November 5th, 2012

Foursquare Adds Some “Magic” To Its Explore Functionality In iOS, And It’s A Completely Fresh Approach

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When Foursquare introduced the new web version of its “Explore” functionality for those who visit its homepage, we knew that something was up. This was absolutely the “new” Foursquare built on top of all the data that we’ve provided the service for years and years. You see, check-ins, tips and social connections tell many stories. → Read More

October 10th, 2012

Google Updates The Business Rating Scale On Google+ Local, Numbers Be Gone

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Google rolled out its own integrated, social review system for businesses with Google+ Local in May of this year. Not only was this a nice addition for Google+, but it finally utilized Google’s acquisition of Zagat. Having said that, I haven’t used the service all that much, because there are some usability issues there. → Read More

April 19th, 2010

StarCraft II given Adults Only rating in South Korea, teens freak out in response

StarCraft II has tentatively been given an Adults Only (18+) rating in South Korea, causing Blizzard a certain amount of consternation. Blizzard has 30 days to appeal the rating. If you think that volcano caused chaos and mayhem, you obviously aren’t familiar StarCraft’s significance in South Korea. → Read More

March 10th, 2010

TNA Wrestling can trend on Twitter just fine, but can it draw actual TV ratings? (No.)

We’re all well aware that Twitter represents man’s best chance of Redemption. No one’s disputing that. What is in dispute today is just how representative Twitter is of The Real World. Case in point: TNA Wrestling made its long awaited move to Monday nights this week, and all throughout the night “TNA” was a trending topic on Twitter. We’ve been led to believe that anything that trends on Twitter… → Read More

November 18th, 2009

Do video game publishers misrepresent their games in order to get lower ratings?

There’s some sort of video game developer conference going on in Motreal this week (titled, to use its full name, the Montreal International Game Summit), and an interesting charge was just levied there. The CEO of A2M (the company that developed Wet), Rémi Racine, said that some game publishers will go out of their way to deceive the ESRB in order to get a lower rating for their games. You know… → Read More

October 7th, 2009

Left 4 Dead 2 may be sold in Australia after all

Good news everyone! Turns out that Left 4 Dead 2 will most likely be sold in Australia after all. If you remember, we told you a few weeks ago that the governing body in Australia that rates game had in fact banned the new L4D game on the grounds that it was just too violent for people between the ages of 15 to 18. Well, Valve decided to work with the ratings board to try and resolve the issue. → Read More

August 14th, 2009

Media companies freaking out because they don't know how measure TV ratings anymore

So I read late last night that pretty much every TV show this summer has crashed and burned. You can attribute that any number of things. One, it’s summer and no one watches TV then. Two, the shows were absolutely terrible. Three, maybe people were watching, but the proliferation of the likes of Hulu have totally messed with Hollywood’s ability to actually count how many people watch its shows. → Read More

June 4th, 2009

I did my part to help out radio today

It’s no secret that I think the radio business is doomed, and that “kids today” are more likely to listen to music via any number of online services—I’m part of Spotify’s U.S. beta, and aside from an unacceptable lack of Sleater-Kinney, it’s pretty great—than they are by tuning into some “local” radio station, where the program manager is a boob and the on-air talent is… → Read More

August 13th, 2008

New device should provide far more accurate radio ratings

Old habits die not very easily, which is what makes the introduction of Arbitron’s new Portable People Meter so fascinating. The device is what Arbitron will use to measure radio ratings in the future, being used in the top 50 markets by 2010. The PPMs, which people keep on their person throughout the day, can actually identify what radio station you’re listening to by recognizing some… → Read More

May 22nd, 2008

UK to apply ratings to downloadable videos, games

Don’t be alarmed, but video game and movie downloads will soon carry age ratings in the UK. The Cousins, worried that such downloads are completely unregulated and unlabeled, will apply the new ratings to video-on-demand and other network services. The ratings will be handled by the British Board of Film Classification, the same organization that banned Manhunt 2 last year. The scheme is… → Read More

October 25th, 2007

J.D. Power rates this years flat panel TVs

Click And the winner is…Sony! I’m going to get myself a Vizio. JD Power → Read More

May 14th, 2007

Game Content Under the Microscope: ESRB Ratings

This week we’re examining the issues of video game violence and content in a multi-part series of interviews with industry insiders. And this is a tricky subject, because what might offend one individual won’t cause another to even blink. Content that might be fine for one gamer may truly disturb another. This is where the ratings were suppose to clear things up. Today, all major video game… → Read More

February 8th, 2007

Sell An M-Rated Game To A Minor, Get Fired

Back in the day when I was but a wee teenager, I was always the 15-year old with the beard who bought everyone tickets to R-rated movies. I never really had much of a problem buying M-rated video games. Looks like the times have changed though, as retailers are starting to take ratings seriously and are cracking down on those under 17. → Read More

November 10th, 2006

Your Mom, ESA Is Very Upset

<img src="http://tctechcrunch2011.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/kill for the world's children. Kotaku's response, to their credit, was go to hell. The letter is reproduced below, just to get in a little extra blog juice → Read More