Is Netflix set to be the next HBO, will Observer’s new site BETABEAT be a good bet, and how can GroupMe save your dating life? There’s this plus more from SXSW inside today’s Tech roundup!
1. Netflix set to be the next HBO? The company is in advanced talks to distribute a forthcoming TV series directed by David Fincher and starring Kevin Spacey. “The discussions for the series—a political drama called “House of Cards” based on a British miniseries—is part of a growing behind-the-scenes push by Netflix to secure from Hollywood production companies more original shows that will run initially on Netflix’s streaming Internet service.” [WSJ]
2. The Observer is launching a new tech site, BETABEAT today. “Betabeat will allow us to go into greater, in-depth coverage of the movers and shakers in the techworld,” said editor in chief Elizabeth Spiers. [Observer]
3. GroupMe is here to save your dating life. [HowAboutWe]
4. David Letterman’s TOP TEN reasons to buy the new iPad 2:
5. “Absolutely the coolest weather site. Bar none.” #WeatherSpark: Interactive weather graphs for New York, NY 11211, USA. http://t.co/mU14bEV [@Saadiq]
6. Motorola Xoom WiFi hitting seven retailers on March 27th for $599. [TechCrunch]
7. Facebook Lawyers block Mark Zuckerberg Action Figures. What pansies. [Gawker]
8. “Young New Yorkers no longer care about having sex,” says Nate Freeman. “What devalued sex for 20-somethings in New York City? Social media networks, rather than bringing people together, encourage nothing so much as an orgy of self-congratulation.” [Observer]
In other words: people are more concerned about being popular online than doing it.
9. Couldn’t make it to SXSW Interactive? Follow Foursquare’s Dennis Crowley’s adventures all around Austin. [DensBigNightOut]
10. Doximity raises $10.8M, helps physicians connect on the web- and on the go. [TechCrunch]
11. IE 9 isn’t the only one getting a makeover. If everything goes according to plan, the final version of Firefox4 should be released March 22. [Mashable]
12. A look at SXSW in a nutshell: [NM]
13. AOL asks Tech Crunch to “tone it down.” TC is all like, “No way jose!” [TechCrunch]
14. Google has acquired digital video technology company Green Parrot Pictures to improve the quality of videos uploaded to its YouTube service. [Mashable]
15. What Bubble? heh. [YoungManhattanite] Foursquare gets an official day from the real Mayor of Austin (April 16th, 2011). [Flickr]
