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Posts with tag odeo

Filed under: Internet, Video, Web services, Social Software, web 2.0

Podcasting site Odeo relaunches, now with more video

Odeo 2.0
After spending a few months in private beta, Odeo has launched a new version of its podcast aggregation service. OK, actually it looks like the new version of the site launched a few weeks ago, but we just noticed it, thanks to a short writeup over at TechCrunch. The updated site features a sleek new design and video. Lots and lots of video.

Odeo now has videos from about half a million different partners, including major content partners like Blip.tv and Revision3. There's also an improved Flash player for watching videos or listening to audio on the site. At its heart, Odeo is still a podcast aggregation site, which means that there are download links for most audio and videos. Because while you can spend all day watching videos online, sometimes you want to download them and take them with you on your portable media player.

Users can also create profile pages, create playlists, rate podcasts, and share content using email links or embed code. The developers are also working on an improved version of Odeo Studio, a utility that lets users record or upload podcasts using a web browser.

Filed under: Audio, Internet, Podcasting, Web services, Beta, Search, web 2.0

Odeo launches private beta, shiny new interface

Odeo beta
Podcast aggregator and search engine Odeo is beta testing a new web site, and from what we've seen so far, it's a vast improvement over Odeo's existing page. The first thing you'll notice (if you're invited to join the beta after signing up for an invite), is a new, cleaner look that makes it easier to find featured podcasts and browse by categories. But much more impressive is the new search feature. We didn't realize how poor the old search feature was until we tried searching for podcasts using the new search box and actually got accurate results immediately.

Here are a few other features of the new site:
  • Users can rate and comment on shows
  • Users can now submit feeds for podcasts that aren't included in the Odeo library
  • There's a pretty new Flash player
The beta page is still a work in progress and not every feature is available. For example, in order to get embed code for placing podcasts on your web site you have to click through to Odeo classic. But we're pretty excited at the direction Odeo is taking.

Filed under: Audio, Internet, Podcasting, Yahoo!

Yahoo! kills podcast site

Yahoo! Podcasts
Yahoo! is closing down Yahoo! Podcasts on October 31. And the 2-year old site never even got to shed its beta tag. So tragic.

The site is actually one of the better podcast directories on the web. Yahoo! has indexed a large number of podcasts, and the site is easy to navigate. There's even a handy player for streaming podcasts without downloading them.

But while podcasting was all the rage a few years ago, it seems like internet video gets all the attention these days. And we're guessing it's not just because people like to watch video more than they like to listen to people talk. Video is also easier to monetize with pre-roll or embedded advertising. It's incredibly easy to skip past an audio advertisement on your MP3 player, and while you could try to include video ads with every download, they won't be too effective if you keep your iPod in your pocket.

If you're looking for a new place to find your podcasts, you might want to check out PodcastAlley, Podcast Pickle or Odeo. NPR also maintains a great list of public radio shows available as podcasts.

[via Read/WriteWeb]

Filed under: OS Updates, Features, Linux, DLS Podcast, Podcasts

Switching to Ubuntu Linux: Download Squad Switcher Podcast #1

UbuntuIt's been an interesting year so far for operating systems. Microsoft released its first major upgrade in 5 years with Windows Vista, and Ubuntu Linux continued on its way toward world domination with the release of Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn. Even Michael Dell's running it on his home computer (and shipping it on yours).

With that in mind, we bring you the first in a limited edition Download Squad Podcast. Collect them all. Trade them with your friends. Today we speak with Download Squad's Grant Robertson and Alex Hung, two guys with a boatload of Windows and Mac experience who have been trying out Ubuntu Linux.

Read more →

Filed under: Audio, Internet, Podcasting, Web services

What's next for Odeo?

OdeoNow that SonicMountain has acquired Odeo, what does the future hold for the podcasting site? NewTeevee asked SonicMountain President Rick Arturo and CEO Jack Roken that question, and it turns out the answer can be summed up in one word: plastics. No, I mean video.

