Help Making Money

The biggest names in the tech industry seem to have collectively decided it's time to make the billions. Sure Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter have sold some ads and Foursquare brokered some promotional deals. But with the second wave of IPOs on the horizon and investors' eyeballs getting as round as the tech bubble, the time is nigh for tech demigods to show that they can make money off all those users they've spent years accumulating. And hopefully not alienate them in the process. Today, Mark Zuckerberg inched closer to that dream of a trillion dollars by offering streaming movies — and tanking Netflix's stock. Meanwhile, YouTube closed a deal on a production company presumably to make its very own content. Intel cast a wide net to examine tech companies' latest money-making ventures. Then we looked into our CrystalBall app to see what they might try next.

Facebook

Moneymaker: Warner Bros. just became the first Hollywood studio to stream movies directly on the social network. Facebook has been making a big move toward e-commerce lately, and the fact that you have to use Facebook Credits to buy movies and TV shows could be the tipping point to get users to hand their credit card info over to Mark Zuckerberg. Plus, studios looking for a way to stop Netflix's growth might not make Facebook suffer the same 28-day waiting period for new content.

Downside: At 30 credits (or $3) for a 48-hour rental for The Dark Knight, it will cost you. Plus, you have to "like" the movie or the director to get the privilege. Do you really want hundreds of your Facebook friends to see you "liked" and watched Valentine's Day on Valentine's Day?

What's next: Why should you use a credit card to buy Facebook Credits when you can use Zuckerbills (coming to a U.S. Treasury in 2020)?

Twitter

Moneymaker: In order to make money off its free iPhone app, this weekend Twitter introduced a number of new features, including Quickbar, a "forced trending topics bar" that includes promoted tweets — negating the idea of a service that quickly shows you what's actually trending.

Downside: Pundit John Gruber quickly dubbed the feature "Dickbar" after Twitter CEO Dick Costolo, but Gruber issued the unfortunate nickname on Twitter and it was widely retweeted. Advantage Costolo.

What's next: Can we pay someone to monitor our Twitter feed for us? It's getting overwhelming. Either that or design personalized lists of the best people to follow based on what's important to us, like updates on Libya and breaking bear-cub news.

Foursquare

Moneymaker: At SXSW this week, Foursquare is set to announce a partnership with American Express that will link users' credit cards with their Foursquare accounts. The incentive to consumers? Deals like "spend $5, save $5" at participating merchants. Although Foursquare said its motivation is to increase membership and loyalty and that it won't charge Amex for the privilege, it's hard to believe that will stay the case if it catches on.

Downside: We don't have an Amex card. And (confession) although we use the app for recommendations, we've never actually checked in anywhere. Sorry, Dennis and Naveen! But if they add other credit cards, we would.

What's next: How about a service that warns you beforehand if you're about to friend one of those compulsive people who check in with handfuls of people at name-dropping locales?

YouTube

Moneymaker: YouTube just closed a deal to buy Internet video company Next New Networks, the producers behind Auto-Tune the News, for less than $50 million. Although rumor had it that Google was trying to get into the video-production business, Business Insider reports that the move is actually designed to help existing YouTube partners make "more and better content." Which then leads to more users and, subsequently, more expensive ads.

Downside: Isn't YouTube's strength either grainy weird viral videos or pirated television, movie, and music content? The second could definitely use better quality, but does it even matter for the former?

What's next: How about veering into Hulu territory?

Skype

Moneymaker: Just regular old advertising on the Windows version of its paid video communications service.

Downside: Although Skype says it won't show ads during the video conferencing yet, this could devolve into a Minority Report-style advertising assault.

What's next: Would it be possible to embed microphone/receiver in our brain so we don't have to use the special headset? Just curious.

Update: TechCrunch makes an important clarification. Facebook hasn't announced its own streaming movie service. Rather the movie offering comes from Warner Brothers app that uses Facebook Credits' payment system. But if it proves successful and other studios follow suit, Zuckberg can still count on more personal credit card info coming his way. Someone better go tell Netflix's shareholders.

