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YouTube buys video creation app Directr to bolster video ad sales

Aug06
by on August 6, 2014 at 9:59 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Google, Insider

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Google’s YouTube has acquired Directr. The iOS app lets small businesses, shoot, edit and upload marketing videos. The Directr team will join the YouTube Video Ads Team. YouTube will leave the app in the App Store, but make it entirely free. While the initial app is currently free, additional features are available via in-app purchases. In fact, according to a post about the acquisition, end users probably won’t notice too much of a difference within the app: For now, everything you love about Directr is staying the same and we’ll continue to focus on helping businesses create great video quickly and easily….

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Sidecar launches Shared Rides topping off the least original day in the shared economy

Aug06
by on August 6, 2014 at 9:24 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Insider

Driving

This is just ridiculous. Now Sidecar has announced its own shared rides feature. Like Uber and Lyft, Sidecar’s Shared Rides will match you up with someone heading your direction along your Sidecar’s route. Sidecar says that riders can save up to 50 percent off a regular fare by sharing a car with a stranger. You know, besides the driver. While Uber’s UberPool announcement seems a bit dubious since Lyft held a media event earlier in the week, Sidecar says that it has been testing the new service in San Francisco since May. It states that 13,000 customers have requested Shared Rides in that time. While…

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The ‘magic’ of business: Uncovering the trick to making your startup fail less

Aug06
by on August 6, 2014 at 9:10 pm
Posted In: Analysis and Opinion, Around the Web, Entrepreneur, Insider

magician rabbit hat

Callum Laing is the CEO of Entrevo Asia and the founder of Fitness-Buffet, an employee fitness business in 11 countries. Magic has always fascinated me. As a kid, there was the sense of awe and wonder – and the desire to do the impossible. Then as an adult, even though it’s much less cool and sometimes downright cheesy, I have to sheepishly admit I’m still fascinated by it. It’s not showmanship of magic, but the misdirection. Look over there, whilst the real stuff happens over here! Part of what makes a good trick believable is that we cannot conceive how much effort…

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Holiday rental service HouseTrip launches an iOS app for guests, complete with group itineraries

Aug06
by on August 6, 2014 at 7:53 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Insider, Product Launches

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HouseTrip, an Airbnb-style platform for renting or letting apartments on a short-term basis, has officially announced the launch of its iOS app for guests. The new app, which joins its existing iOS app for hosts, promises a slick overall experience in allowing guests to research, plan and manage their bookings, the company said. Alongside basic functions – like booking your apartment and providing access to your host and HouseTrip’s support service – there’s also a feature the company claims can’t be found anywhere else – shared group booking information, group itineraries and shared lists of things to remember or do while on the trip. The idea…

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Hands on: Shutterfly’s ThisLife masters photo management for busy families

Aug06
by on August 6, 2014 at 7:32 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Product Launches

Library-Year

There’s a new job title that you may or may not have heard of: it’s called memory manager. While there’s no discrimination intended, generally the person occupying this executive position is female, young-ish and very likely a mother. Memory managers are the volunteer army in charge of their family’s growing photo and video “memories” and they take this role seriously. Enter ThisLife from Shutterfly, the popular online photo company, which was among the first in the digital age to use its Website for uploading and storing photos, printing, creating photo CDs and generating personalized photo-based consumer products and gifts. ThisLife taps into your social networks and online…

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