1ST IMPRESSIONS

May 21

Stevie Turns Your Social Feeds Into TV Shows Stevie turns your Facebook and Twitter into a beautiful television experience! TECHCrunch: We spend more and more time on social networks, but sometimes it can feel like work. I mean, scrolling through your news feed isn’t work work, but it’s not quite as easy as vegging out on your couch and watching TV. That’s where a new startup called Stevie comes in, with a website launching today at Disrupt, along with mobile apps that function as remote controls. Stevie looks at content shared in your social network feeds and elsewhere on the Web, and it assembles that content into TV shows that you can watch, shows with names like The Comedy Strip, Music Non-Stop, and Celeb TV. Naturally, the shows incorporate video content that your friends have shared, but they also include things like Facebook status updates, tweets, shared headlines, and birthdays, running mostly as tickers under the video. Essentially, it’s a way to watch Facebook and Twitter on your TV. Co-founder and Chief Creative Technologist Gil Rimon argues that this is the right way to do “social TV.” Apps like GetGlue, which offer check ins and other social interactions around existing TV content, aren’t a good fit for how people watch TV now, because they ignore its essentially passive nature. Stevie takes the opposite tack — instead of trying to encourage new types of behavior, it’s introducing new content into the traditional couch potato experience. Rimon compares the app to Pandora. In the same way that Pandora learns your musical tastes and preferences, automatically delivering music that’s tailored to your tastes, Stevie uses something that the team calls “The Stevie Factor” to look at your social data (such as Facebook Likes) and automatically stitch together the videos and other content that you’ll probably enjoy. When Rimon demonstrated Stevie for me, I was particularly impressed by the look and feel. Granted, I don’t watch much TV aside from Game of Thrones and Doctor Who, but the video content struck me as quite bubbly and polished, especially for something that was being algorithmically assembled on-the-fly. Rimon’s experience in TV writing, editing, and presenting probably helps with that. I expect Stevie will become even more appealing when it’s available on connected TV devices. The company has raised $300,000 in angel funding from investors including Jeff Pulver and Gigi Levy, and it’s participating in the Microsoft Accelerator for Azure program in Tel Aviv. Oh, and if you’re interested in couples who run startups, here’s another one — Rimon is married to his co-founder and CEO Yael Givon. You can visit the Stevie website here, download the iPhone app here, and download the Android app here. (Again, the apps aren’t standalone experiences, but remote controls for watching on the browser.) DISRUPT Q&A Q: How do you connect the Internet to the TC? A: We’re not delivering hardware — it’s a web-based experience, with more devices (starting with iPad) coming soon. Q: Who is your competition? A: No direct competition, though of course there are other video discovery companies. But they’re not replicating the TV experience. The real competitor might be old-fashioned TV channels. Q: Why hasn’t connected TV taken off? A: That’s changing — see, for example, the growth of Apple TV

Stevie Turns Your Social Feeds Into TV Shows


Stevie turns your Facebook and Twitter into a beautiful television experience!

TECHCrunch:


We spend more and more time on social networks, but sometimes it can feel like work. I mean, scrolling through your news feed isn’t work work, but it’s not quite as easy as vegging out on your couch and watching TV.

That’s where a new startup called Stevie comes in, with a website launching today at Disrupt, along with mobile apps that function as remote controls. Stevie looks at content shared in your social network feeds and elsewhere on the Web, and it assembles that content into TV shows that you can watch, shows with names like The Comedy Strip, Music Non-Stop, and Celeb TV. Naturally, the shows incorporate video content that your friends have shared, but they also include things like Facebook status updates, tweets, shared headlines, and birthdays, running mostly as tickers under the video. Essentially, it’s a way to watch Facebook and Twitter on your TV.

Co-founder and Chief Creative Technologist Gil Rimon argues that this is the right way to do “social TV.” Apps like GetGlue, which offer check ins and other social interactions around existing TV content, aren’t a good fit for how people watch TV now, because they ignore its essentially passive nature. Stevie takes the opposite tack — instead of trying to encourage new types of behavior, it’s introducing new content into the traditional couch potato experience.

Rimon compares the app to Pandora. In the same way that Pandora learns your musical tastes and preferences, automatically delivering music that’s tailored to your tastes, Stevie uses something that the team calls “The Stevie Factor” to look at your social data (such as Facebook Likes) and automatically stitch together the videos and other content that you’ll probably enjoy.