Actually, these bastards are going to end up hanging themselves on a couple of points (not my words, but family deeply involved in the legal business as lawyers and law professors).

First, there is a little point of technicality called the “Equal Protection Clause(s) of the U.S. Constitution, which pretty pointedly states that it is not exactly legal to try to deny guaranteed rights (under the constitution) from any one group of citizens. This is what ultimately torpedoed much of segregation (and Jim Crow laws) in the Deep South, and why the attempts to impose a modern day equivalent in Arizona are unlikely to survive a constitutional challenge. Trying to deprive these state union members of legally recognized rights, in organizations that are recognized as legitimate under both state and federal laws, is going to set off a whole minefield of legal issues, and could extend way beyond just the rights of union members to seek representation for collective bargaining purposes. Such as the rights of any number of groups to organize and hold meetings about common points of interest. Not too great an extension to say that if this bullshit can fly (what the Spotted Wanker is pushing in WI) than some other governor with a rubber stamp legislature could turn his attention to stripping rights from gays. Or blacks. Or Jews. Or whoever the hell these goons feel like ganging up on. That is why the poem from the 1930s has never lost any of its power…”first, they came for the trade unionists, but I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a trade unionist…” (apologies if this quote is not completely accurate or otherwise misstated) )

Second: the little abomination that the Gang of Five on the Supream Court gave us a year or so ago (Citizens Inebriated) actually contains a little bouncing betty of its own that could very well go off in the faces of Govs Wanker, Sacitch, Krysty, and J.O. Daniels. Since this ruling extended the concept of “personhood” to both corporations and unions, to try to deny them any right to operate within the legal framework that they were organized under deprives these “persons” of the freedoms of speech, association and movement. Which means (once again, quoting law school trained family) that either the courts have to uphold these rights for the unions (as individual “persons” as guaranteed by the Federal (and most state) constitutions, or they have to declare that these attempts at stripping or limiting union rights have to apply to major corporations, also.

Surface Encounters proudly ensures customer satisfaction and cost putting in granite assurance. “I’m frequently skeptical heading with new firms, but your workers has crafted me a believer!” - Steve, Indianapolis

Surface Encounters is definitely a fast-growing surface encounters company and, nonetheless they've stored tempo with all of the current consumer referrals. “This organisation is just about the most reasonable, trustworthy and pleasant organisations during the total state. I would highly recommend them to everyone.” - Mike R., South Bend

A lot of get the job done goes into creating gorgeous countertops from nature. The process comprises laser measurement artistic vein matching, precision diamond and water-jet cutting, edging and specialized set up. A person won't be able to basically simply call within their order to get a customized countertop and also have it within a day or two. Good quality requires time.

Surface Encounters encourages folks to go to a showroom to find out additional about normal stone countertops. Moreover the collection and fabrication technique, an additional crucial piece of consumer care is making sure one is aware the right way to treatment for his or her granite countertop to keep it browsing new for years to come.

Granite is mostly a beautiful natural stone products which is a trendy substance employed for countertops and floor tiles in kitchens and bathrooms. Granite has surpassed marble in popularity considering is it much more durable and easier to treatment for. Granite is unmatched by synthetic products and solutions for its strength and durability, tolerance to temperature improvements and resistance to stains and scratches.

Granite is definitely a effortlessly formed stone that is quarried from deep from the earth, harvested, reduce, polished, sealed and set up in real estate to add splendor, elegance and design. For the reason that it's a purely natural solution, no two slabs are specifically alike. Granite is offered in quite a few colours through the many minerals which can be determined while in the rock. Considering the fact that it comes from all over the world, different areas and environmental components make it exceptional.