Roken and Arturo say SonicMountain plans to add video to the podcast aggregation site, either by partnering with a video provider or perhaps by acquiring another company.

The new Odeo will also include improved podcast/vlog search and discovery tools. The goal is to have a huge library of audio and video content available for search. SonicMountain is seeking a patent for technology that crawls and indexes data from podcast text as well as metadata like ID3 tags, which could make searching for audio or video files on a particular topic much easier on Odeo than on competing sites.

Filed under: Audio, Business, Internet, Web services

SonicMountain buys Odeo

OdeoNew York-based SonicMountain Inc has acquired the assets of podcast aggregator Odeo. According to the press release, SonicMountain is focused on digital media hosting and searching, but at this point it's likely they'll be best known, at least for a while, as the company that bought Odeo.

Odeo's been seeking a buyer since last February. While the wildly popular Twitter started off as an outgrowth of Odeo, it is now a separate entity and is not included in the deal.

TechCrunch reports that the terms of the deal haven't been released, but that SonicMountain has likely put up more than $1 million in cash.

It doesn't look like there are any drastic changes planned for the site in the short run. The press release is full of comments like " "A critical aspect of the transaction was the commitment by SonicMountain to retain the integrity and spirit of the Odeo community," says Evan Williams, CEO of Obvious Corporation." So at the very least, that means it's unlikely you'll see any content removed or links taken down for now.

[via TechCrunch]

Filed under: Audio, Business, Internet, Blogging, Web services

Odeo is for sale

odeo is for saleOdeo, an early pioneer among podcasting sites, is up for sale. Odeo's creator, Evan Williams is aiming to be open and honest about the sale, and wants everything out on the table so he's blogging about it. The creator of Blogger and the founder of Obvious Corp who is the web development company behind Twitter, admits that Odeo has not gotten the attention it deserves.

Back in the day, Odeo did receive funding, but when things didn't work out; Evan bought it back and was trying to rehash a business model. Twitter has taken off, and they must spend their time with that application, so Odeo is on the market. As an alternative to a buyout, Obvious is currently looking at looking at different investment situations as well, from a cash offer to equity. The full Odeo pot includes selling the odeo.com domain as well as the studio.odeo.com platform, including all code, the brand, and a database of three million MP3s. So, if you're interested, drop Evan an email.

UPDATE: Evan was reported to have paid $5 Million when he bought back ODEO from investors.

[Thanks Jordan Running]

Filed under: Podcasting, Web services

Odeo now under Obvious Corp's wing

Obvious CorpObvious Corp? Curious name for a company, but this is Web 2.0, right?--At least it's not Obviousr. Obvious Corp is a brand new company founded by Blogger creator Evan Williams and his Odeo co-founder Biz Stone. As its opening move, Obvious Corp has acquired Odeo, Inc.'s assets including Odeo and Twitter. Williams explains the move in his blog, saying, "I believe there is a lot of value in what we've built-both Odeo and Twitter-but I did not believe the structure was going to lead to the kind of success we wanted. In the new company, with a new structure, and a new model, I think they are great investments." He also describes how Obvious will be doing things differently than the Web 2.0 status quo, and the Obvious web site makes clear that it will be launching new products in the future, but "not until we get our current projects on the right path and also find the right people." Having been a fan of Williams since his Blogger days, I wish him lots of success with his new venture, and look forward to seeing what Obvious Corp creates.

Filed under: Audio, Podcasting, Web services

Two new features for Odeo

Odeo Starred Audio PlayerPodcasting portal Odeo has announced a couple cool new features in its official blog. The first is a "Starred Audio Player," which could be described as a Flash widget that you can add to your blog or web site that displays and plays all of cool audio you've found and "starred" on Odeo. It lets you customize the colors and change how items are displayed. You can see an example of the Starred Audio Player in action here.

The second new feature is much smaller, but just as welcome: Resume Play. if you're listening to something on Odeo and close the page, when you go back to Odeo it will automatically resume where you left off. Excellent.

