Foursquare TV Show In The Works
You know you’ve made it as a technology service when Hollywood comes calling in hopes of developing a TV show. But this new deal between Foursquare and unscripted-TV producer Endemol USA sounds like there’s real potential.
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(Phil Lelyveld comment: this is a natural extension of Amazing Race and will draw in Millennials. Its a no-brainer.)
Look out America, Duffy Bear is coming
It’s no secret that Japan has a craze for all things “kawaii,” the ubiquitous Japanese term uttered by fawning consumers over anything cute. Take, for instance, Walt Disney Co.’s Duffy bear, Disney’s current “it” character here.
Don’t be baffled, U.S. readers. Duffy has been a Japan-only product until pretty recently. But Disney is looking to expand the bear’s buzz overseas with Duffy’s debut in the U.S. and Hong Kong in October and November, respectively.
full story here
Comcast Yule Log Goes 3D
PHILADELPHIA: Comcast is cablecasting its traditional “Yule Log” in 3D this year. The multichannel video provider runs The Yule Log channel every year during the Christmas season. Developed in 1966 by WPIX-TV chief Fred Thrower, the Log is simply a 24/7 video loop of a burning fireplace. Comcast said it had more than 4 million views on-demand during last year’s holiday season.
“This year, customers can watch The Yule Log in standard-definition, high-definition and in next-generation 3D, or pick from a dozen other holiday-themed screen savers to get into the holiday spirit On Demand,” Comcast said.
Comcast blogger Rose Farrales notes there is also a new Yule Dog singing Christmas carols and a radar screen for tracking Santa.
source: http://www.televisionbroadcast.com/article/109892
Finland speed trap uses 3D camera
What's Finland most famous for? If you've answered Nokia phones just like most of the other people who don't reside in 
Finland, then you are most probably correct. Well, here's something that might take away that coveted position from the handset manufacturer - we're talking about automated 3D speed cameras which will be able to check out essential information such as insurance, taxes, seat belt usage and tailgating in a jiffy. Dubbed ASSET (Advanced Safety and Driver Support for Essential Road Transport), the effective range is about 150 feet, where you can have a slew of tickets issued almost simultaneously if you drive without wearing a safety belt while tailgating someone who just crossed through a red light at insanely high speeds. With that, prosecution can take just seconds - something tells us the legal system there will have to be extra efficient to handle the sudden increase in cases!
source: http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2010/11/3d_speed_cameras_in_finland_speed_up_prosecutions_to_seconds.html