Bing Celebrity Slideshows

I was just performing random searches on Bing when I discovered that some of the Instant Answers for celebrities featured a new feature called “Slideshow.” Like the name implies, Bing seems to collect images of whoever you searched for and compiles a Silverlight-powered slideshow with full screen capabilities. Here’s an example, inspired by my younger sister.

Here are a couple more I found to have a Bing Slideshow (courtesy of my sisters):

• Miley Cyrus
• Jason Mraz
• Ashton Kutcher
• Selena Gomez
• Demi Lovato
• Taylor Lautner
• Taylor Swift
• Joe Jonas

MSN.com continues home page facelift

If you park your homepage over at MSN, then you have been noticing some big changes to one of the most-visited websites in the world. In times when most of Microsoft is re-branding or re-building many of its products and strategies (think Windows 7, Windows Phone 7 Series, Bing, Zune HD, Windows Live Wave 4), they are not holding back over at the MSN team. Over the last couple of weeks, I have been noticing and making note of some big and not so big changes that they seem to be greatly debating internally (like background color, size of elements, text positioning, border structures, etc). For the last couple of days, probably for the ease of maintaining updated content for the Olympics, they only seem to be forwarding users to the older version of MSN.com. But a couple of weeks ago, they had almost 4 versions running:

• http://www.msn.com/ (some people are/were directed to the old version, while some were “chosen” for a version of the new version) (that’s 2)
• http://www.msn.com/preview.aspx (the permanently parked new version in progress, now without the beta sticker)  (that’s 1 more)
• Another version I randomly get with some modifications to the new version design (blue background, inclusion and/or removal of an “app system”) (that’s total of 4)

I was going to go into detail about the different changes of each version, but I would first like to get an idea of what design they seem to be favoring. Right now, I have no clue about where the progression lies; in some browsers I get some versions, and on other computers I get others. I can’t tell where the preview has gone from point A to point B, so for now, just enjoy some really nice screenshots I compiled of the entire site, in its intact glory.

MSN.com, as it is for most users. Old design.

 

MSN.com Preview, first version of the new design. Well, more like ‘1.2’ pictured here because I remember that the very first preview launched did not have that blue haze at the very stop, which was a very nice touch.

 

 
Newest MSN.com design, implementing a blue background, the new apps on the right, and very awkward, unnecessary, badly positioned, marketing for Bing in the search bar. Topped off with a GIANT ‘Web Search’ button. As if we don’t what a search bar looks like. I think if they removed the orange text from inside the bar, and completely removed the button and only left the Bing logo as it is, floating right, (which could act as a button itself), it would seem very sleek.

 

 
Just thought I should add a screenshot of how they implemented the well-known “red ribbon of breaking news” within the new preview design.

Any thoughts?

Download YouTube videos to Zune

It’s finally here. An updated and revamped version of the original “Download YouTube Videos to Zune” video. It was a success and many people were very thankful. However, some had some trouble and things have changed since then, so it was time to deliver what people wanted. If you have a Zune and want to download any video from YouTube, here is the best video guide.

Download YouTube Videos to Zune and PC [Updated]

Useful tips and resources:

Select the folders that you want the Zune software to monitor for new music, videos, pictures, and podcasts

Folders can include playlists, music, videos, pictures, and podcasts from another player collection. If you add or remove files from these folders, the Zune software automatically updates the collection accordingly.
To configure the folders that you want the Zune software to monitor, follow these steps:

1. Start the Zune software.
2. In the upper-right corner, click Settings, click Software, and then select Collection. A list of folders appears that the Zune software currently monitors for new media files.
3. To modify the list of monitored folders, use the following guidelines:
   
   • o To add a new folder to the list, click Add Folder, and then select the folder that you want to add.
     o Note If you add a folder that is located on a removable drive, and the drive is no longer available, the Zune software automatically removes the content in that folder from your collection.
     
   • o To remove a folder from the list, click Remove for the folder that you want to remove.

How to add music, videos, pictures, and podcasts that you play on the computer to the Zune device

When you start the Zune software for the first time, the software automatically adds music, videos, pictures, and podcasts on the computer to the Zune collection. Then, you can set up the Zune software to monitor the folders in which you store your media. If you add or delete something in these folders, the Zune software updates your collection accordingly.
To prevent the Zune software from automatically adding these files to your collection, follow these steps:

1. Start the Zune software.
2. Click Settings, click Software, and then select Collection.
3. Click to clear the Automatically update album art and media information check box.
4. Click OK.

Common Issues and Solutions

Common Issue #1: Won't Sync/Detect Video

Make sure to select the MP4 file type. This should solve most problems related to Zune not detecting other corrupted files. Also, remember to change the name in the new MP4, make it different than when you tried to import the older file, or else Zune Software might not always detect that it's a new file.

Common Issue #2: "Only Works on Some Videos"

Not true. The converter should be able to download all YouTube video, regardless their status. If you simply cannot download a certain video, contact us and we will solve the problem.

Common Issue #3: Plays on PC but not Zune

Confirm you are using the MP4 file type. Refer to Common Issue #1 tips.

