Innovation
Recent patent application (by USPS) on design of a secure voting system that outlines using blockchain technology to secure mail-in voting
www.forbes.com The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a U.S.P.S. patent application on a ‘Secure Voting System’ using blockchain technology. Trump’s complaints against mail-in voting on who cast the vote and whether the ballot was tampered with could be answered with the help of blockchain.
Domino’s, ViacomCBS test Alexa feature that tracks ad conversion
www.mobilemarketer.com HT @bmetrock ICYMI Quick Links for Alexa lets you add a link to a mobile app, website or online ad to launch an Alexa skill and track conversion from it. Brands Domino’s, ViacomCBS testing it to track ad conversion, but it’s beyond ads. #voice
Technology
Google Maps now shows a lot more information about wildfires
mashable.com Google Maps and Search both show more wildfire emergency information with boundaries, news, and information posted in the Maps app.
Google is said to be building a streaming video service aggregation feature — dubbed Kaleidoscope — within Chrome
www.fiercevideo.com Screenshots suggest it’s designed to unify access for services including Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Netflix. #Google#video
iPhone and iPad photos permanently wiped, as Adobe bungles iOS Lightroom app update
www.zdnet.com
Lightroom iOS users learn a hard lesson in backing up photos, but Adobe doesn’t even offer an offline back-up option.
4 Lessons We Can Learn From The Digital Revolution
www.digitaltonto.comInteresting analysis from @DigitalTonto about some of the problems we face
Publishing & Media
Publishing Leaders Issuing Warning over Amazon’s Market Power
www.publishersweekly.com
If Amazon’s market power over book publishing is left unchecked, competition in the industry will continue to diminish, the heads of the AAP, ABA, and Authors Guild wrote in a letter to the chairman of the House Antitrust Subcommittee.
News publishers including Wall Street Journal join attack on App Store, ask for Apple’s cut to be halved
9to5mac.com Apple is currently in the middle of a heated dispute with Epic Games (maker of Fortnite) over App Store terms, as the company sees the number of antitrust investigations targeting App Store policy continue to grow. Now, the news publishers are joining in too. #Apple #newsbusiness
Google warns users in Australia free services are at risk if it’s forced to share ad revenue with ‘big media’
techcrunch.com Google has fired a lobbying pot-shot at a looming change to the law in Australia that will force it to share ad revenue with local media businesses whose content its platforms monetize — seeking to mobilize its users against “big media.” #Google #media
Spotify’s move into audiobooks is a seismic shift in the publishing landscape, but the ripples will take time to be felt
thenewpublishingstandard.com RT @JaneFriedman A pretty big deal: Spotify is advertising for a “Head of Audio Books” Per @thenewpubstd: Can Spotify dominate the audiobook scene in the same way it has music? No is the simple answer. But it will fundamentally change the audiobook model in the western markets before this decade is over. #podcasting
Apple Launches New ‘Radio Stations’ In 165 Countries, Blurs Lines Between Radio, Music, Podcasting
Stores Plan for Independent Bookstore Day 8/29
www.shelf-awareness.com #LoveBookstores
‘Bookmarks’ Series from Netflix Spotlights the Black Experience
www.publishersweekly.com @iammarleydias (founder of #1000BlackGirlBooks) is host and Executive Producer. Each episode features a children’s book about Black experiences written by a Black author and read aloud by a Black celebrity.
The Economist’s print magazine is its ninth most popular platform
www.pressgazette.co.uk Of course, print readers are more valuable.
Time Magazine Q2 Digital Revs Surpass Print For First Time
Conde Nast to Unveil Membership Plan for Vogue Business
www.diarydirectory.com Vogue Business, which launched 18 months ago, will launch a membership plan including twice-weekly briefings.
