Didn’t get the chance join the Boyscouts? Perhaps you didn’t have time to be part of the Girlscouts. Acquiring those merit badges was a matter of
honor. Having them placed on your person meant something. Whether you helped an old woman across the street, got a cat out of the tree, or sold the most boxes of cookies, the merit badges were a matter or pride.
For those of us geeked out enough to challenge one another in Foursquare, we can relive the need for merit badges. Foursquare is the location based application that geotags your location and announces it to others both on the mobile app and on your social networks. The more you use it, the more points you collect, the more virtual badges you can earn. It sounds simple, maybe even nerdy, but it’s a reality and many of us are using it. It’s become so popular that marketers are finding way to tap into the use of geo-tagging services like Foursquare and make them mean something to the businesses they represent.
Well now instead of relying on virtual badges, you can earn real world Foursquare badges and get your geek on when you put them on your clothing. Nerdmeritbadges.com has been given the nod to sell the embroidered pieces to the public so that they can stake their claim on the number of badges they’ve earned. Again, it’s a matter of honor and pride.
According to MacRumors, the iPad could very well go on pre-order as early as next week. Excited Apple fan boys/girls are surely getting ready to plunk down their hard earned money on a device that people just haven’t figured out if they really need or not. Nevertheless, the pre-order frenzy will surely create buzz and further articles on customer’s experience.
The iPad, which was recently announced by Apple, is supposed to fill the void between our laptop/desktop and our mobile device. Not sure if you really need one? No worries you’re not alone. But rest assured that thousands upon thousands of people will still order the device only to later realize if they really needed it or not.
According to the article the US wi-fi model is the first up, but according to Jobs presentation, the shipping date was still 60 days away. Could the pre-orders be taken this early? Sure they can, and fans will just have to wait to be the first on the block with their new device. What many looking out for is the release of previously unmentioned additions. It’s not unheard of for Apple to add something at the last minute, so fans are looking forward to that opportunity. Right now it’s not a guarantee to even happen, but Apple fans can dream.
Remember the days when Cinemax was the channel you went to if you wanted to see any amount of skin. It has become a joke nowadays, but there was a time when many of us referred to it as Skinemax. Well Apple’s App Store is not to be labeled in the same way. Recently we’ve seen complaints about the type of apps that are being allowed to go through the approval process. Apps to include interests in busty asians, busty women, swimsuits, hot models, and all sorts of combinations. The once happy playground of games and productivity apps has now been diluted with apps that have “raised” our interest.
According to a great article on TechCrunch, the policies are changing, and it’s going to affect a large swath of apps already approved in the app store. The zero tolerance on “sexual content” has been passed and we’ll soon see those apps gone entirely from the store. Some of these apps were developed as the foundation for business, so Apple is essentially putting them out on the streets. While many of us may not agree with what we see, is Apple doing the right thing by running them out?
According to the article, the developer of Wobble has outlined the following change of policies:
1. No images of women in bikinis
2. No images of men in bikinis!
3. No skin
4. No silhouettes
5. No sexual connotations or innuendo: boobs, babes, booty, sex – all banned
6. Nothing that can be sexually arousing!!
7. No apps will be approved that in any way imply sexual content
Anyone want to share their opinion? Seems pretty ridiculous and perhaps a little overreaching, but it is Apple’s sandbox. If you want to play in it you follow their rules. Leave your comments and let’s chat about this.
Forgive the biblical format of the title, but an announcement of biblical proportions has been unleashed upon the public. Steve Jobs is authorizing a personal biography. After years of reading unauthorized books, years of wondering, years of rumors and speculation, the “official” book has been given the Steve Jobs blessing.
Is this going to be the honest look into his life that we want? Probably not, the unauthorized books will probably hold more truth then anything blessed by him, but for now, it’s an interesting topic.
Personally, as much of a fan of Apple I am, I also can’t deny the presence that Steve Jobs holds. While the company is definitely innovative, I see Steve Jobs walking down a hallway to the sound of the “Imperial March” from Star Wars, with guards on either side. Rumors of new hires being warned not to say “Hi” to Mr. Jobs or else they’ll be fired seem extreme, but not out of the realm of possibility. Do we really need an authorized book? Sometimes the mystique is better than the reality, but according to Macrumors.com we’ll be getting a look into his life sooner than we thought.
Unauthorized books have made him so mad in the past that he’s removed that entire publishing company’s line off of their stores shelves. Should be interesting to see just what he’ll allow us to understand, and perhaps we’ll become sympathetic to his processes.
Cloud storage is huge, and many of us have stored our data in the cloud already. Whether we’re storing documents or media, the cloud gives us a safe place other than our hard drive to access our data in case of a mishap on our hard drive. Still there are others who think that it is too dangerous to store our most vital information in the cloud because we no longer have control of it. No matter what side of the fence you are on, cloud storage is become a reality for more than personal use, but also for businesses.
