Mashable Articles: January 2014

Friday, January 31, 2014

Microsoft's New CEO Frontrunner and Other News You Need to Know

Welcome to this morning's edition of "First To Know," a series in which we keep you in the know on what's happening in the digital world.

Today, we're looking at three particularly interesting stories. Amazon Prime subscribers may want to revise their budgets: The company is thinking about increasing subscriptions by between $20 and $40. Weâ€™re finally starting to hear rumblings of the probable replacement for Microsoftâ€™s CEO Steve Ballmer. Bloomberg reports Microsoftâ€™s board is preparing to name Satya Nadella as the companyâ€™s CEO, who has been with the company since 1992. And Box, a cloud storage company, has reportedly filed for an IPO.

Check out the video above for more on these stories.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Facebook Stock Is Going Nuts

Zuckerberg2 — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg at a company event in April, 2013.

Facebook just got a nice birthday present ahead of its 10th anniversary.

Facebook stock opened at $62.10 a share on Thursday, an 16% increase overnight and the stock's first time above the $60 mark, following a strong fourth quarter earnings report that beat Wall Street estimates across the board.

The social network reported Wednesday that its ad revenue had grown 76% year-over-year to $2.34 billion, driven by significant gains on mobile. For the first time in its history, mobile ads now account for the majority (53%) of Facebook's total ad revenue.

To put that another way, Facebook generated more revenue from mobile ads in the December quarter than it generated from desktop and mobile ads combined the same quarter a year earlier. The company also revealed that it now has 945 million mobile monthly active users and is quickly approaching the one billion mark.

That shift has led to renewed optimism among analysts and investors, many of whom who had raised red flags about Facebook's mobile prospects in its first days as a public company. Multiple analysts responded by raising their price targets for the stock.

"Results surpassed our expectations on almost every metric and the highlight was Mobile advertising," Arvind Bhatia, an analyst with Sterne Agee, wrote in an investor note. He raised his price target for the stock to $70 from $60 previously.

"We are incrementally more positive on revenue in the early part of 2014 given our read on these results, as they once again suggest underlying revenue tailwinds that are stronger than we expected," Brian Wieser, a senior research analyst with Pivotal Research, wrote in a research note. He raised his price target from $63 to $65.

Facebook's market cap jumped by more than $20 billion overnight, hitting $150 billion.

The strong earnings report comes less than a week before Facebook celebrates its 10th anniversary, a milestone that many Internet companies never reach. During the earnings call Wednesday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg noted that "it's been an amazing journey" and said the goal in the coming year would be to put out "new and engaging mobile experiences."

To that end, Facebook unveiled a new standalone app Thursday morning called Paper, a social news reader. The app is part of a broader effort from the company to cater to specific use cases without having to cram every feature into the main app. In this way, Facebook hopes to continue to boost mobile engagement and perhaps stay more nimble in competing with other social startups over the decade to come.

What to Expect From Facebook's Q4 Earnings: Instagram, Mobile, Teens

Zuck11 — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg at a company event in April, 2013.

Facebook should be feeling good right about now. The stock is hovering near an all-time high. The company has proven it can adapt to mobile. And Facebook is less than a week away from celebrating its 10th anniversary, a milestone that many Internet companies never reach.

Yet, from the headlines in recent months, you'd think Facebook was on the verge of some existential disaster. Ever since Facebook's CFO admitted during the last earnings call in October that there had been "a decrease in daily users partly among younger teens," speculation has run rampant about the extent of Facebook's "teen problem."

Analysts may press Facebook Wednesday, during its fourth-quarter earnings call, to address this question again. It may also have the opportunity to shift the narrative, depending on the strength of its results.

"On the earnings call, we expect more color on issues such as 1) 'teen engagement'; 2) ad load in News Feeds; and 3) video ads on Instagram and Facebook," Arvind Bhatia, an analyst with Sterne Agee, wrote in an investor note this week. While that first category may generate more headlines, the latter two are likely to be more significant to investors looking for Facebook's progress on new and existing revenue streams.

The consensus estimate on Wall Street is that Facebook will report earnings of $0.27 per share on revenue of $2.33 billion for the fourth quarter, the latter of which would represent a 56% increase year over year. Facebook is also expected to officially become a mobile-first company: Bhatia predicts that mobile ad revenue will represent 52% of total ad revenue for the quarter, its first time making up the majority.

