usage of my program uses 1.000.000 per month (250$) or even more for heavy users, how can I compete with Adwords Editor?" Another developer complains that the same service that currently costs him nothing will, come July, cost $6,250 per month, effectively putting him out of business. Like them, I think this is a daft move on Google's part. AdSense is Google's cash cow and every third-party tool that makes it easier for advertisers to use is another chunk of change for Google. Charging developers to make those tools (and advertisers to use them) will serve only to scare them off.

Featured Time Waster

The World's Hardest Game 2.0 - Time Waster

So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do. Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game. The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...

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