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SXSW roundup: Winklevii, Hulkamania, beacons and more
This week's South by Southwest Interactive roundup urges you to eat your vitamins, say your prayers and be true to yourself.
Today is exactly one month until South by Southwest Interactive begins (March 13, in case you have no calendar app handy) and here are some of the highlights of news from the festival this week:
- The big news was speakers, speaker, speakers. On Monday, SXSWi announced another round of featured speakers, including the Winklevoss Twins (of "The Social Network" fame), Google chairman Eric Schmidt and Gigi B. Sohn, general counsel for external affairs for the FCC. (Is the FCC's take on what broadband is or isn't going to be a hot topic at the fest this year? You'd better believe it.)
- SXsports add to the mix with the additions of Hulk Hogan (!), Baron Davis, Sal Iacono of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and plenty of WWE folks.
- SXSW's magazine SXSWorld ran a story about the future of beacons, which will be employed at the fest. Warning: I'm quoted in this story.
- Thursday night's Latino Tech Community Meetup drew a good-sized crowd to MexicArte downtown. Tammy Lynn Gilmore from the SXSW staff spoke about some of the programming on the SXAméricas track and ways for attendees to get involved with SXSW Gaming and other free parts of the fest. Also, two Interactive badges were given away for trivia questions answered.
- SXSW banners have gone up:
- Is Drake coming to SXSW?
- Spoon is DEFINITELY doing a SXSW Interactive show, on Friday the 13th of March for the company Umbel. How well known is the "data specialist" company Umbel? I'm a tech writer and I have no idea what they do. RSVPs are available if you'd like to show up and ask.
- Badge prices go up after today (Friday).
- And it is with great sorrow that we say goodbye to David Carr, one of the most consistently popular speakers at the fest. (Seriously, I missed him more than once due to crowds). Here's a bit I wrote about one of his panels a few years ago and a photo from the CNN Lounge in 2011. We will miss your curiosity, energy and kindness always, David Carr.
SXSW Interactive 2011