When Rimon demonstrated Stevie for me, I was particularly impressed by the look and feel. Granted, I don’t watch much TV aside from Game of Thrones and Doctor Who, but the video content struck me as quite bubbly and polished, especially for something that was being algorithmically assembled on-the-fly. Rimon’s experience in TV writing, editing, and presenting probably helps with that. I expect Stevie will become even more appealing when it’s available on connected TV devices.

The company has raised $300,000 in angel funding from investors including Jeff Pulver and Gigi Levy, and it’s participating in the Microsoft Accelerator for Azure program in Tel Aviv. Oh, and if you’re interested in couples who run startups, here’s another one — Rimon is married to his co-founder and CEO Yael Givon.

You can visit the Stevie website here, download the iPhone app here, and download the Android app here. (Again, the apps aren’t standalone experiences, but remote controls for watching on the browser.)

DISRUPT Q&A

Q: How do you connect the Internet to the TC?

A: We’re not delivering hardware — it’s a web-based experience, with more devices (starting with iPad) coming soon.

Q: Who is your competition?

A: No direct competition, though of course there are other video discovery companies. But they’re not replicating the TV experience. The real competitor might be old-fashioned TV channels.

Q: Why hasn’t connected TV taken off?

A: That’s changing — see, for example, the growth of Apple TV

May 15

TEMPLE FOOTBALL SPRING NOTES (via @ESPN) 2011 overall record: 9-4 2011 conference record: 5-3 (2nd, MAC East) Returning starters: Offense: 4; Defense: 5; Kicker/punter: 1 Top returners QB Chris Coyer, RB Matt Brown, OL Martin Wallace, LB Blaze Caponegro, S Justin Gildea, K Brandon McManus Key losses OL Pat Boyle, OL Pat Tribue, RB Bernard Pierce, TE Evan Rodriguez, DE Adrian Robinson, LB Stephen Johnson, LB Tahir Whitehead 2011 statistical leaders (*returners) Rushing: Bernard Pierce (1,481 yards Passing: Chester Stewart (54-of-83 for 743 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) Receiving: Evan Rodriguez (479 yards Tackles: Stephen Johnson (123) Sacks: Adrian Robinson (6.5) Interceptions: Kevin Kroboth, Justin Gildea* and Kee-ayre Griffin (3 each) Spring answers  2012 Schedule Aug. 31 vs. VillanovaSept. 8 at MarylandSept. 22 at Penn StateOct. 6 vs. South FloridaOct. 13 at ConnecticutOct. 20 vs. RutgersOct. 27 at PittsburghNov. 3 at LouisvilleNov. 10 vs. CincinnatiNov. 17 at ArmyNov. 23 vs. Syracuse 1. Offensive line: Temple loses four of five starters on the offensive line, but the Owls left the spring feeling good about the starting lineup they will feature in the fall: Zach Hooks at left tackle;Jeff Whittingham at left guard; Sean Boyle at center; Jaimen Newman at right guard; and Wallace at right tackle. Wallace is the only returning starter, and coach Steve Addazio is hoping he can lead the less experienced players along. 2. Running back development: With Pierce gone, there had been fears about a lack of depth in the backfield. But coaches have been pleased with the development of Jalen Fitzpatrick and Kenny Harper to team with returner Brown. Their versatility is going to be a huge key in the way Temple wants to run its offense. 3. Coyer the man: Coyer had a terrific performance in the bowl game against New Mexico and a good spring, solidifying the quarterback position going into the fall for the first time in several years. There is no question he has developed into a leader on this team. Fall questions 1. Depth: One of the biggest unknowns about Temple as it transitions to the Big East is whether the Owls have the type of depth needed to survive a tougher schedule. In particular, building depth up front is going to be huge. Right now, Temple has six offensive linemen it feels good about. That number has to ratchet up to at least eight when the season begins. Depth is also a concern in the secondary, where true freshmen might have to be relied upon. 2. Where does Kevin Newsome fit: Newsome, the Penn State transfer quarterback, arrives this summer. The question is how Temple plans on using him, with Coyer seemingly entrenched as the starter. Addazio promises that there will be a role for Newsome, because he is too good to keep off the field. How will that be developed in the fall? 3. Linebacker: Stephen Johnson and Tahir Whitehead helped form one of the better linebacking groups in the MAC last season. They combined for 193 tackles and 18 tackles for loss. Where is the production going to be made up? Blaze Caponegro returns to anchor the group, and much will be expected of Ahkeem Smith.

