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New Media News Every Morning

Google search blog goes live in China

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Following Google’s recent investment in Tianya.cn, Google China Blog Search goes live today.

Said to be self-censored, this blog search returns results that are controlled such that they adhere to China’s local laws, regulations, and policies. For example, sensitive search queries that do not comply with certain laws will not properly return results, but will instead display a place-holder image that explains why the results do not show.

Google is still in the process of tweaking its algorithms to fit China’s desired censorship parameters. But for now, it’s up and running.

Via Google Blogoscoped.

Originally posted on August 20, 2007 @ 11:14 pm

MTV, RealNetwork, merge online music service to compete with iTunes

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MTV and RealNetworks are set to merge to launch a joint online digital-music site an attempt to compete with Apple’s iTunes store.

MTV is reported to be closing its existing online music service Urge, to venture with RealNetwork’s Rhapsody.

The two music companies were supposed to announce this at a press conference tomorrow, 11am EST. News about the merger, however, slipped out because of failure to put journalists to a non-disclosure agreement. Details of the joint venture will be revealed tomorrow.

Originally posted on August 21, 2007 @ 4:08 am

GetYourGrooveOn is the new JamJunky

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StreetBee acquires JamJunky, a music site designed for song writers that allows them to share their compositions and get feedbacks from friends and fellow-song writers.

As StreetBee is an online promotional firm that caters to record labels among others, its acquisition of JamJunky included a complete overhaul of the site. Now dubbed as “GetYourGrooveOn“, its new site design, it looks to me, does not carry any trace of JamJunky’s existence anymore — aside from the music collaboration idea to which JamJunky has been known since it was launched early this year, that is.

There was no disclosure on how much the startup was acquired. The domain Jamjunky.com now redirects you to Getyourgrooveon.com.

Originally posted on August 20, 2007 @ 10:07 pm

Building B brings web videos to TV sets, raises $17.5M

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Building B, the new startup that attempts to bring web videos to home television, raises $17.5M in its first round of funding, with Sony BMG Music’s chairman Andy Lack joining its board of directors.

Much like the Apple TV, Building B comes up with a set-top box that will transmit video programming from the web to the TV. It will also allow users to download high-quality movies.

The Building B, as Lack stated, plans to “marry video content and technology”, and is currently in the process of dealing with broadcasters, content providers, advertisers, broadband service companies, etc, to kick off the service. There’s no disclosures as to when the box will be launched to the public, yet.

Originally posted on August 20, 2007 @ 2:21 pm

New hip-hop startup Global Grind gets $4.5M funding

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What’s with the hip-hop industry these days, anyway?

Just recently, hip-hop network Loud.com got equity investment from Universal Music. Then MySpace and XM Radio launched a hip-hop talent search. Now here’s a new startup, Global Grind, that allows you to stay updated on what’s happening in the hip-hop world.

Said to work just like Netvibes, New York-based Global Grind allows users to collaborate feeds, widgets, photos, maps, music formats, and other hip-hop content in one platform. While it’s still in private beta, Global Grind was reported to have gotten $4.5 M in funding led by Accel Ventures. Global Grind’s design doesn’t look hip-hop-ish to me at all, in fact, it looks almost like other content aggregators out there.

With thousands of online projects and web startups sprouting for specific niches, it looks as if the hip-hop community has been getting a lot of positive attention lately. Here’s to hip-hoppers out there, yo.

Originally posted on August 20, 2007 @ 12:13 pm