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Stay tuned: Katie Couric's DNC Webcast

Want to get caught up on Democratic National Convention news without having to plop yourself in front of the TV? CBS News.com and CNET News are teaming up to offer you nightly Web-only shows analyzing the day's events, beginning with our first installment in just a few hours following the speech by Michelle Obama, Barack Obama's wife.

The Webcasts, hosted by CBS Evening News' Katie Couric live from the Denver convention, are scheduled to take place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. PDT on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. They'll be followed by a … Read more

50 young journalists featured on UWire blog

UWire, an aggregator of student-generated content, on Wednesday launched its election blog Youth Vote '08.

In partnership with CBS News and Washingtonpost.com, UWIRE has selected 50 young journalists--including columnists, editorial cartoonists, photographers and news reporters--to cover the presidential election from the perspective of young voters.

"There are a tremendous number of first-time voters who will be crucial in this election, and Youth Vote '08 will provide direct insight into the issues they are facing along with their mindset," Ben French, vice president and general manager of UWIRE, said in a press release.

"Pollsters are saying the … Read more

Stream Hulu, YouTube, and more to 360 or PS3 with PlayOn

Continuing the trend of media servers that play nice with home video game consoles, PlayOn! has apparently raised the bar. With the new beta software released to the public yesterday, Windows XP and Vista users can now stream video from sites like Hulu and YouTube directly to their Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and HP MediaSmart TVs.

The technology is fairly simple; the software grabs RSS feeds from video content providers and pushes them through over your home network. With support already encompassing ESPN and CBS, it would appear that PlayOn! brings us a few steps closer to officially ditching our … Read more

Hollywood takes a FreeWheel-ing approach to ads

Hollywood is starting to take note of a Silicon Valley start-up that claims to possess the answer to its Web-advertising woes: the trick, according to the company, is to take an opposite approach to DRM.

Managers at FreeWheel say one of the reasons TV networks and film studios are reluctant to syndicate their content widely on the Web is piracy. The other main reason is that it's hard to track, control, and manage their own ads when they're dispersed across dozens of sites.

FreeWheel says it has the answer, and some in the entertainment sector agree. About 15 … Read more

Last.fm gets a makeover, but can't stay standing

Social music site Last.fm has unveiled a new look: a slick new design, an iPhone app, a partnership with Logitech to stream music to compatible home stereo systems, and a host of new features.

With the new features, members can receive music recommendations instantly by naming a few bands and artists they like. Previously, they had to hook up their music libraries so that the site's engine, or "scrobbler," could read and analyze what songs they'd listened to recently. The site's music charts now also update in near-real time.

Unfortunately, when I tried to … Read more

Last.fm's indie-music royalty program goes live

Back in January, social music service Last.fm announced that it would be launching something called the Artist Royalty Program that allows unsigned artists to reap royalties each time one of their songs is played through the site's ad-supported streaming music feature or Web radio. (They just have to upload their music first.)

On Wednesday, the service announced that the Artist Royalty Program had gone live and that more than 450,000 tracks have been uploaded in conjunction with it.

"We're leveling the playing field by offering them the same opportunities as established bands to make money … Read more

News.com Daily Podcast: A ride-along with the CHP

Early this morning, News.com reporter Kara Tsuboi had a chance to ride around with the California Highway Patrol to see how aggressively the state's new hands-free cell phone law is being enforced on its first day. News.com intern Holly Jackson checked in with Kara about how many people got busted.

AOL has raised its subscription fees. But even if it costs the company customers, the move might be part of a necessary transition as AOL moves away from its days as an Internet service provider and evolves into an online media and advertising company. Also in this … Read more

The 404 132: Where CBS is brought to you by The 404

Today's show is all about answering the questions that nobody is asking. These questions include: Is "doing the robot" considered cheating? If California legalizes marijuana, will we need to find a new co-host? Is the vibrating iPhone keypad a curse or a blessing in disguise? When will Amy Winehouse evolve into a Homo sapiens? How can we stop the Ninja Turtles from stealing our precious metals? Do the Netflix executives listen to The 404? Is there a problem that can't be solved with Viagra? All this and much much more, now brought to you by CBS … Read more

CBS closes CNET Networks acquisition

CBS announced Monday it completed its $1.8 billion acquisition of CNET Networks, publisher of many Web sites including CNET News.com, setting the stage for expanding its CBS Interactive division into five categories.

Under the acquisition, CBS Interactive will include such categories as technology, entertainment, sports, news, and business. The division will be headed up by Quincy Smith, former CBS Interactive president, who will now serve as its CEO. Neil Ashe, former CNET Networks CEO, will become president of the business unit.

CBS Interactive's technology category will include CNET.com, CNET Reviews, Download.com, and others. The entertainment … Read more