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Pinterest is testing animated ad pins to grab your attention

Mar04
by on March 4, 2015 at 2:10 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider, Product Updates, Social Media

Pinterest introduced Promoted Pins on the very first day of this year, now it’s talking up the next step in its plan to bring in more advertising dollars. The company’s head of partner marketing, Eric Hadley, tells Ad Age that it’s planning to test a new ad format – animated pins that move as users scroll. He didn’t say when the service will roll out or specifics on how it will work but confirmed that testing will begin in the next few months. Pinterest is also bringing in a more precise way for advertisers to target audiences on the social network. Previously, they…

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AMC and IFC are now live on Sling TV’s $20 a month core package

Mar04
by on March 4, 2015 at 1:59 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

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It’s official: AMC and IFC are available today as part of Sling TV’s ‘Best of Live TV’ core package. The update comes live just about a month after the company opened the service without invites and teased the new networks as new additions to the lineup. With AMC and IFC in the mix, Sling TV subscribers can now access live TV streaming from some of the more popular premium cable channels such as ESPN, CNN, Travel Channel and Cartoon Network. Now would be a good time to join Sling TV if you need to catch up on the latest season of ‘The Walking Dead,’ or…

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IBM acquires AlchemyAPI to power up Watson’s deep learning skills

Mar04
by on March 4, 2015 at 1:33 pm
Posted In: AlchemyAPI, Apps, Around the Web, cognitive computing, deep learning, IBM Watson, Insider

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IBM has acquired AlchemyAPI, a startup that developed deep learning technology that can interpret data in conversations, text and photos, to bolster its Watson AI platform. The terms of the deal haven’t been disclosed. The company says it will integrate AlchemyAPI’s technology into Watson to enhance the systems ability to quickly identify hierarchies and relationships in large data sets. It’s likely to feed into the Watson Analytics service which was opened everyone late last year. The deal will also make a wider range of cognitive computing APIs available to IBM customers, including language analysis, visual recognition and data detection and extraction from images. AlchemyAPI…

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The complete guide to productivity

Mar04
by on March 4, 2015 at 1:09 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider, lifehack, productivity, Roundups

Productivity
This post originally appeared on The Growth List Let’s face it. We all want more time in our lives. It could be an evening to spend more time with our family and friends, a 30-hour day to grow our business, or simply time to close our eyes and relax. If you would like to make more effective use of your time, maintain your energy levels throughout the day, and achieve your goals faster — read on. I’ve already written a few pieces on and avoiding the 9 to 5, but this is going to be a complete guide to productivity. In this…

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Shipping startup Shyp launches return feature for your awful purchasing choices

Mar04
by on March 4, 2015 at 1:00 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Insider, Product Launches, Product Updates

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Shipping items seems like it shouldn’t be a pain. But after you’ve found a box, packed the item, printed out a shipping a label, stood in line and actually shipped the item you realize, yeah, it sucks. But thanks to our new ecommerce lifestyles, we’re shipping more than cookies to our friends–we’re also returning really ugly dresses that don’t actually change no matter what light they are under. Fortunately, shipping startup Shyp has launched Shyp Returns. For $5 Shyp will pickup, pack and ship your items back to a featured partner which includes Amazon, Rent the Runway, Target, Anthropology, Nordstrom,…

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