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News Technology Trademarks

Google trademarks Showy for software that turns a device into a remote control

Showy Trademark

Late last month, Google registered the domain name GoogleShowy.com.   With such generic words in the name there was not much to go on.

But now, Google has filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office revealing more details as to what “Showy” will be when it’s finally released.

The goods and services in the trademark application (Serial Number:  85570895), which was submitted on March 15, covers: “Downloadable software which allows users to use their computer, tablet device, or mobile phone as a remote control to operate video display devices and televisions; and downloadable software which allows users to remotely control the content on internet-connected digital signage.”

The information in the trademark filing sounds related to a Google patent which was recently talked about in news sites and blogs.

In February, Patently Apple reported that Google was developing a new remote for Google TV.

“The new remote will use voice controls associated with Google’s own cloud services. The user will be able to use their Android Phone as the remote to make inquiries about TV shows and the TV will list what’s available as illustrated in our cover graphic,” wrote Jack Purcher.

But of course, nothing is certain until Google actually releases Showy.

As of today, Google has made no official announcement on releasing Showy and the domain name GoogleShowy.com does not resolve to a web page.

Discussion: Techmeme, Business Insider, MobileSyrup.com, Android Police, San Francisco Chronicle, Electronista, Phandroid.com, Softpedia, Marketing Land, Android Authority, androidandme.com, Yahoo! News and 9to5Google

Categories
Movies News

DreamWorks registers domains for something called Shrek’s Thrilling Tales

Shrek's Thrilling Tales

While DreamWorks Animation may have no plans for a fifth Shrek film, it does appear to have something in store for the fairy tale ogre, according to several new domain registrations that center around: Shrek’s Thrilling Tales.

On March 19, DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. registered ShreksThrillingTales.com, ShreksThrillingTales.net, ShreksThrillingTales.org, ShreksThrillingTales.co.uk, as well as the dot-info and dot-biz.

I won’t bother speculating on the company’s plans for the names, because the possibilities are endless — a film, a theme park ride, a spin-off, a video game, a musical?

No official announcement has been made by DreamWorks nor do any of the domain names resolve to a web page at the time of this story.

[Update 1 on March 23, 2012, 5:10am Est:. DreamWorks has registered more Shrek-related domain names.  On March 21, it registered the following names: ShrekFairyTaleKingdom.com (Whois) and ShreksFairyTaleKingdom.com (Whois).  Other domain buys on the same day included: ChunkytheDeathcat.com (Whois), ChunkytheDeathcat.net and ChunkytheDeathcat.info.]

Categories
News

Google was buyer of Wallet.com domain

Wallet.com Whois

Back in June 2011, DotWeekly editor Jamie Zoch spotted a change in the Whois records of the domain name Wallet.com.  Jamie speculated that either Zynga or Google was the buyer of the domain, which was privately registered making it difficult to know the owner’s identity.

As of today, the buyer is no longer a secret, thanks to another change in the Whois records

Whois Privacy was removed this week from Wallet.com revealing Google Inc. as the official owner, who paid an undisclosed amount of money for the name.

When you type wallet.com into your browser, you are taken to google.com. 

In May 2011, Google announced Google Wallet, a mobile app that allows users to make their phone a virtual wallet.  The web address for the site is <www.google.com/wallet>.

Categories
News Technology

Motorola Trademark Holdings registers Motorola Turn domains [UPDATED]

Motorola Turn

This week, Motorola Trademark Holdings registered several domain names around the word “Turn” for some type of new consumer product. 

The domain purchases include names such as MotoTurn.com and MotorolaTurn.com.

It’s unknown at this time what may come of the Motorola Turn.  Will it be a mobile phone?  A tablet? Or some other product or accessory?

In mid February, the US Department of Justice approved the merger of Google and Motorola Mobility.

Here’s the full list of names that were registered on March 14, 2012, each of which are located on MotorolaMobility.com DNS servers according to the Whois records.

http://whois.domaintools.com/moto-turn.com 
http://whois.domaintools.com/motorola-turn.com 
http://whois.domaintools.com/motorolaturn.com 
http://whois.domaintools.com/mototurn.com 

[Update 1 on March 25:. Motorola filed a trademark application (Serial Number: 85569635) for MOTOTURN on March 14, 2012, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  The goods and services cover: “Set-top boxes; network access control, encryption and authorization software and services that allow Cable and Video Operators the capability to receive, process, control and distribute digital video, audio, and data services.”]

Discussion: MobileSyrup.com, Phandroid, Softpedia and Ubergizmo

(Image of Motorola at MWC 2012 via Motorola.com)

Categories
News Video Games

Middle-earth Enterprises registers Legends of Middle Earth game domains

Legends of Middle Earth game

Could another video game based upon J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth literary writings be released?

Well, according to three new domain registrations by Middle-earth Enterprises (a division of The Saul Zaentz Company), a new game called “Legends of Middle Earth” may be in the works.

On March 12, The Saul Zaentz Company registered LegendsofMiddleEarthgame.com (Whois), LOMgame.com (Whois), and LOMEgame.com (Whois).

At the time of this story going online, none of the domains resolve to a web page.

Discussion: GameSpot and HardGamers

(Image of Lord of the Rings Battle for Middle Earth 2 Rise of the Witch King via EA.com)