Filed under: Business, Design, Developer, Internet, Web services, Google, Yahoo!, Social Software

The Future of Web Applications Conference

future of web applicationsCarson Workshops is running a two day conference on the development of technology you will be using tomorrow in San Francisco at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, on September 13-14. This isn't a no name conference either! There will be some big-hitters speaking at the event, including:
  • Kevin Rose from digg
  • Mike Arrington from TechCrunch
  • Mike Davidson from Newsvine
  • Jeff Veen from Google
  • Tantek Celik from Technorati
  • Cal Henderson from Flickr
  • Matt Mullenweg from Wordpress
  • Evan Williams from Odeo
  • Tom Coates from Yahoo!
  • Ted Rheingold from Dogster
  • Carl Sjogreen from Google Calendar
  • Steve Olechowski from Feedburner
  • Ryan Carson from DropSend and Amigo
The speakers will be spilling the beans on how their successful applications were built, with a ton of practical advice on how to create your very own masterpieces or the future of web 2.0 technologies. If you are hanging out in the San Fran area, or feel like taking a trip, September 13 - 14 is the time to go for sure.

Filed under: Fun, Video, Web services

Send a video postcard with Hellodeo

HellodeoGood things come in small packages, and Hellodeo is the perfect example. Hellodeo is a free service from the makers of podcasting portal Odeo that lets you record and send short videos with nothing but a webcam (and a microphone, if you want sound). All you have to do is go to Hellodeo.com and record your video with their Flash widget. Then you can send people the URL or embed the video in a web page. Certainly you shouldn't try to use Hellodeo to shoot your next Hollywood blockbuster, but for recording short video messages and sharing them with your friends, I can't imagine anything simpler.

Filed under: Audio, Fun, Text, Blogging, Web services

Group SMS your friends with Twttr

twittr sms friendsTwttr is an online service that recently launched, and allows you to send group sms messages to a friends list. The service is free, and allows you to text to one number, and have it hit all of your desired individuals.

Conversations and messages are stored online in an archive, and current status messages can be placed on websites to serve as a notification if the user is currently online.

Twttr is built by the makers of Odeo, the podcast search engine that lets you record and share audio.

Filed under: Audio, Podcasting, Web services

Odeo embeddable recorder: voicemail for your blog

Odeo messagePodcasting portal Odeo recently added a feature that lets people record messages for you on your Odeo page, kind of like voicemail for the web. What's cooler, though, is that the message recorder can be embedded in any web page, so you can stick it in a blog post and anyone with a microphone can come along and leave a voice message for you. To use it you'll need an Odeo account, but people don't need one to leave you a message.

[Via Waxy.org]

Featured Time Waster

Forumwarz - a potentially offensive time waster

I pwn UAfter spending the better part of an hour on Forumwarz I still can't decide if it's just sick or if it's kind of fun. It's a bit like a car wreck on the highway. I know I shouldn't be looking but I can't quite turn away.

It's sick, it's twisted, it's the internet on it's worst level and darn it, it's kind of fun. At least for a little while.

Forumwarz is a parody role-playing game that takes place on the internet - or at least the Forumwarz version of it. Your goal is to complete missions that are given to you through a mock up of GoogleTalk called Sentrillion.

Your first "friend" is ShallowEsophagus who begins giving you missions to pwn various forums by being a troll. Depending on the character type you are assigned at start up, you have tools like drooling on the keyboard or bashing your head on the keyboard that you can use to destroy forum threads and eventually, pwn a forum.

Future missions involve buying illegal software from the Russians, pwning more difficult forums and other internet oddness.

Completing missions gives you cash, called Flezz in game, and items that you can pawn or use in other missions. The game is NOT for those easily offended. It's crass, coarse and there are frequent f-bombs in the fake chat sessions.

This is also a game for a more mature audience as it requires you to shop at the Drugs R Fun store to get various concoctions to improve your playing, engage in certain cyber activities to get more Flezz and just generally use a more adult perspective.

If you can get past that, here are the more enjoyable and time-wasting aspects.

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