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Apple’s hiring a music journalist and plans to expand its editorial efforts on iTunes

Feb23
by on February 23, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Editorial Producer, Insider, iTunes, journalism, Music

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Earlier this month, Apple poached DJ Zane Lowe from BBC Radio One for an undisclosed role at its Cupertino HQ. Now it’s after another hire with a background in talking about music and pop culture. It’s currently advertising for an editorial producer, based in London, and asks for someone with “specific expertise in music journalism” who is a “seasoned writer with a broad pop culture background.” Music Ally spotted the job ad, which says the role will be split between production and editorial duties. Apple’s after someone who can manage other writers as well as “writing lively copy with personality.” The vacancy also suggests…

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SoftBank’s emotion sensing robot Pepper will be sold at a loss

Feb23
by on February 23, 2015 at 12:47 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Gadgets, Insider, Product Launches

Pepper
SoftBank unveiled its “emotionally aware” robot Pepper last summer. Now the device is finally going on sale for over $9,000 – less than it costs to build. The first production run of 300 robots will be available from Friday, with the company hoping developers will build apps for the automaton. The company has said that there will be approximately 100 apps available for Pepper when it launches on Friday. Rather than selling Pepper for a standalone fee, the network is offering a payment scheme. Buyers will be asked for $1,660 up front and $206 a month for three years. The…

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Pith.li wants to let you highlight the best bits of the Web

Feb23
by on February 23, 2015 at 11:35 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Boost program, Insider, Pith.ly, Profiles and Interviews, startups, tnweu, Voice

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Each week we’re profiling one company that has been selected for Boost – our early-stage startup growth program. Catch up with these companies in person at The Next Web Conference Europe on April 23 & 24. Antwerp-based startup Pith.li had a simple inspiration: that yellow marker pen probably lurking somewhere on your desk right now. Its aim is to become “the yellow marker for the digital age”, giving you better tools to highlight, comment on and add notes to any website or article. Pith.li’s tools allow you to mark individual words or highlight entire sentences or paragraphs. You can then annotate…

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Here’s your first real look at the Samsung Galaxy S6

Feb23
by on February 23, 2015 at 11:24 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Gadgets, Mobile, Product Launches, samsung, Samsung Galaxy S6

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If you’ve been itching to get a look at Samsung’s next flagship smartphone, here it is. The Samsung Galaxy S6 has been unveiled in profile by T-Mobile, which will be carrying the device . Was there even a question? Of course @TMobile will carry The Next Big Thing! http://t.co/st6K7weXXz — John Legere (@JohnLegere) February 23, 2015 The company’s CEO John Legere tweeted out the page with the profile shot of the S6 in all its curved glory. Besides the curvaceous screen, there’s a distinct lack of fake leather on the back of the device. It’s been replaced with dark gray metal,…

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Fewer rules could mean more options for startup success in the Netherlands

Feb23
by on February 23, 2015 at 10:26 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Boris, Column


I’ve always found it strange that a startup of just three founders and two employees has the same rules and regulations as a company that has existed for 20 years and has 10,000 employees. In The Netherlands, where I live and where our company was founded, there are many laws solely designed to protect employees that can be so restricting that they can lead a company to bankruptcy. Dutch tax laws can be confusing and limiting and cause problems for many starting companies. A few months ago I attended an event and met a Dutch politician, Kees Verhoeven, who was…

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