YouTube Embed Code Experiment

Categories Google, Information Technology, YouTube

via Website Magazine

YouTube is experimenting with a shorter, more compatible embed code which uses the <iframe> tag.

If you choose to use the new embed code style, site visitors will be able to view the embedded video in one of YouTube’s Flash or HTML5 players depending on their viewing environment and preferences. Supported environments include those browsers that support both the video tag in HTML5 and either the h.264 video codec or the WebM format (with VP8 codec).

As an aside, WebM is a media file format designed exclusively for the Web.

The suppported browsers include Firefox (WebM enabled version), Google Chrome (h.264 supported), Opera (WebM supported), Microsoft IE 9 (h.264), and Apple Safari (h.264, version 4+). Should there be an instance when HTML5 is not supported, YouTube will use Flash.

One of the most significant developments of the new embed style is that it will eventually allow embeds to work on mobile devices.

There are a few restrictions to the beta-test of the new embed code. Videos with ads are not supported (they will play in the Flash player), and on Firefox and Opera only videos with WebM transcodes will play in HTML5.

To participate in this experiment, simply join the HTML5 beta here.

13 Super Useful jQuery Content Slider Scripts and Tutorials

Categories Information Technology, JavaScript, jQuery, Programming

via WDL

You’ve probably noticed that a lot of websites lately have a featured area with content that slides or changes in some way. This is a great technique to show several pieces of content in a limited amount of space and a good way to engage the user. If you’ve been wondering how this is accomplished, here are 13 very useful tutorials and scripts that will help you create these types of effects using jQuery.

Is Apple the New Toyota?

Categories Apple/Mac, Information Technology, iPhone

via E-Commerce News

If the iPhone 4 antenna fiasco is the only major quality problem Apple has — and if it apologizes and doesn’t cross this bridge again — the company can recover pretty quickly. However, if it doesn’t, it will have a problem like Toyota that will live on and eat away at its brand name. At this point, Apple will have egg on its face either way. The question is, will it regain customers’ love and respect?

Over the last 10 to 15 years, Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) has done a remarkable job of creating cutting-edge devices that have won the hearts of their users. It forged a special bond with customers and investors that other companies want but don’t have. It seemed to be bulletproof.

Suddenly, Apple may have a chink in its armor. The new iPhone 4 seems to have real problems with reception. The question many are asking is this: Will Apple become the next Toyota? It’s too early to say — but so far, things don’t look good….

Helium Provides ‘Refereed’ Content for Local Media

Categories Information Technology, Social Media

via BIA/Kelsey
www.helium.com

Everyone is fighting for better, more cost-efficient way of producing content for Websites. But is the so-called “content mill,” search optimized approach of a Demand Media, Associated Content or Examiner.com the only way to achieve this?

Whether you agree or disagree with the characterization of these companies (we largely disagree), alternatives are out there. One alternative is presented by Helium, a 29 person, Boston-based firm that brings in text articles from 160,000 writers and editors; filters it via peer review to let the best voices rise to the top; and allows media partners to generally choose from multiple entries for the best fit.

Helium was founded in October 2006 and has received $16 million in Series A funding. Most interestingly to us, it is also 20 percent owned by mega publisher RR Donnelly. Indeed, RRD, with 1,200 sales reps, is its principal reseller to local media clients including TV stations, radio stations, newspapers, Yellow Pages and Web pure plays.
Using Helium, media partners can personalize the content for their own purpose.

Apple Boots Developer for Shady App Store Dealings

Categories Apple Dev, Apple/Mac, Information Technology, iTunes, Programming, Security

via E-Commerce Times

An Apple App Store developer has been shown the door for allegedly scamming the system in order to propel his applications to the top of the store’s “Books” category. The operation may have also involved fraudulent charges placed on the accounts of hundreds of iTunes customers. Apple said iTunes’ main servers, where millions of customers’ credit card numbers are stored, were not compromised.

Security experts will tell you that cybercriminals like to hit online operations with large numbers of users. So it shouldn’t be surprising that an unscrupulous individual has apparently been caught lurking in the heavily trafficked Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) iTunes App Store.

Clues that something was amiss in the App Store surfaced over the weekend when apps by a particular developer — with very few customer reviews or ratings — captured 42 of the top 50 spots in the App Store’s “Books” category. There were also reports of some App Store customers seeing hundreds of dollars in unauthorized charges to their accounts for the purchase of some of these apps. …