Getty / Torsten Silz

Google tweaks search algorithm to punish low-quality content.

Google has tweaked its search algorithm to de-emphasize low-quality content, such as those produced by so-called content farms.

What took so long and will it work?

Demand Media, which owns eHow.com, is the most notable content farm, paying peanuts to thousands of freelance writers to blog useless information about hot topics. The company places ads on the posts and attaches metadata to them to boost their rankings in search results.

Denver-based Associated Content, which was acquired last year by Yahoo for a reported $100 million, was also a content mill.

Google fellow Amit Singhal Read more…

Screen Shot

Screenshot of breakupnotifier.com, the site for a new but now disabled stalker-friendly app.

“You like someone. They’re in a relationship. Be the first to know when they’re out of it.”

That’s the tagline for Breakup Notifier, a new but now-disabled Facebook app. Here’s how it worked when it did work: After downloading the software program, select the Facebook friends you’re interested in and when that person changes their relationship status, you receive an email notification.

The app’s creator, Dan Loewenherz, has tried, without success, to get Facebook to unblock the program.

The New York Daily News wrote Read more…

Andy Vuong

The HTC Inspire before and after one swipe of the Cloth Addiction microfiber cleaning cloth.

A decade ago, your cellphone featured a tiny electronic screen that could be cleaned with a tissue.

These days, smartphones, digital cameras, tablets and other portable electronics all generally have touchscreens of at least 2.5 inches that need special care. Many gadgets, though, are sold without some sort of cleaning cloth (though I did receive one with my MacBook).

I usually carry around two phones and an iPad, so I was interested in testing CTA Products’ Cloth Addiction microfiber cloth. After a week, I’ve found that it generally removes fine particles and smudges from screens with a single swipe.

While the company says the product works on both bare screens and those with protectors, my experience is that it is far more effective on devices that do not have a screen protector installed.

I’ve used other cleaning cloths that are packaged with screen protectors, and they’re just not the same, often leaving a streak or requiring multiple wipes. As seen in the photo Read more…

Andy Vuong

MapQuest released its Android app today.

Denver-based MapQuest, a subsidiary of AOL, finally launched an Android version of its free mobile app today.

As a former iPhone user, I was a fan of the MapQuest app because AT&T charged a monthly fee for its turn-by-turn navigation service.

But my Droid X, like many of the newer Android phones, came with a very handy free navigation app that turns the phone into a Garmin-like device.

Still, MapQuest says about 8.6 million people use the company’s mobile website, and 1.4 million are on Android devices

Features of the Android app include:

· Voice-guided/Turn-by-turn navigation: The phone speaks directions regarding where and when to make a turn

· Voice Search: Drivers can speak the desired destination for search and directions

· Map Toolbar: Read more…

Brian Brainerd, Denver Post

TechStars co-founders from left, Brad Feld, David Cohen and Jared Polis.

Boulder-based TechStars announced today it will receive $200,000 from the Kauffman Foundation to develop software that to streamline the application process for admission into programs within the TechStars Network.

The new system will allow entrepreneurs to submit a single application to each of the organizations within the network. It will also allow Kauffman and other researchers to track and analyze data about the businesses that graduate from the accelerators over time.

“The TechStars Network consists Read more…

Denver Post

Qwest CEO Ed Mueller said the company's merger with CenturyLink is expected to close April 1.

Denver-based Qwest today reported a net loss for the fourth quarter as revenue dropped 3 percent.

The telecommunications company also said that its pending merger with CenturyLink is expected to close April 1.

Qwest posted a net loss of $161 million on revenue of $2.9 billion in the fourth quarter. That compares with a net profit of $108 million on revenue of $3 billion during the same period a year ago.

Customers continue to cut the cord, with Qwest’s total landlines dropping nearly 11 percent in 2010 to 8.9 million.

For the year, sales dropped 5 percent to $11.7 billion from $12.3 billion in 2009. The company posted a net loss of 55 million, or 3 cents a share, compared with a profit of $662 million, or 38 cents a share, in 2009 as it took several one-time charges connected to severance payments, the pending merger and other expenses. The charges dropped earnings per share by 47 cents in 2010.

Qwest chief executive Ed Mueller said in a statement that the company made “substantial progress” toward closing its merger with CenturyLink, receiving approval in 18 states with approvals pending in four additional states and the Federal Communications Commission. Read more…

AP

AT&T's offer to loyal iPhone users was unpublicized, unlike its Luke Wilson ad campaign attacking Verizon.

In an unpublicized offer, AT&T is giving loyal iPhone users 1,000 rollover minutes, according to BGR.

If you haven’t received the offer, text “yes” to 11113020. BGR says it will take up to 4 weeks for the offer to process.

I ran the deal by an AT&T spokeswoman, and here’s her response:

The offer for 1,000 bonus rollover minutes is a way AT&T is thanking our customers. We’ve done this kind of offer before and received positive feedback.

All you have to do to take advantage of the minutes is stay Read more…

The long-awaited arrival of the Verizon Wireless iPhone drew some early birds at metro area retail stores today, but the crowds were light compared with previous iPhone launches.

“We opened with about 30 to 40 people in line here,” said Verizon spokesman Bob Kelley, who started his day at the Verizon store at 2073 S. Colorado Blvd. in Denver. “Some were more crowded than others.”

Verizon stores opened three hours early today at 7 a.m. The phones are also available at Apple, Best Buy and Walmart stores.

Read more…

John Bazemore, AP

Adult-film star Teagan Presley holds an AT&T iPhone 4, many of which may soon hit the resale market.

In anticipation of a flood of AT&T iPhone users jumping ship to Verizon Wireless this week, eBay announced a two-week promotion today that will pay up to $511 for a used iPhone 4.

A mint condition (4 stars) 32 GB iPhone 4 will garner that top price of $511. A 32 GB iPhone 4 in good condition (3 stars) will fetch $434. eBay will pay for shipping, and the device will be graded by a reseller before you receive your money, which would be deposited into a PayPal account and subject to a transaction fee.

Read more…

ian nelson

Motorola and AT&T may have priced themselves out of the ballgame.

AT&T released details today on pricing and availability for the highly anticipated Motorola Atrix 4G, named by yours truly as the top gadget at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show for its innovative laptop dock.

I’m a bit surprised to say the least.

The folks behind the pricing must be nuts if they’re banking on widespread consumer adoption with a pricetag of $500 (AFTER a $100 mail-in rebate) for the phone and laptop dock. To get that price, you have to commit to a two-year contract with AT&T and subscribe to the carrier’s most expensive data ($25 a month for 2 gb) and tethering ($20 a month) plans.

AT&T executives told the WSJ that the dock is geared toward “business customers who travel.”

Fair enough, but if they had priced the package at $350 to $400 (without a rebate), it could’ve been one the year’s best sellers, in my opinion. Read more…