Also: Skype for iPhone | MySpace: the movie | MSN Entertainment redux | Conde Nast on YouTube | PA Sport/Virgin Media content deal | Lord Puttnam speaks on virtual worlds | Snakes | Valleywag's pants
Rebtel has beaten Skype to distribute a internet telephony application through Facebook, due to be added to the site sometime today. "Reb me" allows users to call other Rebtel users for free, but with the crucial difference that you can call from your mobile. Nice.
I just checked some details about this with the Rebtel spokesman and interestingly, he said that brands are beginning to understand that web users don't really surf anymore, so if they want to reach the most valuable audience online they have to do that through Facebook. Skype does have a Facebook app, it should be noted, but it is at something of a disadvantage being listed on Skype's site rather than on Facebook itself.
Skype for iPhone
Meanwhile, German company Shape Services has developed a Skype service for the iPhone. It's a web-based service that is free for a limited period and took about two minutes to set up, according to Om Malik. It works through some kind call-back technique, says Om, rather than wifi. Can't see AT&T putting up with this one for long. (Giga Om)
MySpace: the movie
MySpace is a partner in the £1m MyMovie MashUp project to produce a user-generated feature film called "Faintheart", currently casting for the eight main roles. Wannabe actors can upload their audition tape and, if they impress, will be called back for an in-person audition where they can't edit out the fidgeting and forgotten words. MySpace will be touring 10 UK cities in an audition bus complete with cameras and laptops, and the winners will work with director Vito Rocco and writer David Lemon on the final film. (MySpace)
MSN Entertainment redux
MSN relaunched its Entertainment section today, with improved navigation and an embedded video player. A good opportunity to play with some of that not insignificant archive of gigs, too.
Condé Nast on YouTube
Condé Nast Interactive already has four of its print magazine brands on YouTube, and just added the Easy Living channel, which focuses on how-to cookery videos. Vogue, Glamour and GQ have channels already, which Condé Nast use to drive traffic to those websites with (it claims) around a 75% click through rate. Condé Nast Brides is another, which includes how-to videos on wedding hair, amongst others.
PA Sport/Virgin Media content deal
PA Sport will be the new content provider for Virgin Media's new-ish online sports section, including editorial coverage and results for around 30 sports. Football photos by PA Photos are also part of the deal, including images from all 380 English Premier League matches.
Lord Puttnam speaking on virtual worlds
October's Virtual Worlds Forum seems to be herding just about everyone in Media Town into its three-day mega-event; Lord Puttnam is now lined up for the keynote speech on the "radical shift from passive to interactive". Programme here...
And now for something completely off topic
I have become slightly obsessed with video of snakes eating things. This fellow, for example, bit off more than he could chew.
Valleywag's pants
In theatre, they say you don't notice good lighting. I'm quite sure advertisers would say that's the opposite of a good campaign, but really - the juxtaposition of American Apparel's hairy loins and a post about Michael Arrington being single was almost more than I could take.
American Apparel: Thanks for that.
