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As I read Eric’s piece bells started going off in my head; and no I was not suffering from auditory hallucinations, but if you have read the same post then you should have been hearing the same thing. The idea that Google would be making available content that is unique and something that people will want to watch — after all who doesn’t like watching cartoons — via their AdSense network, is in my opinion something of a game changer for the ad business. These 30 second spots are supposed to come with pre-roll ads and given who is creating them, you almost have to be assured they will be popular, even if only because they are something new.

Yes, other companies have tried the route of video ads but the problem with them is that that is exactly what they are, ads. For most folks video ads are no different than the banner and text ads that came before them and most likely readers are tuning them out in the exact same way. What Google is doing is totally different in that they are giving us something of value, if only a laugh in exchange for an ad being displayed just prior to the cartoon. This is truly unique and I believe could take off just as AdSense did when it was introduced.

I would have preferred that some company other than Google had introduced the concept, if only because Google already controls too much of ad space on the Internet. Unfortunately though for something like this to work you would need a distribution network already in place and Google has that in spades. Other companies also would have had a hard time attracting a talent like MacFarlane and would have needed time to build up a distribution network. In that case, the path to profitability would have been delayed. With Google it will just be a matter of offering another option for their AdSense members and they will be away to the bank.

Did this latest move by Google just change the whole ad landscape? I think so. Is it a good thing? On that I am not so sure, but I don’t think so. Will it succeed? Probably.

Google just announced its odd Google Media Server, a Windows app that finds photos, music, and video and makes it available to DLNA devices like the PlayStation 3, XBox 360, and most Media Center PCs.

Google Media Server is a Windows application that aims to bridge the gap between Google and your TV. It uses Google Desktop technology such as Desktop gadgets for the administration tool and Google Desktop Search to locate media files. All you need is a PC running Google Desktop and a UPnP-enabled device (e.g. a PlayStation 3). At the touch of a button, you can then:

* Access videos, music, and photos stored on your PC
* View Picasa Web Albums
* Play your favorite YouTube videos

This shows that Google is very interested in getting its message out across multiple platforms. With the launch of Android forthcoming, could the Google set-top box be next?

Crunch Network: MobileCrunch Mobile Gadgets and Applications, Delivered Daily.

Finding a good dotcom domain name (without paying a hefty premium for it) has long been a virtually impossible task, leading otherwise obscure countries to offer up domain extensions like .tv, .to, and .fm. to allow you to register something with some semblance of being a real word. However, the domain registration system is about to get a major overhaul, opening up a limitless amount of possibilities when it comes to domain names.

A proposal has been approved by Icann – the non-profit organization responsible for overseeing domain registrations – that will allow anyone to become a registrar and offer their own domain extensions. Well, almost everyone. According to the BBC, the cost of getting into the business of offering up a new top-level domain (TLD) will be “in the six figures,” meaning the privilege will be reserved for those with some serious cash to invest.

Previously, TLDs have been reserved for individual countries, hence, why we’ve seen small nations like Tonga get into the business. Will opening the process up to entrepreneurs create a huge new opportunity for web entrepreneurs to get better domains names for their startups? Probably not. In reality, very few sites without a dotcom gain notoriety, other than the occasional clever customer like del.icio.us or last.fm.

Most likely, we’ll see a rush of big domain registrars and speculators buying up the premium TLDs, names, and clever combinations, with a few popular web sites emerging with extensions like .mash, .adam, or .pete, for example

If there’s one thing Habbo’s online virtual world is good at, it’s making a big deal out of anything and everything. And the recent milestone of 100 million users is nothing to snuff at. In true Habbo style, they threw a big bash and gave the 100 millionth user a boatload of prizes as a thank you for helping them reach this major goal.

The lucky UK user that will go down in history as the 100 millionth Habbo avatar has received a tailor-made Habbo room with some rare items, and a ton of Habbo coins. The prizes aren’t all virtual, however. The user also got a new MacBook Air.

Celebrating major milestones is the thing to do, especially in virtual worlds. Stardoll is another network that awarded prizes to their 10 millionth user. So what has the now global Habbo done to get to this point? In its eight years since launch, Habbo has done a good job of retaining its users. The customizable virtual environments have provided places where users can express themselves in unique ways and chat with others. The game-like aspects have continually been revised in order to keep users interested.

Habbo has done a great deal to integrate interactive options for users, and was one of the first to create theater rooms where users can share and view video clips with each other. Some promotions have brought in celebrity appearances and sold film paraphernalia, while others allowed users to promote their own creativity; one film festival allowed users to create movies within the Habbo virtual environment and compete for awards.

I’m sure you’ve seen the Austin Powers-inspired Capital One commercials, promoting the new customization options for credit cards, allowing you add your own images. In the hopes of embracing the web’s media-sharing prowess, Capital One is allowing users to tap into their own Flickr accounts in order to customize their credit cards.

From the looks of it, this feature is limited to using photos from their own authenticated Flickr account, and through the partnership between Capital One and Flickr, the images can easily be applied to a custom credit card. This feature may not rake in the new customers but it makes customization a lot easier. Well, relatively speaking. You don’t get to add your customized photo until after you’ve received a generic card from Capital One, at which time you’ll also receive a link to a link to a site where you actually get to customize the card.

Could this be a sign of a growing trend? I know credit card companies are running a lot of promotions to gain and retain new customers, and many of these new promotions include some level of customized feature that acts as a value-add for the customers.

Web-based services often offer a rather easily implemented custom option that doesn’t cost the credit card companies a lot of money to incorporate. JP Morgan has been embracing social media and web-based services for marketing and attracting new customers for a couple of years now, with a promo on Facebook and a partnership with Rearden.