Cincopa is now offering cloud storage for digital music in an application called Tubemystuff. The idea is that most of our media far outweighs the storage capacity of our mobile devices. Many of us have hundreds if not thousands of gigabytes of music and video that simply can’t come with us. This is what Tubemystuff plans on changing. Rather than having to pick and choose what to bring with you, you upload what you want, and Tubemystuff allows you to access the other stuff later via a cloud connection.
You have the capability to listen to stored music when you home PC is online and offline, but the product prefers that you create huge playlists on their servers so that you don’t have to rely on the physical storage of your computer. While compelling, I’m not quite sure the audio quality would be the same. I’ve used other cloud services and the quality does seem to be reduced.
There are a variety of services just like this. Do you use any? Can you recommend something better. Let us know what cloud services you use in order to access your media while away from home.
Most recently a site popped up that has Foursquare users questioning whether their use of the application is putting themselves and their home in jeopardy. Those unfamiliar with Foursquare, it’s a geo-locating application that pinpoints your location and notifies the Foursquare community and your social networks where you are. For example if you’re at the local grocery store, you can Foursquare it, users earn points that translate into badges depending on how often and where you check-in, and ultimately people are able to see the types of places you like to visit. On the other hand, it’s made cyber stalking that much easier.
A recent site called PleaseRobMe.com has highlighted the risk of sharing your locations for the most paranoid of the bunch. It stands to reason that anyone can know anything about you if they really wanted to, with or without Foursquare. Though the site appears to be a joke, the seriousness in which someone’s property could truly be in jeopardy is something that is not easily overlooked.
Illegal? Does this site incite people to do harm to another? Some say that if you choose to share your location you deserve what happens, but that seems a very narrow minded point of view.
So tell me, where do you stand? Do you use geo-locating services? Do sites like PleaseRobMe.com exist as a wake up call or as a way to incite theft?
The independent circuit in any field is risky, but moreso for the entertainment industry. Independent filmakers, like musicians, comedians, etc,
all struggle to be seen, recognized, and signed eventually with some dollar signs that hopefully repay the long days of struggling. Getting yourself out there is just a little easier now that more people are able to access the web, but it’s still no guarantee, but it’s always a good start.
For indie film makers in particular I discovered Openfilm, which is an indie film site that works not just as despository for your work, but also as a sales/marketing machine for what you’ve created. The site is backed by some amazing film makers all out to help indies find their audience and hopefully find their day in the sun. Considering how many independents are out there, it’s a tough sell, but after talking with a few local short film makers, they’ve found it to be priceless.
The site focuses on high quality live action and animated films from just about everywhere. Premium content on the site allows the film makers to make a little money out of the gate, but as they grow in popularity, larger deals can be made with those that have a much greater interest in giving the film an opportunity.
Some of the benefits that Openfilm offers to viewers and content creators:
- Large, high definition video player displaying resolutions from 640×360 pixels up to full-blown HD at 1280×720;
- Prescreening, selection and custom encoding all submissions to preserve the highest possible quality;
- Submissions accepted as Internet uploads (up to 2 GB) or as mail-in DVDs. Users also have private FTP access to upload their videos to the site;
- No limitations on content duration;
- Custom-made optional subtitles in English and Spanish;
- Large variety of upload file formats, including (.swf) Flash animation;
- Transcription of cast & crew information and production photos;
- Advanced search filter through main site’s sections: Videos, Channels, People, Blogs, Reviews and Festivals;
- Custom user channel logos and flash banners for channels created by the Openfilm designers;
- Convenient features of Viewing History and Quicklist;
- All standard sharing features including Favorites and Playlists, star ratings and comments, and many others;
- Reviews, blogs, and newsletters;
- Comprehensive database of film festivals.
If you’re making a film, or know someone who is, have them take a look at Open film and see if there’s a way they can gain a wider audience on a platform that works in sync with the passions of independent film makers.
We’ve covered some small projectors on Crenk before. One was attached to a phone, the other was a stand alone, and there just does not seem to be a lack of interest when it comes to making things smaller. Of course it’s only natural to assume that because it’s small that it’s not as good. Suffice to say what I’ve seen in some of these small projectors has amazed me, making rethink that perhaps size does not matter.
The BenQ Joybee GP1 Mini Projector is a palm sized projector that packs a powerful display of up to 80 inches. The full color projector is perhaps the smallest stand alone yet, and from what we can see, it does not fail to deliver. Retailing for about $500, the BenQ Joybee comes in at 3.6 lbs, and offers the following benefits:
- Easy Set-Up
- VGA and Composite Video
- USB Connectivity With Wide Format Support
- LED3 Projection
- Tripod-Ready
- 100% Lamp-Free
- Wall Color Correction
- Built-in Speakers
- Keystone-Perfect Viewing
- A Delightful Sight in Black and White
- Optional iPod Dock
I’m interested to hear from those of you that have pocket projectors like this. Do you find them useful or do you miss their larger counterparts?