Instagram, in particular, may be a point of interest during the call. More than a year after Facebook completed the acquisition of Instagram for $730 million, the photo-sharing service is finally positioned to start generating revenue for Facebook. Instagram says its early ad efforts are working well; now it's time to see whether Facebook provides more details on how well.

Facebook will also release data for the entire 2013 fiscal year. If the company meets Wall Street's estimates for the fourth quarter, it should report annual revenues of about $7.6 billion. By comparison, Facebook had its first $5 billion revenue year in 2012.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Bill Hader's 'Star Wars' Impressions Really Aren't Half Bad

Bill Hader is a big Star Wars fan, and what more can any fan hope for than a part in the next iteration of the movie franchise?

To prove to J.J. Abrams he's up for the task, Hader impersonated a dying Jabba the Hutt on Conan on Monday night, and we have to hand to it him: It was just like being in a room with a slug-like alien creature about to die.

Watch for yourself below:

Hader also did impersonations of a dying tauntaun. J.J. Abrams, give this guy a role in the new script â€" provided it includes killing off an alien life form.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Job Hunting? 200+ Openings at Target, Gilt Groupe and More

Are you searching for your next great career opportunity in the digital space? The Mashable Job Board is here to serve you as the leading destination for digital talent.

Since its launch five years ago, the Mashable Job Board has been a hiring hub for more than 3,000 employers. We have showcased career opportunities from companies like Google, Edelman, Viacom, Yelp, American Express, NBC Universal, Digitas and many others seeking to attract our audience.

This past August we relaunched the Job Board with a fresh design and many new features. Job seekers can now create user profiles, upload resumes and application materials, sign up for job alerts, browse our employer directory, and search and apply for jobs through mobile.

Below are 10 recently posted job openings. Check the Mashable Job Board daily for more open positions and read our Job Search Series for useful career tips.

Position: Director, Marketing
Company: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Location: San Francisco, Calif.

Flixster, Inc. seeks a Marketing Director to execute brand, communication, partnership and Social/CRM strategies for Flixster/Rotten Tomatoesâ€™ web and mobile properties. The Director will support launch and ongoing marketing management of new products and initiatives, including the Flixster Store and Movie Ticketing.

Position: iOS Engineer
Company: Gilt Groupe
Location: New York, N.Y.

Gilt's mobile team is perfectly positioned: The team is small enough to make fast decisions and move quickly, yet our audience is large enough that our work makes a tremendous impact. Over 50 percent of Giltâ€™s traffic comes from mobile devices.

Position: Mobile Application Developer
Company: NBCUniversal
Location: New York, N.Y.

NBCUniversal is seeking an iOS Developer to help create cutting edge news and media applications. The role is in a fast paced and growing team within the NBC Owned Television Stations division. As an iOS Developer on our team, you will be in an exciting role developing new products for our users.

Position: Account Director
Company: Time Inc.
Location: Dearborn, Mich.

Custom Content Division of Time Inc. seeking a digital enthusiast to manage the execution of compelling content that is delivered through multi-channel marketing (tablets, mobile, social media, video, web and more).

Position: Engineering Manager, Product Information
Company: Target
Location: Minneapolis, Minn.

You can be a part of developing and launching new services that power all the channels where Target does and will do business - in-store, web, tablet, mobile, and future channels. Youâ€™ll have the opportunity to design, develop and support innovative solutions across a variety of applications, platforms and environments, building tomorrowâ€™s technologies in Search, Site Display, Product Info, Promotions, Content and Checkout. Youâ€™ll put your skills, experience and passion to work in an entrepreneurial environment where success is rewarded.

Position: Sales Manager - Mobile Advertising
Company: Motive Interactive
Location: San Diego, Calif.

The Sales Manager will work closely with the founders and management to help drive overall company results. The candidate must have a proven track record in sales management and experience in mobile and or online advertising.

Position: Senior Director, Global Digital Content
Company: The ONE Campaign
Location: Washington D.C.

The Senior Director, Global Digital Content is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive, global online strategy that ensures ONEâ€™s digital platforms enhance our campaigning, advocacy, communications and membership engagement.

Position: Product Marketing Manager
Company: PubMatic
Location: Redwood City, Calif.

The Product Marketing Manager is responsible for core product positioning, messaging and field enablement. In addition to working with your marketing colleagues, youâ€™ll be interacting directly with sales, product and engineering, services, helping highlight the value Pubmatic brings to the market and its customers.