Granite is largely produced up of quartz crystal, however it also contains several quantities of other metals including feldspar, mica, copper and iron. Some granite might possibly have bits of gold or silver. The quantity of just about every metal depends about the area it arrives from. All granite is shaped right into a complicated stone by heat and strain. Rain adds other minerals as it is forming. Its out there throughout the entire world, in all nation, and each area will produce a surface encounters exclusive variety of granite.

Surface Encounters state-of-the-art machinery makes sure the highest outstanding completed product because they style and design and make several of the best kitchens and bathrooms. Granite Countertops boost the warmth and splendor of houses though raising their worth and strengthening lifestyles.

Surface Encounters can be involved with employee morale; completely satisfied workers are a lot more very likely to contribute on the achieving success of the home business. Furthermore to being a prosperous corporation and a single which is outstanding to function for, Surface Encounters does their portion to protect our planet.

Surface Encounters does what on earth is best for their buyers, personnel as well as natural environment. Surface Encounters employs sophisticated water recycling capabilities to recycle approximately 43,000 gallons of h2o each day. Furthermore, 100 percent on the scrap created in developing elegant kitchens and beautiful baths is re-used as aggregate in street establishing, surface preparations and concrete.

The Columbus, Ohio Grand Opening of Surface Encounters qualities an artwork gallery showroom of Granite, Marble, Quartz and Engineered Stone counter tops. Retail store Manager, Scott Donnelly unlocked the doors with the showroom at 4717 Roberts Road, just west of the I-270 Beltway. The Surface Encounters production plan uses precision, automated technological innovation through the fabrication in the customer's personalized counter best, these as: a laser measuring alignment that plans the diamond-tipped sculpturing blades. Surface Encounters' method comes with computer-driven software package that perpetuates the stone's healthy veins. Each Surface Encounter shop has a minimum of 1 registered, interior designer to help you in building the completed venture you happen to be looking for. The craftsmanship continues with the

House owners are choosing to remodel rather than promote their homes in today’s marketplace
Granite countertops are becoming a top preference between Wixom shoppers for kitchen remodeling projects. Kitchen remodeling is often the initial venture tackled with households shelling out three,000 hours or more each year within their kitchen. Granite countertops give an environment that enhances the excellent time invested with family and good friends. Granite countertops final a lifetime and strengthen the high-quality of residences.

Surface Encounters Wixom retail store supervisor, Sal Dellacasa, says there are lots of explanations people are looking for granite for his or her countertop requirements. “Granite countertops add beauty and elegance to a kitchen. Granite is obtainable in a very number of vibrant hues and loaded textures and its strength and sturdiness is unmatched by any other pure stone or synthetic countertop materials.”

Surface Encounters’ users savor specialist services including a friendly, handy staff to tutorial them with the kitchen remodeling method. A great number of of Surface Encounters new shoppers are referred to them by prior prospects.
"This business is amongst the most economical, reliable, and pleasant vendors during the entire state. I'd propose them to any individual." Mike R. Clinton Twp., MI

"The corporation has always been there to help me in no matter what way potential. Thank you so much!" David V. Lapeer, MI


Surface Encounters Macomb would be the property of half-off granite for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Granite countertops by Surface Encounters have rather quickly turn out to be the prime selection for Macomb residents who're remodeling their kitchens. Kitchen remodeling usually takes priority with households spending 3,000 hrs or even more per year within their kitchen. Granite countertops furnish an environment that enhances the top notch time spent with friends and family and friends and better the outstanding of households.

Surface Encounters Macomb retail outlet manager, Sal Dellacasa, says there are lots of reasons shoppers are selecting granite for their countertop must have. “Granite countertops add magnificence and elegance to a kitchen. Granite is available in the selection of vibrant colours and abundant textures and its strength and sturdiness is unmatched by every other surface encounters normal stone or synthetic countertop material.”

Surface Encounters’ clientele benefit from qualified service as well as a pleasant, helpful workers to guide them with the kitchen remodeling plan. Many of Surface Encounters new users are referred to them by former potential customers.