San Francisco based Crunchyroll, a sort of YouTube for anime and other mostly Asian video content, raised a $4 million round of financing led by Venrock Associates, with partner David Siminoff joining the board of directors. The company, which launched in the summer of 2006, was founded by three HotOrNot employees. Our sources tell us […]

San Francisco based Crunchyroll, a sort of YouTube for anime and other mostly Asian video content, raised a $4 million round of financing led by Venrock Associates, with partner David Siminoff joining the board of directors. The company, which launched in the summer of 2006, was founded by three HotOrNot employees. Our sources tell us that HotOrNot founders Jim Hong and James Young also participated in the round.

We first covered the company in August 2007, and noted that they rely nearly exclusively on copyright infringing content. Users, of course, flocked to the site. In July 2007 it had 1.3 million unique visitors (Comscore). In January 2008 that jumped to 2.6 million uniques, and 245 million page views.

Last year the site charged users a premium fee of $6 and included advertisements around content. We pointed out that this weakened their reliance on the Digital Millennium Copyright safe harbor provision, which protects service providers from liability for content uploaded by users. This day the site announced that there are no longer any ads, even though the premium account option remains. It looks like they hired some lawyers.

Crunch Network: CrunchGear drool over the sexiest new gadgets and hardware.

Via [TechCrunch]

Share This

Popularity: 7% [?]

Share This

Quarterlife, the made for MySpace TV show that became the first internet show picked up by a Television network has bombed. According to Nielsen Ratings for Tuesday night, Quarterlife managed only 3.86 million viewers for its 10pm debut on NBC, compared to the fan resurrected but short second season of Jericho with 6.9 million viewers and […]

Quarterlife, the made for MySpace Television show that became the first world wide web show picked up by a Television network has bombed.

According to Nielsen Ratings for Tuesday night, Quarterlife managed only 3.86 million viewers for its 10pm debut on NBC, compared to the fan resurrected but short second season of Jericho with 6.9 million viewers and Primetime: What Would You Do Now? with 7.6 million viewers.

Although no decision has been made as to whether Quarterlife will return for a second outing next week, these poor figures would suggest that Quarterlife might not have a long life on NBC.

Some might recommend that Quaterlife’s failure to make a successful cross from on the internet to network Television isn’t a positive for future shows following the same path; certainly it doesn’t make things easier. A first failed experiment won’t necessarily mean the crossover idea will fail again in the future. As more and more people turn to the web for entertainment, the volume of professionally made video content will continue to increase, and sheer numbers would advocate that Quaterlife might become the first of many crossovers to come as TV networks scramble to find new content that viewers want to watch.

(via RWW)

Crunch Network: MobileCrunch Mobile Gadgets and Applications, Delivered Daily.

Via [TechCrunch]

Share This

Popularity: 2% [?]

Share This

By Evan Ackerman I don’t know about your laptop, but the heat mine gives off could power a small industrial nation. Okay, maybe not, but it does a damn good job of toasting my pop tarts and rendering me sterile. The DORmino mouse takes all of that wasted heat and uses it to power a wireless […]

By Evan Ackerman

I don’t know about your laptop, but the heat mine gives off could power a small industrial nation. Okay, maybe not, but it does a damn good job of toasting my pop tarts and rendering me sterile. The DORmino mouse takes all of that wasted heat and uses it to power a wireless mouse, utilizing silicon nanowires embedded in a pad that sits underneath your laptop, a thermoelectric converter, and an induction coil inside the mouse to transfer power up from the pad. The mouse itself has a touchscreen scroller and a bluetooth interface, and the pad rolls up for easy portability. The design has been entered in the 2008 Greener Gadgets Design Competition, and if it wins, it looks complicated enough that it still probably won’t be produced, unfortunately.

[ Greener Gadgets Competition ] VIA [ Ecofriend ]

Eco friendly, Peripherals

Via [Ohgizmo]

Popularity: 2% [?]

Share This

By Luke Anderson I’m fortunate to work in an environment where I don’t have anyone looking over my shoulder, making sure that I’m staying on-task. I’ve had those jobs in the past, and I’ve discovered that I am less productive when my work is constantly monitored. In those days I would have loved for a mouse […]

By Luke Anderson

I’m fortunate to work in an environment where I don’t have anyone looking over my shoulder, making sure that I’m staying on-task. I’ve had those jobs in the past, and I’ve discovered that I am less productive when my work is constantly monitored. In those days I would have loved for a mouse such as this one, which will bring up a specific program with the click of a button.