Position: Developer Relations Manager
Company: Tapjoy
Location: San Francisco, Calif.

Tapjoy is a rapidly growing company with strong revenues and solid market share, and is currently seeking an experienced Developer Relations Manager (Account Manager) to work with game developers (publishers) to maximize their revenues, meet their user acquisition needs, and broaden/deepen our relationships.

Position: Director of Customer Acquisition
Company: WeddingWire
Location: Chevy Chase, Md.

WeddingWire seeks a full-time Director of Consumer Acquisition who will be responsible for driving the overall acquisition strategy for WeddingWire.com and related properties. This position will report to the Chief Marketing Officer and oversee the acquisition marketing initiatives, with a focus on driving sign ups across our desktop and mobile sites.

Check out these and more career opportunities on the Mashable Job Board. New positions are posted daily ranging from entry-level to C-suite positions.

Image: Bloomberg/Getty Images

10 Facebook-Coined Terms That Changed the English Language

With Facebook's 10th anniversary approaching, you'll likely hear a lot about how the social network has changed the way we live. However, one aspect that many will overlook is its lasting effect on English vocabulary.

There's no doubt that plenty of social networks have introduced words and phrases into the vernacular, and none more so than the 1.19 billion-strong Facebook, whose various slang terms have crossed digital borders and found their way into every day life. We're still not sure whether to thank them or hate them forever for it.

Below, we take a look back at the contributions that Facebook has made to our ever-growing lexicon.

Facebook Official

(adjective) The quality of solidifying one's romantic relationship by putting it on Facebook.

If you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it. Making it Facebook official probably would've helped as well.

Friend

(verb) To add another Facebook user as a friend; to digitally befriend.

I'm not going to friend Jerry, even though he's my friend, because I don't want him to see that I'm a fan of James Blunt.

Like

(verb) To show your appreciation with a thumbs up on Facebook.

I liked your pic on Facebook. Well, I didn't like it, but I like it. Hold on, I'll go like it.

Poke

(verb) To alert another user that you exist by sending them a notification.

My geology professor keeps poking me. I haven't had him since freshman year.

Image: Facebook

Pro Pic

(noun) The photo that represents you on your public profile and when you leave comments.

I think this is definitely pro pic material, but I'd rather you not post it because I have a feeling it could be admissible in a court of law.

Stalk

(verb) To look too deeply into another's Facebook posts and pictures, regardless of familiarity with that person.

Remember Deborah, from high school? I stalked her for like four hours last night. She's a paleontologist now.

Tag

(verb) To add a link to another user's profile through a photo, status or comment.

Don't tag me in that, I have family members that care about me on here.

Unfriend

(verb) To remove someone as a Facebook connection.

I unfriended you because your frequent statuses about how you miss the beach upset me.

Unlike

(verb) To redact a formerly liked post by pressing the like button again.

I've spent three hours unliking all of her profile pictures that I liked, so she knows I'm over it.

Wall

(noun) The public face of your profile, where your posts and others' posts to you appear.

Get your computer off the floor and step away from the window, check out what Todd just wrote on my wall.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Mashable Composite. Images: Flickr, srgpicker; Facebook

Give Up On This Audiobook Giving You Any Good Advice

Life got you down? Struggling to achieve your goals? Just give up!

Jeff Wysaki has all the answers for your woes in the latest video from his comedy blog Pleated Jeans. So-called "Dr." Fitzsimmons' audiobook Giving Up offers plenty of sage advice for downtrodden folks who just can't seem to catch a break in life.

Sometimes the best way to deal with your frustrations is to not deal with them at all. Besides, it's a lot easier to watch Netflix all day.

Fans can get more life lessons from Pleated Jeans like How to Tie a Tie or How to Eat Your Food.

1. Learn to keep a secret.
2. Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to.
3. Learn how to multitask.
7. Exercise is a great way to relieve work-related stress.
8. Don't sell out too hard.
10. Always look your best.

Image: Youtube, pleatedjeans

Show Off Your Doodles for Our Snapchat Challenge

Itâ€™s time to flex those fingers, because we want to see your best Snapchat doodles. The first-ever Mashable Snapchat Challenge is here.

