Microsoft uses cash to boost Windows Phone, but some app developers aren’t biting

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One of the big challenges Microsoft faces in mobile phones is that developers don’t have the time — or resources — to make new applications for the emerging Windows Phone platform. The software giant is using its checkbook to help jumpstart that ecosystem. But as it turns out, even that financial incentive doesn’t always work…. Read More…

Coming to Bravo: A reality TV show starring Cheezburger’s Ben Huh

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“Huh?” That’s the working title of new reality TV show that Bravo announced today featuring none other than Ben Huh, the founder and CEO of Seattle comedy network Cheezburger. “Ever wonder who is behind those hilarious cat memes?  Bravo goes inside the office of Ben Huh and his eclectic staff at icanhascheezburger.com, one of the… Read More…

The new Cheezburger redesign: Faster, funnier and fewer trolls

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Cheezburger’s rise to the top of the Internet charts has certainly been impressive to watch, leaving some investors kicking themselves that they didn’t have the foresight to invest early in the online comedy network. But what’s been most impressive about Cheezburger is how the company has strung together so many oddball Web sites, slapping things… Read More…

Watch my dog help me make the picks for the WTIA awards

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We’ve already made it through Oscar season, and now we’re gearing up for March Madness. But before we get there, I’ve got one piece of business to take care of. The Washington Technology Industry Association is celebrating its 17th annual Industry Achievement Awards on Thursday night at the Showbox Sodo. As in years past, I’ve… Read More…

Why Facebook may surrender users to niche social networks

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What do you recall seeing in your Facebook feed recently? The following are recurring items in mine: an e-card character inventory of a melancholic young woman who has sobered up barely enough to realize her iPad is actually an Etch-a-Sketch; side-by-side comparisons of an ad for a Whopper and an actual Whopper; a funny-cuz-it’s-true reminder… Read More…

Microsoft Windows as a ‘beautiful metaphor’ and other comments of the week

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The best insights, observations, comments, tweets and random zingers we heard this week. “Windows really is a beautiful metaphor for computing and with the new logo we wanted to celebrate the idea of a window, in perspective.” –Microsoft’s Sam Moreau in a blog post describing the concepts behind the company’s new Windows logo. “Whenever you answer something,… Read More…

Ben Huh’s love affair with the Internet (Or why we need to protect our greatest creation)

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Cheezburger CEO Ben Huh appeared today at the In NW social media conference in Seattle, offering an impassioned plea on the importance of protecting the Internet. Or, as the Internet entrepreneur dubs it: “The greatest thing that mankind has ever created.” Huh, who was instrumental in the recent fight against the Stop Online Piracy Act… Read More…

SOPA is a lobotomy, Google’s cutbacks are heartless … and other fun quotes of the week

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The best observations, quotes, comments and zingers we heard this week. “There’s a fundamental difference between people who want to see the Internet and say — ‘Let’s lobotomize and censor parts of it because we need to control it’ —  and those like us who see the Internet as a method of growing the economy… Read More…

Seattle snow storm stops SOPA protest in its tracks

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For the past few days, Seattle’s Zachary Cohn has been spending his days and nights planning for a January 18th rally to protest the Stop Online Piracy Act. But one thing got in the way: the weather. An epic snowstorm, which arrived in the Seattle area early Wednesday morning and has already dumped several inches on… Read More…