demand

TiVo to add Comcast video-on-demand support

One of the major hang-ups for people switching from a cable provider's DVR to TiVo is that the retail TiVo doesn't offer the cable provider's video-on-demand (VOD) channels. So, while you can get plenty of options from TiVo's built-in video service providers--Netflix, Blockbuster, Amazon, and (soon) Hulu Plus--you can't order, say, a prize fight or even the bevy of "free" VOD options available on most cable systems, thanks to the technical restrictions of TiVo's CableCard technology.

Well it looks like that sticking point may soon be unstuck as Comcast and TiVo have … Read more

Google algorithm tweak socks Demand Media traffic

Demand Media, which operates sites such as eHow and Livestrong, has been hit hard by Google's algorithm changes, the company revealed yesterday.

"In February and April, we experienced two major algorithm changes," Demand Media CEO Richard Rosenblatt said during his company's first-quarter earnings call yesterday. "For eHow, here is the impact: as compared to the levels before the first February change, we saw a net decline in search engine referrals of 20 percent."

Google's algorithm update gives less weight in its results to so-called "content farms" that provide low-quality, quick answers … Read more

Demand Media results beat the Street

Demand Media handily beat Wall Street expectations in its first-quarter results today after the markets closed.

The company reported revenue of $79.5 million and 6 cents a share in adjusted net income.

Wall Street was expecting the company to report about $69.6 million in revenue for the three months, with 4 cents a share in adjusted profits.

On a GAAP basis, net loss per share was 13 cents compared to 94 cents a year ago.

The decent results could boost Demand's stock, which has been hit hard, since Google launched "Panda," an overhaul of its … Read more

iPad 2 supply catching up with demand?

Are supplies of the iPad 2 finally starting to get closer to demand?

Customers who buy the new tablet through Apple's online store now have to wait just one to two weeks before it ships. The new estimate follows a roller coaster ride that started with an initial and short-lived wait time of only three to five days before hitting a high of four to five weeks not long after after the iPad 2 made its debut.

But over the past month, the ship time has gradually decreased, reaching three to four weeks in late March and then two … Read more

Demand Media downplays Google algorithm hit

Demand Media said today that its first-quarter results remain on track and that its second-quarter page view growth will be on par with a year ago.

The company made the statement after Google rolled out its international update for its new algorithm, which is designed to improve content quality. Sistrix noted that Demand Media's eHow took a hit on the international rollout.

Reading Demand's statement and blog post, it appears that the company has weathered the worst of Google's algorithm storm. However, this algorithm change is likely to play out over the coming quarters. CNET has been tracking the algorithm change fallout, … Read more

Must-watch TV series on Netflix streaming

We're big fans of Netflix's online streaming service, but with tons of content to sift through, it can be hard to find stuff worth watching. That can be especially true for television series, where new shows and seasons are constantly being added or taken away. It doesn't help that the Netflix browsing experience isn't the best, and it's often inconsistent from platform to platform.

To help you dig through the thousands of streaming titles available on Netflix, we asked CNET staffers to pick their favorite currently available shows. For this roundup, we're restricting ourselves … Read more

Netpulse platform might make gyms more bearable

It's about time gyms started playing catch-up with our gadgets. No more should patrons have to argue over which episode of "Glee" to watch or which Beyonce album to blast. (Shoot, if it were up to me I'd run my heart out to the Sex Pistols while watching "Doctor Who," the combination of which would surely empty most gyms.)

A platform released as a separate add-on screen by Netpulse in 2010 may just help those of us who don't know what we want figure out how to get it. (OK, I'll stop … Read more

Microsoft: The spam vigilante

Links from Friday's episode of Loaded:

Microsoft helps the feds bring down a large e-mail spam outfit.

The New York Times announces its pricing structure for access to digital editions.

Microsoft launches a mobile app to help men be cool.

The FCC may not allow cell phone boosters.

Samsung launches 3D video on demand in Korea.

New research shows that Twitter solidifies social circles of happy and sad people.

Johnson Controls to buy Energy Connect for $32.3 million

Building systems management giant Johnson Controls announced yesterday it has signed an agreement to acquire the EnergyConnect Group. EnergyConnect, based in Campbell, Calif., announced that this will be a cash deal totaling $32.3 million.

The demand response technology company EnergyConnect is best known for GridConnect, its software platform for enhancing electrical-grid efficiency, especially in the cases of regional shortages or peak pricing changes.

The system includes real-time monitoring of energy markets, as well as energy information.

"The $0.2253 per share acquisition price represents a significant cash premium of approximately 73 percent over the previous closing share price … Read more