TEMPLE FOOTBALL SPRING NOTES (via @ESPN)

2011 overall record: 9-4 
2011 conference record: 5-3 (2nd, MAC East) 
Returning starters: Offense: 4; Defense: 5; Kicker/punter: 1 

Top returners 
QB Chris Coyer, RB Matt Brown, OL Martin Wallace, LB Blaze Caponegro, S Justin Gildea, K Brandon McManus 

Key losses 
OL Pat Boyle, OL Pat Tribue, RB Bernard Pierce, TE Evan Rodriguez, DE Adrian Robinson, LB Stephen Johnson, LB Tahir Whitehead 

2011 statistical leaders (*returners) 

Rushing: Bernard Pierce (1,481 yards 
Passing: Chester Stewart (54-of-83 for 743 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) 
Receiving: Evan Rodriguez (479 yards 
Tackles: Stephen Johnson (123) 
Sacks: Adrian Robinson (6.5) 
Interceptions: Kevin Kroboth, Justin Gildea* and Kee-ayre Griffin (3 each) 

Spring answers 

2012 Schedule

Aug. 31 vs. Villanova
Sept. 8 at Maryland
Sept. 22 at Penn State
Oct. 6 vs. South Florida
Oct. 13 at Connecticut
Oct. 20 vs. Rutgers
Oct. 27 at Pittsburgh
Nov. 3 at Louisville
Nov. 10 vs. Cincinnati
Nov. 17 at Army
Nov. 23 vs. Syracuse

1. Offensive line: Temple loses four of five starters on the offensive line, but the Owls left the spring feeling good about the starting lineup they will feature in the fall: Zach Hooks at left tackle;Jeff Whittingham at left guard; Sean Boyle at center; Jaimen Newman at right guard; and Wallace at right tackle. Wallace is the only returning starter, and coach Steve Addazio is hoping he can lead the less experienced players along. 

2. Running back development: With Pierce gone, there had been fears about a lack of depth in the backfield. But coaches have been pleased with the development of Jalen Fitzpatrick and Kenny Harper to team with returner Brown. Their versatility is going to be a huge key in the way Temple wants to run its offense. 

3. Coyer the man: Coyer had a terrific performance in the bowl game against New Mexico and a good spring, solidifying the quarterback position going into the fall for the first time in several years. There is no question he has developed into a leader on this team. 

Fall questions 

1. Depth: One of the biggest unknowns about Temple as it transitions to the Big East is whether the Owls have the type of depth needed to survive a tougher schedule. In particular, building depth up front is going to be huge. Right now, Temple has six offensive linemen it feels good about. That number has to ratchet up to at least eight when the season begins. Depth is also a concern in the secondary, where true freshmen might have to be relied upon. 

2. Where does Kevin Newsome fit: Newsome, the Penn State transfer quarterback, arrives this summer. The question is how Temple plans on using him, with Coyer seemingly entrenched as the starter. Addazio promises that there will be a role for Newsome, because he is too good to keep off the field. How will that be developed in the fall? 

3. Linebacker: Stephen Johnson and Tahir Whitehead helped form one of the better linebacking groups in the MAC last season. They combined for 193 tackles and 18 tackles for loss. Where is the production going to be made up? Blaze Caponegro returns to anchor the group, and much will be expected of Ahkeem Smith.

[video]

May 12

Like this picture if you want to donat $1 for this weekends @KomePhilly #RFC! “Big Or Small Save Them All” @tangees_troops (Taken with Instagram at Citizens Bank Park)

Like this picture if you want to donat $1 for this weekends @KomePhilly #RFC! “Big Or Small Save Them All” @tangees_troops (Taken with Instagram at Citizens Bank Park)

Saturday Festival here at Chestnut Hill. (Taken with Instagram at Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA)

Saturday Festival here at Chestnut Hill. (Taken with Instagram at Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA)

A Pocket Picture. (Taken with Instagram at Chestnut Hill Garden Festival)

A Pocket Picture. (Taken with Instagram at Chestnut Hill Garden Festival)

May 10

'Time' breast-feeding cover raises eyebrows -

usatoday.com

Social media erupt over ‘Time’ mag­a­zine’s cover show­ing a Los Ange­les moth­er breast-feeding her 3-year-old son.