When I saw the Windows 7 phone my jaw hit the ground like the cartoon characters of yesterday. You know, when the eyes bugged out and the jaw hot the ground with the tongue rolling out? Yes, this phone is sexy. Windows haters beware. iPhone killer? Maybe not, but this phone is sure to turn some heads as it lays out an UI unlike any other mobile phone out there. Zune owners might see some familiarities in the interface, but even those users can expect to see something new.
There was a day when Windows Smartphone would have been an oxymoron, but today, the mold is broken with this experience and it all lies in the UI. For starters, the interface is focused on dedicated “hubs” of information giving the users an interesting way to group like applications under one roof instead of being overwhelmed with information. The touch movement is fluid, the layout easy to understand, and by nature the device is social. A person’s social activity makes this phone a great pleasure to have as you are able to keep up with their status updates integrated into the UI.
You can take photos, create albums, record videos, access Xbox Live, a store to purchase your application needs, and a productivity store for those of us looking to get a little work out of it while having fun too. The phone currently has no pricing, but it’s sure to wow folks who are not familiar with Microsoft making anything this cool and sleek. I don’t necessarily think it’s an iPhone killer, but we’ll see what happens when it hits the market. Remember, Microsoft still needs to compete with Apple and Google which are the current giants in the sandbox.
Social sharing is what has made social media and the Web 2.0 era so successful. Rather than rely on emailing content we find interesting online, we are afforded the opportunity to share that same information with a click of a button to a global audience. It’s not uncommon for stories to gain traction extremely fast due to how widespread the social networks are. Driving traffic to your site, to a specific post, has never been easier with the access to the numbers of people we have today.
That being said, I’m sure Facebook never imagined it would be in the position it is today. Currently Facebook stands at a whopping 44% of social sharing activity. That’s almost two times more than Twitter and simply dominant over Yahoo and other sharing methods. With almost half the market, data is being shared at unimaginable rates online as people “Like” “Share” or “Comment” on content that their friends are posting.
Search engines don’t even really fall onto the radar with as much that is going on in Facebook. Some pundits are event commenting how Facebook may be where future users source their information as opposed to Google, Yahoo, or other methods. Twitter with it’s millions of users and faster response rate has nothing on Facebook.
So do you find yourself sharing more dominantly on Facebook than any of your other networks? Is this a shift in how people are consuming content and a tell tale sign of how people are engaging online? Should be interesting to see how long this can keep up and where Facebook will go with this.
All the buzz this past CES was the debut of a lot a 3D devices. Personally 3D is just a gimmick for me, something that is supposed to get me into the story with cheap parlor tricks of making me feel like something is coming at me or is going to poke my eye out. I’m not for wearing the funny glasses and having to adjust my eyesight when I’m done, but apparently some people are. With so many newly released movies, new TV’s, and more all going 3D, someone thought it was a good idea, and now Sony is on board with something new.
Sony has created a line of new 3D players that you can now pair alongside your new 3D enabled TV’s. Ranging from $200-$300, the new blu-ray will now engage you with 3D to further “enhance” your moving viewing experiences. The S570 and the S470 series are unique to Sony’s lineup and offer varying experiences. The S570 will come with built in wi-fi, while the S470 requires a wireless USB adapter. Both models offer “Bravia Internet Video and BD-Live, compatibility with the BD Remote app for iPhone and iPod touch, DVD upscaling to 1080p, Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoding and a monolithic design.”
Sound tempting? Let us know if you’re into this 3D craze or if it’s just a fad.
One of them most overused terms in the mobile phone industry is the term “iPhone killer.” For awhile there, everything was being termed as an
iPhone killer. The BlackBerry Storm, the BlackBerry Bold, the Palm Pre, and countless others were basically set up for failure. Now sure perhaps the companies are not entirely to blame, pundits and other tech analysts are sometimes responsible for attaching that phrase to a next generation product that appears to be the next step in mobile phone development, so when it fails to provide a quality of service the customer expects, the entire ship goes down in flames. Well folks, not every phone needs to be an iPhone killer.
The LG Mini understands that, and purposely sets out to fit the niche it was created for, the socially engaged. There are times when we don’t need the “smart” in our phones, we just want it to do a few things well and we’re happy. This is the case with the LG Mini which does not attempt to be a smartphone, nor does it attempt to conquer any other phone out there. The Mini simply serves as an amazing phone that touts a strong social networking presence with Social Network Connect, a Social Network Feed, and a Social Address Book.
Aside from having those strong social functions, the phone offers Wi-fi, GPS, built-in FM radio, microSD storage, and a 5-megapixel camera. The strength is evident, but the obvious selling point is the social functions. If you’re one of those that can look past the face that this isn’t the iPhone, then perhaps this little device might be worth it’s weight in social contacts.