This of course would be useful in a situation when one is surfing the net or brushing up on their solitaire skills. Just click the side button and it’ll pull up Excel or whatever important-looking program you select. You can pick one up for just $19.99.

[ USBFever ] VIA [ RedFerret ]

Mouse, Office, Privacy

Via [Ohgizmo]

Share This

Popularity: 2% [?]

Share This

By Luke Anderson Are you one of those people that must always be listening to your iPod? I’m horrible about using mine, I always think that I’ll use it, but I rarely find the need. I’m usually in my vehicle or at my desk, both of which have an ample supply of music. However, for those […]

By Luke Anderson

Are you one of those people that must always be listening to your iPod? I’m horrible about using mine, I always think that I’ll use it, but I rarely find the need. I’m usually in my vehicle or at my desk, both of which have an ample supply of music. However, for those that are outdoors a lot, possibly walking or jogging, you’ll love this Tooks Beanie which features a built-in headset.

The beanie looks rather normal, except for the two circles for the speakers, and the cord running down the back. I probably wouldn’t wear this if I were just going out somewhere, but those that like to exercise in the cold might get some use out of it. The Took Beanie comes in six different colors and will set you back $25.

[ EpicOutfit ] VIA [ ChipChick ]

Clothing, headphones

Via [Ohgizmo]

Share This

Popularity: 2% [?]

Share This

By Andrew Liszewski I’m not thrilled with the idea of owning a house, mostly because of all the added responsibilities like cutting the lawn, shoveling snow and having to be that mean neighbor who always confiscates baseballs and Frisbees that land in my yard. But on the other hand a house allows you to do things […]

By Andrew Liszewski

I’m not thrilled with the idea of owning a house, mostly because of all the added responsibilities like cutting the lawn, shoveling snow and having to be that mean neighbor who always confiscates baseballs and Frisbees that land in my yard. But on the other hand a house allows you to do things like install a dedicated home theater or even cooler, your own bowling alley.

United Bowling, a Florida based company will install a 2 lane, full regulation length bowling alley in your home complete with genuine AMF and Brunswick equipment like pin stackers and ball returns. You’ll need a minimal area that’s 88 feet long, 12 feet wide with a 10 foot ceiling, but if the kids have moved out there’s no reason not to demolish their bedrooms in order to make room for such an awesome upgrade. Of course at $88,000 it’s not a cheap upgrade, but if it was worth it to Daniel Plainview, then it’s worth it to me.

[ United Bowling - Custom & Residential Packages ] VIA [ Baller House ]

Household, Sports

Via [Ohgizmo]

Popularity: 2% [?]

Share This

You know the media world has been turned upside down when Websites start buying magazines. Today, the Knot, which operates the wedding site of the same name, acquired The Bump, a group of local magazines and maternity guides in 11 cities. Terms were not disclosed. In an effort to reduce the natural churn of […]

You know the media world has been turned upside down when Websites start buying magazines. Today, the Knot, which operates the wedding site of the same name, acquired The Bump, a group of local magazines and maternity guides in 11 cities. Terms were not disclosed.

In an effort to reduce the natural churn of its audience (who needs to check a wedding site after the big day is over?), the Knot created other bookend lifestyle sites—TheNest for newlyweds, and TheNestBaby for new parents. So what does a Website need magazines for? The Bump is distributed in OB/GYN offices and could help channel readers to TheNestBaby. The Knot can also use it to sell combined print/Web advertising packages.

It’s got to do something to drive traffic. TheNestBaby barely registers on comScore, with only 171,000 unique visitors in the U.S. in January, compared to the TheKnot’s 1.8 million (which itself shot up in January after a few months of decline). Maybe print isn’t dead after all. I wonder if we are going to see more Web-buy-print deals, especially in niche media.

Crunch Network: CrunchBoard because it’s time for you to find a new Job2.0

Via [TechCrunch]

Popularity: 2% [?]