O, The Oprah Magazine’s Print Run Shrinking From 12 Issues to Four
Vice wants to send you print mail to help you understand the plight of the United States Postal Service
www.niemanlab.org Recognizing the role that USPS will play in the election, Vice Media unveils pop-up email newsletter about US mail. Also monthly print zine with extra content (art, handwritten letters, + bonus issues of the newsletter) for $8/mo. Via @NiemanLab
Photographer Wins Lawsuit Against BuzzFeed, Sets Major DMCA Precedent
petapixel.com #photography #copyright
Business
Apple apologizes to WordPress, won’t force the free app to add purchases after all
www.theverge.com
On Friday, the internet erupted in a small way to learn that Apple had successfully forced WordPress to monetize its free app — forcing it to sell premium plans and custom domain names seemingly just so that Apple could get its traditional 30 percent cut. But one afternoon and evening of surprise and outrage later, Apple is backing off.
US podcast ad spend still set to surpass $1 billion next year
www.businessinsider.com #podcasting
ViacomCBS Is a Cheap Content Play, Analyst Says
www.barrons.com Rumor: Apple or Amazon may decide that ownership of the only remaining independent studio, Paramount, is key. Paramount (now owned by ViacomCBS) is a cheap content play for movies, per analyst, and is ripe for acquisition by big tech #apple #amazon
Resources & Opportunities
Adobe Max 2020 will be virtual and free for all
www.engadget.com
Adobe’s Max 2020 virtual conference begins October 20th.
Short Story Submission Call for Black Male and Black Nonbinary Writers
kwamembalia.com RT @diversebooks ICYMI: BLACK MALE & BLACK NONBINARY WRITERS, @KSekouM is assembling a Middle Grade anthology that centers Black boy joy! Short story submissions are open now through November 1, 2020, at 11:59 pm ET.
Brand Content Outline Thread
twitter.com RT @HollyClarke I got asked recently what to expect from a full & detailed brand content strategy. I wrote this outline, and thought others might find it useful so here is a content strategy outline thread
Agent looking for Latinx SFF
twitter.comRT @gelrdrgz hello this is your periodic reminder that I was put on this earth to publish latinx sff, for the love of god send me your latinx sff. I want Chicanx cyberpunk, Dominican fantasy, Chilean space opera, magical realism mestizaje, 🇬🇹 all 🇻🇪 of 🇧🇷 it 🇨🇺, me entiendes?”
Black Equestrian Library
twitter.com RT @theblackcowgirl I am Caitlin Gooch. Founder of Saddle Up and Read nonprofit. We have a mini library of almost every published book featuring Black equestrians. I believe we have a few more books to go before our library is complete. A RT would be appreciated. I just want ppl to know we exist.
Slate is hiring a Narrative Podcast Producer
slate.com RT @Slate We’re hiring! Slate is looking for a narrative podcast producer to join our talented team. You’ll get to work on our lineup of amazing podcasts — including the award-winning Slow Burn.
HarperCollins’ Ecco and Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney Create a Publishing Diversity Fellowship
publishingperspectives.com Led by author Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, Ecco Books sets up a five-year program with the Columbia Publishing Course, drawing on six of the United States’ Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Visiting fellowships on racial justice and public health in the U.S.
www.niemanlab.org RT @DiverseJourno Applications are due Sept. 25. Apply now for the Nieman Foundation’s new visiting fellowships on racial justice and public health in the U.S.
Remote Learning Resources: Kids & Teens
www.nypl.org The Library provides great tools and digital resources for kids of all ages and parents.
Free WMG seminar 9/15 12pm ET
www.womensmediagroup.org The world is in crisis mode as a result of the coronavirus, and women in particular are more overwhelmed, stressed and exhausted…all the time. But in spite of stress, you can learn how to read the signs that your body is sending, make better choices in time and food/drink consumption without feeling guilty or desperate, and optimize your wellbeing at this free @WMG_NYC session.
Looking to Pivot Your Career? Free WMG panel 9/23 12pm ET
www.womensmediagroup.org Join this inspirational and timely @WMG_NYC panel discussion moderated by Chandra Turner, founder of @TheTalentFairy. Senior-level women in media will share how they transferred their traditional journalism skills to emerging media platforms. The full list of panelists will be released in September! Save your spot today.
WRITTEN BY
Kathy Sandler
Sr Mgr, Content Applications, Penguin Random House * Innovation * Technology * Publishing * Opinions expressed are my own
To subscribe to this newsletter, click here.