Bored at work, stuck in line, tired of re-watching the Game of Thrones trailer? Get those creative juices flowing and tap into your inner snap artist. Send us a snap with a one-of-a-kind doodle for a chance to be featured on Mashable. Weâ€™ll be looking out for snap-savvy contenders with original ideas, so feel free to use Snapchatâ€™s filters, special text and "secret" colors.

Start with a simple sketch, experiment with colors, and if youâ€™re feeling really ambitious, hit us with some witty wordplay.

Hereâ€™s an example of a snap doodle inspired by a random object found in the kitchen:

If you havenâ€™t already, add "mashable" on Snapchat
Send us your snap by Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 9 a.m. ET
Be sure to select 10 seconds for your snap â€" weâ€™ll need a little time to absorb your snapsterpiece!

Image: Mashable

Beyoncé Parody Shows Just How Flawless You Look in the Morning

No one should compare themselves to BeyoncÃ©, ever. We all know she's flawless, and it will almost certainly end in tears. (Whether or not those tears come from laughter is a different story.)

Comedy duo Emotistyle took on the challenge with a YouTube parody of the singer's recent hit "Flawless." Except this track is a little more down to earth.

The singing twosome start the video glammed up with perfect make-up and clothing, but quickly change the tune to a more realistic portrait of what all humans look like when we wake up.

BONUS: 12 Comedian Quotes to Help You Laugh Through Relationship Hiccups

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Image: YouTube, Emotistyle

Kiev Protesters Gear Up for Bloody Fight After 2 Die in Clashes

By Christopher Miller2014-01-22 14:56:14 UTC

KIEV, UKRAINE â€" After the bloodiest day in Ukraine's two-month-old uprising, protesters are gearing up for a long and potentially brutal fight with riot police. They packed bags full of fresh snow in front of barricades on Independence Square and duct taped thick magazines and pieces of plastics to their shins and forearms.

At least two protesters were shot and killed early Wednesday. A third reportedly fell to his death from atop a colonnade after police beat him with truncheons.

Protesters at the scene told Mashable they saw a sniper fire the shots from a nearby rooftop. One of the men took a bullet to the heart, according to Oleg Musiy, a medical services coordinator for the protest movement. The other man was shot in the head and neck up to four times, he said. Itâ€™s unclear whether the bullets were rubber or metal. However, Musiy said â€œit is impossibleâ€ for those wounds to have been caused by rubber bullets.

The government on Wednesday ordered the closure of businesses in central Kiev and sanctioned the use of new gas and weapons against protesters.

The violence kicked off just before sunrise when masked protesters hurled Molotov cocktails and stones at police, who, in turn, heaved flash grenades and tear gas at protesters and fired rubber bullets indiscriminately into a crowd of about 300.

Opposition politicians and civil society leaders immediately called for a general mobilization. Within an hour, thousands of protesters took to the cityâ€™s central streets. At least 1,000 came up against riot police near the cabinet building before police forcibly drove them back to Independence Square, the epicenter of the "Euromaidan" protests, as they are called.

For the next several hours, police and protesters pushed each other up and down Hrushevskoho Street. Several dozen men burned tires in the roadway to block the visibility of police forces. For much of the afternoon thick, black smoke filled the area, accompanied by bursts of shotgun fire from police.

Violence between the two groups has escalated in recent days, but Wednesday's events were no doubt the most violent and worrisome since protests began in November.

The country's three largest political opposition parties, Arseniy Yatseniuk's Batkivshchyna Party, Vitali Klitschko's Ukrainian Democratic Alliance For Reform and Oleh Tiahnybok's Svoboda Party, expressed outrage over the fatal shootings of the two demonstrators.

"Four gunshot wounds to the head and neck in one of the dead is not self-defense [by police] who deliberately shot civilians. The direct responsibility for this act of terror against the citizens of dictatorship lies heavily on the interior minister â€" the bloody killer Vitaliy Zakharchenko," the three opposition parties said in a joint statement.

Ukrainian officials denied their involvement in the protesters' deaths. In a speech to his cabinet, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov took a hard line against the protests, according to Reuters, and seemed to suggest a further crackdown.

â€œTerrorists from the 'Maidan' seized dozens of people and beat them,â€ he said. â€œI am officially stating that these are criminals who must answer for their action."

The United States began targeted sanctions in the form revoked visas of top Ukrainian officials they believe ordered police violence against protesters in November and December.

Because of U.S. confidentiality laws, the names of the officials who had their visas revoked would not be released publicly.