Share This

By Evan Ackerman Have you ever noticed that there are surveillance cameras everywhere nowadays? Doesn’t it make you feel all warm and fuzzy and safe in the knowledge that our tiny sisterish government is looking out for us 24/7/365.25? If you’re still not quite feeling safe enough, now you can get your own surveillance camera light […]

By Evan Ackerman

Have you ever noticed that there are surveillance cameras everywhere nowadays? Doesn’t it make you feel all warm and fuzzy and safe in the knowledge that our tiny sisterish government is looking out for us 24/7/365.25? If you’re still not quite feeling safe enough, now you can get your own surveillance camera light fixture to remind you that someone is always watching. Always. Even you. Yes, you. Right now. Put your pants back on, geez.

If you think I’m kidding, check out this screensaver, which shows live images from over 400 network surveillance cameras worldwide whenever your computer goes idle. Purchase this lamp, and your bedroom could be image #401. $75 not including security cameras; those will be installed separately by some guy in black sunglasses claiming to be an electrical inspector.

And as for what’s up with the ducks (or is it geese?) in the bottom of that pic… I think if I knew the answer to that, it might somehow make me feel more at home in the universe.

[ Surveillance Light ] VIA [ Dezeen ]

Lighting

Via [Ohgizmo]

Share This

Popularity: 2% [?]

Share This

By Andrew Liszewski High blood pressure is no laughing matter. Unless of course it happens in the cartoons where the character becomes beet red and steam blasts out of their ears, then it’s hilarious. But for real people, not so funny. So if you suffer from high blood pressure the RESPeRATE is an interactive breathing device […]

By Andrew Liszewski

High blood pressure is no laughing matter. Unless of course it happens in the cartoons where the character becomes beet red and steam blasts out of their ears, then it’s hilarious. But for real people, not so funny. So if you suffer from high blood pressure the RESPeRATE is an interactive breathing device that’ll supposedly lower your blood pressure when used for just 15 minutes, a few times a week.

Using a breathing sensor, RESPeRATE automatically analyzes your individual breathing pattern and creates a personalized melody composed of two distinct inhale and exhale guiding tones, delivered through comfortable earphones.

Simply listen to the melody through the headphones and synchronize your breathing to the tones. By prolonging the exhalation tone RESPeRATE guides you to slow your breathing and reach the “therapeutic zone” of less than 10 breaths per minute.

The physiological result? The muscles surrounding the small blood vessels in your body dilate, and relax. Blood is allowed to flow more freely, and pressure is directly, significantly lowered.

With a price tag of $290 the RESPeRATE is probably not only a cheaper substitute to medication, but in some studies (as published in American Journal of Hypertension) it has even been found to be more effective for certain patients.

[ RESPeRATE ] VIA [ The Red Ferret Journal ]

Health, Medical

Via [Ohgizmo]

Share This

Popularity: 2% [?]

Share This

Web-based word processors keep closing the gap with Microsoft Office. Since its launch, Zoho now has 650,000 users, a 30 percent increase from just last November, the company tells us. It is doing 2 million user sessions per month. And its users have created more than one million documents on Zoho Writer […]

Web-based word processors keep closing the gap with Microsoft Office. Since its launch, Zoho now has 650,000 users, a 30 percent increase from just last November, the company tells us. It is doing 2 million user sessions per month. And its users have created more than one million documents on Zoho Writer (1.6 million, if you include its on the internet presentation and spreadsheet products, Zoho Show and Zoho Sheets).

This day, Zoho released an update to Zoho Writer that includes:

Docx Suppor—the ability to export documents in the new docx Word file format (this is in addition to existing support for doc, txt, html, pdf, odf, sxw, rtf files).

Thesaurus—a thesaurus in ten languages (English, Czech, German, Greek, French, Irish, Italian, Polish, Russian, and Slovak).

Groups—Now you can save emails forgroups instead of re-entering each one every time you want to share a document.

Enhanced support for Endnotes/Footnotes, Headers/Footers—Formatting is now maintained when a document is exported, as are manual page breaks.

Zoho still has along way to go to catch up to Microsoft Word, and it trails Google Docs in usage, but it is making steady progress.

Crunch Network: CrunchBoard because it’s time for you to find a new Job2.0

Via [TechCrunch]

Share This

Popularity: 7% [?]

Share This