Common Issue #4: Video or Data "Corrupt"

Specify where you are getting this error message (i.e. YouTube, MediaConverter.org, Zune, etc.), then contact us.

Common Issue #5: Compatible with iPod's?

If you would like to download YouTube videos to your iPod as well, you will have to use the MP4 file format.


- Albert

Microsoft issuing emergency browser fix

This just in from MSNBC:

“REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp. is taking the unusual step of issuing an emergency fix for a security hole in its Internet Explorer software that has exposed millions of users to having their computers taken over by hackers.

 

The "zero-day" vulnerability, which came to light last week, allows criminals to take over victims' machines simply by steering them to infected Web sites; users don't have to download anything for their computers to get infected, which makes the flaw in Internet Explorer's programming code so dangerous. Internet Explorer is the world's most widely used Web browser.

 

Microsoft said it plans to ship a security update, rated "critical," for the browser on Wednesday. People with the Windows Update feature activated on their computers will get the patch automatically.” More…

 

Because this flaw is extremely dangerous as it can steal stored passwords on your computer, it is absolutely critical that you install the update so you cannot be infected. The update is completely free of charge, as always provided by Microsoft. You will be able to download the patch tomorrow and I will have the link here as soon as it is available (the update is now available, look below). Again, it is very important you install this, especially if you use online banking, online gaming, online social networking, or any site which you have given any personal information to.

 

NAME AND INFO: MS08-078 Addresses a vulnerability in Internet Explorer (KB 960714)

INSTRUCTIONS:

For Windows XP: Perform Microsoft Update
For Windows Vista: Run the Windows Update tool.

• If you want for it to install Automatically, follow these steps (for Windows XP, for Windows Vista).

 

Note: If you think you already have an infection, you can run Microsoft’s FREE Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.

 

- Albert

Kiev Search? Microsoft’s new search brand?

LiveSide.net user “ma574ch33f117” performed a little interesting search over at Live Search and found something quite intriguing. In his comment, he states that he went to Live.com and searched “site:kumo.com” to see what results would come up with the domain. I went ahead and repeated that query and found other little details.

 

When you perform the search, you get a result titled “Kiev Search - Get to know Kiev Search” which contains a description:

“Get to know Kiev Search. Web. Search the web. cashback. Get money back when you shop at the online stores you know and trust. Images. Find the pictures that you've been looking for…”

 

 

Additionally, Live Search even provided a cashed version of the site, which looks a lot like a current Live Search site.

Current “Kiev Search” (kumo.com) cached site on Live.com servers

 

Current “Live Search” (similar site)

 

 

I don’t know…you be the judge. But, “Kiev” is such a random brand name. Kumo at least had some meaning behind it (which means either “cloud” or “spider” in Japanese, depending on which Kanji characters are used, via Mary-Jo Foley). I don’t honestly know what to think anymore. After the resurfacing possible Yahoo search deal, multiple rebranding possibilities, and now “Kiev,” I just hope some Softie knows what they’re doing.

 

- Albert

Yahoo! attacks Google in search ads via search ads

So much for the Yahoo! and Google deal eh? Well, it seems like Yahoo! is wasting no time in showing any negative feelings towards the company that failed to continue pursuing a possible search deal.

I don’t think I have ever seen a major search engine attack another in an online ad, but I guess Yahoo! does not bother being the first. The ads I found were displayed on LiveSide, but I have no knowledge of how many properties Yahoo! went ahead and placed these ads on.

 

The ad itself was a Flash movie, but I was able to capture most of the main points in four screenshots.

 

Slide 1: “LOST – Last Seen: Searching Google”

This implies that someone was been reported “lost” and was last seen searching on the infamous Google search engine. “Lost” meaning that searching using Google may result in even more confusing results.

 

Slide 2: For Music Videos

 

Just adds the detail that the individual was searching for music videos on Google when they were reported “lost.”

 

Slide 3:Don’t Get Lost

Finally, a Yahoo! logo and brand is clear. It also clarifies that by using Google, you can get lost in between all the actual results and irrelevant sponsored results.

 

Slide 4: Switch to Yahoo!

The final slide asks the viewer to switch to Yahoo! to be able to find the real answer that they want.

 

 

Overall, I think that the ads are using the only real selling points that a non-Google search engine can use: “switch” and “get straight to your answers.” Although Google itself is able to be very relevant because of its index and usage, other search engines may employ smarter algorithms or features that may interest certain people who do not find Google providing useful alternatives. However, it’s interesting how Yahoo! decided to go directly after Google in a marketing campaign, no matter how small this might be.

Note: I spotted this a couple of days ago but barely got the chance to post this blog entry.

 

- Albert

YouTube goes widescreen

Was just browsing my tech video YouTube channel when I played one of my videos and found a pleasant surprise: a full-fledged widescreen video player.

 

See for yourself, it’s quite an interesting experience with videos that were meant to be displayed in the true widescreen format.

 

At first I thought it would only do that for videos whose dimensions would fit a widescreen format, but it seems like all videos will be displayed as best possible in the new and wider player. Overall, I’m quite happy with YouTube’s move. Makes it clear that video content takes center stage.

 

- Albert