Best Luxury Spas - Guide to Top Spa Treatmentsmarieclaire.com

Best Luxury Spas - Guide to Top Spa Treatments
marieclaire.com

6 Easy Ways to Cook with More Flavor Bon Appetit, bonappetit.com 1. Fry Those SpicesBloom­ing spices, or gen­tly fry­ing them in oil, is a quick way to deep­en their fla­vor. Try it with whole spices or ground—cumin, corian­der, and fen­nel are favorites. Cook just until the spices smell nice and toasty; a…

6 Easy Ways to Cook with More Flavor
Bon Appetit, bonappetit.com

1. Fry Those Spices
Bloom­ing spices, or gen­tly fry­ing them in oil, is a quick way to deep­en their fla­vor. Try it with whole spices or ground—cumin, corian­der, and fen­nel are favorites. Cook just until the spices smell nice and toasty; a…

thedailyfeed: He said yes! Yesterday, President Obama became the first sitting president to publicly support same-sex marriage. Do you think he made the right decision?

thedailyfeed:

He said yes! Yesterday, President Obama became the first sitting president to publicly support same-sex marriage. Do you think he made the right decision?

(via brooklynmutt)

14 Steps That Will Evolve Your Views On Gay Marriagebuzzfeed.com Atten­tion! Peo­ple who don’t like gay peo­ple! Read this!Step 1: Blame yourself.Step 2: Realize gay marriage is inevitable. Statistics show people’s views are rapidly changing on the issue.Step 3: Imagine how stupid you’ll look in 40…

14 Steps That Will Evolve Your Views On Gay Marriage
buzzfeed.com

Atten­tion! Peo­ple who don’t like gay peo­ple! Read this!

Step 1: Blame yourself.

Step 2: Realize gay marriage is inevitable. Statistics show people’s views are rapidly changing on the issue.

Step 3: Imagine how stupid you’ll look in 40…

Sneak Peek: Lady Gaga Will Wear 18 Outfits on The Simpsons Season Finale May 20th by Danica Lo, glamour.com Guess who’ll be mak­ing a spe­cial appear­ance in Spring­field on May 20th for The Simp­sons’ sea­son finale? Yup, none other than Lady Gaga her­self—and she’s packed a wal­lop­ing 18 out­fits for her visit!Check out this sneak peek pre­view vi…

Sneak Peek: Lady Gaga Will Wear 18 Outfits on The Simpsons Season Finale May 20th
by Danica Lo, glamour.com

Guess who’ll be mak­ing a spe­cial appear­ance in Spring­field on May 20th for The Simp­sons’ sea­son finale? Yup, none other than Lady Gaga her­self—and she’s packed a wal­lop­ing 18 out­fits for her visit!

Check out this sneak peek pre­view vi…

Darrelle Revis: Coach’s talk ‘ignorant’ Rich Cimini, go.com NEW YORK/NFLFLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets star cor­ner­back Dar­relle Revis, who made head­lines in March when he called Bill Belichick a “jerk” in an ESPN inter­view, explained his com­ments Thurs­day — and pos­si­bly inflamed the…

Darrelle Revis: Coach’s talk ‘ignorant’
Rich Cimini, go.com

NEW YORK/NFL

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — New York Jets star cor­ner­back Dar­relle Revis, who made head­lines in March when he called Bill Belichick a “jerk” in an ESPN inter­view, explained his com­ments Thurs­day — and pos­si­bly inflamed the…

7 Meatloaf Recipes - Entertainingchow.com These meat­loaf recipes made with chick­en, turkey, beef, pork, and veal cover all the bases. BROWSE RECIPE SLIDESHOW

7 Meatloaf Recipes - Entertaining
chow.com

These meat­loaf recipes made with chick­en, turkey, beef, pork, and veal cover all the bases. BROWSE RECIPE SLIDESHOW

JPMorgan Hit by ‘Egregious’ Trading Loss of $2 Billion - US Business Newscnbc.com JPMor­gan announced Thurs­day that it lost $2 bil­lion in a trad­ing port­fo­lio designed to hedge against risks the com­pa­ny takes with its own money. As a result, that seg­ment of its busi­ness is expect­ed to record a second-quarter los…

JPMorgan Hit by ‘Egregious’ Trading Loss of $2 Billion - US Business News
cnbc.com

JPMor­gan announced Thurs­day that it lost $2 bil­lion in a trad­ing port­fo­lio designed to hedge against risks the com­pa­ny takes with its own money. As a result, that seg­ment of its busi­ness is expect­ed to record a second-quarter los…